Tigers' Pride - Spring Edition 2025

In this issue of Tigers' Pride, we are proud to share the incredible literacy events that took place in our schools, along with the many ways our students continue to learn, explore, and give back to their communities. Whether it is through reading celebrations, STEM explorations, the arts, or acts of kindness, our students inspire us every day with their enthusiasm and dedication.

As we move forward this school year, exciting opportunities await our students and community. We look forward to celebrating their continued success and sharing more stories of growth, achievement, and Tiger Pride.

Thank you for your ongoing support of Marple Newtown schools.

Sincerely,

Tina M. Kane, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Read Across America Week, observed from March 2nd - 6th, kicks off on the birthday of well known author Dr. Seuss, but the entire month of March is dedicated to promoting literacy.

By participating in Read Across America, MNSD joined schools across the country in fostering a love of reading and emphasizing its importance in lifelong learning. Our schools organized exciting activities throughout the week to engage students in the joy of books and storytelling. From themed dress-up days and exciting author visits, to exploring diverse stories from different regions of the United States, students had many opportunities to immerse themselves in literature.

In this issue of Tiger’s Pride, we highlight the incredible Read Across America initiatives across our District. Our schools continue to find creative and engaging ways to inspire a lifelong love of reading.

Marple Newtown High School students visited Culbertson, Loomis, Russell, and Worrall elementary schools, to read to students during Read Across America Week.

As a Kindergarten parent, you probably have many questions in preparation for the start of school. In an effort to ease parental concerns and answer the most frequently asked questions, the District will be providing an overview of the Kindergarten program during an upcoming event. Kindly save the date for our Kindergarten Parent Information Night.

Culbertson Elementary School proudly participated in the Ronald McDonald House annual fundraiser, Read for the House, demonstrating their commitment to helping families in need. Throughout January, students set up their personal fundraising pages and gathered pledges from family and friends, preparing for a month of dedicated reading. In February, they logged their minutes daily, knowing that every page turned contributed to a greater cause. March brought the final step, collecting donations, and Culbertson students went above and beyond, raising an incredible $14,510.70, surpassing last year’s total. Thanks to their hard work, Culbertson ranked among the top five fundraising schools in the region. The money raised directly supports Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Philadelphia Region, which provides lodging, meals, transportation, and emotional support to families with children receiving medical care. From temporary housing to hospital-based family rooms, summer camps for children with cancer, and mobile healthcare services, these funds make a tangible difference in the lives of families facing difficult medical journeys.

Celebrating Read Across America is a fun and exciting way to encourage students to develop a love for reading. Culbertson students participated in book-themed dress up days, a school wide read aloud and explored stories from each region of the United States during their library classes. What an amazing week celebrating the joy of reading!

MNSD students were flying high on the Eagles' NFC Championship win! There’s no doubt our Tiger spirit helped propel the Birds to their Super Bowl victory! Our students and staff cheered, wore Eagles gear, and participated in spirit days to celebrate every step of the way!

This past January, Loomis Elementary celebrated the Lunar New Year with a vibrant and educational event, thanks to the generosity of several dedicated parents. Their time, costumes, and effort helped students learn about the Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, a time of good luck, prosperity, and happiness.

This year marks the Year of the Snake, a symbol of wisdom, transformation, and determination in Asian culture. Many Loomis students participated in a colorful performance, showcasing traditional Lunar New Year customs, fan dancers, large lions, and giant dragons! Their enthusiasm and hard work were met with resounding applause! A special thank you to Loomis parents and many others who planned, prepared, and preformed as well as supported the student performers as they learned the many dances and traditions of the Asian community.

A special thank you to all the parents who shared their Lunar New Year traditions with students through an informative PowerPoint, origami craft, and a fun game. The third-grade students in Mrs. Henry’s class absolutely loved it!

The Loomis Elementary Read-Cycle Event was a wonderful opportunity for students to share their love of reading while giving back to their school community. Thanks to the generosity of their families, students donated a variety of books from home, ensuring that others could enjoy new stories and adventures. In addition to donating, students had the exciting opportunity to browse through the collection and pick out a gently-used book to take home. This treasure hunt for a new read was a highlight of the event, sparking enthusiasm and fostering a love for literature. The Read-Cycle Event has become a beloved tradition, uniting students in their love for books. A heartfelt thank you to Mrs. Miller and our Loomis volunteers for making it such a success.

In January and February, the Student Art Recognition events provided a unique opportunity for our Culbertson and Loomis student artists to showcase their creativity and discuss their work. Throughout the event, they engaged in thoughtful conversations with the Superintendent, Dr. Tina Kane, art teachers, and their families, sharing insightful perspectives on their artistic processes and inspirations. This celebration honored their exceptional talents and remarkable creativity.

Marple Newtown elementary students demonstrated exceptional creativity and engineering skills at the 2025 DCIU K’nex STEM Competition, delivering outstanding performances that truly knocked it out of the park! This year’s challenge centered around Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (UN Sustainable Development Goal 9), tasking elementary and middle school students with designing prototypes that address real-world infrastructure, transportation, or urban development challenges. The competition aimed to inspire students to think critically about how cities, roads, bridges, and systems can be improved for greater efficiency, sustainability, and accessibility.

Among 98 teams from seven districts, Marple Newtown elementary schools secured three major wins:

First Place: Sigma Skyway - Kian Ghorbani, Chase McGarvey, and Serena Chen from Culbertson Elementary took 1st place and will advance to the State Competition on Friday, May 9, at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg.

Third Place: The Solar Sisters - Eva Esposito, Evelyn Graham, and Maggie Lehigh, from Russell Elementary earned an impressive third-place finish!

Outstanding Teamwork Award: Preppy Playground – Congratulations to Nicole Hilliard and Regan Natale, from Culbertson Elementary for being recognized for their exceptional collaboration.

Congratulations to all of our participants for their hard work, ingenuity, and dedication to STEM innovation. Special thanks to their dedicated teachers, Teresa Appleby, Alison Mezzanotte, Cynthia Petty, and Jennifer Walsh, and our students families for all of their support and encouragement!

Among 14 middle schools competing in the DCIU STEM Design Challenge, our Paxon Hollow Middle School Students took home three awards:

3rd Place (6th grade), Team Name: PRS Flying Car

Students: Rachel Engelbrecht, Sylvia DeAngelis, Prarthana Giby

Teamwork Award (6th grade), Team Name: Amazing Apartments

Students: Zoe DeCastro, Apostalia Serevetas, Anusha Shah

Creativity Award (8th grade), Team Name: Kings Bridge (BAM!)

Students: Brooke Liberatore, Morgan Martin, Ainsley Thurber

Our Senior STEM Academy students had the incredible opportunity to visit the University of Pennsylvania’s renowned GRASP (General Robotics, Automation, Sensing & Perception) Lab, a world leader in robotics and engineering research. As one of the top engineering institutions in the world, Penn Engineering provides unparalleled exposure to cutting edge STEM careers, and our students got a firsthand look at the groundbreaking work happening in the field.

During their visit, students engaged in three interactive stations focused on engineering solutions through robotics, including assistive technologies and data-driven innovations designed to improve lives. They also had the unique opportunity to hear from a panel of Penn Engineering students - from undergraduate to PhD level, who shared their experiences, career insights, and invaluable advice for students pursuing STEM pathways.

This visit was an inspiring glimpse into the future of engineering and a powerful experience for our students as they continue their own journeys in STEM.

A Special Visit from Brian Biggs

One of the most anticipated highlights of the week was a visit from Brian Biggs, an acclaimed author and illustrator known for his captivating storytelling and artwork. Students were thrilled to hear about his creative journey, from brainstorming ideas to bringing characters to life on the page. His visit provided an inspiring behind-the-scenes look at his artistic process, leaving young readers eager to explore his beloved books. A huge thank you to Ms. Westman for organizing this unforgettable experience!

Red and Blue Day Brings Seuss-Inspired Fun

The school was a sea of vibrant colors as students and staff dressed in red and blue to celebrate the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss. The hallways were filled with laughter as students enjoyed classic Seuss stories, sparking creativity and a love for reading. Whether sporting bold stripes, fun patterns, or their favorite Seuss-themed outfits, everyone embraced the spirit of the day with enthusiasm.

Cat in the Hat Day: A Celebration of Imagination

No Read Across America celebration would be complete without Cat in the Hat Day! Students and teachers alike donned their silliest, wackiest, and most imaginative hats in honor of Dr. Seuss’s iconic character. With a mix of storytelling, laughter, and a touch of Seussian magic, the day encouraged students to dive into books and explore the limitless world of imagination.

A Week to Remember!

Read Across America Week at Russell Elementary was a huge success, filled with creativity, storytelling, and a shared love of reading. Through these engaging activities, students celebrated the joy of books and gained inspiration from real-world authors and illustrators.

On February 25th, our elementary students took part in the 2025 PMEA District 12 Grade 5/6 Strings Fest. This special event brings together the best string students from Delaware and Chester Counties. These talented musicians come together for a day of collaboration, rehearsal, and musical growth. The experience culminates in an evening concert, where students proudly showcase the hard work and dedication they put in not just on this day, but every day.

In January, the MNSD Elementary Instrumental Department held its Beginner Instrumental Recitals, showcasing talented young musicians from all four elementary schools. The performances featured all Fourth Grade instrumental students, Fifth Grade Snare Drum students, and any Fifth Grade students who started learning a new instrument this year.

Sincere thanks to our instrumental music teachers, Mr. Borell and Mrs. Obringer, for preparing the students so wonderfully. Our students did an outstanding job, and many in attendance were amazed that they were beginners! Great job, elementary musicians!

Worrall’s annual Jump Rope for Heart Event took place this year at the end of February. Each year, Worrall raises money for The American Heart Association, with the Jump Rope event as the culminating activity. Students practice jump rope skills prior to the event, and Worrall’s Physical Education Teacher, Mr. Penney, coordinates the fundraising and event planning. While we have had great success each year raising money for this worthy organization in the past, this year’s total was our biggest yet! Worrall students raised over $12,000 and counting, way to go!

Worrall’s annual Party Like a Penguin was a great success this year! All staff and K-2 students dress like a penguin on this day, hear penguin poems, dance and waddle, parade to the gym, and enjoy a winter wonderland complete with a large “skating pond.” Mr. Penney, Worrall’s Physical Education teacher, emcees this fun event dressed as Olaf, and the whole Unified Arts Team pulls together to guide the students for the day.

This interdisciplinary opportunity allows students to enjoy learning about penguins in ELA and Science, with tie-ins for all their Unified Arts classes, in the weeks leading up to the event day. At Worrall, we don’t get the “winter blahs,” we penguin right through it!

At Paxon Hollow Middle School, March kicked off with an unforgettable production of The Wizard of Oz! With 85 talented students both on stage and behind the scenes, along with the exceptional leadership of our Play Director, this performance became one of the most memorable in the District. A huge thank you to our teachers, community members, and volunteers whose hard work brought this classic story to life with stunning sets, costumes, music, and choreography! Bravo to our incredible students for their dedication, passion, and hard work!

In February, Paxon Hollow Middle School students honored our little hero, Jax, who is bravely fighting childhood brain cancer. For weeks, students and staff prepared posters, painted windows, and gathered gifts to show our love and support. When the day came, our hallways were filled with cheers, bubbles, and endless encouragement, a true testament to the strength and kindness of our community. Jax, we stand with you every step of the way!

Members of the MNHS Mock Trial Team celebrate the team's first ever District Seven Championship after defeating Strath Haven on February 26th at the Delaware County Courthouse in Media, PA.

The MNHS Mock Trial teams began their seasons in November, when the case for the 2024-2025 season - a fictional criminal case dealing with the charge of Grand Larceny - was released by the PA Bar Association Young Lawyers Division. Throughout November, December and January, team members closely analyzed the extensive case materials and prepared attorney and witness roles for both the prosecution and defense sides of the case. Both teams entered competitive action in January at the University of Pennsylvania's Benjamin Franklin Invitational Tournament and in February in District 7 competition at the Delaware County Courthouse against other local high schools.

Team Pi - Michael McCollough, Mia Recchi, Dominic Cirillo, Priya Devi, Jayda Tavera, Trish Gardose and Rebecca Bogutz - finished with a record of 1-1 in their matches. Team Delta - Kayley Brown, Alexa Monteleone, Maura Pumphrey, Emily Wechter, Sophia Favretto, Bethany Campanella, Dillan Golbon and Gracy Kaur - defeated Strath Haven 2 and Merion Mercy 3 to enter the District 7 playoffs as the top seed. They then defeated Merion Mercy 1 and Strath Haven 1 to clinch the team's first ever District 7 Championship.

On Tuesday, March 11th, the team continued this historic playoff run by defeating Bensalem High School in Regional competition at the Bucks County Justice Center in Doylestown, PA. With this win, MN is one of only 14 teams statewide to compete at the PA Bar Association's Mock Trial State Championship Weekend at the Dauphin County Courthouse in Harrisburg on March 28th and 29th.

MN Drama, an award-winning extracurricular theater program, presents two main stage productions each year. Students in grades 9-12 have the opportunity to audition for these performances, join one of the technical crews, or play in the live pit orchestra. MN Drama prides itself on providing students with opportunities to grow as performers and individuals.

This weekend, MN Drama brings to the stage one of the 21st century’s most beloved romantic comedies, Legally Blonde! The production follows Elle Woods, a fashion-forward sorority girl who enrolled at Harvard Law School in hopes of rekindling her relationship with her ex-boyfriend.

Throughout the show, Elle is joined by a colorful cast of characters who help her discover her true potential. What begins as a mission for love quickly transforms into a powerful story of self-discovery and the challenges of defying societal expectations. With a fun-filled soundtrack and a fabulous wardrobe, this heartwarming, high-energy production is a must-see.

The talented cast includes senior Kayley Brown as Elle Woods, Gage Grace as Emmett, Chris Fazio as Warner, Eliza Stewart as Vivienne, Jack Rutledge as Callahan, and Julia Izzo as Paulette.

Show Dates and Times:

March 20 - 7:00 PM

March 21 - 7:00 PM

March 22 - 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM

Mark your calendars, grab your tickets, and get ready for an unforgettable night of laughter, song, and dance!

Get your tickets at: www.mndrama.org

On February 28, 2025, Marple Newtown High School’s FTK Club (For The Kids) hosted its annual Mini-THON, a seven-hour dance marathon dedicated to raising funds for Four Diamonds in the fight against pediatric cancer. Since its launch in 2018, Mini-THON has grown into a powerful tradition, uniting students and the community for an unforgettable night of music, games, and fundraising.

Leadership & Fundraising Efforts

This year’s event was led by Executive Board members Allison Collins, Feona Kochumuttom, Amelia DiValerio, and Andonia Pylaras, along with a dedicated team of 32 Committee Heads. Fundraising efforts included Donor Drive campaigns, local business fundraisers, and school events.

A Record-Breaking Year

Mini-THON 2025 raised an incredible $57,279.08, bringing Marple Newtown’s total contributions over the years to $355,742.32—all For The Kids!

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this event a success. Your generosity continues to make a difference in the lives of children battling cancer.

On January 31, 41 members of MN Best Buddies participated in the Polar Plunge at Citizens Bank Park, raising $6,798 for the Special Olympics and finishing 8th out of 50+ teams. About 30 members braved the icy waters in support of the cause.

In February, the group set up its annual Inclusion Hallway in the high school breezeway, featuring 300+ pictures, messages, and 20+ banners promoting inclusion.

Looking ahead:

• March 28 – Hosting Russell Elementary Best Buddies for Inclusion Day, a celebration of diversity through activities, sports, and crafts.
• April 27 – Participating in the Friendship Walk at King of Prussia Mall, joining regional chapters for a morning of fun and fundraising.
• April – Contributing to The Unforgotten Haven’s sandwich-making project for the homeless.

The group continues to meet weekly, fostering friendships, building skills, and spreading inclusivity throughout the school and beyond.

The Marple Newtown Hi-Q team had an impressive season, finishing first out of 21 teams in Delco Hi-Q. They won three straight matches in the regular season and earned a season-high 62 points in their final contest. Their strong performance secured them the top overall ranking and a bye into the championship match, which they hosted on Wednesday, March 12th.

In the championship match, MN faced off against teams from Strath Haven and the Delaware County Christian School in front of a packed audience. After regulation play ended in a 50-50 tie with Strath Haven, the match moved into double overtime. The teams remained even through 11 overtime questions before MN was edged out on the final question, finishing as the runner-up in a hard-fought contest.

The team takes pride in an outstanding season and is eager to build on its success. Tryouts for the 2025-2026 Hi-Q team will take place in May in preparation for another strong run next year.

This has been an outstanding season for Boys Indoor Track: We sent 12 runners to The TFCAofGP Meet of Champions, at The Ott Center at U of P on Feb. 15, our Districts, with Nationals yet to come. Luke Moyer has set three new school records and with our 4x2 (R. Wise, G. Dhunjisha, D. Andreadis, A. Williams, and L. Moyer) has re-set our school record multiple times; and our school record setting 4x4 relay: E. Kelly, R. D’Ambrosio, N. Holt, C. Reynolds, and A Williams set the record at the MOC! Luke ran the 60 and the 200, Alex Williams in the 400 and Jimmy Murphy in the 800, joined our two relays!

This season, the cheerleaders won the UCA regional competition for the second year in a row. The team also qualified for state competition at District 1, scoring in the top 5 out of 20 small varsity teams. At nationals, both traditional and game day varsity competed in the preliminary and semi-finals rounds!

The girl’s indoor season started amazing and ended even better. Lead by Captains Jaylen Tyler, Keira Bethke, Liya Giby, and Lizzie Getz, the team had an opportunity to etch their names onto the new record board by breaking 11 school records! They also had multiple Meet of Champion qualifiers and 1 state qualifier this year.

Meet of Champs Qualifiers, Justine Rimple in the 60, 200, 400, LJ, HJ, Gabby Nelson in the 60 hurdles, Long Jump, 4x400: Justine Rimple, Gabby Nelson, Jewel Byju and Lizzie Getz and the 4x200 Gabby Nelson, Jaylen Tyler, Ryan McGowan, Jewel Byju, and Justine Rimple.

State Qualifiers:Justine Rimple High Jump. State Medal: Justine Rimple high jump 8th place

New School Records:

Justine Rimple 55 Meter Dash 7.60, 200 Meter 26.27, Long Jump 16’7’’, High Jump 5’3’’, 400 60.43

SMR (Sprint Medley Relay) Gabby Nelson, Jaylen Tyler, Justine Rimple, and Lizzie Getz 4:31.17

Gabby Nelson 55 Meter Hurdles 9.21 and 60 meter hurdles 9.91

4x400 Meter Relay Justine Rimple, Gabby Nelson, Jewel Byju, and Lizzie Getz 4:10.65

Shuttle Hurdle Relay Allison Bocian, Jessie Baumeister, Devin Sliman and Natalie Dunn 46.97

4x200 Jaylen Tyler, Ryan McGowan, Jewel Byju, Justine Rimple 1:50.51

The Lady Tigers battled all season long. Their win of the season came against Upper Darby. The team had 3 swimmers qualify for districts this year: Sophie Yacoubian, Ava Droesser and Katie Snyder. A big congrats to the girls swim and dive team who won the ROAR award for the highest GPA with a 3.8!

The Tiger Men had a terrific season from start to finish. They doubled their win total compared to last season with two near wins against teams with three times the number of swimmers. Additionally, every swimmer improved. For the season there were 62 personal bests in individual events with a nearly equal number for the relay events. When the post season started MN had many great performances. In the Central League Silver Championship, there were 9 podium finishes including one first place and two second place finishes. At the Central League Championship, MN earned three podium finishes to include a 2nd and 4th in the 50 and 100 freestyle, respectively by MN's fastest swimmer in history, Pat Droesser. At the District Championship, Pat Droesser had a podium finish that also qualified him for the State Championship meet. Finally, Pat also set a new school record in the 100 Freestyle, breaking his previous record from last season. Pat had the best swim of his life in the 50 freestyle. He broke his own school record in a remarkable 21.34 seconds and finished in 19th place just missing finals by only 0.1 seconds.

The MN Divers had a great season. Senior Captains Alex Koulas, Logan Leach, and Delaney Behl led the team to multiple top 3 finishes. Underclassmen Riley Leach, Reed Pennington and Stavros Koulas also had strong seasons, with Reed scoring a personal best 189.75. Way to go!

Girl's basketball won a playoff game this season, and became the 3rd MN girls basketball team to ever achieve this. Their journey game to an end just one game before states. Olivia Gicking was 2nd team All CAL. She has 100 3’s in 2 years so far. Taylor Murrin was Honorable Mention ALL CAL. Captains were Rowan Hilden, Taylor Murrin and Olivia Gicking.

Boys’ basketball advanced to the PIAA State tournament for just the third time in school history. The team finished the regular season with a 16-6 record (3rd best regular season record ever), reached the Central League playoffs. There, they won the first round game, but lost in the semifinals. The team also reached PIAA District playoffs and won in the playbacks to earn a bid to States (three times in the 106th year the tournament has been played). There were many highlights and key moments throughout the season. Among them were our All-Central League award winners. Junior Jackson Burger received Honorable Mention, senior Ryan Keating made 2nd Team All-Central and senior Matt Gardler was 1st Team All-Central and named Central League MVP. This is the second year in a row Matt Gardler won Central League MVP. To finish out a remarkable season, Gardler broke the MNHS scoring record and finished with 1,630 points!

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