Haverford Happenings

Join us for a tour of our newly expanded school building, built for learning, collaboration, and community.

Date: Thursday, December 11, 2025

Time: 6:00 to 7:30 PM

Visitors are invited to explore designated areas, including showcase rooms and large group spaces such as the gymnasium, library, and cafeteria. Light refreshments will be provided.
To ensure safety, all school-aged children must be accompanied by an adult.

Guests may enter through the main entrance beneath the red overhang on Allston Road.

The District recognized our staff members for their 25 years of dedicated service in education at the November School Board Meeting!

Thank you for 25 years of dedicated service to the Haverford School District. Your commitment, professionalism, and lasting impact on our students and community are truly remarkable. We are deeply grateful for all you have contributed and continue to contribute each day. Congratulations on this milestone, and thank you for your unwavering service!

Deborah Scannapieco, Instructional Assistant, Chatham Park; Gregg McGhee, Custodian, Coopertown; Diana Cooke, Technology Assistant, Chatham Park; Patricia Gallatti, Food Services, HMS; Christine Teti, Teacher, Chestnutwold; Scott Clement, Custodian, Chestnutwold; Sisombath Voravongdy, Custodian, HHS; Kathleen Carney, Teacher, Maoa; David Detweiler, Teacher, HHS; Natascha Doeller, Teacher, Chestnutwold; Jocelyn Drucis, Social Worker, HMS; Kelly Kindregan, Teacher, HMS; Lisa McCusker, Teacher, Chestnutwold; Kimberly McFadden, Teacher, HMS; Nicole McKeown, Teacher, Chestnutwold; Rebecca Mortland, Teacher, HHS; Steven Peterson, Teacher, HHS; Rachel Pomerantz, Teacher, Chestnutwold; Jennifer Stadnicki, Teacher, HHS; Joanne Witzel, Teacher, HMS; Donna Livanos, Instructional Assistant, Chestnutwold; Angela Reeder, Instructional Assistant, Chatham Park; Bonnie McShain, Teacher, Chatham Park; Patricia Miller, Instructional Assistant, Chatham Park; Kimberly Tonelli, Teacher, Chatham Park; Patricia Green, Instructional Assistant, Manoa; and Eric Schaefer, Teacher, Chatham Park.

Lynnewood’s Student Ambassador Program provides our 4th- and 5th-graders with meaningful opportunities to grow as leaders and take an active role in caring for our school community. The program includes eight student-run committees, each led by a 5th-grade Director whom the entire school elects. Students interested in becoming Directors create a one-minute video introducing themselves and sharing their vision for their committee. These videos are shared with classrooms, and students vote to select their leaders.

Our committees include:

• Public Relations: Plans and delivers morning announcements and highlights upcoming school events.

• Safety: Assists during arrival and dismissal to support safe movement and reinforce school-wide expectations.

• Green Team: Designs and leads environmentally friendly projects that help our school reduce waste and care for the planet.

• Art Committee: Creates artwork and visuals for schoolwide events, including posters for fundraisers and celebrations.

• Fundraising: Plans fundraising opportunities and determines how raised funds can best support our school and community.

• Inclusion Committee: Partners with school counselors and Special Education teachers to create activities that help every student feel welcomed and valued.

• Athletic Directors: Helps organize and coordinate fun, safe recess activities for all students.

• President & Vice President: In addition to supporting all committees, this year’s President and Vice President will represent Lynnewood on the District Student Advisory, working with Dr. Hayes to strengthen connections between our schools and community.

Through these leadership roles, Lynnewood students learn responsibility, teamwork, and the importance of making a positive difference in their school.

At Coopertown Elementary, students are discovering the joy of learning together through the Reading Buddies program. This initiative pairs older students with younger learners for shared reading time, creating connections that go beyond the classroom.

• Older students step into leadership roles—helping their buddies sound out new words, gain confidence, and dive into exciting stories.

• Younger students benefit from having a mentor who cheers them on, making reading feel fun and encouraging growth.

Each session begins with smiles and greetings as buddies settle in with their books. The excitement is contagious, and the friendships formed are just as valuable as the literacy skills being built.

For older students, Reading Buddies is an opportunity to model kindness, practice patience, and take pride in helping others learn. For the younger ones, it’s a source of encouragement, connection, and the joy of having an older friend right in their school.

As the year unfolds, these buddy pairs are not only improving reading skills—they’re creating lasting memories and strengthening the foundation of a school community where students support one another, one book at a time.

IGNITE @ Haverford engages students from across the School District of Haverford Township in exploring innovation, leadership, and equity. Through authentic experiences and problem-based learning, students explore real-world issues affecting schools and communities while developing the skills necessary to lead with purpose.

Students will participate in one of three program strands:

Ethical AI Use & Problem Solving – Exploring how artificial intelligence can be used responsibly to support teaching, learning, and problem solving.

Belonging @ Haverford – Using PSSM survey data and AI-supported tools to identify ways to strengthen belonging and inclusion across our schools.

Future Educator Pipeline – Designing and testing strategies that inspire future teachers and create pathways into education careers.

Why IGNITE Matters

IGNITE @ Haverford empowers students to:

• Lead with empathy, creativity, and purpose.

• Apply emerging technologies ethically and effectively.

• Strengthen community and belonging within the district.

• Develop as innovators, educators, and problem solvers who shape the future of learning.

The "JA Company Program After-School" is a signature high school program of the Junior Achievement organization where high school students work together with the guidance of business professionals to create a successful startup! During the process, students learn about the inner workings of a business -- skills applicable to almost any field -- and what it takes to operate in a global economy.

We are proud of our Haverford High School business students who took the initiative to apply for this highly competitive program. The following students were placed at three local companies and will be working as "interns" once a week in the evening hours from November to March.

Pfizer in Collegeville: Ian Fine

Lincoln Investment in Ft. Washington: Josephine Cuzco

Resolution Life in West Chester: Madeline McClelland, Nicholas Rucci, Ava Anthony, Liam Roache, Muhammad Tanveer Tariq, Jackson Sand, and Patrick Sheridan

Congratulations to our outstanding student-athletes who have committed to continuing their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level!

Your hard work, dedication, and perseverance both in the classroom and on the field have brought you to this exciting milestone. We are incredibly proud of your achievements and can’t wait to see all you will accomplish in this next chapter. Go Fords, and best of luck in your college careers!

Lucy Ardizzi, softball, Drexel University; Jimmy Boyle, baseball, Jefferson University; Ryan Capello, softball, Alvernia University; Ryan Chester, lacrosse, Eastern University; Allison Daly, softball, Eastern University; Jasmine Ellerbe, basketball, Eastern University; Kayla Elliott, lacrosse, University of Vermont; Owen Klick, baseball, Ursinus College; Seamus Lannon, soccer, University of Delaware; Lucy McCloskey, field hockey, Queens University of Charlotte; Brooke O'Connell, softball, Kutztown University; Darcy Quaile, field hockey, Providence College; Lucas Rothstein, baseball, West Chester University; Samuel Sturman, baseball, Lackawanna University; and Elizabeth Walker, lacrosee, Queens University of Charlotte.

We are excited to announce the launch of the District’s official online store, where students, families, staff, alumni, and community members can now purchase Haverford gear with ease!

From spirit wear to accessories, the new store offers a wide range of high-quality items to help you showcase your Haverford pride all year long. Whether you're cheering at a game, celebrating a school event, or looking for the perfect gift, the Sideline Store has something for everyone.

You can find it here: Haverford Sideline Store Link

Parents/Guardians of the Class of 2030 are invited to Haverford High School for an information night on Monday, December 8, 2025, from 6:30 - 7:45 PM.

We are thrilled to announce that the Haverford High School Chamber Singers have advanced in the B101 Christmas Choir Competition! This is an exciting opportunity for our students, and we are seeking community support as they advance to the next round.

The high school's voting day is Tuesday, 12/9, and your participation can make all the difference!

Voting opens shortly after 7:00 AM (once all of the songs have aired) and closes at 9:00 PM.

Voting Rules

· Visit www.b101philly.com to vote

· Voting opens shortly after 7:00 AM (once all songs have aired) and closes at 9:00 PM

· Unlimited votes are allowed

· Winners are announced the following morning during The Kathy Romano Show.

Their song will be played live at 7 AM next Tuesday, 12/9, 11:30 AM, and 2:30 PM. If you can't wait until then, here is the recording!

All registrations are now being completed online. Please check our website for registration information. To register, a new student must be:

• A resident of the School District of Haverford Township (proofs of residency are required)
• Five (5) years of age before September 1st of the school term for kindergarten
• Six (6) years of age before September 1st of the school term for 1st grade

If you are registering a kindergarten or 1st grade student, within 14 calendar days of completing the online portion of the registration process, you will receive an email from a School District of Haverford Township (SDHT) representative with information about the next steps required to complete your child’s registration.

AM/PM Kindergarten assignment letters will only be sent to households for whom the registration process, which includes submitting the online portion and providing all additional documents, has been completed by April 30th.

If you have questions or require assistance, please contact the Registrar’s Office: 610-853-5900 x7139.

Since the last project update, the most significant task remaining was to finish the gym. It was completed and opened for use by the gym teacher and students on Monday, October 20th. All exterior landscaping has also been completed, and all disturbed areas have been seeded, with the grass growing in well. In the spring, the contractor will return to re-seed everything, aiming for full growth by the end of May. The contractors have been actively completing all punch list items and are currently 98% finished. Overall, the building really turned out great!

The contractors are actively working on all three additions of the building. The masons have completed all the interior walls at the two rear classroom additions, and this week, all of the steel joists and metal decking will be completed. The roofers have begun working on the rear addition near the baseball field and will continue roofing that addition, as well as the other two, aiming to have all new roofing installed by early January.

The carpenters continue framing the exterior walls and parapets at the front addition, and they will subsequently frame the interior of that addition as well as the new library. Meanwhile, the plumbers, electricians, and mechanical contractors are advancing with their rough-ins, which include wiring, ductwork, and piping, located within the walls and above the ceilings.

The main goal for the next month is to ensure that the additions are weather-tight, allowing for finishes to begin by February.

You can view updates presented at the December 4th School Board work session in BoardDocs.

Throughout the year, the School District and the DCIU offer free workshops to help parents/guardians better navigate the often challenging roadmap of educating their children with disabilities or learning challenges. Please check this website frequently, as it is updated throughout the year. You can find the list of upcoming training on our website at the link below.

On Monday, December 1st, the School Board of Directors held its annual reorganization meeting. Dr. Latanya King was elected board president, and Chris Shelton was elected vice-president. More information about our Board of School Directors can be found here on our website.

Latanya S. H. King, PsyD, board president, Chris Shelton. Ph.D., vice-president, John Flagler, LaTonia Lee, J.D., Kimberly McKay, PhD, LSW, M.Ed., Dave Schwartz, Antoinette Snodgrass, ESQ., Nicole Snyder, M.Ed., and Bridget Wiedeman.

In order to further inclusive practices and increase community engagement and board cohesion, we are moving to a “two board meetings a month” process in which we will engage in one board work session and one board action meeting.

The Board work session will be the first meeting of the month and will have some limited agenda items to conduct routine business, such as personnel matters, financial approvals, and pupil service matters that may need consideration before the second meeting. The majority of the board work session will consist of presentations from the administration and our consultants, with discussion amongst the Board more similar to what previously occurred in our committee meetings. No official action will be taken during the work portion of the meeting.

The second meeting of the month will be the Board action meeting, where official action by vote will be taken on items after a chance for Board member deliberations. We intend to use a consent agenda process at the action meeting each month to streamline the process of approving items that have been considered and discussed thoroughly during the work portion of prior meetings. We will continue to hold two public comment sections at each meeting.

Both meetings work in tandem to ensure a strategic decision-making process that is student-centered, inclusive of, and transparent with our community members. We believe this approach is aligned with our district goals of Belonging, civic Pride, and Community Engagement and will allow for collective, informed, and inclusive decision-making practices.

A page with dates and topics for both work sessions and action meetings has been added to the School Board section on the website.

*The topics identified for board meetings throughout the year are being provided to increase community engagement and transparency. These topics are proposed and are not exhaustive; they are subject to change.

Students regularly present at school board meetings to share updates about activities and events happening in their schools. These presentations give board members a firsthand look at student accomplishments, programs, and initiatives. By highlighting classroom projects, clubs, athletics, and community service, students help showcase the vibrant and engaging learning environment across the district. Their voices offer valuable insight and help strengthen the connection between the board and the school community.

The School District of Haverford Township utilizes BoardDocs, an online, paperless resource for all school board meetings. Here, you can find the agenda, meeting minutes, video replay, and board policies. The meetings are live-streamed on YouTube.

Board Meetings will be held at the Oakmont Administration Building.

Upcoming Meetings:

• December 4: School Board Work Session 7:00 PM
• December 18: School Board Action Meeting 7:30 PM
• January 8: School Board Work Session 7:00 PM
• January 22: School Board Action Meeting 7:30 PM

All presentations and videos can be found on BoardDocs.

Welcome to Technology Corner, your monthly snapshot of digital tools, tips, and innovations supporting teaching and learning across the district.

As the holidays approach, remember to follow essential cybersecurity tips when shopping for family and friends. Be cautious of deals that may seem "too good to be true," and ensure your personal information stays secure while browsing and making online purchases.

We've included three helpful articles to support you:

• Digital Family Check-up
• Staying Safe While You’re Still Growing
• Think Before You Tap

The Haverford Township School District Education Foundation (HTSDEF) is proud to announce that Michelle Collier has been confirmed for a second term as President of the Board of Directors.

Collier, who first assumed the presidency in 2024, will continue to lead the Foundation’s mission of advancing educational opportunities, innovation, and student enrichment across the Haverford Township School District.
Under Collier’s leadership, the Foundation has strengthened its partnership with the District, increased visibility in the community, and expanded its focus on providing resources that go beyond what the public budget can fund — including classroom innovation, enrichment programming, and student-centered initiatives.
“It is an honor to continue serving the students, families, teachers, and administrators of Haverford,” said Collier. “Our district is full of talent, creativity, and potential. The Foundation’s role is to remove barriers and open doors — whether that’s through classroom innovation grants, literacy and STEM support, or other projects that directly impact student learning and engagement. I am deeply committed to that work.”

Collier’s second term comes at a time of strategic growth for the Foundation. In the year ahead, HTSDEF will continue to build partnerships with local businesses and community supporters, pursue new funding pathways, and invest directly in programs that enrich the student experience.

“Michelle is a steady and visionary leader,” said Gina DiMarco, Executive Director of the Haverford Township School District Education Foundation. “She brings both heart and discipline to this work — she understands the classroom needs we’re hearing from educators, and she understands how to mobilize the community to respond. Her continued leadership is a gift to our students.”

As President, Collier will continue to work closely with the Foundation’s Board of Directors, District leadership, and community stakeholders to identify areas of greatest need and to invest donor support where it will have the highest impact for Haverford students. She is also excited to bring back the Twilight Run after a brief hiatus.

“I believe in public education,” Collier added. “And I believe in this community’s willingness to invest in its children. I’m excited for what we can accomplish together in the coming year.”

Dec 11: Chatham Park Elementary Community Open House 6:00-7:30 PM

Dec. 23-Jan. 4: Winter vacation begins at the close of school on December 23, 2025 (teachers & students)

Dec. 24 & 25: Winter Holidays (offices closed)

Jan. 1: Holiday (schools & offices closed)

Jan. 5: Schools reopen

2025-2026 Calendar (At a Glance)

The District calendar has been updated to reschedule an in-service day from May 12th to May 19th to accommodate the local primary elections.

Join our team! Click the link to view available positions across the District and how to apply.

We are hiring Cafeteria/Recess Monitors @ 15.25/hr

Our schools are looking for Cafeteria & Recess Monitors to help students have a safe, fun, and friendly lunchtime experience. This is a wonderful opportunity for parents, retirees, community members, or anyone who wants to be part of a supportive school community.

The mission of the School District of Haverford Township is to educate and to inspire a community of lifelong learners who become well-rounded global citizens.

Website: https://www.haverford.k12.pa.us/
Location: 50 East Eagle Road, Havertown, PA, USA
Phone: 610-853-5900
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/haverfordsd.net
Twitter: @haverfordsd