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1 w w w . p e n n s b u r y s d . o r g / p a r t n e r s /
Pennsbury Partners Program
2013 - 2014
Annual Report
The Pennsbury Partners Program (PPP) has forged over 1,000 partnerships with businesses and local community organizations for the last 19 years, benefiting Pennsbury students, families and the community.
These partnerships enable the School District to:
demonstrate real-life applications of the Pennsbury curriculum;
offer opportunities for students to provide community service; or
offer mentoring programs and other career awareness and development activities to prepare students for satisfying careers.
Each partnership helps to prepare students for higher education and the workforce of our future.
PARTNERSHIP & GRANT SUCCESSES SUMMARY
The Pennsbury Partners Program had another busy and successful year. Some highlights include:
1. Established THIRTEEN new partnerships including: The Princeton Review, One Simple Wish, Raymour & Flanigan, Futura College Planning, RedBerry Frozen Yogurt, Stages Academy Pre-School, Maaco Penndel, Creative Financial Group of NJ, Generations Tae Kwon Do, Edward Jones Investments, G2 Computers, Dale Carnegie Training, and Home Depot.
2. Celebrated the 15th year of recognizing outstanding business and non-profit partnerships via the Annual Partnership Recognition Dinner. Approximately 150 business people, non-profits, administrators, school board members, teachers and community members attended.
3. The Pennsbury Partners Advisory Board Mini-Grant Committee awarded eleven schools with 13 special corporate-sponsored grants for a total of $5,500. The main purpose of the annual PPP Mini-Grant program is to foster partnership development in each school. See page 11 for more information.
4. Corporate sponsorships received for next year’s PPP Mini-Grants topped almost $7,000.
5. This year, the PPP Office provided over $1500 for transportation costs to school classrooms for six different partnership opportunities.
6. In addition to the PPP Mini-Grant Awards, a new STEM partnership was established- a partnership activity with all three middle schools and the National Aerospace Training and Research Center (NASTAR). Three grants were awarded, $500 to each middle school, for a total of $1,500 for these new activities, Middle School Young Adults in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Partnership Program. See page 8 for more information.
7. This year over $430,000 in grant/sponsorship money was raised. See page 10 for more information.
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15th Annual Partnership Recognition Dinner
With an attendance of over 150 guests, the Pennsbury Partners
Program celebrated its 15th year of recognizing outstanding
business and non-profit partnerships.
The William Penn Middle School Cafetorium was transformed
with red, black, and silver decorations for an “Oscar-Themed”
night to remember! When guests arrived, they were greeted by
trumpeters from the Pennsbury High School Marching Band.
Inside, our partnership guests networked with District School
Board members, administrators, and teachers who attended. The
guests were entertained by a quartet from the Pennsbury Concert
Jazz Band.
This year’s dinner theme was “Asian Delight”. Metz
Culinary Management prepared a fantastic meal while
guests were treated to a wonderful musical performance
by members of the Pennsbury String Orchestra
throughout dinner.
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During the highlight of the night, the prestigious Pennsbury Partners Program Recognition Awards were
presented to the outstanding school/business and school-non-profit partnerships. The recipients of the
awards were:
2013-2014 School-Non-Profit Award United Way- LYFT
2013-2014 School-Business Award Top It! Frozen Yogurt Café
From l/r Jon Leventry, PHS Student, Tim Philpot, Pennsbury LYFT Project Director , Gary Sanderson, Pennsbury School Board Member, Pastor Vicky Allen, LYFT Coordinator , Brianna Vest, PHS Student, Sam Lipoff, PHS Student, and Kat Sestrick, PHS Student.
From l/r Dr. Donna Dunar, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Mr. Sid Schechter, Co-Owner of Top It! Frozen Yogurt Café, and Keara Sanderson, PHS Student.
Special Recognition Award
Yellow Bird Players
Pennsbury Bus Drivers/Yellow Bird Players: from l/r Doris Kelsall, Colleen Sims, Patricia Carver, Joanne DeSanto, Charlie Williams, Director of Transportation, Michele Crouse, Denise “Bunny” Martin, Rosemary Gushue, Virginia “Ginny” Capriotti, and Marie Wojcik
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Annual Partnership Highlights Around the District
In the 2013-2014 school year, more than 100 partnership activities were logged into PAK, the District’s
partnership database. Listed below are examples of outstanding school partnerships by school, focusing on
Curriculum, Career Awareness and/or Community Service opportunities:
Afton Elementary
Housepaws- Dr. Dana Koch came to visit Afton Elementary’s
third grade students to present information on becoming a
Veterinarian. She used x-rays, models, and specimens to help
the students understand the job of a Veterinarian. She also
shared three books that she wrote about her therapy dog,
Winston. She brought Winston (pictured in the center of the
photo) to meet the group.
Eleanor Roosevelt Elementary
David John Woods- With the help of Artist-in-Residence David
John Woods, a tile mosaic mural was created with a theme of
peace. It features quotes from the school's namesake, Eleanor
Roosevelt. Colorful geometric designs were created by
students. The entire Eleanor Roosevelt school community was
involved in the creation and implementation of this long
lasting project.
Edgewood Elementary
PECO- Edgewood 5th grade students were given energy saver kits from PECO. They could install the
materials in their homes, and then conduct activities to see how much energy and water they were saving
with these more efficient supplies.
Fallsington Elementary
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County- Big Brothers and Big Sisters are matched with students that have
been recommended by their teacher or counselor. Big Brothers Big Sisters has operated under the belief
that inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life. This on-site, one-to-one volunteer
mentoring program, facilitated by BBBS of Bucks County, seeks to help each child reach his or her potential.
This year eight adults from the community formed relationships with eight students in Fallsington, meeting
several times a month. Long-lasting relationships were built and sustained, creating a positive impact in
children’s lives.
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Annual Partnership Highlights Around the District
Makefield Elementary
Students Go To Work- Each year, with the help of local businesses and a grant from the Pennsbury Partners
Program, fifth-grade students participate in Makefield Elementary “Students Go to Work Day”. This annual
event is composed of 90 fifth-grade students and over 30 different businesses in the Yardley, Morrisville or
Fairless Hills areas. Some of the partners involved were: Yardley Jewelers, Charcoal Steaks, Mil-lees, O'so
Inviting, Rep. Steve Santarsiero’s office, Marazzo’s Manor Lane, Ye Olde Yardley Florist, Shady Brook Farm,
Old Navy, Macaroni Grill, Chick-Fil-A, Cheeburger Cheeburger, Endurance Sports, McCaffrey’s Supermarket,
Giant Foods, Fulton Bank, Villa Rosa and Carlucci’s.
Manor Elementary
Top It! Frozen Yogurt Café- In conjunction with a
fundraiser to raise money for a new playground,
Principal Christopher Becker promised to allow his
head to be shaved in front of the entire student
body. Top It! Frozen Yogurt Café provided the class
that raised the most money during the fund raising
effort, certificates for one free yogurt. Top It! also
awarded all Manor families and staff a 50% off
entire purchase voucher to be used that night to
celebrate the children’s reading and Mr. Becker’s
new summer hairdo!
Oxford Valley Elementary
Yellow Bird Players- A group of Pennsbury School bus
drivers known as The Yellow Bird Players, visited
Oxford Valley Elementary to teach the first and second
graders about bus safety. The Yellow Bird Players put
on a worthwhile show for the younger children, lasting
about 20-30 minutes.
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Penn Valley Elementary
Rite Aid Distribution Center- Fifth grade students from Penn Valley visited the Rite Aid Distribution Center
to learn about their business. Students toured the warehouse/workplace for a real time experience to
understand how a distribution center operates. The students stopped at various work stations where
employees discussed with the students what they do and what is important to their jobs. Students were
treated to lunch. After their lunch and tours, students won prizes for answering questions related to the tour
and distribution chains.
Walt Disney Elementary
Solvay- Scientists from Solvay came to Walt Disney
and did several science experiments with students
using new microscopes as part of the science
chemistry curriculum. A grant was received from
Waste Management to purchase the new
microscopes, and the Solvay scientists showed the
students how to use them.
Quarry Hill Elementary
United Way of Bucks County- Third grade students of Quarry Hill donated baby items for their Baby Bundles
collection. The United Way then came in to talk with the students on ways the United Way provides
assistance to the community.
Charles Boehm Middle
Exelon Energy Education Center- With the help of a PPP
Mini-Grant, 7th grade students took a tour of the
Exelon Energy Education Center, and were able to work
with the interactive displays, focusing on sparking their
interest in how electricity is created; landfill gas, solar
energy, wind and hydro power. This trip is always a big
hit with the students!
Annual Partnership Highlights Around the District
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Pennwood Middle
Bucks County Community College and ITT Technical Institute- Through the combined efforts of the PPP
Mini-Grant program and partners, Bucks County Community College and ITT Technical Institute, 8th grade
special education students from Pennwood participated in the Career Connections program. This program is
a special career development project designed to give the students an opportunity to plan future careers.
Students were given a tour of the campus and meet with the Assistant Director of Admissions and the
Director of Disability Services at Bucks County Community College. At ITT Technical Institute, the students
were given an overview of the school and a tour. Students then were introduced to a teacher and did hands-
on activity with the computers in the forensics department.
William Penn Middle
CBS 3 Weather- Justin Drabick, a meteorologist from CBS 3,
brought the Mobile Weather Lab to William Penn. He spent
about 40 minutes speaking to a group of 7th graders about his
career as a meteorologist. Justin allowed students to ask
questions about his training and job. A live weather report
broadcast followed, featuring our William Penn students.
Pennsbury High School
Raymour & Flanigan- Pennsbury Partner, Raymour & Flanigan, donated
materials to the Pennsbury High School art classes to design and illustrate
holiday ornaments. An open house was held at Raymour & Flanigan, where
customers were treated to the holiday sounds from members of the
Pennsbury Concert Jazz Band while they shopped, and participated in the
auction to purchase these beautifully handcrafted ornaments. All proceeds
from the sales of the ornaments benefitted the Bucks County Courier Times’
annual “Give a Christmas Fund.”
Annual Partnership Highlights Around the District
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Charles Boehm, Pennwood and William Penn
National Aerospace Training and Research (NASTAR)-
Students from all three middle schools travelled to NASTAR
and attended presentations on types of engineering and
technical careers for consideration, including a tour of the
commercial air and space training and educational facility.
Students were enamored by the amazing aerospace
equipment, especially the functioning centrifuge, ejector
seat, flight simulator and hypobaric chamber. They were
able to ask questions about the world of aerospace
engineering and training. Students were especially excited to
watch a foreign air force pilot train for combat and aircraft
carrier landings.
District-wide
Barnes & Noble- Renowned author, Rick Riordan
paid a visit to the Pennsbury School District. The
event, coordinated with Pennsbury Partner, Barnes &
Noble, took place at an almost sold-out Pennsbury
High School East Auditorium. Copies of Riordan's
newest book, The House of Hades, were purchased
and autographed. These books were the price of
admission for families attending the event. Students
learned how Mr. Riordan became a writer.
District-wide
Bucks County Performing Arts Center- Guy Davis, renowned
blues musician reviving the tradition of acoustic blues, held a
one-week residency, and performed in 11 assemblies
throughout the District. Closely connected with jazz, blues
music has roots in the south, in the fields where West African
slaves cooked. Children learned to successfully identify
different types of blues music, based on style, rhythm, and
origin.
Annual Partnership Highlights Around the District
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District-wide
Davis Dealerships- Once again this year, Pennsbury Partner, Davis
Dealerships, is sponsoring the Pennsbury Odyssey of the Mind Association
(POMA) program in our schools. Odyssey of the Mind (OM) is a team-
oriented program that promotes creative problem-solving among students
from kindergarten through college years. The international organization
offers each OM team many opportunities to use teamwork, brainstorming,
self-reliance, creativity, and respect for individual strengths in unique,
unforgettable experiences that will serve them in every aspect of their lives.
District-wide
G2Computers- At an end-of-year Math award
celebration, G2Computers recognized three
students, one at each level of education, with a
$100 award in recognition of their exceptional
math achievements during the year. This year,
awards went to Jacob Wachpress (PHS Junior),
Adam Davis (Charles Boehm 8th grader), and Ohm
Shah (Edgewood 5th grader).
District-wide
Children Helping Children in Need- Once again this year, in
Partnership with the Pennsbury Partners program and the
Levittown-Fairless Hills Rotary Club, Pennsbury elementary
schools held a food drive, Children Helping Children in Need.
Several tons of canned goods and paper goods were
collected to benefit families at the Family Services
Association Homeless Shelter.
Annual Partnership Highlights Around the District
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Successful District & School Grants and Sponsorships
The Partners Program is happy to announce another successful year with various grants awarded to the Pennsbury School District. Competitive and partnership awards include:
Partner Funding Opportunity Amount
Davis Acura Sponsorship Pennsbury’s Odyssey of the Mind $6,000
Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company
Young Women in Technology $1,200
Levittown-Fairless Hills Rotary Support for Odyssey of the Mind $500
Waste Management Environmental Education projects at 5 schools
$4,000
PECO Energy William Penn partnership with PECO $5,000
Wells Fargo Community Partnership $1,000
Chick-fil a Spirit Week $1,000
PDE Pre-K Counts Walt Disney & Oxford Valley Elementary Pre-k classes
$405,941
Partnership Funding/Sponsorships Teacher PPP Mini-Grants $6,970
TOTAL $431,611
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PPP Mini-Grants
This year, the PPP Office awarded one mini-grant to each school that applied! Applications were reviewed by the PPP Advisory Board Committee, and the following ten schools received thirteen PPP mini-grants for a total of $5,500.
Eleanor Roosevelt Elementary ($500):
M. Pamela Soda – Creating Public Art at E.R.; A Tile Mosaic Mural
Fallsington Elementary ($500):
Carey Stolber – Spring Science Meets Art Library
Kristen Cahill - Let's Learn About Safety
Monica James – Colonial Day at Washington Crossing Park
Makefield Elementary ($500):
Fifth Level Teachers - 5th Grade School to Work
Oxford Valley Elementary ($500):
Cherie Lynne Kooker - Have you Filled your Bucket Today?
Penn Valley ($500):
Karen DeSpirito, Jennifer Gatt, and Saundra Kandravi – Trip to Rite Aid Distribution Center
Walt Disney ($450):
Lorie Becker – Polar Bear Action Lab
Charles Boehm ($500):
Melissa Vitucci - Exelon Renewable Energy
Pennwood ($500):
Linda Alampi - Careers Connecting
Stacy Kirsh - The Odyssey Experience
William Penn ($500):
Bridget Blackshire, Kelly Giacomelli, and Kristin Slota – STEM Design Challenge 2014
Pennsbury High School- East ($500):
Frank Mayo - Career Fair
Pennsbury High School- West ($500):
Nancy Quigley and Terri Calpino- Behind the Scenes at the Yardley Inn
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