Summer Schedule
July 5th, 2010
Reminder: Penn Manor School District offices will be closed on Fridays through July 30, 2010 to accommodate the four-day, 10-hours-a-day summer work schedule.
In an effort to save money in a tight budget year, Penn Manor School District has scheduled six four‐day work weeks during the summer months again this year. Penn Manor realized savings in the amount of $10,286 during the initial operation of this program during the summer of 2009 and anticipates similar energy savings again this year.
Commencement Video
June 16th, 2010
A big thank you to the Penn Manor Tech Crew for their hard work on the 11th webcast of Penn Manor High School Commencement. This year we had 110 visitors from throughout the United States including viewers in Colorado and Virginia. Please visit the tech blog at the following link to view this year’s ceremony.
Summer 2010
June 14th, 2010
On Wednesday, June 9th Penn Manor graduated 458 seniors in a warm but inspirational commencement ceremony. The Lancaster newspaper did a nice job of covering the event and highlighting the student great speeches. Congratulations to Mr. Gale and the entire high school faculty and staff for a great ceremony.
Click to access Lancaster Newspapers Article on Commencement
At the beginning of the year my opening day speech to the faculty was entitled “Field of Dreams” and in it I concluded by saying that it is all of you who are the individuals who get students started in the most important game that any one of us can play . . . the game of life. You spend your days creating a field of dreams in which students, work, play and thrive.
Thank you for what each one of you did to contribute to making Penn Manor a better place this year. Every teacher, custodian, secretary, cafeteria worker, aide, and principal helps make this a great place. Everyone should take pride in the accomplishments of all of our graduates and students. I also take great pride in each one of you and the important work that you do.
Enjoy a relaxing and refreshing summer!
Brick and Mortar
May 22nd, 2010
It is my opinion that the most critical element in learning is the connection between a teacher and his/her student. We are often reminded that one of the world’s most renowned teachers, Socrates, taught students outdoors without the benefit of the modern classrooms we have grown accustomed to in our society.
In the 21st century brick and mortar buildings do play a supporting role in the education of our children. While the “bones” are essentially the same, our classrooms have undergone tremendous change since the photograph in this post of a room at Pequea Elementary School was taken in the middle of the 20th century. Recognizing this fact the Penn Manor School Board on January 11, 2010 authorized the district to begin a Master Facility Study to assess our current facilities including schools and athletic fields. The purpose of the Master Facility Study is to create a long-range plan to guide future renovations, additions, and potential land purchases. I think of the Study as a 10 year plan with a 20 year outlook.
This survey will be available until June 30, 2010 and is confidential.
Begin the survey here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CK6XXRH
Outstanding Educators and Employees of the Year
March 31st, 2010
Congratulations to our 2009-2010 Educators and Employees of the Year. The Secondary Employee of the Year is maintenance staff member, Ed Saxton. The Elementary Employee of the Year is Eshleman secretary, Louise Aument. Our Secondary Educator of the Year is PMHS social studies teacher, Maria Vita. Our Elementary Educator of the Year is Pequea 6th grade teacher, Kevin Bower.
Congratulations to Ed, Louise, Maria, and Kevin. They certainly are representative of the many outstanding faculty and staff members who are part of the larger Penn Manor family! Ed, Louise, Maria, and Kevin will be honored for this achievement by the Penn Manor Board of School Directors at the annual Employee Recognition Banquet on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 beginning at 6:00 pm with dinner starting at 6:30 pm.
Last year we changed the notification procedures and started to announce the Employee/Educators of the Year prior to the night of the Employee Recognition Banquet. Any employee who has not met the criteria for an invitation to the banquet but wishes to join the fun may RSVP through Cometnet and will be asked to contribute the cost of his/her dinner. This change was made so that faculty and staff may attend to see fellow colleagues recognized at the event.
If you wish to attend please see the instructions on Cometnet under the “miscellaneous” folder or follow this link: Click Here