Coatesville School Dist - 2018 Summer Newsletter

Summer 2018

Members of the Community: giving them the tools they’ll need to succeed today.You’ll 2
see plenty of examples of our students learning and
The 2017-18 school year has come to a close and what growing inside these pages. National Junior Honor
a great year it has been. I am so proud of the hard work Society Inducts Middle-
our students, faculty, staff, parents and community mem- In closing, I would be remiss without mentioning the
bers have put into making this school year a success. Class of 2018. Our graduating seniors have made us all School Students
incredibly proud. We expect great things from each and
As we enjoy a well-earned summer break and turn our every one of them in the future and wish them all the 3
eye to the start of the 2018-19 school year with great best of success. Congratulations!
anticipation, we should take a moment to reflect on the New School Year Brings
past year and celebrate its many highlights. As you’ll I wish you a wonderful summer and can’t wait to wel- Expanded Special
see inside this edition of The CASD Achiever, there’s come you back again soon.
plenty about which to be excited. However, I’d like to Education Team and
focus on the District’s new brand and tagline, because I Sincerely, Broader Spectrum of
think it represents everything that is detailed inside this
newsletter. Dr. Cathy Taschner Services

The tagline reads “Coatesville Area School District: Dr. Cathy Taschner 4
Inspiring. Educating. Advancing.” It’s our job as educators Superintendent
to prepare our students for a 21st century workplace by A Year of
Accomplishments
Community Input Leads to New Brand Identity “Coatesville
Area School District: Inspiring. Educating. Advancing.” 5

Coatesville Area School District is excited to unveil its learning opportunities that prepare students for the real Scott Middle School
new brand identity, thanks to feedback it received from world. Students Compete in
the community.The new brand features a contemporary What Does Coatesville Want to Be? Across each
font, with the letter C encompassing the Red Raider stakeholder group, participants shared their desires for NASA Research
along with a new tagline “Coatesville Area School Dis- what the future of Coatesville could look like. Many Competition
trict: Inspiring. Educating. Advancing.” This design was in- focused on continuing to strengthen academics and
spired by a series of community visioning sessions, where community engagement as a whole. Others focused on a 6
the District welcomed feedback from stakeholders about desire to increase communication with the District, con-
its past, present and future. tinue transparency and ensure the District is equipped to Hats Off to the
compete as a 21st century learning environment. Class of 2018!
Participants, who included students, parents, community What Image Do We Associate with Coatesville? If
members, faculty, staff and administrators, were encour- there was one thing the Coatesville stakeholders agreed 7
aged to speak candidly about their pride for Coatesville on it was that the District’s mascot, the Red Raider,
schools, the challenges the District faces and their goals wasn’t going anywhere.They were adamant that it remain Families Rediscover
for the District’s future.Their answers were the catalyst part of the new District logo. Coatesville at the 2018
for the new brand, which will soon be featured on the Yet as far as the tagline was concerned, they were much Charter School Summit
District website, District letterhead and below in this more willing to start from scratch. Feedback from the
new issue of The CASD Achiever. various groups focused on the idea of preparing students
for their future careers through a solid educational
Here are some of the highlights from the visioning foundation.The idea of changing people’s lives for the
sessions: better by inspiring them to be better was also a major
Who is Coatesville, Really? Each session began with talking point.
the question:Who is Coatesville Area School District, Putting It All Together Those ideas were ultimately in-
really? Participants talked about the tight-knit community corporated to create the tagline “Coatesville Area School
that always looks to find ways to inspire students to suc-
ceed. Stakeholders mentioned the District’s great sports District: Inspiring. Educating. Advancing.”
teams, Advanced Placement classes, music programs and

The visioning sessions were a great way for
people across the District’s community to
come together and discuss its future. By
voicing their pride for Coatesville schools,
the challenges the District faces and their
goals for the District’s future, the stake-
holders gave the District a compass with
which to move forward.

National Junior Honor Society Inducts Middle School Students

One hundred and twenty students from South Brandywine, North Brandywine
and Scott middle schools were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society
(NJHS) April 5 at Coatesville Area Senior High School. NJHS is a national program
that establishes benchmarks to recognize top students in the areas of scholarship,
leadership, service, citizenship and character.

“Congratulations to all of the middle school students being inducted into the
National Junior Honor Society,” said Dr. Kimberly Donahue, assistant to the
superintendent for curriculum and learning.“Your demonstration of excellence
in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership and character is reflective of your
integrity, work ethic and generosity to help and encourage others. We are proud
of your accomplishments.”

Of the 877 public and private middle schools in Pennsylvania, only 152 (17 per-
cent) have an NJHS chapter. Coatesville Area School District accounts for three
of those 152 middle schools.

New Elementary Building Planning Underway as Community Says Good-
bye to Friendship Elementary

The last day of school was an exciting one for Friendship Elementary School com- create the two new elementary school designs,” said District Superintendent Dr.
munity members as they bid a fond farewell to one another, while looking ahead Cathy Taschner.“These buildings will be the place where our children learn the
with enthusiasm to starting at a new school next year.The last day at Friendship skills they’ll need to be successful in the 21st century work environment.”
also sparks an exciting time at the District’s elementary level, with planning As the District moves into the design phase for the next two elementary build-
underway for the construction of a brand new elementary building in West Caln ings, principals will send information over the next few months to community
Township, along with a series of other building changes on the horizon. stakeholders interested in joining the planning task force about how they can
become involved.
The District’s master facilities plan, created by parents, community members, Saying Goodbye to Friendship Elementary
teachers, administrators and board members, called for the closure of Friendship, Following the decision to close Friendship early, five transition meetings were
East Fallowfield and Caln elementary schools. It also included the construction scheduled with families to discuss the closing process, which included relocating
of a new South Brandywine Elementary School and a new elementary school in over 300 students who attended the school. It was decided that students would
West Caln Township.While initial plans kept Friendship open until the next West be moved to King’s Highway, Reeceville and East Fallowfield elementary schools
Caln Township project was completed, the failing roof at Friendship accelerated based on their location.
the closure timeline. From there, teachers, administrators, parents and community members worked
hard to make the last year at the school one to remember. Friendship students
Construction of a New Elementary School had the opportunity to visit their future schools three times during the spring
With the closure of Friendship now finalized, the District will begin the planning re- months and were partnered with current students at that elementary school.
quired to develop a building on-site where the current King’s Highway Elementary Students participated in various activities and lessons together throughout the
is located. SCHRADERGROUP architecture has been hired to design the building. school day to help them get to know each other and bond before the start of the
2018-19 school year.
HWAY SOFTBALL A planning task force that includes “We are so thrilled to see students from different schools begin to form a new
RY SCHOOL FIELD elementary teachers from King’s community as they meet and learn about each other,” said Jason Palaia, director
oncept Highway, Caln and East Fallowfield, of elementary and secondary education.“The Coatesville Area School District is a
PLAYGROUND along with principals, parents and family and watching students welcome their new classmates is a testament to the
community members will come strength of that family.”
PLAYING HARD 900 STUDENT together, just as they did to create The Friendship community also hosted a series of ceremonies, a field day and
FIELD SURFACE 2-STORY the master facilities plan, to work other celebrations at the school to help mark its end. Past teachers and admin-
PLAY AREA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL on the design for what will be istrators were invited back to walk down memory lane and say goodbye to the
PLAYING the next two new elementary place they once called home.
FIELD BUS PLAYGROUND buildings.The current property “This isn’t goodbye forever,” said interim Principal Lynn Mancinelli.“It’s more of a
LOOP at King’s Highway is suitable for ‘see you again soon.’ We want to thank the wonderful Friendship community for
construction of the new building helping to make this last year a special one to remember. We’re excited about the
PARENT while students attend school in future and wish everyone the best of luck next year at their new school!”
DROP-OFF the current building.
“Over the course of the next 12
PARKING months we look forward to bring-
ing together our school communi-
COATESVILLE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT ty and our grea12ter community to

2

New School Year Brings Expanded From left to right: Lisa Hauswirth, director of special education, along with special education
Special Education Team and Broader supervisors, Meghan Monahan and Becky Kohr, are ready to bring about a broader spectrum
Spectrum of Services of services to the department for the 2018-19 school year.
robust professional development program that supports special education staff and
Concurrent with the mission to continually improve services to students with special education teachers. We are also committed to using our training and ex-
disabilities, the Coatesville Area School District has expanded the special educa- pertise in the field to continually improve the educational experience for students
tion department and is continuing to provide an array of services for qualifying with disabilities who reside in the Coatesville Area School District.”
students.   
  In addition to using their wide array of education and experience in the field
Following a year with the District as a special education supervisor, Lisa of special education, Hauswirth and her team are also employing the expertise
Hauswirth has been promoted to director of special education. Hauswirth, a of outside providers such as (but not limited to) EBS Children’s Therapy, the
former elementary and learning support teacher, has also served as a building Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network and the Chester County
administrator at both the elementary and secondary levels.  In addition to build- Intermediate Unit. Together they will work to broaden and expand each schools’
ing level experience, she also brings district level experience as a coordinator of delivery of services for students with autism support needs, emotional support
student services from her work in the Greensburg Salem School District. needs, life skills support needs, sensory integration needs, occupational and
  physical therapy needs, mental health needs and behavioral support needs, to
Working with Hauswirth are two supervisors of special education, Becky Kohr name only a few.   
and Meghan Monahan.  The District plans to add a third supervisor for the 2018-  
19 school year.   “While many of these supports certainly are not new to the District, we contin-
  ually look for ways to expand services and make them more accessible within
Becky Kohr holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education from each of our school buildings.  Our team will continue to work on supporting
Kutztown University and is certified as an educational specialist in instructional our administrative colleagues and teaching colleagues in their access and use of
leadership from Nova Southeastern University.  Kohr has extensive teaching services that will help students with disabilities receive a free and appropriate
experience in special education and holds an additional certification in working public education. We couldn’t be more excited for the start of the upcoming
with the visually impaired.  She used that expertise during her work at the Royer school year and the opportunities that await our students, teachers and families,”
Greaves School for the Blind. In addition to her elementary and special education said Hauswirth.
certifications, Kohr holds a certification as a supervisor of special education.
 
The second supervisor on the team, Meghan Monahan, also holds a bachelor’s
degree in elementary and special education from St. Joseph’s University and a
master’s degree in educational leadership from Drexel University.  In addition,
Monahan holds multiple certifications including: supervisor of special education,
principal’s certification, elementary education, and special education.  She has
previously served as a special education teacher and principal at The Vanguard
School prior to her arrival at CASD.
 
The strength of the team, according to Hauswirth, is its deep understanding of
special education and the wide range of teaching and administrative experience on
the team, specifically related to special education.“We are committed to building a

CASD Partnership with Columbia University Brings Ivy League Practices
into Literacy Teaching Methods

Coatesville Area School District teachers are incorporating valuable Ivy League
insight and cutting-edge research into teaching students to read and write, thanks
to the Teachers College of Columbia University. Solidifying the District’s estab-
lished partnership with the University, the return of the Coatesville Homegrown
Reading Institute allowed teachers to deepen and expand their delivery of the
most innovative literacy teaching methods used today under the guidance of
University educators.

Over 125 teachers and principals participated in the prestigious literacy work- Most important, we want our children, who will eventually become adults and
shop, which was conducted in June at the high school. As just the latest example leaders in the community, to be highly literate. Literacy is an integral part of our
of the District’s fervent commitment to providing the best in K-8 literacy District’s core values and is outlined in our comprehensive plan. We believe in
education, middle school English language arts (ELA) teachers, K-5 teachers and the importance of all students learning to read and being on grade level by third
principals worked with five representatives from the Teacher’s College of Colum- grade.”
bia University’s Reading and Writing Project. The Units of Study Program is not only about expert literacy instruction, but is
This is the second year of the professional development partnership between also about generating excitement among students about the literature they are
the District and the University, a partnership selected by Columbia University reading.“We value our children and want them to love reading,” said Donahue.
because of the District’s demonstrated commitment to literacy instruction. “We do not want reading to be a chore. We want it to be a choice, or a lifestyle.
Columbia’s program earned glowing marks from teachers last year, following the We want them to make reading part of their lifestyle. Just as we choose to eat
training they received in the Units of Study program.The program prioritizes every day, we want children to choose to read every day.”
time for students to read various genres of text at a high volume, coupled with The work with the Teachers College of Columbia University has been a valuable
high level, research-based instruction to improve reading skills. resource in the District’s quest to become a leader in literacy education.
The focus of this year’s Institute was an increased understanding of the latest “This is a first-class organization,” said Donahue.“They share a common mission
research-based teaching techniques in literary instruction, said Dr. Kimberly of teaching children to read and write and I am in awe of what our teachers,
Donahue, assistant to the superintendent for curriculum and learning. administrators and students have been able to accomplish so far through this
“The Coatesville Area School District continues to be on the forefront of re- esteemed partnership.Teachers are excited about teaching, and students are ex-
search-based literacy education,” she said. “Our team of teachers and administra- cited about learning to love to read. I challenge every person in our community
tors wants to be a leader in literacy instruction in Chester County and beyond. to encourage and support our students in their literacy journey.Your encourage-
We are committed to giving teachers the support and resources they need to be ment of our students will make you a partner in this positive movement in our
decidedly effective literacy instructors. District, and a part of building a positive future for children.”

3

COATESVILLE AREA SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
CELEBRATES A YEAR OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS

The 2017-18 school year was filled with
accomplishments for the various individuals, teams
and groups at Coatesville Area Senior High School.
Congratulations to the following for your outstanding
achievements this year:

• The girls’ track team took first place at the Penn Relays and at the PIAA
State Championship for the 4x400.The team finished second place in the
Northeastern and Tri-State Finals.
• Several student athletes participated in the PIAA State Championships in-
cluding members of the following: boys’ basketball team; boys’ wrestling team;
girls’ swim team; football team (two consecutive Chest-Mont Championships,
District One Championship and finals in the state tournament); and girls’
cross country team, whose team member was named individual Ches-Mont
champion.
• The Red Raider Marching Band was crowned state champion.
• The Indoor Color Guard brought home a gold championship medal following
a performance in Wildwood, N.J.
• Students who worked with physics teacher David Fenimore for the Interna-
tional Youth Physics Tournament were, upon qualification, allowed to compete
internationally with other teams.
• The Coatesville Area High School Gospel Choir was one of the opening acts
for the renowned gospel artist, Byron Cage, at the Lancaster Mennonite Per-
forming Arts Center.The concert was presented by the COGIC Common-
wealth Missions Department, as a benefit concert for Haiti. Also performing
were Candace Benson, from BET’s “Sunday’s Best,” along with local choirs,
soloists and more.
• The Coatesville Area Senior High School Music Department was represented
by two students at the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District
Band performance in January at Marple Newtown High School and one
student at the District Chorus performance at Conestoga High School.
• A senior won first place in the Rotary Club’s 4 Key speech contest.
• A senior was accepted into the United States Naval Academy. His Blue and
Gold Officer presented him with his acceptance at the senior award ceremo-
ny in June.
• The Raiderbots robotics team earned a third place spot at the First Technical
Challenge tournament and moved on to the championship round.
• A senior art student was recognized for her award-winning artwork by the
Domestic Violence Center of Chester County (DVCCC). The design was
featured on the invitation to the DVCCC Gala. The original artwork was
also auctioned off and the proceeds helped to benefit the victims of domes-
tic violence.

4

Scott Middle School Students Compete in NASA Research Competition

Scott Middle School seventh graders competed in an out-of-this-world event that Students had a great time at the competition, and there’s already talk of expand-
focused on the importance of achieving goals. ing the trip to the whole school for next year’s competition.

The Beating the Odds Foundation and NASA invited 20 students from the “It was really great to see the students take an active role in the research and
school, along with science teacher Justin Smith, to participate in a special event get excited about their participation in this competition,” said Smith.“As a teach-
for Pennsylvania middle and high schools at the Goddard Space Flight Center, in er, that’s what you want to see every day. I couldn’t be prouder, and I can’t wait
Greenbelt, Mld., home of the James Webb Space Telescope. to bring more students back next year.”

The “James Webb Space Telescope Mission Research Challenge” tasked students The initiative is designed to introduce students and teachers to exciting, real
with learning about the telescope, how it was developed and how it was used, life challenges faced by NASA and to have student teams overseen by teachers
and then writing a research paper about it to help make a larger point about ac- experience what it is like working together as they seek solutions to some of
complishing goals and overcoming adversity. Students were guided in their efforts these challenges.
by using the Quarterbacks of Life Student Success & Leadership Program’s Blue- Rocco Scaldie, founder and president of the Beating the Odds Foundation,
print for Success.They then attended the competition on May 9 and discussed worked with the District to register for the event. Beating the Odds and NASA
their findings during a formal presentation. programs engage students and teachers in the use of a powerful Blueprint for
While at the exhibit, students met John Cromwell Mather. He is an American Success and a NASA classroom challenge that focuses on how NASA achieves
astrophysicist, cosmologist and Nobel Prize in Physics laureate for his work on success using Science,Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) resources and
the Cosmic Background Explorer Satellite with George Smoot.This work helped STEM careers.This real life, hands-on educational opportunity increases student
cement the big-bang theory of the universe. engagement, achievement, and interest in success, STEM initiatives and STEM
careers.

Coatesville Students Partner with University of Pittsburgh to Help Find a
Cure for Lou Gehrig’s Disease

Thirty-six high school students will soon work with medical researchers at the
University of Pittsburgh to help find a cure for Lou Gehrig’s disease while earning
college credit at the same time.

Starting this fall, Coatesville science teachers Dr. Cheryl Krasowski, Jonah Gellner, research skills technique and process, as well as experimental design, diseases of
Heather Haitz and Denim Kurtzhals, and their students in grades nine through the brain, molecular genetics and comparative anatomy will be among the many
12, will work hand-in-hand with doctors at the University of Pittsburgh Brain In- topics covered in the class.
stitute through a new course offered to students taking advanced science classes. Teachers met with researchers from the University last fall and again in the
Krasowski and Gellner will teach at Coatesville Area Senior High School, while spring in preparation for the course and were very impressed by what they saw.
Kurtzhals and Haitz will work with students at Coatesville Area Intermediate “The work they are doing is extremely interesting and inspiring because it’s really
High School. important as the population ages,” said Krasowski.“The biggest risk factor is the
Lou Gehrig’s disease, also called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), is a pro- aging population. Weirdly,ALS is also associated with trauma on a spectrum of
gressive disease that attacks nerve cells that control muscles throughout the neurodegenerative disorders.”
body. It became known as Lou Gehrig’s disease after the star baseball player was
diagnosed in 1939.
Students will work closely with Dr. Chris Donnelly, who studies molecular mech-
anisms and neurodegeneration pathways involved in the onset of ALS; and Dr.
The goal of The Live Like Lou Center for ALS Research at the University of Pitts- Udai Pandey, who focuses on elucidating the molecular mechanisms of ALS and
burgh Brain Institute is to develop new treatments and, ultimately, a cure for ALS. other motor-related neuron diseases.
It also includes improving the quality of life for people who are now living with Coatesville teachers will look to Donnelly and Pandey’s research to find ways
the progressive, degenerative neurological condition. of duplicating experiments that students can perform in the classroom. Pandey’s
Earning dual enrollment with successful completion, students will receive three lab, for example, developed a device that simulates concussions in fruit flies.
general elective college credits, as well as their high school credit. Coatesville Students will have a chance to make their own device and compare their data
students will have the opportunity to talk to researchers from the University via with Pandey’s.
Skype at least once a month and take two field trips to the research center to While there’s plenty of work for teachers to do this summer before the course
visit the labs and meet the research team in person. officially rolls out for the 2018-19 school year, they admit there was significant
This summer Krasowski, Gellner, Haitz and Kurtzhals will create the first cur- chatter on campus about it.
riculum for the roughly 90 minute new course. Basic anatomy and physiology,

“The seniors who were in my AP class last year were jealous of those not gradu-
ating, because they wanted to take the course too,” Krasowski said laughing.

5

HATS OFF TO THE CLASS OF 2018!

6

The District congratulates the graduating Class of 2018 on its achievements, accomplishments
and contributions. We wish these newest alumni every success and happiness in the years to
come! Here is a snapshot of where our graduates are headed next:

77%77% 15%15% 8% 8%

Graduates Going to a Two or 15% Graduates Going into a
Four Year College or University Branch of the Military
Graduates Going to a Trade
Sample of Colleges and Universities CASD or Technical School • Two into the U.S. Navy (one full
Graduates Will Attend: acceptance to the U.S. Naval Academy)

• University of Pennsylvania • Eight into the National Guard
• Franklin and Marshall College • Nine into the U.S. Marine Corps
• Three into the U.S. Coast Guard
• University of Pittsburgh
• Millersville University 8 %• Nine into the U.S. Army

7 7 %• Kutztown University • Nine into the U.S. Air Force

• West Chester University
• Temple University

• Penn State University
• Drexel University
• York College
• La Salle University

Families Rediscover Coatesville at Coatesville Area School District
2018 Charter School Summit Receives Additional $1M in Funding
Thanks to State Lawmakers
Charter school families had the chance to see firsthand what Coatesville
Area School District could offer them should they come back to the District’s The Coatesville Area School District
schools. will be able to add $1 million in
The District hosted the first-ever Rediscover Coatesville 2018 Charter School additional state funding to its 2018-19
Summit on May 12 at Coatesville Area Senior High School. About 100 families budget, thanks to a bipartisan effort by
participated in the event, which showcased over 20 clubs, sports, activities and local lawmakers in Harrisburg. State
organizations for families of students in elementary, middle and high school. Sen. John Rafferty led the charge to
Among the breakout sessions were a football clinic with the varsity football acquire the funds for the District, with
team,Air Force JROTC, woodshop, National Honor Society and National Junior the support of state Sen. Andy Din-
Honor Society, elementary school clubs, theater, Parent Teacher Organization niman and state Reps. Becky Corbin,
and Booster Club, musical performances, demonstrations of solar cars, the Harry Lewis Jr., and Tim Hennessy.
computer science program, and team sports at the middle and high schools, to “The District is so thankful for the
name a few. efforts of the leadership of Senator
The event was intended for families considering transitioning their student out Rafferty and the support from Senator
of a charter or faith-based school, but who were wondering if the District was Dinniman,” said District Superinten-
the right fit for them. dent Cathy Taschner.“Their bipartisan
Missed the event but want to learn more? Call the District office at 610-466- efforts to assist the Coatesville Area
2400 to see which school your child would attend and to receive registration School District in the strides it has
information.Then schedule a building tour and rediscover what Coatesville can made to restore propriety to the
offer. District and move it forward are
greatly appreciated.  We also wish to
thank our representatives, Becky Corbin, Harry Lewis Jr, and Tim Hennessy,
who supported this measure. We are fortunate to have elected officials that
understand the value of education and its importance in our democracy.”

7

3030 C G Zinn Road Non-Profit Org.
Thorndale, PA 19372 U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 8

Coatesville, PA

www.casdschools.org New Realtor Brochure Highlights
District Strengths for Potential
WCoelactoemsveilletoAtrheea School District! Homebuyers

Good real estate agents can be a trusted source to help potential
homebuyers decide where to move their family. But in order to do
that, they need to have the best information available on hand.

That’s why the Coatesville Area School District has produced a
comprehensive brochure, which lists the crucial information buyers
will want to know if they are thinking about purchasing a home
in the District.This brochure includes an extensive list of District
accomplishments, the ways the District guarantees every student
receives a quality education, as well as a unique overview of the
District and local municipality offerings that enhance the quality of
life of those who live here.

Stay in Touch over the Summer!

The school year may have wound down but summer time fun is just heating up in the Coatesville Area School District! There will be
plenty to see and do for all Coatesville community families, so stay tuned! Keep an eye out for emails from Jason Palaia, director of

elementary and secondary education, for news and information on all upcoming events this summer!

El boletín CASD está disponible en español en el sitio web del Distrito.