HHSD Fall Newsletter 2022

2022 FALL NEWSLETTER

Students Thrive in Collaborative Learning Environments

Hatboro-Horsham School District believes in the power of At Keith Valley Middle School, classrooms were relocated
student collaboration, which is why the District is increasingly this year to cluster teams in each grade level together. This
utilizing open spaces as collaborative learning environments. reduces unnecessary transit time between classes and makes
“Designing spaces for the new construction of schools – it easier for staff and students on the same team to work
together. Additionally, the hallways for each team are being
Crooked Billet, Hallowell, and Keith Valley – allowed us to see used as collaborative learning spaces for the students. Some
opportunities on how space can be uniquely used in schools, lockers were removed from the hallways and replaced by
and what we can do to repurpose the spaces we already benches for students to interact.
have,” said Superintendent Scott Eveslage.
Students thrive in a variety of settings, not just the traditional The new Keith Valley Middle School will also group teams
classroom. Learning is an interactive process. For most together and have multiple collaborative learning spaces for
learners, it’s about both the task they are working toward and each team.
the people they collaborate with to achieve that learning task.
When students work together, they build communication skills, At the elementary level, I enjoy the fact that I
learn how to work within a team, and enhance their abilities to teachers have been using don’t have to answer
problem-solve, compromise, and lead. Instilling these qualities space flexibly for years. or double-check with
at the K-12 level prepares students for their future and many There is floor collaboration any teachers, and just
workplace environments. Additionally, collaborative learning on classroom rugs and carpet have the option to go
environments empower students to assume ownership of squares, and corner areas with my friends. The
their learning and find solutions to problems with the help of and stations around the freedom to do what I
their peers. room. please is nice."
For the 2022-2023 school year, Lunch and Learn at Hatboro- Curriculum revisions include
Horsham High School allows students to access a variety of instructional strategies for - Ariana Bertrand, Grade 11,
spaces and provides them some autonomy over their time. movement and flexibility for School Board Student
For 70 minutes each day, students have the option to meet K-5 students. One example Representative
with their teachers or counselors, access library resources, use of this is Number Corner,
designated quiet spaces, collaborate with students, or even which features short, daily On student choice during
opt for movement by using the gym or weight room. Lunch and Learn.
Furniture has been added and restructured in the cafeteria and
locker-pod areas to create newly-designed spaces; however, mathematics workouts in 15-20 minutes. It provides a new
Eveslage says it’s not only about physical modifications, but opportunity each day for students to share their ideas with
how we think about space and the environment being created. each other by discussing, observing, and problem-solving.
“Students having a say in that space and autonomy over whom
to connect and collaborate with is important for learning,” Every school in the District now has a media studio as well.
said Eveslage. More than just a room, this space brings students together

for learning as they produce video and media, and can deliver
video announcements for their school communities daily.
“Educational leaders across the District are thinking more
about how to repurpose spaces to create better learning
environments for our kids,” said Eveslage. n

Hatboro-Horsham School District 1 Hatter Matters | Fall 2022 Newsletter

Athletics & Activities Achievements 2021-2022

Athletics Team PIAA State Champions
•  Girls’ Swimming
Team Suburban One League Champions
•  Girls’ Volleyball Individual PIAA State Champions
•  Girls’ Swimming Indoor Track
• Softball •  Distance Medley Relay Team of
• Baseball
•  Boys’ Track and Field Stefano Isabella, Caleb Ryu
Jaylen Lasseter, Devon Comber
Individual District One Champions •  Brian DiCola, 3000m
•  Brian DiCola, 1600m and 3200m – Boys’ Track Girls’ Swimming
•  Annie Jia, 100 Butterfly – Girls’ Swimming •  Medley Relay Team of Kathy Jia,
•  Kathy Jia, 100 Breaststroke – Girls’ Swimming Emmy Erikson, Annie Jia and Sarah Parker
•  400 Freestyle Relay Team of Sara Bozzomo, •  Annie Jia, 100 Butterfly
Sarah Parker, Vivi Vergara, and Annie Jia – •  200 Freestyle Relay Team of Kathy Jia,
Girls’ Swimming Sarah Parker, Hannah ,Parker and Vivi
Vergara
•  400 Freestyle Relay of Vivi Vergara,
Sara Bozzomo, Sarah Parker, and Annie Jia

New Balance Nationals
•  Brian DiCola, 5000 Meter Run
Championship, 6th place –
Boys Track
•  Brian DiCola, 1 Mile Run
Championship, 19th place –
Boys Track

District One Runner-ups PA State Coach of the Year
•  Girls’ Swimming Team •  Kip Emig, Swimming
•  200 Medley Relay Team of Kathy Jia, Emmy
Erickson, Annie Jia and Hannah Parker – Girls’ Activities
Swimming
•  Kathy Jia, 200 Individual Medley Indoor Percussion Team
– Girls’ Swimming •  Mid-Atlantic Percussion
•  200 Freestyle Relay Team of Kathy Jia, Sara Society Championship,
Bozzomo, Sarah Parker and Vivi Vergara – Girls’ 1st place
Swimming •  WGI Sport of the World
•  Annie Jia, 100 freestyle – Girls’ Swimming Championships, 3rd place
•  Chrishon Avery, Long Jump – Boys’ Track

Film Awards
•  Charli Schultz, Greenfiled Youth Film Festival, Best
Storytelling
•  Charli Schultz, Behind the Lines Film Festival, 1st place

Hatboro-Horsham School District 2 Hatter Matters | Fall 2022 Newsletter

Meet the New Director of Athletics and Activities, Charles Cathers

Hatboro-Horsham School District “I’m looking forward to so many students being involved
appointed Mr. Chas Cathers as Director here,” said Cathers. “Co-curriculars spark passion and
of Athletics and Activities at Hatboro- enthusiasm for what you’re interested in, and create well-
Horsham High School in July 2022. rounded, successful individuals.”
The District isn’t new to Cathers though. Cathers says he admires the staff’s dedication to excellence
He actually started his professional career in both education, and athletics and activities. He strives
in Hatboro-Horsham School District as a to support the growth and development of our collective
teacher and coach after graduating from programs and offerings, including the arts, theater, music,
Ursinus College in 2010. activities, and athletics.
“It’s come full circle and feels good to be back,” said “I promote student leadership, school spirit, communication,
Cathers. “When you change organizations, it helps to have and community,” he said. “They really serve as a driving
familiar faces there to welcome you and be familiar with force to work as a cohesive group to pursue the excellence
the building.” that is Hatboro-Horsham.”
Cathers most recently worked as Athletic Director of Central As a personal goal for the 2022-2023 school year, Cathers
Bucks High School South from 2018 to 2022. Prior to that, he will do his best to immerse himself in the culture and
worked as a teacher and coach at Central Bucks High School community of the school by being visible and speaking with
South and West, and New Hope-Solebury High School. the community.
At Hatboro-Horsham High School, 83% of students are “Everyone has been super supportive and welcoming. It’s
involved in one or more co-curricular activities. been a wonderful few months here,” he said.

Essential for Student Learning: Safe Schools

Hatboro-Horsham School District prioritizes safe schools barricade the door. As a last resort and only if students’ lives
and understands that students can only meet their learning are in imminent danger, students should fight by throwing
potential when in a safe and positive school environment. objects at the intruder. The nuance of these responses vary
“Year in and year out, I keep safety at the forefront of this by the developmental age of the student and staff works with
District,” said Rick Kerrigan, Director of Safety and Security. students to prepare.
“Without safe buildings, education can’t happen.” In April 2022, the Board of School Directors approved Run/
Recently, HHSD modified its single-option response to an Hide/Fight and the first student drills were held at all schools.
intruder or active shooter to a multiple-option response For the 2022-2023 academic year, each school will hold two
called Run/Hide/Fight. Run/Hide/Fight drills.
“Not all intruder incidents are the
same, so why would you only have Run/Hide/Fight language was
one response?” said Kerrigan. “If a added to HHSD’s Emergency
school is in an active-shooter situation, Management Master Plan, which is
different areas of the building might updated annually in August.
have an option that is better for them. “We are always evaluating
Students and staff in some areas of safety protocols and updating
the school might be able to run while technology,” said Kerrigan.
others hide.” For building security, the start of
Staff began training for Run/Hide/ this school year was the first time
Fight at the end of 2019 and early since the pandemic that the high
2020 before the pandemic, and held school and middle school were
drills during professional development fully staffed with security guards.
days. At the time, the District was working with the company Additionally, the District’s School
ALICE and their training program that includes Alert, Inform, Resource Officer Program has been in effect since the 2018-
Lockdown, Counter, and Evacuate — ultimately the same 2019 school year. Horsham Township Police Officer Mary
protocol as Run/Hide/Fight. Novak works daily to protect, mentor, and educate students.
Run/Hide/Fight has been deemed the optimal emergency HHSD has embraced the Threat Assessment Team, which
response for educational environments and is recommended intervenes with students whose behavior may indicate
by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the a safety threat. The team works to identify students and
Montgomery County Office of Safe Schools, the Montgomery intervene before an act of violence occurs.
County District Attorney’s Office, and the Hatboro and Since 2019, the District has received and investigated
Horsham Police Departments. several hundred tips from the Safe2Say Something Tip Line,
During an armed intruder event, students are encouraged a system that relies on good-faith reporting from students
to run and exit the building if possible. When escape is not and community members to alert us of potential concerns.
possible, students should hide out of view, and lock and HHSD successfully intervened with issues regarding bullying,
mental health, and self-harm.

Hatboro-Horsham School District 3 Hatter Matters | Fall 2022 Newsletter

229 Meetinghouse Road
Horsham PA 19044
215-420-5000

hatboro-horsham.org

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Hats Off to the Class of 2022!

Number of National Merit Scholarship Winner: Alice Hall
National Merit Finalists: Shreya Gorawala, Alice Hall,
369graduates: Joanne Lee, and Viviana Vergara-Anglim.
National Merit Commended Scholars: 8
Post-high school plans: Pass rate on national certification tests for
86% enrolled in formal post-secondary education EASTERN Center students: 85%
64% of those will attend a four-year college or university Scholarship dollars provided to graduates: 5.8
22% of those will attend a 2-year college or trade school million
12% entered the workforce Division I, II, and III scholarship athletes: 32
2% entered the military Class average GPA: 3.17
Class average SAT score: 1,100
The Class of 2022 is represented at the following colleges and 2022 AP Exam Pass Rate: 81%
universities: University of Alabama, Auburn University, Berklee
College of Music, Boston University, Bucknell University, University SENIOR AWARDS:
of California Los Angeles (UCLA), University of Delaware, Drexel National Honor Society President: Grace Kohler
University, Duquesne University, Fashion Institute of Technology, Senior Class President: Eric Bromberg
Fordham University, James Madison University, Massachusetts Student Council Leadership Council: Martine Royds,
Institute of Technology, Pennsylvania State University, Saint Tarek Elsabbagh, Abigail Keegan
Joseph’s University, Temple University, The Culinary Institute of Yearbook Editors: Sarah Brifo, Abigail Davis, Alice
America, Thomas Jefferson University, and more. Hall, Morgan Kirby, Morgan Long & Abigail Roesing

Hatboro-Horsham School District 4 Hatter Matters | Fall 2022 Newsletter