pasc news · pdf filevolume 40 • issue 4 • december 2015 pnq pasc news quarterly...

Volume 40 • Issue 4 • December 2015

PASC News Quarterly

Pnq

Halifax Hosts State Conference

4

KeystoneCouncil Awards

3

Advisors of the Year 7Holiday

Fundraisers8

Senate Youth Scholarship Finalists 6

PASC News Quarterly • December 2015 • www.pasc.net2

PASC Board Positions AvailablePASC is accepting applications for two positions on the PASC board:

Executive Director (3-year term)•DeadlinetoapplyisDecember15,2015•InterviewswilltakeplaceonFriday,January8,2016,inAltoona,PA•YoumustbeaffiliatedwithaPASCschoolandbeanactiveorretiredteacher.Addition-allyyoumustbeabletomissapproximately10schooldaysandhaveaccesstocopyingandafaxmachine.

•Foradetailedjobdescriptionandanapplication,pleasecontactKathyColl,[email protected].

Resource Development Coordinator (3-year term)•DeadlinetoapplyisDecember15,2015•InterviewswilltakeplaceonFriday,January8,2016,inAltoona,PA•Theresourcede-velopmentcoordinatorisresponsiblefororganizingfundraisingeventsanddevelopingpartnershipsoutsideofPASC.Formoreinformationandanapplication,pleasecontactRoseAnnFulena,[email protected].

LEAD Conference Planned for January in Washington, D.C. TheNationalAssociationofStudentCouncilsoffersagreatopportunitytogetnationalconferenceexperienceandresourcesatanaffordablecostthroughitsLEADConferences.DesignedformiddlelevelandhighschoolstudentcouncilandNationalHonorSocietyleadersandtheiradvisors,theseexcitingandrewardingweekendmeetingsaredesignedtoencourageinterstatecommunicationamongstudentleadersandadvisors,tostrengthenleadershipskills,andtopreparethoseattendingforleadershiprolesonthelocal,state,andregionallevels.

Thisschoolyear,aconferencewillbeheldinourareaJanuary29–31,2016.Conferencedetailsandprogramhighlightscanbefoundatwww.LEADConferences.org.Theearlybirdregistrationfeewillbe$200perdelegate.HotelreservationscanbemadeattheHyattRegencyCrystalCityHotelinArlington,VA.Thehotelrateis$125perroom,pernight,plustax(currently13%).

Plan Now to Attend NASC National Conference in Portland, OregonCenturyHighSchoolinHillsboro,Oregonisthesiteforthe2016NASCNationalConference.ConferencedatesareFriday,June24throughSunday,June26.PASCwillplanapre-conferencetrip,whichshouldbeginonapproximatelyJune21.Thecostinclud-ingconferenceregistration,hotelaccommodations,travel,meals,pre-tripentertainmentandT-shirtsisapproximately$1.800.

Theregistrationformwillbeonlineatwww.pasc.netonDecember1,2015.DeadlinetoregisterisFebruary15,2016.A$500depositwillberequired.Ifyouareplanningonattendingnationals,PASCencouragesstudentstosubmitworkshopstopresentatthena-tionalconference.IfyouhavesuccessfullypresentedaworkshopatastateconferenceandareplanningtoattendthenationalconferenceinPortland,Oregon,considersubmittingaworkshopproposal.LookformoredetailstocomeinPASC News.

InsIde ThIs Issue

PASC Board Positions Available .. 2

LEAD Conference Planned for

January in Washington DC ........... 2

NASC National Conference in

Portland, Oregon ............................ 2

17 Schools Honored with Keystone

Council Awards .............................. 3

A Keystone Challenge for PASC

Member Schools ............................. 3

Halifax Climbs to New Heights

with State Conference .................. 4

Regional Reps Elected ................... 5

Hawley Award Winners

Announced ..................................... 5

Seeking Host School for 2017 ..... 5

Councils of Excellence Applications

Due in February ............................. 5

Senate Youth Scholarship Finalists

Named .............................................. 6

Advisors of the Year Selected ...... 7

Middle Level Reps Selected ......... 7

Winter Holiday Fundraisers ........ 8

Linda Greb Award .......................... 9

Student Summit in Harrisburg .... 9

State Board of Education

Update .............................................. 10

SBE Junior Rep Applications Now

Available ........................................... 10

PASC Presidential Student

Spotlight ........................................... 11

PASC News Quarterly • December 2015 • www.pasc.net 3

17 Schools Honored with Keystone Council AwardsPASCwasproudtorecognize17schoolsatthestateconferenceinHarrisburgforearningthePennsylvaniaKeystoneCouncilAward.KeystoneCouncilsmustsubmitanapplicationdemonstratingthattheymeetcriteriaincategoriessuchasFinancialProcedures,CivicEngagement,andStudentVoice.Thefollowingschoolswererecognizedforthe2014-2015schoolyear’saccomplishments:

High School DistinguishedBoyertownHighSchool–D13

ElkLakeHighSchool–D9

FleetwoodAreaHighSchool–D13

MountainViewJr./Sr.HighSchool–D9

NorthPennHighSchool–D12

NorwinHighSchool–D4

PoconoMountainWestHighSchool–D9

Middle Level DistinguishedFleetwoodAreaMiddleSchool–D13

High School KeystoneChartiersValleyHighSchool–D3

InterboroHighSchool–D11

Marple-NewtonHighSchool–D11

SouthFayetteHighSchool–D3

UnionAreaHighSchool–D2

WestMifflinHighSchool–D3

WhitehallHighSchool–D10

Middle Level KeystoneHarlanRoweMiddleSchool–D7

PennbrookMiddleSchool–D12

Additionally,oneschoolreceivedascholarshiptosummerleadershipcampinaspecialdrawing.ThatluckyschoolwasWestMifflinHighSchool.Theap-plicationsforthe2016KeystoneCouncilAwardareonthePASCwebsite.Fillouttheapplicationandgetrecognizedforallofthehardworkyoucouncildoes.Ap-plicationsaredueinMay.

Representatives of the 17 PASC schools that were recognized with the Councils of Excellence Award at teh e2015 state conference are shown with the plaques awarded to their Council. Applications for next year’s award are available on the PASC website and are due in May.

PASCwouldliketochallengeyourschooltobeginkeepingarecordofallofthewon-derfulthingsyoudosoyourcouncilcanbehonoredatthestateconferenceatDeerLakesHighSchoolin2016!

TheKeystoneCouncilAwardsoperatesolelyonastatelevelandhighlightPASCmembercouncilsthataretrulyremarkable.PASCispresentingyourcouncilwithnotonlyachallenge,butalsoanopportunitytogrowandtoimprovethroughself-evaluation.

Tomoreeffectivelyhonorallstudentcouncils,thereareseparateMiddleLevelandHighSchoolapplicationsfortheawards.Bothoftheseapplicationsareavailableonwww.pasc.netunderthe

“AwardsandScholarships”tab.Clickonschoolandcouncilawardstofindthehighschoolandmiddleschoolapplications.Atthistime,yourcouncilcanprintoutandbegintocompletetheapplication,whichmustbesubmittedbyMay20,2016.

ASelectionCommitteewillreviewapplicationsandnotifyschoolsreceivingKeystoneCouncilAwardsbyOctober1,2016.Allprojectscompletedduringthe2015–2016schoolyearareeligibleforre-viewontheapplication.KeystoneCouncilsmustmeetcriteriaincategoriessuchasFinancialProcedures,CivicEngagement,andStudentVoice.

Ifyouhaveanyquestionsabouttheap-plicationprocess,pleasecontactthechairoftheKeystoneCouncilCommittee,LisaBernet,[email protected].

HelpPASCdoubletheamountofrecipi-ents of this award at the State Conference in2016.GoodLuck!

A Keystone Challenge for PASC Member Schools


Halifax Climbs to New Heights with PASC State ConferenceThe79thStateConferencehostedbyHalifaxAreaHighSchoolwasheldNovember12–14atthebeautifuldowntownHarrisburgHiltonandCrownePlaza.Theconferencetheme,“It’sTimetoClimb”wasevidentineachoftheaspectsoftheconference.ThursdaynightincludeddinneratStrawberrySquareandaVendorFairattheCrownePlaza.Delegatesandadvisorsthentrav-elledtothefirstgeneralsession,whichwasheldatthePennsylvaniaFarmShowBuilding.

Theconferencefeaturedthreenotedleadershipandmotivationalspeakers.Eachsharedadifferentmessagethatchallengedandinspiredthestudentandadvisordelegates.Eachhadamessagethattiedtothethemeoftheconference“It’sTimetoClimb.”ThespeakersincludedEricAlexander,JohnBeede,andAmandaHammett.

Fridaymorningtheconferencebeganwithaspecialguest,GovernorTomWolf,whoaddressedhowimportanttheschoolsystemisandhowheisfightingforschoolfunding.Student-ledworkshopswereheldFridayaswellascaucusmeetings.Asstudentsattendedworkshops,advi-sorsattendedanadvisoruniversitysessionandaworkshoppresentedbyJohnBeede.Advisorsalsoparticipatedinanewactivity,“40in40,”inwhichadvisorsweregiven40tipsin40minutes.ThankstothepresentersDaveHatfield,JimFinnemeyer,JackieJaros,JeffKusniez,andKyleKaufman.ThisamazingactivitywasmoderatedbyAndyCostanzo.Advisorslearnedsomanynewideasinthis40-minutepresentation.

Fridayeveningprovidedatimefordelegatestoenjoyafirst-classbuffetdinnerintheballroomofthePennsylvaniaFarmShowComplexfollowedbyseparatedancesforhighschoolandmiddlestudentsandanadvisor“TouroftheValley”event.

Saturdaymorningincludedthelastgeneralsession,whichincludedatributetoourstatechar-ity,PAWoundedWarriors,theclosingspeaker,andaconference-in-reviewslideshowprovidedbyDynmaxDigitalProductions.

WenowturnoursightstoDeerLakesHighSchoolnearPittsburghasplanningcontinuesforthe80thPASCStateConferenceonNovember10–12,2016.Staytunedforadditionaldetailslaterthiswinter.

Faces of PASC

School delegations enjoyed posing in front of the “It’s Time to Climb” photo backdrop at the conference (above). Workshop sessions (left) got students out of their comfort zones. Governor Tom Wolf discussed the importance of increased education funding in the budget (top left).


DuringcaucusmeetingsonFriday,November15,schoolswereelectedtobethenewRegionalRepschools.Astudentfromeachoneoftheseschoolswillbeselectedtoserveatwo-yeartermonthePASCExecutiveBoardwhichbeginsonJanuary1,2016.

Thefollowingschoolswereelected:

Region C: EverettHS

Region F: NorthPennHS

Region G: WhitehallHS

ThefollowingRegionalRepresentatives

willbeginthesecondyearoftheirtermsinJanuary2016:

Region A: NoahPollio,UnionAreaHS

Region B: MadisonDarrah,North AlleghenyHS

Region D: DelaneyHeller,Mountain ViewHS

Region E: DrewPhillippi,Bermudian Springs HS

CongratulationstothesestudentsandthanksforyourwillingnesstoservePASC!

Regional Rep Schools Elected

Dale Hawley Award Winners NamedEachyear,theNationalAssociationofStudentCouncilsprovideseachstateassocia-tionwithfiveawardsnamedfortheformerExecutiveDirectorofNASC,DaleHawley.PennsylvaniahasannuallygiventheseawardstoonestudentineachofourGoldandBlueSummerLeadershipWorkshops.ThestudentsareselectedbytherespectiveworkshopstaffsasoutstandingdelegatesduringtheworkshopprogramsinJuly.

TheDaleHawleyAwardswereannouncedattheStateConferenceonNovember13.Thewinnersare:

GroveCityBlue: BenHess,SenecaValleyMS

AlverniaBlue: McKaylaMickel,OctoraraJr.HS

GroveCityGold: MichaelReed-Price,UpperDublinHS

Susquehanna: FrancisBurk,NorthPennHS

AdvancedGold: DanGreer,DeerLakesHS

Seeking Host School for 2017 ConferenceTheprocessisnowbeginningtoselectthehostschoolfortheStateConferenceinfallof2017.StudentCounciladvisorsandstudentleaderswhoareinterestedinbiddingtohostthisconferenceshouldcontactPASCExecutiveDirectorRoseAnnFulenaatpasc.exdir@gmail.comorcall724-651-0973forapacketofmaterialsthatexplainsthebiddingprocessandforahostschoolplanningbooklet.

SchoolsinterestedinhostingtheStateConferencein2017shouldnotifyPASCbyDecember15.Officiallettersofinvitationareneededfromtheadvisors,theStudentCouncilpresident,theprincipal,andthesuperintendentofschoolsandmustbereceivedbyPASCnolaterthanJanuary1,2016.Schoolsthatbidareinvitedtomakeapresenta-tiontothePASCExecutiveBoardatameetingonSaturday,January9,2016atAltoonaAreaHighSchool.ThePASCExecutiveBoardwillmakeadecisionthatday.

Applications for NASC Council of Excellence Due in FebruaryWithlessthanonemonthremainingin2015,itistimeforyourstudentcouncilmemberstoorganizeinformationonprojects,minutesandagendasofmeetings,andotherinformationthatcanbeusedtosupportyourcouncil’sapplica-tiontoNASCasaNationalCouncilofExcellencefor2016.

ManyPASCmembercouncilshavedonemanyoutstandingthingssinceJanuary1,2015.AlthoughittakestimetocompletetheNASCapplication,theprocessofdo-ingitallowsstudentleadersandadvisorstoreflectonallthattheyhavedoneandto create a portfolio that reflects a posi-tiveviewoftheirorganizationandtheirschool.Whenthemembersofthecouncilfindagapinprojectsnotcompleted,theapplicationprovidesarenewedincentivetomovetheprojectforwardinthenextmonth,ortoputitonthetopofthecoun-cil’sprioritylistfor2016.

EachoftheeightPennsylvaniaschoolsthatwerenamedasCouncilsofExcellencefor2015wouldurgeyourcounciltomakethateffort.Eachfoundtheworkput-tingtheapplicationpackettogethertobechallenging,butworthwhile.Itcreatedarenewedfocusonwhotheywereandwhattheysoughttoaccomplishintheirschool.

PASCwouldliketoencourageallcouncilstoapplyforthisprestigiousaward.Detailson the application process and the ap-propriateforms—aswellasalistingofthePennsylvaniaschoolsthatreceivedCouncilsofExcellenceawaardsin2015—canbefoundatwww.nasc.us/national-councils-of-excellence/current-winners.aspx Theapplication,basedonthecouncil’saccomplishmentsforcalendaryear2015,isduetoNASConTuesday,February16,2016.


Executive DirectorRose Ann Fulena Union Area Middle School2106 Camden AvenueNew Castle, PA 16101PH: 724-971-4599FX: [email protected]

Assistant Executive DirectorKathy Ann Coll174 Link AvenuePittsburgh, PA [email protected]

PASC PresidentMichaela LynchHalifax High School3940 Peters Mountain Rd.Halifax, PA 17032

PASC President-ElectTyler RaubDeer Lakes High SchoolCheswick, PA

PASC News DirectorLisa BernetFleetwood Area Middle School610-944-7634 [email protected]

PASC News Editor/DesignerLyn FiscusLeadership Logistics

PASC Email:[email protected]

PASC Website:www.pasc.net

PASC News Quarterly is published quarterly during the school year. To submit announcements, articles, or corrections for newsletters, please email the PASC News Director, Executive Director, or Assistant Executive Director. Articles or information from PASC News Quarterly may be reproduced for use, with appropriate credit.

Mark your calendars: PASC Summer Camp Datesn Grove City College Blue:

July 10–14n Alvernia University Blue:

July 24–28n Grove City College Gold:

July 17–22 n Susquehanna University Gold: July 24–29

n Advanced Gold: University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown or Alvernia University:

July 10–16 or July 17–23

U.S. Senate Youth Scholarship Finalists NamedCongratulationstothefollowingstudentswhowererecentlynamedasUnitedStatesSenateYouthScholarshipfinalists.OnSaturday,November21,2015,eachofthesestudentswasinterviewedandtookagovernmentandconstitution-basedcurrenteventsexam.TheDepartmentofEducationhostedthesestudentsandtheirparentsforaluncheonattheStateCapitolaspartofthisspecialdayinHarrisburg.Two state winners and two alternates were selected.PASCwillhighlighttheminafuturePASCNEWS.Thefinalistsare:

Samantha Barrett,CentralBucksEastHS,District12

Alexandra Kohr,WilliamsValleyHS,District13

Michaela Lynch,HalifaxAreaHS,Dis-trict8

William Marks,HarritonHS,District12

Roshni Mehta,Spring-FordHS,District12

Luke Myers,GovernorMifflinHS,Dis-trict13

Guanlin Ren,NorthAlleghenyHS,District3

Eesha Sheth,GeorgeSchool,District12

Joshita Varshney,GreatValleyHS,District11

Jack Wheatley,CouncilRockSouthHS,District12

AllschoolnomineesfortheU.S.SenateYouthScholarshipwillbeinvitedtoattendthePASCStudentSummitinHarrisburgonFebruary18,2016alongwithotherrepresentativesfromhighschoolsacrossthestate.

Finalists for the U.S. Senate Youth Scholarship program were interviewed and took a government and constitution-based current events exam to be selected.


HighschooladvisorsselectedbytheirdistrictsasAdvisorsoftheYearwerealsorecognizedinHarrisburgatthestateconference.ReceivingtheLindaGrebAdvisoroftheYearAwardwasHarveyEdwardsofSellingsgroveAreaHighSchool.Hehasbeenahighschooladvisorfor20yearsandisawell-respectedindividualwhoisdescribedasabundleofpositiveenergywhoencourageshisstudentstodotheirverybest.Harveyhasbeenrecognizedbothwithinthecom-munityandatthestatelevelforhisleadership.Amemberofhisstudentcouncilstatesthat“itishispositiveattitudeanddedicationtostudents”thatdriveshispassionforstudentleadership.Mr.Edwardsgoeswellbeyondthetypicaldance,homecomingactivities,orevengolfputtinggames.Hehasspentcountlesshoursbringingthecommunitytogetheratlocalcollegestofosteryoungleadershipandforthepast20yearshaspassion-atelytaughtothersontheimportanceofdiversityandpreventionofbullyingthroughtheToleranceTroupe.AccordingtohisstudentcouncilPresident,“itishiswillingness

tohelpandhisoverallcharacterovertheyearsthathasproducedagenuinepersonwhowoulddoanythingtohelpguideanyonedowntherightpathtosuccess.”Inhisrecommendation,Harvey’sprincipalstates,“Mr.Edwardsisanadvocateforhisstudentsandheencouragesthemembersofthestudentcounciltodevelopandpromoteactivitiesthatwillbeabenefittothestudentbodyasawhole.Hislongtenureasthestudentcounciladvisor,hostingtheDistrictStudentCouncilConferenceonmorethan

oneoccasion,andallofhisotherstudent-centeredactivitiesareatestamenttohimasanadvisorandaneducator.”ThisPASCHighSchoolAdvisoroftheYearAwardisnamedfortheformerMarsHighSchooladvisorandPASCExecutiveBoardmemberwhopassedawayin2002afteracourageousbattlewithcancer.WecongratulateHarveyEdwardsasthe2015HighSchoolAdvisoroftheYearandwishhimwellasheisnowtobeconsideredforregionalandnationalrecognition.

MiddleleveladvisorsselectedbytheirdistrictsasAdvisorsoftheYearwererecognizedatthestateconferenceearlierthismonth.Fromthisgroup,MeganFuchsfromUnionAreaMiddleSchoolwaschosenas2015PASCMiddleLevelAdvi-soroftheYear.Shehasbeenanadvisorforeightyears.MeganwasrecentlyselectedtoservewithastudentfromUnionAreaMiddleSchoolonthePASCExecutiveBoardasamiddleleveladvisor.

Meganleadsmanyactivitiesincludingfifthgradeorientation,aHalloweenparty,aThanksgivingbenefitdance,afallcraftfestival,atalentshow,monthlydoordeco-ratingcontests,andaneighthgradepicnic.Shealsoleadsmanyserviceactivitiesincludingabenefitdance,footballfieldclean-ups,snowbuddies,andmakingValentinecardsfornursinghomes.

Inrecommendingher,Megan’sprincipalwrote:“Sheisarespon-

sibleandhonorablepersonwhotakeseveryadvan-tagetomakethingsbetter.Oneofthemostben-eficialprojectsthathasbeenestablishedistheFallCraftandVendorShow.OurThanksgivingFoodDriveisanotherbeneficialprogram.Thisprojectislifechangingformanyfamilies.Thosearejusttwooftheprojectsthatshespendscountlesshoursworkingonwithandforourstudents.Shepartici-pateswithstudentsineveryPASCconferenceandprogram,accompaniesstudentsonserviceprojectsthroughoutourcommunity,promotesschoolspirit

amongstudentsandstaffandhelpswithprogramsinourschoolthataren’tevenaffiliatedwithstudentcouncil.SheisanassettotheUnionAreaSchoolDistrictandisincrediblydeservingofthisrecognition.”

CongratulationsandbestwishestoMeganasherapplicationwillnowbesubmittedforadditionalregionalandnationalrecognition.

PASC Advisors of the Year SelectedMegan Fuchs Named Middle Level Advisor of the Year

Harvey Edwards Named High School Advisor of the Year

2016 Middle Level Representatives and Advisors SelectedThroughanapplicationprocess,twoteamseachconsistingofaseventhgraderandanadvisorwerechosentoserveonthePASCExecutiveBoardfromJanuary2016throughAugust2017.Thenewmiddle

levelrepresentativesare:

MelodyWattsandadvisor,RebeccaBoyer,fromGovernorMifflinMiddleSchool(District13)

RileyCrewsandadvisor,MeganFuchs,

fromUnionMiddleSchool(District2)

Congratulationstotheseteamsastheybegintheirserviceontheboardrepre-sentingmiddlelevelstudentcouncilsinPennsylvania.


Winter Holiday FundraisersBy Lyn Fiscus

Thewinterholidayseasonisfullofopportunitiestomakemoneytosupportyourorganization’seffortsatothertimesoftheyear.Ifyourfundsareabitlowafterfallevents,tryoneoftheseholidayfundraiserstoputsomejinglebackinthetreasury.

JINGLE BELL WALK.Organizea5kwalkduringDecemberwhereparticipantspayafeetoenter.Mapoutaroutenearyourschoolandchargeparticipantsanentryfeetoparticipate.Givewalkersjinglebellstoattachtotheirshoelacessotheyjingleastheywalk.

GINGERBREAD COMPETITION.Reachouttothebakersandartistsinyourschoolbysponsoringagingerbreadhousecompeti-tion.Putthehousesondisplayandhavestudentsvotewithcoinsfortheonetheylikebest.Theonewiththemostdonationswinsa“People’sChoice”award.Havejudgesselectwinnersformostcreativeandbestuseofmaterials.Iftheentrantsagreetoit,youcouldalsoauctionoffthecreationsafterthecontest.

WINTER WONDERLAND DANCE. Sponsoracasualdancewithawintrytheme.Decoratethegymorcafeteriawithsnow-flakes,twinklinglights,pinebranchessprayedwithartificialsnow,andothersnowyelements.ElectaSnowKingandSnowQueenforaddedinterest.

HOLIDAY COOKIE SALE. Inthisversionofabakesale,haveaholidaycookiebakingsessionwithyourmembers—possiblyintheFACSclassroomatschool—oraskeachmembertodonatefivedozenhomemadeholidaycookies.Setupacookiedisplayandhavetake-awayboxes,plates,orplasticbagsalongwithaplasticgloveforcustomers.Buyersselectthecookiestheywantandtheirselectionsareweighedatcheckout.Chargebythepound,e.g.,$5perpound.Goaheadandmakeupplatesfullofcookiescoveredinplasticwrapforthosewhodon’twanttotakethetimetoselectthemone-by-one.Conductthesalewhileaneventthatbringspeopletotheschoolisoccurring,suchasaholidayconcertorbasketballgame.

CRAFT BAZAAR. Inviteteachers,parents,communitymembers,andstudentstoselltheirhandmadecraftsatacraftfairinthegym.Dividetheareaintorowsofspacewithatableineachbooth;chargeafeetohaveatableandchargeadmissiontoenterthefair.Sellconcessionsforaddedrevenue.Besuretoadvertiseinlocalmediaaswellaswithlocalchurches,civicandfraternalorganiza-tions,women’sclubs,andelementaryschools.

HOLIDAY BASKETS. Holdasilentauctionofholidaybasketsfilledwithvariousitemsorganizedaroundatheme.Atreatbasket

couldfeaturecookies,candycanes,hotchocolatepackets,andotheredibleitems.Apamperingbasketcouldincludebubblebath,aromatherapycandles,agiftcardforamassage,andsoforth.Abookloversbasketcouldfeaturebookmarks,areadinglight,agiftcardtoabookstore,etc.Becreativewiththethemestoappealtoawidevarietyofpeople.

CANDY CANE DELIVERY.Tiecandycaneswithdifferentcolorribbons:Greenmeans“specialfriend,”whitemeans“secretadmirer,”andredmeans“truelove.”Chargestudents25¢toselectacolorribbonandhaveacandycanedeliveredatschooltothepersonoftheirchoice.

POINSETTIA SALES. Makemoneytwowayswiththisfundrais-er.First,takeordersforpoinsettiastobepickedupatschoolonadesignateddayearlyinDecember.Second,decoratetheschoolentranceandofficeareawithsomeoftheplants,thensellraffleticketsforpeopletowinthemonthelastdaybeforewinterbreak.

SANTA EXPRESS. SendhomesealedletterstoparentsofK–3studentsadvertisingthatfor$15,amemberofyourgroupdressedasSantaandothermembersdressedaselveswillgotoachild’shouseanddeliverawrappedage-appropriatepresent.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA. InviteelementarystudentstohavebreakfastwithSantaonaSaturdayinDecemberforafee.Alongwithahotbreakfast,play“SantaSays,”providemusic,dancing,artsandcrafts,andaSantaSecretShopwherestudentscanpurchaseinexpensivegiftsfortheirparents.Yourmemberscandressupaselvestofacilitatetheactivitiesandsupervisethechildren.

PARENTS NIGHT OUT.Reservetheschool’sgymormultipur-poseroominearlyDecemberforaParentsNightOutfundraiser.Invitealllocalelementarystudentstospendtheeveningattheschoolparticipatinginavarietyofactivitiesforareasonableentrancefeewhiletheirparentshaveafreeeveningtodoholidayshoppingorothertasks.Besuretoobtainsignedemergencycon-tactformsfromtheparentsbeforetheyleave.

CHRISTMAS LIGHT REMOVAL.It’susuallymorefuntoputupChristmaslightsthantotakethemdown,somanypeopleputoffthetask.AdvertisetheservicesofyourgroupmembersonaSatur-dayinearlyJanuarytotakedownChristmaslightsandcoilthemupneatlyforstorage.Assignatleasttwopeopletoworktogethersoonecanholdtheladder.Establishsafetyguidelinesandrequirememberstoadheretothem.Chargeaflatfeeoraskfordonations.

Lyn Fiscus is a freelance education writer and student activity adviser in Reston, VA.

Designed by Freepik


OnFridayattheFridayGeneralSessionoftheStateConference,AmyKauffmanofSouthWesternSchoolDistrictwasnamedasthe2015winneroftheLindaGrebAward.BothdelegatesandherpeersallagreethatAmyisaninnovativeleader,guidingthewaywithconfidenceandtalent.Sheisanincrediblementorwhomakesthosearoundherthinkoutsideoftheboxandtacklerealissueswhilepromotingyouthleadershipandempowerment.Del-egateshavesaidthatthisindividualmadethemrealizethingstheywould’veneverimagined.Sheisabeautifulspirit,insideandout,whomakesahugeimpactoneverylifeshetouches.AtAdvancedGold,

Amychallengesdelegatestoworktogethertobreakdownthebarriers.Everyoneal-wayswalksawayfromherworkshoplook-ingatlifeinawaytheyneverhavebefore.

Amyreceiveda$500checkandaspeciallydesignedpinwhichincludesaninvertedtrianglerepresentingLinda’sstrength,theseedssheplantedinyoungpeople,theirgrowthintofullydevelopedtreesallen-circledtosymbolizethecircleoflife.

TheawardisnamedinmemoryofLindaS.Greb,whoservedonmanyworkshopstaffsandpassedawayin2003(seeside-bar).ItisgivenannuallytoaworkshopstaffmemberforoutstandingservicetoPASC.Congratulations,Amy!

Amy Kauffman is the recipient of the 2015 Linda Greb Award, given annually to a PASC workshop staff mem-ber for outstanding service to PASC.

Amy Kauffman Named 2015 Winner of Linda Greb Award

Award Honors Linda GrebIn March 2002 the Pennsylvania Association of Student Councils’ or-ganization lost an outstanding leader, outstanding advisor, and a dear friend to cancer. Although only 42 years of age at the time of her death, Linda S. Greb had a positive impact on the lives of more people in this state and the nation than most people do in a full lifetime.

Linda was advisor at Mars High School, served as District 2 Direc-tor and Advanced Gold Workshop Director, and was PASC Membership Coordinator at the time of her death. The outpouring of memorial funds which PASC continues to receive has been used to establish an annual recognition award and scholarship for a PASC summer leadership workshop staff member for use in their pursuit of an educational degree or for their furtherance of leadership development through state, national, or international programs.

PASC Schools Invited to Attend Annual Student Summit Focusing on AdvocacyPASCinvitesallPennsylvaniaschoolstoattendtheannualStudentSummitonThursday,February18,2016,inHarrisburg(snowdateisThursday,February25).Eachschoolisallowedtoselectfourstudentsingrades10,11,and12.Thisyearthesummitwillfocusontheseobjectives:

• Whatadvocacyisandwhyitisimportant• Howtodeterminewhatstudentsshouldadvocatebothonapersonalandorga-

nizationlevel.• Howtoadvocatebymobilizingothersintheschoolandcommunitybyutilizing

resources.

ApplicationstoattendareavailableatPASC.net andareduebyJanuary20,2016.MoreinformationaboutthecomponentsrequiredandmoredetailsabouttheprogramcanbefoundatPASC.netundertheProgramstab,thenclickHighSchool.

Ifyouhaveanyquestionsaboutthisopportunity,[email protected].

Pennsylvania student leaders participate in a Student Summit in Harrisburg each year in February.


ThePennsylvaniaStateBoardofEduca-tionhelditsbimonthlymeetingSeptember16–17.Whiletherewasconsiderablylessontheagendacomparedtopreviousmeet-ings,theBoardcoveredavarietyoftopicsincludingreportsfromvariouseducationalgroupsanddistricttransfers.

AdvancementsweremadeintheGED(GeneralEducationDevelopment)exam.Thetestisnowfullyonline,andnewex-amssimilartothecurrentGEDwillsoonbeimplemented.TheBoardmembersalsodiscussedhowpassingratesfortheGEDhaveincreased,butasignificantlyfewernumberofstudentsnowtakeit.

TheBoardalsocoveredthechangesinresultsfromthenewPSSAcutscores.SchoolsintheCommonwealthhavedoneaphenomenaljobindiscussingPSSAscores,andthegoalofthePDEistostaytransparentabouttheseissuessothatthepublicismoreknowledgeableaboutthem.TheDepartmentofEducationhasdonethisbyaddingmoredocumentstothewebsite,creatingpre-draftedTweets,and

sending letters to parents with each score resultfromtheSecretaryofEducationPedroRivera.

ThemostheatedandemotionalaspectofthemeetingwasduringthediscussionofthetransferofWashingtonTownshipfromDoverSchooltoNorthernYork.ReasonsforthetransferincludefewertaxesinNorthernYork,bettereduca-tion(specificallySAT,ACT,andPSSAscores),andshorterbusrouteforstudentsinWashingtonTownship.Afterseveralpubliccommentsexplainingbothsidesoftheissue,theBoardruledthatthetransferbedisfavored.

AmongotheritemswerethesuccessofthebullyingpreventionhotlineandadvancementsinGiftedEducationdespitelackoffunds.Ifyouhaveanyquestionsaboutthemeetingfeelfreetoreachouttoourstudentrepresentativesontheboard,DonaldLeCompte([email protected])orJoshitaVarshney([email protected]).

State Board of Education Update

Apply to be the Junior Student Rep on the State Board of EducationPASCisseekingtonameapresentsophomoretobecometheJuniorStateBoardofEducation(SBE)MemberasofJuly1,2016.SinceSeptember2008,aseniorandaju-niorstudenthaveservedonthePennsylvaniaStateBoardofEducation.Inthespringof2016,theprocesswillbeimplementedtoselectthenextJuniorSBEMember,whosetermwillofficiallybeginonJuly1,2016asthecurrentSeniorBoardmemberretires.

What Is the State Board of Education?TheStateBoardofEducationsetsallpoliciesregardingpublicschooleducationintheCommonwealth.ItconsistsofCouncilsofBasicandHigherEducation.TheBoardofEducationhas17adultmembersselectedbytheGovernorandconfirmedbytheSenate.ThechairandminorityleaderoftheHouseandSenateEducationCommitteesserveaswell.TheboardmeetsinHarrisburgonWednesdaysandThursdaysinJuly,September,November,January,March,andMay.

Who May Apply? AnysophomoreinapublichighschoolinPennsylvaniamayapplyforthepositionforthe2016–2017schoolyear.StudentsdonothavetoattendaPASCmemberschoolinordertoapply.Gotowww.pasc.net toapplynowforthisimportantstudentadvocacyposi-tioninPennsylvania.ApplicationsareduenolaterthanFebruary28.

PleasedirectanyquestionsregardingthesepositionsandtheapplicationprocesstoPASCExecutiveDirectorRoseAnnFulenaat724-971-4599orPASC.exdir@gmail.com.

The Presidential Student Spotlight is a new program implemented by PASC State President Michaela Lynch. She started this program to recognize leaders throughout Pennsylvania who make a dif-ference in their schools and communities.

Consider nominating a student in your council who has exhibited leadership skills. Reasons to nominate a student leader include initiat-ing a new program or event, helping others in a significant way, or spending a significant amount of time on a project or community service.

If you feel someone in your council is worthy of this award, go to Awards and Scholarships, then student awards on the PASC website. More details and all of the requirements for the award are on the website. Nomina-tions can be made directly at pasc.net.

A committee will review all applications and a winner will be selected at the end of each month. The winner will be featured in PASC News. See page 11 of this issue for the first Presidential Spotlight.

PASC Presidential Student Spotlight


Almost every school and SGA in

Pennsylvania hosts a Homecoming,

which typically consists of a dance

and parade. For Norwin High

School’s student council presi-

dent, Becky Stefanyak, this year’s

Homecoming was not that simple.

Since the beginning of June, Becky

and her fellow officers worked

diligently to make this year’s

Homecoming a success. Becky had

to deal with the transition of new

advisors, new school principals,

and other obstacles that made her

responsibilities even more difficult.

Becky was determined to make

“A Knight in the Jungle” a night

that she and her classmates would

never forget.

After months of planning and hard

work, Becky was able to pull off a

successful Homecoming weekend.

The weekend started off with a

Hall of Fame banquet Thursday

night, along with the Royal Recep-

tion for the Homecoming Court

that same evening. The following

day, Friday, they held the second

annual Homecoming Carnival. The

carnival was an opportunity for

the Norwin community to gather

before the big game to meet

and greet the Norwin HS sport

teams and clubs/organizations that

sponsored a game booth or food

stand. After the carnival was the

football game where the corona-

tion of king and queen took place

during halftime. Because Becky is

asenior cheerleading captain, she

walked out to the middle of the

football field with her blue and

gold cheerleading uniform on to

present the sash and crown to the

king and queen

On Saturday, Becky and the

student council had even worse

luck—they had no choice but

to cancel the morning parade

in which all high school sports

and organizations were eager

to participate. However, Becky

was able to handle the situation

maturely and take the necessary

precautions so the community

would be protected from severe

weather conditions. The last and

final homecoming event was the

dance on Saturday evening. The

dance was a huge success and all

students who attended enjoyed

themselves. From the DJ to the

photo booth to the pop and

snacks, Becky’s planning paid off.

Now you may be thinking: What’s

so different about this Homecom-

ing than any other Homecoming?

What’s the big deal with Becky?

Becky is one of a kind. She is

brilliant and selfless and defines

what a true leader is and how one

should act. For months, Becky was

confident and able to lead her

council to put on a fantastic week-

end, while also managing numer-

ous events as well (i.e. open house,

teacher night, meetings, etc).

It is stated that the PASC

Presidential Spotlight Program is

an opportunity for some of Penn-

sylvania’s greatest leaders to get

the recognition that they deserve.

After attending all three summer

workshops and attending several

state and district conferences,

Becky is a prime example of what

PASC is all about.

First Presidental Spotlight Winner:Becky Stefanyak, Norwin High School

Nominate an outstanding student leader at your school

for recognition in the PASC Presiden-tial Spotlight! Visit

http://www.pasc.net/

student-awards.html for details.

pasc news · pdf filevolume 40 • issue 4 • december 2015 pnq pasc news quarterly...

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