PASC News Volume 37Issue 6

February 2013

continued on page 2

Since September 2008, a se-nior and a junior student have served on the Pennsylvania State Board of Education. The term of Senior SBE member Erin Agnew, of Springfield Township HS, will end with the SBE meeting on May 8–9, 2013. We are happy to announce that Emily Clark, Junior SBE member of Seneca Valley HS, will be appointed to serve as the next Senior SBE

Member. Thus, PASC has been charged with the responsibility to select the next Junior SBE Member. This student will be named this spring and will begin his or her term as of July 1. How-ever, Emily and the new Junior Member will attend their first meeting together in mid-May.

What Is the State Board of Education?

The State Board of Educa-tion sets all policies regarding public school education in the Commonwealth. It consists of Councils of Basic and Higher Education. The Board of Edu-cation has 17 adult members

Energy Troopers: North Penn’s Hidden “Joule”

Last year’s state Board of Education reps (from left) Erin Agnew, Dr. Frances Michelini, and Shannon Sullivan at the final SBE meet-ing for the 2011–2012 school year.

Sophomore Sought for PA State Board of Education

continued on page 6

Excerpted from the Knight Crier Online, Jewel Rama con-tributing writer

Walking out of a North Penn High School classroom, bath-room, locker room, one notices the “Last out Lights out” stick-ers on the light switches. One would think that either teach-ers or the custodial staff would be responsible for these smiley reminders, but they are not the ones behind the cheerful labels.  Actually, it is a small-unknown group within the high school known as the Energy Troop-ers. Comprised of about eight students, the group has been putting forth a strong effort to

steer North Penn towards a greener, more energy-efficient educational environment, and they have been very successful in doing so.

Two years ago, a national organization known as “Power Save Schools” chose North Penn as one of the school dis-tricts in Pennsylvania to help train and endorse their effort to eliminate the waste of energy.

A small group of NPHS stu-dents, who all share an interest in green practices and saving energy, formed a club known as Energy Troopers. Power Save Schools provided them with the proper tools and training to

allow them to go around North Penn and measure the amount of energy used throughout building.

The Energy Troopers, lead by president Matt Nejako, produced a report based on the information and calcula-tions that he and the other members had put together after doing work around the high school during the 2011–2012 school-year. This energy-saving report, which was presented to the School Board, included the objective, the methodology used, the numbers found, the calculations, the explanation of the calculations, and the

InsIde ThIs Issue

News & Notes ..................... 2

•Region A Rep Selected

•Principal-Advisors-Leaders (PAL) Conferences Planned for the Fall of 2013

How Can Education Make the Grade? ............................ 3

Mark Your Calendar for These PASC Summer Lead-ership Workshop Dates for 2013 ....................................... 4

Staff Applications Now Avail-able for Workshops ............ 4

State Conference to Feature Keynote by Monte Selby .... 5

Fundraising Ideas for “VH1 Save the Music” State Charity ................................... 5

Advisor Hotels Selected for the 2013 Conference ......... 6

Sunrise Mountain HS to Host NASC Conference .............. 7

Service to Others Is a Trade-mark of the Harlan Rowe JHS Council .......................... 7

IHats for Haiti: A Dollar Makes a Difference ............. 8

PASC News • February 2013 • www.pasc.net2

News & NotesRegion A Rep SelectedWe are pleased to welcome Lisa Yoder, a sophomore at General McLane HS in Edinboro (District 1), to the PASC Executive Board. She is actively involved in Student Council and Key Club and plays on the junior varsity and varsity basketball teams. Lisa will serve from now through January 2015. She will co-chair the State Conference Committee and will serve on the Middle Level Committee. Lisa is committed to building PASC membership in District 1 and to encourag-ing the interaction of the schools of District 1 and District 2 and thus strengthening student council programs within this western PASC region.

Principal-Advisors-Leaders (PAL) Conferences Planned for the Fall of 2013PASC is planning three, one-day, drive-in conferences around the state in late September for school teams of principals, ad-visors, and student leaders. These PAL Conferences will pro-vide opportunities for principals, advisors, and student leaders to share ideas, set goals, and begin working on relationships for the new school year. The program will provide time for participants to interact as school teams as well as separate opportunities for principals, advisors, and students to meet in individual breakout sessions.

Each school is encouraged to bring their principal or assistant principal, student council advisor(s), and up to four stu-dent leaders to the conference. Additional teams from class government organizations or National Honor Society may attend as long as they are also accompanied by an advisor.

Specific PAL Conference sites will be announced in March PASC NEWS along with information on the registration fee and the conference speaker. Mark your calendars now. The following dates have been chosen:

Tuesday, September 24 Eastern PA

Wednesday, September 25 North Central PA

Thursday, September 26 Western PA

Share Your Successful Ideas What is your council’s best project?

Share your success with other PASC schools by writing up a short description of the project and send it with photos to

PASCInfo@aol.com. Youcouldfindyourschoolfeaturedinanup-

coming issue of PASC News!

selected by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. The chair and minority leader of the House and Senate Education Committees serve as well. The board meets in Harrisburg on Wednesdays and Thursdays in July, September, November, January, March, and May. A detailed job description is available at www.pasc.net or by contacting PASC at PAS-CInfo@aol.com.

What Are the Duties of Students on the Board of Education?

The new Junior SBE Member of the Board of Education will join Emily Clark in represent-ing the 1.8 million K–12 public school students in the Com-monwealth. Although they can not be an expert on every issue or idea coming before the Board of Education and its committees, they will be expected to do their “home-work” to become knowledge-able about topics of interest to Pennsylvania students includ-ing special needs students and vocational and technical school students. Working with PASC, the student members will use the PASC NEWS commu-nications system, the PASC website, and PASC survey tools to communicate with their constituents. The students will report periodically to the PASC Executive Board and attend the state conference and January Executive Board meeting for face-to face report-ing and feedback. Being the “student voice” on the Pennsyl-

vania Board of Education is an incredible opportunity for the students involved as well as for all Pennsylvania students. Only 13 states in the nation have student representatives on their State Boards of Education.

Who May Apply?

PASC is seeking to name a present sophomore to the Junior SBE Member as of July 1. The process will be imple-mented in the spring of 2013 to select the next Junior SBE Member whose term will begin on July 1, 2013. Any sopho-more in a public high school in Pennsylvania may apply for the position for the 2013–2014 school year. Students do not have to attend a PASC member school to apply. Travel, meals, and lodging in Harrisburg or other meeting sites in the state will be paid for by the State Board of Education. Travel, meals, and lodging for the re-quired meetings of PASC will be paid by PASC.

Application Includes• Basic contact information• Student resume• Two essays• Three letters of recommenda-

tion• Signatures of approval and

support from the student, parent/guardian, school administration

Download the information cover letter, application, requirements and expecta-tions, and overview of the State Board of Education at www.pasc.net.

Advisors: Please share this important information with your student leaders! Application deadline is Friday, March 8

Sophomore Sought for PA State Board of Education (cont’d from pg. 1)

PASC News • February 2013 • www.pasc.net 3

How Can Education Make the Grade?By Erin Agnew, State Board of

Education Senior Representative

As you read my report on the January meeting of the State Board of Education, I would encourage interested sopho-mores to consider applying to become the next Junior Student Representative on the State Board of Education. A summary of the function of the State Board, the job descrip-tion for student members, and the application to serve as the student representative for the 2013–2015 term can be found at www.pasc.net. The applica-tion due date is March 8, 2013.

For all the time and planning we invest in schedules and meetings, it often happens that the moments in between the pre-planned events yield the highest return. It is true of life, work, school, and government, that when we pause to really talk about what we think is most important, we discover not only a common cause to unite us, but also an effective way to work together towards that one grand goal. I hope that no students had to think for long about what this common cause is for the PA Board of Education—we want to work towards what is best for you. This sometimes feels lost in bureaucracies or the time it takes to create lasting change. But this month, more than ever, I have seen that unifying prin-ciple in action; and it has been in those in-between moments when your Board of Education has made as much headway on revelation as on legislation.

We continue to make progress on the same several projects that have filled the last few

meetings, namely Chapter 18 Financial Recovery, Chapter 4 and the Keystone Exams, and updating teacher and school leader effectiveness standards. On January 10, the Board of Education as the whole voted on the Final-Omit Regulation and the Proposed Regulation for Chapter 18. Chapter 18 is a list of 27 factors which the Secretary of Education may consider either stand-alone or in groups, to pronounce a financially challenged school district in either severe or mod-erate recovery status.

This is a piece of legislation loaded with “ifs” and “thens,” which makes it highly custom-izable and adaptable to a school district’s individual needs. The Secretary can declare a district to be either severe or moderate recovery status, but must spec-ify which criteria from the list on which he or she based that decision. Only nine districts can be placed in recovery status at any given time, but the clear outlines in the soon-to-be-approved Chapter 18 will help our state prevent unfortunate but necessary takeovers like that in Chester-Upland School Districts earlier this year.

January also found the Board of Ed with the new informa-tion on the updated Danielson model for evaluating teacher and school leader effectiveness. In discussing the restructuring of teacher evaluation standards, Deputy Secretary for Postsec-ondary and Higher Education, Dr. Jill Hans, summed up her goal by saying: “foundations we have been standing on may be shifting now… and we want to stir things up a little bit.”

With the Keystone Exams officially approved as our state’s AYP measure for this school year, and a graduation require-ment for the class of 2017, the rigor in Pennsylvania class-rooms is definitely increasing. To keep up with this rigor, Dr. Hans and Dr. Dumaresq, the Deputy Secretary for Elemen-tary and Secondary Education, foresee a four-pronged system of accountability and support for students, teachers, princi-pals, and school administration. This support, each asserts, must be equitable and measure up with performance expecta-tions.

In the discussion over what these expectations are and how to best support them, I was delighted by the wording of the evaluation rubric. Teachers are evaluated in four categories: Planning and Preparation, the Classroom Environment, In-struction, and Professional Re-sponsibilities. Some stand-out requirements for distinguished teachers are that one must “actively seek out knowledge about individual students’ levels of development … skills and special needs … from a variety of sources ,” and interactions between teachers and students are “highly respectful, reflecting genuine warmth and caring, and sensitivity to students as individuals,” and that all lessons are assessed “thoroughly and accurately for their effective-ness.” Overall, we are moving towards an evaluation system that stresses “impact over in-put,” and benefits both teachers and students holistically rather than strictly based on facts and figures.

With all the talk of supporting high standards, a behind the scenes conversation emerged as a theme throughout both days of our January meeting. Much as we hope and plan for suc-cess, it is important to remem-ber that success carries its own definition for every student. While many schools stress col-lege as the ultimate outcome of high school, it is important to remember that we do not have one standard set of expecta-tions for all students. Nor do we define success as constantly maintaining straight A’s or win-ning every scholarship or award you apply for. When I brought my own academic experiences into the conversation—some better than others—Board of Education Chairman Larry Wittig reminded me of a lesson I hope every student can take to heart: “what feels like failure now is an educational part of shaping tomorrow’s path.”

Apply by Friday, March 8 if you are a sopho-more interested in serving on the Board.

Erin Agnew, State Board of Education

Senior Representative

PASC News • February 2013 • www.pasc.net4

PASC NEWS is published monthly during

the school year. To submit

announcements, articles, or corrections for newsletters, please email the Executive Director or Assistant Ex-ecutive Director. Articles or information from PASC NEWS may be reproduced for use, with appropriate credit.

Executive DirectorJim FinnemeyerNorth Penn HS1340 Valley Forge RoadLansdale, PA 19446215-280-9299215-855-0632 (Fax)Finnemeyer@aol.comPASCInfo@aol.com

Assistant Executive DirectorKathy Ann Coll174 Link AvenuePittsburgh, PA 15237412-366-5744Kcoll1@comcast.net

PASC PresidentDanielle CronerBoyertown High School120 N. Monroe StreetBoyertown, PA 19512

PASC President-ElectCourtney DetwilerAltoona Area High School 1415 6th Street Altoona, PA. 16602

PASC News EditorLyn FiscusLeadership Logistics

PASC Email:PASCInfo@aol.com

PASC Website:www.pasc.net

Mark Your Calendar for These PASC Summer Leadership Workshop Dates for 2013Share these dates with underclass members of your student council, class governments, NHS, and other student organizations so that they may plan now for a week of learning, fun, and personal growth this summer.

Blue workshops are for middle level students in grades 7–9 while Gold workshops are for high school students in grades 9–12 (2013–2014 school year). Costs listed below include registration, room, and meals. The 2013 PASC Workshop Brochures will be emailed to PASC member advisors and students who receive PASC NEWS during the first week in February. The hard copy of the brochure and application will be mailed to advisors as of March 15.

Please note the following dates and locations and begin planning now for students to attend in July.

Costs & Deadlines: Early Bird Regular (May 10th) ( June 7th)

Blue (Grades 7–9)

Grove City College July 14–18 $345 $370

Alvernia University July 28–Aug 1 $345 $370

Gold (Grades 9–12)

Grove City College July 7–12 $375 $400

Susquehanna University July 28–Aug 2 $375 $400

Advanced Gold (Grades 11–12)

University of Pittsburgh/Johnstown July 14–20 $495 $520

PASC is seeking students who will graduate from high school in 2013 (or have graduated in 2011 or 2012) to serve as group advisors for one of the five PASC Summer Leadership Workshops.

Additionally, advisors, other teachers, or individuals with ex-perience in leadership develop-ment are encouraged to apply for teaching positions at the PASC Blue Workshops (grades 7–9) or the PASC Gold Work-shops (grades 9–12) for the

summer of 2013. Applications are now available at www.pasc.net, by contacting the PASC Office at PASCInfo@aol.com, or calling 215-280-9299. Dead-line for submitting applications is February 28, 2013.

Staff Applications Now Available for Workshops

PASC News • February 2013 • www.pasc.net 5

By Janna Wood, Public Rela-tions Committee Chair, Boyer-town HS

Have you ever dreamed of writing a song? Monte Selby, known as “Education’s Song-writer” is an entertaining, in-sightful, and challenging speak-er for all ages who personalizes each of his presentations to fit the audience at hand. With a combination of his experiences as a teacher, principal, and professor, Monte provides the opportunity for members of the audience to write a comical yet insightful song.

Don’t miss out on this once

in a lifetime experience! Join Boyertown Area Senior HS in feeling “The Rhythm of Leader-ship” and celebrating the 77th annual PASC State Confer-ence, November 14–16, 2013! The PASC delegation who saw Monte at the 2012 NASC Na-tional Conference in Oklahoma City recommended him as the keynote speaker for the 2013 PASC State Conference.

For more information on Monte Selby visit monteselby.com. Visit pasc2013.org/speakers.html for more infor-mation on all of the conference speakers!

State Conference to Feature Keynote by Monte Selby

By Karlynn Miller, State Charity Committee Chair, Boyertown HS

With just nine months until the 2013 PASC State Confer-ence, many schools are starting to look for ways to fundraise for this year’s state charity, “VH1 Save The Music.” If you’re struggling with ideas for ways to raise money, one thing to keep in mind is to stay close to the ideals of the charity by focusing on music or perform-ing arts-based fundraisers.

One way you can do this is by holding a benefit concert, a battle of the bands, a musical performance, or a talent show. You also can get in contact with the music teachers of your dis-trict and have donation baskets at all school music performanc-es. Or, raffle off a few reserved seats for a performance.

Get chorus students and other singers involved by teaming up

with a local restaurant and offer serenading performances for a set price or for tips.

If you want to have a more creative fundraiser, play annoy-ing songs during lunches or study halls and have students (or teachers) pay to turn the music on, off, or turn the volume up. Get in contact with local businesses to see if they are interested in donating, especially if those businesses have a tie to the cause!

You could also hold a sheet music or instrument drive, but keep in mind that you would

need to find out where you can donate these items, as VH1 Save the Music can no longer accept them. Or, turn old or broken instruments into works of art by having musicians paint and sign them, then auction or

raffle them off.

Have musicians from your group offer to play perfor-mances at community events for donations, including solo-ists, duets, string quartets, and so forth. Make a small poster to place near where you are playing letting people know that you are collecting for VH1 Save the Music.

Don’t forget to take videos and pictures of your fundraising events and email them to stat-echarity@PASC2013.org along with the amount of money or instruments collected.

Save the Music is a non-profit organization dedi-cated to restoring instrumental music education programs in America’s public schools, and raising awareness about the importance of music as part of each child’s complete educa-tion. Over 15 years in, it is their renewed commitment to donate one hundred million dollars’ worth of new musical instruments to ensure that an even greater number of stu-dents receive a comprehensive music education over the next 10 years!

For more information on the good work of the Foundation, please visit: www.vh1savethemu-sic.com.

Fundraising Ideas for “VH1 Save the Music” State Charity

PASC News • February 2013 • www.pasc.net6

recommendations given by the Energy Troopers to improve energy efficiency within North Penn.

With the research and work of the Energy Troopers, the group was able to reduce the amount of energy used at the high school by 1,028,763 kWh (Kilowatt hour), which is a reduction of 27% annual energy usage within the high school. That’s equivalent to the energy used to power 21 homes for an entire year. These savings amount to a $154,241 reduc-tion in energy bills. Matt is very proud of the group’s work and continues to try and send a positive message to the North Penn Community saying, “Right now what we are mainly doing is creating an awareness. It’s the cheapest thing and we are really trying to save money for the school.”

This year the Energy Troopers have teamed with Mr. Michael Boyer from the technology department and the group he

runs known as EPCS, En-ergy Projects and Community Service. With their combined efforts the students hope to identify wasted energy sources around North Penn and trans-form them into produc-tive producers that can help save money.

“Part of our club mission is taking a better look at improving the community whether it’s the North Penn community or larger area, while at the same time teaching students about engineering. One of the projects is figuring out a way to capitalize on en-ergy lost around the building, while looking into harvesting energy that was lost whether it was thermal or mechanical en-ergy” said Mr. Boyer of EPCS. EPCS has come up with a way

to harvest the energy produced from the spinning exercise bikes in the gym and using it as a source of electricity for the school. Mr. Boyer explained how both groups are connected

saying,

“The discus-sion started opening up to well maybe we could have a competi-tion and we can figure out how to harvest that electricity but also figure out

how much energy is consumed by each human and then find ways to convert that energy. That’s kind of how the idea started and then we connected with the Energy Troopers. They have a great connection with the community and talk-ing about how to better energy consumption, how to not waste energy, turning off the lights,

things of that nature and we in EPCS have the engineering knowledge skills and tools that help make those ideas come to be.”

The Energy Troopers meet twice a month with advisor Ms. Nina Ferrant. They have won multiple awards and were recognized by the state for the work they have done around North Penn High School over the past two years. For such a small group, these students have certainly made a strong impact on the school and hope to continue to do so for years to come.

PASC members are encour-aged to consider how they could sponsor or support students and teachers in their schools to promote energy awareness and savings. For more information on Energy Troopers contact ferrannp@npenn.org. For information regarding the Power Saves Schools organization contact powersavesschoolsnational.com.

Advisor Hotels Selected for the 2013 ConferencePreparations for the 2013

State Conference are well un-der way. Many exciting events are planned that are sure to demonstrate and share the love of Boyertown students for mu-sic and for student council. In 2013, PASC will again use host homes for student delegates, but will also provide an option for schools that require that their students be housed in ho-tels. If hotels are used for stu-dent delegates, the individual schools will be responsible for meals and transportation that would be have been provided

by host families. Blocks of ad-visor rooms have been set aside at the conference rates listed at the hotels below. Please ask for the PASC group rate when you book your rooms.

n Comfort Inn – Pottstown 8 miles from Boyertown. 99 Robinson Street, Pottstown, PA 19464 610-326-5000. $85 plus tax per night Free continental breakfast

n Holiday Inn Express – Limerick 12 miles from Boyertown 15 Keystone Drive, Limerick,

PA 19468 484-932-8827. $109 plus tax per night Free continental breakfast.

n Courtyard by Marriott – Collegeville 18 miles from Boyertown 600 Campus Drive, Colleg-eville PA 19426 484-974-2600 $109 plus tax per night NO free continental breakfast

Boyertown is currently in the process of negotiating with two other hotels in the area: Days Inn – Pottstown and Hampton Inn – Limerick. Check www.

pasc2013.org and future issues of PASC News for more infor-mation on these hotels.

As we prepare for the 2013 State Conference, we suggest you do, too! Look over the information on the hotels and book your stay soon. We can’t wait to see you in November!

Energy Troopers (cont’d from page 1)

PASC News • February 2013 • www.pasc.net 7

On June 20, students and advisors from all over PA will head West to the bright lights of Las Vegas to begin an amazing pre-trip experience in the city of neon lights, multi-leveled architec-tural masterpieces, and adventures around the world.

Travelers will depart from either the Pittsburgh or Philadelphia Airports and head to the amazing Hilton Grand Vacation Suites on the Strip where we will enjoy luxurious suites during our stay. PASC squads, comprised of advisors and students, will then begin their venture on the strip.• “Dolphins, white tigers, and panthers, oh my!” at the Mirage• Screaming at the top of your lungs on the rollercoaster at New

York, New York• Partake in the Fremont Street Experience of sound and lights• Shop at more than 160 Forum shops at Caesars Palace• Neon Museum, Mob Museum in Vegas? For sure, it’s history• Fountains to music, circus acts, and performers galore

These and more will all be part of your experience on The Strip on Thursday. Dinner together will be in one of the impressive ca-sinos with a view of the city at night. Then, it is on to a spectacu-lar Vegas show to complete the day.

Friday is anther full day of adventure. We will finish up sight-seeing and breakfast on the strip and then head to the hidden treasures of Red Rock Canyon, just outside the city limits. Red Rock offers desert beauty, towering red cliffs and abundant wild-life. There will be lots of “Kodak” moments on the hiking trails and a visit to Bonnie Springs, an Old Nevada Western mining town. The evening will be spent with all the students and advisors of Region 2 (NY, NJ, MD, and DE) for a western barbeque and amphitheatre show under the stars.

On Saturday, the real adventure starts as we join fellow SCI: Nevada Student Council Investigators from across America to head to Sunrise Mountain High School and the excitement of the NASC Conference. Check out www.nascconference.org for more details about the actual conference schedule and programs. Our delegation will leave the “glitz,” the friends, and the excitement of the Vegas conference as we journey home to PA on Monday, June 24, late evening.

All the current information and registration process is online at PASC.net. The total fee for the trip and conference is $1,500. This will include all transportation (plane and busing), registration fee for the conference, hotel stay at a resort, entertainment includ-ing a Vegas show, meals (except lunches on pre-trip), chaperones, a special Region 2 activity on Friday night, buttons, and state and region shirts.

A PASC reservation form and $500 non-refundable deposit are due by March 3, 2013. Make PASC and the NASC experi-ence a part of your summer! For questions, contact Kathy Coll at kcoll1@comcast.net.

Sunrise Mountain HS to Host NASC Conference

Sunrise Mountain High School in Las Vegas will host the 2013 NASC National Conference in June.

By Brynn Martin, Middle Level Rep, Harlan Rowe JHS

The Harlan Rowe Junior High School Student Council (District 7) takes part in many different activities that help people through-out our school, community, and other countries. The council’s work is split among several committees with one committee for each project. There are 3–15 students per committee, depending on the size of the project. A few of the projects being worked on now are:

n Cancer Awareness: The Cancer Awareness committee orga-nizes “Color Days.” On the designated days students wear the color of the month e.g., the month of February is red for Heart Cancer. The committee also collects 50 cents, which students can donate to the American Cancer Society, in exchange for a ribbon of the said color.

n Adopt a Haiti School Project: The Adopt a Haiti School com-mittee is working on a Bunny Breakfast with Disney. The students from our council will dress up as Disney Characters while children

from our community enjoy breakfast at our school. All the profits go toward supplies that schools in Haiti need.

n Wounded Warrior Project: The Wounded Warrior Project Committee is working hand-in-hand with our dance committee. On February 15, we will host a dance with all the profits going to the Wounded Warrior Project.

n Christmas Is for Kids: Christmas Is for Kids is an annual event that happens in the community where families in need are given presents for Christmas. Students from the student council spent more than $500 at Wal-Mart to buy presents for kids of middle school age. Then on the following weekend student council members helped pack those gifts, and gifts brought in from other members of the community, into Salvation Army trucks to be distributed to the families in need.

n Make A Wish: The Make A Wish committee is now planning a “Minute To Win It Night” in March with all profits going to the Make A Wish Foundation.

Service to Others Is a Trademark of the Harlan Rowe JHS Council

PASC News • February 2013 • www.pasc.net8

Hats for Haiti: A Dollar Makes a DifferenceBy Jackie Jaros, advisor at Deer

Lakes Middle School in District 3

As someone who is very passionate about student leadership and service, I am volunteering with an organiza-tion called Team Tassy. Our school has created a service project, Hats for Haiti, to help this organization eliminate global poverty. We are looking for at least 20 schools to join us. Can we count on you?

Team Tassy BackgroundIan Rosenberger, organization

founder, met Tassy Fils-aime after Haiti’s earthquake in 2010. It was an earthquake that left 1.5 million people homeless, 300,000 dead, and a country in desperate need. Ian and Tassy began to talk. Ian couldn’t help but notice a ten-nis ball sized tumor on Tassy’s face. Tassy needed an operation to remove the tumor, and Ian wanted to help. 

Ian realized that with the right resources Tassy and other families could climb the ladder out of poverty so that these life-threatening tumors wouldn’t stand a chance in the first place—and Team Tassy was born.

With the help of friends and donors, Ian and his team made it possible for Tassy to come to Pittsburgh for a series of surgeries to remove his tumor. Tassy now works with the team to help other families and his community in Haiti.

That was just the beginning!  There are tens of millions of kids like Tassy out there. Team Tassy wants to change that…one family at a time.

Team Tassy’s Core ValuesThese are the values at the heart of Team Tassy:

Celebrate the inherent power in every personWork without fearKeep it simpleDo whatever it takesGive and work with joyFinish the job

Hats for Haiti Hats for Haiti is a program

that engages students of all ages in the fight against global poverty. This event will provide schools with a teachable mo-ment, make current events come to life, allow you to reach beyond the boundaries of your own community and interact with lots of wonderful people, and work towards the goal of eliminating global poverty—one dollar at a time, one hat at a time.

It’s super easy. Students and staff can bring a dollar to school for the chance to wear a hat to school for the day. Think globally and act locally. The proceeds benefit the effort of Team Tassy to help the peo-ple of Haiti. The money that is collected is given to families in need in Haiti.  You can see some of the families that have been/are being helped on the website at http://teamtassy.org/blog/

Team Tassy typically begins helping a family member with a medical issue. The team then works to assure proper hous-ing, job assistance, and get a family back on their feet with dignity

For more information on this

organization, find Team Tassy at www.teamtassy.org and check out our Hats for Haiti page and my blog at http://teamtassy.org/hats-for-haiti/

Getting Started It is simple to join the fight.

Coordinate with your school (the Team has worked with all ages from pre-school through high school) to designate a “Hats for Haiti Day” wherein students and staff may donate $1 to wear a hat to school. It’s easy and fun. Here’s how:

n STEP 1: Find an adult at your school to serve as a spon-sor or advisor for your project. Talk to your Student Council, National Honor Society, In-teract Club. Key Club, etc. and find a group to take charge of the project.

n STEP 2: Make your group or organization aware of the mission of Team Tassy. Help your members understand the importance and passion of Team Tassy. Check us out at www.teamtassy.org

n STEP 3: Gain permission from your school administra-tion to hold a Hats for Haiti Day. Write a letter to gain permission and fill out any nec-essary paperwork required by the school to sponsor a service fundraiser.

n STEP 4: Set a date(s) for your Hats for Haiti Day. Some schools will select one date a month or semester so that people can plan ahead to adver-tise the date(s).

n STEP 5: ADVERTISE! ADVERTISE! ADVERTISE! Text blasts, posters, announce-

ments, assemblies, students talking to kids in the cafeteria, Facebook posts, Twitter (using the hashtag #jointhefight). Let students, staff, and your community know all about the good that your students and school are doing, educate them about Team Tassy, Hats for Haiti, and how everyone can get involved.

n STEP 6: The day prior to the event, remind all students and staff to bring their $1 and wear a hat. Also, provide teachers with an image of the stamp used for proof of hat payment.

n STEP 7: On the day of the event, collect $1 from each par-ticipant and stamp the hand of each student participant. This stamp will let teachers know that students have paid their $1 and they have permission to wear a hat for the day. Col-lect first thing in the morning before school starts; use your cafeteria or gymnasium as a collection site.

Variation For Elementary Schools, Pre-Schools, Or Daycares: Provide students with an envelope with Team Tassy printed on it. Envelopes can be sent home with students and returned with money the day of the event. Teachers can collect the envelopes from the students on the day of the event.

Contact Jackie Jaros at Jackie@teamtassy.org to join the fight and for copies of permission letters, forms, and other materials you may need to sponsor at Hats for Haiti Day at your school.