1 Southeast Delco School District Knightly News Collingdale Darby Township Folcroft Sharon Hill Communities Volume 3, Issue 8 May 2013 District Students Compete in SeaPerch Challenge Southeast Delco middle school gifted students participated in Drexel University's SeaPerch Challenge, an underwater robotics program supported by the US Navy. The goal of the program is to increase student interest in robotics, science, mathematics, engineering, and technology and to introduce students to naval engineering. SeaPerch trains teachers and provides a curriculum on the building of underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROV) in the middle school setting. This project was led by the district’s gifted teachers, Ms. Colleen DiMaggio and Mrs. Betty Schellinger. Ryan Barnes, an engineering and education student from Drexel University, mentored the students throughout the program. The students designed and built their own ROV from a kit comprised of low‐cost, easily accessible parts, such as electrical motors and PVC pipe. Each SeaPerch ROV had three motors that were mounted on the robot allowing it to move forward, up, down, and turn. The curriculum focused on basic engineering and science terminology with an ocean and marine engineering theme. This culminating activity provided a forum for students to learn basic mechanical and electrical skills through hands‐on authentic learning. It allowed the student‐builders to test, balance, operate, and compete against other teams in an interactive environment where, in addition to learning Naval engineering principles, they learned to operate as a team. Southeast Delco middle school gifted students representing all four 1‐8 schools participated and the self‐named team, Robo Pirates, acted as real engineers as they competed against thirty other middle schools from the Delaware Valley. On the day of the challenge, students made modifications to their underwater robot so that it could maneuver through an obstacle course and complete an underwater transfer of an object. Both tasks simulated real‐world problems such as the removal of nuclear waste from the ocean’s depths. The SeaPerch Challenge, structured to give students overall experience in the engineering process, was broken into four categories. The first category, Vehicle Performance, tested students in "designing" and "building" their Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). The second category, Poster Presentation, tested how well the students Robo Pirates receiving their certificate at the SeaPerch Competition. Pictured from left: Malcolm Bevans, Abdulai Gassama, Kyle Fok, Isis Sueksagan, Phi Tang, Ramses Montes, Shem Adams, Representative from the U.S. Navy at Daskalakis Athletic Center, Drexel University. (Not pictured: Isaiah Abiola, Isaiah Davis and Lauren Gober)
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Southeast Delco School District
Knightly News Collingdale Darby Township Folcroft Sharon Hill Communities
Volume 3, Issue 8May 2013
District Students Compete in SeaPerch Challenge Southeast Delco middle school gifted students participated
in Drexel University's SeaPerch Challenge, an underwater
robotics program supported by the US Navy. The goal of
the program is to increase student interest in robotics,
science, mathematics, engineering, and technology and to
introduce students to naval engineering. SeaPerch trains
teachers and provides a curriculum on the building of
underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROV) in the middle
school setting. This project was led by the district’s gifted
teachers, Ms. Colleen DiMaggio and Mrs. Betty Schellinger.
Ryan Barnes, an engineering and education student from
Drexel University, mentored the students throughout the
program.
The students designed and built their own ROV from a kit
comprised of low‐cost, easily accessible parts, such as
electrical motors and PVC pipe. Each SeaPerch ROV had
three motors that were mounted on the robot allowing it to move forward, up, down, and turn. The curriculum
focused on basic engineering and science terminology with an ocean and marine engineering theme. This
culminating activity provided a forum for students to learn basic mechanical and electrical skills through hands‐on
authentic learning. It allowed the student‐builders to test, balance, operate, and compete against other teams in
an interactive environment where, in addition to learning Naval engineering principles, they learned to operate as
a team.
Southeast Delco middle school gifted students representing all four 1‐8 schools participated and the self‐named
team, Robo Pirates, acted as real engineers as they competed against thirty other middle schools from the
Delaware Valley. On the day of the challenge, students made modifications to their underwater robot so that it
could maneuver through an obstacle course and complete an underwater transfer of an object. Both tasks
simulated real‐world problems such as the removal of nuclear waste from the ocean’s depths.
The SeaPerch Challenge, structured to give students overall experience in the engineering process, was broken
into four categories. The first category, Vehicle Performance, tested students in "designing" and "building" their
Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). The second category, Poster Presentation, tested how well the students
Robo Pirates receiving their certificate at the SeaPerch Competition.
Pictured from left: Malcolm Bevans, Abdulai Gassama, Kyle Fok, Isis
Sueksagan, Phi Tang, Ramses Montes, Shem Adams, Representative
from the U.S. Navy at Daskalakis Athletic Center, Drexel University.
(Not pictured: Isaiah Abiola, Isaiah Davis and Lauren Gober)
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conveyed their engineering ideas and marketed their ROV. Category three, Design Notebook, tested the students’
organizational and documentation capabilities, and the fourth category, Spirit and Sportsmanship, tested the
students’ capabilities to recognize and encourage better solutions in engineering.
After a lot of hard work and effort Southeast Delco students were recognized at the SeaPerch Challenge with an
Honorable Mention for their Poster Presentation for demonstrating their knowledge of Naval Engineering
principles to actual Naval Engineers. We are very proud of the success our "Robo‐Pirates” achieved in this
prestigious competition.
Southeast Delco Presents Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” The Southeast Delco District Musical will be performing
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast on Friday, May 3rd, Saturday,
May 4th, and Sunday, May 5th. Evening shows are at 7:30
and the Sunday matinee show is at 2:00. Advance tickets
are $8 for adults and $7 for students and children. The
Sunday matinee show is $6 for children 12 and under.
Tickets at the door for all shows are $10. We will also be
hosting a “Tea” with Belle and Mrs. Potts before the Sunday
matinee show at 12:30. The “Tea” and the show ticket for
children 12 and under will be $10. To order tickets, please
go to sedelcomusical.com.
Students in grades 5‐12 make up the cast, crew, and orchestra of the District Musical. Each year they work hard
to bring the best show possible and this year is no different. From the costumes to the set pieces to the music,
singing, and dancing, Beauty and the Beast is a can't miss show!
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is a “TALE AS OLD AS TIME”. This is the story of a handsome prince who is
transformed into a hideous beast as punishment for his selfish actions. To become human again, the Beast must
earn the love of a beautiful young woman that he imprisons in his castle, or else remain a beast forever. This
production has beautiful costumes and sets, wonderful music, dancing, and acting. You will leave believing that
beauty comes from within and redemption is possible for even the most beastly person!
District Students Celebrate Poetry As part of the National Poetry Month, Poem in Your Pocket Day was celebrated on April 18th at Southeast Delco
School District. First and second graders had a pocket with string hanging around their necks. Inside each pocket
was a poem that the student was encouraged to share with others on this special day.
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Academy Park High School
Chemistry Students Spend Day with Penn Ph.D. Students
Mrs. Rohe and 24 chemistry students attended the
University of Pennsylvania Chemistry Open Labs during
Philadelphia Science Week.
Students worked in small groups with Penn PhD students
and rotated to several laboratories within different
disciplines in chemistry. They learned about how to
synthesize proteins and polypeptides for use in genetic treatments. In the analytical lab they spotted samples with
capillary tubes onto separate silica plates using mobile phase chromatography. In the general chemistry
laboratory they performed a single replacement reaction with copper and zinc and learned about energy transfer
while exploding a gummy bear.
Students were also able to work in a glove box negative pressure lab and learned how to separate compounds
using a high pressure liquid chromatography.
Mrs. Rohe and her students noted how enthusiastic and passionate all of the graduate students were and had a
very informative and enjoyable trip. Many of Mrs. Rohe’s students had never seen an academic environment that
was strictly dedicated to chemistry and were very impressed, according to student Alexis Hamm, with “how cool
chemistry could be.”
APHS Varsity Baseball in 2nd Place in Del Val League
The Academy Park Boys’ Varsity Baseball team is off to its best start
in some time. The team is currently riding a five game winning
streak and sitting in 2nd place in the Del Val league after its recent
dramatic extra inning win over 1st place Chichester.
The team has amassed eight wins against two loses. A plethora of
seniors has led the team to its winning ways. Four year varsity
starters; Steve Leidy, Billy Brown, Drew Piselli, and Mike Hughes
have kept the team together fighting for every victory.
At this time, the team has won three games in the last inning, twice
overcoming two run deficits and scored eight or more runs five
times. Junior Marlin Jackson leads the team with a 541 batting
average while the pitching of Steve Leidy (3 wins, 1 save) and Billy
Fallon (2 wins, 1 save) has been superb.
APHS Students Support Autism Awareness Academy Park High School recently participated in an event to promote autism awareness. Bubbles for Autism
was held on April 22nd and featured students blowing bubbles, simultaneously with groups across the country. The
idea for blowing bubbles to support people with autism comes from the notion that bubbles relate to the tactile
Billy Brown, Crain Johnson, and Drew Piselli
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affinity that students with autism typically exhibit. While one would not normally see high school students
blowing bubbles, it was easy to see how much they care by their willingness to put aside their "maturity and
sophistication" for the benefit of others.
Upcoming Academy Park High School Events
May May 1
05/03
05/04
05/05
05/10
05/10
05/11
05/14
05/16
05/22
05/27 05/31
June 06/05
06/05
06/05
06/07, 10, 11
06/11, 12, 13
06/14
06/14
06/24
Early Dismissal – 11:00 AM
District Musical – Beauty and the Beast – 7:30 PM
District Musical – Beauty and the Beast – 7:30 PM
District Musical – Beauty and the Beast – 2:00 PM
Progress Reports
Freshman Fun Day
Omega Knights Family Fun Day – 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
District Family Literacy Night – Delcroft School – 6:00 PM
Blood Drive
Spring Concert – 7:00 PM
Memorial Day Holiday – No School for Students or Staff Senior Prom – Kings Mill – 7:00 PM
Early Dismissal – 11:00 AM
Underclassmen Awards Assembly – 8:00 AM
Senior Awards Assembly – 6:00 PM
Senior Final Exams
Underclassmen Final Exams
Last Student Day
Graduation – Neumann University
Extended School Year Begins
Darby Township School DTS Students Take PSSA Tests
Students in grades 3 through 8 took part in the Pennsylvania System of State Assessments (PSSA) testing for
Reading and Math in April. Teachers have been working hard with students since the beginning of the school year
to prepare them for this high‐stakes test.
The DTS Home and School hosted an ice‐cream social on Friday April 5th to increase parents’ awareness regarding
the significance of these tests and to offer them some test taking tips to ensure the success of their children.
District Superintendent, Dr. Butz, and DTS Principal, Mrs. Mosakowski presented information about PSSA to
parents and along with teachers discussed the tests with parents after the presentation.
The tests took place during the week of April 8th and each day began with a healthy snack and a bottle of water.
To motivate students, they were given a different type of candy on each testing day and a prize of a big size
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chocolate bar and a DTS five dollar bill was raffled off. Every student in the building received a pretzel on the last
day of testing and every grade level that took the test had a reward day.
Cruising Not Boozing DTS middle school students attended an assembly hosted by Cruising Not Boozing to increase students’
awareness on the adverse effects of drug and alcohol consumption, as well as making the right choice by not
getting into a car driven by a person under the influence.
Students Support Autism Awareness Darby Township School joined with other district schools in the campaign to raise autism awareness. In support
of Bubbles for Autism, students blew bubbles for one minute in unison because bubbles “are symbols of joy, hope
and laughter. They bring people together. When we blow Bubbles for Autism together, we create a new
awareness of families facing autism”.
Upcoming Darby Township School Events
May 05/01
05/01
05/02
05/09
05/10
05/11
05/13
05/14
05/15
Early Dismissal – 12:45
Reading Olympics – Grades 6 through 8 – Marple ‐ Newtown High School – 8:00 AM
Ladies Night Home & School Fund Raiser – DTS Gym – 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Omega Knights Family Fun Day – APHS – 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
District Junior Science Fair – Grades 4 & 5 – Projects Due – 8:00 AM
District Family Literacy Night – Delcroft School – 6:00 PM
Spring Concert – 7:00 PM
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05/16
05/18
05/24
05/27
05/30
June 06/05
06/10
06/11
06/11
06/12
06/13
06/14
1st Grade Transition Meeting – 6:30 PM
Breakfast / Book Fair / Bingo – DTS Library & Cafeteria – 10:00 AM – 2:00 Noon
District‐wide 8th Grade Day at APHS
Memorial Day Holiday – No School for Students or Staff
District Junior Science Fair – Grades 4 & 5 – 8:00 AM
Early Dismissal – 12:45 PM
Hero Breakfast – Grade 8
Dorney Park Field Trip – Grades 6 through 8
Field Day – Grades 1 through 5
Ridley Creek State Park Field Trip – Grade 8
Moving Up Ceremony – Grade 8
Last Student Day
Delcroft School
Latif Cousin Has a Dream
Latif Cousin, a second grader in Mrs. Schock’s class,
wrote an inspirational novel about his dreams. Latif
created his novel during free‐time activities and was
eager to share his finished product with his classmates.
Latif is currently working on his second novel, which
will be a comedy.
It is obvious that the hard work and dedication Mrs.
Schock displays in her classroom is not only appreciated
and acknowledged by staff and parents, but most
importantly by her students.
Latif Cousin and Mrs. Schock
Wish It, Want It, Do It A novel by Latif Cousin
I am trying to follow my dreams
Some of them broken
Some of them followed
The dream begins when you are born
It’s like they say when life gives you lemons
You make lemonade
But when life gives you dreams
You follow them
There is a sign called Dreamtown 4 miles
And then when you see a sign that says
Welcome to Dreamtown
And you ran to Dreamtown
And you are a Dream
But if your dream car breaks down that means
You have to walk to Dreamtown
And then you have followed your dreams
Everything you wished for are here
Which means you are at Dreamtown
Your dreams are followed
Which you did it
All you have to do is believe
In yourself
This book is inspired by my teacher Mrs. (Schock)
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Upcoming Delcroft School Events
May 05/01
05/01
05/02
05/10
05/11
05/13
05/14
05/16
05/17
05/23
05/24
05/27
05/28 – 05/30
05/31
05/30
June 06/03
06/04
06/05
06/05
06/06
06/07
06/11
06/12
06/13
06/14
06/14
Early Dismissal – 12:45
Reading Olympics – Grades 6 through 8 – Marple ‐ Newtown High School – 8:00 AM
Art Show and Spring Concert – 6:30 PM
Progress Reports
Omega Knights Family Fun Day – APHS – 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
District Junior Science Fair – Grades 4 & 5 – Projects Due
District Family Literacy Night – Delcroft School – 6:00 PM
Kindergarten Transition Meeting – 6:30 PM
National Constitution Center Field Trip – Grade 4 ‐ 9:00 AM
Colonial Plantation Field Trip – Grade 2 – 9:00 AM
District‐wide 8th Grade Day at APHS
Memorial Day Holiday – No School for Students or Staff
8th Grade Final Exams Review
8th Grade Language Arts Final Exam
District Junior Science Fair – Grades 4 & 5 – 8:00 AM
8th Grade Language Arts & Science Finals – 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
8th Grade Language Arts & Social Studies Finals – 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
8th Grade Math & Social Studies Finals – 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Early Dismissal – 12:45 PM
Dorney Park Field Trip – Grades 6 through 8 – 9:30 AM – 8:30 PM
8th Grade Dance – 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
8th Grade Locker Clean Out
8th Grade Picnic – 11:30 AM
8th Grade Hero Breakfast – 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
8th Grade Moving Up Ceremony
Last Student Day
Harris School Harris Support Autism Awareness April was Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month and Harris showed its support by participating in “Bubbles for
Autism.” The event was organized by Harris School’s Student Council to raise awareness about Autism Spectrum
Conditions. In the United States, 1 child in 50 has autism.
On Monday, April 22nd, at 1:15 PM, Harris School joined many other schools and organizations across the country
and around the world to send bubbles of hope to the skies above in support of families dealing with autism. The
Guinness World Record of 34,529 people simultaneously blowing bubbles at multiple venues was shattered last
year when 57,202 took up the cause. This year’s goal is to increase participation and set a new Guinness World
Record, thereby raising awareness and acceptance for those living with Autism Spectrum Conditions.
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Approximately 770 Harris students blew bubbles for one full minute to help challenge the existing Guinness World
Record. The event needed a steward to officiate and Collingdale Chief of Police Robert Adams served in that role.
In addition to Chief Adams, Collingdale Borough Clerk, Mrs. Bernadette Hennessy was on hand to notarize the
witness forms and Collingdale Council Member, Mrs. Debbie LaBuono, came to help support the students’ efforts.
Feedback from the event was overwhelmingly positive and initiated a lot of conversation among the Harris
Community about how we can do more for Autism awareness.
Upcoming Harris School Events
May 05/01
05/01
05/09
05/11
05/13 – 05/17
05/13
05/14
05/23
05/24
05/27
05/30
June 06/03 – 06/07
06/04 – 06/06
06/05
06/11
06/12
06/13
06/13
06/14
Early Dismissal – 12:45
Reading Olympics – Grades 6 through 8 – Marple ‐ Newtown High School – 8:00 AM
Spring Concert – 7:00 PM
Omega Knights Family Fun Day – APHS – 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Book Fair
District Junior Science Fair – Grades 4 & 5 – Projects Due – 8:00 AM
District Family Literacy Night – Delcroft School – 6:00 PM
Kindergarten Transition Meeting – 6:30 PM
District‐wide 8th Grade Day at APHS
Memorial Day Holiday – No School for Students or Staff
District Junior Science Fair – Grades 4 & 5 – 8:00 AM
7th Grade Final Exams
8th Grade Final Exams
Early Dismissal – 12:45 PM
8th Grade Dance
8th Grade Moving Up Ceremony – 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Dorney Park Field Trip – Grades 6 through 8
Field Day – Grades 1 through 5
Last Student Day
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Sharon Hill School Career Day at Sharon Hill School Sharon Hill School had its annual Career Day on Friday May 26. Students had the opportunity to meet and greet
individuals from various professions. Presenters included nurses, engineers, a boxing promoter, and a plus size
model. Presenters described how they prepared for their careers, educational background, and job requirements.
Plus Size Model Pharmacist Artist
On Time, On Task, and On a Mission Sharon Hill students worked very hard and demonstrated stamina
during the PSSA testing in April. To help motivate students,
teachers and administrators encouraged them to be On Time, On
Task, and On a Mission.
Students had the opportunity to win various prizes, such as gift
cards, gift certificates, Kindles, and an iPad mini. The prize that
students were most excited about was being Principal for the Day.
Upcoming Sharon Hill School Events
May 05/01
05/01
05/09
05/10
05/13
05/14
05/16
05/17
05/21
05/23
05/24
Early Dismissal – 12:45
Reading Olympics – Grades 6 ‐ 8 – Marple – Newtown High School – 8:00 AM
