Conewago Valley School District may soon have a new booster club, according to an announcement made during the school board’s meeting on Monday evening.
Doug Wherley, athletic director for the district, said some parents hope to renew the “all-sport booster club” soon and have already begun suggesting ideas.
“They also want to make sure each team has the ability to raise funds individually for their individual teams, as well,” Wherley said. “We’re hoping this can help bring more community spirit as well as team pride to all of our New Oxford teams.”
A student’s concerns
During the time for public comment on non-agenda items, a junior at New Oxford High School expressed worry for students’ safety.
The student said she felt some students exhibit dangerous behavior unchecked by school staff.
“Some of the teachers and staff are continuing to act as friends instead of mentors towards the students,” the student said.
The student said she wanted to see students disciplined for poor behaviors as necessary.
“I graduate from this high school in 13 months and I wish for those last 13 months to be spent not in fear, but in relief– relief that the staff no longer treats students as friends but as students only,” she said.
Fundraising
Dr. Stephanie Corbin, director of special education for the district, said a group of students made 27 polar fleece blankets to gift to children in Ukraine.
Autumn Zaminsky, principal of Conewago Township Elementary School, said the school is preparing for a Color Run on May 20. At the time of the board meeting, the school had raised nearly $14,000.
Larry Sanders, principal of Conewago Valley Intermediate School, said the school has raised almost $19,000 for Mini-THON. The event has the theme, “Yes, We Ken” in honor of the late Dr. Kenneth Armacost, according to Sanders.
Armacost passed away last year soon after retiring from his positions as principal of CVIS and as a girls’ volleyball coach. Mini-THON will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 6.
Christopher Bowman, principal of New Oxford High School, said the school recently pulled in $24,425 during its first annual Mini-THON.
Bowman said the amount was “not too shabby” for the school’s inaugural Mini-THON.
Recognition
Superintendent Sharon Perry said she has appreciated hearing thoughts from the student advisory committee.
The committee recently held its last meeting with Perry. The superintendent said she helped the students understand the district’s feasibility study after they expressed interest in it.
“That was a lot of fun to hear our next generation become interested within their school community,” Perry said. “So we may have some budding board members in our future.”
Perry thanked the students for sharing their thoughts with her.
The board also recognized Zaminski, who was given the H. Edgar Wisehaupt Outstanding Principal of the Year award from Penn State – Harrisburg.
Adam Farmer was acknowledged as the New Oxford High School Rotary Student of the Month in March.
Two athletes were also named: Ella Billman, who joined the YAIAA-2 first team in girls’ basketball, and Timberley Linebaugh, who was added to the YAIAA-2 second team.
Two additional students were also honored for their recent art accomplishments in a Gettysburg Times advertisement designing competition. Sarah Beeman received first place in the contest and Alayna Diviney was given an honorable mention.
Perry said the district recently honored its assistant principals but she offered her personal thanks at the meeting.
“They’re often the front line with our children and our families, so it is with much gratitude and appreciation and love that I want to say, ‘Happy Assistant Principals Week’ to all of our assistant principals and those who act on behalf of an assistant principal within our district,” Perry said.
Other business
The board unanimously voted to stop the Conewago Valley Online Academy for grades K-8 once this school year concludes.
The board also accepted a donation of $500 from Bermejo Auto Sales for the boys’ lacrosse team.
Perry will hold two more coffee talks before the end of the school year. The events provide the opportunity for parents, guardians and other local residents to chat with the superintendent.
The coffee talks will be held from 9-10:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 28 and on Monday, May 16. Both will be held in the district board room.
The board will hold its next regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 9.
Imari Scarbrough is a freelance journalist. She was a staff newspaper reporter for five years before becoming a freelancer in 2017. She has written on crime, environmental issues, severe weather events, local and regional government and more.
You can visit her website at ImariJournal.com.
