Quantcast
Channel: Owen J. Roberts News
Viewing all 1211 articles
Browse latest View live
↧

Marching Band to Perform Anthem before Cleveland Indians Game

May 25, 2018, 8:29 am
$
0
0


The High School marching band will be performing in Ohio this weekend! Following an application process, the band was selected to play at Cedar Point Amusement Park on Saturday, May 26 and was also chosen to play the National Anthem at Progressive Field prior to the Cleveland Indians vs. Houston Astros game on Sunday, May 27. (Watch Facebook for clips of that performance.)

If you happened to be anywhere in the vicinity of the high school campus lately, you may have heard the 154-member band practicing with heart and soul! 

For more listening pleasure, the Jazz Band will be the “Feature Entertainment Act” at Knoebels Amusement Park for the 4th year in a row on Saturday, June 2nd.  The OJR Jazz Band is the only high school group from Pennsylvania to ever to be selected for this honor and will be performing three shows that day at 1:30pm, 6:00pm and 8:30pm.
↧
Search

Big Moments for Seniors

May 29, 2018, 11:04 am
$
0
0





This morning really kicked off a whirlwind of events for the Class of 2018. AP exams are in the books and many students are finishing final course examinations. The students had a wonderful Senior Breakfast first thing this morning thanks to all the efforts of the PTSA and volunteers. The high school and seniors thank everyone who made donations and helped with the event. 

After breakfast this morning, the seniors went to the auditorium and received yearbooks. The yearbook celebrates a year full of friends, events and shared experiences. It's a place where friends can jot down shared memories, too. Students had a great time looking through and getting signatures. 


A big shout out to Ms. Megan Bonner and Mr. Dave Schwenk and the yearbook staff for an amazing yearbook – WOW! Each year the graduating class selects a teacher for which to dedicate the yearbook. This year's LEDGER was dedicated to Mr. Bill Richardson – an outstanding educator! Congratulations to Mr. Richardson. 

We hope seniors enjoy these moments! It's an exciting time!
↧
↧

Odyssey Shines

May 31, 2018, 7:50 am
$
0
0


Last week four teams of Owen J. Roberts students competed in the world championships of creative problem solving at Iowa State University at the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals.  

The team from East Vincent finished the contest in fourth place overall and placed second in the spontaneous problem solving portion of the contest scoring a 99.77 points out of a possible 100.

Congratulations to: Mackenzie Keith, Kayla Shea, Zach Levin, Khya d’Angelo, Rachael Epps, Megha Gudipudi, and Lucius Neeley.

The French Creek and Middle School teams both finished in eighth place giving our district three top ten finishes at the competition.

Hats off to French Creek team members: Georgia Horosky, Liam King, Nathan Lineman, Brooke Radel, Patrick Smith, Clara Witmer, Hailie Wilson and coaches Pam Yarbrough and Jess Lineman.

Compliments as well to middle school students: Aza Zepp, Anant Pothakamury, Christian Carrol, Nick Wood, Charlie Kullen, Aman Pothakamury, and Addy D’Arcy.

Our high school team, Jonathan Arditi, Liam Conway, Danny Duffy, Alex Glasier, Kasey Fitch, George Kullen, and Annie Arditi, placed in the 17th position out of 45 competing teams.  
↧

Senior Walk 2018 OJR

May 31, 2018, 5:11 pm
↧

West Vincent Big Winner in Wellness

June 1, 2018, 7:31 am
$
0
0


West Vincent Elementary wins Three Awards and $3,000 in the Boeing Center for Children's Wellness School Wellness Checklist © Contest--East Coventry and North Coventry also Get Prizes
The SWC©, sponsored by Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation, is made up of evidence-based strategies and policies recommended by the Center for Disease Control and Institute of Medicine to impact the health of the school environment and reduce childhood obesity over time. These practices are grouped into categories and itemized and assigned point values leading to a year end score.
Schools are prompted to complete items in all of the following demonstrating a holistic approach to student and staff wellness:
  • Getting Starting (Establishing a School Wellness Committee)
  • Nutrition
  • Physical Activity
  • Stress Management
  • Establishing a Wellness Culture
  • Employee Connections
  • Sustainability
The competition was open to all schools in districts and private schools within a 10-mile radius of Pottstown. Twenty-four schools competed this year. Each school completing a threshold of points earned $1,000 Achievement Award. In addition, schools competed for 3 overall recognitions with monetary awards. As first year competitors in the competition, West Vincent Elementary won an additional prize of $500 for being Rookie of the Year. They also grabbed the top prize Wellness Checklist Champion Award for the region, bringing the school an additional $1500 for a total of $3,000 in monetary compensation, a trophy, and bragging rights!

East Coventry Elementary and North Coventry Elementary Schools also won achievement awards of $1,000. Wellness representatives will represent the district this summer at the Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds Institute on August 7th to accept this award and share the success of our programs with attendees.
↧
↧

Students Celebrate "The Beautiful Music All Around Us"

June 1, 2018, 8:06 am
$
0
0


In the spirit of Memorial Day, More than 100 school children performed America’s Ballad, “Home Sweet Home” with grammy-nominated musician, music historian, Stephen Wade,  on May 29th at North Coventry Elementary. His book, “The Beautiful Music all Around Us” is the subject of an upcoming PBS special tracing the roots of American Folk Music.

“Home Sweet Home”, with the memorable lyrics, “there’s no place like home” has been popular with soldiers for decades and was commonly sung by both the Union and Confederate soldiers and families (a piece of history that binds us). Mr. Wade, an acclaimed banjo player, also played the song on his banjo for the students as a solo.


The NC Senior Orchestra performs Mr. Hall’s arrangement of “Bonaparte’s Retreat.” Author/Banjoist Stephen Wade gives the history of song before the students play it.


Stephen Wade (banjo), Clifford Hall (guitar) and Abby DiMarino (violin) play an original arrangement of Wm. Stepp's “Bonaparte's Retreat”.
 

 



↧

Latin Awards

June 1, 2018, 8:08 am
$
0
0


Last weekend 15 OJR students met with 500 other Latin and Greek students from across the state to compete in academic, artistic, and athletic contests at Penn State University’s main campus.
Our students did incredibly well, garnering a 3rdplace overall for the medium school division. 
Individual recognitions are below:

Academic Testing
Madison Dalton – 2nd place, Mythology Exam – Advanced Level
Derek Wittlinger – 3rd place, Mythology Exam – Advanced Level
Rachel Barrett – 3rd place, Mythology Exam – Advanced Level
Isabella Bobo – 3rd place, Reading Comprehension Exam – Advance Level
Madison Dalton – 3rd place, Girls’ Oratory – Advanced Level
Isabella Bobo – 5th place, Girls’ Oratory – Advanced Level

Artistic Competition
Madison Dalton – 1st place, Pottery
Sam DeFusco – 1st place, Charts
Mary Flaherty – Keystone Newsletter Editor’s Choice Award, Favorite Art Contribution
Lindsey Jennings – 3rd place, Greeting Cards
Helena VanNatter – 3rd place, Chapter Scrapbook
Nico Mancuso – 4th place, Computer Enhanced Photography
Ethan Eckerdt – 4th place, 3D Maps
Logan Reese – 4th place, Major Models
Lindsey Jennings – 5th place, Sculpture
Brennon Grabowicz – 5th place, Minor Models


Olympika
Andrew Dede – 2nd place, Boys’ Pool Noodle Javelin
Rachel Barrett – 2nd place, Girls’ Pool Noodle Javelin
3rd place Chapter Award for Spirit in Division 2 Schools
Nathan VanNatter – 4th place, Boys’ 200 meter
Isabella Bobo – 4th place – Girls’ Friscus Throw
↧

Facts on District Reserve Funds

June 1, 2018, 10:31 am
$
0
0

An article titled “Billions of your tax dollars feed growing district reserve funds” appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer this week.  It’s important to note that the inquirer is misreporting available fund balance.  OJR’s available and undesignated general fund balance was $5,177,078 as of June 30, 2017, which is 5% of the following year’s budgeted expenditures.  By law, Pennsylvania School Districts are not permitted to have undesignated fund balances in excess of 8% of expenditures. 

 

The Inquirer (via link to the Commonwealth Foundation’s website) is not only reporting undesignated reserves, but they are including designated reserves set aside to mitigate significant Public School Employee's Retirement System (PSERS) rate hikes that would have a negative impact on taxpayers if we did not set aside funds over time to balance budgets in years where PSERS rate hikes are extreme.  For example, we set aside PSERS reserves over a 10 year period and have utilized nearly $5 Million of these reserves over the last 5 years to mitigate budget shortfalls due to PSERS rate increases.  Pennsylvania School Districts are being misrepresented in this article.

 

OJR’s General Fund Balance is comprised of the following as of June 30, 2017:

 

General Undesignated Fund Balance                  $5,177,078

PSERS Fund Balance Reserve/Designation            3,883,467

Assigned Fund Balance Reserve for 2017-18    

  Budgeted Revenue Shortfall                                  1,996,354

 

Total Designated and Undesignated FB            $11,056,899

Learn more about Pennsylvania's Pension Crisis on the PSBA website at: https://www.psba.org/issue/pennsylvania-pension-crisis/
↧
Search

Daniel DiMarino Senior Solo

June 1, 2018, 10:32 am
↧
↧

OJR's Lucas Gray Wins $30K Shandy Hill Scholarship

June 4, 2018, 10:20 am
$
0
0


Congratulations to Lucas Gray for winning a $30,000 scholarship from the Greater Pottstown Foundation. Each year senior students from Pottstown, Pottsgrove, Owen J. Roberts High Schools, and The Hill School compete in the writing of an original essay focusing on an aspect of life in the Greater Pottstown Area. This is the third year in a row the essay prize has been awarded to an Owen J. Roberts senior. 

The Foundation prompts students to write about a personal perception of any aspect of life in the greater Pottstown area. Lucas Gray immediately thought of all the area resources that impacted and shaped his life—and there were many. “What stood out to me above all others were my experiences at “The Very Best” wiener shop on High Street,” said Lucas. He explained that the restaurant was common ground for his family for at least two generations. Lucas feels he will always remember those hot dogs loaded with “the works” and The Very Best signature sauce for which the landmark restaurant was known.  “It was the place we stopped after ball games, doctors’ appointments, and school functions,” explained Lucas, who plans to attend Cornell University School of Hotel Administration and build a path toward his career goal of being a restaurateur.Perhaps some of what made The Very Best a hospitable, comfortable place to eat and be with loved ones will live on in what Lucas creates in the years to come. 

Lucas Gray was Owen J. Roberts High School’s Student Body President, a role which included service with the Board of School Directors. He attended regular business meetings and informed the Board of events and activities in the district’s schools. He was active in student government all four years and pursued many other high school endeavors including National Honor Society. He was the trumpet section leader in the Marching, Jazz and Concerts Bands and was also in concert Choir, 7-ups Show Choir, and the Naturals A Capella Group.

Mr. Shandy Hill was the founder of the Greater Pottstown Foundation and the original editor of The Pottstown Mercury from 1931 until he retired in 1967. Mr. Hill was a fervent believer in supporting education opportunities for students within the Pottstown Community. The Foundation and the Shandy Hill Scholarship honor his legacy and that of the Pottstown region. Even though downtown Pottstown is changing, it is exciting to think about how elements of the town will live on and shape the future.
↧

Summer Enrichment

June 4, 2018, 11:58 am
↧

OJR signings: Alderman, Bailey, Conway, Luecke, Sands, Shronk, Stuart, Zollers | Pioneer Athletic Conference

June 5, 2018, 5:54 am
↧

Congratulations, Jonathan Arditi, 6abc Best of the Class!

June 5, 2018, 9:16 am
$
0
0
For more than 30 years, 6abc has coordinated The Best of the Class Event - a free daylong celebration of academic achievement inviting high school valedictorians from Philadelphia and Southeastern Pennsylvania, South Jersey and Northern Delaware. The program airs on 6abc on Saturday, June 9, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. 6abc's Best of Class Special is hosted by Action News Anchors Brian Taff and Sharrie Williams.


 http://6abc.com/education/2018-best-of-the-class-valedictorians-and-schools/3560280/
↧
↧

Therapy Dogs Calm Exam Stress

June 6, 2018, 7:13 am
$
0
0

Rufus, from Therapy Dogs Inc., with handler Mr. Jim Fitch, loves the attention
Senior Becca Emery worked with Ms. Benita Holden in the high school office to organize several dog therapy teams from Therapy Dogs International to visit during final exam week. Dogs came in shifts and students were invited to sign up and visit them with their English classes during three days of exams. 
A group of therapy dogs and handlers from Therapy Dogs International




↧

Obstacle Course Play Rewards Good Behavior

June 6, 2018, 7:38 am
$
0
0
There are many ways our schools promote positive behavior and discourage problem behaviors. At East Coventry Elementary School, students take a behavior pledge at the beginning of the year.
  • Positive behavioral interventions and supports are a way for schools to encourage good behavior.
  • Students learn about behavior, just as they learn other subjects like math or science.

  • The key to positive behavior support is prevention, not punishment.

    East Coventry students earn rewards for pro-social behavior and following the Wildcat Way. For the third year, students were able to earn extra play time in the form of an obstacle course, for acting in safe, respectful, and responsible ways. The obstacle course is an example of the whole child approach to wellness, where positive social and emotional behaviors lead to more time for physical activity, or positive physical behavior.




    • ↧
    Search

    Project SEARCH Graduates

    June 6, 2018, 9:19 am
    $
    0
    0


    Last night at Phoenixville Hospital, three Owen J. Roberts High School students graduated from the intense vocational program of Project Search. Project SEARCH is a nationally acclaimed school-to-work program for students with special needs The interns in this program participate in three different rotations of vocational work experience throughout the entire school year.  They learn how to manage their time, become self advocates, and adhere to the fundamentals of working within an actual business or organization with many different people.  There is a tough application and interview process for any student in Chester County interested in this program, which generally occurs during their final year of eligibility.  Warm thoughts and congratulations to the following students for completing the program:
    Yan Burris
    Aubrie Rose King
    Nicole Walton
    ↧

    Wildcat Spirit Demonstrated at Senior Awards

    June 6, 2018, 12:02 pm
    $
    0
    0

    Senior Duet with Daniel Horning and Emma Flinchbaugh

    Strength of Community Demonstrated with Gifts of Education 

    Teachers, administrators, staff, families and students gathered on May 31, 2018, to honor the outstanding Class of 2018 for their achievements over the last four years. Many awards were given to memorialize alumni—going back as far as 1957. These awards provide a meaningful way for a family to honor a special person and carry his or her legacy forward to future generations of students. Some memorial scholarships bring awareness to important issues and all perpetuate the spirit of our Wildcat community in sustainable ways. Other community scholarships honor a specific passion such as service, music or the arts.

    Recognition was given to students who show a talent or specific aptitude or have the drive to be successful in a specific college program or future career.  Some of the awards are based on assessment scores and overall academic achievement while others are based on character, effort, and dedication and service.

    Some of the highlights include the recognition of nine Eagle Scouts and one Girl Scout Gold Award, five National Merit Commended students and three National Merit Scholarship Finalists. Students in the class of 2018 increased the blood supply in Pennsylvania, many donating blood twice annually for four years. Hundreds of hours of community service were recognized at the ceremony. 

    More than $150,000 was awarded during the ceremony. Scholarships were awarded to students entering the fields of engineering, teaching nursing, health, technology, math, sciences, business, and the arts. These awards are in addition to the scholarships awarded to many students through colleges and universities. 

    Each student may be celebrated as having achieved a milestone in completing his or her K-12 academic journey. Dr. Richard Marchini offered, “I would like to congratulate those receiving awards today. But I also want to congratulate every senior here for making this community a better place each day.”
    ↧
    ↧

    About OJRHS by Rising Junior Lindsey Jennings

    June 7, 2018, 5:46 am
    ↧

    CrossFit Class Trip to the 2018 Ironmasters Spring Fight Gone Bad Challenge

    June 7, 2018, 11:31 am
    $
    0
    0


    On May 30th, High School Health & Physical Education teacher, Mr. Joe Youngblood, took a group of 24 students that consisted of his CrossFit classes and members of the OJR Rowing Team to Pottstown CrossFit to compete in the classic CrossFit workout, “Fight Gone Bad” or FGB for short.  Fight Gone Bad (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DC19O4cgvp4) consists of 3-5 minute rounds with a minute rest between each round.  Each minute within the round is a different movement/exercise.  The movements/exercises are wall balls, sumo-deadlift high pulls, box jumps, push press, and rowing.  Every rep they performed in the movements along with each calorie burned on the rower were counted and added up.  Each student performed the workout to the best of their ability.

    The culmination of the morning was highlighted by the competition between students from OJR and Pottstown High School.  In the finals, each school entered 3 female students and 3 male students and the school with the greater number of total reps would be declared the winner.  Pottstown CrossFit owner Rob Matthews purchased a trophy to travel with the winning school.  OJR’s three female athletes were sophomores Maddie Braun and Sophia Ferrizzi and junior Veronika Zdrazil.  The three male athletes were juniors Jack Vallino and David Wierzbicki and Senior Gavin Delahaye.  After both teams gave it their all in an effort to win, OJR came out on top by close to eighty reps!  The OJR team was presented with the trophy which will be proudly put on display in our trophy case until they put it on the line again next year!
    ↧

    403 Graduates Set Sail

    June 12, 2018, 8:37 am
    $
    0
    0





    The sixty-third annual commencement exercises were held in Wildcat Stadium on June 8, 2018. The audience heard valedictory and salutatory addresses as well as remarks from the High School Principal Dr. Richard Marchini, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Susan T. Lloyd, and Board of School Directors President Melissa Booth.
    ↧
    Viewing all 1211 articles
    Browse latest View live
    Search