The Communicator - 2012-2013 Fall (pdf) - Pennsville School District

The Communicator
Dr. Mark Jones’
Message
Dr. Michael Brodzik’s
Message
Business Administrator’s
Update
IPAD Initiative Report
Bus Incident
Preparedness
Professional Services
Awards
Sports Updates
Salem County Bridge
Awards
Reading Celebration @
Valley Park
High School Positive
Behavior Initiative –
Student & Staff
Jack Nugent and
Leroy Pierce, III
Editors

Communicator Page #1
Summer 2012
The last message from our outgoing Superintendent
The Board of Education has given me a last opportunity to share a message with you. I have enjoyed the
journey to serve students, parents, staff and residents as an educator. Please read the message below; a
message I shared with the Class of 2012 at their graduation in June. It encapsulates my beliefs and feelings as
I say good-bye to all of you. I hope you take the time to “seize the day”! Carpe Diem!
(Keynote Address on June 11, 2012 at Lou D’Angelo Stadium)
This is a proud day for you the Class of 2012. I congratulate you. I’d like to thank all of the Boards of
Education that I worked for, with special thanks to Nancy Phillips, Kathy Bodine, Jack Nugent and Mary Herz
for your understanding and the opportunity to serve the children of Pennsville.
Next, I respect and appreciate the teachers and administrators for their work with our students. I know
firsthand because my daughter, son, brother, sisters, nieces, nephews, including Alec Mortarulo, Class of 2012,
many relatives, I and my wife Debbie are graduates of Pennsville Memorial High School. I have faith in our
school district to prepare the children of Pennsville to be successful in the “real world”.
I look forward to my granddaughter Riley attending and graduating as a member of the Class of 2028.
I’d like to thank my wife, Debbie. During my thirty years at the Pennsville School District, you have made many
sacrifices along the way. I appreciate you and love you!
My message tonight is one that shares three things. Pay attention because my message is only about 7
minutes long. These three things are DESTINY, PATIENCE, and GREATNESS.
First on DESTINY.............
I believe in destiny. Your High School Principal, Matt McFarland quoted Steve Jobs of the Apple Company in
your yearbook. Jobs said “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking
backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in
something – your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever.”
I realized early on that my destiny was to return to my hometown, live close to my family, and serve the
community of Pennsville and in particular, its youth.
I would ask members of the Senior Class and all of you attending this evening, “What is your destiny?” We
should give it some thought. Class of 2012, maybe staying or returning home is your destiny.
Next on PATIENCE.......
Lord Byron Nelson, a great golfer and even a greater person said, “Perhaps the strongest ingredient in the
make-up of a champion is patience.”
In a world dominated by “I want it now”, instant communication, skyping and immediate satisfaction, it’s easy
to become impatient. I truly believe good things will happen to those who wait. Class of 2012 be patient.

Lastly on GREATNESS..........
It’s easy to be great because we live in the United States of America and all of us have access to more
resources than any other country in the world. But given that, many people won’t even try.
Greatness is all around us. It’s easy to be great because people will help you. I’ve seen this time and time
again at the Pennsville School District. Teachers helping students, teachers helping teachers, administrators
helping administrators and students helping other students.
I’ve had many mentors in my life, the most important and impressive was my Father, Woody Jones. I want to
publicly thank my Father for all he has done for me. Woody, your sacrifices and lessons have made me the
man I am today.
Speaking of greatness, I want to mention the examples of four student-athletes who I had the privilege of
teaching and coaching, and who have gone on to teach and coach – Mr. JB Cooksey, Mr. Ryan Wood, Mr. Jim
Harvey, and Mr. Jamy Thomas. I could mention many more former students.
All four are dedicated to the students of PMHS and committed to the success of our student-athletes. Each has
become a “student of the game.” All four believe in destiny, have been patient, have studied the game, have
gathered information, and have been mentored. JB, Ryan, Jim and Jamy, I am proud of your
accomplishments!
Class of 2012, where should you go after graduation? What should you do? It takes hard work and many
things have to be done…..But first, find a mentor. Great people will help you with no expectations that they
be paid or that you should help them. They’ll help you for free or you can access their expertise and life’s
work by buying their book.
So find your passion; pursue it and along the way, find a mentor or two or three, who will share!
In summary, Class of 2012..........Believe you have a destiny; you can control how you get there. If you believe
you have a destiny and that there is plan for you, then You will be patient. And, ask for help – find a mentor.
The “great ones” will gladly share; all you have to do is ask.
I’d like to end with a thought by John Wooden, longtime UCLA basketball coach, who believed that it was
never as much about the ends as it was about the means. Coach Wooden said this:
“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are,
while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”
I wish the best to you the Class of 2012!
Mark T. Jones, Ed.D.

Communicator Page #3
Summer 2012
From our NEW Superintendent:
Being the new kid in school is never easy.
Superintendent is something else entirely!
Being the new kid in a school district where you’re the
As the new Superintendent, there are a number of things that you hope for. You hope for a talented teaching
staff that care about their students and constantly look for better ways to teach them. You hope for
dedicated administrators who can lead those staff members and keep students safe. You hope for a positive
Board of Education that has a vision for improving the schools. You hope for caring parents who are involved
in the academic and extracurricular lives of all of our students. Finally, you hope for a community that
understands that education is an investment in the future of Pennsville.
I’ve only been here a few weeks but I can already see a lot of those hopes turning into realities!
I am very excited to be your new Superintendent. With your support, we can achieve great things in
Pennsville. We don’t know each other that well yet but we’re going to be seeing a lot of each other. When
we’re at an event, please tell me who you are, how the schools are doing and how we can improve. As an
educator with twenty years of experience and as a parent of two school-age children, I understand the critical
importance of helping every student reach their potential. Let me know how we can help your child.
So, even though I’ll be the new kid in school, I can’t wait for September. I hope that you can’t wait either.
It’s going to be a great year!
Michael C. Brodzik, Ed.D.
Mission Statement of the Pennsville School District
The Pennsville School District, in partnership with our community, engages students in the
pursuit of high academic achievement embodied in the New Jersey Core Curriculum
Content Standards and empowers students to become life-long learners contributing to the
ever-changing world.
Be an active partner in OUR mission !!! Be engaged
and involved in YOUR school District !!!

Communicator Page #4
Summer 2012
From the District’s Business Administrator
The summer of 2012 has brought about many changes at Pennsville Memorial High School. The Class of
2012 has graduated from PMHS and they have embarked on their next journey in life. The facilities that they
left behind are going through many changes this summer with the anticipation of the returning students and
the Class of 2016.
Included in the 2012-2013 budget was a partial roof replacement at the high school. This project covers the
area of the roof over the auditorium and the three lower surrounding roofs that were not replaced as part
of the 1993 referendum. This work was started in June and has been completed.
The boys shower room was in need of repair and these renovations are taking place this summer. The room
has been demolished, which includes the floor, the drain pipes, the plumbing and the walls. The contractor
is in the process of running in new plumbing and installing a new ceiling. The shower fixtures are on order
and we expect to have the work completed by the start of school.
New science labs have been a dream for years and the day has finally come! On June 12th the renovations
began with the demolition of the science rooms (circa 1950s) and everything in the rooms will be replaced.
New walls are being built, new ceilings are being installed, and new heating ventilators, flooring, desks,
cabinets and fixtures have been ordered. Additionally, steam pipes under the building that were in disrepair
were replaced in this area of the building and an exterior wall repair outside of science room 106 has been
done to prevent water infiltration. The contractor is completing the electrical and plumbing work now. The
project is scheduled to be completed for the start of school.
With the successful completion of these projects at the high school, the Board of Education along with
school administration will begin to look at the 2013-2014 budget to plan for the next renovations and
repairs to the school district’s facilities
The Science Labs under renovation
The boy’s shower room
under renovation.

Communicator Page #5
Summer 2012
The iPad: A Great Educational Marriage
A special to The Communicator by
Sue Bestwick, Technology Facilitator
I now pronounce you… Great Technology and Great Content. Finally, there is a
device that marries great technology with great content. The claims by Apple
about this digital multi-faceted device are true. The iPad allows students to
collaborate and connect to content and each other with ease. It is an e-reader, a
media player, a calendar, a word processor, an editor, a movie maker, a sketchbook, and a notebook just to
name a few.
Because the successes of many pilot programs, school districts throughout the country feel encouraged and
are planning expansions. The Pennsville School District is one of those districts. We are pleased to announce
that the 2012-2013 school year will see the iPad Initiative expand throughout most of the district.
Next year, the Pennsville School District will roll out an additional 250 iPads. Below are the programs that will
be added to the existing ones:
Grade 2-3 : 1 cart of 25 iPads
Grade 5 : 5 iPads in each classroom
Grade 5 : a cart of 21 iPads
Grade 6 : a 1 to 1 pilot program
Grade 7 : a 1 to 1 pilot program
Grade 7: a 1 to 1 Honors pilot prgram
Grade 6-8 : 4 carts of 24 iPads
Grade 9 : a 1 to 1 Pilot
One iPad cart of 25

Communicator Page #6
Summer 2012
Figure 1 Z Krough displays
a science Project using
iMovie
Our Successes –When we began this process, we were hopeful that this device would
be used in the classroom, but never did we think it would transform it. “We knew that
the success of the program was threefold--student, parent, administrator, and teacher
commitment. Having that combination has made all the difference,” stated Sheila
Burris, principal of the Pennsville Middle School. “I am very proud of our teachers and
how they have embraced this technology.
The student-created projects have added yet another piece to our success puzzle. Here
are just a few of the projects that our teachers considered successful:
Katie Reilly--Grade 4-- The best iPad project we did this year was called “Get
to
Know Your Classroom and Classmates.” The students learned the basics of
iMovie through a YouTube video, shot video and still shots of their classroom
and classmates, edited the footage, put it to music, added narration and
presented their projects to the class. Total Class Time: 90 min
Gloria Walters-- Grade 4 -- The best iPad project that we did this year was based on the reading skill “Cause
and Effect.” Each group was given a certain topic, such as “Ocean Pollution” and/or “Earthquakes or
Glaciers.” They then had to research the causes and the effects of each topic. Once they researched, they
were able to choose either the SonicPics or iMovie app as a way to present their information. Each of these
presentations was posted on our classroom wiki.
Rick O'Neal and Rachael Cowdrick--Grade 4--A fun, learning filled iPad project we did this year was called,
“It's a Small World After All." The students learned the basics of several apps. First, students researched a
country and learned some of its famous landmarks or cities. Then the students found and saved photos of
their chosen location from today and fifty years ago. Students compared the changes and then created a
personalized postcard explaining their research. Finally, students electronically mailed their postcard to their
teachers. Students also shared their findings with their classmates.
Total Class Time: 75 minutes
Jen Harris—Grade 4—The best iPad project that we have done so far this year is a biography presentation
using the Keynote app. Students read a biography book and then created a presentation about the person and
included pictures.

Communicator Page #7
Summer 2012
Cami Chambers—Grade 4--I am struggling with this; I can’t really pick one project. I would say that just having
the iPads in the classroom at our fingertips has been the most powerful “project” in my classroom. Students
are more willing to “search” for something they don’t know using the iPad than ever before. As a teacher it
allows me to seize those teachable moments that arise so often. For example our Social Studies book
mentions Princeton University, our Science books reviews the planets, when these 2 topics were mentioned in
class the students showed such an interest that we turned it into a project on the
spot. Students were able to research the topic, find pictures and create a Postcard
telling me what they learned from their research. It brings the aspect of accessing
information to the moment.
Julie Whyte—Grade 6—Social Studies- Our favorite project this year was creating an
iMovie about the geography of Pennsville. The students used their iPads to take pictures and videos from
around town to illustrate the major themes of geography in Pennsville and express how these impact their
daily lives.
The students worked in groups of two/three to collect their images and videos and then used class time to
turn these into iMovies. They were able to easily edit audio, add special effects, text, themes, and
soundtracks. We uploaded our videos to our private YouTube site , so that they could share, discuss and
critique each other’s projects. We were all amazed at all the cool geographical things our town has. Total
class time: 2 hours 45 minutes -- Outside of class time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Rich Reilley—Grade 6 Math- “ My favorite iPad project that we completed thus far has to be the “Angles and
Measurement Presentations.” It was a student centered project
where the class actually came up with the idea, made sure the project
criteria aligned with the state standards (with the help from the
teacher), agreed upon a fair rubric/scoring system, and each
participant personalized each assignment with creativity
and enthusiasm. It is definitely a project worth doing again and I have
the iPad Pilot Class to thank for it. Check out some examples on our
wiki. The students have also taken the time to put the Keynotes in
different formats such as a PowerPoint and a Google Presentation to
make it easier for viewers to see on practically any device.
Mary Denaxas—Grade 6—English— “One of our best projects so far was the book trailer using the iMovie
app.” Students chose the book, read the book, created a storyboard for the trailer,
enlisted the help of actors if they were making it live action, shot footage and edited it.
Students then presented their trailers to the rest of the class who then critiqued them.
The students said this was one of their favorite projects.

Communicator Page #8
Summer 2012
Laura Ryan—Grade 6 Technology Education – “My favorite project this year was the “Make Your Own iPad
Stylus” project.” Students researched how iPad Stylus’ work and developed a materials list. Materials were
supplied and students then followed their work flow plan. Once they completed the styluses, they wrote a
reflection piece that included what their research taught them, a detailed explanation of how their stylus was
assembled, and finally any troubleshooting they had to perform.
It is no secret that technology continues to profoundly affect the way we work, collaborate, communicate and
succeed. The iPad has allowed us to harness those technology skills using a tool that immediately engages
students. We believe the iPad will help our District to meet the challenges that our students need to be a
success. As Mark Zoppina, principal at Penn Beach stated, “We have certainly met the goals established for
this initiative: to enhance instruction, increase student engagement, and 21 st century skill development. We
are looking forward to expanding the program to include the entire school next school year!”
As your sons or daughters are introduced to the iPad, be sure to ask them about how they are using them. We
know that you will be impressed. Also, feel free to go the the PSD iPad Pilot wiki to see the many different
ways that the iPads are being used.
http://psdipadpilot.wikispaces.com/iPad+Project+of+PSD
Editorial by Leroy Pierce, III
On Thursday, April 26 th , 2012, the District’s administrators, supervisors and related staff, took part in an intense tabletop
exercise, along with personnel from the Pennsville Police Department, Pennsville Ambulance Department and Wyshinski Bus
Service. The exercise, which was specifically designed to improve readiness, build local capacity for dealing with emergencies,
clarify roles and responsibilities, improve inter-agency cooperation, and identify planning, training and resource needs,
challenged the group to discuss response and decision making, given a set of parameters and incident artificialities. The
scenario challenged the participants to implement a response to an incident involving an overturned school bus at the
intersection of Hook Road & East Pittsfield Street, involving a significant number of injuries, etc. The discussion and tabletop
exercise was moderated by BJ Ayars, Training & Operations Officer for the County Department of Emergency Services and
myself, in the role of County Fire Academy’s Director. Given the enormity of the situation and problems, the stakeholders
were able to work within our existing plans and procedures and efficiently “manage” the incident from the school district
perspective. Police, EMS participants and moderators were also able to give the District staff valuable input and guidance
throughout the scenario, adding the realism necessary, to gain positive insight. In addition to the implementation of existing
plans, the group discussed the principles of incident command, patient tracking, re-unification with family, public information
and multi-discipline coordination. Confidence is high that our District administration & staff could efficiently assist in handling
such a traumatic event and manage the responsibilities of the District at such an incident. WELL DONE FOLKS !
Communicator Page #9
Summer 2012

A special to The Communicator by
Lynda Carney, BCBA,LSW
Behavior Analyst/Social Worker
The Professional Services Award seeks to recognize excellence in individuals employed by the Pennsville School
District. Through peer nominations, individuals are recognized for going "above and beyond" their regular job
duties. A Nomination Committee with rolling membership reviews all nominations based upon these criteria.
Individuals are awarded with recognition at a Board Meeting, possession of the "Traveling Eagle Trophy" for
one month, and a smaller personalized replica of the "Eagle" trophy, depicting their award is given to each
recipient as well.
November 2010
January 2011
February 2011
March 2011
April 2011
May 2011
October 2011
Nov/Dec 2011
January 2012
Feb/March 2012
April/May 2012
Laura Tilton
Dee Richards
Susan Graziano
Mike Simpkins
Michele Mesghali
Terry Tancredi
Fran Riley
Grace Lesperance
Tracy Turner
Michelle Pedrick
Lori Gerstein
A huge heartfelt thanks is extended to all of our Professional Services Award recipients for your dedication to
the District's mission statement, but most of all for your dedication and motivation to making our District the
best it can be for our children !!!!
Communicator Page #10
Summer 2012

From Jamy Thomas, Athletic Director and
from Today’s Sunbeam
Pennsville High School's Brooke Coleman named Today's Sunbeam
softball Player of the Year
Hitting out of the three-hole the entire year, Coleman finished
hitting .521 — her average never dipped below .500 — and
led the Eagles with 12 doubles and four triples. She also had a
team-high 31 runs batted in, 37 hits and struck out just four
times. When she entered the pitcher’s circle, Coleman left
with 13 wins, a 2.68 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 117 2/3 innings.
She committed just one error in 54 chances.
Fall
Girls Tennis - TCC Classic Division, SJ Group I, State Group I Champions
Football - WJFL Classic Division Champions
Cross-Country - TCC Classic Division Champions
Winter
Wrestling - TCC Classic Division Champions
Spring
Softball - TCC Classic Division Champions
1 Communicator Page #11
Summer 2012

Boys Basketball - Winter 2011-2012 Boy’s Track & Field Spring - 2012
Player Name Grade Player Name Grade
Drew Burdsall 10 Colton Newsome 12
Girls Basketball - Winter 2011-2012 Brandon Lawrence 10
Tayler Henze 12 CJ Baxter 12
Wrestling - Winter 2011-2012 Tristan Weiser 10
Adrian Feliciano 11 Richard Lloyd 12
Monty Krough 12 Alec Foss 10
Anthony DeVito 12 Girl’s Track & Field – Spring 2012
Tim Donnelly 11 Emily McGrath 11
Jake Samuels 11 Marina Parkinson 10
Jacob Smith 10 Emily Acton 10
John Ecret 12 Megan Saxvanderweyden 9
Girls Indoor Track - Winter 2011-2012 Alexx Shipley 10
Alexx Shipley 10 Alexis Poeta 9
Emily MacGrath 12 Baseball – Spring 2012
Alexandra Shipley 10 Drew Burdsall 10
Carly Strickland 10 Ryan Hawthorne 12
Brianna Pagliacetti 9 Ridge Hermann 12
Boys Indoor Track - Winter 2011-2012 Mitch Walker 10
Alec Foss 12 Connor Dilks 11
Jesse Hassler 10 Dylan Cummings 10
Josh Pagan 10 Josh Shimp 10
Andrew Lewis 12 Eric Lankenau 10
Josh Pagan 10 Softball – Spring 2012
Jesse Hassler 10 Brooke Coleman 10
Chase Flickinger 9 Courtney Hankins 9
Casey Kisielewski 10
Boy’s Tennis – Spring 2012 Amber Lake 12
Brandon Chambers 11 Danielle Cornman 11
Will Moriarty 11 Kassidy White 12
Golf – Spring 2012 Taylor Chew 11
Michael Hoffman 12 Brynn Buechler 12

Communicator Page #12
Summer 2012
Those receiving awards were:
Michael Hoffman, Class of 2012, Community Service Award in the amount of $500.
Michelle Pedrick and Robin Efelis, Central Park Elementary School, Environmental Challenge
classroom grant in the amount of $1,000.
Alison Hyland, Pennsville Memorial High School, grand prize, Humanities 21st Century Literacy
Competition
Joe Kille, Pennsville Memorial High School, third place, Humanities 21st Century Literacy
Competition
Honorees attended an awards breakfast hosted by Salem County Bridge at Salem Community College.
The Environmental Challenge grant is sponsored by DuPont in partnership with Salem County Bridge.
Formerly known as Salem County 2000, Salem County Bridge is a volunteer organization promoting
lifelong learning.

Communicator Page #13
Summer 2012
A special to The Communicator by
Ms. Bobbie-Ann Jordan, Principal
The Pennsville Reading Coaches (Jenifer Mancine, Linda McKelvey, and Marian Sennstrom) hosted a
family reading celebration for their students on April 3 in the Valley Park School Library. The families
participated in various literacy based games and activities. Each child received a special reading visor,
a book, a bookmark, a dry erase board, and copies of reading games to play at home. The reading
coaches also provided important information for parents including why reading at home is so
important, tips for working with their children, word attack strategies, and fun ways to practice sight
words. One of the highlights of the evening was a guessing activity entitled “Look Who Grew Up
Reading Books.” In this activity, students were asked to identify their teachers, principals, and
reading coaches from childhood pictures. The evening was a wonderful opportunity for families to
celebrate reading together!

Communicator Page #14
Summer 2012
A special to The Communicator by
Ms. Alicia Busillo, Assistant Principal (PMHS)
Starting in September our school will have a theme for the month for promoting positive
behavior. The auditorium hallway will be used to display the bulletin board of the theme. Each
month the sport’s theme sayings will change. There will be two ballot boxes in the main office.
One will be for staff and will be for students. Each month one staff member will be recognized
for demonstrating the character trait of the month. These nomination forms will be in the office.
Also, staff members can nominate students for demonstrating this trait by filling out a student
nomination form. One student from each grade level will be selected. The student and teacher
winners of each month will receive a certificate, gift card, and will have their picture displayed in
the showcase in the auditorium. The students also receive a letter sent home to their
parents/guardians. The staff member will also receive the “Traveling Trophy.”

Pennsville Public
School District
Board of Education
Kathy Bodine, President
Leroy Pierce, III, Vice President
Greg Acton
Jeffrey Elwell
Thomas Hassler, III
Michael Manahan
Margo Myers
Jack Nugent
Nancy Phillips
BOE Meetings: held the last two
Mondays of each month at the
Business / District Office starting
at 6:00 PM.
Business / District Office
30 Church Street
Pennsville, NJ 08070
Website: www.psdnet.org
Michael C. Brodzik, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Phone: 856-540-6200 x 7118
Fax: 856-678-7565
E-mail: mbrodzik@psdnet.org
Non-Profit
US Postage
PAID
Pennsville, NJ
Permit No. 40
Local Postal Patron
Pennsville, NJ 08070
John Recchinti
Business Administrator
jrecchin@psdnet.org