Thursday, September 29, 2011
Having Problems Posting?
So sorry. For the last 1-2 days, something seems to be messed up on the Blogger service. I thought (and was hoping) it might just be me, but I guess not.
I've been able to force comments in by typing in gibberish like "aaa" as "anonymous", then hitting preview. Sometimes it takes a few tries. Once that posts up, I edit the text and then change the name (in my case to "Jon"), and it has been working. I can't find a decent answer in the Blogger Help section. I've been writing comments in Word first too so I can cut and paste them back in if I lose them.
Hopefully it clears up soon. Thank you for your patience, and your patronage.
PSSA Results - 2011
2011 PSSA results State: All eight Lower Bucks school districts make AYP
Want to know more?
Posted: Thursday, September 29, 2011 12:17 pm | Updated: 5:56 pm, Thu Sep 29, 2011.
The eight schools districts in Lower Bucks County have earned Adequate Yearly Progress status based on student achievement on the 2011 standardized tests, according to state education department officials.
It's the third year in a row that all districts earned the AYP ranking.
However, several schools within the districts, as well as seven of 10 local high schools, had some deficiencies, according to results posted Thursday on the education department's website.The state education department on Thursday morning posted the results of the 2011 Pennsylvania System of School Assessment tests on its website.
The standardized mathematics and reading tests are administered in the spring each year to public school students in third through eighth grades and 11th grade.
Scores are used to determine if students are learning at grade level and if schools qualify for AYP status, as required by the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.
NCLB has set a goal to have all students learning at grade level by 2014.
Students can score in one of four levels on each of the tests: Advanced, proficient, basic or below basic.
Proficiency rates are calculated by adding together the percentage of students who scored in the advanced and proficient ranges.
This year, the state called for 67 percent of students in districts and schools to score proficient or advanced and 72 percent to demonstrate proficiency in reading.
Proficiency goals for the two tests will continue to increase until 2014 when both reach 100 percent.
The state will send detailed information about individual student performance home to parents and guardians in the next few weeks, officials said.
In terms of a school district, it achieves AYP status when at least one of its grade spans meets performance and participation targets. The elementary span is for students in third- through fifth-grade, the middle level span covers students in sixth- through eighth-grade and the high school span is for ninth- through 12th grade students, officials said.
Although all local districts earned AYP status, several schools within the districts demonstrated deficiencies, according to state statistics.
The deficiencies generally relate to various subgroups that the state tracks, including special education and economically disadvantaged students. The subgroup's score counts toward AYP status when at least 40 students in the school can be included in a subgroup.
Neshaminy High School is in Corrective Action II for a fourth year because not enough special education and economically disadvantaged students demonstrating proficiency on the math test.
Centennial's William Tennent High School and Pennsbury High School are both in Corrective Action II for a third year.
Not enough special education and economically disadvantaged students at Tennent demonstrated proficiency in math and reading. At Pennsbury, not enough economically disadvantaged students were proficient, according to state results.
Bucks County Technical High School is in Corrective Action I because not enough students overall were proficient on the math and reading tests.
In addition, not enough white students and special education students at the tech school demonstrated proficiency on the two tests and not enough economically disadvantaged students were proficient on the math test.
This is the fourth year in a row that the tech school, which serves the Bensalem, Bristol, Bristol Township, Morrisville, Neshaminy and Pennsbury school districts, did not earn AYP status.
The Center for Student Learning Charter School is in Corrective Action II for the first year because not enough students overall and not enough white students demonstrated proficiency in the math and reading tests.
The alternative school has challenged the designation process in state court given the nature of its operation, officials said.
Students are coming and going from the school throughout the year depending on their needs, said CSL Executive Director Thomas Reiley.The alternative-based charter school in Tullytown wants the students' scores to be included in their home districts' results.
The Commonwealth Court recently ruled in CSL's favor. The state education department has until mid-October to decide whether it should appeal the decision, spokesman Timothy Eller said Thursday.
Elsewhere, Bristol High School received a warning because not enough students overall were proficient in math.
In addition, Council Rock High School-North received a warning because not enough special education students demonstrated proficiency in math and Council Rock High School-South got a warning because not enough of its special education students were proficient in math and reading.
Neshaminy's Maple Point Middle School received a warning because not enough of its black students and special education students demonstrated proficiency in math.
Warren Snyder-John Girotti Elementary School in Bristol was put in School Improvement I status because not enough black students were proficient in reading and not enough special education students demonstrated proficiency in math and reading.
Belmont Hills Elementary School in Bensalem and Neshaminy's Joseph Ferderbar and Lower Southampton elementary schools received warnings because not enough of their special education students were proficient in reading.
Two Bristol Township elementary schools also received warnings. At Clara Barton Elementary School not enough special education students were proficient in math and reading. Lafayette Elementary School received a warning because not enough black and economically disadvantaged students demonstrated proficiency in reading.
Council Rock's Churchville Elementary School also received a warning because not enough of its special education students were proficient in math.
There were, however, signs of progress in some local schools, officials said.
For instance, Bensalem High School students, for the first time in five years, showed enough improvement on the tests to earn the school a Making Progress designation.
Student performance is one of three criteria used to determine AYP status. The other two factors are student participation in the tests and a school's attendance/graduation rate, education officials said.
Statewide 93.5 percent of the 499 school districts that administer the tests earned AYP status and 75.1 percent of all school buildings, including charter and comprehensive career and technical schools, made AYP, education department officials said in a news release on Thursday.
It's the third year in a row that all districts earned the AYP ranking.
However, several schools within the districts, as well as seven of 10 local high schools, had some deficiencies, according to results posted Thursday on the education department's website.
However, several schools within the districts, as well as seven of 10 local high schools, had some deficiencies, according to results posted Thursday on the education department's website.The standardized mathematics and reading tests are administered in the spring each year to public school students in third through eighth grades and 11th grade.
Scores are used to determine if students are learning at grade level and if schools qualify for AYP status, as required by the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.
NCLB has set a goal to have all students learning at grade level by 2014.
Students can score in one of four levels on each of the tests: Advanced, proficient, basic or below basic.
Proficiency rates are calculated by adding together the percentage of students who scored in the advanced and proficient ranges.
This year, the state called for 67 percent of students in districts and schools to score proficient or advanced and 72 percent to demonstrate proficiency in reading.
Proficiency goals for the two tests will continue to increase until 2014 when both reach 100 percent.
The state will send detailed information about individual student performance home to parents and guardians in the next few weeks, officials said.
In terms of a school district, it achieves AYP status when at least one of its grade spans meets performance and participation targets. The elementary span is for students in third- through fifth-grade, the middle level span covers students in sixth- through eighth-grade and the high school span is for ninth- through 12th grade students, officials said.
Although all local districts earned AYP status, several schools within the districts demonstrated deficiencies, according to state statistics.
The deficiencies generally relate to various subgroups that the state tracks, including special education and economically disadvantaged students. The subgroup's score counts toward AYP status when at least 40 students in the school can be included in a subgroup.
Neshaminy High School is in Corrective Action II for a fourth year because not enough special education and economically disadvantaged students demonstrating proficiency on the math test.
Centennial's William Tennent High School and Pennsbury High School are both in Corrective Action II for a third year.
Not enough special education and economically disadvantaged students at Tennent demonstrated proficiency in math and reading. At Pennsbury, not enough economically disadvantaged students were proficient, according to state results.
Bucks County Technical High School is in Corrective Action I because not enough students overall were proficient on the math and reading tests.
In addition, not enough white students and special education students at the tech school demonstrated proficiency on the two tests and not enough economically disadvantaged students were proficient on the math test.
This is the fourth year in a row that the tech school, which serves the Bensalem, Bristol, Bristol Township, Morrisville, Neshaminy and Pennsbury school districts, did not earn AYP status.
The Center for Student Learning Charter School is in Corrective Action II for the first year because not enough students overall and not enough white students demonstrated proficiency in the math and reading tests.
The alternative school has challenged the designation process in state court given the nature of its operation, officials said.
Students are coming and going from the school throughout the year depending on their needs, said CSL Executive Director Thomas Reiley.The alternative-based charter school in Tullytown wants the students' scores to be included in their home districts' results.
The Commonwealth Court recently ruled in CSL's favor. The state education department has until mid-October to decide whether it should appeal the decision, spokesman Timothy Eller said Thursday.
Elsewhere, Bristol High School received a warning because not enough students overall were proficient in math.
In addition, Council Rock High School-North received a warning because not enough special education students demonstrated proficiency in math and Council Rock High School-South got a warning because not enough of its special education students were proficient in math and reading.
Neshaminy's Maple Point Middle School received a warning because not enough of its black students and special education students demonstrated proficiency in math.
Warren Snyder-John Girotti Elementary School in Bristol was put in School Improvement I status because not enough black students were proficient in reading and not enough special education students demonstrated proficiency in math and reading.
Belmont Hills Elementary School in Bensalem and Neshaminy's Joseph Ferderbar and Lower Southampton elementary schools received warnings because not enough of their special education students were proficient in reading.
Two Bristol Township elementary schools also received warnings. At Clara Barton Elementary School not enough special education students were proficient in math and reading. Lafayette Elementary School received a warning because not enough black and economically disadvantaged students demonstrated proficiency in reading.
Council Rock's Churchville Elementary School also received a warning because not enough of its special education students were proficient in math.
There were, however, signs of progress in some local schools, officials said.
For instance, Bensalem High School students, for the first time in five years, showed enough improvement on the tests to earn the school a Making Progress designation.
Student performance is one of three criteria used to determine AYP status. The other two factors are student participation in the tests and a school's attendance/graduation rate, education officials said.
Statewide 93.5 percent of the 499 school districts that administer the tests earned AYP status and 75.1 percent of all school buildings, including charter and comprehensive career and technical schools, made AYP, education department officials said in a news release on Thursday.
Asst. Football Coach Article - With Pictures!
Funny, I always thought of Hellmann as a Dr. Pepper kind of guy.
MORRISVILLE SCHOOLS
Coach will return after 2-game suspension
Morrisville coach Jason Bresnen
Morrisville football team defensive coordinator Jason Bresnen addresses the Morrisville school board to apologize for his actions after being reinstated as coach. Bresnen resigned after allegations that he offered his players a $100 reward if they knocked a New Hope-Solebury player out of a game on September 10th.
Posted: Thursday, September 29, 2011 6:00 am | Updated: 9:11 am, Thu Sep 29, 2011.
The defensive coordinator of Morrisville’s football team is still in the game.
Jason Bresnen will again help coach Bulldog players this year after he serves a two-game suspension, officials said.
He had been accused of telling his team he’d pay $100 to anyone who knocked a specific New Hope-Solebury player out of the game during New Hope’s 29-6 victory on Sept. 10.
The coach spoke to Morrisville residents during public comment at Wednesday’s school board meeting.
“I sincerely apologize to the borough, the district, the board about the allegations and any controversy that caused the town...(the comment) was taken out of context,” Bresnen said.
“We are going to give you a second chance,’’ said board President Bill Hellmann. “We got your back, but there’s no third chance.”
“I appreciate that,” Bresnen responded.
The meeting room wasn’t packed Wednesday night, in contrast to last week’s work session when Bresnen supporters asked the board to consider reinstating the coach. The board then decided to remove two items from Wednesday night’s agenda: the acceptance of Bresnen’s resignation and the appointment of a new assistant football coach.
Other than Bresnen’s brief comments, the issue wasn’t discussed Wednesday.
However, Hellmann said after the meeting that the school board met with Bresnen following last week’s work session. That night and the following day, the school directors decided to give Bresnen a second shot, Hellmann said.
“He seems like a nice guy,” he said.
School board solicitor Thomas Profy said Bresnen withdrew his resignation, and as a result, there was no need to discuss anything at the meeting.
The alleged incident took place during the second half of the game. Sideline officials made up of New Hope-Solebury parents who were working the yardage chains overheard a statement they reported to be from Bresnen, placing a $100 bounty on the head of a New Hope player. The parents working on the sidelines took the issue to New Hope-Solebury’s athletic department, which contacted Morrisville administrators on Sept. 12. Bresnen’s resignation followed on Sept. 14.
In an interview, Bresnen told the newspaper his version of events.
“I told them that if you continue to hit (the player) and gang tackle him, I’ll bet you $100 that we will wear him down,” he explained.
Jason Bresnen will again help coach Bulldog players this year after he serves a two-game suspension, officials said.
He had been accused of telling his team he’d pay $100 to anyone who knocked a specific New Hope-Solebury player out of the game during New Hope’s 29-6 victory on Sept. 10.
The coach spoke to Morrisville residents during public comment at Wednesday’s school board meeting.
“I sincerely apologize to the borough, the district, the board about the allegations and any controversy that caused the town...(the comment) was taken out of context,” Bresnen said.
“We are going to give you a second chance,’’ said board President Bill Hellmann. “We got your back, but there’s no third chance.”
“I appreciate that,” Bresnen responded.
The meeting room wasn’t packed Wednesday night, in contrast to last week’s work session when Bresnen supporters asked the board to consider reinstating the coach. The board then decided to remove two items from Wednesday night’s agenda: the acceptance of Bresnen’s resignation and the appointment of a new assistant football coach.
Other than Bresnen’s brief comments, the issue wasn’t discussed Wednesday.
However, Hellmann said after the meeting that the school board met with Bresnen following last week’s work session. That night and the following day, the school directors decided to give Bresnen a second shot, Hellmann said.
“He seems like a nice guy,” he said.
School board solicitor Thomas Profy said Bresnen withdrew his resignation, and as a result, there was no need to discuss anything at the meeting.
The alleged incident took place during the second half of the game. Sideline officials made up of New Hope-Solebury parents who were working the yardage chains overheard a statement they reported to be from Bresnen, placing a $100 bounty on the head of a New Hope player. The parents working on the sidelines took the issue to New Hope-Solebury’s athletic department, which contacted Morrisville administrators on Sept. 12. Bresnen’s resignation followed on Sept. 14.
In an interview, Bresnen told the newspaper his version of events.
“I told them that if you continue to hit (the player) and gang tackle him, I’ll bet you $100 that we will wear him down,” he explained.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
School Board MONTHLY BUSINESS MEETING - Wed. Sept. 28
District Event
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Monthly Board Meeting in the LGI
Site: DIST
Start Time: 7:30 PM
End Time: 9:30 PM
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Monthly Board Meeting in the LGI
Site: DIST
Start Time: 7:30 PM
End Time: 9:30 PM
PTO Market Day Fall Fundraiser for Intermediate School Playground Equipment
Good news, courtesy of the Morrisville PTO! Thank you! Thank you! See below.
As many of you know by now, the proceeds for PTO Market Day Fall fundraiser will be going towards buying Playground Equipment for the Intermediate School. We would like to form a parent group to decide what will be needed.
If anyone is interested in being a part of the group, please come to the October 10th PTO meeting at 7pm in the Grandview Cafeteria. If you are unable to make it this night, please contact Laurie Ruffing.
We will also be reaching out to the community and local businesses as well to donate time and materials, if necessary.
Hope to see you at the next meeting.
Morrisville PTO
As many of you know by now, the proceeds for PTO Market Day Fall fundraiser will be going towards buying Playground Equipment for the Intermediate School. We would like to form a parent group to decide what will be needed.
If anyone is interested in being a part of the group, please come to the October 10th PTO meeting at 7pm in the Grandview Cafeteria. If you are unable to make it this night, please contact Laurie Ruffing.
We will also be reaching out to the community and local businesses as well to donate time and materials, if necessary.
Hope to see you at the next meeting.
Morrisville PTO
Tech School - 9th Grade Decision
BCTHSNinth-grade decision might come next month
Posted: Tuesday, September 27, 2011 12:00 am | Updated: 5:53 am, Tue Sep 27, 2011.
The Bucks County Technical High School joint school board committee delayed a decision at its Monday night meeting on whether to keep ninth grade at the Bristol Township school for the 2012-2013 school year.
Joint board member Harry Kramer of Bensalem said the board wanted to take a vote on the issue Monday night but held off because only eight of the 14 board members were present. He said a vote will likely come at the next meeting Oct. 24.
Delaying a decision any longer than another month would not be fair to students interested in attending BCTHS as a ninth-grader starting in 2012-2013, said Kramer.
“It’s very important we send a message for 2012-2013 and out that there will be a ninth grade here,” he said. “Parents and prospective students need to know that so they can make their own decisions.”
The technical school is a full-time, comprehensive facility that offers both academic and vocational instruction to students drawn from the Bensalem, Bristol, Bristol Township, Morrisville, Neshaminy and Pennsbury school districts.
Ninth-graders spend part of the time taking academic courses and part sampling the many vocational offerings at BCTHS to help them decide which one to concentrate on starting in 10th grade. This year, there are 1,409 students at BCTHS, including 489 ninth-graders.
Joint school board member John Doyle of Bristol brought up the issue of dropping the ninth grade at BCTHS, saying it would save money. He said the entire Bristol school board supports the idea.
However, joint school board members from the larger districts like Neshaminy and Bensalem say dropping ninth grade at BCTHS would just increase expenses at their home school districts.
While Kramer said he would like to vote to keep ninth grade permanently, BCTHS Administrative Director Leon Poeske said the board could decide to keep revisiting the issue year by year if members choose.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Morrisville 18, Conrad Science 47
Football: Conrad Science 47, Morrisville 18Morrisville loses big in Delaware
Posted: Sunday, September 25, 2011 12:00 am | Updated: 6:09 am, Sun Sep 25, 2011.
WILMINGTON, Del. — The Morrisville Bulldogs enjoyed a winning season in 2010, including a shutout victory over Conrad Science.
The 2011 campaign hasn’t started well for the Bulldogs, who were hoping to break into the win column Saturday against Conrad Science.
That didn’t happen, as Raquan Womack rushed for three touchdowns to lead the Redskins to a 47-18 victory.
“They have definitely improved from last year,” said Morrisville coach Bill Quill.
Quill succeeded Jim Gober in the offseason and had a chance to see Conrad Science on film. The Redskins didn’t look like world-beaters on video, having lost their first two games by shutout (34-0 to Tatnall and 28-0 to Dickinson).
Morrisville (0-4) never led in the game. The Bulldogs scored on two long runs by Uriel Savage and a long run by quarterback Elighar Rankins.
At the end of the third quarter, Morrisville was in contention, trailing 33-18.
But Anferne Evans scored on a 35-yard run to make it 40-18. The Bulldogs fumbled, and Mike McCracken made them pay with a 20-yard TD run to increase the Redskins’ pad to 47-18.
Morrisville had a punt blocked, and Conrad Science drove to the Bulldogs’ 4-yard line before taking a knee on fourth down.
Rankins took a knee to end the game, and Morrisville was glad to leave the Diamond State.
“We ran some inside plays and mixed in passing, and it worked to our advantage,” said Conrad Science coach Bob Wolford, whose team also scored on a pair of TD passes from Isaac Avilez to Kyle Hamilton.
The Conrad Science football program is in its fifth year, including three at the varsity level.
In a 2009 home-and-home series, the Bulldogs punished the Redskins by scores of 47-0 and 32-6. They followed that up with a 39-0 rout last year.
Quill believes his players might have been overconfident.
“They had the game won before they even got on the bus,” he said.
When Wolford went to scout Morrisville last week against Springfield-Montco, he saw that quarterback Matt Cookson had graduated and the Bulldogs were more of a running team.
Though Conrad Science dominated, one bright spot for Morrisville was Savage, a sophomore who rushed for about 140 yards.
“He ran the ball hard,” Quill said.
The Bulldogs will get a much-needed week off before facing Bicentennial Athletic League foe Calvary Christian on Oct. 8.
The coach wants his players to attend practice on a more regular basis, and Savage, who also plays safety, agrees that the commitment can make a difference.
“We can be a great team. It’s all there,” he said. “We have to practice harder and do the little things. It all starts in practice.”
Morrisville lost a lot more than Cookson to graduation, with almost the whole offense and defense gone.
“We’re very young, but that’s no excuse,” Quill said. “We have some real tough games coming up.
“The BAL is very competitive, and we look like a team that is at the bottom of the pile. We have to get better as players and coaches.”
Note: Morrisville defensive coordinator Jason Bresnen did not coach Saturday, while the Morrisville School Board considers his case. A final decision will be made Wednesday. Bresnen resigned following the Bulldogs’ Week 2 loss to New Hope-Solebury, after he was accused of telling his team that he would pay $100 to anyone who knocked a specific New Hopey player out of the Sept. 10 game. The board, however, decided last week to not accept resignation until it speaks to Bresnen.
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