PASD Board Meeting Moved to Middle School

District officials too many people to fit in the Board Room of the Administration Building.

  Tonight's Phoenixville Area School District Board meeting is being moved to the Phoenixville Area Middle School building.  The meeting starts at 7 p.m.. A copy of the agenda which includes several awards presentations and budget items is attached. Among the items expected to be discussed in at least broad terms are the ongoing contract talks with teacher's union and the just-announced settlement with the school support personnel union.

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Phantastic Phantom

Phoenixville Senior Wins Prestigious Scholarship

Matthew Lehning was recently awarded the Rensselaer Medal, and with it a $60,000 scholarship to the school.

Matthew Lehning, a Phoenixville Area High School senior, has been selected by the school's faculty and staff to receive the Rensselaer Medal and a $60,000 scholarship to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, according to district community relations coordinator Sandra Claus. For over 90 years the Rensselaer Medal and scholarship has been awarded to whip smart high school students who have distinguished themselves in mathematics and science.  “The Rensselaer Medal is a wonderful way to pay tribute to the high school students who have achieved excellence in math and science,” said Paul Marthers, Rensselaer vice president for enrollment and dean of undergraduate and graduate admissions.  “The Rensselaer Medal winners represent the next generation…

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Tax Hike Approved in Preliminary PASD Budget

The budget would raise taxes 3.1%, but according to a district employee, that's unlikely.

The PASD school board passed a preliminary budget with a 3.1 percent tax increase at Tuesday’s meeting, The Mercury is reporting. The preliminary budget for the 2013-14 school year was set at $81,754,535, which marks a $4 million increase from last year. To cover the hike, the millage rate would move from 28.24 up to 29.15. District executive director Stan Johnson cautioned residents to take the hike with a grain of salt though. It’s a preliminary budget he says, and he expects the board will tighten up a few things before the real thing passes.  “We have a lot of work to do to get it to a more reasonable budget,” Johnson told the paper, adding that he didn’t “expect the residents to have to swallow a 3.1 percent increase.” The budget …

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School District: We'll Resume CBA Talks Feb. 26

A new negotiating date for PASD and the union has been set. It's not clear if representatives from the Phoenixville Area Education Association will attend.

The long running CBA negotiations between the Phoenixville Area School District and its teachers union may resume on Feb. 26, as the district has accepted a meeting date recommended by a state mediator assigned to the case. It’s not clear if union representatives will attend. The teacher’s previous contract expired in June of 2010. Negotiations for a new deal began over three years ago. District representatives last met with the PAEA (Phoenixville Area Education Association) negotiating team on January 23. During the meeting the union made an initial proposal that was countered by the district, and ultimately rejected by the union. According to a statement PASD released to some members of the media, the differences between the two camps …

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Joe Smith

7:05 am on Monday, February 18, 2013

So if they are already that great, why the need to throw more money at them? You are the one who is clueless as to how unions work.   more ›

Phoenixville Kindergartners Celebrate 100 Days of School

Just 2,240 left to go.

While they might look a little young to be celebrating 100, that’s only because the students in Mrs. Sadie D’Ercole’s class at the PASD Kindergarten Center are just kicking off their 100th day of school. To mark the occasion—themed, “You’re 100 Days Smarter!”—the kids created their own shirts. That’s not the only action happening at the Kindergarten Center. Registration for next fall—when parents will have the option of enrolling their kids in full day kindergarten (read the full story here)—is already underway.  For the past couple of weeks, parents have been visiting the building during school hours, to observe a “typical” school day. Additionally, on February 13 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., February 14 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and February 15 …

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Full Day Kindergarten Now an Option for Phoenixville Students

The PASD school board decided to add the program at its Thursday meeting.

Phoenixville parents will have the option of putting their children in full day kindergarten starting in the 2013-14 school year, the Phoenixville Area School District Board of Directors decided at its Thursday meeting. According to district community relations director Sandra Claus, PASD already has a dedicated building for kindergarten students. District parents can now opt to enroll their children in the traditional half day kindergarten program, a full day literacy program that will be available to qualifying students, and a full day option that’s comprised of the traditional half day program, plus a new half day enrichment program. “All of us at the Kindergarten Center work to meet the needs of each and every child in this building.  …

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PASD Might Offer Athletes Gym Class Credits

If a new rule is approved at the January 17 board meeting, PAHS student-athletes will get the option to opt out of gym class.

Phoenixville Area High School students could soon get gym class credits for participating in PIAA sanctioned sports or the school’s marching band, The Mercury is reporting. According to the paper, the curriculum committee passed the motion by a 2-1 vote and it will now go before the full board on January 17. Committee members Jan Potts and Kevin Pattinson voted in favor of the new rule, while Betsy Ruch opposed it. PAHS students must earn one full gym class credit in order to graduate. Under the new rule, students would get a quarter of a credit for each sports or marching band season. Students would be eligible to get up to half a credit per academic year. The athletic credits wouldn’t count towards the student’s GPA, as gym class credits…

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Phantom Athletes to be Honored at 'Night of Champions'

On January 11, banners celebrating all the Phantoms championship sports teams will be hung in the district gym.

On January 11, Phoenixville Area High School is inviting all its past coaches players, and athletic staff to a ‘Night of Champions’ event at the new middle school. Prior to the evening’s girls’ basketball game against Perkiomen Valley, a new PASD Hall of Fame plaque will be unveiled in the district gym lobby and the Phantoms championship teams will be recognized with the hanging of banners. There will also be a reception starting at 6 p.m. Former Phantoms interested in attending can RSVP to NightofChampions@pasd.com. 

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App That Helps Parents, Students Track Grades Now Available for PASD

The Skyward Mobile App can be accessed on iPhones and Android devices.

The Skyward Mobile App, a service that allows parents and students to easily access academic information like grades, attendance, and disciplinary information, is now available for PASD, the district’s technology department announced. According to department director Bryan Ruzenski, the app can be accessed with iPhones, iPads, and Android devices, and the department is available to help parents get the program up and running. Below, via the district’s website, is the full message: The Technology Department is pleased to announce that the Skyward Mobile App for iPhones, iPads, and Android devices is now available for PASD. To get it, simply access the “App Store” from an Apple device or the “Play Store” on Android devices, search for …

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PASD Students Get Winter Coat Gift from Power Company

Exelon Power will donate 1,000 coats to needy kids across southeastern PA.

Exelon Power recently delivered winter coats to schools in the Phoenixville Area School District.  In addition to their gift to Schuylkill Elementary School, this winter, Exelon Power will donate over 1,000 coats to children in need across southeastern Pennsylvania as part of the company’s Operation Warm initiative.    

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