Saturday, April 26, 2014

The 'Top Teacher' so Nice, You Can Vote for Her Twice (...or even three times)

Mercury Photo by John Strickler
Barth elementary first grade teacher Ellen Eisele is one of 12 finalists for Top Teacher honors on Live with Kelly and Michael. You can vote for her once a day at http://bit.ly/1lOn6mr


Barth first grade teacher Ellen Eisele suffers from severe arthritis and, at age 50, has already had to have a knee replaced.

It rarely keeps her out of the classroom, but they don’t do replacement knee surgery in elementary classrooms, so it has landed her in the hospital at least once.

“While she was in the local hospital last April for her surgery a young nursing student came in to care for her. They looked at each other and realized Ellen had taught this lovely young lady in first grade at Barth Elementary School,” wrote Susan Deegan-Watson, Eisele’s self-described best friend.

“Her former student hugged her and told her and her husband Fred that she is the reason she continued to be a good student and wanted to become a nurse because Ellen always told her she could be anything she wanted to be if she just studied hard and was a good citizen,” wrote Deegan-Watson.

Mercury Photo by John Strickler
You can vote for Ellen Eisele until Monday at 5 p.m.
Her letter was to television personalities Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan, hosts of the long-running morning show, “Live with Kelly and Michael.”

She was writing to them to nominate Eisele as the Top Teacher, and the Kelly and Michael show is where the winner will be announced.

Eisele is already one of twelve nationwide semi-finalists and can be one of five if she gets enough
votes by 5 p.m. Monday.

You can vote online once every 24 hours at http://bit.ly/1lOn6mr

The site, where you will find Deegan-Watson’s full letter, also allows comments and Eisele has collected quite a few compliments there.

If the true measure of a successful teacher is the success of their students, it could easily be argued that Eisele is already a Top Teacher.

What follows is just a sampling of her fan base:

• “I am 29 and Mrs. Eisele was my teacher at Barth. She was always kind, caring and loving. She is a teacher I will never forget. She is the best hands down,” wrote Aubre Carter.

• “My oldest had her for first grade. Now her younger sister is currently in her class.. my girls speak very highly of her all the time. We hope that when our younger two are in first grade that they are in her class as well. Mrs. Eisele is a wonderful teacher. Good luck from the Prouty family,” posted Dannielle Prouty of Norristown.

• “Ellen is what teachers should be. Educators that love for children to go forward in this world,” wrote Lenny Cox.

• “I had Mrs.Eisele in elementary school , I’m now a senior class of 2014! And she’s still my favorite teacher. Funny my little sister now has her as well! We love you Mrs. Eisele! We hope you win!” wrote DeIoni Tinson.

• “My son is currently in Mrs. Eisele’s first grade class. He has learned so much this year. Not only has Mrs. Eisele been instrumental in helping him learn his “book smarts,” but we have also see a difference in his behavior. He is more conscious of his actions, and focuses on being a ‘good citizen,” Erin Michelle Egleston posted.




• “My two children were students of Mrs. Eisele before she went to her present school. She was an awesome teacher and was instrumental in providing such support for all her students,” posted Donna Grace Bersaglia.

“My husband traveled a lot at that time of our lives and my son was more affected by it. She knew when and could tell and was so very helpful and kind especially at those times. I came in as a helper weekly and could see the love she had for her students,” Bersaglia wrote.

“My daughter is now a high school special education teacher in a neighboring district and because of her and other teachers like her, she saw how special a teacher can be in a child’s life,” according to Bersaglia.

• “Ellen was my tutor when I was very young. I still have a book she gave me and have read it to my daughter several times. She is a wonderful person,” posted Andrea Palladino Noel.

• “Mrs. Eisele was my daughter’s teacher in first grade. She loved her as soon as she stepped into her room. And Mrs. Eisele loved her too I never met a more amazing teacher in my life,” wrote Stacey Ehrhart.

Friday, April 25, 2014

12 Fewer Cars Worth




BLOGGER'S NOTE: The following was provided by Montgomery County Community College.

Working together, Montgomery County Community College's two campuses in Blue Bell and Pottstown, took second place in Pennsylvania in the national 2014 RecycleMania competition.

RecycleMania is an eight-week nationwide competition, held Feb. 2 through March 29, during which colleges and universities competed to see who can reduce, reuse and recycle the most campus waste. 
MCCC has participated for seven consecutive years. 

It was the second consecutive year, MCCC placed second among all higher education institutions in Pennsylvania in the competition’s Waste Minimization category, collecting 17.248 pounds of combined trash and recycling per capita. 

South Hall of Montgomery County Community College's

West Campus here in Pottstown.
Nationally, MCCC ranked 11th in Waste Minimization among public two-year colleges and 22nd overall. 

In the Per Capita Classic category, MCCC finished ninth among public two-year institutions nationally, with 4.658 pounds of recycling per capita. 

This positioned the college as 20th in Pennsylvania and 279th overall. 

In the Grand Champion category, MCCC scored a 27.002 percent cumulative recycling rate, positioning it eighth in Pennsylvania, 14th among public two-year institutions, and 142nd overall. 

MCCC collected a cumulative 37,390 pounds of recycling — an eight percent increase over 2013, ranking it 11th among public two-year institutions nationally, 14th in Pennsylvania, and 249th overall in the Gorilla Prize category. 

According to the U.S. EPA’s Waste Reduction Model (WARM), MCCC’s recycling efforts during the competition resulted in a greenhouse gas reduction of 63 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, which is translates to the energy consumption of five households or the emissions of 12 cars. 

MCCC was among the first institutions in the country to sign American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) in 2007. 

The College’s sustainability efforts are led by a team of faculty, students, administrators, support staff, alumni and community members that comprise the President’s Climate Commitment Advisory Council. 

 To learn more about MCCC’s Sustainability Initiative, visit its “Think Green” blog at mc3green.wordpress.com

To learn more about RecycleMania or to view the full list of results, visit www.recyclemaniacs.org.

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Dressing for Success

Mercury Photo by Kevin Hoffman
Pottstown High School students were pleased to pay the price for casual dress earlier this month and, in the process, raised $787 toward the cost of replacing the stadium lights at Grigg Memorial Field.


Pottstown schools will enjoy three more opportunities to dress casually for a good cause in the coming weeks.

Superintendent Jeff Sparagana has set this Friday, April 25 as casual dress day by which students and staff may pay for the privilege of wearing casual clothes instead of the school uniform.

The money raised will go toward replacing the lights at Grigg Memorial Stadium. The lights must be taken down because of the age and condition of both the poles and the lights.

Staff pay $2 and students pay $1 for casual dress clearance.


The other two Fridays are May 9 and May 23.

Students and staff may pay on or before these dates to participate.

If donating by check make payable to: Pottstown School District.

Of course, casual does not mean inappropriate, and so the rules of the district, printed below, still apply in terms of dress code.

All Clothing must fit appropriately and be conducive to the learning environment. Please follow Dress Code Exemptions Policy 6182.7n. Some Exemptions listed in the policy – No torn, ripped or ragged clothing. No clothing containing holes. No clothing that reveals the chest or midriff. No Muscle shirts, belly shirts, tube tops, halter tops, low scoop necks, large arm openings, spaghetti strap blouses, fish net, mesh or see through. No spandex or skin tight shorts or pants. No trousers that reveal underwear. Skirts and shorts should be an appropriate length. Please use your best judgment and refer to your student handbook if you have any questions.


Why look, Barth Principal Ryan Oxenford is surrounded by 49 other Ryan Oxenfords....


Of course, sometimes dressing up is the right thing to do, as was the case at Barth Elementary School on April 11.

That was "Switch it Up Day," when teachers and principal Ryan Oxenford came dressed as students and students came dressed as teachers and, in the case of 49 of them, just like Mr. Oxenford.


Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Getting Pottstown's Views

Photo by Evan Brandt
Pottstown Mayor Sharon Valentine and Jody Holton, executive editor of the Montgomery Country Planning Commission, welcome those who came out to offer input into writing of the county's comprehensive plan.





Monday, April 21, 2014

Pottsgrove Focuses on Drug and Alcohol Prevention During April Awareness Week

Mercury Photo by Kevin Hoffman

Last year, police conducted a surprise drug sweep at 
Pottsgrove High School but found no drugs.
In its inaugural year, the Pottgrove School District Drug and Alcohol Prevention Team has scheduled several activities in the coming week.

Formerly called a taskforce, the team is comprised of PGSD staff, community agencies, parents and school board board members whose focus is to provide education to students, parents and community in hopes of preventing drug abuse. 

The team also provides support and direction to students and families dealing with drug abuse or addiction. 

"Although we are a suburban community, we are far from immune to the epidemic of teen drug abuse including alcohol," according to a statement released from the district. 

To help drive that message home and spur discussions about prevention and recovery, the team has planned April Awareness Week, from Tuesday, April 22 to Tuesday, April 29. 

This week, which builds on programs already in place at the Pottsgrove High School through the SNAP Academy, will focus on student, parent and community education surrounding drug and alcohol use in our local area and its often devastating consequences.

-- On Tuesday, April 22 the Community Driving Safety Fair will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. at Pottsgrove High School. 

The mock car accident is meant to show the potential 

consequences of impaired driving during prom week and other times.
This event, brought to the community through the SNAP Academy and the school PTA, is a replication of the activities that will be shared with high school students during the day to promote safe driving at the prom.

Community members are invited out to learn about the effects of impaired driving through hands on simulations including opportunities to try the Safety Bug! 

The activities are free and members of the Drug and Alcohol Prevention Team will be there to answer questions about Pottsgrove’s promotion of a healthy community.

In cooperation with the Lower Pottsgrove Police Department and the HS SNAP Academy, a mock car accident will be presented to students during the week to show the actual potential consequences of impaired driving. 

This powerful simulation will be yet another reminder to students to make positive and safe choices as they attend the prom and summer festivities.

April Awareness Week also happens to correspond with the Drug Enforcement Agencies National
This week is also the DEA's National Take-Back Initiative
Take Back Initiative for spring. 

-- This program, running on Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.,  encourages citizens to bring in old or unused prescription drugs for safe disposal. For a site near you, please click here.

On Tuesday, April 29, a Community Connection on Drug Use in Montgomery County will be held at 7 p.m. at the Pottsgrove High School. 

This event, presented by Assistant District Attorney Kelly Lloyd and Detective Holtzman from the Montgomery County District Attorney’s office, will discuss current drug usage trends in the area, educate parents on current lingo and drug paraphernalia and offer guidance for parents who are concerned about drug use in the community. 

Parents of students in grades K-5 are encouraged to bring their students for a fun evening of team and self-esteem building activities run by middle school and high school student leaders and staff, so that parents can attend the informational session. 

Community agencies and school staff will be available with resources about drug and alcohol prevention and support for recovery. 

Lower Pottsgrove Police Chief Michael Foltz speaks to the 

media at Pottsgrove High School.
Lower Pottsgrove Police will be in attendance to promote their local prescription drug take back program available 24/7 at the police station.

“We fully support the efforts of the Pottsgrove School District as it works to address drug and alcohol issues," said Lower Pottosgrove Police Chief Michael Foltz 

"We are glad to partner with the district, community agencies, and Risa Ferman of the Montgomery County District Attorney’s office to coordinate education and prevention programs and services for the good of the community at large," Foltz said. 

"The influx of heroin into the local area is of significant concern for us," said Foltz. "Although it is not epidemic at this point, particularly in the schools, we all have to increase our diligence and awareness of this increased threat to community well-being. Working together is key to prevention.” 

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Raising Kane

Singer/songwriter Elisha Kane will perform Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. at ArtFusion 19464 on High
Street.

"Kane's influences span genres and generations. From hometowns to westbound trains, Elisha sings about the American dream, and the promise it both inspires and neglects," according to the promotional material provided by ArtFusion.

Check him out on Facebook and listen to him on Reverbnation.

The event is a fundraiser for the non-profit community art school.

Tickets are $10 (cash only please) and can be purchased in advance at ArtFusion during regular business hours: Tuesday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

If you prefer, tickets can also be purchased online here.

Online tickets are $12.

Refreshments will be available for purchase, and the event is BYOB for those over 21.

The night of the event ArtFusion asks that you arrive 15 minutes before curtain time and park in the large lot behind the building and come in through our back door.

(For detailed directions please call 610-326-2506 or email them at info@artfusion19464.org.)