Dock senior Tony Murray high-fives Dock receptionist Elaine Gehman.
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1000 Forty Foot Road • Lansdale, PA 19446-4398 215.362.2675 • www.dockhs.org
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January 2013, Volume 45, No. 6
Principal’s Corner
What features more than 400 videos and has over 10,000 video views? The Christopher Dock Channel on YouTube! There are more than 20 playlists, from Arts Day to Chapel to Freshman Orientation. Subscribe today and you can be notified when new videos are posted!
A new perspective Welcome to 2013! Over the Christmas and New Year holidays, we gathered with family and friends. We noticed significant changes in children and adults we hadn’t seen for a year or more. This season offered a new perspective of life and our place in a broader community. Each calendar year offers an opportunity to view our life’s journey with a new perspective. We consider the past and notice things done well and improvements needed. January 1 offers a setting in which to begin the year with a new energy and zeal. We appreciate the opportunity to “start over.”
DockCalendar JANUARY 6-8 7-11 10-12 14-15 15 17 17 18 21 22 24-26 25 26 30
This morning in chapel, several 2012 Dock graduates shared their experiences since leaving our school. It was inspiring to hear their stories of Dock’s impact, and their ability to navigate new educational settings. They encouraged our students to appreciate and embrace this community, and to open themselves to friendships obstructed by our own barriers and walls. They reflected on their own opportunity to start again in a new setting, using what they learned at Dock in this season of growth. In education, we break a school year into small sections. Marking periods provide a grading structure. Textbooks are broken into chapters so the information isn’t overwhelming. Quizzes, projects and tests signal the ending of one content area and the beginning of a new concept. Information already mastered becomes the building blocks for new concepts.
Social Issues trip Senior Kingdom Living Experience District Orchestra Senior Retreat Board of Trustees, 2:30 p.m. Hoagie Sale International Spring Festival Kickoff, 6 pm Faculty In-Service, no school Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, no school Prayer with the Principal, 7:00-7:30 am District Band Student Visitation Day DockBots Robotics Tournament, 9 am - 4 pm Report cards issued
FEBRUARY
4 15 18 19 21-23 24-26 28-1
These moments of starting over provide a new perspective. They encourage us to evaluate and review, but also to begin anew. There is something refreshing about this opportunity for students. As a parent, join us in encouraging our students to seize the moments before them. Remind your children of their strengths and worth. Let’s work together to make this a year of significant growth for your child.
Student Visitation Day, Invite a friend! Arts Day (public program at 7 pm) Presidents’ Day, no school Board of Trustees, 2:30 pm Regional Orchestra Social Issues trip MSC Instrumental Festival @ Dock
MARCH
4 4 5-13 11
Joint In-Service - PVCS & QCS, no school Spring sports practices begin Alumni Phonathon Parent-Teacher Fellowship
—Dr. Conrad Swartzentruber, Principal
Our Mission Statement: “Christopher Dock Mennonite High School, in partnership with the family and the church, seeks to develop the God-given abilities of students in preparation for responsible stewardship of life as members of God’s people in a global society.” 1
Classroom Corner
In Family Living, students are into budgeting, family finances, and insurance. “How do you spend your money?” was the question I posed. Students responded with “gas, food, phones, and charity.” Next topic: saving.
Mrs. Anderson Mrs. Anderson’s Geometry classes (including l to r below, Azaria Reinoso and Victoria Ragusa) explored the reflection and rotation symmetry of snowflakes before Christmas break, making our own white Christmas!
Mrs. Rauch Mrs. Rauch’s freshmen English students are busily working on edits of their I-Search papers. They’re also racing to sum up their experiences with independent novels before this semester ends. Mrs. Rauch’s British Lit Honors students are in Dickens Country, exploring London and Life through Pip’s eyes. Great Expectations is cited by cultural critic Kurt Andersen as the first of his “five most essential books” to be read. And why not? It’s a story of redemptive love and of learning what will truly make us ‘happy.’ American Lit students are working hard at following the story of the tragic hero Uncle Tom in Stowe’s novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Along the way, they are learning to discern differing reasons Americans professed for either supporting or working against the institution of slavery. Along with this novel (the first American book to sell one million copies), they are finishing up independent novels of their own choosing.
Dr. Bishop Dr. Bishop’s period five seniors in Modern and Contemporary Thought will discover what happens when the question “Why?” is prohibited, as they read the dystopian novel Brave New World. The seniors in period eight will learn more about the role of narrative in shaping and explaining our Discourse as they read Hunger of Memory: The Education of Richard Rodriguez, and the seniors in period four will get a sense of the futility of the existentialist’s approach to life as they are Waiting for Godot.
Mr. Wallerich Welcome to the beginning of 2013! We are now beginning our Genetics section of Biology. The activity period students are about ready to start up the hydroponics garden—a vertical unit that will be located in the window of the Biology room. The horizontal unit built last year is now filled with plants under grow lights.
Dr. Bishop’s two sections of freshman English will explore the power of literacy and the cost of illiteracy as they read and discuss the dystopic novel, Fahrenheit 451. They will also continue to practice the various English Language Arts tasks included in the verbal section of the Scholastic Aptitude Test.
The animal fund has been replenished by an anonymous donation from a student. An envelope appeared in the box with a very generous amount of money—thank you to our anonymous donor, whoever you are! The animals will now have food, heaters and whatever things they may need in the next few months.
Mrs. Grega Freshmen English Study Skills students are completing Elie Wiesel’s Night and will be writing creative poetry to articulate their feelings about the victims of the Holocaust. Many students are reading the second independent novel of the quarter by Neal Shusterman, a young adult fiction novelist who also writes screenplays and has been affiliated with television programs aimed at teenagers.
Have you visited DockuNet lately? The student voice of Christopher Dock invites you to read what our students have been writing. Posted now is a poignant story by Lindsey Laverty about losing her sister Emilee.
Sophomores are into the Romanticism era of literature exploring the works of Washington Irving and Nathaniel Hawthorne.
Access DockuNet by clicking here.
Juniors are focusing on writing SAT essay prompts and reading the book, A Thousand Splendid Suns, by the same author who wrote The Kite Runner. Comprehension and discussion skills are being practiced as we proceed through the book.
Senior Class Retreat The Senior Class Retreat will take place January 1415, 2013 at Bird-in-Hand Family Inn & Restaurant, in Lancaster County, PA. An envelope stamped "Senior Retreat Information" was mailed to the parents/ guardians of seniors during Christmas break. The envelope contains the retreat itinerary and guidelines/ expectations. The Senior Class Retreat is one component of the Senior Kingdom Living Experience, and all seniors are expected to attend and participate.
Mrs. Lambright Culinary Arts and Culinary Arts II students are making healthy soups after the break. Yum!! Students in Fabrics and Fashions and Fabrics and Fashions II are sewing all sorts of simple projects, from stuffed animals, to t-shirts, to pillows, to skirts. It is neat to see our students expressing their creativity through fabric arts.
—Dr. Bishop, Senior Class Retreat Coordinator 2
Advancement Update Sound forth I’m grateful for the many persons who are contributing to a new sound system in the Clemens Center auditorium. At the Christmas concert I announced that we were raising money for a new sound system and hearing-assisted devices. With the concert offering of $2,859, over $49,000 has been pledged or received toward the $52,400 needed. Over the Christmas break Bergey's Electric and Zeo Systems worked to install the wiring and sound system. We anticipate that the system will be in place and training completed by Arts Day in February. If you can contribute something to help with the remaining $3,000 needed for hearing-assisted devices, please send your gift to the Advancement Office.
International Spring Festival Kick-off Dock is hosting the International Spring Festival Kick-off again this year on January 17. This event is a great opportunity for us to collaborate with the Lansdale community in promoting the annual International Festival. Dock students will assist and the choir will participate in the entertainment. If you haven't attended the International Festival in the past, add April 20 to your calendar. The Festival itself will be held at North Penn High School on April 20, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Susan Gingerich, Director of Advancement
Dock Robotics hosts Vex tournament on January 26 Nine students from the Dock Robotics team attended the 5th annual Penn State-Abington Scrimmage and spent the day getting their robots ready for the Sack Attack games. The team’s first competition of the season will be our own DockBots tournament on January 26 (see below, right). Come out and see the action! Top right: Robotics team members (l to r) Erika Benner, Abigail Anderson and Melissa Class work on one of the bots prior to the Penn State-Abington scrimmage. Below: Making some adjustments to a bot are (l to r) Johnathan Capps, Issac Moyer and Joseph Thompson. Bottom: Pengcheng Su (left) works on a bot, while Young Yoo Kim (right) attends to the programming.
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Guidance Office
Prepare early by taking college prep classes Study/test-taking strategies Manage time effectively Make use of technology (diction pens/software, screen readers, etc.) Be creative (If a student struggles with taking a foreign language, perhaps sign language could work.) Take charge and advocate for self Be prepared; know what to ask for Research college options Have documentation updated Focus on the positive Consider extra help (this may be included in the college tuition or it may be an added cost) www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/2010
Last Hoagie Sales of the Year All students are required to sell hoagie coupons or pay class dues of $50. These monies go towards paying for class socials, junior-senior banquets, class trips, senate activities, etc. The last three sale dates are January 3, 10, and 17. Juniors discuss career choices, PSATs PSATs were distributed and explained by Mr. Kabakjian. Students were invited to meet with Mr. Kabakjian for a more detailed discussion on individual PSAT results and to discuss college and career choices. Please review these results with your student and encourage them to rework questions they missed. They were given an answer sheet and test booklet to keep and review.
Any junior in learning support who has not been to the guidance office to request the paperwork for SAT accommodations, please do so as soon as possible. The process with the College Board can take as long as eight to 12 weeks. Current educational testing is a requirement for this accommodation request to be approved.
AP Testing Any student wishing to take an AP exam who isn’t currently in an AP class, should see Mr. Kabakjian in the Guidance Office for more information. Quick Start from College Board My College QuickStart is an easy-to-use, online, personalized college and career planning kit available free of charge to all students who take the PSAT/NMSQT. The information and answers your child provided when they took the test are incorporated into this useful tool, and it presents their data back to them in four main parts:
Parents: Got Questions? PTF (Parent-Teacher Fellowship) parents invite you to email questions or comments on any aspect of school/ student life. They are happy to hear your thoughts and answer your questions. Therol Dix theroldix@gmail.com Jeff & Donna Wilkins hjwilkins@comcast.net
My Online Score Report – an enhanced report that allows student to review each question, the student‘s answer, and the correct answer with explanations. My SAT Study Plan – a customized SAT study plan based on student PSAT/NMSQT test performance, highlighting skills for review and practice. My College Matches – a starter list of colleges based on the student‘s state and choice of major. My Major and Career Matches – major and career matches that are compatible with the student‘s general interests and personality type.
The next Parent-Teacher Fellowship evening will be held on Monday, March 11, 2013.
Save the date! FREE FAFSA WEBCAST Just in time for the start of the FAFSA "season," Bluffton College offers a FREE live webcast on financial aid, including FAFSA preparation, on Tuesday, January 8 at 7 p.m. This session will not focus on Bluffton-specific financial aid, but is designed to be educational in nature to assist students and families in learning about the financial aid process. This is a great opportunity to learn some tips for maximizing your financial aid.
Access is available using the access code printed on the student‘s PSAT paper score report, and the tool can be utilized throughout high school. Using My College QuickStart together with your child is a great way to introduce and guide your child through important aspects of the college-going process. Visit www.collegeboard.com/ quickstart. If you have any questions concerning this test, please contact Mr. Kabakjian or Mrs. Hunsberger. FAFSA Parents of seniors, it is time to start the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form. You can find the information at www.fafsa.gov
Sponsor of the Month Dock Fitness Center Newsline’s Sponsor of the Month is Dock Fitness Center. There’s no better place to make those New Year’s resolutions come true than Dock Fitness. Work out with state-of-theart equipment in a friendly, supportive environment.
Funding Higher Education Beyond High School – www.studentaid.ed.gov/guide. This website gives comprehensive details about federal student aid programs. Students with a disability There are eight steps for a child with disabilities to use to prepare for college. Along with diligence, creativity, and resilience, students should: 4
CHRISTMAS on CAMPUS Students in Mr. Derstine’s Chorale class brought some Christmas cheer to
campus with a caroling tour on the day before Christmas break. Singers included (l to r) Anika Thomas, Susie Moore, Emily Derstine, Kylie Shore, Avery Geistdorfer, Emily Rittenhouse, Ella Barlick, Maddison Landis, Maddie Landes, and Mr. Derstine. All dressed up for the Christmas break were (l to r) Bryanna Russo, Maddie Hunsberger, and Aaron Brunner. Santa and his elves were in the house, including (l to r) Edwin Kim, Jordan Derstine, Sara Madaus, and Mattea Ruth. Some of the ladies who work in the kitchen received the royal treatment from Director of Technology Darwin Zehr during the annual staff Christmas breakfast. Enjoying all that pampering are (l to r) Joy Gross, Jane Seaman (‘76) and Deb Derstein.
Dock students recognized for service, Senator for a Day program
Left: Pennsylvania State Sen. Robert Mensch welcomed Dock seniors Jessica Chesloski (left) and Dominique Rampogu to Harrisburg recently for his “Senator for a Day” program, which seeks to educate high school juniors and seniors about the legislative process. Right: The Indian Valley Chamber of Commerce has recognized Dock junior Morgan Benjamin with its Student Community Service Award. The award was created to recognize students for their outstanding contributions to society through significant community service. Benjamin received the award for her volunteer work at The Shepherd’s Shelf, a food pantry operated by Christ Lutheran Church in Kulpsville. 5
2013 Lunch Menu Week 1 Monday Chicken Parmesan Sandwich with choice of Garden Salad, Pasta Salad, Broccoli, and Fruit Tuesday Beef Enchilada with choice of Garden Salad, Brown Rice Pilaf, Green Peas, and Fruit Wednesday Hot Roast Turkey in gravy w/ Bread Stuffing with choice of Garden Salad, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, and Fruit Thursday Popcorn Chicken Bites with choice of Garden Salad, Sweet Potato Fries, Seasoned Corn, Dinner Roll, and Fruit Friday Pancakes w/ Sausage and Hot Apples Garden Salad, Carrot Sticks, and Fruit
Week 4 Monday Meatball Sandwich with Choice of Garden Salad, Carrots, Peas, Baked Chips, and Fruit Tuesday Chicken Enchilada with choice of Garden Salad, Seasoned Brown Rice, Black Bean salad, and Fruit Wednesday Pasta Day topped with Meat Sauce or Cheese Sauce with choice of Garden Salad, Carrots, Garlic Roll, and Fruit Thursday Chicken Patty with choice of Garden Salad, Potato Salad, Broccoli, and Fruit Friday Beef Stir-fry w/ Seasoned Rice with choice of Garden Salad, Fruit, and Green beans
Week 2 Monday Pork Roll and Cheese Sandwich with choice of Garden Salad, Baked Fries, Black Bean Salad, and Fruit Tuesday Baked Potato Bar topped with Broccoli, Chili, Cheese, or Bacon with Choice of Garden Salad, Green Beans, and Fruit Wednesday Egg and Cheese Bake w/ Sausage, and potatoes with Choice of Garden Salad, Home Fries with Peppers and Onions, Carrots, and Fruit Thursday Chicken Pot Pie with choice of Garden Salad, Broccoli, and Fruit Friday Sloppy Joe Sandwich with Choice of Garden Salad, Baked Tater Tots, Tomato Basil Salad, and Fruit
Week 5 Monday Chicken Caesar Salad with Choice of Garden Salad, Carrots and Pepper Sticks, Peas, Dinner Roll and Fruit Tuesday Open Face Hot Roast Beef Platter with Choice of Garden Salad, Green Beans, Mashed Potatoes, and Fruit Wednesday Turkey Club Sandwich with choice of Garden Salad, Baked Chips, Carrots, and Fruit Thursday Cheese Steak Sandwich with choice of Garden salad, Baked Fries, Green Beans, and Fruit Friday Beef Taco Salad with choice of Garden Salad, Seasoned Corn, and Fruit
Week 3 Monday Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Tomato Soup with choice of Garden Salad, Peas, and Fruit Tuesday Italian Hoagie with Choice of Garden Salad, Carrots, Baked Chips, and Fruit Wednesday Cheese Burger with choice of Garden Salad, Baked Beans, Sweet Potato Fries, and Fruit Thursday BBQ Chicken Platter with choice of Garden Salad, Dinner Roll, Mashed Potatoes, Carrots, and Fruit Friday Pizza Slice with Choice of Garden Salad, Corn, and Fruit
A’ la carte Selections Served daily a variety of Deli Sandwiches or Hot Entree, Salad Bar, Soup, Peanut Butter and Jelly, Bagel, and Dessert Selections Also included with lunch a milk or juice selection WE ARE NOT A NUT-FREE KITCHEN
Giant shoppers can earn donations for Dock Christopher Dock has the opportunity to earn cash through Giant A+ School Rewards Program. If you have a Giant BONUSCARD, log on to www.giantfoodstores.com/aplus to designate Christopher Dock (#04107), or email your Giant BONUSCARD 11-digit number and your last name to advancementoffice@dockhs.org and we’ll register you. After you’re registered, each shopping trip at Giant using your BONUSCARD earns cash for Dock. Each month, the amount awarded will be updated on the Giant website. You can track the amount of points you earn for our school by checking your grocery receipt. Dock will receive a check at the end of the school year and the money will be used for our school’s technology needs. Even if you registered your card last year, you must re-register this year for our school to receive credit. Attending to this simple process makes a difference to Dock students. Please be sure to register your card to benefit Christopher Dock Mennonite High School using ID# 04107. Your friends and relatives can do the same. 6