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Exeter bids “Auf Wiedersehen” to German Students

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A group of German students thank Exeter at the end of their stay by creating a bulletin board at the Senior High school. 
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For a classroom presentation, German students set up a pretend cafe in the senior high where Exeter German I students practiced speaking German by ordering food.
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German students and their Exeter student hosts. 
Right before spring break, Exeter bid a fond "Auf Wiedersehen" to 16 German students and two chaperones who were welcomed by host students and their families to experience school and life here in Exeter. Besides visiting New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. as a group, German students enjoyed some of the simpler enjoyments of American life, such as their first visit to Target and trying new foods and experiences with their Exeter host families--including trips to Amish Country, the Pagoda, Centralia and the King of Prussia Mall. They also were lucky enough to visit during the senior high's production of "Matilda" and the basketball state championship game in Hershey. In exchange, Exeter students loved classroom presentations given by the German students about their school system, political system, and more about their food, culture and history in the classes that they visited during their two-week stay.
 
Along with English teacher Mr. Robert Wickstrom, German teacher Mrs. Carolyn Woodford organized the Germans' stay and said that one of the things that she truly appreciates about the experience, which Exeter has been a part of for more than 30 years, is how it allows Exeter students to take new pride in their school and community. "The best way to experience another culture is to be a part of it. Host families made sure that our guests experienced a wide variety of activities, many of which were school-related and allowed our students to deepen their school pride and see everyday things through a new perspective," she said. "Our students have had the unique opportunity to form friendships that can potentially last a lifetime and lead to more visits in each other's respective countries. This program cannot be taught--it needs to be experienced!"

Jacksonwald Students Step Back in Time

students sit in one-room schoolhouse

Students at Jacksonwald stepped back in time today as they visited Exeter's one-room schoolhouse at the corner of Oley Valley Turnpike and Route 562, located just steps away from where they currently learn and play. The school, which opened to Exeter Township students in 1st through 8th grade in 1870 (closing in 1937), still features wooden desks with spaces for ink wells, pot-belly stoves and other artifacts from the era, all of which modern-day Exeter students ogled over as they discovered just how different school was more than 150 years ago. As principal Matt Hathaway led the discussion, he asked students what they thought was missing from the schoolhouse besides computers and smartboards. "Lights!" responded one third grader. "A bathroom!" responded another, as students throughout the room made grossed-out sounds of disgust.

Although select grades and classes from Jacksonwald have visited the one-room schoolhouse throughout the years, this was the first time in recent memory that all students from the school were given the opportunity to visit and learn more about the history of the school during a single day. Principal Matt Hathaway said that many students never knew what the building was until today, and he doesn't think they'll soon forget the experience of walking into the one-room schoolhouse or envisioning what it was like to learn in the late 1800s and early 1900s. "Hours after they visited, students were still talking about the experience in their classrooms and wondering what it was like to learn as an Exeter student back then," he said. "It was truly a great experience for them and a wonderful way to expose them to our rich history right here in Exeter."

Owatin Creek Places First in Berks K’Nex STEM Challenge

owatin creek team poses with their k'nex design

"The Blue Takis" from Owatin Creek with their solar charging recycling robot

lorane team poses with their k'nex design

"The Lorane Drops" from Lorane with their eco-friendly carwash

jacksonwald team poses with their k'nex design

“The Soaring Eagles” from Jacksonwald with their sustainable greenhouse

Using K'Nex and loads of imagination and intellect, Exeter teams from each of our elementary schools competed in the STEM Design Challenge at the BCIU this week. Placing first in the competition against 44 other elementary schools from across the county was Owatin's team of Nora Hart, Owen Kercher, Avery Manndel and Olive Weis who designed a solar charging recycling robot! Meanwhile, Jacksonwald's team of Abraham Cepeda, Bradyn Gowdy, Katie Nguyen and Anniston Stevens created a sustainable greenhouse, and Lorane's team of Anthony Cocchimiglio, Drew McClain and Shashanth Tummeti designed an eco-friendly carwash. Owatin's first place finish may allow them to compete with other winners across the state in Harrisburg this spring! We're so proud of these Eagles for their teamwork, brain power and problem solving ability! Congratulations to them all!

Reiffton Hosts Career Fair for 6th Grade

Parents, relatives and friends from area businesses shared more about their work to help students in 6th grade learn more about what it's like to work as a hairstylist, engineer, physical therapist or CEO during last week's Career Fair at Reiffton. More than 30 different volunteers from all different careers both in and beyond Berks spoke to students about their daily work, educational journey and offered advice to interested students. As students learned more about each career, they completed a "career passport," giving each occupation a thumbs up or thumbs down as they jotted down notes and thought about what it might be like to have that particular job when they grow up.
 
Our thanks to the many amazing volunteers who gave up part of their workday to share their careers with our 6th graders, and for Reiffton's school counselors, Mrs. Ricci and Ms. Seeberger, for organizing the very popular event, which they hope to continue next year as a new annual tradition at Reiffton!

Science Olympiad to Compete in State Tournament

science olympiad team poses together

Congratulations to our Senior High's Science Olympiad team who qualified for states during the regional tournament yesterday at Kutztown University! During the competition, students, who are advised by Mrs. Amber Bollinger and Mr. William Lasky, test their knowledge in many different areas of science, including earth science, biology, chemistry, physics or engineering by competing in events against other schools, such as building structures, creating design logs and data tables, and completing lab practicals or exams. During yesterday's competition, Gillian Foster and Zak Kauffman placed first in Forestry; Katie Hoover, Hansika Kunduru, and Alex Nerney placed second in Experimental Design; Chase Cupitt and Anthony Tartaglia placed third in Astronomy; Gillian Foster and Audrey Gielrich placed third in Rocks and Minerals; and Ella Lynch and Aubrey Ridge placed first in Cyber Security. Congratulations to all of our members who participate in this extracurricular after-school club, and best wishes to all of them at the state tournament, which will be held in State College in April!

Seniors Earn National African American Recognition Award from the College Board

seniors earn college board award

Seniors Justin Lee and Malayna Spiller received the National African American Recognition Award from the College Board due to their outstanding academic achievements in school and performance on College Board assessments. More than 180,000 students from all 50 states were eligible to apply for the College Board National Recognition Programs, which grant students with academic honors that can be included on college and scholarship applications. These National Recognition Programs grant underrepresented students with academic honors that can be included on college and scholarship applications and connect students with universities across the country, helping them meaningfully connect to colleges and stand out during the admissions process. 

Justin is the son of Rafaela Lopez and Freddy Lee and plans to attend Penn State University to major in electrical engineering. He is a member of the Technology Student Association, Spanish Club and played football and tennis during high school. Malayna is the daughter of Mylissa and Marcus Spiller and also plans to attend Penn State University to major in finance. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish Club, a Mini-THON leader and participated in dance throughout high school.

Students were eligible to apply for this national recognition if they had a GPA of 3.5 or higher, excelled on the PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10 or earned a score of three or higher on two or more AP Exams; and are African American or black, Hispanic American or Latino, indigenous and/or attend school in a rural area or small town. Congratulations to both Justin and Malayna for earning this national award!