Owatin Creek

Exeter’s New Supervisor of Transportation Earns National Recognition

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It's National School Bus Safety week, and we're so very proud to announce that Exeter's Kaisha McCulley was recently selected as one of ten "Rising Stars" by School Transportation News, a nationwide trade magazine for school bus drivers and professionals. Ms. McCulley, who was named Exeter's Supervisor of Transportation during last night's board meeting, has been a bus driver for the district for 8 years. Last year, she became the district's permanent route substitute, which meant she had memorized every route in the district without using a GPS, and could substitute for any bus driver–a monumental task, said Ms. McCulley’s supervisor, Benjamin Bernhart, Director of Transportation. Last year, she also earned accreditation as a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation CDL school bus instructor trainer, allowing her to manage the district's training program for new and existing bus drivers.

“We’re so proud that Kaisha earned this distinction,” said Mr. Bernhart. “She is an incredibly dedicated bus driver and bus professional who is committed to safety and always learning more to enable Exeter to have the best school bus drivers. We are so very lucky to have her, and congratulate her for receiving this national recognition.”

Homecoming Parade & Bonfire Brings Fairytales to Life

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Featuring dozens of fairytale-themed floats with students dressed as princesses, dragons, witches and more, Exeter's 2022 Homecoming Parade and Bonfire delighted hundreds of community members who came out to enjoy the display of police vehicles, firetrucks and floats. Following the conclusion of the parade, the fire department lit a huge bonfire as a DJ and Exeter's band played and people enjoyed snacks from local food trucks. Many thanks to all of the students and parents who spent hours bringing their favorite fairytales to life, and Exeter police and firefighters for taking part in the parade and bonfire! It was a happily ever after for all!

Homecoming 2022 Parade, Bonfire & Football Game Info

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We're excited to see you at this year's Homecoming 2022 events!

Homecoming Parade & Bonfire: Thursday, October 6th at 6PM

The parade route begins at the Senior High's parking lot, turns right onto Woodland Ave, turns left onto East 36th St, left onto Reiff Place, left onto East 40th Street and right onto Dunham Drive to finish at Reiffton School.

The bonfire will immediate follow the conclusion of the parade with a DJ and food trucks available for those in attendance to enjoy.

Homecoming Football Game & Homecoming Court Presentation: Friday, October 7th at 7PM

The Homecoming game kicks off at 7PM on Friday when Exeter takes on Muhlenberg in Don Thomas Stadium. Current Eagles, families and our alumni are encouraged to come out for the game, our marching band field show and to see the presentation of our Homecoming Court at halftime.

For more details on Homecoming 2022, please see our website HERE.

Dawn Harris Appointed as Assistant Superintendent

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dawn harris sworn in by judge johnson

Dawn Harris, who has served as Exeter's Director of Pupil Services since the spring of 2020, was named as the district's new Assistant Superintendent of Student Services during the Exeter Township Board of School Directors' meeting on Monday, September 19, 2022. In this role, Harris will retain all of her current duties, but will acquire more responsibilities and staff supervision, as well as serve as the acting superintendent if Superintendent Haller is unavailable. The district has been without an Assistant Superintendent since Dr. Patrick Winters left Exeter in the spring of 2021. Dr. Haller mentioned to the Board during their earlier meeting in September that she sought to fill the position so that the District had a clear chain of command in her absence, as well as to help with daily operations.

Harris has been an educator since 1997, most recently working as the Director of Pupil Services for the Schuylkill Valley School District before coming to Exeter. Throughout her 25 year career, she's managed or led instruction for students in special education at schools in Berks and Chester County. Currently, as Exeter's Director of Pupil Services, she manages staff and programming for special education and gifted education, as well as health, safety, school counseling and enrollment services.

She has two grown children and lives in Berks County with her husband, Todd, who works in law enforcement, and her three dogs.

Harris (right) was sworn in as Assistant Superintendent on Thursday by the Honorable Theresa Johnson.

Eric Seidel Announced as District’s Safety & Security Coordinator

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This evening, the Exeter Township Board of School Directors approved the hire of Eric Seidel as the district’s School Safety and Security Coordinator. In this administrative role, which is a newly-created, year-round and a full-time position, Seidel will oversee safety and security planning and will lead trainings for district employees. Seidel is a former captain in the Berks County Sheriff’s Department and was responsible for courtroom and judicial safety and security at the courthouse in Berks County, and more recently, for the safety and security of guests at the eight county parks and extensive trail system in Berks as the county’s Chief Park Ranger. In that role, Seidel implemented and managed an emergency response and reunification plan through physical and technological advances to help emergency responders locate visitors in distress, as well as managed the safety and security of all county park events. 

Exeter Superintendent Dr. Christy Haller was pleased to introduce Seidel during the meeting and said, “As you know, this was a very important position for us to fill with just the right person, and we were fortunate that we had a number of great candidates who applied for the position. However, after an extensive interview and presentation process in front of a panel composed of administrators and board members, Eric proved that he brought the right blend of law enforcement education and experience, as well as the implementation and administration of security and safety planning experience that we were looking for in a candidate. We are looking forward to working with Eric.”

Seidel is a lifelong Berks County resident who lives in Spring Township with his wife, who is a social worker, and two school-aged daughters. He will begin work in mid-October.

Exeter Inducts Three Into Athletic Hall of Fame

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Left to right: Michael Troutman, Kyle Yocum and Michal Menet

The Exeter Township School District will induct three athletes into their 2022 Athletic Hall of Fame tonight in a ceremony to be held in the Exeter Township Senior High’s cafeteria, followed by a presentation of the athletes in Don Thomas Stadium during halftime of the Exeter vs. West York football game. The athletes who will be inducted are: Michal Menet, a 2016 graduate; Michael Troutman, a 2002 graduate; and Kyle Yocum, a 2013 graduate. 

Menet was a four-year starter and letterman and captain of the team in 2014 and 2015. He was named to the All-Academic Team all four years. He was named Berks County All-League in 2013, 2014, and 2015. He was the Berks County Offense and Defensive Lineman of the Year in both 2014 and 2015 and was named Berks County Most Valuable Player in 2015. In 2013, 2014 and 2015, he was All State First Team Defense, Second Team Offense. He was named an Under Armour All American in 2016. He also played basketball, and was a three-year letterman. In 2013 and 2014, he was All-Conference Basketball. He went on to Penn State University where he was a three-year starter, two-time Team Captain and received All Big Ten honors in 2019 and 2020. In 2019 and 2020 he was the Dick Maginnis award winner for PSU Outstanding Offensive Lineman and was named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List for Outstanding Center. He was invited to the 2021 Senior Bowl. In 2021, he was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the 7th round with the 247th pick. He signed with the Green Bay Packers in December 2021 and is currently a free agent.

Troutman excelled in both football and wrestling. In his senior year, he had 1,026 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. At the time, he held a single game rushing record of 224 yards and five touchdowns against Twin Valley. He had over 2,000 career all purpose yards and 25 total touchdowns. He was named to the All Berks 1C 1st Team as a running back in 2001. On the mat, he had a career 50 pins, with a 94-30 record. He was the 2002 Sectional Champion. He was selected in both 2000 and 2001 to the All Berks Section 1 1st Team. He went on to wrestle at Ursinus, where he had a 136-19 record and 61 career pins. He was a four-time Centennial Conference Champion, being only one of six to do it and a four-time NCAA Qualifier. He was a two-time NCAA All American, finishing 8th place in the country in 2005 and 5th place in the country in 2006. In 2006, he was named an NCAA Academic All American.

Yocum played football, baseball, basketball, and competed in track and field. He was the first freshman to start at quarterback in school history and earned the title of Exeter’s all-time leading passer with 43 starts, 3,815 yards, and 38 touchdowns in his career. He ranks in the top 20 all-time in Berks County in passing. He also rushed for 1,955 yards and 27 touchdowns for his career. He earned the Outstanding Junior Award in 2011, All-League honors in 2012 and was a four-time academic selection. He led his team to two District playoff appearances. He went on to play at Delaware as a fullback where he was selected as a Captain for the 2017 season. He played in 40 career games, recording three catches for 22 yards, four kick-off returns for 60 yards and five tackles.