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Jacksonwald Elementary

Grades K-4 | 610-779-1820

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Directory

JACKSONWALD ELEMENTARY

100 Church Lane Road | Reading, PA 19606
(610) 779-1820

Click Here For A Searchable Directory
  • Office

    x5103 Matt Hathaway, Principal
    x5101 Dani Merkel, Secretary
    x5102 Marybeth Eckenroth, Attendance Secretary

  • Counselor & Psychologist

    x5210 Kate Atkinson, School Counselor
    x5712 Jodi Landis, Psychologist

  • Nurse

    x5104 Nicole Strauss

  • Technology Support

    x5136 Kristin Kenagy

Note: Faculty phone numbers go to voice mail during school hours

  • Kindergarten

    x5427 Christine Druzba
    x5425 Lori Simmons
    x5426 Ashley Weaver

  • Grade 1

    x5119 Christina Ibanez
    X5121 Becky Krommes
    x5120 Kristine Schmidt

  • Grade 2

    x5124 Val Bloch
    x5123 Cyndi Lorady 
    x5126 Christine Motley

  • Grade 3

    x5219 Jenna Conrow
    x5221 Kaitlyn Lohr
    x5217 Stacia Miller
    x5220 Karlee Perilli

  • Grade 4

    X5226 Melissa Adams
    x5224 Brianna Amanto
    x5227 Elizabeth Caruso
    x5225 Todd Papich 

  • Reading & Intervention Specialists

    x5211 Hillary Arndt, Intervention Specialist
    x5422 Rachel Gierlich, English as a Second Language
    x5212 Nancy Salvatore, Reading Specialist
    x5207 Allison Shuman, Reading/Intervention Specialist

  • Special Education

    x5419 Karyn Algeo, Autistic Support
    x5117 Jennifer Elliott, Learning Support
    x5127 Heather Gromlich, Autistic Support
    x5223 Trisha Maguire, Learning Support
    x5218 Saranne Reisig, Learning Support
    x5423 Robyn Shaffer, Autistic Support
    x5125 Kathleen Walker, Gifted

  • Specials

    x5150 Matt Hadley, Physical Education
    x5417 Heather Hafer, Music
    x5208 Amy Parsons, Art
    x5418 Emily Reppert, Instrumental Music
    x5138 Wendy Wegman, Library

  • Therapist

    x5420 Daria Robinson, Speech Therapist

Home » Community & Learning Experience Sprouts at Elementary Schools

Following weeks of preparation, a small section of Owatin Creek’s stage was transformed into a promising farm yesterday as students carefully transplanted little romaine and leaf lettuce seedlings into an upright, hydroponic “flex farm.” For the next month, students in Mrs. Jill Weaver’s class will visit the flex farm to watch their little seedlings grow into fully-developed heads of lettuce, which will then be harvested and given to the local food pantry. The hydroponics system, which was developed by Fork Farms along with a learning curriculum for students and support for teachers, offers schools the ability to grow up to 394 pounds of produce annually in an upright and portable system that only needs a little bit of space, water and an electrical outlet. Within a month, the farm promises students that they’ll have about 25 pounds of food with minimal maintenance and work following yesterday’s successful transplanting. 

But better yet, says Mrs. Weaver, it provides an incredible learning experience and cooperative opportunity for all of her students to learn a real-life skill. “Our classroom has worked the past few weeks on learning about hydroponics, plants and where our food comes from,” she said. “The students have been involved in the whole process from planting the seeds, watering the seedlings, watching the seedlings grow, to transplanting the seedlings. They are so excited that they should be able to harvest their lettuce by the middle of November.” 

The system was purchased through a grant obtained by the Exeter Community Education Foundation (ECEF), who provided one flex farm each to Owatin Creek, Lorane and Jacksonwald. Following training provided by Fork Farms during a half-day professional development session in September, teachers and their students set forward to germinate their lettuce seeds and grow them into seedlings hearty enough to be transplanted into the flex farm. Once planted, it will just take a month for the seedlings to grow to maturity under timed LED lights and with recycled water that continuously drips over their roots. In addition to lettuce, the system promises best results with plants such as herbs, cucumbers, strawberries, peppers and tomatoes–all of which can be grown out of the way on a small section of the stage at any time of the year. Mrs. Weaver said her class is also excited to try non-edible plants, such as flowers, which they hope to grow next.

When asked by ECEF what new learning opportunities the organization could bring to students, Dr. Christy Haller, Superintendent, said she loved the idea of a project that could provide hands-on learning experiences to students while also benefiting the community. From that, the Flex Farm idea was generated. “We are so grateful that ECEF was able to bring this vision to life to lend a hand to our local food pantry while also providing a fantastic way for students to learn. It’s definitely a win-win for our students as well as the community.”  

Jacksonwald Elementary School

jacksonwald

Address & Contact Info

  • 100 Church Lane Road
    Reading, PA 19606

  • Phone:
    610-779-1820

  • Fax:
    610-779-8844

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Our Schools

Exeter Township Senior High

Exeter Township Junior High

Reiffton School

Jacksonwald Elementary

Lorane Elementary

Owatin Creek Elementary