Superintendent’s Report

February 24, 2025

​

​

Eric J. Becoats, Ed.D.

Agenda

• Student Highlights
• Celebrating Success
• District and Community Announcements

​

Student Highlights

ALDAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

RAPHAEL YEBOAH-TAMATEY

Kindergarten

• Raphael is a STAR student for his outstanding achievement in math.
• He has shown exceptional skill in counting, even learning to count in Spanish and has a genuine love for numbers.
• Raphael excels in geometry and has an ability to think critically which sets him apart as a true role model in our school community.

paste picture below

ARDMORE AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Skylar Petty

4th grade

• Skylar is kind, polite, and respectful toward both her peers and staff.
• She loves to help her classmates while inside and outside of their classroom.
• She demonstrates a caring and helpful attitude, often eager to share her enthusiasm and excitement with others.
• Skylar is a hardworking and dedicated student, who is very motivated to succeed in her academics.
• She applies herself even when the work is difficult. She perseveres through productive struggle and is attentive during whole group instruction.
• Although, she sometimes becomes defeated or frustrated, she never gives up!

Recommendation:Ms. Tamiko Laurie, Learning Support Teacher

BELL AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

​

KASIR STOWERS

3rd Grade

​

• Kasir has been at Bell Avenue since he was in Kindergarten and has been making great strides both academically and behaviorally.
• He was a key performer in the Motown review that took place in February.
• Kasir works very hard at accomplishing new goals and we can’t wait to see what he does in the future!

COLWYN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

​

​

ARIEL GBOWEE

5th Grade

​

​

​

• Ariel s a remarkable student who consistently exemplifies our Cougar PAWS by practicing safe behavior, acting responsibly, working well with classmates, and showing respect for herself and others.
• In small group settings, Ariel is focused, engaged, and considerate of her peers' ideas.
• Although she may be quiet, her presence is invaluable, and her contributions enrich the learning environment demonstrating respect, responsibility, and collaboration daily.

​

paste picture below

EAST LANSDOWNE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

​

​

​

Nora Hmza

2nd Grade

​

• She never gives up and always challenges herself to reach her highest potential. This is evident in her classwork.
• She is very bright and inquisitive. Her thirst for knowledge at such a young age is commendable. She inspires her classmates to be curious as well.
• She is a wonderful sister and takes great pride in her older brothers’ accomplishments. She is also very proud of her Sudanese culture and loves to teach others about it.
• Nora is exceptionally thoughtful. She shows empathy towards her classmates and the staff members at ELES. She is a leader!

​

EVANS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

​

​

​

​

Hayu Roba

5th Grade

​

​

• Hayu is a diligent and dedicated 5th grade worker.
• Hayu sets a good example in citizenship and academics.
• Hayu actively participates in the learning environment.

​

paste picture below

PARK LANE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

​

​

​

​

​

Zakwan Royster

6th grade

​

• Zakwan Royster is an extraordinary student who asks questions, participates in lessons and is motivated to learn.
• Zakwan works collaboratively with his classmates and is an example of good citizenship by following our Park Lane Pledge.
• He has always been academically minded, responsible, polite and a joy to have in class. Zakwan is attentive in class and always does his best. He gets along with his peers and is a good friend to all.
• Zakwan is a member of our safety patrol and Vice President of our Student Council.

WALNUT STREET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

​

​

​

​

​

​

Braelynn Jackson

First Grade

• Braelynn is an amazing and kind first grader. She is always helping others and cheering her classmates on.

​

• Braelynn is a leader in her classroom and is consistently ROARing. She always tries her best and works hard. She is eager to learn and actively participates in the classroom.

​

• Brealynn not only works hard at school, but also runs track after school and on the weekends. She represented Walnut Street Elementary School in the Colgate Women's Games Finals, coming in 6^th place!

​

PENN WOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Kode Colley

7th- Grade

• Kode consistently demonstrates the ability to analyze complex issues and provide thoughtful, nuanced responses, as seen in her insightful commentary on societal beauty standards during class discussions.
• Kode actively seeks to improve her skills, as evidenced by her self-reflection on enhancing her academic writing, showcasing a level of self-awareness uncommon among her peers.
• Kode's Distinguished Honor Roll status reflects her dedication and intellectual capabilities, consistently producing work of the highest quality and going beyond basic requirements to explore topics in greater depth.

​

​

PENN WOOD NINTH GRADE ACADEMY

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Hassan Salley

9th Grade

List three reasons why the student has been selected for recognition

• Academic Excellence: Hassan maintains straight A’s, demonstrating outstanding dedication to his studies and setting a high academic standard for his peers.
• Leadership & Respect: He consistently displays leadership qualities, treating both his teachers and classmates with kindness and respect, making him a positive role model in the school community.
• Personal Growth: Hassan has shown significant growth by becoming more open-minded to adults perspectives, embracing feedback, and using it to further his personal and academic development.

PENN WOOD HIGH - GREEN AVENUE

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Morgan Askew-Green

11th Grade

​

• Morgan is currently taking 6 AP courses and completed two AP courses in the 10th grade. She has received straight A’s all through high school. She is currently ranked in the top ten of the class of 2026.
• Morgan is heavily involved in the theater program including being the lead in this year’s play, The Wiz.
• Morgan has been the class of 2026 board representative for the last three years and represents her classmates very well.

PERSONALIZED LEARNING COMMUNITY

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Darius Stanley

7th Grade

Darius is a valuable asset to our learning community. He consistently demonstrates a strong work ethic and a commitment to academic excellence.

• Peer Mentorship: Darius serves as a dedicated Peer Mentor, readily assisting fellow students whenever the opportunity arises.
• Academic Achievement: He is an exemplary student, consistently achieving Honor Roll status and earning the prestigious "Student of the Month" award multiple times throughout his four years at the PLC.
• Creative Expression: Darius is a talented young artist, showcasing his creativity through his own original music videos on YouTube.

​

Celebrating Success

Two Years of Employee of the Quarter

• The first round of winners were awarded in February 2023.
• Staff and faculty are nominated by their colleagues.
• A panel of judges representing the WPSD community evaluate the submissions
• Winners are celebrated quarterly during the school year and receive a plaque, $50 Amazon gift card, flowers, and balloons.
• There have been 307 nominations and 42 recipients of the Employee of the Quarter awards.

Employee of the Quarter Winners

February 2023

• Lisa Bates, Evans ES
• Kerri Bodnar, Park Lane ES
• Kim Davey, Ninth Grade Academy
• Edward Dunn, Academic Services
• Amanda Marconi, Park Lane ES
• Mickel Mills, PWMS

November 2023

• Randolph Carpenter, Bell Avenue ES
• Darnell Deans, Central Office
• Tamika Simmons, PWHS
• Susan Spaseff, PWHS-GC
• Joanna Sumner, Central Office
• Taylor Williams, Evans ES

​

​

June 2023

• Dawn Boyle, Aldan ES
• Audrey Fields, Park Lane ES
• Judy Jordan, PWMS
• Susan Norton, PWHS-GAC
• Rachel Snyder, Colwyn ES
• Melissa Washburn, Bell Avenue ES

February 2024

• Carmalita Womack, Central Office
• April Jamieson, Ardmore Avenue
• Jennifer Kurko, Bell Avenue ES
• Casey Freiling, Park Lane ES
• John Kea, PLC

October 2024

• Denise Shuler, Walnut ES
• Derrick Johnson, Park Lane ES
• Carol Poplazwski, Park Lane ES
• Tamiko Laurie, Ardmore
• Patricia Pardini, PWHS-GAC
• Kayla Jackson, PWHS-GAC

​

​

​

June 2024

• Brian Sandman, Central Office
• Sequoya Watts, Central Office
• Melissa Mitch, East Lansdowne ES
• Heather Hendry, East Lansdowne ES
• Ashley Grimaldi, 9th Grade Academy
• Karim Jackson, PWMS
• Ryan McShay, PWMS

Employee of the Quarter Winners

Employee of the Quarter Winners �- February 2025

Congratulations to:

• Keith Pretlow - Penn Wood MS
• Dorothy Huhn - PWHS-GAC
• James Corkery - PWHS-GAC
• Patricia Miller - Evans ES
• Afia Lewis - Bell Avenue ES
• Derek Reed - Ardmore Avenue ES

​

What Do You Say? With Dr. Eric J.

Listeners were invited to enter a contest by answering the question: If you had to pick a word or theme for 2025 - either personally or professionally - what would it be and why?

Thank you to everyone who submitted such thoughtful entries, and congratulations to Evan Whitaker and Kate Schleigh for winning!

Special thanks to the owners of Camellia’s Coffee House in Lansdowne for providing $10 gift cards as the prizes!

Tune in to the latest episode, as we celebrate one year!

​

Guests include:

• Dr. Kim Evans-Johnson and sixth-grade teacher, alumna, and parent Afia Lewis from Bell Avenue
• Penn Wood alumnus and social worker Joe Cuff-Wright
• Bell Elementary sixth grader students

Black History Month

Schools around WPSD have been holding a variety of lessons, events, and activities to celebrate Black History Month. This year’s theme was “African Americans and Labor”.

​

Special thanks to…

And the generous people who donate through DonorsChoose.org to help fund classroom projects for public school teachers and students.

​

During the month of February, WPSD staff members had projects totaling more than $10,500 fully funded. Congratulations!

• Angel Carroll - Penn Wood Middle School
• Athanasia Vargiamis - East Lansdowne Elementary (2 projects)
• Dominique Kornafel - Walnut Street Elementary
• Janita Ortega-Perez - Penn Wood Middle School (2 projects)
• Kimberly Gouveia - Penn Wood High School (3 projects)
• Rachael Albert - East Lansdowne Elementary
• Rachel Slaughter - Walnut Street Elementary
• Rebecca Tischler - Penn Wood High School
• Rochelle Karyou - Ardmore Avenue Elementary
• Samantha Biello - Penn Wood Middle School
• Sarah Rowan - Ardmore Avenue Elementary
• Stephanie Christiansen - Walnut Street Elementary
• Tamiko Laurie - Ardmore Avenue Elementary

District and Community Announcements

Immigration Resolution

• The Resolution was added to the Board Resolutions page on the district website.
• An article was added to the News and Announcements section of the website.
• Information was sent to families and staff through ParentSquare.
• Information was sent to staff via district email.
• The communications department gave the resolution to each principal to hang in the main office of each school building on February 20, 2025. It was also posted in the administration building entryway.
• The Immigration Resolution is being translated into the top languages spoken by students at home and will be linked on the district website on the Board Resolutions page.
• The principals will share the Resolution with their students and make them aware that school counselors are available to discuss its contents.
• All after-school providers and other vendors and service providers who contract with the District shall be notified of this Resolution by March 6, 2025.

In follow up to the passing of the Immigration Resolution at the February 6, 2025 policy committee meeting, the following steps have been taken: