DCTS BLAST. Message from the Administrative Director, Dr. Peggy Grimm

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1 September 2014 Edition DCTS BLAST Dauphin County Technical School, 6001 Locust Lane, Harrisburg, PA Phone: (717) ; Fax: (717) Message from the Administrative Director, Dr. Peggy Grimm Greetings once again! It is hard to believe that yet another school year has commenced and fall has officially arrived. It was a busy summer at DCTS with needed upgrades to our facility which included a new elevator, completion of the modular classrooms, technology improvements, air conditioning for the gymnasium, and upgrades to our HVAC system. In addition, our facility underwent its usual summer cleaning and was sparkling and shining for our opening day on August 25. As you will discover in this edition of the Blast, we have many new employees who have joined our DCTS family. Interviews were held during the spring, summer, and the administration continues to fill the position for Diesel Technology instructor and the Principal s Secretary. Individual Highlights: New Staff 2-4 A+ School Rewards 5 Internet Essentials 5 Child Find 5 DCTS School Play 5 Important Dates 6 Wellness Tip 6 Our new career and technical program, Medical Assistant is up and running with 20+ students enrolled. As the ninth graders complete their program rotations this quarter and make program selections, our numbers will increase. Dauphin County Technical School is committed to offering programs that prepare graduates for life sustaining wages while meeting the demand of our regional workforce. The Central Pennsylvania area is rich with medical facilities and hospitals, which provides employment for our graduates. The DCTS Planning for the Future Committee met monthly last school year and has agreed to continue our committee work. As a result of last year s committee work, we are moving forward with a Dental Assisting/Assistant program. This process begins with the formation of an Occupational Advisory Committee (OAC) who will meet in October. Each Program of Study at Dauphin County Technical School has an OAC, which is comprised of professionals who advise on facility, equipment, and curriculum. With the addition of Dental Assisting, DCTS will move toward a Health Sciences Academy to begin in August Due to the space needed and renovations for the Medical Assistant program, DCTS purchased a modular classroom, which houses our Alternative Education program and the second classroom is being used for health instruction. Our students from the building construction trades programs did a considerable amount of the renovations in addition to our instructors. This was a great project which offered our students real world work and was done with a great deal of pride as it is now officially part of our DCTS campus. In closing, I would like to invite you to our Open House on November 6, from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM. This evening gives parents, students, and the community an opportunity to experience firsthand the amazing facility, program offerings, and our committed professional staff. We hope to see you there!

2 DCTS BLAST SEPTEMBER 2014 EDITION Page 2 of 6 DCTS New Assignments Assistant Principal Clinton Heath Mr. Heath is a graduate of Penn State University with a Bachelor s Degree in Psychology. Clint received his Master s Degree in Secondary School Counseling from Kutztown University. Mr. Heath obtained his Principal Certification from Edinboro University. Clint has been with DCTS for seven years as a Guidance Counselor. Mr. Heath s dedication to student achievement has eased the transition to Assistant Principal. Long Term Child Care Provider/Assistant Substitute Sherita Jackson Ms. Jackson is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor s Degree in African American Family Studies. Sherita received her Master s Degree in Education from Eastern University. Ms. Jackson has been with DCTS for two years as the Alternative Education Para Educator. Sherita s commitment to education has been a valuable asset to the Child Care Provider/Assistant program. Medical Assistant Instructor Brenda Scheidler Mrs. Scheidler is a graduate of the University of St. Francis with a Bachelor s Degree in Health Arts. Brenda received her Registered Nurse License from Lancaster General School of Nursing. Mrs. Scheidler has been with DCTS for five years as a Medical Occupations Technology Instructor. Brenda s enthusiasm and passion has kicked off our new career and technical program, Medical Assistant. DCTS Welcomes New Staff Please help DCTS in giving a warm welcome to 13 new staff members. We look forward to working with each of them. Learning Support Science Teacher Glenda Bixler Ms. Bixler is a graduate of Penn State University with a Bachelor s Degree in Humanities. Glenda received her Special Education Teaching Certificate from Saint Joseph s University. Ms. Bixler previously taught at the Central Dauphin School District and Derry Township School District.

3 Page 3 of 6 DCTS BLAST SEPTEMBER 2014 EDITION HVAC Instructor Ty Christman Mr. Christman is a graduate of the United Association Instructor Training Program at Washtenaw Community College and the UA Local 520 Plumbers & Pipefitters 5-Year Apprenticeship Program. Ty previously taught at the Local 520 Plumbers & Pipefitters and worked for McClure Company. Culinary Arts Instructor Claire Dacko Mrs. Dacko is a graduate of Paul Smith s College with a Bachelor s Degree in Culinary Arts & Service Management. Claire previously worked as a Sous Chef for Messiah College and Ansill Food & Wine. Guidance Counselor Brian Deal DCTS Welcomes New Staff Continued Mr. Deal is a graduate of Shippensburg University with a Bachelor s Degree in Criminal Justice. Brian received his Master s Degree in Counselor Education from McDaniel College. Mr. Deal previously worked at the Adams County Department of Probation Services. Learning Support Social Studies Teacher Augusto (Manny) Delerme Mr. Delerme is a graduate of Penn State University with a Bachelor s Degree in Special Education. Manny received his Master s Degree in Guidance from West Chester University. Mr. Delerme previously taught at the Norristown Area School District. Learning Support English Teacher Colleen Gerber Ms. Gerber is a graduate of Kutztown University with a Bachelor s Degree in Communications. Colleen is currently pursuing a Master s Degree in Special Education from Shippensburg University. Ms. Gerber previously worked at the Cumberland Perry Area Vocational Technical School as an instructional assistant. Long Term Health/Physical Education Substitute Katie Herman Ms. Herman is a graduate of Taylor University with a Bachelor s Degree in Health and Physical Education. Katie previously taught at Anson Middle School in North Carolina.

4 DCTS BLAST SEPTEMBER 2014 EDITION Page 4 of 6 DCTS Welcomes New Staff Continued Retail Marketing & Sales Instructor Mark Platts Mr. Platts is a graduate of Shippensburg University with a Bachelor s Degree in Business Management. Mark received his Master s Degree in Integrating Technology from Walden University. Mr. Platts previously taught at Hanover High School. Business Education/Computer Applications Teacher Stephen Kosman Mr. Kosman is a graduate of Penn State University with a Bachelor s Degree in Secondary Education. Stephen previously worked at the West Shore School District. Autistic Support Teacher Joanna McKalips Ms. McKalips is a graduate of Messiah College with a Bachelor s Degree in Human Development & Family Science. Joanna received her Master s Degree in Special Education from Liberty University. Ms. McKalips previously taught at the Mifflin County School District. Medical Occupations Technology Instructor Raechelle Sanford Mrs. Sanford is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor s Degree in Nursing. Raechelle received her School Nurse Certification from Slippery Rock University. Mrs. Sanford previously worked at Pinnacle Hospital and the Harrisburg School District. Mathematics Teacher Meaghan Tansey Ms. Tansey is a graduate of Messiah College with a Bachelor s Degree in Mathematics. Meaghan student taught at the Central Dauphin School District and worked at Messiah College as a research assistant. Social Studies Teacher Thomas Wilson Mr. Wilson is a graduate of St. Lawrence University with a Bachelor s Degree in Economics and a Master s Degree in Education. Mr. Wilson previously taught at Derry Township School District, Middletown Area School District, and Towson High School.

5 Page 5 of 6 DCTS BLAST SEPTEMBER 2014 EDITION A+ School Rewards GIANT Starting October 5, 2014 through March 21, 2015, Dauphin County Technical School will have the opportunity to earn cash through GIANT A+ School Rewards Program. Please consider registering your GIANT BONUSCARD by logging on to and select CUSTOMER REGISTRATION. Dauphin County Technical School s ID number is The School utilizes these funds for school wide projects such as the patio outside of the Cafeteria. Internet Essentials from Comcast With affordable home Internet from Comcast, your family can search for jobs, pay bills online, complete homework assignments and stay connected to family and the outside world. You may qualify for Internet Essentials if your child is eligible to participate in the National School Lunch Program. To learn more or apply, visit InternetEssentials.com or call Child Find Public Notice DCTS is required to identify students who may have disabilities. The required Public Notice for Child Find for DCTS is currently available online. Visit and select "About Us" to view the special education page and public notice. If you have difficulty accessing this or have questions, please contact Jan Zeager, Supervisor of Special Education, at (717) ext or jzeager@dcts.org. Over the River and Through the Woods Join DCTS in November as our students perform Over the River and Through the Woods in the Auditorium. Show times will be as follows: Friday, November 14 th 7:00 pm Saturday, November 15 th 2:00 pm Saturday, November 15 th 7:00 pm Sunday, November 16 th 2:00 pm Tickets will be on Sale in October.

6 DCTS BLAST SEPTEMBER 2014 EDITION Page 6 of 6 Important Dates Columbus Day Holiday (No School) October 13 Student Tours (11th & 12th Graders Only) October 24 Open House November 6 from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm Financial Aid Night November 13 at 7:00 pm Parent Conferences November 20 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm 6001 Locust Lane Harrisburg, PA PHONE: (717) In-Service Day (No Students) November 26 Thanksgiving Holiday (No School) November 27 through December 1 Winter Holiday (No School) December 23 through January 2 Parental/Guardian Information Night (Drug Awareness) January 13 at 7:00 pm Martin Luther King Day Holiday/In-Service Day (No Students) January 19 Holiday (No School) February 13 Famous Americans Day Holiday (No School) February 16 In-Service Day (No Students) March 6 Parent Conferences March 6 from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm Parental/Guardian Information Night (New Driver Laws) March 17 at 7:00 pm Spring Holiday (No School) April 1 through April 6 We re on the Web! See us at: In-Service Day (No Students) April 7 Parental/Guardian Information Night (PA Keystone Exams/Project Based Assessments & Summer School Information) May 12 at 7:00 pm In-Service Day (No Students) May 22 Memorial Day Holiday (No School) May 25 Last Student Day June 8 Graduation June 8 WELLNESS TIP from BENECON: OUT THERE! There is a great saying. Sometimes you find yourself in the middle of nowhere and sometimes in the middle of no where you find yourself. We live in a world where we may find ourselves always plugged in. We have this need for instant gratification. We cram news and events into 140 characters and may be forced to form immediate opinions without taking the time to reflect or be thoughtful about our responses. The headlines are filled with apologies because people spoke or responded too quickly. Take time to unplug, get outdoors and find yourself in the middle of nowhere!