Enjoy these wonderful examples of how our students, staff and community make us proud to be members of the Penn-Delco School District. Cultivated from teachers, coaches, administrators and residents, here are a handful of examples of what has made us proud these past months as we left winter behind.

Northley Middle School Principal Mr. Joel Alutius was shocked to discover that a fire alarm and evacuation was actually an opportunity for his students, teachers and fellow administrators to offer him best wishes for a wonderful retirement. Mr. Alutius has been with Penn-Delco nearly 15 years and will retire at the end of the school year. Congratulations and thank you Mr. Alutius for your commitment to your students and Penn-Delco.

We are grateful to our school nurses like Ginamarie Capuano at Sun Valley whose invaluable service to our staff and students has been crucial to keeping our community healthy and safe. During National School Nurse Week, we recognize all of the nurses in Penn-Delco for their every day care and their extraordinary efforts during a global pandemic.

First grade teacher Katie Cardwell was nominated and selected as one of ten All-Star Teachers by the Philadelphia Phillies and xfinity. It was a reading celebration at Pennell on May 12 with a special visit from the one and only Phillies Phanatic! Ms. Cardwell's students from room 107 were invited to share in a special photo with the green mascot, while all of Pennell Elementary joined in the fun!

Parkside Elementary students in Mrs. Mongada's classes discover the excitement of changing ecosystems. Critical thinking and collaboration is stressed in these wonderful projects for our future scientists.

Sun Valley teacher Mrs. Caputo captured the teamwork in her algebra class last month. A collaborative effort in learning strengthens teamwork and communication.

The Northley Middle School Career Cafe welcomed Miss Pennsylvania Volunteer Caroline Jones who answered questions about goals, education and giving back. Ms. Jones is a children's book author and VP and Financial Advisor who will compete for the honor of Miss America Volunteer, a nationwide, service-oriented scholarship program that seeks to empower young women across the country through educational scholarships and extraordinary opportunities. Ms. Jones competed just this week in the inaugural pageant for Miss Volunteer America!

Sun Valley raised nearly $4,000 in support of their Unified Sports Program that brings abled and disabled students together to compete on teams including Bocce and Track. Sun Valley is a Special Olympics Unified Champion School -- one of only xx in the state. The fundraising was compliments of the annual event that includes getting doused by rain showers produced by the Aston Township fire company. Sun Valley students, administrators and faculty enjoyed to spray before moving onto their pre-spring break pep rally.

Additional fundraising was compliments of the pie in the face campaign that also benefitted Unified sports. Mr. Pry shares a moment with a band student who also enjoyed a whipped cream pie smash during the April pep rally at Sun Valley!

The Aston Rockets are now officially the Aston Alligators! The logo and mascot were unveiled last month and our excited Aston Alligators are ready to show the world what makes the Alligators GREAT. Alligators are symbols of status, adaptability, and survival. They grow through their lifetimes and are ancient and resilient (they've been around for 84 million years). Alligators are adaptable, intelligent, and are important to their ecosystems. Congratulations Aston for their great new mascot!

Members of the Parkside Elementary Environmental Club collaborate on an Earth Day Garden with 5th grade teacher Josh Labik. Students learn to work together and create together while enjoying milder weather.

Mrs. Kravitz works with Pennell students exploring space. Her unique program included space rocks borrowed from NASA and projects that incorporated math, science, and organizational skills. Learn more as we visit with Mrs. Kravitz in this special video.

The Sun Valley Chess Club, sponsored by Mr. Baron, brings likeminded students together to test their skill and share their love of chess. A great way to compete and employ critical thinking skills.

Aston Elementary students honor Earth Day with a new outdoor garden at the front of the school. Students worked together in teams to spruce up their community and share some time together to create something beautiful and worthy of pride.

Coebourn Elementary students celebrated spirit week with themed days including wear your rain gear day! No one was going to rain on their last week of fun before spring break.

English teacher and freshman class sponsor Malik Nelson battled bravely in the musical chair competition at the pre-spring break pep rally last month. Alas, he was finally beaten by one lone student who outlasted the group of teachers and students who fought for seats and points for their classes.

Ms. Ashley Marano was recognized by the Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU) on May 12 with the Making A Difference Award which honors adults who have demonstrated extraordinary efforts through their exceptional work to promote acceptance and understanding ensuring the inclusion of all children of all abilities. Ashley is a paraprofessional in the Autistic Support Classroom at Pennell Elementary.

Reading Specialist Michele Raucci joins Pennell Elementary Students in recognizing Autism Awareness Month by blowing bubbles in the school yard. Bubbles are symbols of joy, hope, and laughter-- all of which bring people together. Bubbles, however, have a greater significance for children with autism. They are used in an array of activities focused on skill development such as social and communication techniques.

Twenty-five students representing all six Penn-Delco Schools converged on Linvilla Orchards on April 29 to pot more than 500 Lavender plants for our staff in recognition of Teacher Appreciation Week. Since Administrative Assistant, Nursing and Teaching recognitions are observed within days of each other, Penn-Delco chooses to recognize all of our staff who impact our students every day. Congratulations to our students who took such care in potting the gifts and a big thank you to our entire staff for your meaningful work every day. Watch this short video that features our students preparing the gifts for staff.

Pennell Elementary Physical Education teacher Mr. Wayne Lutteroty was recognized as Teacher of the Year by Southeastern PA SHAPE (Society of Health and Physical Educators) last week! What an amazing recognition!

April and May are months of gratitude for all of our employees who make a difference. Ms. Armour and Ms. Malkoun in the Coebourn Elementary Office are simply the best and show their pride on Administrative Professionals' Day.

‌ ‌ ‌ ‌