At last Wednesdays school board meeting, members of the Morrisville PTO made a donation to the 4th and 5th grade classes. These items were donated because when the 4th and 5th grades were moved up to the IS/HS there was no outside play equipment for the children to use at recess. Thanks to last years fundraising efforts the children now have outside play equipment to use at recess. This was not the PTO's responsibility, but with planning and forsight they were able to make this donation. This is the type of parent/community involvement that Morrisville needs. Great job ladies.
The board majority missed yet another opportunity. If they had planned and used some forward thinking they could have made the transition for the kids a more positive experience. Instead they shuffled the kids like cattle with no planning for the childrens needs. Yet another example of how "stay on track" has let the children down. Again this is a fact that the "stay on track" candidates cannot dispute.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Observations take 2
We had an opportunity to see the replay of the school board meeting last night on the television. The biggest takeaway that we got out of it was the fact that Brenda Worob comes of as very aloof, and not prepared for these meetings at all. She was fumbling for her papers, she had the wrong months agenda for the meeting, and to top it all off she had a major meltdown when her opponent Damon Miller was speaking during public session. She interrupted him after everyone in the audience, and the board were asked by Bill Farrell to let people speak with out interrupting each other. Brenda Worob was the only one who did not get it. A YouTube moment of this would be helpful if anyone has the ability. We were shocked at her child like behavior. For those of you that were at the meeting, was it worse in person, or are we making something out of nothing?
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Infamous Marlys Mihok e-mail to her "King"
It's time to fully understand the mindset of the SOT team. Although the following is old news it may be new to some of you. The following e-mail is from Stay on Track mouthpiece and current school board member Marlys Mihok to school board president Bill Hellmann. Enjoy!
Thanks to the Save the Morrisville School Blog for the image and inspiration.
Thanks to the Save the Morrisville School Blog for the image and inspiration.
From: dxxxxxxxaol.comSent: Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:27 AM
To: Heater, Gloria
Subject: Re: zoning issues
Dear King,
I have tried to comprehend Gloria's e-mails to you about the homeless kids and the school boards responsibility to them. Just to let you know I will never, never, ever be responsible for any child because I am a school board member.Never had kids of my own and I certainly don't want anyone else's kids. If I have to take kids home and feed and cloth them, tuck them in and send them to school I'm afraid I'll need a pass. Never realized I was responsible to the extent that Gloria is saying. I just volunteered to be a school board member, not a mother. WHERE DOES SHE COME UP WITH STUFF? I hope she takes her medication before tonights meeting.
10 words or less...why stay on track is BAD for Morrisville
We'll go first. In 10 words or less why is the "stay on track" ticket of Buckman, Stout, Worob, and Dewilde bad for Morrisville. Feel free to include the other stay on trackers of Burger, Author Worob, Todd Sanford(who??). Here is a couple of statements, and all of them are FACTS that the SOT team cannot dispute.
Try to keep each point to 10 words or under. It's harder than you think. When you get talking about this caliber of folks the words and facts add up really quick.
1.Unwillingness to listen and respond to parents concerns.
2.Jack Buckman owes thousands in overdue municipal bills
3. Ron Stout....really???
4. Brenda Worob is an lobbying for a merger of some kind.
5. Cronyism, back room deals, unprofessional
6. Ron Stout..really?...are you serious??
Can't wait to hear all of your thoughts.
Try to keep each point to 10 words or under. It's harder than you think. When you get talking about this caliber of folks the words and facts add up really quick.
1.Unwillingness to listen and respond to parents concerns.
2.Jack Buckman owes thousands in overdue municipal bills
3. Ron Stout....really???
4. Brenda Worob is an lobbying for a merger of some kind.
5. Cronyism, back room deals, unprofessional
6. Ron Stout..really?...are you serious??
Can't wait to hear all of your thoughts.
Longer school days coming??
from philly.com
On eve of Phila. visit, education secretary urges longer school day
U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan wants Philadelphia's schoolchildren - and those around the country - to have longer school days and shorter summer breaks.
"Six hours a day just doesn't cut it," said Duncan, who comes to town today to tour two schools and meet with local education officials. "Our school calendar's based on a 19th-century agrarian economy. I'm sure there weren't too many kids in Philadelphia working in their parents' fields this summer."
The message is in keeping with one given this year by President Obama, who told reporters that in order to remain competitive, U.S. children should spend more time in school.
"We're desperately short on time," Duncan said yesterday. "Children in India and China are going to school much more than our students are."
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, the Rev. Al Sharpton, and Duncan will visit one of the four Mastery Charter School campuses and McDaniel Elementary, a public school, on their first stop of a multi-city tour. Sharpton and Gingrich - strange bedfellows from opposite sides of the political spectrum - agreed to the tour after a White House visit this spring, where Obama suggested the three together could draw attention to the need for wholesale change in American schools.
Though all three agree that American education must be remade, in interviews the trio already showed that they sharply disagreed on some points.
Gingrich said "Philadelphia has some very bad public schools - traditional schools, I call them, bureaucratic schools. And it has some very good charter schools."
Duncan's take on the city's public schools?
"You have great leadership there, a great superintendent, folks that are willing to change the status quo," said Duncan.
Philadelphia schools chief Arlene Ackerman, he said, "is one of the best superintendents in the country. She's got a laserlike focus on closing the gap and raising the bar." Though she's only been on the job a little over a year, Duncan said, he likes her ideas for reform and her willingness to shake things up.
In academics, Philadelphia schools have made much progress and have much further to go, Duncan added.
Of the state of public education in Philadelphia and elsewhere, Sharpton said: "It's like there's a crack in the Liberty Bell. There's a crack in education." Sharpton called education the civil right of the 21st century.
In Philadelphia, for instance, about half of all students cannot read or do math on grade level. The dropout rate hovers around 50 percent as well.
Equal funding, strong teachers at all schools, and parent participation are the keys to turning the system around, Sharpton said. He also called for more accountability for teachers and administrators.
The civil-rights activist said he believed that meant merit pay for teachers, giving higher salaries to those who help students improve their test scores. It's a message most teachers' unions - including Philadelphia's, where the issue is on the table in the current contract negotiations - reject.
"I'm pro-union, I'm not for union-busting, but even unions know that they're going to have to adjust," said Sharpton. "We cannot just sit by and allow education to continue the way it's been going."
Unlike public schools - where a typical school day is about seven hours, with time subtracted for lunch - charter schools have the freedom to have longer school days, as Duncan has called for.
At Mastery, for instance, the instructional day is eight hours long, and students are required to spend even more time in class or go to school on Saturdays if they're behind on work.
Gingrich, who champions a national expansion of charters, wants stronger charter laws in all 50 states. He dismissed the notion that charter schools need tighter controls, even as federal authorities conduct investigations into possible financial mismanagement at at least six Philadelphia-area charters. There are 67 charter schools in Philadelphia.
"There are an amazing number of bureaucratic systems that have had even deeper problems of misuse of money, failure to educate students," said Gingrich. "That's . . . a waste of taxpayer money, but much more tragically, a waste of the students' lives."
Still, he said, charters must be transparent, and the charter selection process must be thorough.
"This is not 'write a check to every entrepreneur who shows up,' " said the former House speaker.
Duncan said he supported Ackerman's plan to shut up to 35 failing public schools in the next five years and re-open them as charters or schools run by outside managers or other individuals.
He presided over a similar initiative in Chicago, where he was schools chief until this year. Critics here say they don't want to give away public schools.
"What we have to give up on is academic failure," Duncan said. "What you have are dropout factories - you have places that for the overwhelming majority of students are simply not doing them justice. To perpetuate something that has chronically underperformed, how can we be wedded to that?"
Look at Mastery Charter-Shoemaker campus, a former public school that was successfully transformed into a charter school, Duncan said. Its scores have risen dramatically since the transformation - between 2006 and 2009, the percentage of eighth graders who passed state reading tests jumped by about 40 percent, to over 80 percent proficient; and in math, the percentage was up by more than 50 percent, to about 85 percent passing.
"Nobody can say anymore these kids can't learn. It puts the lie, the myth, the stereotype that poor children and minority children can't learn to rest. Students from very tough backgrounds are performing extra-well at Mastery."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact staff writer Kristen Graham at 215-854-5146 or kgraham@phillynews.com.
On eve of Phila. visit, education secretary urges longer school day
U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan wants Philadelphia's schoolchildren - and those around the country - to have longer school days and shorter summer breaks.
"Six hours a day just doesn't cut it," said Duncan, who comes to town today to tour two schools and meet with local education officials. "Our school calendar's based on a 19th-century agrarian economy. I'm sure there weren't too many kids in Philadelphia working in their parents' fields this summer."
The message is in keeping with one given this year by President Obama, who told reporters that in order to remain competitive, U.S. children should spend more time in school.
"We're desperately short on time," Duncan said yesterday. "Children in India and China are going to school much more than our students are."
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, the Rev. Al Sharpton, and Duncan will visit one of the four Mastery Charter School campuses and McDaniel Elementary, a public school, on their first stop of a multi-city tour. Sharpton and Gingrich - strange bedfellows from opposite sides of the political spectrum - agreed to the tour after a White House visit this spring, where Obama suggested the three together could draw attention to the need for wholesale change in American schools.
Though all three agree that American education must be remade, in interviews the trio already showed that they sharply disagreed on some points.
Gingrich said "Philadelphia has some very bad public schools - traditional schools, I call them, bureaucratic schools. And it has some very good charter schools."
Duncan's take on the city's public schools?
"You have great leadership there, a great superintendent, folks that are willing to change the status quo," said Duncan.
Philadelphia schools chief Arlene Ackerman, he said, "is one of the best superintendents in the country. She's got a laserlike focus on closing the gap and raising the bar." Though she's only been on the job a little over a year, Duncan said, he likes her ideas for reform and her willingness to shake things up.
In academics, Philadelphia schools have made much progress and have much further to go, Duncan added.
Of the state of public education in Philadelphia and elsewhere, Sharpton said: "It's like there's a crack in the Liberty Bell. There's a crack in education." Sharpton called education the civil right of the 21st century.
In Philadelphia, for instance, about half of all students cannot read or do math on grade level. The dropout rate hovers around 50 percent as well.
Equal funding, strong teachers at all schools, and parent participation are the keys to turning the system around, Sharpton said. He also called for more accountability for teachers and administrators.
The civil-rights activist said he believed that meant merit pay for teachers, giving higher salaries to those who help students improve their test scores. It's a message most teachers' unions - including Philadelphia's, where the issue is on the table in the current contract negotiations - reject.
"I'm pro-union, I'm not for union-busting, but even unions know that they're going to have to adjust," said Sharpton. "We cannot just sit by and allow education to continue the way it's been going."
Unlike public schools - where a typical school day is about seven hours, with time subtracted for lunch - charter schools have the freedom to have longer school days, as Duncan has called for.
At Mastery, for instance, the instructional day is eight hours long, and students are required to spend even more time in class or go to school on Saturdays if they're behind on work.
Gingrich, who champions a national expansion of charters, wants stronger charter laws in all 50 states. He dismissed the notion that charter schools need tighter controls, even as federal authorities conduct investigations into possible financial mismanagement at at least six Philadelphia-area charters. There are 67 charter schools in Philadelphia.
"There are an amazing number of bureaucratic systems that have had even deeper problems of misuse of money, failure to educate students," said Gingrich. "That's . . . a waste of taxpayer money, but much more tragically, a waste of the students' lives."
Still, he said, charters must be transparent, and the charter selection process must be thorough.
"This is not 'write a check to every entrepreneur who shows up,' " said the former House speaker.
Duncan said he supported Ackerman's plan to shut up to 35 failing public schools in the next five years and re-open them as charters or schools run by outside managers or other individuals.
He presided over a similar initiative in Chicago, where he was schools chief until this year. Critics here say they don't want to give away public schools.
"What we have to give up on is academic failure," Duncan said. "What you have are dropout factories - you have places that for the overwhelming majority of students are simply not doing them justice. To perpetuate something that has chronically underperformed, how can we be wedded to that?"
Look at Mastery Charter-Shoemaker campus, a former public school that was successfully transformed into a charter school, Duncan said. Its scores have risen dramatically since the transformation - between 2006 and 2009, the percentage of eighth graders who passed state reading tests jumped by about 40 percent, to over 80 percent proficient; and in math, the percentage was up by more than 50 percent, to about 85 percent passing.
"Nobody can say anymore these kids can't learn. It puts the lie, the myth, the stereotype that poor children and minority children can't learn to rest. Students from very tough backgrounds are performing extra-well at Mastery."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact staff writer Kristen Graham at 215-854-5146 or kgraham@phillynews.com.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
5,000 hits
In just a few short months since this blogs humble beginnings, with your help we are getting the truth out there more and more each day. Just yesterday we hit the 5,000 hit mark. Thank you for your committment to Morrisville, and spreading the truth about what is really happening in our town.
Potpourri for the week of 9/27-10/3
Once again it has been a very interesting week to say the least. The stay on trackers continue to spew their lies, and as the facts continue to come out about their intentions for the school district, one thing is crystal clear...THEY CANNOT BE TRUSTED. They cannot be trusted to tell the truth regarding their plans for the district. They cannot be trusted to protect the well being and safety of the children. They cannot be trusted to spend your tax dollars wisely. Their actions are negatively affecting ALL of Morrisville. They have negatively affected and will continue to affect Seniors too. If there is one thing Senior citizens can't stand, it's being lied to. Attention Morrisville seniors...your have been and are being lied to. Next time you see Bill Hellmann and Marlys Mihok out there stumping for their cronys on the stay on track team they will tell you how great Brenda, Jack, Ron and John D are. What they won't tell you is that Brenda does not want a school district in Morrisville , Jack Buckman is WAY LATE and thousands of dollars BEHIND on his water and sewer bills, Ron Stout is in no way shape or form ready for the school board, and John Dewilde, well sorry John but you got mixed up with the wrong crowd. They will bully you and scare you in to voting for their slate. Don't be intimidated by them. They do not have your best interests in their cold hearts. They want to dismantle the school district!! Morrisville needs to get back on track, NOT STAY ON TRACK.
VOTE NOV 3 for BECK,MILLER,JENKINS,STONEBURNER
VOTE NOV 3 for BECK,MILLER,JENKINS,STONEBURNER
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Stay on track= stay on stuck
The following comments were posted on this blog recently, but they are both worthy of their own post. The upcoming election is critical to the future of Morrisville and it's school district. When the ghosts of Morrisville's past begin to speak, we need to listen. They built this town and we need to respect their hard work,their determination and make it better. We realize we may be preaching to the choir here, but for any new visitors if you haven't made up your mind yet, perhaps the following two statements will help you decide. With your help we as a community can resurrect our town and make a our school district and our community a symbol of PRIDE, RESPECT, and TRADITION once again. It is our hope that other media outlets as well as the BCCT stay on top of this story.
The following two comments appeared as comments in a recent BCCT article.
http://blogs.phillyburbs.com/news/bcct/mr-reiter-could-be-sold-for-open-space-funds/
Ghost of Bob Morris Says:
September 25th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
It’s official - the same people who a few short years ago were crowing about a “land grab” there (with little or no basis in reality) are now moving ahead with a “land grab” there.
It’s a big waste of Bucks County Open Space funds to buy a property that the School District (i.e. the citizens of Morrisville) already owns to turn it into an extension of the adjacent Summerseat historic house. Check out who’s on the School Board (and the Solicitor, and the new $25k/yr Communications Director), the Summerseat Board, and Borough Council and tell me there’s nothing fishy going on there.
Barring a total reversal of course in the future, this will essentially make sure the school property will NEVER generate tax ratables in a town starving for tax ratables (80-some% of school taxes are from residential property taxes).
Funny thing is, the same people who groused about a “land grab” who are now implementing a land grab are also constantly complaining about property taxes, and corruption.
And the same folks that gave back nearly all of the $30 or so million in bond money for a new school (supplied by what they called “wealthy bond investors”), and who claim to watch every penny of spending in town, now have no problem sloppy dipping into the pot of Bucks County Open Space bond money (I guess not supplied by “wealthy bond investors” this time because it’s their brainchild) to achieve their pet project dream.
Courier Times, other news media, and citizens of Morrisville and Bucks County - please stay on this story.
Ghost of Morrisville Past Says:
September 26th, 2009 at 11:04 am
This election will be pivotal for Morrisville. We heard rumors about the things the Stop the School people (now the Stay on Track people) would do. They denied they were even under consideration. Once elected, they did just that. They stopped the school, closed Reiter, and packed the town’s children into two schools. Everything they accused the “other side” of doing, like stifling the public, shady-back room meetings, and sweetheart land deals, they are just as guilty of doing themselves. Even more so because they campaigned against it. Back from where I come from, that’s considered dishonest.
If you want to Stay on Track, here’s what you can expect:1) Further reductions in business rateables except for nail salons, tobacco shops, and adult entertainment. The Stay on Track mayoral candidate endorses gentlemen’s clubs. Do you? Welcome to Morrisville, the Pennsylvania capital of sin stores.2) Complete dismantling of the Morrisville school system. The students WILL be sold to the lowest bidder. Summerseat-Reiter Park, Grandview Estates II, and new development at the former high school and A-field are the future. The schools, the thing that makes a town a community, sold away and lost forever. Is this what you want?3) More sweetheart deals for the power elite who want Morrisville to remain stuck in the 1950’s. Don’t want to pay your taxes or municipal bills? Just look up a friend on the municipal authority and your problems all go away. You pay your bills. Why shouldn’t they?
Stop the cronyism and corruption. Stay on Track means Stay on Stuck.
The following two comments appeared as comments in a recent BCCT article.
http://blogs.phillyburbs.com/news/bcct/mr-reiter-could-be-sold-for-open-space-funds/
Ghost of Bob Morris Says:
September 25th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
It’s official - the same people who a few short years ago were crowing about a “land grab” there (with little or no basis in reality) are now moving ahead with a “land grab” there.
It’s a big waste of Bucks County Open Space funds to buy a property that the School District (i.e. the citizens of Morrisville) already owns to turn it into an extension of the adjacent Summerseat historic house. Check out who’s on the School Board (and the Solicitor, and the new $25k/yr Communications Director), the Summerseat Board, and Borough Council and tell me there’s nothing fishy going on there.
Barring a total reversal of course in the future, this will essentially make sure the school property will NEVER generate tax ratables in a town starving for tax ratables (80-some% of school taxes are from residential property taxes).
Funny thing is, the same people who groused about a “land grab” who are now implementing a land grab are also constantly complaining about property taxes, and corruption.
And the same folks that gave back nearly all of the $30 or so million in bond money for a new school (supplied by what they called “wealthy bond investors”), and who claim to watch every penny of spending in town, now have no problem sloppy dipping into the pot of Bucks County Open Space bond money (I guess not supplied by “wealthy bond investors” this time because it’s their brainchild) to achieve their pet project dream.
Courier Times, other news media, and citizens of Morrisville and Bucks County - please stay on this story.
Ghost of Morrisville Past Says:
September 26th, 2009 at 11:04 am
This election will be pivotal for Morrisville. We heard rumors about the things the Stop the School people (now the Stay on Track people) would do. They denied they were even under consideration. Once elected, they did just that. They stopped the school, closed Reiter, and packed the town’s children into two schools. Everything they accused the “other side” of doing, like stifling the public, shady-back room meetings, and sweetheart land deals, they are just as guilty of doing themselves. Even more so because they campaigned against it. Back from where I come from, that’s considered dishonest.
If you want to Stay on Track, here’s what you can expect:1) Further reductions in business rateables except for nail salons, tobacco shops, and adult entertainment. The Stay on Track mayoral candidate endorses gentlemen’s clubs. Do you? Welcome to Morrisville, the Pennsylvania capital of sin stores.2) Complete dismantling of the Morrisville school system. The students WILL be sold to the lowest bidder. Summerseat-Reiter Park, Grandview Estates II, and new development at the former high school and A-field are the future. The schools, the thing that makes a town a community, sold away and lost forever. Is this what you want?3) More sweetheart deals for the power elite who want Morrisville to remain stuck in the 1950’s. Don’t want to pay your taxes or municipal bills? Just look up a friend on the municipal authority and your problems all go away. You pay your bills. Why shouldn’t they?
Stop the cronyism and corruption. Stay on Track means Stay on Stuck.
Morrisville comes up just short in shootout with Lower Moreland
Great effort guys, your effort and determination to not give up is an inspiration to all of us!! Go get 'em next week!
Morrisville comes up just short in shootout with Lower Moreland
By: KAREN SANGILLO
Bucks County Courier Times
The Bulldogs lost, but demonstrated how improved they are.
MORRISVILLE - The Morrisville football team proved one thing on Friday night.
The Dawgs are for real.
Going into the game sporting a 3-0 record, the team faced its first true test of the season in defending Bicentennial Athletic League champion Lower Moreland.
Morrisville was handed its first loss of the year, 33-26, at Robert Morris Field.
Last year, Morrisville fell to the Lions by a 33-6 score en route to a 2-9 season.
"This is the toughest we've ever played Lower Moreland," Morrisville coach Jim Gober said. "It shows how far we've come over the last year.
"We're pleased with the effort but disappointed with the result."
After spotting Lower Moreland (2-2) a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, Morrisville got on the board when Matt Cookson hit Julian Walker with a 21-yard touchdown pass to make it 14-7.
The Lions went up, 20-7, in the second quarter, but Morrisville came back again with Mike Jones catching a 26-yard pass from Cookson to make it 20-13 at the half.
Morrisville recovered a Lower Moreland fumble on the first play from scrimmage in the second half. The Bulldogs capitalized when Ruben Bresnen caught a 32-yard toss from Cookson, and Brandon Douglass made the extra point to tie the game, 20-20, 29 seconds into the half.
It was as close as the Bulldogs would get.
Lower Moreland scored a touchdown just 12 seconds later on an 82-yard run by John Founds and, just like that, the Lions had the lead again.
Bresnen contributed another touchdown for Morrisville on a 2-yard run in the third quarter, but the extra point attempt was blocked, so the score was 27-26 Lower Moreland.
Lower Moreland found the end zone again in the fourth quarter to seal the win.
"We made too many mistakes," Gober said. "We made some bad decisions and, all week, we thought the key would be for us to stop the run, and we didn't do that effectively enough.
"I told the kids all week that this was a statement game; we'd find out how good or not good we are right here. I think we proved something."
Lower Moreland quarterback Frank Gleason did not complete a pass, going 0-for-3 for the game, but the Lions rushed for 396 yards.
Cookson completed 12 of 27 for 182 yards and threw three interceptions.
"This was disappointing, because I think we should have won," Cookson said. "We made a lot of mistakes.
"But if we fight like we did in this game and we have everyone healthy, we should be good; I honestly think this should be our only loss of the year.
"We definitely weren't hot-headed about being 3-0, because we knew Lower Moreland is good. We knew they were going to run the ball, and sometimes we stopped them, but other times they got big runs and that really hurt us.
Advertisement "We beat ourselves. We just have to work harder in practice next week than we did this week."
Bresnen led Morrisville with 96 yards rushing. He had just one rushing touchdown, but set up Morrisville's first touchdown of the day with three consecutive carries for 25 yards and two key first downs.
"I'm getting more opportunities and I feel that I'm taking advantage of the opportunities I'm getting," said Bresnen, a senior. "I feel that I'm doing a lot more this year and our team is doing a lot more. I'm so proud of the effort we're putting into this season.
"This was our toughest opponent so far this year, and we had them on the ropes a couple of times. It was the simple mistakes that hurt us, but I think we learned from those mistakes and we'll move forward.
"Last year, it took us seven games to get our first win and now we have three. We know we didn't beat the toughest of competition, but, in this game, we hung with a good team."
Next week, the Bulldogs play host to first-year program New Hope-Solebury, which is still seeking its first win (0-4).
"That's an opportunity for us to get our heads back into the game and get a win," Bresnen said.
Karen Sangillo can be reached at karensangillo@verizon.net
Morrisville comes up just short in shootout with Lower Moreland
By: KAREN SANGILLO
Bucks County Courier Times
The Bulldogs lost, but demonstrated how improved they are.
MORRISVILLE - The Morrisville football team proved one thing on Friday night.
The Dawgs are for real.
Going into the game sporting a 3-0 record, the team faced its first true test of the season in defending Bicentennial Athletic League champion Lower Moreland.
Morrisville was handed its first loss of the year, 33-26, at Robert Morris Field.
Last year, Morrisville fell to the Lions by a 33-6 score en route to a 2-9 season.
"This is the toughest we've ever played Lower Moreland," Morrisville coach Jim Gober said. "It shows how far we've come over the last year.
"We're pleased with the effort but disappointed with the result."
After spotting Lower Moreland (2-2) a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, Morrisville got on the board when Matt Cookson hit Julian Walker with a 21-yard touchdown pass to make it 14-7.
The Lions went up, 20-7, in the second quarter, but Morrisville came back again with Mike Jones catching a 26-yard pass from Cookson to make it 20-13 at the half.
Morrisville recovered a Lower Moreland fumble on the first play from scrimmage in the second half. The Bulldogs capitalized when Ruben Bresnen caught a 32-yard toss from Cookson, and Brandon Douglass made the extra point to tie the game, 20-20, 29 seconds into the half.
It was as close as the Bulldogs would get.
Lower Moreland scored a touchdown just 12 seconds later on an 82-yard run by John Founds and, just like that, the Lions had the lead again.
Bresnen contributed another touchdown for Morrisville on a 2-yard run in the third quarter, but the extra point attempt was blocked, so the score was 27-26 Lower Moreland.
Lower Moreland found the end zone again in the fourth quarter to seal the win.
"We made too many mistakes," Gober said. "We made some bad decisions and, all week, we thought the key would be for us to stop the run, and we didn't do that effectively enough.
"I told the kids all week that this was a statement game; we'd find out how good or not good we are right here. I think we proved something."
Lower Moreland quarterback Frank Gleason did not complete a pass, going 0-for-3 for the game, but the Lions rushed for 396 yards.
Cookson completed 12 of 27 for 182 yards and threw three interceptions.
"This was disappointing, because I think we should have won," Cookson said. "We made a lot of mistakes.
"But if we fight like we did in this game and we have everyone healthy, we should be good; I honestly think this should be our only loss of the year.
"We definitely weren't hot-headed about being 3-0, because we knew Lower Moreland is good. We knew they were going to run the ball, and sometimes we stopped them, but other times they got big runs and that really hurt us.
Advertisement "We beat ourselves. We just have to work harder in practice next week than we did this week."
Bresnen led Morrisville with 96 yards rushing. He had just one rushing touchdown, but set up Morrisville's first touchdown of the day with three consecutive carries for 25 yards and two key first downs.
"I'm getting more opportunities and I feel that I'm taking advantage of the opportunities I'm getting," said Bresnen, a senior. "I feel that I'm doing a lot more this year and our team is doing a lot more. I'm so proud of the effort we're putting into this season.
"This was our toughest opponent so far this year, and we had them on the ropes a couple of times. It was the simple mistakes that hurt us, but I think we learned from those mistakes and we'll move forward.
"Last year, it took us seven games to get our first win and now we have three. We know we didn't beat the toughest of competition, but, in this game, we hung with a good team."
Next week, the Bulldogs play host to first-year program New Hope-Solebury, which is still seeking its first win (0-4).
"That's an opportunity for us to get our heads back into the game and get a win," Bresnen said.
Karen Sangillo can be reached at karensangillo@verizon.net
Friday, September 25, 2009
M.R. Reiter could be sold for open space funds
We found this little article this morning about M.R. Reiter. It appeared in yesterdays edition of now.com section of the BCCT. This is a really bad idea and just reeks of possible corruption. We(the taxpayers) already own the property and building, so lets sell it to the county, where it will be open space forever and never generate the much needed tax dollars this community desperatly needs. All so Sharon Hughes and Marly's Mihok can have their Summerseat Park? If this goes through the "old guard" of Morrisville will have failed the people of Morrisville once again. Vote all "stay on track" candidates out on Nov 3. They are not here to serve you, their intentions are to serve themselves and their friends.
M.R. Reiter could be sold for open space funds
Posted in News on Thursday, September 24th, 2009 at 4:18 pm by Courier Times reporter Manasee Wagh
The Morrisville School Board has expressed interest in selling the currently closed M.R. Reiter Elementary School.
It could be sold for a share of open space preservation funds and turned into an extension of the adjacent Summerseat historic house, said some board members at their Wednesday meeting.
The board directed Superintendent Elizabeth Yonson to send a letter of interest to the director of Parks and Recreation, though board members Gloria Heater, Joseph Kemp and Robin Reithmeyer voted against the idea.
The school has been closed since a furnace explosion in December 2008, and students have been rearranged between the district’s other two schools. In January, the board held a public hearing about what to do with Reiter, which also needs extensive renovations, but has only recently brought an option to the public’s attention.
M.R. Reiter could be sold for open space funds
Posted in News on Thursday, September 24th, 2009 at 4:18 pm by Courier Times reporter Manasee Wagh
The Morrisville School Board has expressed interest in selling the currently closed M.R. Reiter Elementary School.
It could be sold for a share of open space preservation funds and turned into an extension of the adjacent Summerseat historic house, said some board members at their Wednesday meeting.
The board directed Superintendent Elizabeth Yonson to send a letter of interest to the director of Parks and Recreation, though board members Gloria Heater, Joseph Kemp and Robin Reithmeyer voted against the idea.
The school has been closed since a furnace explosion in December 2008, and students have been rearranged between the district’s other two schools. In January, the board held a public hearing about what to do with Reiter, which also needs extensive renovations, but has only recently brought an option to the public’s attention.
Nice Article on Morrisville senior in the BCCT
Nice article on Morrisville senior Anthony Reyes. Good luck Bulldogs!!!
From the BCCT:
A long road to football
By: TOM WARING
Bucks County Courier Times
Morrisville's Anthony Reyes didn't come to the United States until 2005 and didn't play football until 2006. He's learned fast, and is a big reason the Bulldogs are 3-0 for the first time since 1990.
Anthony Reyes is a standout two-way lineman for the Morrisville Bulldogs, but he didn't exactly grow up in a football hotbed.
Reyes, a senior right tackle/nose guard, lived in the Dominican Republic until he was 13 years old.
"Everybody plays baseball," he said of his native land. "Nobody plays football."
Ramon and Magaly Reyes brought their two sons, Alberto and Anthony, to the United States in 2005. The family settled in Brooklyn for a year, but then moved to Morrisville.
Anthony Reyes enrolled at Morrisville and, despite having good size for a freshman, didn't even consider joining the football team. He didn't understand much about the sport.
"The only thing I knew was that one team had to score a touchdown," he said.
Morrisville football coach Jim Gober noticed Reyes in his freshman U.S. history class and successfully recruited the youngster to join the football program for his sophomore year.
"He saw that I was big," Reyes recalled. "I didn't speak much English. I joined the team to make friendships."
The football novice made strides and eventually broke into the starting lineup as a nose guard his junior year.
"I got used to it and improved. We have great coaches who told me everything they know," he said.
This year, Reyes is starting on offense and, at 5-foot-9 and 250 pounds, is an effective nose guard.
"He's a nice player," Gober said. "He's very smart. On defense, he stays low and is quick."
Reyes enjoys playing on the offensive line, but really likes lining up at nose guard.
"I prefer defense," he said. "You have to stop the run and the pass and try to get in the backfield, tackle the guy and make the play."
Gober identified Reyes as one of the reasons Morrisville is 3-0 for the first time since 1990.
The coach also explained how he has developed off the field from a youngster new to the school district and struggling with the language to a popular 17-year-old who also plays third base and is a designated hitter on the baseball team.
"Everybody likes the kid," he said. "He's a happy-go-lucky guy. He always has a smile on his face."
Big No. 63 isn't the only reason the Bulldogs are undefeated. Gober, who is in his seventh season as coach, describes the offensive line as "probably the best line I've ever had at Morrisville."
Reyes is joined up front by center Pat Syron, left tackle Zach Markgraf, right guard Kyle Kinslow and left guard Chris Geffrard.
That quintet protects quarterback Matt Cookson and clears holes for the "thunder and lightning" tandem of power runner Ruben Bresnen and the shifty, elusive Mike Jones. Julian Walker and Eugene Figueroa are the top wide receivers, while Matt Beyer catches some balls and blocks well.
Gober said the Bulldogs, 2-9 last season, have not been seriously tested on defense in three blowout victories - two of them shutouts - over non-league opponents.
The Dawgs are gaining confidence and learning how to win, according to the coach, who adds that he believes the team is more talented than in previous years.
"You need the horses to do what we want to do," he said. "But, we still haven't done anything. The big test is (tonight)."
Defending Bicentennial Athletic League champion Lower Moreland comes to Robert Morris Field tonight. The Lions put a 33-6 hurting on the Bulldogs last season.
"Hopefully, we will win. Last year, we couldn't do it," Reyes said.
Reyes and the Bulldogs have designs on a big season. There's a BAL championship to win, the annual Thanksgiving showdown with Bristol and a possible trip to the playoffs.
In the early going, Morrisville has outscored Nueva Esperanza, Princeton Day School and Henry C. Conrad Schools of Science by a combined 119-7.
"So far, so good. I hope we keep it up," Reyes said. "We've got a great quarterback and good wide receivers and running backs. The offensive line has been doing good. We're strong, and it's one of the best lines Morrisville has had in years. We can beat anyone right now. If our starters don't get hurt, I think we can go to the playoffs."
From the BCCT:
A long road to football
By: TOM WARING
Bucks County Courier Times
Morrisville's Anthony Reyes didn't come to the United States until 2005 and didn't play football until 2006. He's learned fast, and is a big reason the Bulldogs are 3-0 for the first time since 1990.
Anthony Reyes is a standout two-way lineman for the Morrisville Bulldogs, but he didn't exactly grow up in a football hotbed.
Reyes, a senior right tackle/nose guard, lived in the Dominican Republic until he was 13 years old.
"Everybody plays baseball," he said of his native land. "Nobody plays football."
Ramon and Magaly Reyes brought their two sons, Alberto and Anthony, to the United States in 2005. The family settled in Brooklyn for a year, but then moved to Morrisville.
Anthony Reyes enrolled at Morrisville and, despite having good size for a freshman, didn't even consider joining the football team. He didn't understand much about the sport.
"The only thing I knew was that one team had to score a touchdown," he said.
Morrisville football coach Jim Gober noticed Reyes in his freshman U.S. history class and successfully recruited the youngster to join the football program for his sophomore year.
"He saw that I was big," Reyes recalled. "I didn't speak much English. I joined the team to make friendships."
The football novice made strides and eventually broke into the starting lineup as a nose guard his junior year.
"I got used to it and improved. We have great coaches who told me everything they know," he said.
This year, Reyes is starting on offense and, at 5-foot-9 and 250 pounds, is an effective nose guard.
"He's a nice player," Gober said. "He's very smart. On defense, he stays low and is quick."
Reyes enjoys playing on the offensive line, but really likes lining up at nose guard.
"I prefer defense," he said. "You have to stop the run and the pass and try to get in the backfield, tackle the guy and make the play."
Gober identified Reyes as one of the reasons Morrisville is 3-0 for the first time since 1990.
The coach also explained how he has developed off the field from a youngster new to the school district and struggling with the language to a popular 17-year-old who also plays third base and is a designated hitter on the baseball team.
"Everybody likes the kid," he said. "He's a happy-go-lucky guy. He always has a smile on his face."
Big No. 63 isn't the only reason the Bulldogs are undefeated. Gober, who is in his seventh season as coach, describes the offensive line as "probably the best line I've ever had at Morrisville."
Reyes is joined up front by center Pat Syron, left tackle Zach Markgraf, right guard Kyle Kinslow and left guard Chris Geffrard.
That quintet protects quarterback Matt Cookson and clears holes for the "thunder and lightning" tandem of power runner Ruben Bresnen and the shifty, elusive Mike Jones. Julian Walker and Eugene Figueroa are the top wide receivers, while Matt Beyer catches some balls and blocks well.
Gober said the Bulldogs, 2-9 last season, have not been seriously tested on defense in three blowout victories - two of them shutouts - over non-league opponents.
The Dawgs are gaining confidence and learning how to win, according to the coach, who adds that he believes the team is more talented than in previous years.
"You need the horses to do what we want to do," he said. "But, we still haven't done anything. The big test is (tonight)."
Defending Bicentennial Athletic League champion Lower Moreland comes to Robert Morris Field tonight. The Lions put a 33-6 hurting on the Bulldogs last season.
"Hopefully, we will win. Last year, we couldn't do it," Reyes said.
Reyes and the Bulldogs have designs on a big season. There's a BAL championship to win, the annual Thanksgiving showdown with Bristol and a possible trip to the playoffs.
In the early going, Morrisville has outscored Nueva Esperanza, Princeton Day School and Henry C. Conrad Schools of Science by a combined 119-7.
"So far, so good. I hope we keep it up," Reyes said. "We've got a great quarterback and good wide receivers and running backs. The offensive line has been doing good. We're strong, and it's one of the best lines Morrisville has had in years. We can beat anyone right now. If our starters don't get hurt, I think we can go to the playoffs."
Traffic near school worries parents
From the BCCT:
Traffic near schools worries parents
By: MANASEE WAGH
Bucks County Courier Times
Teachers and students say they're shifting fairly smoothly into a new grade arrangement.
But all is not rosy at Morrisville schools, say some parents.
Since the district switched from three schools to two this year, several moms and dads at a recent school board meeting said they're concerned that traffic congestion between the schools could harm students who walk to school.
Wanda Kartal, who has a fifth-grader in the district and lives at the intersection of Grandview Avenue and West Palmer Street, said she sees "nonstop near-misses" every day.
"There's heavy traffic, and there's no crossing guard at that intersection. All those cars that were split up among three schools are now in one small area. It's dangerous for kids who have to walk," she said.
About 330 students in grades pre-K through 3 attend Grandview Elementary School on Grandview Avenue. Little more than one block away, 554 students attend grades four through 12 in a single building.
The district's third school, M.R. Reiter Elementary, is several blocks away but has been closed since December, when the furnace exploded and the building's already aged condition worsened.
The influx of cars causes Kartal to cringe as she sees younger children trying to stay out of the way of traffic every morning and afternoon, she said. She has started a "Petition for Safety" on Facebook and urged the district to apply to the federal program "Safe Routes to School," which helps communities implement safety measures for children walking to school. Kartal plans to give a packet of information about the program to the borough as well.
Patricia Manning-Doan and her son John Manning, a district parent, want the board to work on getting better safety and speed limit signs and more crossing guards close to schools.
One guard helps kids navigate the street in front of Grandview, and a safety officer helps children in grades four and five cross West Palmer Street in front of the high school. Other guards are stationed on school routes several blocks away.
Board President William Hellmann said the board would look into the problem, and suggested a few options to consider.
"We've got to sit down and speak to borough officials. Or why don't we stagger class start times for different grades at Grandview? Or we could make a driveway going all around the school (to relieve congestion in the front), but we'd need money for that."
He said parents had the same complaints about traffic when Reiter was open.
Nevertheless, families want to see a change as soon as possible.
"Going in and out of Grandview - you're taking your life in your hands," said Manning-Doan.September 25, 2009 2:20 AM-->
Traffic near schools worries parents
By: MANASEE WAGH
Bucks County Courier Times
Teachers and students say they're shifting fairly smoothly into a new grade arrangement.
But all is not rosy at Morrisville schools, say some parents.
Since the district switched from three schools to two this year, several moms and dads at a recent school board meeting said they're concerned that traffic congestion between the schools could harm students who walk to school.
Wanda Kartal, who has a fifth-grader in the district and lives at the intersection of Grandview Avenue and West Palmer Street, said she sees "nonstop near-misses" every day.
"There's heavy traffic, and there's no crossing guard at that intersection. All those cars that were split up among three schools are now in one small area. It's dangerous for kids who have to walk," she said.
About 330 students in grades pre-K through 3 attend Grandview Elementary School on Grandview Avenue. Little more than one block away, 554 students attend grades four through 12 in a single building.
The district's third school, M.R. Reiter Elementary, is several blocks away but has been closed since December, when the furnace exploded and the building's already aged condition worsened.
The influx of cars causes Kartal to cringe as she sees younger children trying to stay out of the way of traffic every morning and afternoon, she said. She has started a "Petition for Safety" on Facebook and urged the district to apply to the federal program "Safe Routes to School," which helps communities implement safety measures for children walking to school. Kartal plans to give a packet of information about the program to the borough as well.
Patricia Manning-Doan and her son John Manning, a district parent, want the board to work on getting better safety and speed limit signs and more crossing guards close to schools.
One guard helps kids navigate the street in front of Grandview, and a safety officer helps children in grades four and five cross West Palmer Street in front of the high school. Other guards are stationed on school routes several blocks away.
Board President William Hellmann said the board would look into the problem, and suggested a few options to consider.
"We've got to sit down and speak to borough officials. Or why don't we stagger class start times for different grades at Grandview? Or we could make a driveway going all around the school (to relieve congestion in the front), but we'd need money for that."
He said parents had the same complaints about traffic when Reiter was open.
Nevertheless, families want to see a change as soon as possible.
"Going in and out of Grandview - you're taking your life in your hands," said Manning-Doan.September 25, 2009 2:20 AM-->
Thursday, September 24, 2009
How great it is...
We did a simple Google search for "Morrisville Stay on Track" and there is no escaping the TRUTH. Directly below the link for for the SOT site is 2 links for "Morrisville's Future. Try it out! Thank you Google.
Thoughts and observations from last nights meeting...
Either it's too early in the morning or something strange is happening. This is the second month in a row that there is no mention of a school board meeting online in the BCCT . What's going on here? If by some chance it makes it in later in the morning, could someone please post it in the comment section. Isn't it P.W.'s job to get information out to the public? Or does she just do puff pieces? What a waste of $$ her hiring was!
What are your thoughts and observations from the meeting last night? Did the stay on trackers behave?? Did they address any of the parents concerns regarding the traffic and renovation issues? Speaking of renovations, we received our propaganda packet of "stay in track" fliers. They are claiming that "much needed renovations left undone by past boards"(some of them sat on these boards )"are well underway and will be completed in September at both the Middle/Senior High School and Grandview Elementary School." First off isn't it called the Intermediate/High School? These people changed the name of the school and now they can't even call it by its proper name? And there is no way possible renovations will be complete in Sept. Grandview has not even started. Lies, Lies, Lies.
What are your thoughts and observations from the meeting last night? Did the stay on trackers behave?? Did they address any of the parents concerns regarding the traffic and renovation issues? Speaking of renovations, we received our propaganda packet of "stay in track" fliers. They are claiming that "much needed renovations left undone by past boards"(some of them sat on these boards )"are well underway and will be completed in September at both the Middle/Senior High School and Grandview Elementary School." First off isn't it called the Intermediate/High School? These people changed the name of the school and now they can't even call it by its proper name? And there is no way possible renovations will be complete in Sept. Grandview has not even started. Lies, Lies, Lies.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Make your statement to the School Board tonight.
The monthly school board meeting will take place tonight at 7:30 pm in the newly air conditioned LGI room of the IS/HS. Bring a sweater it can get chilly in there!! Tonight is the night where you, the residents, parents, taxpayers, seniors, students, can all rally together and tell the board majority that your are tired of their lies, tired of their wasting of your money(P.W. at $25k), tired of the cronyism(Ron Stouts phony award by Mrs. Mihok), and tired of a dangerous traffic situation and construction and renovation issues that have not been addressed to date from the Board. It is time to stand together as a community. This town has been divided for too long. The time to come together is NOW. There is probably no need to stay for the entire meeting, but at least come for the public comment. Luckily this will be broadcast for later showing on the local tv channels, for all to see this board and how unprofessionally carry themselves. Pay attention to the look on Al Radosti's (stay on tracker)face. He looks angry doesn't he. Watch Marlys Mihok run the timer, and make comments to her Lord Bill H. who may take a snooze during the course of the evening. Both Bill Hellmann and Marlys Mihok are both "stay on trackers".
Morrisville, it's in your hands, don't let the small group of "stay on trackers" bully and intimidate you and scare you any longer. We as a community can do better!!
Morrisville, it's in your hands, don't let the small group of "stay on trackers" bully and intimidate you and scare you any longer. We as a community can do better!!
Dog park signage take 2
This is from buckslocalnews.com.
Debate continues over proposed signage at future Morrisville Dog Park
Published: Wednesday, September 16, 2009
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By Petra Chesner Schlatter; BucksLocalNews.com
The debate may soon come to a conclusion about whether the Friends of Morrisville Dog Park (FMDP) should be allowed to hang four dog bone-shaped sponsor signs in the future dog park.The matter will be an agenda item at the Morrisville Borough Council meeting on Sept. 15 at 7:30 p.m.About 10 members of the group sat in the back row as three members of the Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) sat up front. The division between the two groups has been wide on the subject.The dog park, which was approved this year by borough council, will be established on open space land owned by the borough. The borough council used county open space funds to acquire the land, located at Philadelphia and Delmorr avenues.EAC member Deborah Colgan and EAC president Bill Setzer continued to speak out against the signage, asserting that open space is not the place for commercial signs."My concern is the proposed use of publicly-owned land," Colgan noted. She said taxpayer money was used to purchase the land."Corporate logos are advertisements," Colgan maintained.FMDP's signs would include the sponsor's company name or logo, e-mail address, telephone number, Web site and a line saying "Donated in Support of Morrisville Dog Park.""I want the dog park to be built," Setzer said. "I just don't want to see the signs."He noted that people at an EAC meeting were "adamantly against" the signage. He reminded council members that he had presented the EAC's case in the beginning of the year.Part of FMDP's proposal would involve the borough manager having the last word on what was put on the signs. But, council members say they are concerned because the borough could be sued for restricting who could be a sponsor.Ellen Stieve, FMDP's leader, showed an example of the proposed three foot-long sign. Two sets of signs would be hung back-to-back on the fence dividing two pens -- one for larger dogs and the other for smaller dogs.Stieve pressed for the signage, but one council member encouraged the group to use a sign with sponsor's names engraved in bronze. Former council president Jane Burger advocated a sign similar to the one at the Robert Morris Plaza at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Bridge Street. She has advocated this before, indicating that such a sign could be posted at the entrance to the park.FMDP, Stieve said, would be willing to consider a compromise.There were several people who advocated signage, including Cynthia Groya and new FMDP member Amy Martinez. They both commented that they are impressed with Stieve's ability to organize people to better the community."It's obvious we all have a collaborative effort," said Martinez.Groya said Stevie had touched the lives of many people in the community.Stieve noted that the FMDP's efforts have had a "positive effect on the community." She has "met a lot of great people." The park, Stieve noted, will help to unify Morrisville.The EAC's Setzer said, "creating community is good."The FMDP has raised funds through T-shirt sales and a dog wash. An October cocktail party is planned for Saturday, Oct. 10 from 6 to 9 p.m. at 105 Barnsley Ave. Another fundraiser is being planned for a Spring House Tour.The group is raising funds to purchase 1,000 linear feet of fencing which will cost more than $15,000. The cost To sponsor one of the dog bone signs would be between $2,000 and $2,500.
Debate continues over proposed signage at future Morrisville Dog Park
Published: Wednesday, September 16, 2009
No comments posted. Email to a friend Print version
ShareThis
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By Petra Chesner Schlatter; BucksLocalNews.com
The debate may soon come to a conclusion about whether the Friends of Morrisville Dog Park (FMDP) should be allowed to hang four dog bone-shaped sponsor signs in the future dog park.The matter will be an agenda item at the Morrisville Borough Council meeting on Sept. 15 at 7:30 p.m.About 10 members of the group sat in the back row as three members of the Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) sat up front. The division between the two groups has been wide on the subject.The dog park, which was approved this year by borough council, will be established on open space land owned by the borough. The borough council used county open space funds to acquire the land, located at Philadelphia and Delmorr avenues.EAC member Deborah Colgan and EAC president Bill Setzer continued to speak out against the signage, asserting that open space is not the place for commercial signs."My concern is the proposed use of publicly-owned land," Colgan noted. She said taxpayer money was used to purchase the land."Corporate logos are advertisements," Colgan maintained.FMDP's signs would include the sponsor's company name or logo, e-mail address, telephone number, Web site and a line saying "Donated in Support of Morrisville Dog Park.""I want the dog park to be built," Setzer said. "I just don't want to see the signs."He noted that people at an EAC meeting were "adamantly against" the signage. He reminded council members that he had presented the EAC's case in the beginning of the year.Part of FMDP's proposal would involve the borough manager having the last word on what was put on the signs. But, council members say they are concerned because the borough could be sued for restricting who could be a sponsor.Ellen Stieve, FMDP's leader, showed an example of the proposed three foot-long sign. Two sets of signs would be hung back-to-back on the fence dividing two pens -- one for larger dogs and the other for smaller dogs.Stieve pressed for the signage, but one council member encouraged the group to use a sign with sponsor's names engraved in bronze. Former council president Jane Burger advocated a sign similar to the one at the Robert Morris Plaza at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Bridge Street. She has advocated this before, indicating that such a sign could be posted at the entrance to the park.FMDP, Stieve said, would be willing to consider a compromise.There were several people who advocated signage, including Cynthia Groya and new FMDP member Amy Martinez. They both commented that they are impressed with Stieve's ability to organize people to better the community."It's obvious we all have a collaborative effort," said Martinez.Groya said Stevie had touched the lives of many people in the community.Stieve noted that the FMDP's efforts have had a "positive effect on the community." She has "met a lot of great people." The park, Stieve noted, will help to unify Morrisville.The EAC's Setzer said, "creating community is good."The FMDP has raised funds through T-shirt sales and a dog wash. An October cocktail party is planned for Saturday, Oct. 10 from 6 to 9 p.m. at 105 Barnsley Ave. Another fundraiser is being planned for a Spring House Tour.The group is raising funds to purchase 1,000 linear feet of fencing which will cost more than $15,000. The cost To sponsor one of the dog bone signs would be between $2,000 and $2,500.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Signs allowed in dog park
We here at Morrisville's Future believe we have come up with a solution to this doggie park signage issue once and for all!! Hopefully this dog park will not just be a small lot fenced in with no equipment for Fido to play on, it should like most dog parks have "playground equipment" designed for dogs. Rather than signage littering the borders of the park along the fence. Business' could be asked to sponsor a piece of the doggie designed "playground equipment". This way signage would be limited, would not be an eyesore to the community, and would not hurt the asthetics of the park or that part of town. A simple removable plaque could be affixed to the equipment with the name of the business that sponsored the piece. This is no joke. This could work for everyone!!
By: CHRISTIAN MENNO
Bucks County Courier Times
Council approves signage at future dog park site, but will vote on specifics at later meeting.
The proposed dog park in Morrisville will, in fact, receive funding drawn from sponsorship signage.
But the specifics of the signs - including the size, shape, look and amount - will be determined at a later date.
Council on Monday voted to direct its solicitor to compose a memorandum of understanding for the license agreement to include the criteria for the signs that acknowledges donations of major contributors to the building of the dog park.
The park will be built on a 1-acre piece of taxpayer-funded open space.
Council President Nancy Sherlock and Councilman David Rivella were the only members to vote against the directive.
Rivella said he was concerned that this could lead to the potential for commercial signage posted on other open space land.
"It's true that the county doesn't have a rule that prohibits signage on open space, but if you speak to them, they say they are trying to change that," Rivella said.
Councilman Edward Albertson said he'd like the solicitor to come up with an "a la carte" list of options so that council can "vote on them just like we do anything else."
"I'd like to see four signs put up for one year and then taken down," said Councilwoman Kathryn Panzitta. She added that there should be no logos printed and only the name of the person or company with the amount that was donated.September 22, 2009 2:11 AM-->
By: CHRISTIAN MENNO
Bucks County Courier Times
Council approves signage at future dog park site, but will vote on specifics at later meeting.
The proposed dog park in Morrisville will, in fact, receive funding drawn from sponsorship signage.
But the specifics of the signs - including the size, shape, look and amount - will be determined at a later date.
Council on Monday voted to direct its solicitor to compose a memorandum of understanding for the license agreement to include the criteria for the signs that acknowledges donations of major contributors to the building of the dog park.
The park will be built on a 1-acre piece of taxpayer-funded open space.
Council President Nancy Sherlock and Councilman David Rivella were the only members to vote against the directive.
Rivella said he was concerned that this could lead to the potential for commercial signage posted on other open space land.
"It's true that the county doesn't have a rule that prohibits signage on open space, but if you speak to them, they say they are trying to change that," Rivella said.
Councilman Edward Albertson said he'd like the solicitor to come up with an "a la carte" list of options so that council can "vote on them just like we do anything else."
"I'd like to see four signs put up for one year and then taken down," said Councilwoman Kathryn Panzitta. She added that there should be no logos printed and only the name of the person or company with the amount that was donated.September 22, 2009 2:11 AM-->
Monday, September 21, 2009
Monthly School Board meeting this Wed.
This Wednesday night the people of Morrisville can make a statement. The people of Morrisville, seniors, parents, taxpayers, even students are encouraged to tell the real story of what is really going on in our schools.
6:30 pm Policy Meeting G-Hall Conf room
7:30 pm Monthly Board Meeting LGI room
6:30 pm Policy Meeting G-Hall Conf room
7:30 pm Monthly Board Meeting LGI room
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Puff Piece in the BCCT today
We guess PW has to earn her keep somehow - what better way than to be vauge and to not tell the whole story. We're sure she learned from the best (the one's who hired her, of course). This makes no mention of the dangerous traffic situation or the continuing distraction of the "renovations".
Younger students enjoying benefits of high school
By: MANASEE WAGH
Bucks County Courier Times
Fourth- and fifth-grade students officially have moved from Grandview Elementary School into what used to be Morrisville Middle/Senior High School.
Paul Hubert and his classmates feel like they've reached the big leagues.
The fifth-graders are enjoying going to the "big school" - the high school building in Morrisville.
"The thing I like is that it's big. You have more room, and the gym, auditorium and cafeteria are all separate. The classrooms are bigger. It's fun, because I get to see my high school friends, too," said Paul.
Fourth- and fifth-grade students officially have moved from Grandview Elementary School into what used to be Morrisville Middle/Senior High School. Now they're part of Morrisville Intermediate School for grades four through eight, and share a building with Morrisville High School students in grades nine through 12. The building contains 554 students this year.
Fourth- and fifth-graders enter through a back door near the administration offices. Because they are kept in separate hallways from grades six and up, they don't run into older students during the school day. Going anywhere outside the classroom means lining up in single file and following a teacher.
Fourth-grader Mackenzie Wetherill's not too keen on being chaperoned to the bathroom, but that's a minor annoyance compared to the excitement of being in a bigger school.
"Getting lockers is cool. The library and gym are a lot bigger," she said with a smile.
Students in higher grades don't feel a difference.
Elementary students were first displaced after a furnace explosion in December 2008 made M.R. Reiter Elementary School unusable. Over the next few months, elementary students were split between Grandview, which is the district's other elementary school, and the high school.
Fourth-grade teacher Summer Branche is happy to have found a home in a large classroom after multiple moves, including being in a modular unit on Grandview property and a makeshift classroom in the high school library.
"I love it here. There's a different vibe," she said. "The move was tough because of all the construction, but everything came together. The kids are very excited to be here."
The entire building was renovated this past summer with asbestos abatement, new windows and updated heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, plumbing and electrical systems. The hallways look clean and polished, and sunshine glimmers into classrooms.
A bit of minor work is left, said Principal William Ferrara, who oversees grades six through 12. The library has some ceiling tiles missing where wiring has to be finished, and contractors are completing some ventilation work after school hours. With most students studying in their classrooms or in resource rooms, the hallways are quiet.
Among other changes, the library has computers so students can use both electronic and print resources for research.
Also new this year, grades seven and eight are sharing teachers. Teachers really get to know students and their needs when they work with the same ones through two years, said Ferrara.
"Our teachers are phenomenal. They make my job and Laurie's so much easier," he said.
Laurie Ruffing, the principal for grades preK to five, took over elementary school principal duties last year. She spends half a day at Grandview, where space has been freed up for grades pre-K to three.
"The impact hasn't been felt so much here," she said of the school. "I don't think of (being responsible for students in two buildings) as a challenge. The buildings are so close. I think of it as being spread out, giving people more space."
First-graders are still in well-appointed, temperature-controlled modular units attached to the main building. The modulars now have dedicated rooms for music, special education and emotional support programs.
"We've heard some concerns from parents about moving the grades, but there hasn't been a problem," said Ruffing. "I can also depend on Bill (Ferrara) and Norma Wingate, the dean of students, to help."September 20, 2009 2:20 AM-->
The following are the comments from the bcct regarding the above article:
Concerned Taxpayer, 09-20-09, 2:32 pm Rate: 0 Report
Hats off to the Morrisville School district's new Communication's Director for putting a positive spin on the dangerous situations going on in the Morrisville School District and attempting to make the actions of the current school board majority look good. After all that’s the one and only reason this person was hired for $25K that could have been used for a number of much more important and necessary positions including another crossing guard for all the traffic problems this whole mess has created, or a few instructional aide positions that were never refilled after former aides resigned, all in the name of saving the taxpayer a few dollars.
I’m glad to hear that some of the younger students like being in the High School but I can’t help but point out that there was nothing included in the article about how parents feel about what’s going on other than a comment by Miss Ruffing that they’ve heard some concerns from parents. I would think that adults who read the BCCT would be much more interested in the parents’ perspective rather than the fourth and fifth graders happy thoughts. I think there should be another article dedicated to what the parents of this district think about all this. I can tell you it would not be nearly as positive but it would be truthful. Isn’t that what should be made known to the public??
False Profit, 09-20-09, 3:19 pm Rate: 0 Report
Right on, CT. My thoughts exactly.
It's very disappointing to hear this "everything's fine" stuff, especially from Mr. Ferrara and Ms. Ruffing.
Ruffing said, "We've heard some concerns from parents about moving the grades, but there hasn't been a problem."
That's infuriating, and dismisses and invalidates legitimate concerns raised by parents, students, and others.
Ferrara and Ruffing owe their jobs to the current Board majority, which has proven itself to be vindictive, so I can understand some reluctance to be completely candid. But I, and I'm sure many others in town, don't expect or appreciate having smoke blown up our butts, either. I've heard and seen many things contrary to this puff piece.
Beth M., 09-20-09, 7:59 pm Rate: 0 Report
Perhaps it would be helpful to contact Kate Fratti about this situation. She has been quite frank in the past about the goings on in the Morrisville School District. She sees these situations for what they really are. She is able to filter out the fluff and get to the matter of things. Perhaps she would consider doing an article using the parents concerns.
Beth M., 09-20-09, 8:27 pm Rate: 0 Report
It concerns me that a reporter could have been able to talk to children without a parent being present or without parental approval. If this was the case, this is a serious situation. I am very surprised by this article from Manasee Wagh. I usually enjoy her articles because she isn't one sided, she sort of takes the middle road and lets the article speak for itself. This however is very different. I don't believe I have ever read an article from her like this one.
Sadly, this article talks about how a couple of children like being shifted into the Morrisville High School without even suggesting that these same children and many others could have serious problems because of this move into the "big school" with all that implies, that could follow them their entire school career and beyond. But concerns weren't even discussed. I would like to think that the new PR person did not have a hand in the writing of this article, but I do not live under a rock, its pretty clear she did.
Are we now letting the children make the tough decisions concerning their education?! I certainly hope not. No amount of fluffing (like this article) could ever make what is going on in Morrisville okay. Sadly, I voted for these school board people because, although I was in favor of building a new school, I believed it was not in the best interests of the young ones and the teens to be in the same building. I will not be voting for them this time around because I still do not believe it is in the children's best interests to be educated in the same building.
This school board has just become more in a long list of "the same" as far as Morrisville is concerned. They boasted about not liking the tactics of the old school board only to become the same way themselves. My advice is to keep voting people out until we get it right. Remember they may all be volunteer, but they chose to "work for you". If you do not like what they are doing, do not continue to hire more of the same. I believe the newer group running for school board deserve a chance to prove they are not just more of the same. As far as the others, the ones that include Mr. Stout, they have been around long enough to already have proven to me that they are just more of the same. Even those who think they are long-time concerned residents cannot possibly believe they belong on a board as important as the school board.
Younger students enjoying benefits of high school
By: MANASEE WAGH
Bucks County Courier Times
Fourth- and fifth-grade students officially have moved from Grandview Elementary School into what used to be Morrisville Middle/Senior High School.
Paul Hubert and his classmates feel like they've reached the big leagues.
The fifth-graders are enjoying going to the "big school" - the high school building in Morrisville.
"The thing I like is that it's big. You have more room, and the gym, auditorium and cafeteria are all separate. The classrooms are bigger. It's fun, because I get to see my high school friends, too," said Paul.
Fourth- and fifth-grade students officially have moved from Grandview Elementary School into what used to be Morrisville Middle/Senior High School. Now they're part of Morrisville Intermediate School for grades four through eight, and share a building with Morrisville High School students in grades nine through 12. The building contains 554 students this year.
Fourth- and fifth-graders enter through a back door near the administration offices. Because they are kept in separate hallways from grades six and up, they don't run into older students during the school day. Going anywhere outside the classroom means lining up in single file and following a teacher.
Fourth-grader Mackenzie Wetherill's not too keen on being chaperoned to the bathroom, but that's a minor annoyance compared to the excitement of being in a bigger school.
"Getting lockers is cool. The library and gym are a lot bigger," she said with a smile.
Students in higher grades don't feel a difference.
Elementary students were first displaced after a furnace explosion in December 2008 made M.R. Reiter Elementary School unusable. Over the next few months, elementary students were split between Grandview, which is the district's other elementary school, and the high school.
Fourth-grade teacher Summer Branche is happy to have found a home in a large classroom after multiple moves, including being in a modular unit on Grandview property and a makeshift classroom in the high school library.
"I love it here. There's a different vibe," she said. "The move was tough because of all the construction, but everything came together. The kids are very excited to be here."
The entire building was renovated this past summer with asbestos abatement, new windows and updated heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, plumbing and electrical systems. The hallways look clean and polished, and sunshine glimmers into classrooms.
A bit of minor work is left, said Principal William Ferrara, who oversees grades six through 12. The library has some ceiling tiles missing where wiring has to be finished, and contractors are completing some ventilation work after school hours. With most students studying in their classrooms or in resource rooms, the hallways are quiet.
Among other changes, the library has computers so students can use both electronic and print resources for research.
Also new this year, grades seven and eight are sharing teachers. Teachers really get to know students and their needs when they work with the same ones through two years, said Ferrara.
"Our teachers are phenomenal. They make my job and Laurie's so much easier," he said.
Laurie Ruffing, the principal for grades preK to five, took over elementary school principal duties last year. She spends half a day at Grandview, where space has been freed up for grades pre-K to three.
"The impact hasn't been felt so much here," she said of the school. "I don't think of (being responsible for students in two buildings) as a challenge. The buildings are so close. I think of it as being spread out, giving people more space."
First-graders are still in well-appointed, temperature-controlled modular units attached to the main building. The modulars now have dedicated rooms for music, special education and emotional support programs.
"We've heard some concerns from parents about moving the grades, but there hasn't been a problem," said Ruffing. "I can also depend on Bill (Ferrara) and Norma Wingate, the dean of students, to help."September 20, 2009 2:20 AM-->
The following are the comments from the bcct regarding the above article:
Concerned Taxpayer, 09-20-09, 2:32 pm Rate: 0 Report
Hats off to the Morrisville School district's new Communication's Director for putting a positive spin on the dangerous situations going on in the Morrisville School District and attempting to make the actions of the current school board majority look good. After all that’s the one and only reason this person was hired for $25K that could have been used for a number of much more important and necessary positions including another crossing guard for all the traffic problems this whole mess has created, or a few instructional aide positions that were never refilled after former aides resigned, all in the name of saving the taxpayer a few dollars.
I’m glad to hear that some of the younger students like being in the High School but I can’t help but point out that there was nothing included in the article about how parents feel about what’s going on other than a comment by Miss Ruffing that they’ve heard some concerns from parents. I would think that adults who read the BCCT would be much more interested in the parents’ perspective rather than the fourth and fifth graders happy thoughts. I think there should be another article dedicated to what the parents of this district think about all this. I can tell you it would not be nearly as positive but it would be truthful. Isn’t that what should be made known to the public??
False Profit, 09-20-09, 3:19 pm Rate: 0 Report
Right on, CT. My thoughts exactly.
It's very disappointing to hear this "everything's fine" stuff, especially from Mr. Ferrara and Ms. Ruffing.
Ruffing said, "We've heard some concerns from parents about moving the grades, but there hasn't been a problem."
That's infuriating, and dismisses and invalidates legitimate concerns raised by parents, students, and others.
Ferrara and Ruffing owe their jobs to the current Board majority, which has proven itself to be vindictive, so I can understand some reluctance to be completely candid. But I, and I'm sure many others in town, don't expect or appreciate having smoke blown up our butts, either. I've heard and seen many things contrary to this puff piece.
Beth M., 09-20-09, 7:59 pm Rate: 0 Report
Perhaps it would be helpful to contact Kate Fratti about this situation. She has been quite frank in the past about the goings on in the Morrisville School District. She sees these situations for what they really are. She is able to filter out the fluff and get to the matter of things. Perhaps she would consider doing an article using the parents concerns.
Beth M., 09-20-09, 8:27 pm Rate: 0 Report
It concerns me that a reporter could have been able to talk to children without a parent being present or without parental approval. If this was the case, this is a serious situation. I am very surprised by this article from Manasee Wagh. I usually enjoy her articles because she isn't one sided, she sort of takes the middle road and lets the article speak for itself. This however is very different. I don't believe I have ever read an article from her like this one.
Sadly, this article talks about how a couple of children like being shifted into the Morrisville High School without even suggesting that these same children and many others could have serious problems because of this move into the "big school" with all that implies, that could follow them their entire school career and beyond. But concerns weren't even discussed. I would like to think that the new PR person did not have a hand in the writing of this article, but I do not live under a rock, its pretty clear she did.
Are we now letting the children make the tough decisions concerning their education?! I certainly hope not. No amount of fluffing (like this article) could ever make what is going on in Morrisville okay. Sadly, I voted for these school board people because, although I was in favor of building a new school, I believed it was not in the best interests of the young ones and the teens to be in the same building. I will not be voting for them this time around because I still do not believe it is in the children's best interests to be educated in the same building.
This school board has just become more in a long list of "the same" as far as Morrisville is concerned. They boasted about not liking the tactics of the old school board only to become the same way themselves. My advice is to keep voting people out until we get it right. Remember they may all be volunteer, but they chose to "work for you". If you do not like what they are doing, do not continue to hire more of the same. I believe the newer group running for school board deserve a chance to prove they are not just more of the same. As far as the others, the ones that include Mr. Stout, they have been around long enough to already have proven to me that they are just more of the same. Even those who think they are long-time concerned residents cannot possibly believe they belong on a board as important as the school board.
Potpourri for the week of 9/20-9/26
Be sure to see the post titled "The facts about PSSA scores" .
"Stay on track" is caught red handed in another lie.
It's been almost two full weeks of silence from the board majority regarding the ongoing safety and well being issues at both remaining schools, and not a word from these self-proclaimed "child safety advocates".
Please come out to the Monthly Board Meeting on 9/23 at 7:30 pm in the LGI room of the IS/HS(middle/high school). The board would also like to welcome you to the Policy meeting which also takes place on 9/23 at 6:30 in the G Hall conference room.
"Stay on track" is caught red handed in another lie.
It's been almost two full weeks of silence from the board majority regarding the ongoing safety and well being issues at both remaining schools, and not a word from these self-proclaimed "child safety advocates".
Please come out to the Monthly Board Meeting on 9/23 at 7:30 pm in the LGI room of the IS/HS(middle/high school). The board would also like to welcome you to the Policy meeting which also takes place on 9/23 at 6:30 in the G Hall conference room.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
The facts about PSSA scores
As we all know the results for the 2008/09 PSSA tests were released a few weeks ago. We decided to take an in depth look at the scores and see if the "stay on track" folks are telling the truth when they say that "scores are up".
It didn't take long to catch them in yet another lie. While the district did "meet AYP" or average yearly progress, there were several areas where test scores were down. We have summarized briefly what grades and subjects had a decrease from the previous years scores.
Grades 3-5
Reading -2.2%
Math -4.1
Grades 6-8
Reading +8.1%
Math +1%
Grades 9-12
Reading -6.9%
Math -8.7%
The high school did not make AYP and has been placed in "Warning" status.
Once again the "stay on track" candidates and the board majority has been caught in a lie. Their claims of increased test scores are false. What is even scarier than their lies is that when the targets are increased in 2011, we are in big trouble.
Perhaps with a goal to implement a plan and new leadership on the board, Morrisville can prevent these scores from decreasing any further.
Here is the link:
http://paayp.emetric.net/District/SchoolList/c9/122097203
Be sure to click on the "report card" icon. From here you can see the test results by clicking on the performance and data table tabs. Check it out for yourself. Facts are facts, test scores are not up.
It didn't take long to catch them in yet another lie. While the district did "meet AYP" or average yearly progress, there were several areas where test scores were down. We have summarized briefly what grades and subjects had a decrease from the previous years scores.
Grades 3-5
Reading -2.2%
Math -4.1
Grades 6-8
Reading +8.1%
Math +1%
Grades 9-12
Reading -6.9%
Math -8.7%
The high school did not make AYP and has been placed in "Warning" status.
Once again the "stay on track" candidates and the board majority has been caught in a lie. Their claims of increased test scores are false. What is even scarier than their lies is that when the targets are increased in 2011, we are in big trouble.
Perhaps with a goal to implement a plan and new leadership on the board, Morrisville can prevent these scores from decreasing any further.
Here is the link:
http://paayp.emetric.net/District/SchoolList/c9/122097203
Be sure to click on the "report card" icon. From here you can see the test results by clicking on the performance and data table tabs. Check it out for yourself. Facts are facts, test scores are not up.
Morrisville rolls again to reach 3-0 for first time since 1990
Great turnout last night at the game! Not only did the Bulldogs look great on the field, how about the marching band and color guard! Those kids also desereve a big round of applause.
from the bcct:
Morrisville rolls again to reach 3-0 for first time since 1990
By: TOM WARING
Bucks County Courier Times
The Bulldogs routed Conrad Schools of Science to extend perfect start.
MORRISVILLE - Ruben Bresnen and Pat Syron have suffered through a couple of miserable seasons on the Morrisville football team, but they think the Bulldogs took something out of the experience.
"We learned from it," said Bresnen, a running back/linebacker.
Today, Bresnen and Syron are senior co-captains and enjoying playing football more than ever.
On Friday night, the Bulldogs manhandled an overmatched Henry C. Conrad Schools of Science (Del.), 47-0, at Robert Morris Field.
The victory means Morrisville is 3-0 for the first time since 1990.
"Everything has been clicking," said Syron, a lineman.
The Redskins weren't expected to hang with the Bulldogs. After all, this is their first year as a varsity program after two years of playing a freshman schedule. They fell (also by 47-0) a week ago against Maryland School for the Deaf.
The school, located in Wilmington, has been open for three years and gears its curriculum to science.
"It's a building process," said coach Bob Wolford. "Most of our starters are ninth-graders."
Conrad Science has no seniors, and there are four eighth-graders on the roster. Wolford stresses to his players that he wants them to improve at every practice and during games.
The Redskins, who will host the Bulldogs Nov. 7 in Wilmington, managed just two first downs and 81 yards of total offense.
"We have a lot of competitors on the team," Wolford said. "They don't quit. They always fight till the final whistle."
Morrisville scored early and often. The Bulldogs led, 40-0, at halftime. The clock ran non-stop in the second half because of the 35-point mercy rule.
Bresnen ran for a pair of 6-yard touchdowns. Quarterback Matt Cookson completed nine of 17 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns - both to Eugene Figueroa - and also ran for an 11-yard TD. Matt Beyer and Jimmy Miller also ran for touchdowns.
Brandon Douglass continued his big day. He scored all five goals in the soccer team's overtime win over South Hunterdon (N.J.), then made five extra points and ran for a first down out of punt formation. Morrisville was leading 47-0 at the time of the fake punt, which was not called by the coaching staff.
Even the second-team offense and defense played well.
Now, Morrisville has three wins just a year after stumbling to a 2-9 finish. Coach Jim Gober cites senior leadership and better attendance at practice as two of the reasons for the turnaround.
"We're a much, much improved team in all facets of the game," he said. "The attitude of the kids has improved, and they're working hard."
Bresnen and Syron said the Bulldogs boast good conditioning, adding that the players and coaches are close like a family. The no-huddle offense has been effective, and the defense has two shutouts.
The players point to last week's 37-7 victory over Princeton Day School (N.J.) as a barometer.
"That was a good win," Bresnen said.
The fast start has left the Bulldogs with very high hopes.
"I think we can go undefeated, but we have to get better," Bresnen said.
Despite three smashing wins, Morrisville is 0-0 in the Bicentennial Athletic League. The BAL opener is Sept. 25 at home against defending champion Lower Moreland.
Syron is hoping for a good week of practice, with the second team pushing the starters to play the best they can.
"Lower Moreland has big kids who play to the whistle," he said. "That will be our biggest challenge so far."
Gober noted that, while Lower Moreland is 1-2, the Lions have played a couple of tough teams in Bishop McDevitt and Pennington School (N.J.).
"We're very, very concerned about next week," he said. "Lower Moreland is Lower Moreland. We just have to stop the run. Their 1-2 record is deceiving. They've played some tough teams."
from the bcct:
Morrisville rolls again to reach 3-0 for first time since 1990
By: TOM WARING
Bucks County Courier Times
The Bulldogs routed Conrad Schools of Science to extend perfect start.
MORRISVILLE - Ruben Bresnen and Pat Syron have suffered through a couple of miserable seasons on the Morrisville football team, but they think the Bulldogs took something out of the experience.
"We learned from it," said Bresnen, a running back/linebacker.
Today, Bresnen and Syron are senior co-captains and enjoying playing football more than ever.
On Friday night, the Bulldogs manhandled an overmatched Henry C. Conrad Schools of Science (Del.), 47-0, at Robert Morris Field.
The victory means Morrisville is 3-0 for the first time since 1990.
"Everything has been clicking," said Syron, a lineman.
The Redskins weren't expected to hang with the Bulldogs. After all, this is their first year as a varsity program after two years of playing a freshman schedule. They fell (also by 47-0) a week ago against Maryland School for the Deaf.
The school, located in Wilmington, has been open for three years and gears its curriculum to science.
"It's a building process," said coach Bob Wolford. "Most of our starters are ninth-graders."
Conrad Science has no seniors, and there are four eighth-graders on the roster. Wolford stresses to his players that he wants them to improve at every practice and during games.
The Redskins, who will host the Bulldogs Nov. 7 in Wilmington, managed just two first downs and 81 yards of total offense.
"We have a lot of competitors on the team," Wolford said. "They don't quit. They always fight till the final whistle."
Morrisville scored early and often. The Bulldogs led, 40-0, at halftime. The clock ran non-stop in the second half because of the 35-point mercy rule.
Bresnen ran for a pair of 6-yard touchdowns. Quarterback Matt Cookson completed nine of 17 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns - both to Eugene Figueroa - and also ran for an 11-yard TD. Matt Beyer and Jimmy Miller also ran for touchdowns.
Brandon Douglass continued his big day. He scored all five goals in the soccer team's overtime win over South Hunterdon (N.J.), then made five extra points and ran for a first down out of punt formation. Morrisville was leading 47-0 at the time of the fake punt, which was not called by the coaching staff.
Even the second-team offense and defense played well.
Now, Morrisville has three wins just a year after stumbling to a 2-9 finish. Coach Jim Gober cites senior leadership and better attendance at practice as two of the reasons for the turnaround.
"We're a much, much improved team in all facets of the game," he said. "The attitude of the kids has improved, and they're working hard."
Bresnen and Syron said the Bulldogs boast good conditioning, adding that the players and coaches are close like a family. The no-huddle offense has been effective, and the defense has two shutouts.
The players point to last week's 37-7 victory over Princeton Day School (N.J.) as a barometer.
"That was a good win," Bresnen said.
The fast start has left the Bulldogs with very high hopes.
"I think we can go undefeated, but we have to get better," Bresnen said.
Despite three smashing wins, Morrisville is 0-0 in the Bicentennial Athletic League. The BAL opener is Sept. 25 at home against defending champion Lower Moreland.
Syron is hoping for a good week of practice, with the second team pushing the starters to play the best they can.
"Lower Moreland has big kids who play to the whistle," he said. "That will be our biggest challenge so far."
Gober noted that, while Lower Moreland is 1-2, the Lions have played a couple of tough teams in Bishop McDevitt and Pennington School (N.J.).
"We're very, very concerned about next week," he said. "Lower Moreland is Lower Moreland. We just have to stop the run. Their 1-2 record is deceiving. They've played some tough teams."
Friday, September 18, 2009
Morrisville smiling at 2-0
from trentonian.com
By BILL KENNYFor The Trentonian
During his first stint as head coach of the Morrisville High School football team, Jim Gober presided over the darkest period in the history of the program.After succeeding Hank DeGeorge in 1999, Gober went 2-8 in his first season and 0-11 in his second. In 2001, with the Bulldogs struggling to sign up enough players to field a team, the school cancelled its varsity schedule on the eve of the season.Kurt Schneider took over the program the following year.But now, Gober is back at the helm again and directing Morrisville to its best season start in two decades. The Bulldogs improved to 2-0 with a 37-7 trouncing of Princeton Day School last Friday.And they look like a good pick to win their third in a row. Morrisville hosts Conrad Science of Delaware on Friday night. Last weekend, Conrad opened its first varsity football season since 1977 with a 47-0 loss to the Maryland School for the Deaf.Morrisville hasn’t been unbeaten after its first two games since 1990, in head coach Tim Landis’ final season. The Bulldogs raced to a 5-0 record that year, before finishing 5-6.Two years later, under coach Chuck Knowles and led by quarterback Tim Groves, Morrisville went 10-2, but only after losing its first game to Salisbury Township. The Bulldogs have had just one winning season since then, 6-5 in 1997.Gober’s best record since returning to the program in 2005 was 5-6. He is 12-54 overall as head coach.
By BILL KENNYFor The Trentonian
During his first stint as head coach of the Morrisville High School football team, Jim Gober presided over the darkest period in the history of the program.After succeeding Hank DeGeorge in 1999, Gober went 2-8 in his first season and 0-11 in his second. In 2001, with the Bulldogs struggling to sign up enough players to field a team, the school cancelled its varsity schedule on the eve of the season.Kurt Schneider took over the program the following year.But now, Gober is back at the helm again and directing Morrisville to its best season start in two decades. The Bulldogs improved to 2-0 with a 37-7 trouncing of Princeton Day School last Friday.And they look like a good pick to win their third in a row. Morrisville hosts Conrad Science of Delaware on Friday night. Last weekend, Conrad opened its first varsity football season since 1977 with a 47-0 loss to the Maryland School for the Deaf.Morrisville hasn’t been unbeaten after its first two games since 1990, in head coach Tim Landis’ final season. The Bulldogs raced to a 5-0 record that year, before finishing 5-6.Two years later, under coach Chuck Knowles and led by quarterback Tim Groves, Morrisville went 10-2, but only after losing its first game to Salisbury Township. The Bulldogs have had just one winning season since then, 6-5 in 1997.Gober’s best record since returning to the program in 2005 was 5-6. He is 12-54 overall as head coach.
Questions to ask the "stay on track" team next time you see one of them.
The next time you bump into a "stay on tracker" be sure to ask the following questions. You will probably not get an answer, or if you do it will be some sort of doomsday situation if they are not reelected. Don't believe the stay on track rhetoric. It is all false. And most importantly don't let these folks bully you or make you feel uncomfortably about getting your vote out. It is your right to vote for who you want to vote for. So vote with pride! Here are the questions to ask if you see any "stay on trackers"....
1. Has Jack Buckman paid his overdue municipal bills yet? How can we all get on the same payment plan as he?
2. Ron Stout...really?
3. Why are you telling people that the Morrisville pride candidates want to a new school?
4. Why does your website have outdated and false information regarding the renovations at the IS/HS.
5. Ask them what have they done to ensure that the children of Morrisville are in a safe environment while on school grounds.
6. Other than overdue renovations, and a tax break, what has the so called "stay on track" team contributed to the educational system of Morrisville?
1. Has Jack Buckman paid his overdue municipal bills yet? How can we all get on the same payment plan as he?
2. Ron Stout...really?
3. Why are you telling people that the Morrisville pride candidates want to a new school?
4. Why does your website have outdated and false information regarding the renovations at the IS/HS.
5. Ask them what have they done to ensure that the children of Morrisville are in a safe environment while on school grounds.
6. Other than overdue renovations, and a tax break, what has the so called "stay on track" team contributed to the educational system of Morrisville?
Thursday, September 17, 2009
New school works on arrival, dismissal process
Unfortunately, for us, its not our school and its host of issues they are talking about. Thumbs up to the folks in Bristol for recognizing there is a problem, and trying to make the situation better for everybody. Once again the board majority has squandered an opprotunity. Instead of reaching out to parents, there was the typical "stay on track " silence. Listen guys, all we are asking is that you listen attentively to our concerns and do something to improve the situation. Whether it is our concerns about the traffic, or renovations, we have heard nothing from you, or your communications director. Are you guys that far out of touch, or do you just not care?
from the bcct:
New school works on arrival, dismissal process
By: JOAN HELLYER
Bucks County Courier Times
Revisions will include additional crossing guards and adjustments to a traffic light's timing at a key intersection.
Extra crossing guards will be on duty this morning as students arrive for class at the new Warren Snyder-John Girotti Elementary/Middle School, borough and district officials said Wednesday.
The additional guards are needed to help students safely get across the busy intersection at Beaver and Pond streets near the school, Bristol Mayor Joseph A. Saxton said Wednesday after a meeting between borough and district representatives.
The officials met in borough hall after spending the first few days of the new school year observing traffic patterns during arrival and dismissal times from the $35 million school that serves more than 900 students in pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade.
"We knew it wasn't going to go off perfectly," police Chief Arnold Porter said. "But we've been working on it. Parents have to understand that their kids are safe."
Officials have asked parents who drive their children to school to park in the Grundy skating rink on the other side of Beaver Street and then make sure the kids get across the street with the help of a crossing guard to get to school.
However, many parents are parking on private properties owned by businesses on Pond Street across from the school, officials said.
The additional crossing guards will help move the foot traffic more quickly across Pond Street while borough and district officials look for ways to improve the drop off and pick up plan.
Officials also will try to have a traffic light at the intersection modified to allow more time for motorists to turn left onto Pond Street from Beaver Street during dismissal time, Saxton said.
Right now, the light is programmed to allow traffic to move in that direction for 10 to 12 seconds at a time. That's causing traffic leaving the skating rink to back up, the mayor said.
Authorities report there has been some tension between parents and crossing guards when arrival and dismissal procedures are not followed. However, there have been no arrests.
Snyder-Girotti Principal Rosemary Parmigiani acknowledges a lot of the problems could have been avoided if the old district elementary school behind the new building was already demolished.
But that likely will not happen until next summer, officials said.
"We've informed parents that we all have to be flexible, just like with any growing pains," the principal said.
Want to know more?
Call 215-781-1020 or go to www.bbsd.org and click onto the link "Attention Parents of Snyder-Girotti Students New." It provides information about arrival and dismissal procedures at the new school.
from the bcct:
New school works on arrival, dismissal process
By: JOAN HELLYER
Bucks County Courier Times
Revisions will include additional crossing guards and adjustments to a traffic light's timing at a key intersection.
Extra crossing guards will be on duty this morning as students arrive for class at the new Warren Snyder-John Girotti Elementary/Middle School, borough and district officials said Wednesday.
The additional guards are needed to help students safely get across the busy intersection at Beaver and Pond streets near the school, Bristol Mayor Joseph A. Saxton said Wednesday after a meeting between borough and district representatives.
The officials met in borough hall after spending the first few days of the new school year observing traffic patterns during arrival and dismissal times from the $35 million school that serves more than 900 students in pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade.
"We knew it wasn't going to go off perfectly," police Chief Arnold Porter said. "But we've been working on it. Parents have to understand that their kids are safe."
Officials have asked parents who drive their children to school to park in the Grundy skating rink on the other side of Beaver Street and then make sure the kids get across the street with the help of a crossing guard to get to school.
However, many parents are parking on private properties owned by businesses on Pond Street across from the school, officials said.
The additional crossing guards will help move the foot traffic more quickly across Pond Street while borough and district officials look for ways to improve the drop off and pick up plan.
Officials also will try to have a traffic light at the intersection modified to allow more time for motorists to turn left onto Pond Street from Beaver Street during dismissal time, Saxton said.
Right now, the light is programmed to allow traffic to move in that direction for 10 to 12 seconds at a time. That's causing traffic leaving the skating rink to back up, the mayor said.
Authorities report there has been some tension between parents and crossing guards when arrival and dismissal procedures are not followed. However, there have been no arrests.
Snyder-Girotti Principal Rosemary Parmigiani acknowledges a lot of the problems could have been avoided if the old district elementary school behind the new building was already demolished.
But that likely will not happen until next summer, officials said.
"We've informed parents that we all have to be flexible, just like with any growing pains," the principal said.
Want to know more?
Call 215-781-1020 or go to www.bbsd.org and click onto the link "Attention Parents of Snyder-Girotti Students New." It provides information about arrival and dismissal procedures at the new school.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
The fallout of the M.R. Reiter EXPLOSION
When the furnace at M.R. Reiter exploded, little did we know that we would be dealing with its effects and the decisions made by the "stay on track" board members for such a long time. The following are facts that cannot be disputed.
With Reiter being mothballed and unable to reopen, the "stay on track" board voted to put k-3 in Grandview School, and 4-12 in the middle/high school. This hasty decision has led to several problems that still need to be addressed. Keep in mind that the explosion happened in Dec '08. It is now Sept '09. First issue is the middle/high school was designed for older kids. Not for elementary aged children. The bathrooms are not designed for younger kids, especially 4th and 5th graders.
The second issue is the use of the bathrooms. When children need to "go" they need to "go". They should not be told to go at 10:20 am, or any other designated time. The following link may be useful if this is an issue for your child.
http://www.childadvocate.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=17&Itemid=1
The next issue is outside recess. The 4th and 5th graders are not allowed to go outside for recess. Reasons given for this are, there is no fenced in area to contain the children, and there is no equipment for the children to play with. It is our understanding the PTO is planning to purchase some equipment , but is it their responsibility? Perhaps if the board planned this out, some equipment would have been purchased before the start of the school year. But they choose to instead to hire a communications director at $25k. It shows where their interest are, saving themselves and not your children.
Next issue is the traffic situation at both schools. We have discussed this at great length for the past week or so. It seems that the board is ignorant of any issues, because we haven't heard anything from them. Perhaps incumbent school board members would be better off standing on the corner observing the morning rush, rather than observing their opposition passing out fliers.
Not directly related to the Reiter explosion, but also not to be ignored is the fact that children in grades 4-12 are going to school in a building that is under renovation. These renovations are not on schedule. There are trailers in the parking lot where children have been observed playing around. Not safe. And there is debris and unwanted trash from the renovation cluttered around the dumpsters in the morning. Not safe. The board has hired someone to look after their interests, but who is looking out for the childrens' and staffs' interests? Isn't that their responsibility?
Bring these issues to the board at the next meeting on the 23rd of Sept.
With Reiter being mothballed and unable to reopen, the "stay on track" board voted to put k-3 in Grandview School, and 4-12 in the middle/high school. This hasty decision has led to several problems that still need to be addressed. Keep in mind that the explosion happened in Dec '08. It is now Sept '09. First issue is the middle/high school was designed for older kids. Not for elementary aged children. The bathrooms are not designed for younger kids, especially 4th and 5th graders.
The second issue is the use of the bathrooms. When children need to "go" they need to "go". They should not be told to go at 10:20 am, or any other designated time. The following link may be useful if this is an issue for your child.
http://www.childadvocate.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=17&Itemid=1
The next issue is outside recess. The 4th and 5th graders are not allowed to go outside for recess. Reasons given for this are, there is no fenced in area to contain the children, and there is no equipment for the children to play with. It is our understanding the PTO is planning to purchase some equipment , but is it their responsibility? Perhaps if the board planned this out, some equipment would have been purchased before the start of the school year. But they choose to instead to hire a communications director at $25k. It shows where their interest are, saving themselves and not your children.
Next issue is the traffic situation at both schools. We have discussed this at great length for the past week or so. It seems that the board is ignorant of any issues, because we haven't heard anything from them. Perhaps incumbent school board members would be better off standing on the corner observing the morning rush, rather than observing their opposition passing out fliers.
Not directly related to the Reiter explosion, but also not to be ignored is the fact that children in grades 4-12 are going to school in a building that is under renovation. These renovations are not on schedule. There are trailers in the parking lot where children have been observed playing around. Not safe. And there is debris and unwanted trash from the renovation cluttered around the dumpsters in the morning. Not safe. The board has hired someone to look after their interests, but who is looking out for the childrens' and staffs' interests? Isn't that their responsibility?
Bring these issues to the board at the next meeting on the 23rd of Sept.
Reminder: Meetings tonight
Couple of meetings tonight,
Sept. 16, 2009
6:30 pm Education Meeting (G Hall conf. room)
7:00 pm Human Resources/Negotiations Meeting(G Hal Conf. room)
7:30 pm Agenda Meeting(LGI Room)
Sept. 16, 2009
6:30 pm Education Meeting (G Hall conf. room)
7:00 pm Human Resources/Negotiations Meeting(G Hal Conf. room)
7:30 pm Agenda Meeting(LGI Room)
Lower Bucks YMCA leader sparks movement to avert state budget cuts for day care
from buckslocalnews.com
By Petra Chesner Schlatter; BucksLocalNews.com
While negotiations about the Pennsylvania budget are tied up in a committee in Harrisburg, leaders of the Lower Bucks YMCA and groups providing day care services are fighting to keep lawmakers from cutting state subsidies.
Michele Fina, branch director of the Morrisville YMCA, commented about what effect cuts to day care subsidies would have.
The Morrisville YMCA serves children aged six weeks through 12 years, in full day child care programs and before- and after-school care.
“If and when the budget is passed,” Fina said, “we are the recipients of a grant, called Pennsylvania Pre K Counts, through the state that provides free Pre Kindergarten to at-risk children who are English language learners, below the poverty guidelines, have an IEP (Individualized Education Plan), homeless or have another risk factor that is recognized by the state.
“This entire program is on hold,” Fina emphasized.
Currently, the Morrisville YMCA has 63 of 103 children attending full time who are funded by the Child Care Works Program. Since the budget has not been passed, the local YMCA has received no money for July and August.
“We have had to call all 18 of the children in our Pennsylvania Pre K Counts Program to tell them that since there is no budget, we cannot start the program in September,” she continued.
“Many of those parents are counting on this free program,” Fina said. Without the program, children cannot attend another program and may start school behind other children who have been in child care and who have had the opportunity to become involved in learning environments.”
Fina said several bills proposed by legislators “have proposed massive cuts to early childhood care and education, including removing funding for 8,000 children receiving Child Care Works subsidy statewide, cutting Pennsylvania Pre K Counts by almost 50 percent and reductions to the Keystone STARS program that provides support for participating child care sites.
“There are additional cuts to Head Start and Family Nurse Practitioner that will affect us, directly or indirectly as well,” she said.
She said parents would lose jobs. “Younger children may be left in the care of older relatives or neighbors who are not trained child-care employees. Children will sit in front of televisions and not be learning valuable skills needed to help them become successful in school.”
“Some school-aged children will be left alone at home,” Fina noted. “Will it take a tragedy happening at home, to an innocent seven-year-old child, before our legislators see past their political agendas and greed and understand that they are playing Russian roulette with our most vulnerable citizens?”
Fina’s staff and parents have been calling local legislators, Senators Chuck McIlhinney and Tommy Tomlinson. Her Family Group will discuss strategies to flood all the legislators with phone calls and emails.
The Morrisville YMCA has approximately 80 children who will be affected by budget cuts. Fina asked, “Think about the impact on their families. Our government wanted individuals off Welfare.
“They are going to force people right back to Welfare – hard-working people who will no longer be employed. Unemployment and welfare will be increasing,” she said.
Fina is vehement. She has sent “many emails and letters from President Obama all the way down to the county commissioners and everyone in between, including Senators Arlen Spector and Bob Casey.
“Some have heard from me ten times,” she said. “I want everyone to know that the only way our legislators are going to act on these issues, is if they hear from their constituents.”
She encourages people to call, write or e-mail their legislators. “Don’t stop – keep the pressure on.”
Eric Stark, chief executive officer for the Lower Bucks Family YMCA, said about 20 percent of the YMCA’s early childhood funding comes from the state.
Stark said cuts in state subsidies would mean children who have learning disabilities “will be set back even more. These children will potentially under-achieve the rest of their lives.”
How the YMCA would be affected depends on the “severity of the cuts. In the short run, we have made a commitment to continue serving children and families as long as we can until the budget is passed. If it goes too long, we are not going to be able to pay our staff,” Stark maintained.
“If the budget is not passed we’re going to have some tough decisions to make such as whether to continue services at all to families who are on Apple Child Care now and whether to continue the services, but charge the families.”
Stark said the statewide YMCA alliance is doing advocacy work with the Pennsylvania legislature and the governor’s office “to make sure these programs are fully funded so we don’t start leaving children behind or not ready to enter Kindergarten ready to learn.”
By Petra Chesner Schlatter; BucksLocalNews.com
While negotiations about the Pennsylvania budget are tied up in a committee in Harrisburg, leaders of the Lower Bucks YMCA and groups providing day care services are fighting to keep lawmakers from cutting state subsidies.
Michele Fina, branch director of the Morrisville YMCA, commented about what effect cuts to day care subsidies would have.
The Morrisville YMCA serves children aged six weeks through 12 years, in full day child care programs and before- and after-school care.
“If and when the budget is passed,” Fina said, “we are the recipients of a grant, called Pennsylvania Pre K Counts, through the state that provides free Pre Kindergarten to at-risk children who are English language learners, below the poverty guidelines, have an IEP (Individualized Education Plan), homeless or have another risk factor that is recognized by the state.
“This entire program is on hold,” Fina emphasized.
Currently, the Morrisville YMCA has 63 of 103 children attending full time who are funded by the Child Care Works Program. Since the budget has not been passed, the local YMCA has received no money for July and August.
“We have had to call all 18 of the children in our Pennsylvania Pre K Counts Program to tell them that since there is no budget, we cannot start the program in September,” she continued.
“Many of those parents are counting on this free program,” Fina said. Without the program, children cannot attend another program and may start school behind other children who have been in child care and who have had the opportunity to become involved in learning environments.”
Fina said several bills proposed by legislators “have proposed massive cuts to early childhood care and education, including removing funding for 8,000 children receiving Child Care Works subsidy statewide, cutting Pennsylvania Pre K Counts by almost 50 percent and reductions to the Keystone STARS program that provides support for participating child care sites.
“There are additional cuts to Head Start and Family Nurse Practitioner that will affect us, directly or indirectly as well,” she said.
She said parents would lose jobs. “Younger children may be left in the care of older relatives or neighbors who are not trained child-care employees. Children will sit in front of televisions and not be learning valuable skills needed to help them become successful in school.”
“Some school-aged children will be left alone at home,” Fina noted. “Will it take a tragedy happening at home, to an innocent seven-year-old child, before our legislators see past their political agendas and greed and understand that they are playing Russian roulette with our most vulnerable citizens?”
Fina’s staff and parents have been calling local legislators, Senators Chuck McIlhinney and Tommy Tomlinson. Her Family Group will discuss strategies to flood all the legislators with phone calls and emails.
The Morrisville YMCA has approximately 80 children who will be affected by budget cuts. Fina asked, “Think about the impact on their families. Our government wanted individuals off Welfare.
“They are going to force people right back to Welfare – hard-working people who will no longer be employed. Unemployment and welfare will be increasing,” she said.
Fina is vehement. She has sent “many emails and letters from President Obama all the way down to the county commissioners and everyone in between, including Senators Arlen Spector and Bob Casey.
“Some have heard from me ten times,” she said. “I want everyone to know that the only way our legislators are going to act on these issues, is if they hear from their constituents.”
She encourages people to call, write or e-mail their legislators. “Don’t stop – keep the pressure on.”
Eric Stark, chief executive officer for the Lower Bucks Family YMCA, said about 20 percent of the YMCA’s early childhood funding comes from the state.
Stark said cuts in state subsidies would mean children who have learning disabilities “will be set back even more. These children will potentially under-achieve the rest of their lives.”
How the YMCA would be affected depends on the “severity of the cuts. In the short run, we have made a commitment to continue serving children and families as long as we can until the budget is passed. If it goes too long, we are not going to be able to pay our staff,” Stark maintained.
“If the budget is not passed we’re going to have some tough decisions to make such as whether to continue services at all to families who are on Apple Child Care now and whether to continue the services, but charge the families.”
Stark said the statewide YMCA alliance is doing advocacy work with the Pennsylvania legislature and the governor’s office “to make sure these programs are fully funded so we don’t start leaving children behind or not ready to enter Kindergarten ready to learn.”
Wachovia grant sought for Morrisville's First Ward
from buckslocalnews.com
By Petra Chesner Schlatter; BucksLocalNews.com
The old industrial section in southern Morrisville Borough near the Falls Township line could be the focus of a community improvement project, which would be funded by the Wachovia Regional Foundation.
The project is called the “First Ward Growing Together” program. The Bucks County Housing Group, which administers the low-income Robert Morris apartment complex in another part of the borough, has applied for a five-year grant for a maximum of $750,000.
According to a study of the First Ward, poverty levels are increasing. The population was 2008, according to the 2000 Census. There has been a slight increase since then. Mid-year Census population estimates by the Bucks County Planning Commission are 2052 residents in 2007 and 2102 residents in 2012.
The median age is on the rise to 41.3 by 2012. The population is slightly aging.
“Racially and ethnically, the First Ward Neighborhood is less diverse than the borough as a whole,” the study reads. “The 2000 Census reported that 90.2 percent of the neighborhood residents were white, compared with 76 percent for the borough. The borough population is 4.8 percent Hispanic while in the First Ward it is only 3.6 percent.
According to Jane Burger, longtime Morrisville Borough Council member, the First Ward is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the borough. Industry in the area was a large part of the community. A closed rubber mill there was a central part of life in the area.
Burger said the First Ward is a “very strong and closely-knit neighborhood.” But, people are struggling at poverty level.
She said with the advent of the proposed grant, there is an opportunity for people to hook up with programs, which can help them.
Nancy Szamborski, executive director of the housing group, gave a presentation about the proposed project at the Morrisville Borough Council meeting on July 20.
Szamborski noted there is considerable competition for the five-year grant. Five organizations are under consideration for the funds. “We won’t learn until October whether we’re going to get additional funds,” she said.
The foundation had given the housing group $100,000 for an “implementation grant.” That grant finished at the end of June, according to Szamborski.
Part of the initial planning study included a survey of residents in the First Ward. There are three sections of the First Ward – The Manor, The Riverfront and Bridge Street. Those neighborhoods are deeply rooted. Szamborski said the survey was conducted to determine what the residents in the First Ward need.
Szamborski said 50-percent of the implementation grant focused on the housing group’s organizational ability to administer the grant.
The implementation grant would not fund and “bricks and mortar” projects.
“Resident participation is absolutely key to the success of the grant,” she said. “It is important to establish a First Ward Neighborhood Association as soon as possible.”
Szamborski said the First Ward Strategic Plan spells out the needs, which were identified by residents:
* provide First Ward with a greater sense of identity;
* keep the neighborhood clean and safe;
* increase awareness of and access to social, transportation and other governmental service; and
* promote the First Ward as a good place to live and do business
Among the short-term goals are:
* establish a First Ward Community Center;
* employ a full-time community builder and a part-time community service coordinator;
* create a First Ward Web site and newsletter as well as establish a site for the Bucks County Health and Human Service programs;
* create a Neighborhood Crime Watch Association;
* partner with Ivins House to extend the established programs to the First Ward; and
* partner with the central business community to establish a Wachovia business development center.
If the housing group is awarded the grant, it would begin in January 2010 and end in December 2014. The First Ward Neighborhood Association Inaugural meeting would take place in January 2010.
Szamborski said, “The implementation of the grant as a whole will depend on the strength and motivation of the First Ward Neighborhood Association to carry out the broad plans…
“If this first stage of development is fundamentally sound,” she continued, “it will ultimately have a lasting impact on the borough as a whole because it will make a vulnerable part of the city strong.”
Szamborski said, “This strengthening can only have a positive effect on the borough and may allow significant partnerships and strategies to grow in the future.”
By Petra Chesner Schlatter; BucksLocalNews.com
The old industrial section in southern Morrisville Borough near the Falls Township line could be the focus of a community improvement project, which would be funded by the Wachovia Regional Foundation.
The project is called the “First Ward Growing Together” program. The Bucks County Housing Group, which administers the low-income Robert Morris apartment complex in another part of the borough, has applied for a five-year grant for a maximum of $750,000.
According to a study of the First Ward, poverty levels are increasing. The population was 2008, according to the 2000 Census. There has been a slight increase since then. Mid-year Census population estimates by the Bucks County Planning Commission are 2052 residents in 2007 and 2102 residents in 2012.
The median age is on the rise to 41.3 by 2012. The population is slightly aging.
“Racially and ethnically, the First Ward Neighborhood is less diverse than the borough as a whole,” the study reads. “The 2000 Census reported that 90.2 percent of the neighborhood residents were white, compared with 76 percent for the borough. The borough population is 4.8 percent Hispanic while in the First Ward it is only 3.6 percent.
According to Jane Burger, longtime Morrisville Borough Council member, the First Ward is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the borough. Industry in the area was a large part of the community. A closed rubber mill there was a central part of life in the area.
Burger said the First Ward is a “very strong and closely-knit neighborhood.” But, people are struggling at poverty level.
She said with the advent of the proposed grant, there is an opportunity for people to hook up with programs, which can help them.
Nancy Szamborski, executive director of the housing group, gave a presentation about the proposed project at the Morrisville Borough Council meeting on July 20.
Szamborski noted there is considerable competition for the five-year grant. Five organizations are under consideration for the funds. “We won’t learn until October whether we’re going to get additional funds,” she said.
The foundation had given the housing group $100,000 for an “implementation grant.” That grant finished at the end of June, according to Szamborski.
Part of the initial planning study included a survey of residents in the First Ward. There are three sections of the First Ward – The Manor, The Riverfront and Bridge Street. Those neighborhoods are deeply rooted. Szamborski said the survey was conducted to determine what the residents in the First Ward need.
Szamborski said 50-percent of the implementation grant focused on the housing group’s organizational ability to administer the grant.
The implementation grant would not fund and “bricks and mortar” projects.
“Resident participation is absolutely key to the success of the grant,” she said. “It is important to establish a First Ward Neighborhood Association as soon as possible.”
Szamborski said the First Ward Strategic Plan spells out the needs, which were identified by residents:
* provide First Ward with a greater sense of identity;
* keep the neighborhood clean and safe;
* increase awareness of and access to social, transportation and other governmental service; and
* promote the First Ward as a good place to live and do business
Among the short-term goals are:
* establish a First Ward Community Center;
* employ a full-time community builder and a part-time community service coordinator;
* create a First Ward Web site and newsletter as well as establish a site for the Bucks County Health and Human Service programs;
* create a Neighborhood Crime Watch Association;
* partner with Ivins House to extend the established programs to the First Ward; and
* partner with the central business community to establish a Wachovia business development center.
If the housing group is awarded the grant, it would begin in January 2010 and end in December 2014. The First Ward Neighborhood Association Inaugural meeting would take place in January 2010.
Szamborski said, “The implementation of the grant as a whole will depend on the strength and motivation of the First Ward Neighborhood Association to carry out the broad plans…
“If this first stage of development is fundamentally sound,” she continued, “it will ultimately have a lasting impact on the borough as a whole because it will make a vulnerable part of the city strong.”
Szamborski said, “This strengthening can only have a positive effect on the borough and may allow significant partnerships and strategies to grow in the future.”
Tests changing for special ed students
from the bcct:
Tests changing for special ed students
By: JOAN HELLYER
The Intelligencer
The Pennsylvania Department of Education is changing the way schools test special education students to determine their learning levels, officials said. The modified tests "will be less cognitively complex and shorter" than the regular standardized tests, according to state education officials.
Schools officials have argued for years that special education students often don't learn at the same rate as mainstream students, and therefore their scores shouldn't be used to determine if a school deserves Adequate Yearly Progress status.
The state uses results from the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment mathematics and reading tests to determine whether schools achieved AYP, as required by the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
Low-performing schools face a variety of corrective actions including eventual takeover by the state if PSSA results do not improve.
Locally, the high schools in the Bensalem, Centennial, Council Rock, Neshaminy and Morrisville school districts received a warning or landed in corrective action status after their special education students did not demonstrate proficiency in at least one of the 2009 exams. In addition, Bensalem's two middle schools and Samuel K. Faust and Benjamin Rush elementary schools did not earn AYP status because of their special education students' performance on the tests.
Once the modified PSSA tests are used beginning in 2010, there will be no limit on the number of special education students who can take the exams in each school. However, only 2 percent of the satisfactory scores from the modified tests will count toward the school's proficiency rating when AYP status is being determined, state education officials said.
The remaining results, regardless of how well the special education students performed, will be factored in with the scores of mainstream students who scored in the below basic range, officials said. Below basic suggests a student is performing below his or her grade level.
Given the limitations on how results from the modified exam will be used, local educators wonder if the changes will really make a difference.
"At this point, it's more of a gesture than a solution," Council Rock Superintendent Mark Klein said. "I don't know if it goes far enough and takes into consideration the significant difficulties the special education students face."
Bristol Township School District officials have similar concerns, spokeswoman Eileen Kelliher said.
"We worry that these tests will only set new standards for failure for a vulnerable population," she said.
Until now, only severely handicapped students have been exempt from taking the PSSA tests, despite the fact that many special education students don't learn at their biological grade level. That fact was illustrated in the recently released 2009 PSSA results in mathematics and reading.
At Bensalem High School, for instance, only 11.9 percent of the 42 special education students who were tested demonstrated proficiency on the PSSA 11th-grade math test. That compares to an overall proficiency rate of 57.3 percent for the 403 Bensalem juniors who took the exam.
The proficiency rate is the number of students who scored proficient or advanced on the standardized tests. Students who score in either of those categories are learning at or above their grade level, officials said.
Council Rock High School North in Newtown Township, for example, had an overall proficiency rate of 69.2 percent for the 553 students who took the 11th-grade math exam. But only 6.4 percent of the 62 CR North special education students who took the PSSA math test demonstrated they're learning at their grade level.
State Education Department officials say they're developing the modified tests to better determine how well special education students learn. They explained the revisions earlier this month prior to the release of the 2009 AYP results.
The modified math test will be used beginning in 2010, said John Weiss, director of the Education Department's assessment and accountability bureau. The reading test will be used starting in 2011.
However, "not every (special education) student will take the modified assessment," Weiss said.
That will be determined when a student, his or her parents and school representatives craft an Individual Education Program for the child. The IEP will spell out whether "the student is qualified to participate in the modified assessment," Weiss said.
To qualify, a student needs accommodations and modifications made to their learning environment, including additional teachers and teaching assistants, to give them a chance to perform at the same level as their peers, PDE officials said. But even with those extra supports, those students must demonstrate "persistent academic difficulties" to qualify for the modified exams.
"On the surface, the (modified PSSA tests) look much better at meeting the needs of that group of students," said Bristol Superintendent Broadus Davis, a former special education teacher. "But its impact is still to be determined."
Joan Hellyer can be reached at 215-949-4048 or jhellyer@phillyBurbs.com.
Tests changing for special ed students
By: JOAN HELLYER
The Intelligencer
The Pennsylvania Department of Education is changing the way schools test special education students to determine their learning levels, officials said. The modified tests "will be less cognitively complex and shorter" than the regular standardized tests, according to state education officials.
Schools officials have argued for years that special education students often don't learn at the same rate as mainstream students, and therefore their scores shouldn't be used to determine if a school deserves Adequate Yearly Progress status.
The state uses results from the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment mathematics and reading tests to determine whether schools achieved AYP, as required by the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
Low-performing schools face a variety of corrective actions including eventual takeover by the state if PSSA results do not improve.
Locally, the high schools in the Bensalem, Centennial, Council Rock, Neshaminy and Morrisville school districts received a warning or landed in corrective action status after their special education students did not demonstrate proficiency in at least one of the 2009 exams. In addition, Bensalem's two middle schools and Samuel K. Faust and Benjamin Rush elementary schools did not earn AYP status because of their special education students' performance on the tests.
Once the modified PSSA tests are used beginning in 2010, there will be no limit on the number of special education students who can take the exams in each school. However, only 2 percent of the satisfactory scores from the modified tests will count toward the school's proficiency rating when AYP status is being determined, state education officials said.
The remaining results, regardless of how well the special education students performed, will be factored in with the scores of mainstream students who scored in the below basic range, officials said. Below basic suggests a student is performing below his or her grade level.
Given the limitations on how results from the modified exam will be used, local educators wonder if the changes will really make a difference.
"At this point, it's more of a gesture than a solution," Council Rock Superintendent Mark Klein said. "I don't know if it goes far enough and takes into consideration the significant difficulties the special education students face."
Bristol Township School District officials have similar concerns, spokeswoman Eileen Kelliher said.
"We worry that these tests will only set new standards for failure for a vulnerable population," she said.
Until now, only severely handicapped students have been exempt from taking the PSSA tests, despite the fact that many special education students don't learn at their biological grade level. That fact was illustrated in the recently released 2009 PSSA results in mathematics and reading.
At Bensalem High School, for instance, only 11.9 percent of the 42 special education students who were tested demonstrated proficiency on the PSSA 11th-grade math test. That compares to an overall proficiency rate of 57.3 percent for the 403 Bensalem juniors who took the exam.
The proficiency rate is the number of students who scored proficient or advanced on the standardized tests. Students who score in either of those categories are learning at or above their grade level, officials said.
Council Rock High School North in Newtown Township, for example, had an overall proficiency rate of 69.2 percent for the 553 students who took the 11th-grade math exam. But only 6.4 percent of the 62 CR North special education students who took the PSSA math test demonstrated they're learning at their grade level.
State Education Department officials say they're developing the modified tests to better determine how well special education students learn. They explained the revisions earlier this month prior to the release of the 2009 AYP results.
The modified math test will be used beginning in 2010, said John Weiss, director of the Education Department's assessment and accountability bureau. The reading test will be used starting in 2011.
However, "not every (special education) student will take the modified assessment," Weiss said.
That will be determined when a student, his or her parents and school representatives craft an Individual Education Program for the child. The IEP will spell out whether "the student is qualified to participate in the modified assessment," Weiss said.
To qualify, a student needs accommodations and modifications made to their learning environment, including additional teachers and teaching assistants, to give them a chance to perform at the same level as their peers, PDE officials said. But even with those extra supports, those students must demonstrate "persistent academic difficulties" to qualify for the modified exams.
"On the surface, the (modified PSSA tests) look much better at meeting the needs of that group of students," said Bristol Superintendent Broadus Davis, a former special education teacher. "But its impact is still to be determined."
Joan Hellyer can be reached at 215-949-4048 or jhellyer@phillyBurbs.com.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Where the fingers should be pointed...
As parents we are all concerned about the safety and well being of our children. This goes without saying. The current situation at both of our schools has yet to be addressed by this board. And that is where the blame should lie. It is not the administrations fault that this is happening. The administration is not to blame for the boards willy nilly approach to running a district. Unfortunately the board will most likely spin in so it looks like it was the administration's problem. The stay on trackers on the board need a lesson on taking responsibility for their actions/inactions.
With P.W. as the communications czar surely we should have seen a press release easing parents concerns after a nightmare of a first week. Or even a letter to parents at least recognizing the problem.Have we seen anything? Nope. Don't expect to either. Her job is also to suppress the negative actions/inactions of the Morrisville School Board, not just promote the positive. And where is Marly's Mihok during all of this. She calls herself a "child safety advocate", but where is she when such a person is needed. Marlys you have had a plan in the past for children walking in the streets(albeit a strange, twisted plan), where is your plan for a real problem(one that you helped create)?
With P.W. as the communications czar surely we should have seen a press release easing parents concerns after a nightmare of a first week. Or even a letter to parents at least recognizing the problem.Have we seen anything? Nope. Don't expect to either. Her job is also to suppress the negative actions/inactions of the Morrisville School Board, not just promote the positive. And where is Marly's Mihok during all of this. She calls herself a "child safety advocate", but where is she when such a person is needed. Marlys you have had a plan in the past for children walking in the streets(albeit a strange, twisted plan), where is your plan for a real problem(one that you helped create)?
Monday, September 14, 2009
And the chaos continues...
We are hearing that the am drop off today was the worst yet. What was your experience like? Will the stay on trackers ignore this like they ignored the furnace at Reiter??
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Potpourri for the week of 9/13-9/19
The first week of school brought us a dangerous traffic situation at both schools and construction apparently taking place during school hours. As parents, it's not asking much to address these issues. The traffic situation needs to be addressed. Whether it is staggered starting times, different drop off points for certain grades, police presence for directing traffic both on Palmer St., and Grandview Ave. And a presence of aides and administration ensuring an orderly drop off/pick up. Please do something.
On the renovation front, parents were promised at the last board meeting that construction would not take place during school hours. Yet on the first day, a class had to be moved so that new windows could be installed. Unacceptable. To the board and administration, please don't let this happen again.
To the board majority...aren't you tired of damage control? Since the explosion at M.R. Reiter, that's all you guys have been doing. You created the current mess by voting to cram kids in trailers and a high school not designed for younger students. That is a fact, that not even P.W. can spin in a positive light. Last we heard she was still looking for the LGI room. Some of you(Hellmann, Mihok, Radosti) even voted against hiring a 4th kindergarten teacher. Luckily Bill Farrell saw the light, and Jack Buckman, up for reelection , made a rare vote against his "stay on track" friends. Bill Hellmann even said "we are not obligated to provide Kindergarten" Is this your next area of savings Mr. Hellmann? Keep this in mind folks...the "stay on track" team was voted into office because the town did not want a new school. Fine.. Now that the new school is dead, and there are no plans by anyone to resurrect this venture, they(stay on track) have no plan and are only concerned with one thing...lowering taxes. This venture has created the mess we are all dealing with day in and day out. "Staying on track" is not in Morrisville's best interest.
On the renovation front, parents were promised at the last board meeting that construction would not take place during school hours. Yet on the first day, a class had to be moved so that new windows could be installed. Unacceptable. To the board and administration, please don't let this happen again.
To the board majority...aren't you tired of damage control? Since the explosion at M.R. Reiter, that's all you guys have been doing. You created the current mess by voting to cram kids in trailers and a high school not designed for younger students. That is a fact, that not even P.W. can spin in a positive light. Last we heard she was still looking for the LGI room. Some of you(Hellmann, Mihok, Radosti) even voted against hiring a 4th kindergarten teacher. Luckily Bill Farrell saw the light, and Jack Buckman, up for reelection , made a rare vote against his "stay on track" friends. Bill Hellmann even said "we are not obligated to provide Kindergarten" Is this your next area of savings Mr. Hellmann? Keep this in mind folks...the "stay on track" team was voted into office because the town did not want a new school. Fine.. Now that the new school is dead, and there are no plans by anyone to resurrect this venture, they(stay on track) have no plan and are only concerned with one thing...lowering taxes. This venture has created the mess we are all dealing with day in and day out. "Staying on track" is not in Morrisville's best interest.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
PTO Meeting, Mon 9/14
We were asked by an emailer to pass along the info that the next Morrisville PTO meeting is on Monday 9/14 at 7pm at Grandview School. Also they wanted to remind parents that the PTO has expanded to grades K-8.
Class sizes, facts and figures
An ongoing topic of conversation amongst board members is the wish to increase class sizes. We have attached a link to a study that was completed in Tennessee. It is definitely worth taking a look at.
http://www.heros-inc.org/star.htm
http://www.classsizematters.org/
http://www.heros-inc.org/star.htm
http://www.classsizematters.org/
Bulldogs improve to 2-0 !!!!!
from the BCCT:
Friday football: Morrisville overwhelms Princeton (N.J.) Day School to go to 2-0
By JEAN-PAUL LAUTENSCHLAGER
Correspondent
PRINCETON, N.J. - Two victories in two weeks represents new territory for Morrisville’s football team.
The Bulldogs won two games in all of 2008. Now, they have two in two tries. Morrisville made it two in a row after a 37-7 triumph over Princeton (N.J.) Day School Friday night.
“When I was a freshman; we didn’t do good. When I was a sophomore; we didn’t do good. Now we’re starting off 2-0. We need more wins,” wide receiver Julian Walker said.
The junior connected with Matt Cookson for two touchdowns (55 and 16 yards) in the first half, giving the Bulldogs a lead they never relinquished.
Morrisville’s shotgun-spread offense looked unstoppable. Cookson passed for 164 yards in the first half, including the two scores.
The Panthers couldn’t keep a leash on the Bulldog running attack in the second half. Senior running back Ruben Bresnen capped off the first series after halftime with a five-yard run to push the lead to 24-7. Cookson followed with a four-yard scamper and senior Mike Jones rushed for 27 yards to put the game out of the Panthers’ reach.
“We came in here thinking - dogfight,” said senior lineman Zach Markgraf. “We have to play in the trenches with them.”
Morrisville’s defense won the battle at the line of scrimmage and allowed only 30 yards of total offense in the first half. Markgraf set the tone in the third quarter collecting three sacks, including back-to-back backfield stops quieting any thoughts of a PDS comeback.
“I just turned it on. Give a team no life and they don’t have any. I figured shut them down and we keep scoring,” the two-way player said. “If you keep playing like that, that’s how you have a winning squad.”
PDS held Morrisville to a Brandon Douglass 29-yard field goal on the opening drive and gained momentum on a broken play. On the next Bulldog series, the rain-soaked ball slipped out of Cookson’s grasp and into the arms of PDS defensive lineman Davon Reed, who returned the ball for the Panthers’ sole score.
“I’ve been saying since day one just like last year, what killed us was when a team scores, we gave up. This year when they scored everybody was like ‘OK let’s get back on ‘O’ and do what we do,’” Cookson said.
Five plays later Walker caught his first of five passes en route to the win. Cookson finished 13-for-21 passing for 289 yards. The Bulldogs combined for 165 yards rushing.
The reversal in team record is directly related to the Bulldogs’ morale. And the winning helps, too.
“We’re going to practice way hard again (next week)…and hopefully go 3-0 next week,” Markgraf said.
Jean-Paul Lautenschlager can be reached at jpradio@hotmail.com.
Morrisville 37, Princeton (N.J.) Day School 7
Morrisville…………………………. 10 7 14 6-37
Princeton Day School………………….. 7 0 0 0-7
Scoring Summary
M - FG Douglass 29
PDS - Reed 43 interception return (Kelly kick)
M - Walker 55 pass from Cookson (Douglass kick)
M - Walker 16 pass from Cookson (Douglass kick)
M - Bresnen 5 run (Douglass kick)
M - Cookson 4 run (Douglass kick)
M - Jones 27 run (kick failed)
Team Statistics
M PDS
First Downs 15 5
Yards Rushing 165 10
Yards Passing 289 54
Total Offense 454 64
Comp. Passes, Int 13-22-2 6-20-3
Fumbles-lost 2-1 1-1
Penalties-yards 11-70 5-35
Punts-Avg. 2-20.5 6-33.3
Sacked-Yds. Lost 3-18 5-40
Individual Statistics
Morrisville
Rushing: Bresnen 9-54, 1 TD; Cookson 15-48, 1 TD; Jones 5-32, 1 TD; Beyer 3-13; Walker 1-11; Alexander 1-7.
Passing: Cookson 13-21-1, 289 yards, 2 TDs; Wilcox 0-1-1.
Receiving: Walker 5-84, 2 TDs; Beyer 2-83; Melendez 3-61; Wilcox 3-51.
Interceptions: Walker, Melendez, Jones.
Princeton Day School
Rushing: Kelly 8-28; Herr 4-7; Meekins 5-(-1); Straus 2-(-6); Reynolds 11-(-18).
Passing: Reynolds 4-15-3, 30 yards; Straus 2-5-0, 24 yds.
Receiving: Dillon 2-24; Kelly 2-15; Reed 1-9; Gee 1-6.
Interceptions: Reed, Dillon.
Friday football: Morrisville overwhelms Princeton (N.J.) Day School to go to 2-0
By JEAN-PAUL LAUTENSCHLAGER
Correspondent
PRINCETON, N.J. - Two victories in two weeks represents new territory for Morrisville’s football team.
The Bulldogs won two games in all of 2008. Now, they have two in two tries. Morrisville made it two in a row after a 37-7 triumph over Princeton (N.J.) Day School Friday night.
“When I was a freshman; we didn’t do good. When I was a sophomore; we didn’t do good. Now we’re starting off 2-0. We need more wins,” wide receiver Julian Walker said.
The junior connected with Matt Cookson for two touchdowns (55 and 16 yards) in the first half, giving the Bulldogs a lead they never relinquished.
Morrisville’s shotgun-spread offense looked unstoppable. Cookson passed for 164 yards in the first half, including the two scores.
The Panthers couldn’t keep a leash on the Bulldog running attack in the second half. Senior running back Ruben Bresnen capped off the first series after halftime with a five-yard run to push the lead to 24-7. Cookson followed with a four-yard scamper and senior Mike Jones rushed for 27 yards to put the game out of the Panthers’ reach.
“We came in here thinking - dogfight,” said senior lineman Zach Markgraf. “We have to play in the trenches with them.”
Morrisville’s defense won the battle at the line of scrimmage and allowed only 30 yards of total offense in the first half. Markgraf set the tone in the third quarter collecting three sacks, including back-to-back backfield stops quieting any thoughts of a PDS comeback.
“I just turned it on. Give a team no life and they don’t have any. I figured shut them down and we keep scoring,” the two-way player said. “If you keep playing like that, that’s how you have a winning squad.”
PDS held Morrisville to a Brandon Douglass 29-yard field goal on the opening drive and gained momentum on a broken play. On the next Bulldog series, the rain-soaked ball slipped out of Cookson’s grasp and into the arms of PDS defensive lineman Davon Reed, who returned the ball for the Panthers’ sole score.
“I’ve been saying since day one just like last year, what killed us was when a team scores, we gave up. This year when they scored everybody was like ‘OK let’s get back on ‘O’ and do what we do,’” Cookson said.
Five plays later Walker caught his first of five passes en route to the win. Cookson finished 13-for-21 passing for 289 yards. The Bulldogs combined for 165 yards rushing.
The reversal in team record is directly related to the Bulldogs’ morale. And the winning helps, too.
“We’re going to practice way hard again (next week)…and hopefully go 3-0 next week,” Markgraf said.
Jean-Paul Lautenschlager can be reached at jpradio@hotmail.com.
Morrisville 37, Princeton (N.J.) Day School 7
Morrisville…………………………. 10 7 14 6-37
Princeton Day School………………….. 7 0 0 0-7
Scoring Summary
M - FG Douglass 29
PDS - Reed 43 interception return (Kelly kick)
M - Walker 55 pass from Cookson (Douglass kick)
M - Walker 16 pass from Cookson (Douglass kick)
M - Bresnen 5 run (Douglass kick)
M - Cookson 4 run (Douglass kick)
M - Jones 27 run (kick failed)
Team Statistics
M PDS
First Downs 15 5
Yards Rushing 165 10
Yards Passing 289 54
Total Offense 454 64
Comp. Passes, Int 13-22-2 6-20-3
Fumbles-lost 2-1 1-1
Penalties-yards 11-70 5-35
Punts-Avg. 2-20.5 6-33.3
Sacked-Yds. Lost 3-18 5-40
Individual Statistics
Morrisville
Rushing: Bresnen 9-54, 1 TD; Cookson 15-48, 1 TD; Jones 5-32, 1 TD; Beyer 3-13; Walker 1-11; Alexander 1-7.
Passing: Cookson 13-21-1, 289 yards, 2 TDs; Wilcox 0-1-1.
Receiving: Walker 5-84, 2 TDs; Beyer 2-83; Melendez 3-61; Wilcox 3-51.
Interceptions: Walker, Melendez, Jones.
Princeton Day School
Rushing: Kelly 8-28; Herr 4-7; Meekins 5-(-1); Straus 2-(-6); Reynolds 11-(-18).
Passing: Reynolds 4-15-3, 30 yards; Straus 2-5-0, 24 yds.
Receiving: Dillon 2-24; Kelly 2-15; Reed 1-9; Gee 1-6.
Interceptions: Reed, Dillon.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Please take a moment....
Please take a moment today to remember and reflect on the tragic events which took place eight years ago today.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Interesting link regarding access controls at school construction sites
Check out this link: http://www.peterli.com/spm/resources/articles/archive.php?article_id=628
Has the board taken any of these steps to protect our children?
Let's ask them.
Has the board taken any of these steps to protect our children?
Let's ask them.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Dangerous situation brewing--Action Needed
For the past two years our school board majority has given us much to talk about and discuss, from their secret meetings, unethical and unprofessional behavior both in the board room and in public. For this they should be ashamed and embarrassed of their actions.
This blog started out as a forum to voice our opinions and let others in the community voice theirs. It is a forum where we as a community can come together and show the rest of Morrisville what the Hellmann regime is all about. We have had several laughs over the past few months of some board members behavior, but what has taken place over the first two days of school is no laughing matter.
We all know that the traffic around Grandview and the Intermediate/High School is a nightmare. Did the board majority think what traffic would be like if they crammed k-3 in one school and 6-12 in another? The answer is no. These buildings and parking lots were not designed to handle this kind of traffic. Not to mention that there is construction trailers in the parking lot at the IS/HS. Yes this is temporary, but as several parents have pointed out, they create blind spots and are a hazard.
At the last board meeting it was stated that construction was not on schedule to be finished before the first day of school. The "stay on track" candidates which include two current board members (Worob,Buckman) posted to their website an article from the bcct about renovations being on schedule. However this posting to their site was made after the 8/26 board meeting, when they knew that renovations would not be complete.
It was also stated at the 8/26 meeting that construction would not be taking place during school hours. Already on the first day of school children had to be moved because workers had to put new windows in. Where was the breakdown?
It is time for us as a community and as parents to stand up and tell the Hellmann regime and tell them that this situation is unacceptable. It is dangerous and is no laughing matter. There is a board meeting on 9/23. Please come to this meeting to voice your concerns and frustrations.
In the mean time there are several things we can do.
1. Call the school and voice your concerns.
2. As parents, please use restraint when dropping off/picking up. Take your time and slow down.
3. Call the School District office to demand a plan of action to fix these issues
4. Come to the 9/23 board meeting. By not standing up and taking action, the board will believe that nothing is wrong and there will be no improvements in the situation. And that cannot happen.
This blog started out as a forum to voice our opinions and let others in the community voice theirs. It is a forum where we as a community can come together and show the rest of Morrisville what the Hellmann regime is all about. We have had several laughs over the past few months of some board members behavior, but what has taken place over the first two days of school is no laughing matter.
We all know that the traffic around Grandview and the Intermediate/High School is a nightmare. Did the board majority think what traffic would be like if they crammed k-3 in one school and 6-12 in another? The answer is no. These buildings and parking lots were not designed to handle this kind of traffic. Not to mention that there is construction trailers in the parking lot at the IS/HS. Yes this is temporary, but as several parents have pointed out, they create blind spots and are a hazard.
At the last board meeting it was stated that construction was not on schedule to be finished before the first day of school. The "stay on track" candidates which include two current board members (Worob,Buckman) posted to their website an article from the bcct about renovations being on schedule. However this posting to their site was made after the 8/26 board meeting, when they knew that renovations would not be complete.
It was also stated at the 8/26 meeting that construction would not be taking place during school hours. Already on the first day of school children had to be moved because workers had to put new windows in. Where was the breakdown?
It is time for us as a community and as parents to stand up and tell the Hellmann regime and tell them that this situation is unacceptable. It is dangerous and is no laughing matter. There is a board meeting on 9/23. Please come to this meeting to voice your concerns and frustrations.
In the mean time there are several things we can do.
1. Call the school and voice your concerns.
2. As parents, please use restraint when dropping off/picking up. Take your time and slow down.
3. Call the School District office to demand a plan of action to fix these issues
4. Come to the 9/23 board meeting. By not standing up and taking action, the board will believe that nothing is wrong and there will be no improvements in the situation. And that cannot happen.
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