Terri Castaldi and Emily Dobbins take in the Broomall Memorial Day Parade

Each year a service is conducted by the Bonaventure-Clark VFW Post in Aston. Pictured - L to R - Larry Weathers, Jr, Retired U S Navy, Dave Irving, Retired U S Army, James Murphy, Bonaventure-Clark VFW Post and Stan Woerth, Retired U S Army

On April 22, 2009, Mrs. Puchalla's advisory class from Paxon Hollow Middle School wanted to raise awareness for littering around their school. They have noticed an abundant amount of trash around the building. For example, they noticed the gym bleachers, the hallways, courtyards, athletic fields, and the front of the building were full of litter. The class's mission was to try and start cleaning up the excess trash along the inside and outside of their building to promote more school pride. They used the model, "Don't be a litter bug" on the t-shirts they made, hoping to intrigue the eyes of other students. They also made posters to spread the environmental word, and have already collected several bags full of trash. The advisory class will continue to spread the environmental cause throughout the rest of the school year both inside and outsideof the school.

MEDIA, Pa. - Delaware County Sheriff Joe McGinn (left) presents a $5,000 check for The Sheriff's Scholarships to Dr. Jerry Parker, Delaware County Community College President.The Sheriff's Scholarships are funded through proceeds from the Annual Sheriff's 5K Run/Walk, to be held this year on June 14. Sheriff McGinn is an alumnus and former faculty member of the College. The Sheriff's Scholarships are open to veterans in any College program or students in Emergency Management and Planning majors.The College awarded five Sheriff's Scholarships for the 2009-2010 academic year. Recipients are Matthew Murray of Broomall, Emergency Management and Planning major, Municipal Police Officer concentration; Nicole Cocco of Elverson, a Nursing major; David Evans, Jr., of Aston, Emergency Management and Planning major, Fire Science concentration; Kevin Maccario of Upper Darby, Emergency Management and Planning Fire Science concentration; and William Paul IV of Holmes, Emergency Management and Planning, Municipal Police Officer concentration.

On May 6, Radnor High School students joined more than 200 high-school students from 36 school districts in Harrisburg for Classrooms for the Future Student Capitol Day. These students shared innovative projects that were created using technology provided through the Classrooms for the Future grant.
The Radnor Education Foundation has helped further supplement Radnor Township School District's technology with its own grants, helping more Radnor classrooms receive laptops, interactive white boards and collateral materials.
RHS CFF English teacher Abby Daniels and CFF technology-integration coach Andrea Brothman applied for the chance to travel to Harrisburg to meet with legislators to showcase the great learning experiences that are taking place in Daniels' classroom. While there, the group from Radnor met with state representatives Bill Adolph and Brian Lentz.
Daniels' two courses, Global Issues and World Literature, integrate technology to enhance and amplify classroom learning. With the help of Brothman, she created an online social network - a Ning - for each class.
Students have spent the year engaging in literature responses through the Ning site, which allows for online blogging, discussions, and multimedia sharing. To maintain student safety, the site is secure - the teacher retains control over who can access it and what images, videos and discussions are posted to the site.
Some of the 21st-century skills honed by integrating this technology are creativity and innovation, communication and collaboration, research and information fluency, critical thinking, problem-solving, productivity and digital-age literacy.
Integrating social networks in classrooms builds on students' familiarity with connecting with others online, but places it in an academic context. In the Global Issues class, an integrated English/social studies course, each student used Ning to blog reflections on chapters of A Fine Balance by Rohinton Minstry. Students responded to classmates' posts with clarifying questions, making connections among the plot, history, politics, geography and themselves. Any controversial topics discussed online were then addressed in class, allowing everyone to share thoughts and opinions. This activity allowed students to process the information they were reading and allowed them to gain understanding of the author's purpose, use of literary devices, and cultural mores.
Student thinking is deepened through this interactive network as they are compelled to digest, analyze and synthesize what they read, rather than read a work quickly without purpose. A written response, as opposed to oral, allows students the time to adequately reflect and formulate questions.
Blog responses require analysis, reflection, textual connections and prediction that demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Mothers and daughters from the Academy of Notre Dame recently attended the annual Mother-Daughter Communion Breakfast held at the Springfield Country Club. Following a special liturgy presided over by Rev. Robert J. Murray, OSA, of Villanova University, guests filed into the large dining room for a delicious buffet breakfast. School President Veronica Harrington thanked everyone for attending and recognized the graduating seniors and rising eighth graders.

Caption:
Seated, from left, are senior mothers Louisa Miceli of Broomall, Janice Matteo of Springfield and Therese Trainer of Bala Cynwyd. Standing, from left, are seniors Marissa Pedro, Dana Matteo and Megan Trainer.

VILLANOVA, Pennsylvania (May 6, 2009) - On April 28, the Academy of Notre Dame's most avid high school readers showed off their love of reading books when they won first place in the Delaware County Reading Olympics, hosted by Springfield High School. Over 500 students from 42 teams competed at the middle and high school levels.
All year, thirteen students committed themselves to reading 40 selected books in order to compete in this annual event located at Springfield High School. The team, who called themselves the Restricted Section, answered 55 out of 60 questions correctly to earn blue ribbons.
This was Notre Dame's first year participating among many local schools such as Marple Newtown and Springfield High Schools. The outstanding olympians were: sophomore Theresa Ramirez of Newtown Square, freshman Maureen McGrath of West Chester, sophomore Jackie Till of St. Davids, sophomore Rachel Rodden of Villanova, freshman Anna Colette Heldring of Wayne, freshman Morgan Schreck of St. Davids, sophomore Jackie McClellan of Havertown, junior Lucy Chen of Broomall, junior Georgia McAdams of Bala Cynwyd, sophomore Tabatha Barton of Newtown Square, freshman Stephanie Coffua of Newtown Square, freshman Grace Poole of Devon and sophomore Anna Hoplamazian of West Chester.
The Delaware County Reading Olympics is presented by the Delaware County Reading Council, Delaware County Intermediate Unit, and Springfield School District.
The Academy of Notre Dame de Namur is located at 560 Sproul Road in Villanova, Pa.

Drexel Hill, PA - May 13, 2009 Holy Child Academy Fourth Grader, Domenique Aguirre, has been voted as an Honorable Mention for her submission to the 2009 Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Awareness Poster Contest. The contest, managed by Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems, received over 1,400 posters from 34 different schools in Delaware County.
Domenique's award winning poster encourages students not to "waste time on drugs," and illustrates a soccer ball, a basketball, and a baseball bat as better alternatives to smoking. Domenique feels strongly about preventing drug abuse, explaining, "It's better to do sports than to do drugs!"

On Saturday, May 9th, 75 girl scouts from the Middlecreek Service Unit and their mothers attended the annual She and Me Tea held at the Media Community Center from 12-2pm. Pictured outside the community center are girl scouts Maitlin Combs, Michaela Combs, Gabby DiAntonio, Faith Davis and Anna DiAntonio.

Delaware County Court of Common Pleas Judge Chad F. Kenney greets the juror winners of the raffle on Juror Appreciation Day, which is held annually during the first week of May to show the Court's appreciation for the work of jurors every day. The winners include (left to right) Emily Collins of Holmes, Michael Czajkowski of Havertown, Nigel Laing of Upper Darby, and Susan A. Miller of Marcus Hook. All of the gifts given to the jurors during the week are donated by members of the Media Business Authority. The winners are selected with the help of the jury drum, which was used to select jurors before a computer undertook that responsibility.

These photos were taken at the Aston Community Center where many of the students met to depart with their limos and excutive buses for the prom which was held at the Moshulu Restaurant, Penn's Landing, Philadelphia, PA.
The first photo includes a group of students whom have gone all through school together since kindergarten at Coebourn Elementary up to Sun Valley.


The students include (from left to right): Pete Papageorge, Kaitlyn McLaughlin, Katie Cardwell, Sean McCaffrey, Carly Cagle, Abby Musial and Max O'Malley.


The second photo are: Katie Cardwell and Max O'Malley getting onto their bus.


All of these photos were taken by Karen Cardwell

VILLANOVA, Pennsylvania (May 6, 2009) - The Academy of Notre Dame held its Second Annual Sunflower Run in memory of Aimee Willard '92 on Saturday, April 25, at Ridley Creek State Park. The unseasonably warm weather brought out participants in droves, as over 365 runners and walkers registered. Awards were presented to the top three finishers in each age groups and each pre-registered person received a commemorative t-shirt.Over 60 sponsors helped support the event through donations of cash, food and beverages. Major sponsors included the dental office of Dr. Bellisario in Ardmore, the ACE Technology Group in Malvern, Casey's Restaurant in Newtown Square, and four members of the Wolfington family who are graduates of the Academy. A local band, The NEW Cartwrights, performed until race time to the delight of the assembled crowd. Proceeds benefited the Academy of Notre Dame Scholarship Fund.

Anne Shuster, 80, of Havertown, will compete in track and field events at the 2009 Delaware County Senior Games, set for June 15-19. Shuster, shown in the lead during the 2008 Games, has competed in 11 Senior Games and has earned a combined total of 216 medals. For information about the 2009 Delaware County Senior Games visit http://www.delcoseniorgames.org/.

Delaware County Council has a new Web site to help seniors connect with information for the 2009 Senior Games, set for June 15-19. Registration information is available on the County Web site at http://www.co.delaware.pa.us/ and at the new Web site, http://www.delcoseniorgames.org/. Preparing for the 2009 Senior Games are committee members, from left, athletes Burr Daly and Paul Walkovic, Co-Chairs Steve Gamble and Marc Manfre, and athletes Bob Ballantine and John Durning.

A. Richard Paul (left), Chairman of the Delaware County Heritage Commission, accepted a resolution declaring May to be Preservation Month in Delaware County from Councilman Thomas J. McGarrigle (right) prior to the presentation of the 31st annual historic preservation awards by the Heritage Commission at the May 5 County Council meeting.
Joining in the presentation were (2d row, from left) Council Vice-Chairman John J. Whelan, Council Chairman Linda A. Cartisano and Councilman Andy Lewis.

Here are some photos of the Health Fair recently held at St. Bernadette of Lourdes gradeschool in Drexel Hill. The Health Fair was coordinated by St. Bernadette's Physical Education Instructor, Rose Wallace and held on April 21st for grades 5-8, and on April 28th for grades K-4. Children traveled in groups to interactive stations such as: "Choking Charlie," where they discussed the Heimlich Manuever and how to perform it "Germbuster", where the children applied a solution to their hands and put then put them under an ultraviolet light to see the germs and the places they missed after washing Tobacco Education, which covered the ill effects of smoking. This station had a "tar jar", which showed what lungs look like after a year of smoking, a set of teeth showing tartar, plaque, and swelling due to smoking Whole Foods set up a Nutrition display of healthy snacks and banana smoothies, a well as a green smoothie made from assorted fruits and vegetables - Most kids were surprised at how delicious this was! A fitness station where the children learned Tae-Bo moves, as well as "Cardioke" An interactive heart station, which showed how blood travels through the heart and lungs and then to other organs of the body A poison station Representatives from Main Line Health/Bryn Mawr Hospital, a Professional Dietician, a Physician, and physical education instructors performed the demonstrations and interactive stations.

Blue Star Service Flags will fly throughout May beneath the American Flags in the courtyard of the Delaware County Government Center and at the Courthouse, Media, to honor Delaware County residents in military service and their families.
Representatives of the Philadelphia Chapter of blue Star Mothers joined members of County Council in the courtyard to raise the Blue Star Flag, the official banner authorized by the U.S. Defense Department for display by families and associations who have members serving in the Armed Forces during wartime.
Marian Moran (2d from left), President of the Chapter, was accompanied to the April 28 County Council meeting by Jeanne Koroly (center), and Marie Caranci (1st from left). They placed the flag on the flagpole along with Council Chairman Linda A. Cartisano (3d from left), Council Vice-Chairman John J. Whelan (2d from right), Councilwoman Christine Fizzano Cannon (3d from right), Councilman Andy Lewis (1st from right), and Councilman Thomas J. McGarrigle (right) as well as Park Policeman William Harper (left).
Mrs. Moran is the mother of U. S. Navy Lt. Kevin R. Moran; Mrs. Koroly’s son is U.S. Navy Lt. Robert A. Koroly; Mrs. Caranci is the mother of Pennsylvania National Guard Sgt. Anthony Caranci, who is on his second deployment to Iraq.

Council Vice-Chairman John J. Whelan (center) presented a resolution commending the Irish of Havertown for winning the top prize, the George Costello Award, for the 14th time in the Float Division in the annual Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
President and organization founder James P. Kilgallen (right) was joined by members Gertrude Murray (1st from right) and Mike Bradley (1st from left) as well as Haverford Township Commissioner James E. McGarrity (left) at the April 28 Delaware County Council meeting, where they described their entry, "St. Patrick: Guide Us To Peace And Prosperity." Bradley is Director of the Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Joining in the presentation were (2d row, from left) Councilman Thomas J. McGarrigle, Councilwoman Christine Fizzano Cannon, Council Chairman Linda A. Cartisano and Councilman Andy Lewis.

A resolution declaring April 25-May 2 to be National Infant Immunization Awareness Week was presented by Delaware County Councilwoman Christine Fizzano Cannon (center) to (from left) David McKeighan, of the Delaware County Medical Society, Dr. Joyce Raisin, of the Widener University School of Nursing, and Mina Henry, Chair of the Delaware County Immunization Coalition, as well as to (from right) Harry Dumas, of GlaxoSmithKlein, Amy Nardi, of the County Department of Intercommunity Health Coordination, and Beth Smith, of the Delaware County State Health Center of the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
As members of the Immunization Coalition, the recipients work together to achieve the goal of enlightening the community of the importance of proper immunization for children before age two.
Joining in the presentation at the April 28 County Council meeting were (2d row, from left) Councilman Thomas J. McGarrigle, Council Vice-Chairman John J. Whelan, Council Chairman Linda A. Cartisano and Councilman Andy Lewis.

Read all about it! The Delaware County Library System (DCLS) presented 2009 Library Awards to the following individuals who demonstrated outstanding support for the county’s network of 26 public libraries: (from left) County Council Vice-Chairman Jack Whelan, Outstanding Public Official award; Ginny Wakefield, board member at Aston Library, named Outstanding Citizen for Libraries; James Harper, of Local 413, Laborers’ International Union, Outstanding Citizen for Libraries; and Shirley Warren, a 50-year volunteer for the Media-Upper Providence Library, Outstanding Library Employee award. For information about Delaware County’s libraries, visit www.delcolibraries.org.

Eric Wellington, Dean of the Business & CIS Department of Delaware County Community College
Virginia Carter, Provost of the college
Award Recipients from Para-Legal Studies ~ Marcelle Deflandre, Lori Biondi, Mildred Akumu
Senior Judge Edward J. Zetusky, Jr., Delaware County Court of Common Pleas
Joseph W. Chupein, Jr., President, Delaware County Bar Association
Labron K. Shuman, Coordinator, Delaware County Community College

Steppingstone Scholars, Inc, a Philadelphia based non-profit organization that prepares motivated and talented urban school children for educational opportunities that lead to college, held its annual Spring Salsa event which raised funds for its program that gives underserved children a blueprint for the future. This year’s Salsa, which marked the 10th anniversary of the organization, took place on Friday, April 24 at the Please Touch Museum in Fairmount Park’s Memorial Hall.
Guests enjoyed cocktails and rides in the Carousel House of the museum and then moved through the museum’s exhibits into Hamilton Hall, which was transformed into a hot dance lounge and featured exotic cocktails, an exquisite stationed dinner prepared by Max and Me, and the festive sounds of The Quake. One of the hottest social affairs in the Philadelphia region, Spring Salsa welcomed more than 340 people and raised more than $290,000.
“During this historic time of change, we are proud to be more dedicated than ever to our Scholars,” said Nina Weisbord Steppingstone Scholars President. “The message we hope to send to our Scholars and their families is that investing in education is, and will remain, our priority.”
Steppingstone Scholars board chair, former state Sen. Connie Williams (D-17), invited state Sen. Anthony H. Williams (D-8) and his wife Shari, to join her and her husband, Dr. Sankey Williams, as Spring Salsa 2009 co-chairs.

Georgiana Noll of Haverford (left), Dasha Yermakova of Gladwyne, Kimberly and Bill Curley of Berwyn, and Kara and Wade Barnett of Penn Valley.

Susie Shah of Wynnewood (left) and Carol Kutteh of Newtown Square.

Kathy Stevenson (left) of Haverford and husband Joe Cox, Headmaster of the Haverford School, with Pamela Crawley.

Mary Stengel Austen of Radnor, Steppingstone Scholars board member, with Mayor Michael Nutter.