Brecknock students, under the leadership of art teacher Amy Smith and local artist Beverly Leviner, helped create and install tile pieces for a new mosaic mural installed outside the cafeteria and gymnasium.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Visit Website for 2012-2013 Budget Updates

To keep you abreast of the latest budget news, the district has provided a budget information guide on this website. To access this information, simply click on the "Budget Information" link in the lower left corner of the homepage, www.GovernorMifflinSD.org.

Snow Make-Up Date - 3/12

School will be in session on Monday, March 12. This is a make-up day for the October 31 weather-related school closing.

IN THE NEWS

'Catch the Wave' Comes to GMIS

GMIS students learned about the science of energy, light and sound waves during a "Catch the Wave" presentation by the Allentown-based Da Vinci Science Center on December 9. The program featured many special effects including a fog machine that generates smoke rings. Using the theme of music, the presenters illustrated how traditional musical instruments produce sound waves and then demonstrated how new technology enables scientists and sound artists to modify the waves and transform them into a visual language. In the final demonstration a piece of music triggered controlled ignitions of fire that varied in intensity with the changes in the melody.

The Da Vinci Center assembly program kicked off the school's annual science fair challenge. GMIS students will exhibit their science fair projects for family and friends in the GMIS cafeteria on Wednesday, January 18 from 6:30-8 p.m.

Holiday Giving

Throughout the district, students and staff collected donations to help local families in need during the holiday season. At Mifflin Park Elementary School, library aide Vicky Reinert coordinated a "Giving Tree" with the faculty and staff to collect food and clothing for local families. Two bags of caps, scarves and mittens were taken to the Salvation Army to be distributed with the "Coats for Kids" program. In addition, Mifflin Park staff collected about 250 pounds of food for the Mifflin Community Food Ministry and were able to supply Berks Women in Crisis with assorted goods.

As part of their December 20 Best Day program, middle school students collected non-perishable items to benefit the Mifflin Area Food Bank. Students earned Mustang Cards for each item they donated to the food pantry. Best Day programs are held throughout the year as a way to build teamwork among students and promote citizenship.

Congratulations to...

CITIZENSHIP
Fifth grader Isaiah Livingston was selected to participate in the "Shop With a Cop" program, sponsored by Crime Alert Berks. Livingston was one of 20 students across the county who received a $100 gift card for a shopping spree at Boscov's. Livingston was paired with a Cumru police officer during the event. Read more...

Seventh grader Evan Velez was the proud winner of an iPad at the middle school's first iBingo event held on December 19. The iBingo event was held as an incentive for students who participated in the magazine drive fundraiser. Those students who raised money through sales will be eligible for a reduced fee to attend the class trip next spring.

ACADEMICS
The following high school students received top honors at the Future Business Leaders of America Region 8 Competition, held on December 19 at Kutztown University:

• 5th place, Entrepreneurship - Cheyenne King, Victoria Loring and Emily Millisock (team)
• 5th place, Hospitality Management - Jenna Black
• 4th place, Business Ethics - Melisa Douglas and Whitney Heckman (team)
• 4th place, Global Business - Jordan Peiffer and Kameron Schlegel (team)
• 4th place, Management Decision Making - Christian Aponte, A.J. Hernandez and Kyle Velez (team)
• 4th place, Public Speaking I - Stephanie Frederick
• 2nd place, Network Design - Julia Adams, Madeleine Balestrier and Alyssa Hernandez (team)
• 1st place, Business Law - Kevin Myers
• 1st place, Marketing - Blake Houghton and Dale Sands (team)

First place winners qualify for the state competition to be held at the Hershey Lodge in April.

GMMA to Celebrate 60 Years of Music

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Governor Mifflin Music Association. In celebration of the district's partnership with this vital support group, the music department is planning a special music event. Further details will be forthcoming.

Berks Hall of Fame History Books on Sale

The Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame - Berks Chapter is now offering history books for $25. Many Governor Mifflin staff members and alumni are included in this keepsake album, which features photographs and accolades for all Berks Hall of Fame inductees from the past 20 years and beyond. To request a copy, please contact the GM Athletic Office at 610-775-9456, ext. 3.

New Year Resolution: Visit the GM Weight Room!

For a very low cost students, staff and residents of the GM school district may purchase a punch card to use the GM Community Weight Room. This fully-equipped training facility is located in the high school near the auxiliary gym. The weight room is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30-8 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8-10 a.m.

Punch card fees are as follows:

• Community members - $20/card - GOOD FOR 10 VISITS
• GMSD students staff - $10/card - GOOD FOR 10 VISITS

SCHOOL BOARD UPDATE

Board Announces New Meeting Dates

The GM Board of School Directors approved a new meeting schedule in December. Beginning in February 2012 the regular work and property meetings will be moved to the first Monday of the month. The voting and curriculum meetings will continue to take place on the third Monday of the month. All meetings begin at 7 p.m. in the Education Center board room, unless otherwise noted. Click here for a complete meeting schedule.

During the same meeting, the school board held its election of officers for the 2012 year. Mr. James Ulrich was re-elected President and Mr. Ronald Dunkelberger was re-elected Vice-President of the Board.

2012-2013 Budget Planning Includes Special Meetings

During a finance meeting on December 19, district business manager, Mr. Mark Naylon, projected a near $2 million deficit in the 2012-2013 budget, due largely to mandated cost increases and net zero revenue growth. Read more...

To help the Board establish its budgetary goals, the administration will hold a series of informational sessions focusing on different expenditure areas. These public meetings will illuminate the constraints within which the district must operate to trim the budget. Click here for a complete meeting schedule.

Call for Corporate Sponsors

Market Street Sports Group is currently soliciting proposals for naming rights to various venues within the Governor Mifflin campus. Click here to view a list of sponsorship inventory items. Please contact Market Street Sports Group at 717-509-2803 for more information on how your business can become a corporate sponsor of our school.

UPCOMING EVENTS

GM Youth Lacrosse Club Sign-Ups - 1/11

Students in Grades 3-8 may register for the GM Lacrosse Club at 7 p.m. in the GMIS cafeteria.

Music Discovery Nights - 1/24 & 1/25
*UPDATED SCHEDULE*

Fourth graders and their parents are invited to learn about GM's after school music lessons and try out different instruments during one of the Music Discovery Nights taking place in the GMIS Music Suite on Tuesday, January 24 and Wednesday, January 25 from 6-8:30 p.m. For more information, please visit Mr. Holgate's Teacher Page.

GMMA Meeting - 1/10

High school room 141B, 7 p.m.

Discover the Treasures of Leadership - 1/14-2/4

For GM third and fourth graders. Hosted by the high school Student Government Association and the middle school Student Council, this four-week program will encourage young students to become active citizens and leaders. This entirely student-led program takes place from 9:30-11:30 a.m. on the dates listed below. Read more...

• Saturday, January 14 - Exploring Leadership Skills and Ideals
• Saturday, January 21 - Understanding How Our Government Works
• Saturday, January 28 - Identifying the Treasures in Our Community
• Saturday, February 4 - Field trip to National Constitution Center

Everyday Math Nights for Parents - 1/17 & 1/23

Parents of all students in Grades K-4 are invited to learn about the Everyday Math program. Read more...

GMIS Science & Book Fair - 1/18

All family and friends are invited to the annual GMIS Science Fair and Book Fair on January 18. The event will be held in the GMIS cafeteria from 6:30-8 p.m.

Preschool PTA Fun With Dad Night - 1/27

"Take Me Out to the Ball Game" is the theme of this year's popular Fun With Dad Night, hosted by the Preschool PTA. The event is open to all preschoolers, kindergarten students and their families. The event takes place in the Brecknock cafeteria and gymnasium from 6-7:30 p.m. on Friday, January 27 (snow date: February 3).

Special Finance Meeting - 1/30

This is the first in a series of budget-related informational sessions for the Board of School Directors. The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. in the Education Center board room. All are welcome to attend. Topics for this meeting include:

• Operational costs of the district
• Legal requirements pertaining to furloughs and demotions for supportive, professional and administrative staff

GM Citizens Academy - Sign Up Now!

The Governor Mifflin Area Citizens' Academy will take place on the following dates in spring 2012:

• Wednesday, April 11 - Organization, Structure, Authority, Responsibilities
• Wednesday, April 18 - Public Safety
• Wednesday, April 25 - School Services, Recreational Services & Extra-Curricular Activities
• Wednesday, May 2 - Finances

Each of the four Academy sessions will take place in the Education Center board room from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Click here for more details and a registration form.

Class of 2012 Commencement - 6/9

The graduation ceremony for the Class of 2012 will take place at the Sovereign Center in Reading on Saturday, June 9 at 7:30 p.m. Save the date!

ALUMNI

CLASS OF 2011: Be sure to pick up your high school yearbook from the main office on school days between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Extra copies are available for purchase for $60!

CLASS OF 1992: 
Our 20th year class reunion will take place on Saturday, July 28, 2012 from 7-10 p.m. at Captain's Cove, 2619 Hill Road in Reading. More details to follow.

Is your class planning a reunion? The Office of Public Information is happy to publicize your event on our website and in future newsletters. Please contact 610-775-1312 with your event details.

Moving?

In an effort to improve the efficiency with which the Governor Mifflin School District processes changes for a student's address, the district asks that all parents contact Mrs. Lisa Negri in the Student Information Department regarding any change of residence information. This includes home address and home phone number changes. Read more...