OVMS students create, sell cookbook to benefit ill teacher, while WTHS assistant principal John Saverase receives promotion
At last week’s meeting, the Board of Education recognized eight Orchard Valley Middle School students for their compassion and community service, while also naming the new Washington Township High School executive assistant principal.
Two years ago, eight sixth-grade Orchard Valley Middle School students witnessed who would have been their eighth-grade English teacher this year, Travis Martin, fall into a serious health crisis. At the time, the students, with the guidance of physical education teacher Wes Yamamoto, began The Loop Project, a project to benefit Martin and his family during their trying times.
This year, as eighth graders, the students completed the two-year project, having created and sold more than 200 cookbooks called “The Loop Cookbook” to raise funds for Martin and his family. The school district is unable to release further information about his illness.
The students were recognized and honored by the Board of Education at last week’s meeting.
The students — Danielle Stuart, Jordan Farr, Manon Bada, Kendall James, Kelsey Alexandre, Nicholas D’Angelantonio, Megan Smith and Aliena Thomas — chose to title the project “The Loop Cookbook” in reflection of Yamamoto’s expression, “you are either in the loop of kindness and community service, or you are not. It’s good to be connected, to be involved and to be in the loop.”
Families, teachers and staff submitted recipes, including appetizers, meats, pasta, casseroles, desserts and more. The recipes also featured preserving calorie content, combined with a suggested song to listen to while preparing and enjoying the dish.
“I’m extremely proud to have had the opportunity to work with these students this year,” OVMS Principal Colleen Cancila said. “These students did a tremendous thing — they provided the family of our fallen family member from Orchard Valley with a tremendous gift. We can’t wish them enough success in their future as they move on to the high school.”
The Board of Education also approved the promotion of Washington Township High School Assistant Principal John Saverase to the position of executive assistant principal of the 11–12 wing.
Saverase will be filling the position formerly held by Jonathan Strout, who gave his resignation earlier this year after accepting a principal’s position in California. Saverase’s new role will take effect July 19.
According to a release, Saverase received his bachelor’s of arts degree in history at Widener University, followed by a master’s degree in educational leadership from Wilmington University in 2005. Prior to joining the teaching staff at Washington Township High School in 2001, Saverase spent time teaching in Philadelphia. Saverase was promoted to the WTHS nine-10 assistant principal in 2009.
During his time in Washington Township High School, Saverase has been a member of the school’s Team Step-Up Program, mentoring at-risk freshmen, as well as a co-founder for the WTHS Wish fund, securing funding for underprivileged seniors who wish to attend the annual senior trip.
“Mr. Saverase is a student-centered educator and administrator, and I know he is excited to serve the staff and students of Washington Township High School in his new position,” WTHS Principal Ann Moore said in a statement. “I look forward to working with him.”
In other news:
The Board of Education approved the implementation of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program. According to Director of Elementary Education Gretchen Gerber, the program that had been in place, Caron, announced it would not be able to renew its contract due to the distance facilitators had to travel between schools.
“D.A.R.E. reinvigorated itself, it rebranded and retooled so it has a nice approach,” Gerber said at the BOE meeting. “I actually listened to two pitches, and D.A.R.E. really seemed to supersede what the other program had to offer.”
Gerber said there will be no cost to implement the program because the schools have used D.A.R.E. in the past.
