District News

Towanda Area School District’s School Performance Profile was released on November 6, 2014. Public schools now receive an academic performance score. An online public portal, the Pennsylvania School Performance Profile, will now provide demographic data, academic data and an academic performance score for public schools in the state.

Unlike previous measures of our schools, the School Performance Profile utilizes many data points to measure our school’s academic strengths. The more important aspect of this resource is that it allows us to acknowledge our strengths and use the profile as a tool for student improvement.

The School Performance Profile Academic Performance score is based not only on test scores but many other factors that signal student achievement. A student growth factor measures how well students are progressing toward proficiency in state assessments. Also measured are graduation and attendance rates and degrees of rigorous course offerings at the secondary level.

A score is reported for each school and is based upon indicators that define a high performing school in Pennsylvania. These elements are categorized into five areas.

Towanda Area School District will have the School Performance Profile (SPP) put on the school’s website in the near future. The following sections will include our building scores and pages of information that will help you to understand what the scores mean. Those sections include:

Fast Facts
Understanding Academic Performance Scores
Building Performance Scores
Academic Performance Data

The data from the SPP scores indicates that Towanda Area School District has plenty of room for improvement. The SPP profile indicates that Towanda Area School District has scored lower than the previous year in two of the three buildings. The data found in the SPP report will be an integral part of Towanda Area School District’s plan to close the achievement gap in the next five years. Towanda Area School District will use the SPP data to improve instructional practices and educational opportunities for our students.

Student Performance Scores can be accessed on the Pennsylvania Department of Education website: www.education.state.pa.us. Click on PA School Performance Profile, located on the right side of the screen under “Hot Topics," or you can access it from this website by going to the PA School Performance Profile link under "About TASD."

Steven Gobble
Superintendent

Please note that travel behind the Towanda Jr/Sr High School is prohibited from 7:30 AM – 8:15 AM and 2:30 PM -3:30 PM. If there is a two hour delay in the start of school these times would be delayed by two hours. If there is a bus loading or unloading at any time and their lights are activated you must stop until they turn their lights are off. The school resource officer has issued warnings, but may be issuing tickets.

The Power Technology class is a class is designed to introduce students to engines, engine technology and also integrates Algebra 1 Keystone Math content. The course is a Segway for students to enter the Vocational program or a Technical college after high school. As part of the class we completely take apart small engines, repair engines and restore and modify riding mowers. I am looking for used running or not running riding mowers and push mowers to use in the second part of the course. The mowers can be any make or model and can have the mowing deck or not. We will be working in teams to first get the mowers to run and then modify them. If you have an old riding mower laying around that is in reasonable condition (all parts are there and it is not completely locked up) I would really appreciate your donation. I will be glad to come to your home and pick it. Thanks so much and I hope you can help us out with your old mower. You may contact Jon at [email protected].

JV and Varsity students who participated in a FALL sport the Award program will be held on Tuesday, November 25th at 6:30PM in the new auditorium. You are invited for pizza in the cafeteria after the awards provided by the Booster Club.

The TOHIMEKI Yearbook Staff will host its annual picture day for grades 7-12 on this day.

Underclassmen can wear normal attire, dress nicely is encouraged.
No inappropriate sayings on T-shirts.

Senior photos will begin promptly by announcement in the morning at approximately 9AM.

The 2014 Homecoming game will be streamed online beginning at 6:45 PM. The video can be found at the following link:

Graduates may pick their book up at the office. If you did not order yours, there is a small number available while supplies last.
If you need to purchase one, please contact the school or email your request to [email protected]