Welcome to
William Penn
Elementary School

Penn Celebrates 100th Day of School

The 100th Day of School was heralded in fine fashion, as the members of the Bethel Park High School Drum Line greeted the students as they got off the bus.  Then they performed for the students in the Multi-Purpose Room, to celebrate this milestone in the 2009-2010 school year!

Miss Kasten a PA Teacher of the Year Finalist!

Congratulations to Fourth Grade Teacher Kathryn Kasten, who is one of 36 Semifinalists for the 2011 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year!  We are so proud!

Students Raise $506 for Cystic Fibrosis

Each December both fourth grade classes conduct a fundraising campaign for Cystic Fibrosis called "Assure A Cure."  Students and staff donate $1 to CF and the fourth graders put the donors' named on paper ornaments that hand on a Christmas-themed bulletin board in the hallway.  This year's campaign raised $506 for CF!  Thanks to everyone who helped to make this project a success!

Students Show Great Character

William Penn students who are "caught" displaying good character traits will find their name put on a fish and displayed on a special Character Bulletin Board in the school's hallway.  Each month a different character trait is emphasized, such as fairness, independence, respect and accepting.  The bulletin board features a large penguin who is "catching you for being..." whatever the trait of the month is.  There are lots of fish swimming on that bulletin board and the waters should be pretty crowded by the time the 2009-2010 school year ends!

Fourth Graders Show Off Their Creativity at Invention Convention

Fourth Graders in Ms. Kasten's and Mrs. Ehringer's classrooms had the opportunity to stretch their creative muscles by participating in an Invention Convention.  The students invented a product, produced and tested it, and gave written and oral presentations about their invention.  They were judged on several criteria and awards were presented in 10 categories.

Please click here to learn more about the inventions and to see some photos from the Invention Convention.

Third Graders Learn about Schools around the World!

Students in Ms Serafini's classroom read the story, "Schools Around the World," and Ms. Serafini wanted her students to learn about another culture.  So she asked Mary Mannion Cobzaru and her husband, Pavel, to pay a visit.  Pavel is from Moldova and Mary met Pavel when she spent 2-1/2 years in Moldova with the Peace Corps.  Pavel told the students about getting up early to work on the farm, going to school and then back to work on the farm after school.  The Cobzarus taught the students a traditional Moldovan celebration dance--the Hora.  In the picture above, the students are holding a Sataf de Masa, or Top of the Table, which is used during celebrations and can be put on a table or hung on a wall.

Please click here to see more photos of their visit!

First Graders Learn About Johnny Appleseed

First Graders in Mrs. Joseph's room spent a week studying apples in honor of Johnny Appleseed.  Activities included tasting different kinds of apples, making applesauce and paying a tribute to Johnny Appleseed by making construction paper pots to wear on their heads as hats.  Check it out!

First Graders to Appear on Steelers TV Show!

First Graders in Mrs. Joseph's and Miss O'Matz' classrooms had the opportunity to showcase their knowledge about the Pittsburgh Steelers by participating in a segment that will be shown on "The McDonald's Steelers KidZone" television show, which airs on Sundays at 10:30 AM on the CW.

Please click here to see photos and to learn more about the show!

Penn's Landscape Improved by Charles Davis!

Penn Alumnus and BPHS sophomore Charles Davis decided to improve the landscaping at William Penn for his Eagle Scout project.  Charles organized a work crew of 40 people who donated over 250 hours in a two-day period in early August to provide improvements to the landscaping, including mulching, edging, weeding, tree trimming and removal, developing dirt mounds and refurbishing the Rosemary Gainar Memorial Bench.  Thank you, Charles, for making great improvements to our school grounds!

Please click here to see more photos!