Kennett High School’s Mini-THON Advisor Lisa Teixeira Honored by Four Diamonds

August 2021

Lisa Teixeira     Four Diamonds Mini-THON recognized Ms. Lisa Teixeira, Kennett High School’s librarian and advisor of both Humanitarian Club and Mini-THON, during the 2021 Mini-THON Leadership Summit on August 6. Awards were given to advisors who help their local Mini-THON and their student participants excel through leadership development, student body participation, fundraising, and community service, and Ms. Teixeira was acknowledged for her truly outstanding achievement. Kennett High School students joined more than 500 student leaders and advisors for the annual Four Diamonds Mini-THON Leadership Summit, which was a virtual event this year, to share best practices and ideas, celebrate successes, and inspire each other to continue the fight to conquer childhood cancer.

     Ms. Teixeira was nominated for this award by Grace Pruitt and Hayley Magana, co-chairs of Kennett’s 2021-2022 Mini-THON committee. In the letter they wrote to Four Diamonds, Grace, a rising senior, said that she “attributes all of the leadership skills that [she has] developed to Ms. Teixiera.” Grace highlighted Ms. Teixeira’s unwavering respect for students’ opinions and views but also her ability to “[help students] subtly change them to develop as a leader.” Grace describes Ms. Teixeira’s passion for Mini-THON as “utterly unmatched. She is always willing to work extra and tackle extra responsibilities if she sees anyone struggling in any way.” Grace is certain that she is “a better committee member, leader, and person” because of Ms. Teixeira.

     Hayley Magana, also a rising senior, had always wanted to “be a larger part of helping the community, and Ms. Teixeira was that resource that allowed [her] to grow.” Ms. Teixeira “would always encourage [her] to step up and take on [greater challenges].” Hayley cites the enthusiasm Ms. Teixeira has not only for Mini-THON but for those whom she leads as being truly inspiring.

     “Ms. Teixiera is one of the main reasons Mini-THON is so successful at our school, not only because of her passion but also her powerful presence both in school and personally,” added Hayley.

     When asked about receiving the award, Ms. Teixeira was overwhelmed. “I am just so touched that Grace and Hayley went through the trouble of writing to nominate me. They made me a beautiful card and presented me with flowers. Truly, it was a highlight of my time at Kennett,” she said. “I am just so grateful for the recognition of something that allows me the privilege of working with such amazing students — an incredible and humbling honor,” concluded Ms. Teixeira. Mini-THONs are modeled after the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, or THON, the world’s largest student-run philanthropy.

     Since 1993, Mini-THONs have raised more than $50 million. The funds are used to drive the discovery of new and improved treatments and cures for childhood cancer by supporting the work of more than 90 researchers at Penn State Children’s Hospital and Penn State College of Medicine. Four Diamonds also supports families by covering all medical expenses not paid for by insurance for every eligible child. During the 2020-2021 school year, 161 schools teamed up with Four Diamonds Mini-THON to raise more than $2.8 million to help conquer childhood cancer. Kennett High School has been a proud Mini-THON participating school for six years, raising nearly $240,000, including an impressive total of $39,000 from the recent 2021 event. Ms. Teixeira has been a consistent driving force behind the organization since the very beginning.

To make a donation to Kennett High School’s Mini-THON, visit https://fourdiamonds.donordrive.com/index.cfmfuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=3113 , or visit www.FourDiamonds.org/MiniTHON to get involved.

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KHS Volunteer Clearance Information

August 2021

The first day of school is August 3oth!

The Pennsylvania General Assembly once again amended the Child Protective Services Law (Act 153) in July of 2015 through what is known as Act 15 of 2015. Significant changes to the background check requirements have been made, and the highlights to the law are summarized in this document below.

Act 15 defines direct volunteer contact as the care, supervision, guidance, or control of children and routine interaction with children. Routine interaction is defined as regular and repeated contact that is integral to a person’s employment or volunteer responsibilities. Clearances are only valid for 5 years.

  • Effective July 1, 2016 or by adoption of a new School Board policy, volunteers must have clearances in order to be approved to offer their services in the schools.
  • All Pennsylvania background checks are now valid for a five (5) year period.
  • All fees associated with background checks have been waived with the exception of the Act 114 Federal Criminal Background Check for those who do not qualify for the waiver. Although Act 15 does provide a few exemptions within the law, effective August 31, 2015, the Kennett Consolidated School District will be requiring background clearances from all volunteers who are supervising children in an effort to ensure the health, welfare, and safety of all students.
  • If a volunteer has continuously resided in Pennsylvania for 10 years AND swears in writing that he or she has never been convicted of a disqualifying crime in Pennsylvania or the corresponding offenses under the laws of any other jurisdiction, they only need to secure the Department of Public Welfare Child Abuse Clearance (Act 151) and the Pennsylvania Criminal History Check (Act 34); the Federal Clearance (Act 114) is not needed.

For more info: Staff Clearance Forms & Information

Volunteers may obtain these clearances by applying online at the following websites:

  • Act 151 Child Abuse History(Must create new account to complete online) – For Best Results use Internet Explorer, FireFox or Safari as your browser for the Act 151.
  • The volunteer acknowledgement form please click here.

Once obtained the clearances must be submitted to the school principal by mail, dropoff or email to Kimberly Giacoio at kgiacoio@kcsd.org. Questions may be directed to 610.444.6623.

Once approved, please remember that you must:

  • Schedule an appointment to visit
  • Must provide a valid state issued photo identification
  • Will be required to wear a visitor’s badge while in the building
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2021 New To KHS Welcome Day-August 4th (UPDATE)

August 2021

Welcome Orientation Logistics

Weather permitting, we will begin in the KHS Stadium (in the event of inclement weather we will move into the Auxiliary Gym).

AGENDA

9:15 – 9:30 AM

  • Students will arrive to KHS. Buses will drop off in S-Wing, and we will direct them to the field.
  • Drop offs, Commuters and Walkers, please use the lower lot to avoid the front step construction and walk up to the stadium (NHS students will be visible to provide direction).

9:30 – 9:45 AM 

Welcome to 9th grade class and do brief introductions. Students will rotate through 3 activities, with 5 minutes of pass time to move to each.

  • Session #1 = Clubs/Activities in Gymnasium
  • Session #2 = Academics and Career Pathways in Library
  • Session #3 = NHS Student Q and A in Auditorium.
  • Each session will be 20 minutes. At the completion of each activity, students will be dismissed to the next activity over the PA system.

Following the final activity, we will try to get a class picture then students will be dismissed to either eat lunch in the cafeteria, and/or to walk the building with their tentative schedule. The program ends at 11:30 AM.

Promptly at 11:30 AM, the new student orientation (students other than 9th grade) will begin which will just be a brief introduction from me, a Q and A session, and then an opportunity to walk the building.

2021 Student Welcome

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