GMHS students attend Behrend’s Women in Engineering Day
November 5, 2021
Eight GMHS sophomores part of the Academy of Medical Arts and Engineering attended Penn State Behrend’s Women in Engineering Day.
They did three labs throughout the day to learn about engineering concepts, including making Play-Doh from scratch to simulate extrusion, taking a 16=level personality test to determine which teams they would work better in in an engineering project setting, and building a water filtration system out of household products to help filter clean water.
The girls had a great time and we thank Behrend for always hosting a successful day. The girls that attended were: Ellah Beachly, Morgan Frick, Aniah Filson, Breanna Englert, Delia Brasington, Hannah Fratus, Samantha Covatto and Marcella Hakanen.
JPWMS students sell Lancer Grams once again
October 21, 2021
James W. Parker Middle Students are resuming a once familiar and beloved activity – selling and purchasing “Lancer Grams,” also known as “Candy Grams” across the school.
The students from Mrs. Tanis’ and Mrs. Waters’ classroom are selling the Lancer Grams this week.
Lancer Grams are used as vocational training and community based instruction within the middle school for the Life Skills and Autistic Support classrooms. It is essentially a small business run by the Life Skills and Autistic Support students 3-4 times per year to expose them to a work environment.
Students post signs around the school to tell everyone when candy will be sold in the cafeteria. Each of the students has many jobs within and outside of the classroom. The class designates sales people, runners, label checkers, labelers, distributors and bankers.
The sales people are responsible for circulating throughout the cafeteria during lunch times selling preprinted labels that contain To, Homeroom, and From. Sales people greet students, ask if they would like to buy a lancer gram, collect the money, make change if necessary, and then recirculate to collect the completed labels.
Runners are responsible for setting a timer within the classroom, going to each cafeteria to collect the completed labels, returning to the classroom and giving the finished labels to the label checkers.
Label checkers inspect each label to ensure that a first and last name as well as a homeroom number are complete. Label checkers then give the checked labels to the labelers.
Labelers peel the adhesive back off of the label and stick it to the candy. Labelers then give the completed candy with label to the distributors.
Distributors are responsible for placing the candy into the correct bag and once the candy sales are finished they deliver the bags to each room in the school. Bankers count money after sales are over and give a total.
GMHS welcomes new building therapy dog
October 6, 2021
General McLane High School — meet Cooper.
Cooper is a certified therapy dog who will be on-call full-time at General McLane High School, who is trained to provide comfort and support to students and staff. He is the first dog in GMHS’ new Therapy Dog Program.
The Therapy Dog Program was designed by administrators coming off of the 2020-2021 School Year to increase mental health and social support throughout the building.
Cooper is a Labrador Retriever and is certified through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs International program and will be following their safety and health protocols.
Mrs. Brenda Hertel, his handler, will always have Cooper on a leash. He has just started working with students this week. When he is not out in classrooms working, he is stationed in Mrs. Hertel’s office.
Tractor Supply in Edinboro donated a crate, a crate mat, and several other goodies for the GMHS Therapy Dog Program.
Cooper is available for general visits, quick 10-20 minute visits to classrooms and scheduled activities, incorporating him into a lesson.
Mrs. Hertel is still working with Cooper developing animal assisted activities so that he is able to do individualized student request visits soon.
Welcome to GMHS, Cooper!
Introducing JWPMS’ Mrs. Madara
September 29, 2021
General McLane School District welcomed 15 new instructional staff to the District this year. Throughout the next month, we will be introducing you to each of them!
Megan Madara is the School Nurse at James W. Parker Middle School.
Mrs. Madara, an R.N., has worked in the hospital doing acute care for the past 15 years before she joined GMSD.
Her favorite thing about nursing is that it’s always changing and there is never a boring moment. She is enjoying building relationships with the middle school students and being there for them when they need it most.
Outside of teaching, Mrs. Madara has five children, all of whom attend General McLane schools. She enjoys running and doing yoga, camping (well, glamping), being outside, and is looking forward to starting her own little farm!
Introducing GMHS’ Mrs. Burkey
September 28, 2021
General McLane School District welcomed 15 new instructional staff to the District this year. Throughout the next month, we will be introducing you to each of them!
Jessica Burkey is a Mathematics Teacher at General McLane High School. Mrs. Burkey teaches Algebra 1, Applied Algebra 1 Part C and Accelerated Algebra 2.
Mrs. Burkey grew up in Erie and graduated from McDowell High School. She attended college at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and then started teaching math at East High School in Erie School District. After four years there, she accepted a position at Corry High School, where she taught for ten years.
Her favorite thing about teaching is getting to know her students and joking around with them. She is looking forward to being a part of the General McLane community and learning the technology better!
Outside of teaching, Mrs. Burkey enjoys spending time with her husband and kids, kayaking, hiking, camping and fishing. She also loves to workout and run.
Mrs. Burkey replaces Mr. Reed at General McLane High School.
Introducing GMHS’ Mr. Nagy
September 23, 2021
General McLane School District welcomed 15 new instructional staff to the District this year. Throughout the next month, we will be introducing you to each of them!
Spencer Nagy is an Emotional Support Teacher at General McLane High School.
Mr. Nagy is from Alliance, Ohio. He came to Pennsylvania to attend Edinboro University. When he graduated from Edinboro, he was hired at the IU5 in Edinboro and was a Special Education teacher with the IU5 for almost two years.
His favorite thing about teaching is the students. The stories teachers hear and the different outlooks gained is something he has always cherished. He is most looking forward to seeing the growth his students make throughout the year. Each new school year is a fresh start and he is excited to see how his students take advantage of that. He is also VERY excited for wrestling season. GO LANCERS!
Outside of teaching, his main interest/hobby is wrestling. He has wrestled all his life and helps coach at GMHS. He also enjoys spending time with his family, riding his dirt bike and spending time outdoors.
Mr. Nagy replaces Mrs. Jahn, who moved with her husband and is now teaching near Slippery Rock, Pa.
Introducing McKean Elementary’s Mrs. Lee
September 22, 2021
General McLane School District welcomed 15 new instructional staff to the District this year. Throughout the next month, we will be introducing you to each of them!
Chasity Lee is a Kindergarten Teacher at McKean Elementary School.
Mrs. Lee previously worked at McKean Elementary School through the AmeriCorps program from 2017 through 2019 helping support students in Reading and Math. Then, she went to Belle Valley Elementary in Millcreek Township School District from 2019 to 2020 as an Educational Assistant, focusing on English and Language Arts.
Her favorite thing about teaching is coming to school every day and doing something different with your favorite people. She is looking forward to collaborating with amazing staff and making it a fantastic first year for her Kindergarten class.
Outside of teaching, Mrs. Lee enjoys going on hikes and playing with her dog, Augie.
Introducing JWPMS’ Ms. Adams
September 21, 2021
General McLane School District welcomed 15 new instructional staff to the District this year. Throughout the next month, we will be introducing you to each of them!
Rebekah Adams is the 7th and 8th Grade Learning Support Teacher at James W. Parker Middle School.
Ms. Adams graduated from Edinboro University with a degree in Early Childhood and Special Education in December of 2020. After graduating, she taught K-3 learning support in the Millcreek Township School District before coming to GMSD.
Her favorite thing about teaching is getting the chance to challenge students to become successful by meeting their personal and academic goals.
She is most looking forward to being a part of the Parker team to be able to see students grow both academically and as an individual.
Outside of teaching, Ms. Adams enjoys crafting, reading, and spending time with her family and dog, Mozzie.
Ms. Adams is replacing Mr. Brasington, who remains at James W. Parker Middle School teaching 5th and 6th grade Learning Support.
Introducing GMHS’ Mrs. Webb
September 20, 2021
General McLane School District welcomed 15 new instructional staff to the District this year. Throughout the next month, we will be introducing you to each of them!
Sarah Webb is the Family Living and Consumer Sciences Teacher at General McLane High School.
Mrs. Webb previously worked at McDowell High School, Troy High School, in Troy, Michigan, MacArthur High School, in San Antonio, Texas, and Pennsbury High School, in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania. She has taught all areas of Family and Consumer Sciences, including Culinary, Sewing & Fashion, Work Based Training, Educational Training, Personal Finance, Interior Design and Child Development. She has also taught health.
Her favorite thing about teaching is the students. She loves seeing them grow and develop and become passionate about their futures.
She is most looking forward to bringing Senior Seminar to life at GM. This is a course that she designed for seniors that helps to prepare them for adulthood. Think of all those times you hear “why didn’t I learn this in high school?” This class is geared at changing that attitude!
Outside of teaching, Mrs. Webb enjoys running and cycling, crafting, baking and spending time with her family. Her husband has a career in the military and they landed in Edinboro and don’t plan on ever leaving!
Mrs. Webb is replacing Mrs. Kurczewski, who retired in 2020.
Introducing McKean’s Mrs. Brunst
September 17, 2021
General McLane School District welcomed 15 new instructional staff to the District this year. Throughout the next month, we will be introducing you to each of them!
Carissa Brunst is the Learning Support Teacher at McKean Elementary School.
Mrs. Brunst received her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary & Special education and middle level English, Language Arts, along with her Master’s degree in Reading & Reading Specialist Certificate from Edinboro University. She is beginning her 9th year of teaching and was most recently at Fort LeBoeuf Middle School for the last five years.
Mrs. Brunst has been a part of the General McLane community since moving to Edinboro for college and is proud to be a part of the General McLane teaching family.
Her favorite thing about teaching is that she can learn as much from her students as they can learn from her!
Outside of teaching, Mrs. Brunst enjoys spending time with her family and friends, teaching dance, reading, and doing as many outdoor activities as she can with her kids.
Mrs. Brunst is replacing Mrs. Miller, who is still at McKean Elementary School and is teaching third grade.
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