Bucktail, Woodward, and Liberty-Curtin Happenings at KC Board Meeting

By Christopher Miller

BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP – During the student government presentations, Martin Lewis and Kedda Bissman spoke to the board members about the happenings in the Renovo area schools.

Martin Lewis

“We planted trees with DCNR and did a trash pick up with the Environmental Club and Ecology Class. We also learned about the American Chestnut Tree being endangered because the Chinese Chestnut Tree species was introduced to the United States. The Hynerpeton Project is going well. We visited Robb Elementary School and presented it to the first grade students where they just finished learning about fossils. Our team spoke to 92.1 the radio station and were interviewed as part of their Profiles in Education. Our goal now is to convince local legislators to sponsor a bill to change the state fossil.”

“Students worked with the PA Game Commission to build bird house structures to place around the Bucktail campus and we are wanting to build bat boxes in the future. On April 28 the Bucks Ecology class and Environmental Club are going to Bald Eagle State Park to lower a fish habitat into the water. The shop students at CMHS built the structures.”

“The seventh grade students in Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Sockman’s classes have been working on writing and presenting their poetry. They showcased their work for the students at Renovo Elementary. Bucktail Baseball will host their first home tournament against Canton, Sugar Valley, and Northern Potter County schools.”

Kedda Bissman

“Will softball have a 3-peat season? Bucks softball aims to go to their third straight district championship with a 3-3 record so far. Softball and baseball will be helping out with Renovo Little League opening day. The administration held March Madness Rewards where students could watch the games or play basketball in the gym and many other activities. We received a treat for the lowest referrals for March. The Art Club is building a Waterscape Mural on the Medical Annex Building in Renovo. Our theme for Prom 2025 was “Meet Me At Midnight.””

“We have been receiving weekly PBIS rewards for positive behavior. These included things like buffalo chicken dip, Dunkin’, order lunch from Pop Pop’s Place, and McDonald’s gift cards. The rewards are seven weeks in total until the end of the school year.”

“The Hershey Concert Trip is coming up where we will be competing in Music in the parks against other schools. Bucktail has not competed in a music festival in over 20 years. As for upcoming events, on May 8 we will be having a College Career Fair and Keystone Scholar Group will be planning a trip to LHU to tour the campus. This is the first year for the Bucktail Scholar Group.

School of the Month

The School of the Month was a combined effort of Woodward Elementary and Liberty-Curtin Elementary School.

Brett Umbenhouer, Principal of both schools, spoke first, introducing the board to the students and giving a brief overview of the schools.

“We have six students here, some teachers, and parents who came to share our school initiative and culture with you today. Our initiative is called One Team, One Dream, and it is something we have been working at since January. Our focus is on monthly themes to promote teamwork, service, and engagement. Our faculty and staff have fully-embraced the mindset to support, model, and stay focused on our goals,” Brett said.

Students from both schools told about their favorite experiences with the One Team, One Dream initiative.

“We focus on building friendships in the community and spoke on the radio about how we are making a difference,” a student named Sawyer said. “We also have a pen pal program with Liberty-Curtin students, held a food drive for local food banks, and collected soda tabs for the Ronald McDonald House in Danville.”

A student named Violet spoke about how they created Valentine’s for residents in a local nursing home and for local veterans. She also spoke about a movie night at the Roxy Theatre that was covered by donations to the Clinton County Housing Coalition.

Elementary student Andrew explained how they are learning to have compassion for animals.

“For Paws for a Cause we are collecting pet food, toys, and supplies for the Clinton County SPCA, and someone from the SPCA will be visiting to teach us more about helping animals in need,” he said.

Student Wesley mentioned an upcoming field day event at Central Mountain Middle School where the students from both schools will perform the One Team, One Dream song.