Sprinter Austin Kratz ('18) had a breakout season for Dock Track & Field as a junior, which set the stage for a dominating senior year that yielded state gold medals in the 100M and 200M, and 4x100 relay, and made Kratz a recruiting target for Division 1 track programs across the country.

Now, after two challenging seasons at Arizona State University, Kratz is poised to have a breakout outdoor track season for the Sun Devils—which could put him in the mix for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team.

A series of injuries, and then the COVID-19 pandemic, combined to slow Kratz down during his freshman and sophomore years at ASU, but he is now healthy and working hard to prepare for the outdoor season. While his current focus is on setting new personal records in the 100M and 200M, a strong showing nationally in those events may help him quality for the Olympic trials. The 2020 Summer Olympics were rescheduled because of the pandemic for this July-August in Tokyo.

Read the full story on the Sun Devil Athletics website

The Dock Mennonite Academy Summer Camp lineup has something for every child—sports, theater, science, art, travel and much, much more! Our Summer Camps run from June 21 to July 30, with morning, afternoon, and full-day options. There is also an after-Sports Camp Care option that provides supervision for children attending sports camps. Most camps are taught by members of Dock faculty or staff, while sports camps are offered in partnership with Cal Sports Academy.

Registration is now open. Many camps have registration limits, so please act quickly to secure a spot for your child.

Visit the 2021 Summer Camps page

Friday may have been a Remote Learning Day for Dock, but that didn't keep our Middle School students from experiencing some real Service Learning using the theme, "Dock Serves Wherever We Are." Students received instructions from their teachers (who also participated) via Google Slides, and then created their own slides showing the service learning they had engaged in at home. Responses ranged from helping with the dishes to making breakfast or lunch, walking pets, watering plants, shoveling snow and ice for family and neighbors, doing laundry, cleaning bathrooms (!), and many more. Thanks to our Middle School teachers for organizing a great remote service learning opportunity, and congratulations to our students for all the ways they became servants for others today!

See more examples of student slides

When she was unable to fit two gym classes into her schedule this year, Dock senior Sara Kennel was granted an independent study with the goal of preparing to run a half-marathon. Faculty member Mrs. Darla Bergey, an accomplished runner and marathon veteran herself,  agreed to work with her on the independent study. Sara, who also ran Cross Country for Dock in the fall, began training last November.

A friend who often runs with Sara expressed interest in running the half with her, and they began training together. Early in December, she learned from a friend about Worthwhile Wear, a local organization that provides long-term housing, vocational training and employment for survivors of human trafficking—a cause that has long been close to Sara’s heart.

“I felt led to find a way to support them,” she says. As a student with limited resources, she had to think creatively. With her half-marathon approaching (scheduled for Saturday, February 27) she decided to turn the race into a fundraiser for Worthwhile Wear. She and her friend started a Go Fund Me page and invited others to support the cause and even join them for the run if they wanted. Congratulations, Sara, and good luck in the race!

© 2019 Anderson Photography

Pennsylvania Rep. Steve Malagari (D) had a virtual visit with Mr. Zach Bower's Government class during a recent Remote Learning Day. This was the first time for most of the students to interact with a state representative, with many of the students in the class living in the 53rd district of Montgomery County that Malagari represents. A graduate of North Penn High School who just began his second term in the state House, Malagari spoke about what his daily routine and responsibilities are, and also fielded some thoughtful questions from students.

As part of a Middle School EXPO Day writing project earlier this year, Dock 8th grade student Ryan Park wrote a novel entitled The Rohingya Miracle. His Middle School English teacher, Mrs. Kathy Mease, encouraged Ryan to enter his book into the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards National Competition for students in grades 7-12. Ryan recently learned that his novel won the Silver Key award. In addition to his certificate, Ryan will receive his  “Silver Key” award later this spring. Writing is such an important skill, and it’s exciting to have budding young authors among us. Congratulations, Ryan!

Dock Mennonite Academy Superintendent Dr. Conrad Swartzentruber has written a letter to Dock students and their families in an ongoing series of pandemic-related communications the school has shared over the course of the past 11 months. The February 9, 2021 Superintendent's Letter includes some weather-related developments, a look at some of the exciting things that continue to happen on our campuses, and a brief COVID-19 update. 

Read the full text of the letter here

As day jobs go, Erica Merrill's is pretty interesting: the 1998 Dock grad is a flight nurse for PennStar, the critical care air and ground medical transport serving patients within a 100-mile radius of Philadelphia's Penn Medicine. She visited Mrs. Darla Bergey's First Aid class on Thursday to share about her experiences. PennStar transports high-risk patients to the hospital, and Merrill's patients have ranged from a 2.5 "preemie" infant to severely ill COVID-19 patients, to a man whose arm had to be amputated when it was caught in an auger. Merrill said that her job requires being ready at a moment's notice, and the ability to think on your feet and make quick decisions. She said she enjoys helping others in need. Dock students enjoyed hearing about another option in the medical field.

Watch "Built for Speed-Built for Life"

Course Registration for 2021-2022

Students will receive registration materials for the 2020-21 school year on Thursday, February 4. Students and Parent, please complete the course registration process, which includes the following:

1.      Review and sign the Covenant Statement and Student Technology Device Contract.

2.      Update and sign the emergency/field trip permission form.

3.      Complete the course registration form. Use this link to our 2021-22 Curriculum Guide www.dock.org/academics/curriculum/curriculum-guide to see course descriptions and to check for graduation requirements.

All materials are due back to the student’s advisor no later than February 10, 2021. Contact your guidance counselor or advisor with registration questions.

It is our desire to create the best possible schedule for each student.  When you receive your schedule please look it over closely, making sure it is good for the entire year.  If changes are needed, see your guidance counselor no later than the second week of school.  Please be advised that if a student needs to withdraw from a given course after they have started that class, the withdrawal will be noted on their permanent transcript record with a WP or WF.  A “WP” notes that satisfactory work was being completed in the course at the time of withdrawal.  A “WF” notes failing work at the time of withdrawal. Depending on when the student withdraws from a class, they may not be eligible for Honor Roll that quarter.

North Montco Technical Career Center

A Virtual Open House at North Montco Technical Career Center will be held on February 4, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. Visit up to 4 of the 22 technical programs offered. Each virtual session will last approximately 20 minutes. Speak with representatives from the student services department. They will be available to answer any questions you may have about student support and career counseling. Pre-Registration is required by February 3^rd.  For more information and to register, visit http://www.nmtcc.org/.

College & Career Planning Information

Mr. Kabakjian is available to meet with Juniors to have conversation about college and career options. Stop in the Guidance Office if you have questions about the college search process, SAT scores, choosing a major, career opportunities, etc. He is also available to discuss course selection for the senior year. 

AP Classes

Students in AP classes that started in the second semester, remember to join your class section online. Use the join code your AP teacher gives you to join your class section in My AP.

SAT Information

The SAT should be taken by college-bound students in the spring of their junior year or fall of their senior year. The easiest way to register for the SAT is online at www.Collegeboard.com. Students should set up an account with College Board. This will give them access to many tools that are available to support SAT preparation and the college search. There are also helps for parents. This is a recommended site for college-bound students and their parents.

SAT testing dates and registration deadlines are as follows:
Test Date                                 Registration Deadline

March 13, 2021                        February 12, 2021

May 8, 2021                              April 8, 2021

June 5, 2021                             May 6, 2021

Any sophomore or junior in learning support who has not been to the guidance office to request the paperwork for SAT accommodations should do so as soon as possible. The process with the College Board can take as long as 8 to 12 weeks. Current educational testing is a requirement for the accommodation request to be approved. It is recommended that educational testing be no more than 3 years old for college services.

Resources Available in the Guidance Office

Scholarship List: The Guidance Office has a list of scholarships. Here is just a sampling of a few that are listed:

• Everence College Scholarship
• Anna M. Vincent Scholarship
• North Penn Area Scholarship Fund
• Care & Share Thrift Shoppes Student Volunteer Scholarship
• Souderton-Telford Rotary Club Arts & Humanities and Science, Technology, & Math Scholarships

Local Contests: These opportunities are for all high school students!

• The Rotary Clubs Four-Way Test Speech Contest
• Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) High School Essay and Video Contest
• Gettysburg College Second Annual Georges Lieber Essay Contest on Resistance

Coming Soon……Summer Opportunities: We will have information on summer educational, travel, service, and work opportunities for students, such as:

• Academic Programs at local colleges
• Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week
• Summer Camp opportunities

Students are welcome to stop by the Guidance Office and check out these resources anytime!