Arts Day at Dock Mennonite Academy's Grades 9-12 Campus is a day to celebrate our students’ God-given talents and abilities. We want to recognize and share the gifts God has given to celebrate the arts and give students the opportunity to perform on stage, to demonstrate technical skill and creativity with excellence. The program for Arts Day 2019 has now been posted to the Arts Day page on Dock's website.

The theme for Arts Day 2019 is “harmony.” How can we live our lives in harmony? How can we live our relationships in harmony? How can we live to encourage harmony in the world? Students will perform in stage events and create entries in culinary, creative writing, fabric arts, photography, visual arts, and technology that express their understanding of harmony.

Parents are invited to view Arts Day from the balcony in Clemens Auditorium. Select stage events will have an encore during the Arts Day public performance on Friday, February 15 at 7:00 p.m.

View the Arts Day program

The Dock Mennonite Academy Touring Choir has announced its itinerary for the Spring 2019 season. Please note that the Choir will also perform at Dock Woods Community the week of May 29. When the exact date and time are determined, this concert will be added to the itinerary.

Download the Spring Itinerary

Spring 2019 Touring Choir Itinerary

March 17  Towamencin Mennonite Church, 9 a.m.

March 24  Fairview Village Church of the Nazarene, 8:25 a.m.

March 29-31  Carnegie Hall, New York City

April 7  Souderton Mennonite Church, 9:30 a.m.

April 12-14  Mennonite Schools Council Choir Festival, Lancaster, PA

April 28  Salford Mennonite Church, 9:00 a.m.

May 15  Souderton Mennonite Church, 9:30 a.m.

May 19  Franconia Mennonite Church, 10:15 a.m.

May 22  Dock Spring Concert, 7:00 p.m.

May 20  Perkiomenville Mennonite Church, 10:15 a.m.

June 2  Blooming Glen Mennonite Church, 9:30 a.m.

June 2  Zion Mennonite Church, 7:00 p.m.

June 8  Dock Commencement, 6:00 p.m.

Course Registration for 2019-2020

Students received registration materials for the 2019-20 school year on January 28. Please complete the course registration process which includes:

1. Review and sign the Covenant Statement and iPad Contract

2. Update and sign emergency form

3. Complete the course registration (check for graduation requirements)

All materials were due back to the student's advisor by February 8, 2019. 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 a 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 when the student withdraws from a class, they will not be eligible for Honor Roll and/or Open Study Hall that quarter or the preceding quarter.

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
• North Penn Area Scholarship Fund
• Souderton-Telford Rotary Club Arts & Humanities and Science, Technology, & Math Scholarships

Summer Opportunities: We also have folders with 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 and check out these resources anytime!

College Planning Information

Mr. Kabakjian will be meeting with Juniors to have conversation about post-secondary school.  He will be discussing college options, SAT scores, majors, career opportunities, etc. He will also be available to discuss course selection for the senior year. 

North Montco Technical Career Center

There is an Open House at North Montco Technical Career Center scheduled for February 14^th from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Applications to attend the school for the 2019-20 school year are due March 14^th. If you need more information, visit http://www.nmtcc.org/  and contact your student's guidance counselor.

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 9, 2019              February 8, 2019

May 4, 2018                 April 5, 2019

June 1, 2018                 May 3, 2019 

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.

AP Testing

Students in AP classes have received the Bulletin for AP Students and Parents. Please read over this bulletin, as it has information regarding the policies and procedures of all AP tests. It contains helpful information about exam day procedures, misconduct, things to bring to the exam, sending out your scores, and much more. If you have been approved for accommodations or have any questions about AP exams, please see Mr. Kabakjian in the Guidance Office ASAP. In addition, any student not currently enrolled in an AP class who wishes to take an AP exam, should see Mr. Kabakjian for more information and to register.

Dock Mennonite Academy has released its framework calendar for the 2019-20 school year. This calendar shows the timing of holidays, breaks and other important events during the school year, and is useful as a planning tool. 

Printed calendars showing all school events for each campus are typically printed and mailed to families in August.

Download the 2019-20 framework calendar

2019/2020 School Calendar

 August 2019

19, 20, Mon., Tues.         Faculty In-Service – No School

22, Thurs.                      First Day of Classes

30, Fri.                         No School for faculty/students

September 2019

2, Mon.                         Labor Day – No School

20, Fri                           Faculty In-Service – No School

October 2019

4, 5, Fri., Sat.                  Homecoming

25, Fri.                          Faculty In-Service – No School

28, Mon.                       No School for faculty/students

November 2019

27, Wed.                       Early Dismissal

28, 29, Thurs., Fri.          Thanksgiving Break – No School

December 2019

2, Mon.                         Thanksgiving Break – No School

20, Fri.                          Early Dismissal

23-31, Mon.-Tues.          Christmas Break – No School

January 2020

1, Wed.                         Christmas Break – No School

17, Fri.                          End Quarter 2

20, Mon.                       Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – No School

21, Tues.                       Faculty In-Service – No School

22, Wed.                        Begin Quarter 3

February 2020

6, Thurs.                       Mennonite Educators Conference – Early Dismissal

7, 8, Fri., Sat.                 Mennonite Educators Conference – No School

17, Mon.                       Presidents’ Day – No School

March 2020

13, Fri.                          No School for faculty/students

27, Fri.                          End Quarter 3

30, Mon.                       Faculty In-Service – No School

31, Tues.                        Begin Quarter 4

April 2020

9-13, Thurs.-Mon.          Easter Vacation – No School

May 2020

25, Mon.                       Memorial Day – No School

June 2020

1-3, Mon.-Wed.              Senior Presentations

4, 5, Thurs.-Fri.               High School Finals

4, Thurs.                        8^th Grade Celebration

5, Fri.                            Last Day of Classes

5, Fri.                            High School Baccalaureate

6, Sat.                           High School Commencement, 6 pm

8, Mon.                         Faculty In-Service

High School Day 7:45 a.m.to 2:45 p.m.; 181 student days; EC 8 School Day 8:25 a.m. to 3:10 p.m.; 181 student days (includes one snow day); Days in BOLD print = No school or early dismissal for students

Congratulations to Dock juniors Madelyn Bergin (left) and Greta Schrag, who are performing this season with the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra. Schrag plays oboe in the ensemble, while Bergin is section leader for the flutes.

The PYO is an auditioned group for musicians 14 to 21 years of age that uses extraordinary music education through the pursuit of music excellence to inspire a strong sense of character, discipline, commitment, and community for a diverse student population. Bergin and Schrag attend practices every Saturday in Philadelphia.

Learn more about PYO

Dock students now have a hands-on learning opportunity about alternative energy right in their Environmental Science classroom, thanks to a generous donation from Bergey's Electric. Over the Christmas break, Bergey's installed a solar panel in Ms. Valerie Metzler's classroom that will provide real-time data so that students can learn more about solar energy as an alternative to fossil fuels and other energy sources.

While Bergey's donated the panel itself and the labor to install it, other equipment for the installation was purchased with the David Souder Endowment Fund. Souder was a member of the Class of 1963, which funded the endowment and continues to oversee its use. In previous years, the endowment has funded science projects ranging from a rain garden that protects the tennis court side of Groff Pond, to lab kits that allow students to study a wide variety of environmental events, including heat and climate change, groundwater, physical and chemical properties of soil, and others.

"We are grateful for Dale Bergey’s commitment to this project and the generosity of Bergey’s Electric," said Dock Director of Advancement Robert Rutt.

See more photos 

Financial Aid and College Planning Information

FAFSA

Parents of seniors, it is time to start the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) process. It is essential that you fill out this form for your student to qualify for need-based loans, grants, and scholarships. The state deadline is May 1, 2019 and the Federal deadline is June 30, 2019. We highly recommend that you complete the FAFSA as soon as possible.  The electronic version can be found at www.Fafsa.ed.gov. You may request a paper copy of the FAFSA by calling: 1-800-433-3243.

Funding Higher Education

Beyond High School:  www.studentaid.ed.gov/guide. This website gives comprehensive details about federal student aid programs.

Students with a Disability
According to Clark in U.S. News 2010, there are 8 steps for a child with disabilities to use to prepare for college.  Along with diligence, creativity, and resilience, the student should:

1.  Prepare early by taking college prep classes
   1. Study strategies
   2. Test-taking
   3. Time management
2. Have knowledge of technology
   1. As simple as spell check to diction pens
   2. Screen readers
   3. Diction software
3. Be creative (If a student struggles with taking a foreign language, perhaps sign language could work.)
4. Take charge
   1. Advocate for self
   2. Be prepared to know what to ask for
5. Research college options
6. Formal documentation should be 3 years old or less – Plan ahead!
7. Focus on the positive
8. Consider extra help- this may be included in the college tuition or it may be an added cost.

Students with Disabilities Preparing for Post-Secondary Education: Know your Risks and Responsibilities: http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/transition.html

Need Cash for College? Now is the time to start thinking about applying for scholarships! Check out our Scholarship List  on the Guidance Office page of our school's website. It includes college scholarships and scholarships available to the public.

A good resource for scholarships is the college you plan to attend.  Ask your college admissions counselor what scholarships you qualify for. Research the college site and actively look for information relating to scholarships. The college financial aid office is also a good place to obtain information.

PSAT Results

PSAT results are available online at www.collegeboard.com. Mr. Kabakjian and Mrs. Leaman spent time reviewing test results with students the week prior to Christmas break. Please see your counselor if you have not received a copy of your results or if you have questions about them.

Quick Start from College Board

My College QuickStart is an easy-to-use, online, personalized college and career planning kit available free of charge to all students who take the PSAT/NMSQT. The information and answers your child provided when they took the test are incorporated into this useful tool. It presents their data back to them in four main parts:

My Online Score Report – an enhanced score report that allows the student to review each test question, the student's answer, and the correct answer with answer explanations.

My SAT Study Plan – a customized SAT study plan based on student PSAT/NMSQT test performance, highlighting skills for review and practice.

My College Matches – a starter list of colleges based on the student's state and indicated choice of major.

My Major and Career Matches – major and career matches that are compatible with the student's general interests and personality type.

Access is available using the access code printed on the student's PSAT paper score report; This tool can be utilized throughout high school. Using My College Quick-Start together with your child is a great way to introduce and guide your child through important aspects of the college selection process. To access, visit www.collegeboard.com/quickstart.

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 9, 2019              February 8, 2019

May 4, 2018                 April 5, 2019

June 1, 2018                 May 3, 2019 

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.

AP Testing

Any student who is not currently enrolled in an AP class and wishes to take an AP exam, should see Mr. Kabakjian in the Guidance Office for more information and to register.

Dock held its first-ever Experiential Learning Day on Friday, January 4, for grades 9, 10, and 11. Students had both half-day and full-day options for on- and off-campus learning experiences, and were able to sign up for the activity of their choice.

"At Dock we realize that significant learning happens outside the traditional classroom, so we planned a day for experiential learning," said Dr. Sharon Fransen, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction. "We know students learn about the world and other peoples through innovative experiences, play, and reflection. We envisioned a day where teachers would share areas of expertise or passion, and students would learn something not found in our formal programming."

Experiential learning is the process of learning through participation rather than by listening to a lecture or reading about a topic. Learning opportunities for Dock students ranged from Spanish language immersion to tours of the National Liberty Museum and Penn Museum in Philadelphia, sustainable farming practices, shooting and editing better photographs, creative writing workshops, and many others.

Dock's first Experiential Learning Day was held the same week that seniors were off campus doing some experiential learning of their own during Senior Experience—a full week of job shadowing and/or service opportunities that help many seniors discern college and vocational interests.

Dr. Fransen said it's possible that Experiential Learning Day could be expanded in the future.

"Some schools have a 'mini-term' with several days of experiential learning in which activities are planned around one topic," she said. "We may try that in the future, but this year we got a taste of what that could be like for us as a school community. It was exciting to learn together."

View an Experiential Day slide show

Dock's high school episode of the game show, The ClassH-Room aired on Thursday, December 20 on Philly Fox 29. If you missed our edition of the popular game show, you can now watch it at the link below—as well as the episode featuring our middle school students, which aired two weeks ago.

The ClassH-Room is a trivia-based game show for teachers and students in grades 7-12. Each episode features students and teachers from the same school, competing against each other to try to win funds for their chosen charities. The show airs weekdays at 12 noon.

As a result of our participation on Philly Fox 29's The ClassH-Room, Dock shared our $1,000 winnings from both episodes with two charities, Keystone Opportunity Center and Mennonite Disaster Service. That's what you call a "win-win"!

Watch Dock Middle School on the ClassH-Room

Watch Dock High School on the ClassH-Room

Did you read our blog post about the ClassH-Room? 

Every year, in Mrs. Lambright's Fabrics and Fashions I and II classes, students do a service project. Sewing school kits in Fabrics and Fashions I works well because students can learn to use their sewing machine while they help others. In Fabrics and Fashions II Mrs. Lambright encourages students to try something a little more complicated. This year the class made layettes that were given to the Mennonite Resource Center for relief distribution. Sharon Swartzendruber, executive director at MRC, has been helpful in partnering with Mrs. Lambright's classes.