More than 5,400 students returned to the classrooms on August 29 as Penn Manor kicked off its 2022-2023 school year.
This year’s opening day was the first for Dr. Phil Gale in his new role as superintendent. Dr. Gale was named superintendent effective July 1 after serving as assistant superintendent since 2019 and as Penn Manor High School principal for 10 years.
Several other key administrators also are new this year. Dr. Krista Cox is the new assistant superintendent for secondary education, and Pat Tocci is Penn Manor’s new athletic director.
Eshleman Elementary has a new principal, Dr. Melissa Mealy, and Kelli Eachus will join the Hambright staff as assistant principal later this fall. Jenna Fisher is a new assistant high school principal, and Dorina Andes is Penn Manor’s new supervisor of curriculum, instruction and assessment.
In addition, Penn Manor has more than 40 new professional staff members for 2022-2023 and a new school resource officer, Jason Turner, who replaced longtime Penn Manor SRO Jason Hottenstein over the summer.
At the high school, students returned to a renovated cafeteria, a new kitchen, auxiliary gym, weight room and fitness center and new parking lots. In addition, 1,500 new laptops are being distributed to students this fall.
Dr. Gale visited several schools throughout the district on opening day and said things went smoothly.
“The first day of school is an exciting time, and today was a demonstration of the hard work that all district employees have put forth in preparing for the new year,” he said. “I look forward to seeing all the good things that transpire throughout the school year.”
Welcome back, students and staff, and best wishes on a new school year!
Penn Manor High School
