From the desk of:
Mrs. Melody M. Nichols
Principal of Guth Elemetary

Guth has Made a Difference in My Life - Thank You!

Dear Guth Families,

It is with appreciation that I begin this Guth Gazette for my last time. It is with gratitude that I take this opportunity to reflect on my 37 years as an educator in the Pennridge School District, but more specifically on my past 10 years here at Guth Elementary School.

Due to family circumstances, the decision for my retirement is made with an acknowledgement of honor to my parents, and the satisfaction of recognizing that my years spent in the Pennridge School District have met my deepest passion of working with the best of people, and teaching the most dedicated of students. The professionalism of teachers and administrators has inspired me to know that this is the highest of callings.

Ending my career at Guth Elementary has brought me full circle. Dr. Patricia A. Guth was the district administrator who first interviewed me and hired me here in the Pennridge District, when I graduated 37 years ago from Gordon College. It has been an honor to be principal in a building bearing her name.

When I first cam to Guth Elementary in 1998 as principal, I was leaving my position as the k-12 Language Arts Supervisor in the Pennridge District. I loved visiting classrooms and supporting teachers and students with instructional practices, but I desperately missed directly working with children. I had previously spent 25 years as a classroom teacher and reading specialist at Grasse Elementary. Dr. Kish granted my request to be considered for a principalship position when one became available.

So in 1998, my heart fell in love with my new position as principal here at Guth. The faculty and the families that greeted me made this place, called school, an exceptional learning environment. The focus and desire was to foster the very best for Guth students and together we have worked to give our energy, time and expertise to make learning happen in the lives of children. It has been a total delight to work with you.

What great memories we have! Guth’s Student Council, led by Mrs. Beach and Mrs. Pavie, were acknowledged as receiving a National Honor Student Council Excellence Award twice in the past 10 years. Guth was designated as an International Invitational School and faculty representatives traveled to Atlanta, Georgia to be recognized. Guth was awarded two improvement grants from the PA Department of Education as we demonstrated improvement in PSSA scores, and Guth was featured in Bucks County Magazine as an exemplary school with the Art on the Move Program.

The students have distinguished themselves in mathematics awards, exceptional band, chorus and strings concerts and in outstanding physical education programs from Gym Shows to having Mr. Bolenius be a forerunner in Project Adventure. Guth Elementary has witnessed the success of a school-wide discipline program as students have chosen to “make better choices” with regard to behavior and social interactions.

Our physical look has also changed over the past 10 years. The outside gardens, brick walls, Holland Tulips and a stamped courtyard with the school name proudly lighted invite all to recognize that inside we welcome you with banners marking each classroom and Smart Boards, multimedia projectors, and laser printers. We have experienced artists in residence, and a Guth Gala for our 40th Anniversary. Hallways have flourished with framed student are as well as collages of every student in the building year by year. Students moving to middle school have added their handprints to our stairwell walls.

So it is with a humble “thank you” that I end my tenure at Guth Elementary. You have given me a wonderful closing to this profession that I love. It is with the utmost respect and admiration that I face retirement knowing that these past years have filled my days with a professionalism that has permitted me to work on the edge of something wonderful, new, and exciting each day with your children. It has been my distinct pleasure to have served as a teacher, reading specialist, Language Arts Supervisor K-12 and as your Elementary Principal – a lifetime of roles, a lifetime of memories.

Thank you!

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