The men so honored by this award offer themselves to their communities as role models, showing our youth that there are opportunities to succeed for those who work hard and get an education.  To read more, click here.  (photo courtesy of the New Pittsburgh Courier)

It was a night of dancing and cheering, both onstage and off, as the panel of judges and audience crowned joint winners at the second Dancing With the Teachers competition held earlier this month.  Dancing the Salsa to "Baila Baila Conmigo" by Rubin Gomez were Kristy Bougher and Matthew Herdman.  Bougher is a 3rd Grade learning support teacher at Forbes Elementary, and Herdman teaches math at the Senior High School.  Their winning dance routine was choreographed by Larry Cervi of Larry Cervi's School of Performing Arts in Monroeville.

 

Tied with them for the crown were Gina Sciulli and Mike Whalen, dancing the Paso Doble to "O Fortuna."  Sciulli is a 5th Grade learning support teacher at Penn Hebron, and Whalen teaches health and physical education at Dible Elementary.  Their routine was choreographed by Aimee Voegtle, also of Larry Cervi's School of Performing Arts.

 

In addition to the teachers, performances were given by students from the various cheerleading squads as well as several area dance studios.  The judging panel included guest celebrity Paul Alexander from Fox Sports Pittsburgh.  Additional photos from the event can be seen here, and details of the contributions of those involved with the program can be found here. 

Every month, we recognize a student who has been identified as someone special, helpful to classmates, strong academically, involved in a unique program, etc.  This month, with a nod to the holiday season that is now upon us, we are recognizing the entire student body of the District as our student achievers for November.
 
Throughout the year, our students participate in fundraisers and a variety of special events to reach out to those in need in the community.  They are not always given the credit they deserve for their hard work.  And so, this month, we are offering a small sampling of some of the activities that have taken place and will be taking place in the coming weeks.  This is by no means a comprehensive list, but it should provide an idea of just how special all of our students in Penn Hills truly are.  We thank them for their hard work and dedication to helping others.
 
At Dible, students have been collecting food donations for the Penn Hills Service Association Christmas Program as well as monetary donations for the Kiwanis Santa Breakfast to provide a meal and help purchase toys for needy families this Christmas.  In addition, on Friday, December 4th, the Dible K-Kids (Kiwanis Kids) will have a table set up to collect donations for needy animals this winter.
 
Forbes, along with the rest of the District, collected money for the Just Say No community project.  There was Bring in a Buck week, where $700 was collected between Forbes and Dible to donate to the Kiwanis for their event in December.  Also, students at Forbes are going to make cards, placemats, ornaments, and such for Seneca Place and another personal care home.  Forbes also donated over $311 to the KD Turkey Fund after PNC matched the school's collected money, and canned goods were also collected for the Penn Hills Service Association.
 
Washington had two Thanksgiving drives.  The school's 4th Annual Turkey Bowl was held earlier this month, in which the staff played the parents in a football game and collected canned goods and money.  The canned goods were donated to the Penn Hills Service Association along with a $100.00 check.  A basket of groceries was also prepared for a less fortunate family at Washington and presented to that family.  The school also held its annual Christmas basket food drive for the Penn Hills Service Association to feed the families in Penn Hills who need help during the holiday season.
 
At Penn Hebron, students and teachers worked together to collect over $257 for the KD Turkey Fund. With the bank matching the amount raised,  the effort provided 34 local, needy families with a Thanksgiving dinner.  In the coming weeks, students will also be collecting donations for Toys for Tots and the Penn Hills Service Association food drive.
 
In addition to contributing to the KD Turkey Fund and Penn Hills Service Association Program, Linton students continued their annual tradition, now in its 7th year, of buying and wrapping gifts for the Children, Youth, and Families (CYF) Holiday Project.  The students try and make sure each child receives a winter coat, gloves, and hats.  If a child wants a bike, the students make sure they have a helmet and knee and elbow pads.  Funds are raised through jean days and lunch time change collections.  Money raised is divided between the CYF Project and Penn Hills Service Association.
 
At the Senior High School, student efforts have focused on the Penn Hills Service Association food drive and Operation Santa for service men and women overseas.  For this project, students are collecting magazines and paperbacks as well as a variety of personal items for those in the military who will not be here for Christmas.  In addition, the Key Club donated Frisbees from their Frisbee tournament for our military.
 
In describing the activities that students and staff have participated in at Linton, Linda Knaus said how proud she was of her building, adding, "The students and staff try to make a difference."  Those sentiments can truly be echoed in all of our buildings.