Upcoming Events - September
- 08/31: WELCOME BACK STUDENTS AND STAFF!!
- 09/02: Washington Welcome Back Night
- 09/05: Labor Day Recess, No School, All District Offices Closed
- 09/06: PAGE Mtg.
- 09/07: PTA Scholarship Mtg.
- 09/07: PTA Council Mtg.
- 09/08: Washington PTA Mtg.
- 09/09: Forbes 911 Cookies for the Community
- 09/10: ACT at Senior High School
- 09/12-15: 1st Round of 4Sights
- 09/12: Curriculum Committee Mtg.
- 09/12: Finance Committee Mtg.
- 09/13: Forbes PTA Mtg.
- 09/13-15: Penn Hebron Picture Days
- 09/14: Forbes Sadecky Puppets Assembly
- 09/14: Linton Grade 7 Photos
- 09/14: Linton PTA Mtg.
- 09/14: Penn Hebron PTA Mtg.
- 09/15: Linton Grade 8 Photos
- 09/16: Linton Grades 7 & 8 Makeup Photos
- 09/16: Forbes Picture Day
- 09/19-23: 1st Round of GMADEs
- 08/01: 2nd
- 09/19: Discipline, Safety, & Security Committee Mtg.
- 09/19: HR/Policy Committee Mtg.
- 09/20: Senior High Grade 9 Photos
- 09/20: Washington Picture Day
- 09/21: Senior High Grade 10 Photos
- 09/22: Senior High Grade 11 Photos
- 09/22: Linton Grade 5 Photos
- 09/22: Forbes Welcome Back Picnic
- 09/22: NJROTC Dessert Night/Awards Ceremony
- 09/23: Senior High Grades 9-11 Makeup Photos
- 09/23: Linton Grade 6 Photos
- 09/23: Penn Hebron Welcome Back Picnic
- 09/26: School Board Public Voting Mtg.
- 09/27: Grades K-3 Open House
- 09/28: Senior High PTSA Mtg.
- 09/28: Grade 4 Open House
- 09/29: Grades 5-6 Open House
- 09/30: 1st Installment School Real Estate Tax Due at Face
To view additional events, click here. |
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Elementary and Secondary Menus
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Senior High Guidance Contact Information
Grade 9 - Karen Rasmussen, x5286
Grade 10 - Henry Gonsowski, x5289
Grade 11 - Scott Zemba, x5287
Grade 12 - Amy Alexander, x5288
Secretary - Janet Ferrell, x5290 |
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Residency Tip Line
The District has in place a phone line that allows the public to anonymously report students who are attending our schools but who may not be residents of Penn Hills. Those who suspect that a student may not be a resident can call 412-793-7000, x1891, and leave a message with information about the suspected student. The District will follow up on this information. |
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PHAME
PHAME--Penn Hills Arts and Music Education Foundation--provides support and funding for a comprehensive education in Music, Theater, Dance, and the Visual Arts for District students. The mission of PHAME is to encourage and broaden support for the arts, both within the school district and community, so our young people will be inspired and prepared for a lifetime of creativity and artistic expression, as well as fostering appreciation and support of all of the arts. For more information on how you can become involved, visit the foundation's website. |
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Municipal Events
- 09/05: Labor Day Holiday, All Municipal Offices Closed
- 09/06: PH Council Mtg.
- 09/08: Traffic Safety Committee Mtg.
- 09/12: Recreation Advisory Board Mtg.
- 09/12: Historical Committee Mtg.
- 09/19: PH Council Mtg.
- 09/22: Planning Commission Mtg.
- 09/26: Library Board Mtg.
- 09/28: Zoning Hearing Board Mtg.
Events subject to change. For automated meeting information, call 412-795-3500, ext. 2. For additional information on meeting dates or agenda materials, call 412-798-2100. |
Crime Prevention E-Mail Access
The Penn Hills Police Department wants to provide the public with current information regarding criminal activity in Penn Hills. Anyone interested in receiving this information should send his/her e-mail address and home address to Crimeprevention@PennHills.org. The public is also encouraged to forward any information they may have regarding criminal or suspicious activity in their neighborhoods. By working together, we can create a safe and prosperous community in which to raise a family and conduct business. |
Newsletter created by:
Teresita K. Kolenchak
Communications Consultant Penn Hills School District
Previous editions of Penn Hills Pride are always available here or here. |
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Community Event a Success
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Preschooler Cassie Burkovich and Mr. McFeely of Mr. Roger's Neighborhood |
On August 18th, the District, business community, and municipality joined together for a Back-to-School/Unity in the Community event at Penn Hills Park. The event included presentations by District buildings, clubs, and organizations as well as community organizations. Entertainment was provided by the Senior High School Marching Band, "Poor Souls," and "Lovely Crisis." There was free food, games, and raffles. WTAE reporter and Penn Hills graduate Ashlie Hardway served as emcee for the event. Money raised will be used for a scholarship at the annual PTA Scholarship Night in the spring. The committee is hard at work determining a date for next year's event. The committee would like to thank everyone who made the evening such a success. Additional photos from the event can be viewed here. |
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Bus Safety Tips
New bus transportation provider First Student has some helpful information for stude nts and parents as we start the 2011-12 school year:
Any questions relating to busing (i.e., late buses, students not picked up, something left on a bus) should be referred to First Student at 412-793-9600. Questions related to busing routes or special needs for students should be referred to the District Transportation Department at 412-793-0136. |
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Welcome to Davaun Barnett, New Linton Principal
This fall, Linton Middle School welcomes Davaun Barnett as the new Building Principal. He will oversee grade-level principals Sandra Barker (Grades 5-6) and Shaun Cooke (Grades 7-8).
Mr. Barnett comes to the District from Duquesne City School, where he served as principal at the elementary level for 3 years. Prior to that, he was Acting Principal/Assistant Principal and Teacher at Weil Accelerated Learning Academy, Teacher at Frick International, and Instructor at DeVry University. His educational background includes a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and Master's Degree in Policy Management and Educational Leadership from Duquesne University and Carnegie Mellon University, respectively. No stranger to the community, Mr. Barnett is already a Penn Hills resident. He enjoys spending time with his wife Lisa and two sons Davaun Jr. and Devan. A well-rounded individual, his past academic activities have ranged from serving as writer and director of the school play to high school football coach/assistant coach.
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Mr. Barnett speaks at Linton's Welcome Back Event |
While at Duquesne, in addition to the normal principal duties, Mr. Barnett conducted professional development training for teachers on subjects that included PDE Standards Aligned System, Effective Lesson Design, Cycle of Effective Instruction, Characteristics of Highly Effective Schools, and Analyzing Data to Inform Instruction. He also developed individualized professional development plans to assist struggling teachers and implemented a student discipline program that resulted in a 50 percent reduction in student referrals for discipline. His implementation of the Success for All Reading Program increased the number of students reading on grade level over a two-year period by 30.57 percent.
Mr. Barnett was interested in coming to Linton because he sees the Penn Hills School District as a district on the rise. As to why he feels he is a good fit for Linton, he responded, "Let me start by saying I have a great administrative team and look forward to meeting the staff and students of Linton." This administrative team has a goal of creating a common instructional focus for students, teachers, and parents. "There will be a greater emphasis on educating the whole child," he explained, "as we strive to help each student reach their full potential." He feels he is a good fit because of shared values. The superintendent, board members, and District leadership all advocate for students and seek to make Penn Hills a premier school district, he stated, adding, "I am a huge advocate for all children and believe in continuous school improvement."
Mr. Barnett's immediate goals as principal include larger ones such as forming positive and productive relationships with students, parents, and teachers to the everyday basics of learning the nuts and bolts of the building and figuring out how to set up his voice mail. However, when asked where he sees himself five years from now, he has no hesitation in responding that he will have his doctorate and be "principal of the best middle school in the USA!"
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Varsity Football Assistant Corey Thomas and Linton staff members Sandy Barker, Davaun Barnett, and Shaun Cooke enjoy the Unity in the Community event |
When asked what he would want the community to know about him, Mr. Barnett responded that he would like the community to know that he feels "Linton is a great place with great kids and great teachers, and we look forward to a great school year."
Penn Hills Superintendent Thomas K. Washington is pleased to have Mr. Barnett onboard for the upcoming school year. "The District welcomes Mr. Barnett to Linton Middle School and looks forward to a very successful working relationship, one that will benefit both students and staff," he stated.
"I think the biggest challenge for most school districts is getting all stakeholders on the same page," Mr. Barnett said. "Magic happens when parents, board members, teachers, and administrators put students first," he concluded. And, as we all know, Linton claims to put the magic in the middle. |
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High School Construction Update
 With the steel girders now up and the long-planned Senior High School building finally starting to take visible shape, the time is right for an update on the project status.
Pyrite remediation was completed at the end of May. The foundations for the new building are complete and the structural steel is 90 percent complete. The main structure of the building is expected to be up by the end of September, leaving detail work remaining. Masonry work on the gym is in progress, and the concrete slabs for Areas G and H (classrooms near the loading dock and mechanical facilities) have been poured. With the current good weather the area has been seeing, production has moved along rapidly, and steel cranes are expected to be off site before the end of September. A steel topping out ceremony is planned for September 14th, which is a celebration of a major milestone of the project signifying the structure of the new building has reached completion. This means the building has now taken shape, with the next milestone achievement for the exterior skin of the building to be completed in January 2012.
The lower parking lot, formerly the tennis courts, is complete and available for use during the fall football season. A portion of Parkridge has also been reconfigured, repaved, and turned back over to the District.
It is expected that a longer Christmas break during the 2012-13 school year will give the District time to make the new Senior High School ready for occupancy when students return in January 2013, according to Turner Construction Manager Adam Hinds. Demolition of the old Senior High School will take place after the move.
Regarding the elementary center project, abatement and demolition began in June. Abatement has been completed and demolition is expected to be completed by the end of September. Bids will go out in October and be back in November, with the second phase set to begin in December. The project is expected to take two years to complete, and occupancy is scheduled for 2014.
The site of the new elementary center was tested for Pyrite. Mine spoils concerns were raised by D'Appolonia and a redesign was recommended for foundation stabilization. An existing private mine was found on the back of the site near the Turner Dairy property. Mine grouting will be performed as part of the stabilization effort.
Mr. Hinds said that they will work to keep people apprised of the details of both projects for the upcoming school year.
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Student-Athlete Recruitment Seminar
Parents and student-athletes had the opportunity on August 29th to attend a free seminar by Rick Wire, a parent who learned the hard way about the ins and outs of helping a child through the athletic recruitment process. Mr. Wire's son, Coy, went on to play football for Stanford University on a scholarship. He later played for the Buffalo Bills and currently is with the Atlanta Falcons. Rick Wire took all of the experiences he had trying to get his son through the recruitment process and now is a nationally known speaker on the subject.
 Mr. Wire's presentation was intended to help parents and students create their own "blueprint for success." He outlined the major aspects of this blueprint, emphasizing academics and how to use them to the student's advantage. He went on to discuss the difficulties in transitioning the athlete from high school to college and how he/she needs to be prepared both mentally and physically in order to succeed. Other areas of importance included goal setting, marketing the student, and the actual phases of recruitment such as visits to schools and letters of intent.
One of the things that Mr. Wire put emphasis on was the importance of parents evaluating their child's talent realistically. This would determine the size of a school, division, location, and more. He advised parents to start the process by setting goals for high school, evaluating talent in order to choose the right level of sports play, staying on track academically, developing a recruiting plan, visiting schools, and making a verbal commitment once the student is 75 percent sure of his/her choice.
More information on Mr. Wire's program can be found at Dynamite Sports. |
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Band Parent Preview Night
 Inclement weather moved the annual band parent preview night performance from Yuhas-McGinley Stadium to the Senior High Gymnasium. Those in attendance had the opportunity to view an enthusiastic presentation of the marching band's 2011-12 program, Santana. Songs included "Yaleo," "Oye Como Va," She's Not There," and "Evil Ways."
A program from the event can be viewed here and additional pictures are available here. |
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Linton Welcome Back Tailgate Party
Linton students and parents were welcomed to the start of the new school year at an event on August 23rd. In addition to food and fun, there were informational tables and presentations from PTA Council President Chris Polaski, Grades 5 & 6 Principal Sandra Barker, Grades 7 & 8 Principal Shaun Cooke, and new Building Principal Davaun Barnett. Parents received information on Linton's Olweus Bullying Program and were able to ask questions on topics such as school lunch prices and lunch periods. Additional photos from the event can be viewed here.
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High School Student to Play in Softball Tournaments
 Sophomore Witney Larko will be competing in the Queen of Diamonds Showcase South (QDSS) at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina, on September 3rd and 4th as well as the Queen of Diamonds 14U Tournament (QDT) on September 3rd. The QDSS is now in its 5th season and is part of the Queen of Diamond's Showcases, the largest fast pitch softball showcases of their kind in the United States. The goal of the QDT is to hold the highest profile tournament of this type in the nation, sending away athletes with skills to work on over the winter and coaches with what they need to make them better at guiding their student athletes.
The QDSS event attracts athletes from more than 30 states and 2 Canadian Provinces. This showcase is unique as athletes actually "apply to" this event individually and are selected based on many criteria, ranging from ability, potential, academics, graduation year, coaches' requests, and referrals. The QDT aims for the highest profile teams from 15-20 states.
Witney has demonstrated herself to be a versatile player who started this past year in the positions of shortstop, pitcher, second base, and outfield. |
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Student Vacation Approval
 A Vacation Request Form is to be completed by all parents/guardians requesting to have their children excused from school for five or more days during the course of the school year. All forms must be submitted to the building principal at least two weeks before the requested beginning leave date. Approval is based on attendance, academic standing, educational merit or exceptionality of request, and discipline record. The building principal provides initial approval and the Director of Elementary or Secondary Education gives final approval. An appeal of denial can be submitted in writing to the Superintendent.
Parents/guardians and the student are responsible for contacting teachers to obtain homework assignments for the duration of the absence. The parent/guardian will be responsible for the student completing the homework assignments and submitting the completed work to the teacher(s) the first day upon returning to school. Upon return to school, the student will be allotted five instructional days to make up any missed testing.
A copy of the Vacation Request Form as well as additional information on processing the request can be found here. |
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High School Fall Sports Schedules
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Middle School Fall Sports Schedules
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Coming next month in Penn Hills Pride, new student school board members, PSSA results, welcome back events, and student achievements. All this and more in the next edition of Penn Hills Pride. |
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