The Penn Hills School District would like to remind everyone that school closings and delays can be found on KDKA, WPXI, and WTAE as well as on the District website. |
- 01/14-17: 2nd Round GMADE Testing
- 01/14: Forbes Kiwanis K-Kids Visit to Seneca Place
- 01/14: School Board Mtg. (in Senior High Cafeteria)
- 01/15: Kindergarten Registration Begins
- 01/15: Forbes PTA Board Mtg.
- 01/16: Linton Grade 8 Parent Mtg.
- 01/17: Linton PTA Mtg.
- 01/18: Professional Day (Clerical) - No Students
- 01/18: Linton Market Day Internet Orders Deadline
- 01/19: Girls' Varsity 3rd Annual Soccer Winter Fest
- 01/19: Linton Science Fair
- 01/21: Forbes Road CTC In-Service Day
- 01/21: Martin Luther King Day - No School
- 01/22: End of 1st Semester/90th Day
- 01/23: Washington Student of the Month Due
- 01/23: High School PTSA Mtg.
- 01/23: High School Recruiting Seminar
- 01/24: NJROTC Field Trip to CMU
- 01/24: Linton Market Day Pickup
- 01/25: Linton Book Swap - Bring a Book, Get a Book
- 01/25: Linton 6th Grade Battle of the Classes
- 01/28: Linton 6th Grade Drug Free Pennsylvania Assembly
- 01/28: Curriculum/Safety and Grounds Committee Mtg. (Combined)
- 01/28: Linton 6th Grade Parent Drug Free Pennsylvania Presentation
- 01/28: Finance/HR/Policy Committee Mtg. (Combined)
- 01/30: Forbes George Washington Carver and Friends Assembly
- 01/30: Washington Student of the Month Presentation
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 - Amy Alexander, x5288
Grade 10 - Karen Rasmussen, x5286
Grade 11 - Henry Gonsowski, x5289
Grade 12 - Scott Zemba, x5287
Secretary - Janet Ferrell, x5290 |
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Latest Photo Links
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Save the Date - Annual PTA Volleyball Tournament
The PTA scholarship committee is once again sponsoring the annual
Districtwide volleyball tournament on Friday, February 22nd, at the Senior High School gym, beginning at 6:30 pm. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., with warm-up. Tournament play begins at 6:30 pm. Admission is $2.00 for adults and $1.00 for students. All elementary students must be accompanied by an adult. Food and refreshments will be sold and a Chinese Auction and 50/50 raffle held. Chinese Auction baskets will also be available the week of the tournament at the Penn Hills YMCA. All proceeds from the event benefit the PTA Council Scholarship Fund. Scholarships will be awarded to students at the annual Scholarship Awards Night on May 8th.
Anyone interesting in donating money for a scholarship can get more info here. |
Athletic Venue Parking Changes
With the opening of the new Senior High School, parking for visitors to athletic events at the new school will only be available in the parking lot at the end of Harvard Drive (12153 Harvard--previously, the location of the Senior High tennis courts). Turn right onto Harvard if you are coming from Frankstown Road. Access for team buses will be permitted via the Collins Drive entrance. Parking is not permitted for visitors at the Fralic Center. |
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Residency Tip Line
The District has 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. |
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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. Visit the foundation's website for more information. |
The Penn Hills Police Department encourages the public to check the Penn Hills Progress, either online or in print form, for the Police Blotter. The public is also encouraged to call 911 to report suspicious activities, and the Narcotics Division can be reached at 412-798-2002. |
Newsletter created by:
Teresita K. Kolenchak
Communications Consultant Penn Hills School District
Previous editions of Penn Hills Pride are always available here. |
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December a Time of Change for Senior High Students
 December 20th, as the rest of the District prepared to head off on the Christmas recess, students from the Senior High School building at 12200 Garland Drive took the short walk down the hill to their new digs at 309 Collins Drive. Entering the building by grade level, those students who had not yet had the opportunity to check out the new state-of-the-art facility "ooed" and "ahed" over the design and features of the building as they headed to find their classrooms and lockers. During Christmas recess, on December 28th, the day was spent saying goodbye to the Garland Drive building and hello to the Collins Drive facility. Students, teachers, administrators, former School Board members, local dignitaries . . . all came to pay their respects to the Senior High School that has served the District since its dedication in November 1959. Each floor was decked out with memorabilia for a decade of the school's history, complete with music from the time, yearbook photos, uniforms, and--most importantly--memories.
The closure ceremony was kicked off by current Senior High School Principal Eric Kostic, who introduced former Principal Ed Hoover (1979-1991) after the National Anthem and Alma Mater. Mr. Hoover was given a souvenir from his days at the building in the form of the sign that once directed people to the High School office.
Afterwards, the building was open for visitors to tour and reminisce. At 3:30 pm, the flag that flew in front of the building was retired by the Penn Hills NJROTC. A processional to the new building was then led by the NJROTC, Key Club, Student Council, and class officers, where a new flag was run up the flag pole.
 | | The Hoovers |
Visitors were given time to explore the new building under the leadership of student guides before an official dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony took place at 6 pm in the hallway outside of the cafeteria.
After a welcome to the new building by Mr. Kostic, remarks were made by Superintendent Thomas K. Washington; School Board President Joseph E. Bailey, Sr.; School Board and Closing/Opening Committee Member Carl Barbarino; Senior Student Council President Jonathan Morford; and Senior Class President Jordan Terry. Allegheny County Council Vice President Nick Futules presented Mr. Bailey with a proclamation for the opening of the new building, and County Executive Rich Fitzgerald spoke as well. Former School Board members who helped make the project a reality were recognized along with a representative from the office of Governor Tom Corbett.
With music provided by students under the direction of Kala Lorey, the ribbon was cut and the building officially opened. It was a wonderful day to celebrate all of the things that make us Penn Hills proud, and the District thanks everyone who made it such an enjoyable event.
 | | Jonathan Morford |
In the words of Senior Jonathan Morford: "To all of the past, present, and future students of Penn Hills, I'd like to say that the class of 2013 is planning on making everyone proud in making an attempt to bring the Penn Hills legacy back! The respect, school spirit, and pride of Penn Hills were once very dear to everyone, and I have high hopes that a new school is where that can all begin again."
A commemorative program is being put together for those who were unable to attend or want something to remember the day. Look for details on the sale of this item in the coming months on the District website. In the meantime, we welcome any photos or memories that you would like to forward to us for the commemorative program. Send any comments or photos to tkolen@phsd.k12.pa.us. Until then, enjoy photos of the event in the Senior High Photo Gallery. |
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Two Teachers Attain National Board Certification
Senior High Science and Biology Teachers Kelly Shiring and Jennifer Shondeck recently became two of only three teachers currently on staff in the District who are National Board Certified. Senior High English Teacher Angela Keeley received her certification in November 2011.
National Board Certification is an advanced teaching credential which complements, but does not replace, a state teacher license. It is valid for 10 years, and renewal candidates must begin the renewal process during their eighth or ninth year as National Board Certified Teachers. Certification is achieved upon successful completion of a voluntary assessment program designed to recognize effective and accomplished teachers who meet high standards based on what teachers should know and be able to do. It is available nationwide for most preK-12 teachers. As part of the certification process, candidates complete 10 assessments that are reviewed by trained teachers in their certificate areas. These assessments include four portfolio entries that feature teaching practice and six constructed response exercises that assess content knowledge. It is the most rigorous professional development that a teacher can undergo, requiring a great deal of time to work through the process. The time required is in addition to the regular duties and requirements of teaching. Those who undergo this process are undertaking a great deal of additional work and time for the sake of improving their quality of teaching.
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Ms. Shiring with Alum Chris Darby ('09) |
According to Ms. Shondeck, having this certification means that both she and Ms. Shiring went through a rigorous 2 years of self-reflection on their teaching--thinking about ways to present material, possible outcomes, and reasons for "why" they were doing some activities. Did those activities really get them the results they were looking for their students to achieve?
"Personally," Ms. Shondeck explained, "it was a long and rewarding journey. This process made me think about the activities I was doing, and were they 'working'?" There were many times she said she had to re-think how to present a topic in class based on what she was going through as part of the certification process. Ms. Shiring elaborated on this idea, saying that the process really reformed the way she looked at teaching. "I often had ideas or lessons in mind but didn't look at the big picture and what I was really wanting the students to learn," she said, adding, "I now approach my planning in a completely different way and identify what I am truly asking my students to learn and how best to guide them to the learning goal."
Taking this extra step as a teacher was done by Ms. Shondeck because she knew it would be a challenge and she is always looking for professional development opportunities. For Ms. Shiring, it was a way to continue to improve as an educator. "We try to instill in students that learning is a lifelong process," she explained, and "this extra step was another way for me to learn how to be better." There are only so many classes that one can take, she went on to say, "but to actually reflect on the practice and strictly critique it provides an opportunity to learn far beyond any classroom lecture or reading from a book."
Ms. Shondeck said she was completely thrilled upon learning that she had received the certification. She had not passed on her first attempt and was required to resubmit a few entries. While the first class she had used for her class discussion entry was great, she admitted that she had not done her part well enough. When she did her second class discussion, the group of students she used was fantastic. She said they gave great feedback and really worked hard on the content for the unit. When it came time for the discussion portion, they were very well prepared, she explained. "I have personally thanked many of them," she said, adding that all of the students who were aware of her going for the certification were very excited for her when they found out she had gotten it.
For her part, Ms. Shiring said she was speechless when she got the news. Having not achieved it the first time and having to go back and further dissect what she was doing made this mean so much more. "It feels so rewarding to know the hard work and effort, even after a setback, can really be worth it," she explained. Her students were very pumped up, and the students she had worked with during the two years were so inspired to know that they had teachers who were attempting to improve for their sake and the sake of other students without any monetary compensation. "It made them truly believe that they were part of this process," she stated. She said she certainly could not have done this without the effort of her students who were so willing to try to take part in a new process and change. "My students knew they had the power to help enact change on a teacher and were empowered by the idea that they were helping mold an educator to become better," she said, adding, "This isn't something that most students knowingly have the opportunity to do."
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Jennifer Shondeck |
Ms. Shondeck teaches High School Earth and Space Science, works with the 9th Grade Academy, and is also writing the Earth and Space curriculum. Ms. Shiring currently teaches Honors Biology for 9th grade and Advanced Placement Biology for juniors and seniors. She is also a core team member of the 9th Grade Academy and closely works with the District's curriculum director to develop a Biology curriculum that will best prepare all of the District's students for successful completion of the Keystone Exam and provide a solid foundation for the understanding of how science works. In addition, she serves on the state committee that reviews Keystone Exam items (questions).
Career goals for Ms. Shiring include pursuing an administrative route. While she said she is not ready to exit the classroom setting and has plenty of learning to do, she hopes that exploring administrative duties while still a classroom teacher and working with her administrators will give her a solid foundation for becoming an administrator one day. Ms. Shondeck said she is not really sure about her future goals, adding that she enjoys being in the classroom and so does not see herself doing something that takes her out of that environment.
Ms. Shondeck pointed to both Ms. Keeley and Ms. Shiring as inspirations. "If it were not for the support and mentoring of those two," she stated, "I may not have accomplished my goal. They are truly amazing teachers and I am very lucky I have them to learn from." For her part, Ms. Shiring is equally quick to praise Ms. Keeley and Ms. Shondeck, saying she would never have accomplished this certification without their amazing support. "While we all embarked upon this process at the same time," she explained, "Angie was the first to obtain it. Her support never wavered." She added that she also had support from her administrators in her building. They were very supportive of the teachers' efforts and were equally excited by their accomplishments. (Both Ms. Shiring and Ms. Shondeck will be recognized at the January School Board meeting.) |
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Student Recognized as Outstanding
At the end of last year, High School Senior Nick Page was recognized by Riverset Credit Union as one of its Star Students. The program recognizes students who excel academically, are involved in extracurricular activities, and contribute to the community. Nine students are recognized each season.
Nick was nominated for the honor by his father Dirk. High School Band Director Michael Berkey served as Nick's reference and also helped arrange the surprise presentation at school. Apparently, Mr. Berkey was very good because Nick was completely unaware of the honor he was about to receive until he walked into band that morning.
"It is a great honor and it is nice to be recognized for all the effort that I put into school and activities," Nick said in explaining what the award means to him. And, he is not kidding about how much of himself he invests in school and the community. He is a member of the varsity swimming and soccer teams, marching band, German Club, and Chess/Gaming Club, all while maintaining a strong GPA over 3.8. He serves as a referee for his community soccer league and pool lifeguard. In addition to these activities, he managed to find 99 hours to work on an educational pavilion for the Animal Rescue League (ARL) as part of a leadership requirement to achieve Eagle Scout rank. Including time put in by others who helped on the project, a total of 339 service hours were invested.
 The Eagle Scout project was important to him because becoming an Eagle Scout is the crowning achievement in the Boy Scouts. In addition, the project was also close to his heart because of his interest in the environment and biology. "The ARL provides a great service to our community," Nick explained, rehabilitating injured wildlife. "When these animals cannot be released back into the wild, the ARL uses them as teaching aides to younger scouts, both boy and girl scouts, in the area," he went on to say, adding that the pavilion provides them with a designated area in which to teach. Nick led the project from the original hand sketches through meetings with an architect to obtaining the necessary approvals and permits. He found financial support and material donations to completely fund the project as well as arranging for the necessary expert help to complete the building tasks. The setting includes a covered stage, complete with lighting and additional electrical outlets, and there were benches with low-voltage lights underneath to light the path for visitors in the event of an evening function.
According to Mr. Page's nomination, "His project far exceeded the minimum expectations of an Eagle Scout leadership project, and he knew that going into it. He does his best to exceed expectations in just about every project, task he takes on, or in assignments given to him."
Nick has been accepted at the University of Pittsburgh main campus to study Biology in the fall. He also has applied to Bowdoin College in Maine and plans postgraduate work in Environmental Biology.
 There is no doubt that Nick goes above and beyond to achieve. In his sophomore year, he was asked to join marching band because they needed a trumpet player. Despite a full class schedule that did not permit him to participate during the school day, Nick joined and learned the music and practiced outside of the classroom to keep up with his section. Along with all of his other activities, Nick is also a Dungeons and Dragons player. When asked how he keeps such a hectic schedule and still manages to be so successful, he replied, "It helps a lot to have parents who are so involved, supportive, and willing to sacrifice their time." (a video interview of Nick can be found here) |
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More Medals for Forbes 3rd Grader
Forbes 3rd Grader Drew Hines recently traveled to the historic New Balance Track & Field Center at the Armory in New York City to compete in the Armory's Annual Youth Holiday Classic. The Armory is home to the USA Track & Field's (USATF) Hall of Fame and the Millrose Games and hosts some of the biggest names in track. Drew represented the Penn Hills community during the 2012 Youth Holiday Classic, along with Steel City Express, her USATF-affiliated track team.
 Drew competed in the 55-meter, 200-meter, and 400-meter events, similar her participation last March in the USATF Indoor Nationals hosted at Illinois State University. Drew dominated the 400-meter event with a more than three-second lead over the second place finisher. Her time in the 400-meter surpassed her nationals time from March 2012 by more than three seconds. She earned a silver medal in the 55-meter event and had a personal best time of 8.9 seconds. She also earned a silver medal in the 200-meter event, setting a personal indoor record by more than one second.
At the advice of Drew's track coach and mentor, Carlson Christian, Drew will begin a much deserved three-month break and is expected to resume training in April 2013 as Steel City Express begins training for the USATF outdoor season. Although only eight years of age, Drew holds an incredible four national titles from 2012 covering the following events: 55 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters, and 800 meters. She has competed not only in the Pittsburgh area but also at larger venues such as Wichita State University, Illinois State University, Morgan State University, and the University of Texas at Arlington.
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Drew, Team Mate Kianah Blakely-White, and Big Sister Anna Coleman (PH'09) |
Drew is a big fan of the Penn Hills High School track team and school coaches Lee Zelkowitz, Sara Miller, and Carlson Christian. She appreciates the support of these coaches and the unique opportunity to access District facilities and train alongside the fabulous athletes from our community. She greatly enjoys traveling with her family to high school and college track and field events that include participation by current high school student athletes from the area, along with those events that include alumni from the High School track program and Steel City Express.
Thanks go out from Drew to Forbes Principal Kristin Brown for her support and also classroom teacher Brenda McKinney. Prior to her recent trip to New York City, Mrs. McKinney organized a school project that included the development of a scrapbook that was colored in Steel City Express black and gold and included good luck wishes from Forbes Elementary staff and students. |
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NJROTC to Represent PA at Pearl Harbor Commemoration
The District's NJROTC has been invited to represent Pennsylvania at the 2013 Pearl Harbor Commemoration Ceremonies in Hawaii. The invite came about after the company was observed during the most recent Veterans Day Parade in Pittsburgh and a retired U.S. Marine Master Sergeant recommended them to the Parade Committee. This prompted a call to Commander Robert Morabito from Master Gunnery Sergeant Earl Hurrey to discuss the invitation.
The event later this year is the commemoration of the December 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor by the armed forces of Imperial Japan. The organizers seek JROTC units from the states that were the namesakes of battleships that were in port that day. Penn Hills would represent the USS Pennsylvania and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the parade. "This is the biggest event of this nature that we have ever attempted," Commander Morabito stated, adding, "The recognition is wonderful but accomplishing this mission will require dedication on the part of all cadets."
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NJROTC cadets lead students and guests to the new Senior High School |
Commander Morabito estimates that the total cost to send 50 cadets and 5 plus chaperons to Hawaii for this trip will be somewhere around $100,000. He said they will have numerous fundraisers and seek sponsors for this event. There are 44 cadets identified now who have committed to raising the money--each cadet will be responsible for raising $2,000. It is a daunting task," he said, "and the long pole in the tent!"
Being invited to this event is a great honor, Commander Morabito said. Remembering the "date that will live in infamy" is an important task for us all, he adding, saying that "visiting the site where this history was made is an opportunity that many of our cadets will never have again." He went on to say that it is great that their dedication to the ideals of citizenship and leadership espoused by the NJROTC program has resulted in this tremendous opportunity for the students. "The Penn Hills NJROTC will proudly represent Penn Hills High School, the Penn Hills Community, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania next year," he stated.
If anyone would like to help defray costs for the NJROTC project, they will accept all donations marked "Pearl Harbor" made out to the PHCPBA (Penn Hills Cadet Parents Boosters Association) and mailed in care of CDR Bob Morabito, Senior Naval Science Instructor, Penn Hills Senior High School, 309 Collins Drive, Pittsburgh 15235.
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Teacher Writes Book
 Senior High English Teacher Justin Calderone has a new novel to his credit, "LARP: The Battle of Verona," published in December by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. The novel received praise from New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Maberry, who called it "a witty, action-packed adventure that will leave you breathless. Sharp-edged, and lots of fun!"
The novel tells the story of Dennis and his group of live action role playing (LARP) friends who find themselves facing a rogue terrorist group of Medieval Mongolians, who invade their small island community of Verona. It is up to them to use their LARP skills to save their homes, families, and friends.
Mr. Calderone came up with the idea while sitting at the intersection on Washington Boulevard with his wife and seeing a group of people practicing with swords and shields in the park. He said they would see them week after week, just going through practice drills. At some point, he said he asked his wife, "I wonder how they would do if Verona was invaded? Could they defend us?" Those questions led to him and his wife developing the plot for this novel.
Writing the novel took Mr. Calderone about nine months, but the editing process took about 1-1/2 years. He said he did around nine edits on the novel while working with an editor at the publishing house. It was extremely difficult getting the novel published, he explained, and it was rejected about 70 times. But, as he philosophically observed, "even the Beatles were rejected." He said he never gave up "because all it takes is one 'yes.'"
Mr. Calderone said he wrote every chance he got, even if it was only 30 minutes at a time. He even wrote notes when he couldn't access a computer, definitely a little unconventional in this technological age. "Most writers have to do it unconventionally," he explained, "because it's nearly impossible to make a living as an author. I write because I can't stop, it's who I am, and something I've always done. I don't do it for the money."
There are more books lurking in Mr. Calderone's brain, including a possible LARP II, as well as a short story collection in the same vein as "The Twilight Zone" or Ray Bradbury. He said he wants to be a diverse author and not a "one trick pony" or the "LARP guy." Although he had a poetry novel called "Revolutions" published in 2004, he was absolutely thrilled with the publication of "LARP" because of the amount of work he put into writing "LARP." He also said that "acceptance erased the massive rejection."
Mr. Calderone's students and colleagues are very happy for him and some have already purchased the book. It is available at the Mystery Lovers Bookshop in Oakmont as well as online at Amazon.com.
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FBLA Results
In December, students from the Senior High participated in the Region 11 Future Business Leaders of America Competition at St. Vincent College in Latrobe. The region consists of the following high schools: Penn Hills, Forbes Road East, Franklin Regional, Gateway, Hempfield, Kiski Area, McKeesport, Norwin, Penn-Trafford, Serra Catholic, Springdale, and Woodland Hills. Future Business Leaders of America has over 30 different categories in which students compete. Some are performance based where students have to create projects and present them in front of judges and other competitions are exams that are taken online. Exams that are taken online are done at school and the performance testing is done at the Regional Leadership Conference (RLC) at St. Vincent College every year in December. The RLC has a guest speaker, nominates officers for the region, and students receive their awards. Categories range from Accounting to Business Ethics to Health Care Administration to Word Processing.
At this regional competition, the following students placed in their events:
(Students highlighted in yellow qualify for the state competition in Hershey in April)
According to sponsor Anthony Kobus, each year brings a new and exciting challenge. "I expect to do well every year with the intelligent group of students that sign up each year," he stated. Each competition is different, he explained, and you do not know who you are competing against in most cases because the exams are online. He admitted he was very surprised his students took first place in "Impromptu Speaking." "It was the first time we entered this event," he explained, "and it is usually dominated by the same two schools each year."
Mr. Kobus was not surprised by how well his students did overall, however. "Our students always represent Penn Hills with pride, character, and discipline," he stated, "and I am always proud of them for doing their best." |
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Washington Career Opportunity Project
The idea of a career education curriculum came about last year when Superintendent Thomas K. Washington asked counselors in K-12 to create one to be implemented across the District.
At Washington Elementary, where Maria Mangieri is the counselor, she is doing career education lessons in all grade levels. However, in 3rd grade, she is spearheading a more in-depth curriculum. "We are looking at what the students like and what they are good at," she explained, adding that the students are writing about what career they think they may want to pursue based on their likes/dislikes and talents. "We are really stressing the importance of doing well in school to get to their career goals," she said. Although she has never done a project to this extent before, she said "it is really turning out to be a great lesson for the 3rd grade students."
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CPA Rob Carnahan |
Various individuals come in, with a typical visit consisting of a volunteer from a certain career coming in to speak with all 3rd graders. The speakers talk about what they do in their jobs, what their likes/interests are, and really stress the connection between success and doing well in school. They also talk about what type of education they needed in order to pursue their careers. Time is set aside for questions/answers.
Ms. Mangieri said the students are extremely excited about the speakers. They are very engaged with the speakers and seem eager to learn about the different careers. In the process, she said the students have come up with amazing questions. "You can see the light going off as they listen and things the speaker says click with certain students," she explained. She went on to say that the adults she has brought in have been amazing, volunteering their time to work with the students. The teachers love this also, she stated, and they have all commented on how wonderful it is and how much their students love it.
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Bodybuilder Seth Feroce |
The hope, Ms. Mangieri said, is to expose the students to many different careers. "I want the students to see how hard work in school pays off," she explained, adding that "every speaker connects how working hard in elementary school is important to the students' futures." She hopes that the students hearing these speakers are inspired in some way to work hard in school and achieve their future goals. In relating to the students, speakers have shared difficulties they faced as children and young adults and also shared how they overcame these difficulties by hard work and perseverance, she explained. She would like to see it become a regular project because it is turning out to be such a great experience for the students, she said.
"I want people to know that this career curriculum is exposing some of our students to careers they may never have been exposed to," Ms. Mangieri stated, creating excitement and curiosity in the students as well. Not only is it getting them to think about their futures and what is needed to become successful, she said, it is also a great community connection. Her volunteer speakers are from the Pittsburgh area, with some coming from right here in Penn Hills. Speakers to date have included an accountant, professional body builder, and Pittsburgh Power player. Upcoming speakers include a police officer, opera singer, chiropractor, nurse, baker, and teacher, with even more down the road. It is definitely a great opportunity for our students to expand their horizons and realize their full potential. |
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Willie Stargell Memorial Banquet
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Peter Gula, Isiah Gregory, Norman Gregory, Gloria Schifino, and Kimani Gregory |
In December, five students were recognized at the 37th Annual Willie "Pops" Stargell Memorial Pittsburgh and Allegheny County MVP Awards Banquet, "Night of the Champions."
Seniors Peter Gula and Gloria Schifino were honored for their accomplishments along with (brothers) 9th Grader Norman Gregory, 8th Grader Isiah Gregory, and 6th Grader Kimani Gregory.
Many local athletes and coaches were also feted at the event, which encouraged the young people to use their gifts and continue to set high goals, while remaining humble and thankful individuals. The event was sponsored by Champion Enterprises and Five Starr Corporation.
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Sign Language Project
As an extension of the Foreign Language in the Elementary Schools (FLITES) program, four high school students visited Penn Hebron Elementary twice in December to teach sign language lessons to small groups of 3rd and 4th grade students. The FLITES program was created last year to create and implement an exciting and memorable learning opportunity for elementary students, provide high school students with an opportunity to develop teaching/leadership skills, and stimulate, enhance, and enrich the District's core curriculum and Foreign Language Department.
The four high school students who volunteered to take part in the sign language opportunity were Megan Bell, Patrick MacIntyre, Stephanie Christman, and Ashley Belolavek. These students met with Denise McCutcheon, High School Hearing Impaired Teacher, once a week to receive sign language enrichment instruction. They were then instructed to create mini-lessons based on what they had learned. Although Mr. Joshua Willy, the High School Gifted Coordinator, and Mrs. Melissa Tamburrino, the Elementary Gifted Coordinator, planned and structured the opportunity, the high school students developed the lessons and implementation strategies on their own. Mr. Willy said that "the high school students were very thoughtful and enthusiastic throughout the process," adding that "the program definitely provided them with an opportunity to practice their organization and leadership skills."
When Mr. Willy addressed the high school students about participating in the program, he gave them several ideas about what he wanted to see and what might work. He also gave them a lesson plan template that identified his role, group responsibilities, and individual responsibilities. After he pitched the program to the high school students, Mrs. McCutcheon provided instruction and additional guidance.
Once signs were learned and mini-lessons created, the high school students visited Penn Hebron twice to work with twenty 3rd and 4th graders. The elementary students were guided through three different 15-minute mini-lessons and several review activities. "The elementary students had fun and the high school students exceeded my expectations," Mr. Willy said. Mrs. Tamburrino also commented that "the elementary students had been enthusiastically looking forward to the high schoolers visit.
When asked how the elementary and high school students responded to the experience, Mr. Willy and Mrs. Tamburrino remarked that they were very proud of both groups. Mr. Willy added that he was impressed by the high school students' maturity and elementary students' enthusiasm for learning. "I believe that they will remember this experience," he stated, adding that many of the high school students exceeded his expectations. "Needless to say," he commented, "I was very proud of the effort and enthusiasm both the elementary and high school students offered."
Mr. Willey said that he and Mrs. Tamburino plan to build upon their success and expand the high school/elementary partnership. In addition to offering FLITES to 3rd graders, they want to implement the program at the 5th grade level. He said that when he initially pitched the idea to the high school students, he told them to create a memory and generate enthusiasm for learning a new language. "I believe that the high school/elementary partnership has unrealized potential," he stated, adding, "We have talented high school students willing and able to share what they have learned." |
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Washington Storybook Forest
It wasn't exactly a trip down the yellow brick road, but the reading specialists at Washington Elementary managed to create a "Storybook Forest" in the hallways before the Christmas break as part of an effort to encourage reading at home. Students in the school were encouraged to read as often as possible at home during the months of October and November and turned in a weekly calendar with parent signatures that documented their total reading minutes from home for each week. They earned books and critters to add to the forest theme in the main hallway of the school, explained Reading Specialist Emily Thayer, while teachers and staff earned leaves for the forest trees.
Ms. Thayer said the students seemed to be excited about the theme and there was a lot of student participation. At the end of the reading program, students were given a celebration with cookies, milk, and some Dr. Seuss cartoon viewing. When it came time to take the forest down, students commented about how they would miss it.
The ultimate goal for the building's two reading specialists was to have as many students as possible read, and they ended up with 211 participants, or over one-half of the school. They didn't really set a goal but encouraged reading and announced a weekly tally of student/staff/teacher minutes. There were also weekly winners randomly picked from among all those who participated. These winners received small prizes such as pencils, sharpeners, and erasers.
The total of 192,524 minutes of reading for the Storybook Forest Reading Program among students and staff for the months of October and November was an increase of 43,229 minutes over last spring's reading initiative. The next reading initiative--theme as of yet undetermined--will take place in the spring.
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