At the start of the 2013-14 school year, the School Board welcomed two new student representatives to the Board to keep members and the public informed on activities and student concerns at the Senior High School.

Senior Andrew Marra is Senior Class President and in his 13th year in the District.  Born and raised in the community and proud of it, Andrew has been a member of the varsity golf and bowling teams for the past four years.  In addition to sports, he is involved with Student Council, Future Business Leaders of America, and Yearbook Club.  He has also worked at a local Italian grocery store for the past year.

One of his main goals as a Student School Board Representative is to share with the school board--and also the public--updates on the activities and events that are occurring at the high school.  "I want my community to know that the Penn Hills School District has a lot to offer to all students," he stated, adding, "I find the business side of the meetings to be very interesting and informative to me as a community member of Penn Hills."

This year, Andrew is taking classing that include AP Psychology and AP Calculus. He said he enjoys both of these classes very much but is finding Psychology to be especially interesting.  A few other classes that he has enjoyed in the past include Digital Photo I and Digital Photo II, along with Forensics I and Forensics II.

One positive thing about the high school that Andrew believes the general public may overlook is the fact that it has many very good teachers.  "The teachers at the high school are very dedicated to helping and encouraging students to achieve our high school goals along with preparing us to achieve many more goals throughout our journeys after high school."  He said he feels very fortunate to attend a school with such great teachers and administrators who make his educational experience better than he could ever imagine.

After graduation, Andrew is planning on attending college and majoring in business.  He is still considering his options but has narrowed his search down to just a few schools, including Kent State University and The Ohio State University.

Senior Mariah Ferraco is President of the Student Council and is involved in Future Business Leaders of America, National Honor Society, Page Turners, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Best Buddies, and Art Club.  Previously, she was a member of both Key Club and Spanish Club.  As if this were not enough to fill her schedule, outside of school she takes both piano and guitar lessons.

As President of Student Council, Mariah said she hopes "to bring about a positive environment where students are excited to get involved and try new things."  As a student, she said she believes "it is highly imperative to break out of your comfort zone and experience something new."  The position of council president has taught her a great deal of self-discipline and organization. She said she finds the presidency to be exciting because it is teaching her to grow and learn, not only as a student but as an individual as well.

Before coming into the Penn Hills schools, Mariah spent Grades K-8 at St. Joseph School in Verona.  While there, she said she learned a great deal of responsibility along with earning a great education.  She said she enjoys school all together but, if she had to choose her favorite classes this year, they would be AP Studio Art and AP Psychology.

"Penn Hills High School offers so much more than what we sometimes see," Mariah said, in response to what she feels is the unseen positive side of the building.  As a student at the Senior High for four years, she said she is pleased with her decision to attend and earn her high school education here.  "It is a positive environment filled with teachers that offer students the best education they possibly can," she stated, adding, "It is also a safe and secure place where students can walk into school and know they are protected every day by people that care about them."  Students who attend Penn Hills represent a respectful and positive manner as they attend school every morning, she explained.  As a soon to be alumni, she said she knows that she can look back ten years from now and without a doubt remember all of the wonderful memories that fill the hallways every single day.

Mariah has not settled on a major yet but said she may want to study elementary education or possibly take a different route and study business.

Once again, students and parent volunteers gathered to support area first responders and public servants on the anniversary of 9/11.  Students decorated boxes and then packed them with cookies and treats for delivery to those in our community who are there to help others.  (Additional photos are available in the Forbes Photo Gallery).

Angelica, Andy, and Echo

The Penn Hills Hometown High Q team competed against North Hills and Washington on Saturday, September 28th.  The team finished second to North Hills High School.  Captained by Andy Oswalt, the Penn Hills team (Andy Oswalt, Angelica Walker, and Echo Mason) performed with poise in front of the cameras, lights, and live studio audience.

The air date for the episode will be October 19th at 11:00 am on KDKA.  The show will be rerun on October 26th at 11:30 am on KDKA.

On October 2nd, the first Elementary Event of the school year was held at Linton Middle School.  The event was sponsored by the Penn Hebron PTA and was an opportunity for parents, students, and staff from the District's three elementary schools to get together for an evening of information and fun in preparation for the opening of the new Elementary Center in Fall 2014.

Two more events, sponsored by Forbes (December 11th) and Washington (April 25th) will be held at Linton.  To view more photos from the October event, click here.

• Parents/Others must enter and exit at Garland Drive during school hours or from 7:45 am until 2:15 pm.
• Parents picking up in the afternoon may enter the campus at Collins or Garland Drive (after 2:15 pm) and will park/wait along the curb nearest the Library.

• The gates at Parkridge and Collins will be closed at 7:45 am and re-opened at 2:15 pm.
• The gate at Garland Drive will be the only open entrance from 7:45 am until 2:15 pm.

• Short-term parking, 15 minutes or less, is available next to the curb at the main entrance.  Do not park between the cones/signs.
• Long-term parking, more than 15 minutes, is available nearest the Collins Drive entrance.
• Students will continue to use the lower lot at the end of Harvard Drive for parking during the school day.  They must have a permit to do so.  Failure to obtain a permit may result in the car being towed.
• Faculty will park at the new lot at the site of the Old High School nearest Garland Drive.
• Parking for staff training and meetings will be at the site of the Old High School nearest Garland Drive.