Photos are uploaded to the District website on a continual basis.  If you don't see specific photos listed, they are on their way.  Please check back frequently in order to see all of the latest photos.

This 2014 soccer season was the 5th consecutive year that the Senior High Girls' Soccer Team and Boosters supported efforts for breast cancer awareness and the cure.

After a great month of "Pink-tober" events, a total of $3,237.04 was raised to be donated to Komen Pittsburgh.  The support of the entire District--from the Senior High, Linton, and Elementary as well as District administration holding dress-down days and buying this year's pink shirt to wear--made this a truly Districtwide event.  The girls' soccer team designated one game as a "pink" game, with 50/50 and auction baskets adding to the proceeds and festivities.  Informational items are also available and passed out to increase awareness.  Other events have been done in various years, such as a car wash for the cause.

On December 18th, Ruth Modzelewski, Mission Coordinator for Komen Pittsburgh, met with the girls' soccer team bright and early to receive the team's donation.  She also spent time talking with the girls about healthy choices and items to be aware of for their own bodies, as well as those of their loved ones.   In the season of giving, it was a very fitting time to give this donation, which will go towards efforts for Pittsburgh-area women.

The Senior High Girls' Soccer Team Boosters would like to thank all who supported the efforts and look forward to "pinking" it up again next year!

In early December, PH Alum Sara Sciullo ('07) gave a free workshop on music therapy for parents and families of special needs individuals, family and caregivers of those with dementia or Alzheimer's, and those considering the music therapy field as a career.  The event took place at the Penn Hills Library.

Ms. Sciullo attended Slippery Rock University for music therapy and said she really loved her time there. "We got a lot of hands-on experience and had opportunities that other music therapy schools don't give their students," she explained. After an internship in Blacksburg, Virginia, she worked in the public school system.  There, she interacted with kids in the special education department and found it to be a really amazing experience. "I didn't just learn about music therapy," she said, "but about myself as well."

After becoming a Board-Certified Music Therapist, she moved back to this area and worked various jobs before getting hired at Manorcare, a nursing and rehabilitation facility. There, she works with various types of patients, including those with dementia and Alzheimer's.  Although she serves as an activity assistant, she still gets to do music with them.

Ms. Sciullo thinks it's important to know about music therapy because it is unique. "Music can trigger responses in the brain where nothing else can," she explained, adding that "It's something everyone can relate to; it is universal."  We all remember songs from our childhood that we love and music can remind us and create emotions in us. It is very powerful, she said.  Children love it because it is fun and older adults love it because it's fun.  And it works. There are so many studies showing how music affects the brain, she stated.

In special education, Ms. Sciullo explained, we can use music to teach academics, teach social skills, and work on physical movements.  With older adults, music therapy gives them socialization that they need, can bring back memories, and can serve as relaxation and sensory stimulation.  "With one music therapy intervention," she stated, "We can address a list of goals that a client may be working on."

Everyone in the audience at the workshop seemed very interested during the presentation and asked good questions at the end. But, during the drum circle where everyone got to play instruments, Ms. Sciullo thought that was when they really had fun. Previously, she had discussed goals music therapy addresses with special education and older adults as well as interventions used.  Then, everyone got to choose instruments and played together, creating music. (view video1 and video2)  Afterwards, the group discussed how it made them feel and what goals this particular intervention might address. Participants said things like socialization, it was fun, they forgot about everything else but what they were doing right then and there, and that it was a positive experience.  (to view the presentation, click here)

Although Ms. Sciullo has given presentations for her internship and music therapy conferences before, this was the first time she had presented to the community. "I would absolutely love to do it again!" she stated.  While she only focused on the populations of special education and dementia/Alzheimer's, there are so many more populations to discuss.  And, she said that any time people have a chance to make music, it is well received.  She actually came up with the idea to present because of Library Director Tyrone Ward's class on the djembe drums. She saw how much people loved it and thought her program would go along well.

The field of music therapy is unique, Ms. Sciullo explained. "I'd like people to know that it is a respected profession that provides results," she said, working on cognitive, emotional, social, and physical goals. "I believe in focusing on the whole person and providing quality of life," she stated, adding, "For some of the clients we see, music is the best part of their day."  Families and relationships have the opportunity to bond, individuals can grow, and it really is a rewarding job.   

• Swim and Gym at Linton - Students donated $2 each to purchase a Team Rua bracelet/band (in honor of Teacher Shawn Rua) to attend a Swim and Gym in lieu of a Halloween party. Students raised $1,000 that was donated to the Colon Cancer Alliance.  "Linton Middle school students have huge hearts with an endless amount of talent and spunk," Principal Katie Friend said, "and when one of their own is facing adversity, they can come together as one to show their support."

• Turkeys for Homeless - Franklin Regional School District donated 35 frozen turkeys and 35 boxes of fixings for our homeless students.

• Nike Raffle - Linton parent Carmen Bell provided clothing, backpacks, etc., including Nike items, for student raffles at both Linton and the Elementary buildings.

• YMCA Angel Tree - A group that included District administration and family members, students, School Board, and YMCA staff got together a few days before Christmas to help Santa deliver gifts to families.

• Linton Door Decorating Contest - The Grinch might have been just a little less grinchy this year (no doubt his heart growing several sizes) after a door decorated in his honor won the annual door decorating contest.

While no doubt there were many more such activities going on throughout the District, a sampling is provided here to show that our students and staff will not be outdone when it comes to the holiday spirit . . . all year round.