Published for the Hopewell Area School District Community Volume 27 Number 2 www.hopewell.k12.pa.us Fall 2008
A message from the Superintendent…
The Hopewell Area School District
At the lower portion of this page of the Highlighter, please read the mission statement and belief statements for the Hopewell Area School District. This mission statement and list of beliefs serves as our guide to provide direction for the district. The Hopewell Area School District Strategic Plan has been approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. It is our hope that everything that we do in our schools will be in harmony with our mission. The first quarter of the 2008-2009 school year has passed rather quickly. This benchmark in time presents a wonderful opportunity for parents to discuss what is going on in their children’s academic life. Ask questions. Listen to what is being said and for what is not being said. Inquire about study habits and effort. The importance of parents and family in regards to students enjoying their academic studies and being successful in school is paramount. Very truly yours,
Charles M. Reina, Ed. D. Superintendent
Strategic Plan for Hopewell School District
The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires school districts to develop a Strategic Plan every six years. Hopewell District recently completed this process with committee members that included: school board members, administrators, teachers, support staff, parents, community members, and business leaders. Our Mission Statement: The Hopewell Area School District is committed to preparing students to be productive citizens and life-long learners in an ever changing world. We believe: • The development of personal potential is influenced by a sense of self-worth • Learning is a life-long process • The student, family, school and community all share responsibility for learning • Adaptability is essential for functioning in a changing world • All individuals have a right to be treated with respect and dignity • Responsible behavior is learned by holding students accountable • High expectations promote excellence • The health, safety and welfare of students is vital • Recognizing and respecting the diversity of all people enriches our school community • Dynamic organizations respond to change in effective ways • Students should be able to work both independently and collaboratively
By Clinton Aurin and Katie David Mr. Josh Weaver is the new assistant principal for the 2008-2009 school year. Mr. Weaver graduated from Freedom High School where he was involved in the weight-lifting team as well as throwing the javelin for the track and field team. He attended Slippery Rock University and received a Bachelor's Degree in physics, a Master's Degree in education, and a Post-Master's Degree certificate in leadership. Before coming to Hopewell, he was a teacher at Seneca Valley for three years. After Seneca Valley, he was a mentor teacher and science department chair in Hampton School District. While he was in the Hampton School District, he created two new science courses. Upon arriving at Hopewell, Mr. Weaver observed how well the students and staff seem to work together and would like to help that continue. He hopes to be of help to students and staff as they implement more 21st century skills using the Classrooms for the Future grant. Congratulations to Samantha Cox, daughter of Mr. Timothy Cox. Samantha received a scholarship from the Future Business Leaders of America, half of her tuition to the Bradford School of Business was paid using this scholarship.
New Assistant Principal for the Senior High
Hopewell National Honor Society students Gary Leadbitter and Max Vogel and Service Learning students Sean Calhoon and Nick Schlack along with their teachers Kate Dran and Michele Grandovic attended the 20th Annual Caring Team Kickoff Luncheon on Tuesday, October 7th, 2008 at Heinz Field. This is Hopewell High School’s 5th year participating in raising funds for the Caring Place. At this year’s kickoff luncheon, over 425 individuals were present and over 200 schools were represented. Hopewell High School is extremely excited about raising funds for the Caring Place. The Caring Place provides grief counseling support and services to children and families. The Caring Place is a place where families can come to deal with loss and when they are facing intolerable situations. The Caring Place also provides free health care coverage for families in need. This year, the Caring Place will open another center in Warrendale, Cranberry Township. National Honor Society students and Service Learning students have started their fundraising initiatives with a raffle of an autographed Max Starks jersey and Steeler Basket and a Bake Sale during Open House. The famous “Caring Combo” (breakfast item with cappuccino) is back again this year and will begin in October.
Caring Team Luncheon
Independence Receives PPG Grant
Independence Elementary PTA has received a $1,000 grant from Pittsburgh Plate & Glass Co. The grant was spearheaded by PTA with the support of Independence Site Council. This is the second year of being a recipient of this grant. Last year’s grant was used to purchase new software for computers. This year’s grant is being used to offer a two day workshop for parents of third and fourth grade students at Independence. On the first day, parents and their children are learning strategies for answering short written responses on tests. The second session will be spent learning how to write an extended response to a prompt. Every parent attending received a Skills Coach Write It Out workbook along with materials that reinforce test taking tips. Mrs. Boranko is leading the workshops. If you missed the first workshop, be sure to sign up for the one in November. Many thanks to the parents who attended the first workshop and to Pittsburgh Plate & Glass!
Viking Sports Corner
Congratulations to our Outstanding Fall Sports Athletes and Teams. Boys’ Golf: Andrew Edwards advanced to the PIAA championship held at Heritage Hills Golf Course in York PA. Brandon Pompiani and Brock Pompiani advanced to the WPIAL individual finals. The Golf Team advanced to the WPIAL finals where they lost. Cross Country: The team competed in the WPIAL Championship. Individual runner Lindsay Erath is going on to compete in the PIAA championship held in Hershey early in November. Boys’ Soccer: The team advanced to the WPIAL playoffs, then lost in the first round. Girls’ Soccer: The team advanced to toe WPIAL playoffs, then they lost in the first round. Girls’ Volleyball: The Lady Vikings volleyball team qualified to participate in the WPILA playoff season, which is on going. Football: The football team has earned a spot in the WPIAL playoffs. Commendable efforts were given by all of our Fall Athletes.
Michele Grandovic’s Service Learning Class and Jill McFerran’s Family and Consumer Science, Level III & IV classes were awarded a $10,000 grant from Highmark which was titled “Getting Your Life in Gear”. The focus of this grant was two-fold in the respect that it focused on nutrition and self-esteem. The students have been engaged in activities which raise their awareness of hidden calories in food selections as well as opportunities to choose healthy, and nutritious food items. Students also looked at Portion Distortion in relation to food selection. On Thursday, October 16, 2008, the students took a “Burgh Bits & Bites” Food Tour of the Strip District in Downtown Pittsburgh. On this tour, the students visited six businesses with historical significance where they learned about the history and culture of the Strip District. At each business, students tasted the specialties of the business. The first stop was La Prima Espresso Company, an authentic Italian coffee and roastery, where students learned about roasting the coffee bean and actually observed the process and smelled the beans at each stage of the roasting process. Students sampled coffee from Kenya and Guatemala. Each student was given a coffee packet to take home and enjoy with their family. The second stop was to the Pennsylvania Macaroni Company. Here the students were introduced to cheeses made from other animals such as sheep and goat. Pennsylvania Macaroni had a wide variety of cheeses from all over the world. Students were given a sample of cheese from Italy and Austria which were made from both sheep and goat milk. Students learned that cheese is to be served at room temperature. The third stop was at Mancini’s Bakery, a seven generation onsite bread bakery, where the students were shown how bread is made. The students tasted Mancini’s authentic pepperoni bread and cinnamon bread. The fourth stop was at Enrico’s, a world renowned Artisan Bakery. Students were given a choice of different biscotti to taste. The fifth stop was to the Pittsburgh Popcorn Company, a true entrepreneurial store where a husband and wife team served the students gourmet popcorn. The sixth and final stop was to Sunseri’s, a hometown Italian market, where the students feasted on meatball or tuna baguettes.
Getting Your Life In Gear Grant Awarded From Highmark
Independence Elementary holds Reading Workshop for Students
Story teller A.J. Rodriguez from Louisiana visited Independence Elementary on October 10 and presented story workshops for the students in grades K through 4. Mrs. Rodriguez was born and raised in the Ambridge area and graduated from Ambridge High School. She was here to attend a class reunion and contacted the schools in the area to offer free workshops for the children; the workshops were in support of “Reading for a Better Education”. Mrs. Rodriguez, we thank you for your generous contribution of time and attention to our students. The children enjoyed the program.
As you can see by looking at the chart shown below, our district scored above the state averages in all grades tested. PSSA testing areas were Math, Reading and Writing.
District Report Card
Constitution Day
The fifth grade students attended an assembly with Judge Kunselman. At the end of the assembly students signed a copy of the Constitution. This copy will be on display at the Beaver County Courthouse.
Have A Ball with Chemistry Poster Contest
Congratulations to eighth grade students Ty Richardson and Michelle Dadig for placing first and second in the Chemistry Poster Contest.
Coordinators Kate Dran and Michele Grandovic from the high school received a digital camera for their hard work during the Caring Team campaign. The Senior High holds breakfasts through the year featuring the “Caring Combo”- a breakfast sandwich with hash browns and coffee—proceeds from the breakfasts benefit the Caring Place.
Independence Elementary School conducted their Fire Prevention Day recently. Students had tours of the Life Flight helicopter from Allegheny General Hospital, an Independence Township fire truck, the Beaver County Smoke House, Independence Township’s Brush truck, “The Beast”, and their ambulance. The students had a visit from Smokey the Bear and a wonderful safety assembly from the Beaver County EMS 911 conducted by Eric Brewer. The Independence fireman displayed many fire tools and other equipment for students to see. The day ended with a very intense fire drill so that the students would know exactly where to go and how quickly they need to leave the building.
Fire Prevention Week
Good-bye and Thank you
Three veteran teachers, a secretary, cafeteria worker and custodian have retired from the district recently. Mr. Edmund Kanitra, a member of the High School History Department, retired after 43 years of teaching. Mr. Kanitra started at Johnson Street Elementary teaching sixth grade and later moved to the high school to join the History Department. During his career here he has been the head tennis coach, both assistant and head football coach, a game manager, sponsor of the Senior High Student Council, sponsor of the Mock Trial Competition and a coordinator of the New Teacher Induction Program. Mr. Water Debo, a member of the Heath and Physical Education Department, retired this summer. Mr. Debo was originally hired in 1973. During his career at Hopewell he was the Varsity Swimming Coach for a period of time. Mrs. Karen Petruny also retired this summer. Mrs. Peturny was hired in 1972. She began her teaching career at Five Points Elementary and she retired from Raccoon Elementary. She also served as faculty sponsor of the Senior High Vikingettes. Mrs. Patricia Losco, school secretary at Raccoon Elementary, retired after 22 years. Mrs. Rosemary Kasunic, head cook at Raccoon Elementary, retired after 32 years. Mr. James Burke, a custodian at Raccoon Elementary, retired after 23 years. We would like to thank each of these employees for their dedication and we wish them a happy and healthy retirement.
The Hopewell Area School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides an Equal Education Opportunity in conformance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. The Title IX and Section 504 compliance officer is Dr. Sue Pocci, School Psychologist and Coordinator of Special Education, 2354 Brodhead Road, Aliquippa, PA 15001-4501. Charles M. Reina, Ed.D, Superintendent Johannah M. Robb, CPA, Business Administrator BOARD OF DIRECTORS Everitt Laird, President Nick DiPietro Vice President John Bowden David Bufalini John Salopek, Solicitor Frances Ungarean, Secretary dms, Editor Lesia Dobo Michael Johnston Lori McKittrick Joseph Ozimok John Schafer
Welcome to Hopewell
New additions to the faculty include: Mrs. Heather Shadish, was hired to teach Spanish at the Senior High School. Mrs. Shadish received her BA from the University of Pittsburgh and her Masters from Chatham College. Previous experience includes teaching at Berkely High School in South Carolina. Ms. Jolene Gilson was hired to teach Physical Education at Independence Elementary and Margaret Ross Elementary. Ms. Gilson is a graduate of Slippery Rock University. Previously she had taught in the high school of the Moon Area School District. Ms. Lisa Morell was hired to teach Physical Education at Hopewell Elementary and Margaret Ross Elementary. She received her BS from the University of Pittsburgh. Ms. Morell comes to us from Boulder Valley Public Schools. Ms. Sara Nairn was hired to teach Physics. Ms. Nairn is a graduate of Westminster College where she received a BS in Chemistry. Mr. Dean Nelson was hired to teach physics. Mr. Nelson is a graduate of Brigham Young University. Previous experience includes teaching at Payson High School in Utah.
Members of the Homecoming Court for 2008 are shown above, standing form left to right are: Sarah Klesser, Allison Giammanco, Allison Emanuele, Marissa Guy, Krista Haney, Ashley Boguszewski, Queen Amy Burak, and Rachel Irwin.