Wednesday, August 20, 2003

School bells begin ringing again next week for many school districts. Students returning to classes will find new buildings, teachers and administrators, as well as additional programs:

Burrell

Starting date: next Wednesday

Estimated enrollment: 2,048

What's new: Timothy Glass takes over as assistant principal at the high school. Sandra Oskin replaces Jeanne Gundy as guidance counselor.

Derry Area

Starting date: Monday

Estimated enrollment: 2,766

What's new: The district will partner with Greater Latrobe and Indiana University of Pa. to launch an Early Childhood Literacy Initiative. With a $50,000 grant from the Heinz Endowment, educators will develop an assessment model to test preschoolers for reading readiness. Derry hopes to build a literacy training center on a 5-acre parcel across from the high school, equipped with 30 computers, with a $200,000 Richard King Mellon Foundation grant.

Middle-schoolers can take advantage of expanded Cognitive Tutor math software.

East Allegheny

Starting date: Monday

Estimated enrollment: 1,998

What's new: Parents can track their children's progress via computer, thanks to a new software system that posts grades, test scores and other records, while enabling parents and teachers to leave messages for each other. Westinghouse Elementary has an upgraded software program to enrich reading and math skills for third- through sixth-graders and the high school offers Cognitive Tutor software for Algebra II.

Elizabeth Forward

Starting date: Monday

Estimated enrollment: 3,010

What's new: Jennifer Meliton is the new middle school principal, and Paul Cindrick is the new assistant. The school board is expected to approve a new elementary principal for the Mount Vernon and Greenock Elementaries at this evening's board meeting. Nineteen new teachers have been hired.

Students this year won't be able to hit the snooze button on their alarm clocks due to the newly adopted attendance and tardy policy.

Students must present written excuses for early dismissals, tardiness and absences. Excused absences include illness, religious holidays, health care from a state-licensed practitioner and educational family vacations. Students who do not comply face failing grades, nonparticipation in extracurricular activities and revoked driving privileges.

The district has been chosen to participate in the Power4Kids reading initiative aided by the Allegheny Intermediate Unit.

The extended-day kindergarten pilot program, which was held at Elizabeth Elementary School last year, has been expanded to the Mount Vernon this year.

Franklin Regional

Starting date: Aug. 28

Estimated enrollment: 3,900

What's new: There's a new math curriculum for grades kindergarten-six, along with more intensive evaluation of students who fall below the standards of the federal No Child Left Behind initiative. About 180 laptop computers are waiting for students at the high school and middle school, which also is developing a new multimedia lab. The district is requiring all athletes and cheerleaders at the middle and high school levels to take drug tests.

Gateway

Starting date: Tuesday

Estimated enrollment: 4,530

What's new: There is a new artificial surface at the high school stadium, expanded track, new press box and concession stands. In March, renovations to the school will include a new library, auditorium and classrooms. About a dozen new teachers have joined the district, which has a new physical education curriculum and pending revisions in its language arts program.

Greater Latrobe

Starting date: Monday

Estimated enrollment: 4,300

What's new: Arts and academics get together in the new Center for Student Creativity. Director Jessica Lincoln Golden will help students express what they've learned in the classroom through art, music and theatrical events. The center can be used by community groups as well. Renovations to the high school should be completed by Christmas, and all of the district's 272 teachers have returned.

Greensburg Salem

Starting date: Next Wednesday

Estimated enrollment: 3,456

What's new: The district plans an increased commitment to the No Child Left Behind guidelines in all grades. After-school and Saturday tutoring will be offered in math, reading and writing, while classroom interns have been hired to provide extra help during regular school hours.

Greensburg Central Catholic High

Starting date: Tuesday

Estimated enrollment: 534

What's new: Look for a new courtyard at the high school, several new classrooms and renovations to the student cafeteria and administrative offices.

Hempfield Area

Starting date: Tuesday

Estimated enrollment: 6,500

What's new: The district will continue to implement last year's pilot program that provides alternative education for at-risk students.

Jeannette

Starting date: Next Wednesday

Estimated enrollment: 1,500

What's new:: Extensive renovations continue at the high school, with a new gym, auditorium and additional classroom facilities.

Ligonier Valley

Starting date: Monday

Estimated enrollment: 2,165

What's new: The district reports no new programs, construction or appointments.

McKeesport Area

Starting date: Next Wednesday

Estimated Enrollment: 4,800

What's new: Superintendent Stephen Tomaino will retire Oct. 31 after 38 years of service, with Assistant Superintendent Dr. Frank McLaughlin as the new superintendent.

The district has hired 22 new teachers and will make additional selections over the next week.

Effective Nov. 1, Michael Brinkos, special education director, will become director of pupil services. Michael Matta, the principal at Francis McClure Middle School, was promoted to director of federal and state programs, and White Oak Elementary Principal Rula Skezas was made principal at Francis McClure.

Robert Pupich, formerly a Francis McClure Middle School teacher, has been named the district's acting athletic director. Assistant Elementary Principal Catherine Lobaugh was named White Oak Elementary principal. Title I teacher Stacie Fitzpatrick has been promoted to assistant elementary principal.

Mt. Pleasant Area

Starting date: Monday

Estimated enrollment: 2,600

What's new: Five new teachers will join the district.

New Kensington-Arnold

Starting date: Monday

Estimated enrollment: 2,594

What's new: With the closing of Edgewood Elementary, new classrooms have been added at Greenwald Elementary, and other pupils will transfer to Martin and Fort Crawford elementaries. Concession stands at the high school stadium are improved and a new principal will be appointed to take over Martin Elementary.

Norwin

Starting date: Aug. 28

Estimated enrollment: 1,690

What's new: The district will open two new buildings, Sheridan Terrace Elementary and Hillcrest Intermediate, which will provide classes for pupils in fifth and sixth grades.

Penn Hills

Starting date: Tuesday

Estimated enrollment: 6,000

What's new: All students will be assessed on a monthly basis and, as part of the All Students Achieving Proficiency program, more tutoring help is available. Community leaders will work with students and teachers on a new Diversity Committee to improve communication and resolve possible sources of conflict.

Penn-Trafford

Starting date: Monday

Estimated enrollment: 4,800

What's new: Deborah Kolonay is the district's new superintendent. Kolonay served as assistant superintendent since 1991 and replaces Joseph Marasti, who is retiring.

Plum

Starting date: Sept. 2

Estimated enrollment: 4,360

What's new: The district's five elementary schools now offer full-day kindergarten.

Riverview

Starting date: Sept. 4

Estimated enrollment: 1,320

What's new: Full-day kindergarten is now available at Verner and Tenth Street Elementary schools, and four new teachers have been hired.

Serra Catholic High School

Starting date: Monday for new students, Tuesday for returning students

Estimated enrollment: 320

What's new: Look for new bleachers in the gym and five new teachers on the faculty.

Southmoreland

Starting date: Next Wednesday

Estimated enrollment: 2,400

What's new: Katie Brigaman is the new French/Spanish teacher at the high school and Brenda Mayers welcomes kindergartners at Ruffsdale Elementary.

Wilkinsburg

Starting date: Sept. 2

Estimated enrollment: 1,612

What's new: Renovations to the middle/high school library include 20 new computers for Internet research; new chemistry and physics labs with 30-plus computerized work-stations. New software programs include the Cognitive Tutor for math and Read 180 computer-based literacy. On the elementary level, the district will offer more technology training for teachers and more computers in the classrooms. Eileen Amato is the new principal at Kelly Elementary.

Woodland Hills

Starting date: Monday

Estimated enrollment: 5,800

What's new: Candice Bostick is the new assistant principal at West Junior High; Celeste Covington will work as a Title V implementation specialist to improve reading skills in both junior highs and as an administrative assistant at East Junior High. Donna Rice, a 32-year veteran with the district, is now coordinator of federal programs.

Yough

Starting date: Monday

Estimated enrollment: 2,600

What's new: Lawrence J. Nemec Jr. is the new school district superintendent; at Mendon Elementary, the new principal is Sharon Luzier; at Yough Middle School, Thomas Paterilne is new assistant principal; at Yough High School, Earl Thompson is new principal and Joan Fogg is new assistant principal.

This story was compiled by freelance writers M.J. Place and Mary Dunn, and Beth Hope-Cushey of the Tri-State Sports & News Service.

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