The high school performing arts program will host a day-long drama festival starting at 12:30 p.m. Saturday that will feature short plays by students from Carlynton, Trinity and Peters Township high schools in Washington County and Westmont Hilltop High School in Johnstown.

Participants will be given a 45-minute technical session for the student director and stage crew to plan for the lighting and sound cues with a technical director.

Performers will be judged on character development, voice and diction, and talent. Students who score high enough will qualify for the next level of the state competition at Susquehanna University.

• The high school Interact Club, a community service-based organization, will host a benefit volleyball tournament between faculty and students at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the high school gym.

Proceeds will benefit Nothing But Nets, a global, grassroots campaign to raise awareness and funding to combat malaria, one of the leading causes of death of children in Africa. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students.

School director Mary Lou Petronsky last week asked how much money the district has been collecting on interim assessments, the taxes levied against newly built homes and structures until the county assessments take effect-- a period that can last as long as several years.

Nicholas Morelli, director of finance and support operations, replied that two years ago the district took in about $875,000 in interim taxes. He estimated that about $325,000 was collected this year.

The theory behind interim taxes is that the occupants of new structures begin using local services, such as schools, roads, police and garbage collection, as soon as they move in so they should pay for them.

• Middle School Principal John Ackermann proposed creating a national honor society for grades seven and eight to stimulate scholarship and community service. Mr. Ackermann said he hoped to have the new honor society set up for 2010-11.

The district has been selected by Sam's Club in Robinson as the first recipient of this year's Teacher Rewards Program.

These teachers each received a $100 gift card to Sam's Club/Walmart for classroom materials: Jay Cellante, Lynell Ramsey, Tavis Bogue, senior high; Andrew Erwin and Sherah Ewusiak, junior high; Miriam Klein, districtwide; and Mary Lou Lanza, Jennifer Ausman, Becky Bretch and Lori Dzielski, elementary.

• Gerard F. Schweiger was among nearly 900 school directors honored for their years of service by the Pennsylvania School Boards Association at a recent statewide educational conference in Hershey.

Mr. Schweiger was honored for serving eight years. His term ends next month. He chose not to seek re-election after serving two terms. He was presented with a certificate adding him to the association's Honor Roll of School Board Service.

He has served on the board's personnel committee and was representative to the Parkway West Career and Technical Center board.

The district will hold a free H1N1 flu clinic from 6 to 8 p.m. today in the middle school cafeteria. Preregistration begins at 5:15. Attendees should enter through the auditorium doors.

Approximately 600 injectable vaccination doses will be administered on a first-come, first-served basis, but only to students who have returned a consent form requesting a vaccine.

• The district is accepting 12 volunteers from Crescent and Moon for its Community Budget Advisory Committee, which will begin meeting early next year to research, develop and make recommendations about ways to reduce expenses and generate revenues.

Committee members will meet with administrators to learn about financial and operational practices, expenditures, revenue sources and other data. To apply, send a resume by Dec. 15 to Superintendent Donna K. Milanovich, 8353 University Blvd., Moon Township, PA 15108.

• The high school marching band finished second at the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Marching Band Association Championships held Nov. 7 at Gateway High School.

• The middle school's Yellow Jacket Team is collecting clothing and nonperishable food items for Monday's Bee Thankful Day. Donations will be accepted in the middle school office to benefit West Hills Food Pantry and Goodwill Industries.

• The middle school student council is collecting toys for ages 18 months to 18 years through Nov. 27. All donations will benefit the West Hills Food Pantry. Only new toys will be accepted.

The district is updating its records for the 2010 publication of its second alumni directory, which will include more than 6,900 graduates -- from the inaugural class 82 years ago of 13 students from Lafayette High School to the Class of 2009.

Call Maureen Pedzwater, 724-693-3047, or e-mail alumni@southfayette.org with name, maiden name, class year, address, phone number and e-mail address by Dec. 15.

Secondary students will be dismissed at 1:15 p.m. Wednesday and elementary students will be dismissed at 2:20 p.m. that day for the Thanksgiving break and at the same times Dec. 23 for winter break.

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