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Students, faculty and staff raised $17,200 in the recent Hornets' Challenge at the school in Middlesex. The proceeds will be used to enhance math and science opportunities for students, buy new computers and upgrade software for the smart boards in classrooms.
Participants in the challenge, which also involved parents and other supporters, secured pledges for running or walking about 1.1 miles from the school to the grassy area in back and along Old Route 8. Students in grades K-8 wore Hornets' Challenge T-shirts - the school mascot - that were designed by eighth-grader Brett Jackson and sixth-grader Veronica Shaffer.
The Primary Center will hold a candy collection through Nov. 9 to benefit The Lighthouse Foundation Food Bank in Middlesex. Students are asked to bring in unopened and unwanted Halloween candy. Donations also may be dropped off at the school's main office, 547 Route 228. Information: 724-625-1588.
The high school women's ensemble has been selected to perform in April at the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association All-State Conference in Erie. The group submitted an audio recording to a state panel of judges. This is the second time in three years the ensemble has been selected to perform.
• The high school chapter of the International Thespian Society will present "The Giver" at 7 p.m. Nov. 16-17. Tickets: $7 at the door, $5 in advance. A complimentary senior citizen show will be presented at 4 p.m. Nov. 15. Information: www.pinerichland.org.
Visitors can tour the school and learn about curriculum and programs for grades K-8 during an open house from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the school, 9000 Babcock Boulevard, McCandless. Alpha School was founded and is sponsored by the Sisters of Divine Providence. Reservations are recommended: pkachmar@alphaschool.org or 412-366-4455.
The district will be presented the Exemplary Practices in Teacher Supervision and Evaluation Award from the Pennsylvania Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development during the group's conference Nov. 18-20 in Hershey.
The award recognizes the work of school districts "in developing and implementing outstanding systems of teacher supervision and evaluation." Quaker Valley is one of six public school districts to be honored.
• Parent meetings to discuss assessment results, changes to the assessment calendar and the national common core standards will be held at 1 and 7 p.m. Wednesday in the high school auditorium.
Superintendent Joseph H. Clapper will discuss challenges affecting school districts, provide an overview of the district's demographics and talk about how Quaker Valley compares with others in the region.
Jillian Bichsel, director of academic services, will outline changes to student assessments that are being implemented by the state Department of Education. High school and middle school students currently taking Algebra I will be affected as the grade 11 PSSA exams are eliminated and replaced with end-of-course Keystone Exams.
The 2011-12 PSSA results for grades 3-5, 8 and 11 will be presented and an overview of the instructional goals for each school will be given. A question-and-answer session will be held for parents.
The Seneca Valley Junior ROTC has received the designation of Honor Unit for 2011-12 from the U.S. Department of the Army, which presents the award to units that maintain a high standard of performance.
To qualify, a Junior ROTC unit must undergo a formal inspection worth a maximum of 600 points and a unit report worth a maximum of 400 points. The Seneca Valley Junior ROTC received a combined total of 951 points out of the maximum 1,000 points.
Shady Side Academy Senior School will present an adaptation of William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" today through Sunday in the Peter J. Kountz Black Box Theater in the Hillman Center for Performing Arts on the academy's senior school campus, 423 Fox Chapel Road, Fox Chapel.
Performance times are 7:30 p.m. today and Friday, 4 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $8 for adults, $6 for students. Ticket purchases or information: 412-968-3040 or http://shadyside.showclix.com.
• "Challenging Students to Think Expansively, Act Ethically and Lead Responsibly" is the theme of the five-year strategic plan that was announced Oct. 19 by school president Tom Cangiano and board of trustees chairwoman Mary Jo Dively.
The plan describes goals in the areas of academic program, faculty, students, community connections, physical resources and financial sustainability. To download a copy of the strategic plan or to watch the strategic vision video: www.shadysideacademy.org/strategicplan.
First Published November 1, 2012 6:53 am
