A Report

to the

B o a r d

2011-2012

No. 12 October 28, 2011 A. Arts Education Collaborative – On Monday, October 24th I attended the first of a four-part

series of Arts Education Collaborative Community of Learners Professional Development workshops sponsored by the Arts Education Collaborative. Attachment 1 is an agenda for that meeting. I found the Arts Collaborative Director and her staff member to be imminently qualified to discuss not only arts issues, but pertinent education issues in general. We went through many hands-on activities that had me “dancing” with a group as a way of implementing educational concepts and processes. It was easy for me to see how we could reach children who may be reluctant to learn by more traditional methods.

We were given a copy of Reinvesting in Arts Education: Winning America’s Future Through Creative Schools which was published this year. We will be ordering a copy of this book for administrators and Board members. The Collaborative personnel will be extremely helpful in developing the potential of a fine and performing arts academy for the District.

B. Penn State Education Outreach Advisory Board Meeting – On Wednesday, October 26th I

attended the above referenced meeting at Penn State’s main campus in State College, PA. Attachment 2 is a list of Penn State Education Outreach Advisory Board for 2011-2012. At the meeting we were addressed by Dr. Larry Boggess, Coordinator, Outreach for the College of Education on matters of a teacher leadership program and principal certification. Dr. David Monk, Dean, College of Education was present at the meeting and was available for discussion. Dr. Christine Cunningham, Vice President, Museum of Science discussed “Engineering is Elementary” a program fostering children’s problem-solving, inquiry, and innovation. The “Engineering is Elementary” (EiE) project fosters engineering and technological literacy amongst children. EiE h as created a research-based, standard-driven, and classroom-tested curriculum that integrates engineer and technology concepts and skills with elementary science topics. EiE lessons not only promote K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) learning, but also connect with literacy and Social Studies. This program is well-research and well planned and we will be taking a serious look at using it next year in at least two of our elementary schools as a supplement and to augment our current science curriculum.

C. AIU Superintendents’ Professional Development – The annual superintendents’ workshop was held on Thursday and Friday, October 27th–28th at the Southpointe Golf Club. Attachment 3 is a copy of the agenda for the meeting, Attachment 4 is a district budget survey for Allegheny County; and Attachment 5 is a PowerPoint of key issues facing Pennsylvania school districts. This PowerPoint is state-wide data.

OVER

Information Update – October 28, 2011

Page 2

D. School Law Update–Furloughs, Technology and Out-of-School Conduct – Attachment 6 is a school law update authored by David Andrews. The update covers many pertinent issues that Mr. Andrews discusses with Allegheny superintendents at the AIU Professional Development on Friday morning, October 28th. If you have any questions about the laws, please call and I will be happy to discuss them with you.

E. Department Updates – The following Department Reports are included in this Update:

Attachment 7 – Facilities Attachment 8 – Special Education Attachment 9 - Technology Attachment 10 – Transportation/Food Service

F. Building Highlights – The following highlights have been submitted by building principals:

Attachment 11 – Dickson Elementary Attachment 12 – Edgewood Elementary Attachment 13 – Fairless Elementary Attachment 14 – Shaffer Elementary Attachment 15 – Wilkins Elementary

Attachment 16 – High School

WOODLAND HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EDUCATION EMPLOYER AND WILL NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, GENDER, AGE, OR HANDICAP IN ITS ACTIVITIES, PROGRAMS, OR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES

AS REQUIRED BY TITLE VI, TITLE IX AND SECTION 504.

John Besseck, Facilities Supervisor

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

2430 Greensburg Pike, Pittsburgh, PA 15221 412-731-1300 412-731-2974

M E M O R A N D U M

TO: Dr. Calinger FROM: John Besseck Date: October 27, 2011 SUBJECT: Report ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Fairless Elementary, sidewalk and curb replacement, phase 1 demolition was completed on October 5; sidewalk and curb concrete work was started on October 8. Phase 1 concrete and curb replacement was completed. Phase 2 concrete and curb replacement is 50% completed as of October 27, 2011. Junior High, concrete and curb replacement is finished. Phase 1 of asphalt is complete; striping will be after all asphalt is completed. Milling of phase 2 is to start on October 28. Junior High outside light fixtures was pushed back to October 29, due to contractor not having all the materials on site. Academy retaining wall demolition is complete, work is continuing on the forms and concrete. JB/bk

Attachment 7

AGATHA C. LEONARD

DIRECTOR, SPECIAL EDUCATION

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES

2430 Greensburg Pike, Pittsburgh, PA 15221 412-731-1300 phone

412- 256-4904 Fax “All Means All”

SPECIAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WEEKLY UPDATE

Week of October 28, 2011

MEETINGS ATTENDED

Attended a meeting on 10/26/2011 with Mr. Johnson and our social workers. Attended a meeting on 10/26/2011 with Mr. Johnson and our nurses. Special education supervisors have attended approximately fifteen (15) IEP

meetings within the last two weeks. Conducted a Compensatory Education Agreement meeting at Holy Family. Met with Mr. Johnson to discuss concerns relative to growing numbers of

students with IEPs.We also discussed other topics related to special education.

DEPARTMENT WORK SESSIONS

Beginning to work on a report of expenditures relating to exceptional students. Continuing to work on Contingency Funds report. Compiled a list of all participants who will receive CPI training. Will provide

training to forty (40) participants in November for In Service. Working on balancing rosters to meet the needs of our growing population of

students with IEPs.

OTHER

Spoke with approximately five (5) furloughed paraprofessionals regarding an IEP necessitated one-on-one position for a student.

Assigned approximately six (6) exceptional students to rosters. Worked with Donna Westbrooks-Martin (Pattan Educational Consultant) on

Compensatory Agreement format. Organizing, compiling and sending PASA (Pennsylvania Alternate System of

Assessment) student enrollment packets to University of Pittsburgh for processing. We have approximately 27 students taking the PASA this school year. This is approximately 2% of our students with IEPs.

Reviewed and signed off on approximately fifty (50) NOREPS. Reviewed approximately five Speech and Language NOREPs before therapist

finalized on IEPW (IEP Writer). Held a mini-workshop session on Framework for Independent Living presented

by Mr. Alan Friedman, Director of Special Education AIU3.Approximately twelve (12) staff members attended.

Attachment 8

Spoke with technology department regarding making available to staff Framework for Independent Living Scope and Sequence Guide, which was purchased from AIU3.

Spoke with several principals regarding feedback from PDE Special Education Adviser after she reviewed student discipline files on 10/20/2011.

Phoned AIU3 TaC (Training and Consultation) team for assistance for our next In Service training.

Completed a form on Surrogate Parent report. Submitted form to AIU3 (Ms. Parks, Pupil Services Department)

Technology Department Weekly Report 10-27-11 Brian updated all Mac images and deployed them to all the Xserves. He also worked on the ETR (Educational Technology Report) for the PDE and meet with PAETEC representatives to discuss our upcoming local Telecom contract. In addition Brian, Keith and Jason Coleman set up the new Mac mini lab in HS Room 96. Brian and Steve heard back from ePals and were told WHSD would not be charged for any email services for the 2011-12 school year. ePals will send documentation shortly. Steve updated all BXP images with the new replacement HP print drivers. He has also been working with Prosoft customizing and testing our employee web portal. Keith deployed all new Mac minis to HS room 96 and has started to deploy the replacement HP printers from ComDoc. BJ is currently working on the following PIMS collections and running reports; She is working on the Cohort cleanup for the last 4 years in PIMS (9th grade entry dates need to be looked at and corrected). In addition she has been coding PASA students correctly for graduation Cohort cleanup. Keith, Steve and Brian have been working on helpdesk tickets for various IT related issues in all of the District Buildings.

Attachment 9

GERALD V.CHESSMAN Director, Student Operational Services

GINA DEARDEN Administrative Secretary, Student Operational Services

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

2430 Greensburg Pike, Pittsburgh, PA 15221 412-731-1300 412-731-2974

STUDENT OPERATIONAL SERVICES

Food applications continue to come in and are being processed.

Followed several buses during their routes and monitored several bus stops during the morning and afternoon transportation. Specifically, monitoring buses stopping at stop signs and intersections.

The verification process is still underway for the Free and Reduced Lunch eligibility. Phone calls were placed to the families who have not returned their information for verification.

Attended several meetings with Nutrition Inc. regarding various subjects.

Attachment 10

Dickson Elementary School

October 24-28, 2011

Weekly Positive Highlights

CMU Intelligence Tutor comes to Dickson! The fourth and fifth grade

students are taking part in a special study with Carnegie Mellon University

and learning fractions via a specially designed software program. CMU

visited for two days last week to introduce the program to students. The

students will continue using CMU Intelligence Tutor on fractions for 10

sessions and then follow-up with two post tests. We’re all hoping for great

results that will transfer to the PSSAs.

After reading poems by poet Charles R. Smith, Jr., in the reading anthology

book, the 6th grade class is communicating with Mr. Smith. The students

studied and wrote reflections on his poems then they then emailed the poet.

Mr. Smith has kindly responded to all the students, encouraging them to visit

his website and listen to more poetry, and to pursue their dreams.

Darryl Baynes, founder of and dynamic presenter from MAEA visited the

fourth grade classes at Dickson on Monday, October 24, to present an

interactive science program. The students discussed the world biomes and

got to examine and observe plants and animals of each biome. It was a very

interactive presentation and the students even got to test their taste buds to

identify if they had a dominant bud or not as part of the lesson on cells and

genes. The students also watched a cool video on “Rubberman,” a man who

had no cartilage between his bones.

The Dickson School News has begun airing its second season. This year's

webisodes include green screen productions produced by 5th and 6th grade

Media Club students. Check it out on the Dickson web page. Every

webisode has a special “on location feature.”

The kindergarteners got a mini alphabet lesson at recess on Tuesday!

WQED-TV hired a skywriter to spell out their new documentary,

"Pittsburgh from the Air." The children were enthusiastically identifying the

letters as the plane wrote in the sky.

Attachment 11

WOODLAND HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EDUCATION EMPLOYER AND WILL NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, GENDER, AGE, OR HANDICAP IN ITS ACTIVITIES, PROGRAMS, OR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES

AS REQUIRED BY TITLE VI, TITLE IX AND SECTION 504.

MS. J. WILSON CARTER, Principal

MRS. C. GATHER, Assistant Principal __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

EDGEWOOD ELEMENTARY

241 Maple Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15218 412-731-2238 Fax 412-731-2256

TO: Dr. Calinger FROM: Ms. Carter RE: Edgewood Positive Press DATE: September 28, 2011

PRE-K NEWS The theme for Pre-K for this week was “Home Is Where the Heart Is”. The math focus skill was identification and formation of the number 3 and representing numbers with a group of objects. The reading focus for the week was reading words about homes, and letter recognition and formation of the letter A. KINDERGARTEN NEWS Mrs. Frederick's Kindergarten class is working on the letter Pp. They painted pumpkins for the hallway and have a pumpkin patch in the room with real vines, flowers and pumpkins. Mrs. Sperduto’s Kindergarten class will be exploring the season of Fall further by doing some investigating about pumpkins. We will be learning about the different parts of a pumpkin. We will be making observations about the size. Weight, amount of seeds, etc about our class pumpkin. We will also be carving our pumpkin. 1st GRADE NEWS First grade is counting pennies and nickels and reading about the Little Red Hen getting help making tacos! We wiil compare and contrast this Little Red Hen story to the traditional story of The Little Red Hen. We are observing the weather and recording our observations. We are looking forward to our "Fall Celebration" next Monday. The celebration will include, Pumpkin Bowling, Yoga, Fall About Me writing, and a Signs of Fall Scavenger Hunt (weather permitting). We'll let you know how it goes next week. Mrs. Hills’s class has been working very hard at leaf classification, types of trees, why and how leaves change color and the important roll leaves play in the life of a tree and humans. Mrs. Kunkle's class is very excited about the banana split party they earned because of their great fundraising efforts. Our flipped classroom videos about the robust vocabulary words are a big hit! 2nd GRADE NEWS Morning Meeting-2nd grade meets every morning to encourage respect, responsibility, integrity, success and the importance of a great education. It includes a motivational song and yoga. This Month's theme is "Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference". This month we also watched our caterpillars go into a chrysalis and then a butterfly. We released the butterflies and completed a performance task of making edible butterflies that allowed students to demonstrate their understanding of the anatomy of the butterfly.

Attachment 12

WOODLAND HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EDUCATION EMPLOYER AND WILL NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, GENDER, AGE, OR HANDICAP IN ITS ACTIVITIES, PROGRAMS, OR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES

AS REQUIRED BY TITLE VI, TITLE IX AND SECTION 504.

We kicked off the Book It Reading Program and children are required to read 7 books a month to reach their reading goal. We require books to be from different Genres.

We also kicked off our Bully Prevention Program and we are working on some 2nd grade incentives for students who demonstrate Bully Free Behavior.

The school wide memorable moments this month was the Fundraising Pie in the Face assembly, the Pink Out Photo, the large amount of yogurt lids that have been collected for Breast Cancer. The District should also know about all the wonderful flipped classroom lessons that are on our websites, and Edgewood will be hosting an upcoming Family Night on November 2.

This week Mr. Streitman's primary emotional support class is participating in language arts centers. The centers include handwriting activities, spelling activities, word building, and computer based reading activities.

Ms. Garvery, Ms. Lapcevic, Mrs. Belsito, will be collaborating for a fall fun project. Two books have been chosen to read to the students about fall and how pumpkins grow. After reading the story, students will carve a pumpkin, decorate their own pumpkin, and enjoy some healthy treats. The project will incorporate Reading Comprehension (asking oral questions as the story is read) and some Math (using tally marks to vote for which kind of face they want).

3RD GRADE NEWS In Mrs. Sharp’s third grade we have been reading a story called "Aero and Officer Mike". As an introduction to the story the students were assigned a short video dealing with "Working Dogs". This was a flipped reading assignment. We discussed the kinds of working dogs that wore shown in the video. In math we have been talking about following patterns with the use of "Frames and Arrows" (One Rule and Two Rules) and "What's My Rule?". We are looking forward to what has become one of the favorite math lessons of the year. It is a lesson that looks at probability with the use of a spinner that has a ghost, bat, witch, and pumpkin on it. The students make a prediction and then test their prediction. We'll let you know how it goes!

The Edgewood Garden Club visited Mr. Paull and Ms. Sharp’s 3rd grade classrooms to provide an inquiry-based lesson on plants and nature. The students were able to sample vegetables and fruits that supplemented a reading that was given by the Garden Club members. The Garden Club members also introduced the students to botany which is the study of plants and encouraged them to learn more about their own ecosystem.

4th GRADE NEWS Edgewood did a wonderful job raising over 12,000 dollars for their fundraiser! The whole building enjoyed watching their teachers and principals getting a pie in the face! 4th grade is learning about the different Indian tribes that lived in Pennsylvania! The next two weeks they will learn about their traditions, way of life, and their homes. They will then be building longhouses for a display for parent/teacher conferences!

Edgewood is starting their second annual food drive! We are trying to beat our total of 2,175 pounds of food that we collected last year!

4th and 5th grade is participating in a CMU fraction project. The students are really enjoying the use of technology while learning a difficult skill of adding, subtracting, and comparing fractions!

The fourth graders are working on the fraction study in collaboration with C.M.U. The Western Pennsylvania School of the Deaf will visit the fourth grade classroom today for the first time. The children will get to know each other today by playing a short game in small groups. We are also learning about Native Americans that once called Pennsylvania home.

WOODLAND HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EDUCATION EMPLOYER AND WILL NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, GENDER, AGE, OR HANDICAP IN ITS ACTIVITIES, PROGRAMS, OR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES

AS REQUIRED BY TITLE VI, TITLE IX AND SECTION 504.

6th GRADE NEWS This week the 6th grade is focusing on completing our Creepy stories... We look forward to getting 5 from each class to you for judging Monday October 31st!!

Also we as the 6th grade team are focused on our 4 sight scores. In Reading we know we are almost at target so we agreed we would try our best to stay consistent and work towards All students being proficient through skills, strategies, and teacher to student follow up. In math we know we have a way to go. We have been focused on our curriculum and what targets will be covered. We know it is mandatory to constantly re-teach and review skills to achieve mastery. As a team we are committed to this goal.

GENERAL SCHOOL INFORMATION

Edgewood Elementary has begun providing assistance to students in the RtII Support Class room. This classroom is for students who need to make up tests or assignments, need extra time to complete work or need a “change of environment” to focus on making better choices in order to be successful. The special area teachers supervise these students during their free periods. The room is open from Tuesday. So far, the program is a success. Teachers appreciate the additional resource and students are receiving the help that they need. Please access the Edgewood Web Page for other news occurring in the school.

WOODLAND HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EDUCATION EMPLOYER AND WILL NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, GENDER, AGE, OR HANDICAP IN ITS ACTIVITIES, PROGRAMS, OR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES

AS REQUIRED BY TITLE VI, TITLE IX AND SECTION 504.

Jean Marie Livingston, Principal

Kelly Berthold, Assistant Principal

FAIRLESS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

531 Jones Avenue, North Braddock, PA 15104 412-271-1317 fax 412-271-6657

Positives from Fairless Fairless students participated in the “Fraction Project” on October 20th & 21st. Martina Rau from Carnegie Mellon University was at Fairless working with the students. The program “learns” as the students put answers into it, that is why it is called an “intelligent tutor”. The students will have 4-6 more sessions and are looking forward to it. The Youth Advisory Council met with students in grades 1-6 to discuss nutrition, the cafeteria and the food. Ms. McGhee was impressed with the children’s input and suggestions. Together the children planned an upcoming menu. At the next meeting, the students will do some taste testing of new foods to be added to the school menu. On Saturday, October 22nd, Fairless Elementary held their annual Fall Fair. About 150 students, parents, and teachers enjoyed an afternoon of fun, including games, raffles, educational activities, food and more! Stay tuned for November’s family event…Family Math Night. The fifth graders participated in the “Dignity and Respect” virtual field trip on October 25th. Ten schools (including Fairless Elementary and the High School) asked the host, Charlie Batch, questions about dignity and respect. Ryan Mundy made a guest appearance with the high school group. Many other schools viewed the live streaming video. All students recited the Dignity and Respect pledge. The video can be viewed at http://video.magpi.net/videos/video/208/

Attachment 13

Dr. Deborah M. Vereen, Principal

Mrs. Lyndsey Love, Assistant Principal

SHAFFER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 37 Garden Terrace, Pittsburgh, PA 15221

TELEPHONE 412-371- 4535 FACIMILE 412-371- 4571

Verede@whsd.net ELECTRONIC MAIL

A Team Committed To Excellence

WEEKLY POSITIVE MESSAGE

The first Scholastic Book Fair of the school year which was sponsored by the PTO is currently being

facilitated by the PTO.

Children have begun rehearsing for the annual Shaffer Idol under the leadership of Mrs. Tara Reis.

Theme of the event will be “A Celebration Of 50 Years” to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the

establishment of Shaffer Elementary School. Students will display their various talents on Friday,

December 2, 2011 at 6:30 pm in the Woodland Hills High School Auditorium.

Shaffer continues to planning the annual Fall Fair and Health Expo. This free fun-filled educational and

family event will serve as the Halloween Party alternative and will be held on Saturday, October 29, 2011

from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm. Children will be invited to wear costumes and will trick-or-treat at the

school.

Fourth graders enjoyed the motivational Science Camp enthusiastically presented by Mr. Baynes.

Dynamic learning opportunities were created for the children.

Children in grades four and five participated in the Carnegie Mellon Study Project Fractions Intelligent

Tutor on October 24th and 25

th. The involvement of the children in this research study established a

collaborative relationship with the university.

Mr. Orlando Houston, AXA Equitable Financial Planner began to be available to staff members during

the current week to provide support for their financial planning relevant to PSER requirements.

The entire Shaffer staff is commended for moving forward in a seamless manner during the two-day

absence of the principal.

Volunteers from the Oasis Intergenerational Program continue to support the academic needs of several

Shaffer students through tutoring.

Various parent conferences continued to be facilitated at the school in an effort to service the unique

needs of children.

The Shaffer Fit Club continues to fulfill the mandates specified in the grant provided by the Highmark

Healthy High Five program.

Submitted by Dr. Deborah M. Vereen, Principal

October 26, 2011

Attachment 14

WOODLAND HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EDUCATION EMPLOYER AND WILL NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, GENDER, AGE, OR HANDICAP IN ITS ACTIVITIES, PROGRAMS, OR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES

AS REQUIRED BY TITLE VI, TITLE IX AND SECTION 504.

Mrs. Karen E. Bloch, Principal

WILKINS ELEMENTARY

362 Churchill Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15235 Phone: 412-824-3231 Fax: 412-824-3244

WEEKLY NOTABLES OCTOBER 17 - 21, 2011

Mrs. Bloch participated in five IEP meetings, 2 parent meetings, and the Bridges For Excellence meeting. Mr. Erik Meredith’s first grade class will be pen pals with students in the district. They will be sharing life experiences. Mrs. Janis Kopko’s fourth grade class developed Reading Quilts. The students will read nine books about different genres. They will report on them verbally and by written expression according to PSSA writing standards. Respectfully submitted, Mrs. Karen E. Bloch Principal

Attachment 15

WOODLAND HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EDUCATION EMPLOYER AND WILL NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, GENDER, AGE, OR HANDICAP IN ITS ACTIVITIES, PROGRAMS, OR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES

AS REQUIRED BY TITLE VI, TITLE IX AND SECTION 504.

MR. DANIEL STEPHENS, Principal

MS. LICIA LENTZ, Assistant Principal

MR. LaMONT LYONS, Assistant Principal

MR. KEVIN MURRAY, Assistant to the Principal

MRS. MARLO ROBINSON, Assistant Principal

WOODLAND HILLS HIGH SCHOOL

2550 Greensburg Pike, Pittsburgh, PA 15221 412-244-1100 412-242-2344 (Fax)

M E M O R A N D U M TO: Dr. Calinger

FROM: Dan Stephens

DATE: October 26, 2011

RE: High School Highlights

The following activities occurred at the high school since last Wednesday, October 19:

At a pep rally held Friday, October 21, Mike Caprara and Hope McCullough were named Homecoming

King and Homecoming Queen for this year. Mike and Hope’s first official duty was to reign over this year’s annual Homecoming Parade. The theme “Decades” was reflected in both floats which were

constructed by the high school students. Homecoming Week ended with a dance, held in the cafeteria,

attended by more than 700 students. A great time was had by all and there have been numerous positive comments about all of this year’s Homecoming highlights.

On October 25, the Woodland Hills High School Interact Club attended the Annual Interact Conference in

Greentree. This is a networking and planning meeting for all of the Interact Clubs in Allegheny County.

Student attendees from Woodland Hills included: President Dalal Ghanem, Vice President Brittney Berkley, Secretary Mariam Abdelwahab, Treasurer Hope McCullough, Rotary sponsored foreign exchange

student Jessika Brannlund, and Executive Board members Emily Blotzer-Miller, Rebecca Gormley, Kezia Harewood, Stephanie Layton, Angela Ricci, and Connor Rudge. The day consisted of meetings with other

Interact Club students from Allegheny County and sharing ideas for service learning projects. There was

also an awards portion of the day and the Woodland Hills High School Interact Club received the Club of the Year Award. Additionally, junior Kezia Harewood was elected as the Interact District Governor. This is

the highest position a student in Interact Club can hold and her responsibilities will include communication with the Interact Clubs of other schools to help them best serve their communities. The

Interact Club is sponsored by high school teachers Mr. Kevin McGuire and Mrs. Marilyn Keteles.

The students in Ms. Mineo’s classroom at the High School were joined by students from other rooms in

the building to participate in the Dignity and Respect Videoconference with Mr. Charlie Batch of the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday, October 25. Also joining the students in room 129 was Woodland Hills

graduate and Pittsburgh Steeler, Mr. Ryan Mundy. After greeting Mr. Batch and Mr. Mundy with a hearty “GO STEELERS,” the students were involved in a round-robin question and answer session with Mr. Batch

via videoconference asking him various questions regarding his experiences with Dignity and Respect

during his lifetime and career as a Pittsburgh Steeler as well as some football related questions. Some of the questions asked by our students were, “Does everyone treat you with dignity and respect?” asked by

sophomore Lindsay Speelman and, “Were you ever picked on when you were younger?” asked by senior Paul Weschler. Mr. Mundy wanted to play a joke on Mr. Batch so he enlisted the help of senior Jamal

Perry in asking Mr. Batch the question, “Why do you lose to Dennis Dixon when you’re shooting pool?” to which Mr. Batch had no reply which then caused some laughter among the two players and all the

Attachment 16

WOODLAND HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EDUCATION EMPLOYER AND WILL NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, GENDER, AGE, OR HANDICAP IN ITS ACTIVITIES, PROGRAMS, OR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES

AS REQUIRED BY TITLE VI, TITLE IX AND SECTION 504.

students involved. The students then took the Dignity and Respect Pledge with Mr. Batch which reads, “I

will treat everyone with Dignity and Respect.” The Dignity and Respect Videoconference was part of a collaboration of students participating live from 10 schools with over 2000 students in Allegheny and

Beaver counties also watching the live video stream. UPMC and The Batch Foundation along with other partnering organizations, worked together with the schools to make this event possible.

A member of the class of 2011, Meredith Crocker has just sent word to the High School’s world languages department that is she performing extremely well in her Spanish classes at IUP. Maggie took her

placement test for Spanish and tested out of the beginning level of Spanish in college. She is a student in Spanish 201 and is earning 95-100% on all of her college level Spanish exams and papers. Maggie

credits her achievements to her Spanish teachers that she had here at Woodland Hills High School.