in-ross-township-fall

Fall 2010 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE oss Township

INSIDERoss Township Celebrates!

Education for the Ages

PlusNorth Hills School District

Information

Ross Township | Fall 2010 | incommunitymagazines.com 1

Publisher’s Message | 2

FEATURE | Secrets of the Successful Middle School Student | By Kelli McElhinny | 5

FEATURE | Alternatives to College | By Jonathan Barnes | 6

FEATURE | UPMC Today | Health and Wellness News You Can Use | 13

FEATURE | Moms Returning to School | Face uphill, but not impossible, battleBy Pamela Palongue | 25

FEATURE | INKIDS | 29

COMMUNITY INTEREST | North Hills School District | Quarterly Newsletter | 9

COMMUNITY INTEREST | Older Adults in Ross Township | Good Tidings for the Greatest GenerationBy Josh Wetmore | 26

INDUSTRY INSIGHT | Should I Have My Veins Evaluated? | Q & A with a vein specialistBy Theresa Schneider | 28

INDUSTRY INSIGHT | Innovative Solutions to Common Gynecological Problems | By Frank DiCenzo, DO | 33

ON THE COVER | Ross Township residents enjoy the Independence Day Parade.

6 13

Ross Township | FALL 2010 |

Contents

5

Please recycle this magazine when you are through enjoying it.

26

oss Township

2 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE | Ross Township

Welcome to the fall issue of Ross Township!As summer winds down, I hope that you and your family had some time

to get away and enjoy yourselves - even if it was for the day at some localhidden treasure spot. Those are the places we love to highlight in these pages.

I met one of our readers while I was finishing up some business withone of the municipalities we serve. He was sitting at a picnic table near aveterans' monument under a pristine blue sky on a quiet and hot July day.The man recognized my photo from the magazine and said his dad usedto enjoy reading about local things.

He explained that his father had passed away several years ago. Hepointed to the monument and said his father never spoke about the war, butalways talked about some close friends he served with that didn't come home.

“I come by here about once a week or so to enjoy a cup of coffee andlisten to the birds,” he said. “We miss him, but here, I know that he'scatching up with some old friends.”

To say that I was touched would be an understatement, but you cansee how this one little area can mean so much to someone. Tell us aboutplaces that are special to you - places with history and a story behindthem. Send your story to: [email protected] ormail them to IN Community Magazines, 603 East McMurray Road,McMurray, PA 15317.

Wayne DollardPublisher

In this fall edition of Ross Township you’ll find interesting topicsrelated to education. We thought it was appropriate to address thisissue as all of us can somehow relate to the “back to school” idea. Thenotion of continually learning something new whether in middleschool or as an older adult in the Ross Township community, is not anew concept, just one we should consider as the seasons change.

A new feature we have begun in this edition is entitled OlderAdults in Ross Township. We address the subject of scams and howolder adults can learn to protect themselves. I heard of a couple whowas scammed on the phone not too long ago - I was so disturbed bythe fact that there are dishonest people who can find personalinformation about your family via the social networking sites and useit to your take your identity, money and other possessions. Please becareful when speaking to anyone by phone who calls you. Even if youthink you know them, verify the information before disclosinganything! I hope you enjoy this new feature and I am looking forother interesting topics that are important to older adults. If youwould kindly email me with your suggestions [email protected], I would so grateful!

Marybeth JeffriesManaging Editor

FALL 2010

IN Ross Townshipmagazine is a non-partisancommunity magazine dedicated to representing,encouraging and promoting Ross Township by

focusing on the talents and gifts of the people wholive and work here. Our goal is to provide readerswith the most informative and professional regionalpublication in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

PUBLISHER Wayne Dollard

ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLISHERMark Berton

[email protected]

MANAGING EDITORMarybeth Jeffries

[email protected]

OFFICE MANAGERLeo Vighetti

[email protected]

WRITERSJonathan BarnesKaren FerrieriKelli McElhinnyPamela PalongueSandy TrozzoChris Weber

GRAPHIC DESIGNCassie Brkich Joe MilneSusie Doak Tamara TylendaPati Ingold Tracey WasilcoJan McEvoy

PHOTOGRAPHERSGaryyonphotography.comSchoolhouse Photography

ADVERTISING SALESNicholas Buzzell David MitchellBrian Daley Linda Mitchell

Gina D’Alicandro Tamara MyersLiz Dodson Gabriel NegriTina Dollard Annette PetroneRose Estes Tara Reis

Jason Huffman Vincent SabatiniJesse Jones Michael Silvert

Connie McDaniel RJ VighettiBrian McKee

[email protected]

Winter Issue Deadline: November 20 , 2010

IN Ross Township, published quarterly, is carrier routemailed to all Ross Township and West View households.Extra copies of the magazine are available at the Ross

Township building.

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in partwithout written permission is prohibited. Copyright 2010.

www.incommunitymagazines.com


Ross TownshipRoss Township Municipal Center1000 Ross Municipal DrivePittsburgh, PA 15237

412.931.7055www.ross.pa.usBusiness Hours:

8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.Monday - Friday

Municipal DepartmentsBuilding Inspector . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.931.7055Code Enforcement . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.931.7055Engineering . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.931.7055 Ext. 207Fire Marshall . . . . . . . . . . . .412.931.7055 Ext. 236Parks & Recreation . . . . . .412.931.7055 Ext. 204Police Department . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.931.6200Emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .911Public Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.931.3956Real Estate Tax Office . . . . . . . . . . .412.931.4200Tax Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.931.4200Monday–Friday 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

Ross Township AdministrationManager: Wayne JonesBuilding Code Official/

Zoning Officer: Dan HankinsChief of Police: Ralph FreedmanBuilding Inspector: Dennis SchackEngineer: Art Gazdik, P.E.Finance Director: Wayne JonesFire Marshal: John ReubiParks & Recreation Director: Pete GeisPublic Works Director: James Stack

Ross Township CommissionersDaniel DeMarco 1st WardChris Eyster 2nd WardDaniel Kinross 3rd WardLana Mazur 4th WardGrace Stanko 5th WardDavid Mikec 6th WardGerald O’Brien 7th WardPeter Ferraro 8th WardGrant Montgomery 9th Ward

If you need to know what Ward you are in and who your Commissioner is or if you want to get in contact with acommissioner, call the Ross Township general number at 412.931.7055.

North Hills Class of 197535th Reunion

Saturday November 13, 2010

7 p.m. to MidnightWest View Banquet Hall

For further information and tickets contact:

Karen Zack412.720.5858

[email protected]

This year we are trying to sendChristmas stockings to as many U.S.troops as we can. We are going to

purchase food, snacks, and supplies and stuffthe stockings full for our troops. Being awayfrom home for the holidays is very difficult fora soldier or marine and we hope that thestockings will be a great morale booster.

If you would like to sponsor a soldier ormarine, please send $10.00 to MilitaryConnections Corporation. Your ten dollarswill cover the cost and contents of thestockings. You can also include a note orpicture and we will put it in the stocking. Inorder to make sure that the stockings reachthe troops by Christmas, we have to mailthem by December 5, 2010.

All donations are tax-deductible. If youhave any questions you can call us at thenumber below. Thank you for your support.

Military Connections312 Auburn StreetPittsburgh, PA 15235412.496.8941militaryconnections@hotmail.comwww.militaryconnections.org


Secrets of the Successful Middle School Student

Most middle graders are anxious about the change that is coming.Going beyond the safety net of elementary school is sometimes hardfor a child. Along with the physical, emotional, and social changes they bring, the middle school years can be difficult for a child.

Experts agree that a middle school program that emphasizes theimportance of addressing any remedial needs is important. Theopportunities to do so beyond middle school are few and far between.Honing basic math and reading skills are particularly important.Reading is really the first step towards independent learning.

In addition to taking more challenging classes, middle schoolstudents also get instruction from a wider variety of teachers, anexperience many students relish. Middle school also gives students thechance to explore extracurricular activities like athletics and the arts.

Middle school brings adjustments beyond the classroom as well.Changes in the brain can prompt changes in behavior and emotions.The social climate evolves as well, with students meeting an entirelynew pool of classmates.

Fortunately, parents can take steps to make the transition to middleschool a smooth one. The first step is to help students build a goodfoundation for keeping track of assignments and completing them.

Students need to develop a set of study and organizational skills atthis age. Students can build those skills by using the assignment bookthey’re given on the first day of class, for starters. It is also suggestedthat parents schedule one hour of non-negotiable homework time.Even if a student doesn’t have any assignments on a particular day, thattime can be used to plan ahead or review the day’s lessons, for example.Goal-setting, with a focus on short-term objectives rather than long-term ones, also is a priority.

As far as the social changes go, parents should be accepting as theirchildren place a greater emphasis on relationships with peers ratherthan those with family members. Parents should be available, but notnosy, regarding a student’s business.

In helping their children conquer middle school, parents’ effortswill endure beyond the eighth grade. Students who are successful inmiddle school generally can go on to be successful in high school andbeyond. Mastering the social and organizational skill set is of utmostimportance to a student’s success.

Steps to Success

• Use an assignment book

• Schedule one hour of

homework time per day

• Set goals for assignmentsBy Kelli McElhinny

When a preteen leaves elementary school behind to move onto the middle grades, the transition can be a daunting one.The building’s bigger, and it houses more students. All of the

new experiences can add up to a trying time for incoming students.


When Tom Kinslow joined the local insulators union 26 yearsago, eight sons of union members and two non-relatives ofmembers were admitted to the union each year. Times have

changed and now being kin to a union member no longer ensures acandidate entrée into Insulators Local #2, based in Clinton, PA.Competition for the entry slots into the union is fierce.

It’s easy to see why, when the economics speak for themselves—workin the trades can often be a high-paying career. Trade work also canprovide steady employment that is fulfilling to people who like to workwith their hands and who like to work outside an office setting. College isnot for everyone and for would-be students who are not fully committedto a university education, taking on the burden of college debt could befoolish when the payoff is unclear.

But for those with a strong work ethic, some mechanical aptitude anda desire to be a part of building something tangible, becoming a memberof a union could be an ideal career choice. Fortunately for those in thePittsburgh area, the chance to work with the insulators, electricians,laborers, carpenters or other unions is greater than ever, due to the state-of-the-art training programs these and other local trade unions provide.

His career choice has worked well for Kinslow, an Avalon resident,who began work with the union on a permit basis. He made just $6.44per hour and $11 per hour on his first and second jobs as an insulator.

His rate of pay now is $32 hour. He is proud ofthe work he has done, including his labor

in building the Rivers Casino on theNorth Side, as well as the work hehas done on many jobs inPennsylvania, Ohio, WestVirginia, Illinois, Marylandand New York.

The fact that he isn’tdoing the same thing everywork day appeals toKinslow. “You aren’t goingto the same place every day,or doing the same thing,” he

said, adding that he also likesto be able to work as much as he

wants and has often taken summersoff throughout his career.

The work isn’t for everybody, Kinslow said,noting that workplace conditions often are dirty and hot. Theapprenticeship commitment could make some flinch, too. It took Kinslow

four yearsto get intothe union,followed by a four-year apprenticeship. Hisunion admits about 10 apprentices each year and all of thosecandidates must have math skills in order to perform the work.

Not everyone wants to put in the time to apprentice, butthe payoff for navigating the process is great. SteamfittersLocal #499 takes in from 12 to 30 new memberseach year, a group that is winnowed from about300 who take the initial test and interview for aslot with the union, said Ken Broadbent,business manager for Steamfitters Local #449.Unlike some jobs, there is no age discrimination inthe apprentice selection process—people in theirtwenties and middle-aged folks starting a second careerhave an equal shot at union membership.

The average age of an apprentice is actually 27 years old,said Jason Fincke, executive director of the Builder’s Guild ofWestern Pennsylvania, a labor/management organization thatincludes both contractors and unions. Apprentices in thetrades earn between $10 and $15 per hour their first year,receiving average annual raises of $3.50 per hour during theirtraining. The average building trades worker earns $45,000 peryear, Fincke noted.

Western Pennsylvania has 17 union apprenticeship schools andall are tuition-free, Fincke said. “One of the primary missions of theGuild is recruitment,” he said.

Pittsburgh’s North Hills also is home to one of the many state-of-the-art apprentice training centers in the region. The Western PennsylvaniaLaborers Training and Education Trust Fund (WPLTETF) is a trainingcenter located along Deercreek Road in Saxonburg. At the facility,apprentices for the area’s laborer’s unions are trained. The traineescomplete 372 hours of classroom work and perform 4,000 hours ofworkplace training in the field to become journeymen laborers workingin building or highway/bridge construction.

Jim Kempinski, training director for the WPLTETF, said applicantsneed only pay a $25 application fee and pass aptitude tests and drug teststo be admitted to the program. In addition to the high rate of pay atrainee receives, other benefits of the job also are measurable, he noted.

“The environment is like going to the gym and getting paid for it,”Kempinski said.

Getting a job is all in who you know.We help you buildthat network. All of our instructorshave worked in the field. ”

“

Alternatives to

By Jonathan Barnes


Pittsburgh’s north area also includes a long-standingtraining center not affiliated with any union. BidwellTraining Center is located along Metropolitan Street inthe North Side and provides free vocational training to 225students per year. The center offers eight majors—fournon-medical majors and four medical-related majors. Non-medical majors include crew laboratory technician, officetechnician, culinary arts and horticulture technology.Other majors include electronic records management,medical claims processor and pharmaceutical technologymedical coder.

Bidwell devises and revises its courses of study byworking with local employers to correctly assess whatoccupations have the greatest need for workers. Students ofthe school can have a college degree and still be admitted toa program, which they will be trained in free-of-charge.Students attend classes on weekdays and often work in theirfield of study in externships which pay with experienceand wages.

Placement of Bidwell Training Center grads in their fieldsof study currently occurs with 78 percent of graduates, saidBridgette Kennedy, admissions representative for Bidwell.Entry-level wages of graduates average between $10 and$12 per hour, she said, noting that the school has full-timecareer counselors to help students find employment. Thenetwork created by the school with local employershelps in that process.

“Getting a job is all in who you know,” Kennedy said.“We help you build that network. All of our instructorshave worked in the field.”For more information on apprenticeships in the

trades in the Pittsburgh area, visit the Builder’s Guild ofWestern Pennsylvania’s web site at www.buildersguild.org.


oss TownshipADVERTISE HERE!

[email protected]

IN Ross Township,published quarterlyand is carrier routemailed to all RossTownship and WestView households.

We are currentlycompiling anupdated list ofhouses ofworship

in Ross Township.

Please contactmarybeth@incommunity

magazines.comwith your name, phone,address and website.

WORSHIPNEWS


2010MAN& WOMAN OF THE YEARLocal Leaders Join Together

to Raise Funds to Fight Blood Cancers

On Friday, May 21, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society held theirInaugural Man & Woman of the Year Grand Finale, to honor thisyear's candidates and announce the award winners. Over the

course of ten weeks, ten local, philanthropic community leaders competedfor the national titles by raising funds for cancer research and patientservices. Their combined efforts raised over $270,000! Ourcongratulations go out to all of these very special individuals:Deena Alansky, Paula Archinaco, Victoria Berdnik, JamesGood, Scott Fichter, Josette Gephart, Allison Jockel,Julie Pollack, Mike Regan, and Joe Sadowski. Ms.Gephart and Mr. Sadowski were named Man &Woman of the Year.

Stephanie Orbash & Scott Fichter

Kristy Leckie &Sandy Fingers

Sallie Paracca, Don & Laura Santora

Mike Koyack &Allison Jockel

Amy Weiss,Janet Simmons,

Bill & JenMorrow

by Missa Sangimino

The envelope has arrived. Though it is only paper andink, the package feels heavy—laden with importance.You are afraid to tear it open and peek inside.

Everything is counting on this.As high school seniors begin to make plans for their

grand exit, rising juniors are forced to confront their firstmajor life decision—college. The questions streamendlessly: To go or not to go? What school is right for me?Oh, and last but not least: How can I get in? The entireprocess can be intimidating. However, it is notunmanageable.

“It’s scary to think we have to deal with apps soonwhen so many of us don’t even know where we want to goor what we want to be yet,” comments junior DanielleKumpf.

Perhaps the most useful advice for a high schooljunior/senior to take to heart is maintain a balance. Whileit is tough to tell a student that he or she cares too muchabout school, it is important to remember that a highstress level can do more than cause a student to lose a littlesleep; stress can have many negative effects, including adrop in productivity or even health ramifications.Although being passionate about one’s work is crucial toachieving any ambition, it is important to remember thatmental health is key to success.

Maddie Jones, a junior at Vincentian Academy, agrees,remarking, “The thought of looming applications forcesyou to make yourself well-rounded.”

Likewise, facing college in with an ah-I’ll-do-it-laterattitude can be equally as dangerous. As students worktheir way through high school, many are sucked into therisky business of procrastination. It is easy for a highschooler, while immersed in the worries andresponsibilities of their own world, to forget to thinkabout the future that is speeding towards them.

As the questions begin to flow and the summer beginswinding down, keep in mind that millions have alreadygone through the process successfully. While the idea ofchoosing, applying, and moving forward may beterrifying, it is important to remember that getting in isonly half the battle—a student can receive an incredibleeducation at a less prominent college as easily as they canwaste their time at a renowned university. Although theschool itself plays a large role in matching a student’s

personality to their education, muchmore important is what the student doesat the school.

Missa Sangimino is a senior atVincentian Academy.

My take onapplying to college


Edward M. WielgusPresident

Thomas L. KellyVice President

Robert L. BartoArlene J. Bender

Timothy F. BurnettJeffrey A. Meyer

Lou NudiKathy Reid

Sharon A. Schrim

Michael J. Witherel, Esq.Solicitor

Lynne PhillipsBoard Secretary

NORTHHILLS SCHOOL BOARDOF EDUCATION

The North Hills School Board, which iscomprised of nine members who are elected tofour-year terms, welcomes your comments andsuggestions and invites public participation atits meetings. The board secretary, Lynne

Phillips, can be reached as follows:

Administration Center135 Sixth Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA 15229Phone: 412.318.1004Fax: 412.318.1084

Email: [email protected]

NORTH HILLSSCHOOL DISTRICT

135 Sixth AvenuePittsburgh, PA 15229

412.318.1000Fax: 412.318.1084

For more information on North Hills School Districtactivities, athletics, events and more, visit

www.nhsd.net

ADMINISTRATION

Dr. Joseph GoodnackSuperintendent

Patrick MannarinoAssistant Superintendent

David HallDirector of Finance & Operations

Dr. Marilyn CainDirector of Elementary Education

Dr. Rita NeuAsst. to the Superintendent, Pupil Services

Jeff TaylorDirector of Curriculum & Assessment

Valerie MengineDirector of Human Resources

Tina VojtkoCommunications Coordinator

George Zappas Director of Food Services

Dan CardoneDirector of Athletics & Activities

John KreiderPrincipal, North Hills Senior High

Bill McGaheeAsst. Principal, North Hills Senior High

Johanna VanattaAsst. Principal, North Hills Senior High

Beth WilliamsPrincipal, North Hills Junior High

Julie FrancyzkAsst. Principal, North Hills Junior High

Christian LesnettAsst. Principal, North Hills Junior High

Elaine ObidowskiPrincipal, Highcliff Elementary

Amy MathieuPrincipal, McIntyre Elementary

David LiebermanPrincipal, Ross Elementary

Marc ThorntonPrincipal, West View Elementary

10 Ross Township

North Hills School District

ANorth Hills senior earned top billing forBest Supporting Actor at the 20th AnnualGene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High

School Musical Theater. Spencer Whale washonored for his portrayal of Lumiere in the musical,“Beauty and the Beast.”

Spencer was one of six nominees for BestSupporting Actor – one of whom was fellowNorth Hills student Michael O’Brien for his roleof Cogsworth.

The North Hills production of “Beauty and theBeast” also received nominations for Best Crewand Technical Execution; Best Set Design; andBest Actress, Kirsten Hoover for the role of Belle.

The Gene Kelly Awards were held onSaturday, May 29, 2010, at theBenedum Center. According to thePittsburgh Civic Light Opera website, “theGene Kelly Awards were launched in 1991 asa means to recognize and encourage studentachievement and to focus the attention of thecommunity and school districts on the importanceof musical theater and arts education.”

Thirty Allegheny County high schoolscompeted in this year’s Gene Kelly Awards.Nominees were judged by a panel of 30 judgescomprised of performing arts educators, artsadministrators, entertainment professionalsand performers.

North Hills Senior High School is one of29 schools in Pennsylvania and onlynine in Allegheny County to be named

one of America’s Best High Schools byNewsweek magazine. Ranked 1,331 on theannual list, North Hills is among the top sixpercent of public high schools in the nation.

The rankings are based on the ChallengeIndex, which calculates participation inAdvanced Placement exams in order to evaluatethe rigor of high school curriculums across thenation. The Challenge Index is calculated bydividing the total number of AP tests taken eachyear by the number of graduating seniors. Allschools on the Newsweek listing have earned anindex of at least a 1.0.

“We are extremely proud to have our highschool recognized nationally for its rigorouscurriculum,” Dr. Joseph Goodnack,superintendent, said. “This is anotherachievement to celebrate as we pursue ourvision of being recognized as one of America’sgreat public school districts.”

North Hills is currently ranked 1,331 with anindex of 1.26. This is an improvement over lastyear’s index of 1.18. This marks North Hills’second consecutive year on the annual listing.

“There are two key components to studentachievement – a caring environment and a

challenging academic program,” Dr. Goodnacksaid. “Our faculty is to be commended forcreating opportunities to increase the rigor ofour high school program and encouraging ourstudents to reach their maximum potential.”

During the 2009-10 school year, North Hillsexpanded its program from 19 to 24 college-level AP courses, representing a 26 percentincrease. This fall North Hills Senior High willoffer AP Environmental Science – bringing thetotal number of AP courses to 25.

According to Jay Mathews, Newsweekcontributing editor and Washington Postreporter who devised the Challenge Index,“studies by U.S. Department of Educationsenior researcher Clifford Adelman in 1999 and2005 showed that the best predictors of collegegraduation were not good high school grades ortest scores, but whether or not a student had anintense academic experience in high school.Such experiences were produced by takinghigher-level math and English courses andstruggling with the demands of college-levelcourses like AP or IB.”

The Newsweek rankings are based on APdata from May 2009. Last May, 255 North Hillsstudents completed 513 AP exams – 71 percentof which earned scores of 3 or higher, qualifyingfor college credit. That year a record 68 NorthHills Senior High School students earned thedesignation of AP Scholar ~ including threeNational AP Scholars.

The 2006-07 school year marked the firstyear that all North Hills students enrolled in anAP course were required to complete the exam.

All exam costs are covered by the North HillsSchool District.

“Advanced Placement is widely consideredone of the most rigorous programs available forhigh school students,” Patrick Mannarino,assistant superintendent and former high schoolprincipal, said. “We are fortunate to have anadministration and school board that supportthe continued growth of this rigorous academicprogram.”

According to Mr. Mathews, “districts whospend money to increase the likelihood thattheir students take AP or IB tests are addingvalue to the education of their students. Takingthe test is good. It gives students a necessarytaste of what college demands.”

Other Allegheny County schools on the listinclude the following:

School District Index• Upper St. Clair 1.694• Quaker Valley 1.598• Pine-Richland 1.576• Hampton 1.41• North Hills 1.26• Taylor Allderdice 1.071• South Fayette 1.068• North Allegheny 1.059• Mt. Lebanon 1.05

“To send a student off to college withouthaving had an AP, IB or Cambridge course andtest is like insisting that a child learn to ride abike without ever taking off the training wheels,”Mr. Mathews wrote. “It is dumb, and in myview a form of educational malpractice.”

NH senior earns Best Supporting Actor


The North Hills School Board approvedthe award of construction contracts forthe renovation of Ross Elementary

School on July 19, 2010. Construction willbegin following approval by the PennsylvaniaDepartment of Education and will becompleted prior to the start of the 2011-12school year.

Bids were awarded to the following:• General Construction: Franjo Construction$8,972,900

• Asbestos Abatement: CanfieldDevelopment, Inc. $169,000

• Food Service Equipment: CommercialAppliance Contracts, Inc. $192,922

• Roofing: Pennsylvania Roofing Systems,Inc. $1,185,000

• Plumbing: Vrabel Plumbing Company,LLC $979,200

• Fire Protection: Interstate Fire ProtectionCompany, Inc. $219,500

• HVAC Construction: East WestManufacturing & Supply Co. Inc.$2,509,500

• Electrical Construction: Allegheny CityElectric, Inc. $2,233,020

• Telephone/Data Wiring Contract:Information Technologies Services$215,677The approved bids combined with a

construction contingency totaled$17,310,434, which is $793,879 or 4.4percent less than estimates that wereapproved by the school board for submissionto the Pennsylvania Department of Educationin April 2010.

The Ross facility was built in 1963 andserved as Ross Junior High School until theearly 1980s when it became an elementaryschool. The facility has never been renovatedand still includes remnants of its days as ajunior high, including kitchen appliances in

the former home economics room and labtables in the former science room. Therenovated facility will serve more than 500students with an average of 20 students perclassroom.

Ross Elementary students and staff will betemporarily relocated to the vacant Northwayand Perrysville facilities during construction.Students in kindergarten through grade 3 willbe located at Northway Elementary andstudents in grades 4 through 6 will be locatedat Perrysville Elementary. Students and theirfamilies will have an opportunity to tour thebuildings on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2010.Information will be mailed to families laterthis month.

The first day of school is Tuesday, Sept. 7th.

Construction to startat Ross Elementary


Referral for a Gifted MultidisciplinaryEvaluation shall be made when a student issuspected by teachers and/or parents of

being gifted and in need of specially designedinstruction. The parent must sign a Permission toEvaluate form in order for the process to begin. Theschool psychologist conducts a formal evaluationand this evaluation along with: information fromthe parents, demonstrated achievement,performance/expertise in one or more academicareas, high level thinking skills, communicationskills, academic creativity and measured rate ofacquisition/retention of new academic content or

skills that reflect gifted ability is used to develop aGifted Written Report (GWR).

The Gifted Multidisciplinary Team shallprepare a written report that brings together theinformation and findings from the evaluation. Thereport shall make recommendations as to whetherthe student is gifted and in need of speciallydesigned instruction.

The Gifted Individualized Education Programteam reviews the recommendations of the GiftedMultidisciplinary Team and determines whetherthe student needs specially designed instructionincluding enrichment and/or acceleration. If the

student is determined to be gifted and in need ofspecially designed instruction, a GiftedIndividualized Education Program (GIEP) will bedeveloped and implemented.

A gifted student is defined as “a student who isexceptional” under section 1371 of the SchoolCode because the student meets the definition ofmentally gifted in this section, and needs speciallydesigned instruction beyond that required inChapter 4 relating to academic standards andassessment. This term applies only to studentswho are of school-age. Provisions for giftedstudents are contained in Chapter 16,Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Rules andRegulations, Title 22: Education. For additionalinformation or clarification, please contactAssistant to the Superintendent for Pupil ServicesDr. Rita A. Neu, 412.318.1008.

Gifted Education:Screening & Evaluation Process

North Hills Senior HighSchool awarded 407 diplomasto members of the Class of 2010

on Friday, June 11, 2010, at Martorelli Stadium. “I am extremely proud of the Class of 2010 as

they have embraced North Hills’ pursuit of excellence inacademics as well as extra-curricular activities,” PatrickMannarino, assistant superintendent and former high schoolprincipal, said. “The Class of 2010 chose ‘Lessons Learned’ astheir commencement theme. Throughout their high schoolyears, this class believed in their abilities and upheld this themeas they learned to prepare for an ever-changing world. Thispreparation was always done with pride, dignity, andperseverance.”

In his remarks, Dr. Joseph Goodnack, superintendent,encouraged the Class of 2010 to follow their passions anddiscover their own personal element. Author Sir Ken Robinsondefines one’s element as “the place where the things we love todo and the things we are good at come together.”

The graduating class included two National Merit Finalistsand 59 members of the National Honor Society. Ninety percentof this year’s graduates are pursuing a two or four-year degree ata college or university and 20 have enlisted in the military –including an appointment to the United States MilitaryAcademy at West Point. In total, the Class of 2010 earned$3,047,730 in scholarship awards.

“As I reflect on their collective accomplishments andindividual achievements, those lessons learned have given thesestudents the potential for greatness. Best of luck to ourgraduates,” Mr. Mannarino said.

12 Ross Township


Congratulationsto the Class of

2010!


Five individuals have been selected forinduction in the North Hills SchoolDistrict Sports Hall of Fame. The 2010

inductees include Scott Chisholm, class of2002; Sarah Emory, class of 1993; JanetSchmitt McDowell, class of 1964; BrianStumpf, class of 2000; and Joe Wadlow,community leader.

Created in 1995, the North Hills SportsHall of Fame honors individuals who havedistinguished themselves in athletics duringand/or beyond their years at North HillsHigh School or the former West View HighSchool. Inductees have brought pride andrecognition to the district’s athletic programsand to the community as former players,coaches, administrators and supporters.

Inductees will be honored at the SportsHall of Fame annual dinner on Thursday,Sept. 23, 2010, at the Nu Babcock in RossTownship. They will also be recognized atthe home football game the following eveningat Martorelli Stadium.

This year marks the 15th anniversary ofthe Sports Hall of Fame. All inductees fromprevious years are encouraged to attend thedinner and football game where they will alsobe recognized.

For more information regarding theSports Hall of Fame or to purchase tickets tothe Sept. 23 dinner, contact ChelleZimmerman, activities coordinator, at412.318.1438 or via [email protected].

2010 INDUCTEES:

SCOTTCHISHOLM, CLASS OF 2002Scott participated in golf and baseball. He

was the first golfer in North Hills’ history towin a WPIAL golf individual championship –a feat he accomplished as a sophomore. Anoutstanding pitcher on the North Hillsbaseball team, Scott was selected to thePittsburgh Post-Gazette All-Area baseballteam in 2002. He led the entire WPIAL instrikeouts as a senior and led North Hillsbaseball to a section championship.

SARAH EMORY, CLASS OF 1993Sarah participated in three sports at North

Hills: tennis, basketball and track and field.She garnered a total of 12 varsity letters. Intennis, Sarah competed in WPIAL doublestournament two years. She was named to theall-section basketball team in 1993 and is inthe record books in girls’ basketball as one ofthe top 10 career leaders in rebounds andscoring. In track and field, Sarah reached theWPIAL qualifiers. She attended the U.S. AirForce Academy and participated in volleyball,basketball and rugby.

JANET SCHMITTMCDOWELL, CLASS OF 1964

Janet attended North Hills at a time whenthere were no interscholastic sport offeringsfor the female athlete. After graduating fromNorth Hills, she attended Ohio Universitywhere her sports career blossomed. Sheparticipated in the sports of field hockey,softball, and track and field. It was in fieldhockey that Janet made her mark – achievingAll-American status. She then moved on tobecome the head field hockey coach atEastern Michigan University, the Universityof Pittsburgh and Carnegie MellonUniversity.

BRIAN STUMPF, CLASS OF 2000 Brian participated in football and track

and field – earning seven varsity letters atNorth Hills. He was a captain on the footballand track and field teams. He was a Quad ANorth Football All-Conference selection inhis junior and senior years. Brian was the2000 WPIAL javelin champion and a statequalifier. Brian participated in track and fieldat Penn State University where he was the2004 Big 10 javelin champion.

JOEWADLOW, COMMUNITY LEADERJoe is an instrumental part of the North

Hills community and a proud sponsor ofmany of the North Hills booster/clubactivities. He is a past president of the NorthHills Quarterback Club. During his tenure,the Quarterback Club provided annualscholarships to a member of the footballteam, marching band, and cheerleadingsquad. His restaurant, Monte Cellos, has beenhost to many banquets and meetings of NorthHills teams and booster organizations.

Sports Hall of Fame Recognizes Five Alumni


As stipulated in the No Child Left Behind Act,parents/guardians may request informationregarding the professional qualifications of

their child’s classroom teacher(s). Specifically,individuals have the right to ask for the followinginformation:• Whether the student’s teacher met statequalifying and licensing criteria for the grade levelor subject he/she is teaching;

• Whether the teacher is teaching underemergency or otherprovisional status;

• The teacher’s collegemajor, thebaccalaureatedegree, and/or anyadvanced degreesearned by theteacher;

• Whether the child is provided services byparaprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications.To obtain this information, please submit your

request in writing to Mrs. Valerie Mengine,director of human resources, at the address listedbelow. Each request should include the student’sname, his/her teachers’ names and the schoolhe/she attends. Please be certain to include yourname, address and a telephone number at whichyou can be contacted during the day.

North Hills School DistrictAttn. Valerie MengineHuman Resources Department135 Sixth AvenuePittsburgh, PA 15229412.318.1010

PARENTS’ RIGHT TO KNOW

22 Ross Township


staff news

North Hills appoints highschool principal

This fall thefaculty, staff andstudents of

North Hills Senior HighSchool will be welcomedby a familiar face. Mr.John Kreider, formerprincipal of the juniorhigh, now serves as thedistrict’s high school

principal. “We are extremely fortunate to have a highly

qualified educational leader within our schooldistrict who can provide a seamless transition atthe high school,” Dr. Joseph Goodnack,superintendent, said. “As a districtadministrator, resident and parent, Mr. Kreider’scommitment to the North Hills School Districtis unsurpassed.”

Junior high principal since 2006, Mr. Kreiderbegan his career as a math teacher ~ serving theSchool District of Lancaster for eight yearsbefore joining the North Hills Senior HighSchool staff in 2000. After four years of teachingin North Hills, he was promoted to assistantprincipal in July 2004 and was then namedassociate principal in October 2005.

Mr. Kreider is currently pursuing a doctoratein education, including a Superintendent’sLetter of Eligibility, from the University ofPittsburgh. In addition, he is a graduate of theuniversity’s School Leadership DevelopmentProgram, where he earned a master’s degree ineducation, a K-12 Principal Certificate as well ashis Supervisor of Curriculum and InstructionCertificate. He earned his bachelor’s degree ineducation from Indiana University ofPennsylvania.

He previously served as head wrestlingcoach for the junior high and assistant coach forthe varsity baseball team. Mr. Kreider continuesto volunteer as a baseball coach for the WestView/Ross Athletic Association. A resident ofthe North Hills School District, he resides in thePerrysville area with his wife, Rosina, and theirthree children.

Mr. Kreider replaces Mr. Patrick Mannarino,who was recently promoted to assistantsuperintendent.

West View principalnamed

Marc Thornton,who served asprincipal of

Seville Elementaryduring the 2009-10school year, wasappointed principal ofWest View ElementarySchool. Seville

Elementary School closedat the conclusion of the school year as part of thedistrict’s long-term facilities plan.

Mr. Thornton was previously set to serve asassistant principal at Ross Elementary beginningthis fall. However, the district is undergoingseveral administrative changes.

“Mr. Thornton provided exceptionalleadership at Seville Elementary School,” Dr.Joseph Goodnack, superintendent, said. “I amconfident that he will be equally successful in hisnew role as principal of West View ElementarySchool.”

Mr. Thornton was named principal of Sevillein August 2009. Previously, he served as alearning support teacher at North Hills SeniorHigh School since 1999.

He completed his bachelor’s degree incommunication sciences and disorders from theUniversity of Pittsburgh and earned a master’sdegree in education of the mentally and/orphysically handicapped from the CaliforniaUniversity of Pennsylvania.

In addition to his teaching duties, Mr.Thornton served as the assistant director of thedistrict’s alternative education program for fouryears and has served as curriculum leader for thedistrict’s special education department.

Mr. Thornton was selected as one of 30semifinalists in the 2010 Pennsylvania Teacherof the Year recognition program.

Jr. High principal named

Afamiliar face has returned to North HillsJunior High School. Beth Williams, theschool’s former A-K house office

principal, was named principal of the 1,050student school in June. Mrs. Williams served asprincipal of Highcliff Elementary School duringthe 2009-10 school year.

Mrs. Williamsjoined theNorth Hills

School Districtadministration in July2006. She served as anassistant principal fornearly three years beforebeing promoted toHighcliff Elementary

principal in March 2009.During her time at the junior high, she providedleadership on several district-wide committeesincluding Curriculum Council, StrategicPlanning and the Online Learning Task Force.In addition, she has led several workshops forparents, teachers and administrators both withinand beyond the district.

“Mrs. Williams has done an extraordinaryjob both as principal and an assistant principal,”Dr. Joseph Goodnack, superintendent, said.“Most recently, she has provided excellentleadership to our staff, students and familiesduring elementary construction, the temporaryrelocation of her building, and the uncertaintiesof elementary redistricting. I am confident thatshe will continue her success at the hilltop.”

Prior to joining the North Hills staff, Mrs.Williams served as a high school social studiesteacher in the Avonworth School District fornine years. In addition to her teaching duties,she served as a department chairperson,supervising district-wide curriculum writing aswell as course development. Mrs. Williams hasalso participated on numerous district andbuilding-wide committees.

Mrs. Williams completed the Principal’sCertification Program at Point Park University.She earned a master’s degree in education fromDuquesne University and a bachelor’s degree insecondary education social studies from GroveCity College. Mrs. Williams intends to enroll ina doctoral program in educational leadership.

A resident of Ben Avon, Mrs. Williams andher husband, Doug, have two school-agedaughters – Megan, age 10, and Haley, age 7.She replaces John Kreider, who was recentlynamed principal of North Hills Senior HighSchool.

Assistant principals namedat junior and senior highs

The North Hills School Board approved theappointment of two new assistant principals at

John Kreider Marc Thornton

Beth Williams


Guidelines for Screening, Evaluating Students

The North Hills School District uses the following procedures for locating,identifying and evaluating specific needs of school-aged students who may requirespecial programs or services. These procedures, required by law, are:

The district, as prescribed by Section 1402 of the School Code, routinely conductsscreening of a child’s hearing and visual acuities at certain grades or as needed. Grossmotor and fine motor skills, academic skills and social and emotional skills are assessedby classroom teachers on an ongoing basis.

Specific needs from all of these screening sources are noted in the child’s officialfile. School records are always open and available to parents, and only to schoolofficials who have a legitimate reason for “need to know” information about the child.

Information from the records is released to other persons or agencies only withappropriate authorization which involves written permission by parents. Parents withconcerns regarding their student may contact building principals at any time to requesta screening or evaluation of their child. Communication with parents through aninterpreter including sign language is available if needed.

Screening information will be used by the Support Services Teams at theelementary and secondary schools to evaluate the child’s specific needs or to documentthe need for additional assessments. If it is determined that a student needs additionalevaluation, parents will be asked to sign a form that permits one of the district’s schoolpsychologists to conduct an evaluation.

Following the completion of the multidisciplinary team evaluation, an EvaluationReport is compiled with parent involvement and includes specific recommendationsfor the types of intervention necessary to meet the child’s individual needs. Parents areinvited to participate in a meeting where the results of the multidisciplinary evaluationwill be discussed. An Individualized Education Program (IEP) will be developed foreligible students.

Parents are presented with a Notice of Recommended Educational Placement(NOREP) which outlines the programs, services and location of services. If parentsdisagree with the program being recommended, the issue may be addressed at a pre-hearing conference, a mediation, or at an impartial due process hearing.

Information about early intervention services and programs, parental rights,mediation or due process procedures, specific special education services, districtprograms, and the district’s educational records policy are available upon request fromthe building principal.

Parents with children between the ages of 3 and 5 have a right to an evaluation todetermine eligibility for early intervention services. Early Intervention services areavailable to all eligible young children beginning at age 3 through a program offered bythe Allegheny Intermediate Unit. Parents who believe their child needs to be evaluatedfor eligibility may contact Discovery Assessment Referral Tracking (DART) at412.394.5736, or Assistant to the Superintendent for Pupil Services Dr. Rita A. Neu at412.318.1008.

Parents may initiate a request for screening or evaluation of their child at any timeby contacting the child’s classroom teacher or the building principal. More informationabout these procedures may be obtained by calling Assistant to the Superintendent forPupil Services Dr. Rita A. Neu at 412.318.1008.

North Hills Junior High School onMonday, July 19, 2010. Joining the juniorhigh’s administrative team are JulieFranczyk, who previously served as thedistrict’s behavior specialist and responseto intervention specialist since 2008, andChristian Lesnett, who previously servedas an assistant principal in theBurgettstown Area School District. Inaddition, the board approved the transferof Assistant Principal Bill McGahee fromthe junior high A-K office to the seniorhigh A-K office.

“We are pleased to have such adynamic administrative team on oursecondary campus,” Dr. JosephGoodnack, superintendent said. “Thejunior and senior high students andteachers will thrive under the leadershipof such capable administrators.”

Mrs. Franczyk has also served as ateacher and a teacher’s assistant in thedistrict’s extended school year program aswell as a teacher’s assistant for theelementary summer literacy program.Prior to arriving at North Hills she servedas an administrative intern, elementarybehavior specialist and special education teacher for studentswith emotional and behavioral disabilities in the PinellasCounty Schools in Florida.

Mrs. Franczyk earned a Master of Education in educationalleadership from Saint Leo University in Florida and Bachelorof Science in mentally and/or physically handicapped andelementary education from the of California University ofPennsylvania.

Mrs. Franczyk resides in Bridgeville with her husband,Stephen. She is assigned to the junior high’s L-Z house office.

Mr. Lesnett served as an assistant principal at BurgettstownMiddle High School throughout the 2009-10 school year. Inaddition, his administrative experience includes twoadministrative internships. He previously served as a highschool social studies teacher for five years.

A graduate of the College of William and Mary, Mr. Lesnettholds a masters degree in K-12 administration and a bachelor’sdegree in history with certification in secondary social studieseducation.

Mr. Lesnett and his wife, Kathryn, are residents of Upper St.Clair and will welcome their first child in August. He serves theschool’s A-K house office – replacing Mr. Bill McGahee whotransferred to the senior high school’s A-K office.

Entering his 10th year with the North Hills School District,Mr. McGahee joined the district’s administrative team in July2009. During his tenure at North Hills, he taught high schoolEnglish and coached football at the junior high. He earned hismaster’s degree and principal certification from Slippery RockUniversity and completed his undergraduate degree in Englishat Mercyhurst College.

Mr. McGahee resides in Mars.

ConfidentialityIt is district policy that parents have the right, upon written request, to review their

child’s school records and to review the district’s record-keeping policy.Parents will be notified in writing prior to the removal of items from their child’s

file and given the opportunity to challenge the removal of any specific document.Documentation on special education students is maintained in a separate

confidential folder. Only staff with a “need to know” have access to these folders. Asign-in sheet giving the name of the person accessing the information, the date and thereason for reading the information must be completed.

For further information/clarification, contact Assistant to the Superintendent forPupil Services Dr. Rita A. Neu at 412.318.1008.

Julie Franczyk

Christian Lesnett

Bill McGahee


24 Ross Township


In compliance with state and federal law, noticeis hereby given by the North Hills SchoolDistrict that it conducts ongoing identification

activities as a part of its school program for thepurpose of identifying students who may be inneed of special education and related services(eligible students). If your child is identified bythe District as possibly in need of such services,you will be notified of applicable procedures.

Individualized services and programs areavailable for children who are determined toneed specially designed instruction due to thefollowing conditions:

• Autism/pervasive development disorder • Blindness or visual impairment • Deafness or hearing impairment • Developmental delay • Mental retardation • Multi-handicapped • Neurological impairment• Other health impairments• Physical disability• Serious emotional disturbance • Specific learning disability• Speech or language impairment

If you believe that your school-aged childmay be in need of special education services andrelated programs, or young child (age 3 toschool-age) may be in need of early intervention,screening and evaluation processes designed toassess the needs of the child and his/hereligibility are available to you at no cost, uponwritten request. You may request screening andevaluation at any time, whether or not your childis enrolled in the District’s public schoolprogram. Requests for evaluation and screeningare to be made in writing to the buildingprincipal.

In compliance with state and federal law, theNorth Hills School District will provide to eachprotected handicapped student withoutdiscrimination or cost to the student or family,those related aids, services or accommodations,which are needed to provide equal opportunityto participate in and obtain the benefits of theschool program and extracurricular activities tothe maximum extent appropriate to the student’sabilities. In order to qualify as a protectedhandicapped student the child must be schoolage with a physical or mental disability, whichsubstantially limits or prohibits participation inor access to an aspect of the school program.These services and protections for “protectedhandicapped students” are distinct from thoseapplicable to all eligible or exceptional studentsenrolled (or seeking enrollment) in specialeducation programs.

For further information on the rights ofparents and children, provision of services,evaluation and screening (including purpose,time and location), and rights to due processprocedures, you may contact in writing anybuilding principal.

Guidelines for “Protected Handicapped Students”

In compliance with state and federal law,the North Hills School District will provideto each protected handicapped student the

aids, services and/or accommodations whichare needed to provide equal opportunity toparticipate in and obtain the benefits of theschool program and extracurricular activities.

In order to qualify as a “protectedhandicapped student,” the child must be ofschool age with a physical or mental disabilitywhich substantially limits or prohibitsparticipation in, or access to, any aspect of theschool program.

These services and protections for“protected handicapped students” are distinctfrom those applicable to eligible orexceptional students enrolled, or seekingenrollment, in special education programs.

For more information on evaluationprocedures and provisions of services to“protected handicapped students,” contactAssistant to the Superintendent for PupilServices Dr. Rita A. Neu at 412.318.1008, orwrite to her at the North Hills School DistrictAdministration Center, 135 Sixth Avenue,Pittsburgh, PA 15229.

Programs for Eligible or Protected Handicapped Students

100% of NHteachers highly

qualifiedNo Child Left Behind requires that all

public school teachers in core academicsubjects be Highly Qualified.

A highly qualified teacher in Pennsylvaniais one who: • holds full certification; • has at least a bachelor’s degree; • has completed a content area major; • has passed a content area test; and • has completed teacher education coursework.

In 2009 – 2010, 100 percent of theteachers in the North Hills School Districtmet or exceeded the highly qualified criteria.

“In order to qualify as a protectedhandicapped student the child must beschool age with a physical or mental

disability, which substantially limits orprohibits participation in or access to an

aspect of the school program.”


child while they are in school. The high cost ofdaycare can be prohibitive for those already ona tight budget. Many mothers have theadvantage of family members close by to pitchin with child care duties, but this may not bepractical for some mothers whose parents or in-laws live hours away. One great way to resolvethis issue is to trade babysitting time. Whenmothers coordinate their class schedules, theycan attend classes at opposite times so the othermother can babysit both mothers’ children.Another great way to overcome the high cost ofdaycare is to trade services. An individual maybe willing to provide child care in exchange forhouse cleaning or having errands performed.Retired individuals who have the most flexiblehours are a great solution in this arrangement.

For some, completing a four year collegemay not be practical either for timeconsiderations or financial reasons. There aremany careers available with educationalprograms that are less than two years.

Education and the medical fieldconsistently rank highest for career fieldsexperiencing the most growth. For individualswho already have a four-year degree,universities offer a teaching program that canbe completed in one year.

Although a bachelor of science in nursing isa four year degree program, some localhospitals offer two year nursing programs sansthe degree. Some of these facilities offer free

education in exchange for two years ofdevoted service at their facility. For evenshorter programs in the medical field, medicalassistants and emergency medical techniciansoffer alternatives. Local EMT programs lastapproximately four months and the tuition isunder $200.

By Pamela Palongue

With the high rate of unemployment, itwill not come as a shock that manymothers are returning to school for

more education in order to be moreemployable and to be able to provide betterbenefits for their families. What might surpriseyou is that more than ever, universities, tradeand specialty schools are offering extremelyflexible schedules and payment plans for thespecial challenges that moms face in furtheringtheir education.

One of the major drawbacks to attendingcollege is the loss of income while in school.Although night classes have been available atmost universities for years now, Saturdayclasses are now becoming more common andmany of the schedules include meeting everyother weekend. This gives working moms theability to hold down a day job for 40 hours

during the week, while still retaining the all-important health insurance benefits for theirfamily while attending college on the weekends.More classes than ever are being offered onSaturdays. And, of course, night classes offergreater flexibility for employed mothers as well.

Another challenge for moms attempting toadvance their education is finding care for their

In addition to the above-mentioned careerfields, information technology, massagetherapists, barbers, cosmetologists and medicalinsurance billing all offer programs with shorterduration for busy moms and most offerpayment options so that upfront payment offull tuition is not required.

Each woman’s path to educationaladvancement is different, but perseverance isthe common denominator. With dedicationand hard work, every woman can accomplishher goals.

And now more than ever, there are manyavenues to achieving your dream.

One of the major drawbacks to

attending college is the loss of income

A survey conducted by the InvestorProtection Trust in May 2010 revealedthat over 7.3 million senior citizens in theU.S. have “been taken advantage offinancially in terms of an inappropriateinvestment, unreasonably high fees forfinancial services, or outright fraud.” Thatequates to about one in five seniorcitizens who have been scammed.Mary Bach, a member of AARP’s

Pennsylvania executive counsel, said thatfraud against senior citizens can come injust about any form. Some of the morepopular scams include lottery scams,sweepstake scams, email scams, charityscams, and even jury duty scams. “Caution and moving slowly are

paramount in any of these situations. Andnot allowing yourself to be pressured intogiving either personal information or anyamount of money without doing yourown personal due diligence or homeworkon the issue,” Bach said about how togenerally avoid scams.Here are some other tips Bach gives to

help senior citizens better avoid scamsand fraud:

• Don’t give money to a charity over thephone. Ask them to mail you something.This gives time to research the charity.Chances are, if the charity is just a scamthey won’t send you anything anyway.

• When dealing with a financial planneror retirement advisor, make sure thatboth they and what they are selling areregistered with the state of Pennsylvania.To check on the registration and historyof a salesperson, financial plan, or productcall either the Pennsylvania InsuranceCommission at 1.877.881.6388 or thePennsylvania Securities Commission at1.800.600.0007.

• Always be wary of any letter, email, or phone call that requires animmediate or quick response. If there isn’t enough time to carefully consider a proposition before committing to it, there is probably a reason.

• Discuss what you are thinking of doing with a trusted friend or family member before making any final decisions. Two heads are better

than one and someone might recognize ared flag that you didn’t see.

• Sign up for both the state and national‘do not call’ lists. These will weed outmost legitimate solicitors so if a solicitingcall gets through, there is already awarning sign.

• Remember the adage “If it sounds toogood to be true, it probably is.”

G o o d T i d i n g s f o r t h e G r e a t e s t G e n e r a t i o n

by Josh Wetmore


Older Adults inRoss Township

Retirement; it’s a stage of life

that many people look forward to. It’s a chance to relax, and

finally accomplish lifelong goals. It can also be an opportunity to

make up for lost time with family and friends. For many,

however, retirement can mean having so much time with so

little to do, and often no longer having a job can lead to no

longer have a sense of accomplishment or self worth.

There is a solution to the problem though. Volunteering can

not only give retired senior citizens a new sense of purpose but

it can also help the community, the economy, and the future of

the country.

“There is just talk about, as the economy continues to be on a

bit of a downslide, how important volunteers are,” said Mary

Bach, a member of AARP’s Pennsylvania executive counsel.

“Lots of older consumers have really wonderful skills and

backgrounds that can be of benefit.”

Volunteer opportunities for senior citizens in the Pittsburgh

area can range from helping deliver mail at a hospital to working

with high school students in a classroom environment through

the University of Pittsburgh’s “Generations Together” program.

“Volunteering makes people feel good, but it not only is self

serving to that degree that you’re happy about doing something

that you enjoy personally, but the beneficiaries of that

volunteerism gain so much,” Bach, a senior citizen herself, said.

Some other ways for senior citizens to get involved are through

senior citizen organizations such as AARP and The Senior

Source. Many local libraries also offer volunteer positions.

AARP’s “Create the Good” program is focused on helping

senior citizens find volunteer opportunities that will fit their

schedule, meet their personal interests, and help their

community. To get involved with “Create the Good,” go to

www.createthegood.org or call 1.800.556.0242.

Center at the "Y"Hiland Ross Senior Center 8500 Thompson412.367.2221Benedictine CenterPerrysville Ave. 412.931.6051

Transportation For Older AdultsThere are several agenciesthat offer free or reducedrate transportation servicesto individuals who qualify.

Medical AssistanceTransportation Program(MATP)1.888.547.6287Provides non-emergencymedical transportation toresidents of AlleghenyCounty who have a validPennsylvania Department ofPublic Welfare MedicalAssistance Card.

Free Bus Pass for Senior CitizensThe Port Authority allowsAllegheny County residents,65 years of age and older, toride free on local publictransportation (buses,trolleys and rapid-transitlines). Participants mustobtain identification cards,which are available free ofcharge, from participatingtransportation providers.Call 412.442.2000 for thelocation nearest to you.

ACCESS 65 Plus andACCESS ADA Program 412.562.5353 or TDD 1.800.654.5984ACCESS is door-to-door,advance reservation, shared-ride transportation providedthroughout Port Authority'sservice area. It serves primarily seniorcitizens and persons withdisabilities. There are norestrictions on the purpose ornumber of trips which may betaken by riders, except thatriders are required to sharetheir vehicle with otherstraveling in the same directionand at the same time.

Older PersonsTransportationTransportation for medicalappointments, groceryshopping, senior centeractivities and other needsthroughout AlleghenyCounty is available to adults

60 years of age and olderwho live in AlleghenyCounty. SeniorLine412.350.5460

Are you a non profit SeniorCenter serving the needs of our communities OlderAdults?We would be happy to postyour contact [email protected] with yourcenter’s name and phonenumber.

Senior Agencies


Should I Have My Veins Evaluated?Q & A WITH A VEIN SPECIALIST

You don’t have to live with painfulvaricose and spider veins.

When people at my son’s school, at parties or even at sportingevents find out that I specialize in venous disease I oftenfind myself being flooded with a variety of questions. There

is a recurring theme to these questions so I thought it might be helpfulto answer a few.

Do I have to have bulging veins like I see in picturesto get my legs evaluated?

No, since most veins lie deep to the skin surface, vein disorders arenot always visible to the naked eye. A physical examination teamedwith a diagnostic ultrasound should be used to determine thecondition of the veins. The ultrasound examination gives us a real timeand detailed view of the patients’ varicose vein system. Patients areoften surprised to see how extensive and complicated their varicoseveins are.

What are some symptoms of venous disease?Not everyone has visible symptoms of venous disease; for some

patients, their only indicator is the aching they have in their leg or legs.For other patients, in time, their varicose veins can become enlargedand in some cases quite prominent. They can be seen in someindividuals as ropey or raised lumps in the thighs, legs, calves andankles. Other symptoms of venous disease include pain, aching,fatigue, heaviness, cramping, throbbing, itching, burning and swelling.Symptoms of venous disease may worsen with standing or walking forprolonged periods.

Many patients state that after shopping at the mall or Costco theirlegs are “killing them.” Severe venous disease can compromise thenutrition of the skin and lead to eczema, inflammation or evenulceration.

Who suffers from venous disease?I often hear that patients think that the pain, aching and swelling of

their legs is just a part of “getting older” because they remember theirmother or father having the same complaints. Although age is not adetermining factor, heredity is the number one contributing factor invenous disease, followed by gender, with women being more likelyto suffer from venous diseases than men.

Who should I talkto about mycomplaints?

I will often use theanalogy “when your car ismaking a funny noise youwould take it to yourmechanic, not your hairdresser.” As with any medicalcondition you should haveyour complaints evaluated by aphysician. I advise patients tosee a physician who specializesin venous disease, known as aphlebologist. Phlebology isrecognized by the American MedicalAssociation and is the field of medicine that focuses on veins.

A board certified phlebologist should determine if you havevenous disease, determine severity if disease is present and develop atreatment plan. As with many medical conditions there is a spectrumof disease as well as treatment options. Therefore, it is important toseek the help of a specialist who is well rounded in their knowledge ofthe entire field of phlebology as opposed to just one treatment option.

What are the health implications of venous disease?Implications widely vary, based on the patient and the extent of

disease. Varicose veins can cause a range of unsightly nuisances tomedical problems including leg and foot ulcers, spontaneous bleeding,superficial thrombophlebitis (clots in the veins causing painfulinflammation) and even deep vein thrombosis which is potentiallylife-threatening.

Does insurance cover the treatments?An evaluation of venous complaints is covered by insurance. If at

the time of evaluation, Dr. Krysinski determines treatment to bemedically necessary, then our office will begin the authorizationprocess for you with your insurance provider.

This Industry Insight was written by Theresa Schneider.

Terrance R. Krysinski, MDGeneral SurgeonBoard Certified PhlebologistVein Institute of Pittsburgh724.934.VEIN (8346)

16000 Perry Highway, Suite 2, Warrendale • 6507 Robinson Center Dr., Pittsburgh

724-934-VEIN (8346)


F A L L 2 0 1 0

When you meet T-Bone, hewill offer you a Beagle smileand shyly, by surely, try toclimb into your lap. Thisgentle fellow is brimmingwith affection and simplyneeds someone to give it to. A couple months ago, T-

Bone probably felt like theluckiest, most beloved dog in theworld. But then, sadly, his owner passedaway. T-Bone came to Animal Friends, 10years old and hoping to find a secondchance and a fresh start. T-Bone is calm, lovable, and simply

wants to share your company. He iscurious and friendly around other dogs and

enjoys peaceful rides in the car.He is crate trained and alwayspolite. But most of all, T-Boneis lovable. He adores peopleand constantly wants tocuddle. While it’s obviousthat he loves all women,

we’ve noticed that he isparticularly drawn to men.

Perhaps they remind him of his Dad,who he misses so much. If you are lookingfor a companion who’s more interested incuddling and relaxing than playing, T-Bonecould be the one for you. T-Bone is currently in foster care. If you

can help a loving and deserving dog, callAnimal Friends at 412.847.7002.

Back to School JokesQ: What's the worst thing you're likely tofind in the school cafeteria?A: The food!

Q: Why did nose not want to go to school?A: He was tired of getting picked on!

Q: How do you get straight A's?A: By using a ruler!

Q: What did the pen say tothe pencil?A: "So, what's yourpoint?"

Q: What did you learn inschool today?A: "Not enough, I have to goback tomorrow!"

Adopt a Pet: T-Bone


on th

e go...


you and your mom ordad have decided you're matureenough to take care of yourselfafter school. Every weekday,you'll come home, let yourselfin, and then what? Goodquestion! This is why you'll needto set up some rules - beforeyou're home alone.

Some families put up alist of rules whereeveryone can see them,like on the refrigeratordoor. Other familieswrite out a contract andhave each member sign it,saying they agree to therules. Or a family might just

go over the rules out loud. Butwhatever method you use, there area lot of questions to talk about, like:

Bac

k to

Sch

ool!

Find each of these words in this puzzle.

G R O U N DR

LES

Should you call mom or dad as soon as you gethome?

Are you allowed towatch TV, DVDs, videos,or play computergames? If so, whichones and for how long?

Should homework bedone first, even beforechores?

Can friends come over?If so, how many?

What can you eat if youwant a snack?

Can you go outside, andif so, where?

Which appliances can beused? (microwave,computer, etc.)

Which chores need to bedone and by when?

Should your parent callhome just beforeleaving work each day?For example, would ithelp to have a heads-upin time to finish any last-minute chores beforethey arrive?

Rules for Being Home Alone


Do you know someone who isdoing something good for the

community? Maybe it's your Mom — does she

volunteer with a charitableorganization? Has your child

volunteered their timesomewhere? We want to know

about it and honor theircommitment!

Email [email protected] with your story.

(We love photos!)

Do you know someone who is serving in the

armed forces from theRoss area?

We would like to honor theircommitment by featuringthem in IN Ross Township

Magazine.

Please forward your name, the soldier’sname and where they are serving, along

with a photo [email protected].

Help us recognize these fine men and women!

Gently Worn Winter Coats Needed for Low-Income Families

From September 14 through October 28, North Hills Community Outreach isaccepting donations of new and gently worn winter coats to be distributed to low-income families in need. NHCO does not have facilities or funds to wash the coats,

so only CLEAN coats can be accepted. Donations may be dropped off weekdays at 1975 Ferguson Road in Allison Park. NHCO will also be open on Saturday, September11, from 9 a.m. - noon to accept donations. For more information, contact Jennifer Lynnat 412.487.6316, option 1, x3143.

B U S I N E S S D I R E C T O R Y


38-year-old mom comes to the office juggling three active kids, a home and a busy office job. She has elected to have a tubal

ligation but is concerned about the recovery period,which can last for a few days.

Sterilization has gotten a lot easier for women thanks to a new approach.Now with minimal sedation, and localanesthetic, a micro-insert is threaded into the fallopiantube.The micro-insert delivers a Dacron thread that causes an infiltration of fibroblasts, which occludes the fallopian tubes.This inflammatory reaction completelyseals the inside of the fallopian tube within 12 weeks. The busy mom goes home with no pain and no painmedication that could sedate her or delay her return tonormal activities. More importantly, she has avoided ageneral anesthesia and an intra-abdominal surgery with all the risks.

At PremierWomen’s Health, we have been using thistechnique with great patient satisfaction and excellent results. Our patients love the rapid return to normal activity. Effectiveness is quoted as equal to that of the standard laparoscopic technique.

Technological advances also have vastly improved the surgical treatment of menorrhagia or heavy menstrualbleeding. It used to be that hysterectomy for women with the usual six-week recovery period was the only option when medical therapy failed. Endometrial ablation has revolutionized the initial surgical treatment of menorrhagia.At PremierWomen’s Health, we havebeen using endometrial ablation for years with markedsuccess to eliminate the need for hysterectomy in many of our patients.

With an endometrial ablation, we destroy the endometriallining with heated saline solution or sugar solution.Theprocedure can be performed in the office and avoids the long recovery period needed for hysterectomy.Thisoutpatient procedure has most of our patients returning towork or normal activities the very next day! Typical resultsfrom patients show a 90 percent patient satisfaction rate.More importantly, these patients have been able to avoid amajor surgery.

Do you have questions about this information or need toschedule an appointment?We will be happy to help you!Please call our Adams Township office at 724.778.9966.

PremierWomen’s Health has two other locations to serveyou. In addition to Adams Township, we are convenientlylocated in Sewickley (412.741.6530) and Moon Township(412.264.2450).We are able to accommodate a woman’sbusy schedule with early morning and late afternoonappointments at any of our offices.

In practice for more than 25 years, Frank DiCenzo, DO is board-certified, a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and a member of the Allegheny County Medical Society, the Pennsylvania Medical Society, the American Osteopathic Association, and the Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association.

Innovative Solutions to Common Gynecological Problems

by Frank DiCenzo, DO

At Premier Women’s Health, we are committed to offering our

patients the most advanced technologyavailable and the care that they need to return to health and normal activities more

quickly and easily.

A

603 East McMurray RoadMcMurray I PA I 15317724.942.0940www.incommunitymagazines.com

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