www.bethelpark.netwww.bpsd.org

PageMUNICIPAL NEWSMemorial Day Program ..........................................................4EMS Golf Outing ......................................................................5BPVFC Needs Your Support....................................................9Summer Safety Tips ..............................................................10Take a Life-Saving Course ....................................................11National Police Week ..............................................................12Sign Posting in Bethel Park ....................................................13

SCHOOL NEWSTwo BPHS Teachers Named 2014 PA Teacher of the Year Semifinalists ......................................41NAMS Battle of the Books Celebrates 15 Years ..................45Professional Artist Helps Franklin Fourth Graders Make Animated Films ........................................................46Meet the Memorial Spelling Bee Winners............................47Elementary Gifted Expo ........................................................48IMS Latin Students Stage Original Play ..............................49BPHS Freshman To Compete In World Robotics Championships ........................................50First Class Inducted Into Bethel Park Alumni Hall of Fame ..........................................................53

Vol. 14, No. 4 - May 6, 2013

THE OFFICIAL BETHEL PARK MUNICIPAL & SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWSLETTER

Inside This Issue . . .

Fun SummerRecreation Camps!

See pg. 21Look Inside for Summer Fun in Bethel Park!

Summer Library ProgramsFor The Whole Family!

See pg. 7

RECREATION & LEISURE SERVICESPROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES begin on ................................17Youth Swim Lessons ......................................................20Summer League Swim Team..........................................20Kid’s Theater Camp........................................................21Beginning Golf ................................................................23Youth Volleyball ..............................................................23Fall SOCCER ..................................................................27Silk Painting Workshop ..................................................30Hooping ..........................................................................31Men’s Only Fitness..........................................................31

NEW! NEW! NEW!Let’s Sing ........................................................................22Golf Mini Camp ..............................................................21Volleyball Mini Camp ....................................................21Multi-sport Camp ..........................................................21Advanced Fencing (twice a week!) ......................................22Shabby Chic Art ..............................................................22

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VISIT US ONLINE@ www.bpsd.org

School District Contact InformationBoard of School Directors

Connie Ruhl835-7845

Russ Spicuzza835-9270

Ronald Sustich831-1809

David Amaditz835-1701

CindyBuckley835-6037

Tim Campbell418-9197

Donna CookPresident 833-6191

JimMeans301-1065

Dick RoseVice President 835-9166

Two Bethel Park HighSchool Teachers

Named SemifinalistsFor The 2014 PA

Teacher Of The Year

Two BethelPark High Schoolteachers havebeen namedSemi-Finalists forthe 2014P e n n s y l v a n i aTeacher of theYear.

They areEnglish TeacherNicola Hipkins and Science Teacher ClydeQualk. They are among a group of 33Pennsylvania teachers who have been namedSemi-Finalists.

This is the second consecutive year Mr.Qualk has been named a Semi-Finalist and thefirst year for Mrs. Hipkins.

They are the fifth and sixth Bethel Parkteachers to advance to the Semi-Finalist levelsince 2008. They join Bethel Park High SchoolEnglish Teacher Christopher Jack, a 2012Finalist; William Penn Elementary Fourth GradeTeacher Kathryn Kasten, a 2011 Semi-Finalist;Bethel Park High School English TeacherCharles Youngs, a 2009 Finalist, and retiredPenn Kindergarten Teacher Cindy Buckley, a2008 Semi-Finalist.

Bethel Park Cafeterias Earn

62 Diamond AwardsFrom ACHD

The Allegheny County Health Department recentlycompleted its second round of unannouncedinspections of Bethel Park School District cafeterias andawarded a total of 62 Diamonds to all eight schoolcafeterias.

Neil Armstrong Middle School received 11Diamonds; Independence Middle School, nine;Bethel Park High School and William PennElementary School, eight each; George Washingtonand Benjamin Franklin Elementary Schools, seveneach; and Abraham Lincoln and MemorialElementary Schools, six each.

Diamonds are the highest awards given by theAllegheny County Health Department and are awardedto facilities that demonstrate exceptional sanitation andfood handling practices.

Last fall, ACHD awarded a total of 56 Diamonds toall eight BPSD school cafeterias. These latest awardsbring the District’s total to 118 Diamonds for the 2012-2013 school year.

Metz Culinary Management provides food serviceto the Bethel Park School District. Joe Consolmagno isthe District’s Food Service Director.

We’re on the Web!Check us out at www.bpsd.org!

The Bethel Park School District web sitefeatures updated information about schooldistrict happenings and recognitions. Our

individual school pages feature more localizedinformation as well as lots of photos of student

happenings.

The Latest News pages generally feature morephotos about the stories you will read in this

publication, so we encourage you to visit!

Visit our site often for the latest in Bethel ParkSchool District news.

Nicola Hipkins

Clyde Qualk

INFORMATION............................................................................833-5000Information Line ........................................................................854-8407(Call to hear important district news and school delay/cancellationinformation)

Central Administration301 Church Road, Bethel Park 15102Nancy Aloi Rose, Superintendent ................................854-8402Matthew Howard, Assistant to the Superintendent......854-8425Leonard Corazzi, Dir. of Finance and Operations........854-8425Joseph Rozman, Director of Human Resources ........854-8404Janet O’Rourke, Director of Secondary Education ......854-8420Dr. Dorothy Stark, Director of Elementary Education..854-8618Lori Sutton, Director of Special Services......................854-8410Christy Hunsberger,

Assistant Director of Special Education......................854-8410Ronald Reyer, Director of Technology Services ..........854-8418Scott Ziehler, Transportation Director ..........................854-8414Brandon Womer, Director of Facilities and Services ..854-8615Dan Elder, Assoc. Director of Facilities & Services ......854-8604Joe Consolmagno, Director of Food Services ............854-8754Vicki Flotta, Director of Public Relations ......................854-8438Amy Scheuneman, Athletic Director ............................854-8548Bethel Park High School 309 Church Road, Bethel Park 15102Dr. Zeb Jansante, Principal ..........................................854-8581Sheryl Graff, Assistant Principal....................................854-8581Jay Johnson, Assistant Principal ..................................854-8581Brian Lenosky,

Principal/Director of Cyber/Alt. Learning Options ......854-8584Guidance Office................................................................854-8597Health Office ....................................................................854-8550Attendance Office ............................................................854-8572Media Center....................................................................854-8560Records Office..................................................................854-8595Student Activities..............................................................854-8514Athletic Office ..................................................................854-8548Independence 7-8 Middle School2807 Bethel Church Road, Bethel Park 15102David Muench, Principal ..............................................854-8677George Spalaris, Assistant Principal............................854-8678Neil Armstrong 5-6 Middle School5800 Murray Avenue, Bethel Park 15102Michael Brookie, Principal ............................................854-8751Robert Garvey, Assistant Principal ................................854-8756Abraham Lincoln Elementary1524 Hamilton Road, Pittsburgh 15234Dr. Dorothy Stark,

Director of Elementary Education/Principal ..............854-8618Benjamin Franklin Elementary5400 Florida Avenue, Bethel Park 15102Dr. Shirley Dickinson, Principal ....................................854-8741Bethel Memorial Elementary3301 South Park Road, Bethel Park 15102Eric Chalus, Principal ....................................................854-8506George Washington Elementary515 Clifton Road, Bethel Park 15102Fred Pearson, Principal..................................................854-8546William Penn Elementary110 Woodlet Lane, Bethel Park 15102Nicole Morris, Principal ..................................................854-8522

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ADMINISTRATION

May 6, 2013

A Message From…DONNA COOKSchool Board President

Contrary to what you might think, the end ofthe school year is far more hectic than the beginning.It is at this time of year that budgets are beingprepared, and we start to take a hard look at the2013-2014 school year and what will need to bedone over the summer to get Bethel Park ready for

another school year.One of the things that will occur this summer is renovation to Neil Armstrong

Middle School, focusing on HVAC and electrical upgrades. This is a $6 millionproject that will be paid for with money that was left over from the bond money theDistrict borrowed to pay for the construction of the new high school. Thanks to theclose eye our administration and board kept during construction of the new BethelPark High School, we were able to bring the High School project in under budgetand have money available to perform this much-needed upgrade at NeilArmstrong without going out for another bond issue.

Throughout the school year, the administration and board continue to alsoclosely monitor the current year’s budget to make sure that not only areexpenditures necessary but that they also provide value to and enhance oureducational programs.

While we continue to view contract negotiations with our bargaining units asa priority, we still must continue to do what is necessary to keep the districtoperating and moving forward. This includes spending money for purchases suchas technology upgrades, textbooks and equipment, which we budgeted for whenwe adopted the 2012-2013 budget last spring.

It is the Board’s intention to adopt the Operating Budget for the 2013-2014school year at our May 28 Regular Meeting. In preparation for this adoption, we

have been working on this budget since the beginning of the year.Because the recent county reassessments take effect this year, the District

must readjust its millage rate downward to reflect the increase in property values.According to current laws, the millage adjustment must be revenue neutral from2012 to 2013. The administration is currently working on this revenue neutralcalculation. Given the current number of assessment appeals and additionalappeals from the April 1 deadline, the administration does not have an accuratefinal assessment number for the District to calculate what the revenue neutralmillage may be.

The Preliminary Budget we passed in February shows that our expendituresexceed our revenues by more than $1.8 million. The largest increase is in an areathe District has little control over—a 41.5% increase in employee retirement costs,which, coincidentally is $1.8 million. One mill raises approximately $1.8 million.

Act 1 limits how much school districts can raise taxes. For 2013-2014 Act 1limits Bethel Park to a millage increase of .46 mills, or a maximum .77 millageincrease if the District includes the $694,185 we applied for in state exceptions forretirement costs.

The budgeting process is a fluid one, as some numbers are only working“guesstimates,” because final numbers for costs such as health care and howmuch money the District will receive from the federal and state governments havenot been finalized. The Board has great confidence in the members of our FinanceDepartment, who work to provide us with accurate and up-to-date numbersthroughout the budgeting process.

These are but a few examples of the things that are going on in the District tonot only keep the District running but also moving forward as we plan for anotherschool year which will “officially” begin on July 1, 2013.

So the next time someone suggests that the school district is “winding down”as we approach the end of the school year, you will know that’s the farthest thingfrom the truth.

On another note, the Board looks forward to awarding diplomas to the BethelPark High School Class of 2013 on Saturday, June 16 and we extend our bestwishes to all of our seniors as they begin a new chapter in their lives.

A Message From…NANCY ALOI ROSESuperintendent

21st CenturyInstructionRequires 21stCentury Tools

At our SchoolBoard meetings,community membersoccasionally ask whywe are investing in somuch technology for

the District. The answer is that 21st Century learnersrequire 21st Century skills. In order to provide thoseskills, we need 21st Century tools. Those toolsinclude “TECHNOLOGY!”

Our current students are digital natives. Theworld fits in their pockets and can be accessed in aninstant. They have grown up in a world of videogames, virtual realities, microwaves, laptops, cellphones, iPods, Xboxes, and tablet devices. They areaccustomed to gaining access to complexinformation with the click of a few keys, and morerecently by verbalizing a request to their new friend,Siri. Many can text faster with their two thumbs on a

two-inch screen than the average secretary can typewith ten fingers on a full keyboard.

Let’s face it--the world has changed. Informationchanges at the speed of light. Textbooks areoutdated before the ink dries on a publication.

In order to be effective, schools must meet thestudents where they live. An antiquated approach toteaching and learning is not only unappealing to ourstudents, it is often ineffectual. Recent researchdemonstrates that our brains are being re-wired bythe influence of technology. We process informationfaster and demand more stimulation in order to stayengaged. It’s why we are driven to multi-task(perusing Facebook and Twitter while eatingbreakfast, or playing Words with Friends whilewatching a movie, to name two).

I am not saying this is all good. Rather, it’s justa fact of the times in which we live. Schools mustcontinue to incorporate technology in order to betterprepare students for the world in which they live. Butwe must also balance that by providing them withinstructional opportunities that will help them to liveas responsible, collaborative workers and citizens. Anational organization that promotes readiness forevery student, The Partnership for 21st CenturySkills, supports the three R’s of core curriculum, plusthe four C’s: critical thinking, creativity,communication and collaboration.

Responsible educators are incorporatingtechnology into their instruction and student learning.This will help meet the expectations of all sides of

this equation.In the early days of technology in schools,

teachers used computers to prepare their ownworksheets and PowerPoint demonstrations, toshow an online video, to create drill and practiceactivities, or to research a piece of information. Wheninteractive whiteboards were first introduced, weused them like fancy chalkboards.

We’ve evolved light years from that limited placein time. Today teachers are shifting their practice asthe proverbial Sage on the Stage to the role of Guideon the Side. In this role, the teacher becomes thelearning catalyst, guiding the introduction of ideas,questions, and inquiries that lead students toopportunities for exploration, research, discovery,analysis, creativity and design. The new standardsfor teacher evaluation from the PA Department ofEducation require teachers to engage students atthis rigorous level to be considered DistinguishedEducators.

Distinguished Level 4: Virtually all students areintellectually engaged in challenging contentthrough well-designed learning tasks andactivities that require complex thinking by

students.Charlotte Danielson: The Framework for

Teaching Evaluation Instrument

Continued on page 41

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Some examples of how we are transforming teachingand learning in Bethel Park schools:

• Interactive whiteboards provide opportunities forstudents to manipulate words, numbers, and datacharts on a screen, providing visual, auditory, andkinesthetic ways to manipulate conceptual ideas.

• Children create digital stories, where they write thetext, narrate their stories, and illustrate their work,which can be shared with their peers and parents.

• Non-verbal children are using iPad apps tocommunicate their needs, giving them a “voice” for thefirst time. iPads and other assistive technology deviceshave allowed for truly individualized instruction forchildren.

• Students are using Webquest to create deeperunderstanding.

• Teachers are able to differentiate lessons at variouslevels to meet the needs of differently-able students,allowing each child to reach their highest potential.

• Students are utilizing Google Docs and Wikis aslearning platforms where ideas are discussed, work isshared, and peer reviews are conducted, allowing forcollaboration and creation beyond a 41 minute classperiod.

• Flipped Classrooms allow teachers to disseminatevideos, demonstrations, and lectures to be viewed ashomework, freeing the teacher to provide meaningfulinstructional support during class time (this also allowsstudents opportunities to review the material as oftenas necessary to absorb it).

• Teachers gain real time data from response devicesthat let them know whether the students understand aconcept immediately or if it needs to be re-taught.

• Students explore talk to text tools to record theirdialogues in order to analyze their pronunciation,grammar, and fluency, creating products to enhanceunderstanding for others.

• Students are virtually manipulating phenotypes andDNA to predict traits.

• Students are creating videos, as well as “print”electronic newsletters to share what they’ve learned.

• Students create commercials and public serviceannouncements to keep students informed.

• Document cameras allow students to share theirpoems, essays, and drawings with the class, providingthem with visuals as they explain their work.

• Learners are using electronic translators anddictionaries.These are but a few of the numerous examples of how

technology is enhancing our educational delivery andstudent learning in the Bethel Park School District.

As we invest significant dollars in various technologies,we are at the same time investing in the futures of each andevery one of our students. As our competency withtechnology advances, we hope that it will eventually savethe district the cost of replacing textbooks, workbooks andworksheets and make for a more ecologically soundpractice, as well.

Technology provides the authentic tools that fulfill ourmission statement for students by “…maintaining anenvironment that challenges all students to reach theirpotential as lifelong learners and responsible members ofsociety.” It is our hope that each of our graduates will leaveus ready to face the world and whatever it may present tothem.

Superintendent” cont. from page 40

Seven Bethel Park School District schools received Keystone Achievement Awardsfrom the Pennsylvania Department of Education in recognition of making AdequateYearly Progress (AYP) on the PSSA Exams for two consecutive years.

The awards presented were for the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 school years.PSSAs were administered to all students in grades 3-8 and 11 in Reading and Math.To make AYP in 2011-2012, schools had to have at least 81 percent of its studentsscoring in the Advanced orProficient range on theReading Test and 78percent on the Math Test.

The awards werepresented to the Principalsat the February 26 SchoolBoard Meeting by SchoolBoard President DonnaCook and SuperintendentNancy Aloi-Rose.

Seven Schools Earn Keystone Achievement Awards

Accepting the KeystoneAchievement Awards onbehalf of their staff andstudents were (front row,left to right): FranklinPrincipal Dr. ShirleyDickinson, MemorialPrincipal Eric Chalus, Lincoln Principal Dr. Dee Stark and Washington Principal Fred Pearson;(back row, left to right): Independence Middle School Principal David Muench; Neil ArmstrongMiddle School Assistant Principal Rob Garvey and Principal Michael Brookie and PennPrincipal Nicole Morris.

Bethel Park Athletic Director Amy Scheuneman has beenselected as “President-Elect” of the WPIAL Athletic DirectorsAssociation for the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 school years.

After that, she will assume the role of President of theAssociation for the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 school years.As President-Elect, Mrs. Scheuneman will serve as the Athletic

Directors’ Representative on the WPIAL Board of Control. She is the first female to servein this capacity.

She has been Bethel Park’s Athletic Director since 2006.

Athletic Director Named ToWPIAL Board Of Control

Get on the E-Newsletter Mailing ListIt’s never too late to put your email address on the Bethel Park School District’s E-Mail

Newsletter mailing list!If you would like to receive periodic updates of Bethel Park school district news, events and

recognitions, then the E-Newsletter is for you!All Bethel Park parents who included an email address on their child’s emergency contact

form that was distributed at the beginning of the school year are now receiving this publicationvia Alert Now.

If you are a Bethel Park parent who is not receiving the E-Newsletter via Alert Now, pleasecontact the building secretaries in your children’s schools and ask them to add your emailaddress to your children’s primary contact information so you can also receive school-specificemails. Please note, the student data base is set up to only accept one email address per childat this time.

If you are not a Bethel Park parent or if you have additional email addresses you would liketo have added to the E-Newsletter mailing list, please send an email message to Vicki Flottaat flotta.vicki@bpsd.org and we’ll add your email address ASAP.

Thank you for your interest in the Bethel Park E-Newsletter.

Amy Scheuneman

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BOARD PRESENTATIONSPSBA Honor RollAt its January 22 Regular meeting, Superintendent Nancy Aloi Rosepresented an Honor Roll Certificate from the Pennsylvania School BoardsAssociation to Director Connie Ruhl in recognition of her 16 years of serviceon the Bethel Park School Board. PSBA honors long-term school directorsfor their volunteer service to local communities by recognizing those whohave served on school board for eight or more years. Mrs. Ruhl has servedBethel Park in several capacities, including Board President and VicePresident. She currently represents Bethel Park on the boards of theAllegheny Intermediate Unit, the South Hills Area School Districts Association(SHASDA) and the Steel Center Area Vocational Technical School.

Service To Education AwardAt its February 26 Regular Meeting, the Bethel Park Board of SchoolDirectors presented a Service to Education Award to Idessa Hricisak, theDistrict’s recently retired Director of Special Education, to thank her for her10 years of service to the school district. Mrs. Hricisak joined Bethel Park in2002 and retired in January 2013.

Thank You, Soccer Boosters!At its February 26 meeting, the Bethel Park Board of School Directorsaccepted a $2,687 donation from the Bethel Park Soccer Boosters to helpdefray the cost of installing lights at the new athletic complex at the HighSchool. The Board presented a Certificate of Appreciation to the Boostersfor their generous donation.

Thank You, PTO/PTA GroupsIn celebration of February being National PTA Month, the Bethel Park Boardof School Directors invited the Presidents of the schools’ PTO, PTA andPTSO organizations to attend its February 26 meeting to receive Certificatesof Appreciation for all of the things these groups do to support our schoolsand students, including hosting the annual holiday parties, paying for fieldtrips, and purchasing playground equipment and classroom technology, toname a few.

We are the Champions!At its March 26 Meeting, the Bethel Park Board of School Directors presentedCertificates of Recognition to the players and coaches of the Bethel ParkHigh School Girls Basketball Team, in recognition of the team winning the2013 WPIAL Championship, the first in school history.

Connie Ruhl (left) andNancy Aloi Rose (right)

Bethel Park Soccer BoosterPresident Mary Gallagher(left) and Board PresidentDonna Cook (right).

Memorial PTA President HeatherBrown (left) and School BoardPresident Donna Cook (right)

Idessa Hricisak (left) and SchoolBoard President Donna Cook(right)

The BPHS Girls Basketball Team andHead Coach Jonna Burke

FOLLOW THE BETHEL PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER

You can stay up-to-date with the Bethel Park School District by following us onFacebook and Twitter!

We’re on Facebook as “Bethel Park School District” and on Twitter as “bpsdinfo.”If you follow us on Facebook and Twitter, you will get updated information faster than

just by receiving the E-Mail Newsletter.So follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay in the know with BPSD happenings!

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NEILThirteen Neil ArmstrongMusicians Selected ForElementary District Band

Thirteen Neil Armstrong Middle School sixth grademusicians were selected to perform in the PennsylvaniaMusic Educators Association’s Elementary District BandFest West, which was held at Bethel Park High School inMay.

Representing Bethel Park in this event were ElizaAlbenze (trombone),Liam Brusoski (trumpet), Ben Davin(baritone saxophone), Zoe Delitto (clarinet), Leslie Folino(flute), Sarah Fulton (flute), Regan Gray (clarinet),Anthony Lucchitti (percussion), Katelyn Marcovecchio(clarinet), Emma Petrick (oboe), Connor Remington(tuba), Sarah Thompson (trumpet) and Alexa Will(clarinet).

They were part of a group of 132 elementary schoolmusicians from schools in Western Pennsylvania, whoperformed in this event.

These students are taught by Neil Armstrong MiddleSchool Instrumental Music Teachers Eric Lauver andRachel Skilone.

Coffee Sales Help A HonduranStudent To Graduate

For the past six years the Neil Armstrong Middle SchoolStudent Council students have been selling Honduran Coffee toprovide scholarship money to help a Honduran student continuehis education, and this year they reached a milestone with theirefforts.

In Honduras, the government only provides free education tochildren in rural areas through sixth grade. If the students want tocontinue with their education, their parents must pay tuition. In apoor country like Honduras, continued education is not possible formany of these children.

NAMS Introduction to World Language Teacher MariaLeonard is a native of Honduras and for years she purchased ElMerendon Honduran Coffee to support the coffee growers' co-opthat was formed through a Roman Catholic Church in Honduras.

Mrs. Leonard's mother once sent her 40 bags of the coffee,and Mrs. Leonard brought them to school to share with the staff atNAMS. The coffee caught the interest of Fifth Grade Teacher andStudent Council Adviser Kristen Rylander, who thought selling thecoffee would be a great way to raise funds for Student Council andalso provide the students with an international community serviceproject to benefit students in Honduras. Ms. Rylander and Mrs.Leonard envisioned using the proceeds from the coffee sales toprovide tuition for Honduran students to continue their education.Each year, tuition is approximately $400 for a student to attendschool beyond sixth grade.

Six years ago the Student Council students decided tosponsor a young man named Jose Daniel, and they recentlyreceived a letter from him, thanking them for their support andtelling them that he will graduate from school in December thanksto their continued support over the years. Each year Mrs. Rylandertells the Student Council students about life in Honduras and whatthe scholarships will do to help Honduran children improve theirlives.

The students sell a 12 ounce bag of the organically grownHonduran coffee for $10, with the proceeds divided betweenStudent Council and the scholarship. Since 2006 over 400 bags ofthe high quality coffee has been purchased to support thescholarship program.

Selling the coffee is serious business for the NAMS students.Carly Aprea said selling the coffee is important because, "I thinkabout how I would feel if I had to stop my education; stop learningabout what I'm interested in."

To provide more scholarships for Honduran children, Mrs.Leonard and Ms. Rylander established the Coffee ArabicaFoundation for Education (CAFE) in 2012 to help Honduranstudents continue their education. The 501(c)(3) non-profitorganization currently provides seven scholarships to Honduranstudents in grades 7 through 12. Also on the CAFE Board is BethelPark High School Marketing Teacher Emily Smoller. Throughoutthe years, Mrs. Smoller's marketing students have also taken aninterest in the program and have helped to market the coffee.

The mission of CAFE is to prevent youth delinquency andviolence in Honduras through education and employment training.Mrs. Leonard's dream is to one day be able to offer a scholarshipto all Honduran students who want to be able to continue theireducation and to take a delegation of Bethel Park students toHonduras to see the students and the schools which arebenefiting from the coffee sales.

Battle Of The BooksCelebrates 15 Years

In 2013

Neil Armstrong Middle School held its 15thannual Battle of the Books in February.

This year 19 teams participated and had toread four books selected by Librarian DebbieWalko to prepare for the competition.

Serving as the Moderator for this year’s Battlewas Bethel Park Librarian Elaine Volpe, who readthe questions to the teams. Serving as Judgeswere Washington Librarian Rebecca Gray, NAMSAssistant Principal Robert Garvey and NAMSLibrarian Debbie Walko.

The competition was fierce but the SmartCookies (Annette Barnhart, Randi Johns, SarahLong, Madelyn Marzina, KaitlynVonEhrenkrook and Lily Wilson) came out ontop. The team also came in First Place in the PosterContest and Third Place in the Costume Contest.

Finishing in Second Place were the membersof Hello, My Name is Bob (Eliza Albenze, JamesBerthoud, Alex Brownfield, Emily Cowser, WillMartin-Farmer and Katelyn Marcovecchio).

The Reader Games (Krista Hammerle,Carly Mamone, Carly Mannarino, Haili Nassanand Rainy Swogger) finished in Third Place.

Earning Fourth Place were the GoldenGreeks (Zachary Cashman, ConnorHedderman, Tyler Kvak, Bryan Sharp and JaxStewart).

The Fifth Place Team was All Aboard forReading (Grace Bair, Riley Evans, SarahGilliam, Kaitlyn Jurick and Becca Schnupp).

Thanks to everyone who participated and toMrs. Walko for doing a great job coordinating thismuch-anticipated NAMS yearly tradition.

The Smart Cookies were the winners of this year’sNAMS Battle of the Books. They are (left to right): LilyWilson, Annette Barnhart, Randi Johns, Sarah Long,Kaitlyn VonErhrenkrook and Madelyn Marzina.

Team Ranger StudentsHave A Dream

Students on Team Ranger studied Dr. Martin LutherKing's "I Have A Dream" speech to commemorate Dr. King'sbirthday in January and celebrate Black History Month inFebruary. The result of theirstudies was the creation of a"We Have A Dream" hallway!

The fifth grade studentscreated the wall using fourcomponents. First, they studiedthe meaning of many of thespeech's vocabulary words,including "proclamation,""discontent," "invigorating," and"unalienable" and posted thewords' definitions on theirDream Wall.

Then they shared theirfavorite passage from thespeech and learned how topunctuate that and use correct attribution when copying.One of the students' favorite passages was "Free at last!Free at last! Thank God Almighty we are free at last!"

The students also had an opportunity to share theirpersonal dreams and post them on the Wall. Josh Fabusshared this one, "My dream when I grow up is to be in theUnited States Air Force. I want to be in the Air Forcebecause a lot of my family members were in the military andI always wanted to serve my country and be a hero."

Finally, the students created word collages of thespeech using wordle.net. Each collage had a different lookto it, but the words that were used most in the speech werehighlighted in each collage.

Josh Fabus stands infront of his team’sDream Wall.

(Front row, leftto right): BenDavin, AlexaWill, EmmaPetrick,KatelynMarcovecchio,Sarah Fulton,Eliza Albenzeand ConnorRemington;(back row, leftto right): Sarah Thompson, Liam Brusoski, Regan Gray,Leslie Folino, Anthony Lucchitti and Zoe Delitto.

(Left to right): Kelly Shelpman, Kaylee Coblentz, Carly Aprea andWill Coplan are some of the NAMS Student Council studentswho are excited about selling Honduran coffee to help keepHonduran students in school.

MISSION:

To lead an educational partnership withthe Community, maintaining anenvironment that challenges allstudents to reach their potential aslifelong learners and responsiblemembers of society.

FRANKLINFourth Graders CelebrateMardi Gras By Making

MasksF r a n k l i n

fourth gradestudents had agreat timecreating colorfulpaper machemasks tocelebrate MardiGras!

It was agreat way forstudents to learnabout the originsand traditions ofMardi Gras, andthen use theircreativity to puttheir own spin onthis annualtradition.

T h estudents aretaught by ArtTeacher KristinRitchie.

(Left to right): Megan Malecki andHannah Ulakovic proudly model theirMardi Gras masks.

Professional ArtistTeaches Students HowTo Make Animated

FilmsFourth Graders in Amy Luzader's room

learned how to use their math and science skillsto make short animated films, with the help ofprofessional artist Paul Kruse, who visited theclassroom every Thursday morning for five weeks.

Mr. Kruse taught the students how to makeanimated films, using digital cameras. Each weekthe students built on what they learned the previousweek, and little did they know, but they used theirEnglish/storytelling skills, math skills and scienceskills in practical and fun applications.

During one of their lessons, the students had totell a story about something that happened to them,and then trim that story down to three words, muchlike an editor would work on a story. They thenworked in pairs and used popsicle stick figures ofthemselves to create digital three second videos.

Once their videos were created, they weregiven a writing assignment to draw a picture of anobject in their classroom they hadn't noticed beforeand write a story about it in preparation for makinga longer animated video that would visually depicttheir story.

Students were asked by Mr. Kruse touse one word to describe how they felt about theassignment, and the most popular words used bythe students were "fun" and "awesome.”

Mr. Kruse came to Franklin thanks to ArtTeacher Kristen Ritchie, who worked with anorganization called Gateway to the Arts and its Artsto the Core Program, which puts teaching artistsinto classrooms to engage students in practical artprograms that incorporate other elements of theircurriculum.

Fourth Graders Have FunWith March Math Madness

March Madness isn’t just for college basketball fans!Fourth graders in Dana Polis' room had a great timeimproving their math skills by playing March Math Madnessgames!

The students dressed in their St. Patrick's Day greenand hoped for a little Luck of the Irish as they played somegames, such as the Queens and Kings of Estimation, andparticipated in other fun activities to strengthen their mathskills as they discovered how much fun math can be!

These were games where everyone was a winner,because they used their math skills!

(Left to right): Bradley Raeder, Jackson Miller andAbigail Phillips were all smiles after workingtogether to create a digitally animated film.

Mrs. Polis enjoyed working with her students on someMarch Math Madness!

Second Graders PresentWhy They Should BePrincipal For A Day

Second graders in Jill Schall's room gave somecompelling presentations why they should be Memorial'sPrincipal for a Day.

The students began thinking about what they would do ifthey were Memorial's Principal for a Day by writing journalentries describing how they would change their school.

They used those entries as a basis to create five-slidePowerpoint presentations, which included an "About Me" slide,to let the audience know a little bit about them, as well as slidesthat described what they would do if they were electedMemorial Principal for a Day.

Suggestions included: having all of December off, nothaving homework, installing a swimming pool and hot tub onthe playground, being able to bring your dog to school andinstalling trampoline material in the hallway so students couldbounce from class to class.

The students did their presentations before theirclassmates and family members. At the end of thepresentations, everybody had an opportunity to cast their votefor who they thought would be the best Principal for a Day.

It was a close vote, but Carley O'Mara earned the chanceto work with Memorial Principal Mr. Chalus as Principal for aDay. She received a Principal for a Day t-shirt to wear for herspecial day.

After the presentations, the students also had theopportunity to interview their parents and family members tofind out what they would do to improve Memorial.

Congratulations, Carley, and thank you to all of Mrs.Schall's students for their terrific suggestions for how to makeMemorial an even better school than it already is!

Carley O’Maratells MemorialPrincipal EricChalus aboutsome ofsuggestions shewould enactwhen sheserves asPrincipal for aDay.

MEMORIAL

First Grader Wins PenguinsTickets From Food ServiceMemorial First Grader Benjamin Buehl won three

tickets to the Monday, March 4 Pittsburgh Penguins Gameagainst the TampaBay Lightning,thanks to a District-wide drawing heldby Metz CulinaryManagement, theDistrict's FoodService provider.

Benjamin wasexcited to attend hisfirst Pens game tosee his favoritePenguin, SidneyCrosby, in person.Benjamin broughtthe Penguins luck,as the Pens defeated the Lightning by a score of 4-3.

The tickets were donated by Food Service Director JoeConsolmagno.

Benjamin Buehl (center) is congratulatedby Food Service Director Joe Consolmagno(left) and Principal Eric Chalus (right).

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Isabella Macartie uses a popsicle stick "Mini-Me"as a character in her video.

Meet The MemorialSpelling Bee Winners

Every spring Memorial hosts Spelling Bees for itsthird and fourth grade students.

This year more than 45 students participated in thePreliminary Rounds, which were held during recess.

The top three spellers from each of the third andfourth grade classrooms advanced to the Finals, whichwere held on April 27.

The competition was lively, especially at the fourthgrade level, where the students went through 18 roundsto get a winner!

Jack Kirchner won the Third Grade Bee, followedby Anastasia Antonucci in Second Place and AnnaCounihan in Third Place.

In the Fourth Grade Bee, Ashleigh Sepeskyfinished in First Place. Calvin Murphy was Second andSid Khajanchi was Third.

Congratulations to all of the spellers!

Here are the top three Third Grade spellers (left toright): Anna Counihan, Anastasia Antonucci andJack Kirschner.

Happy 100th Day OfSchool!

Penn students looked forward to Monday, February11, 2013, because it was the 100th Day of School forthe 2012-2013 school year!

The Penn Fourth Grade Band played music to greetthe students as they walked through the giant orangeand black "100” in the school looby.

The 100th student to pass through the 100 receiveda $15 Subway gift card. Congratulations to secondgrader Isabella Testa, who was this year's lucky 100thstudent!

The students started the day in the Multi-PurposeRoom to celebrate the fact they are 100 days smarter!To celebrate, 10 Penn staff members jumped rope 10times each, as the students counted the 100 jumps.Then they sang the "One Zero Zero" song tocommemorate the 100th day of school!

Congratulations to second grader Isabella Testa,who won a Subway gift card as the 100th studentto enter Penn on the 100th Day of School!

The top Fourth Grade spellers (Left to right):Calvin Murphy, Ashleigh Sepesky and SidKhanjanchi.

PENNThird Graders Have FunCreating 2-D Scenes

Third graders in Kim Serafini's room had a goodtime creating 2-D scenes on their classroom floor, usingonly 2-D figures/polygons.

The students were split into two groups, with onegroup creating a party scene and the other group creatinga beach scene. The project enabled them to creativelybrainstorm and work collaboratively.

Once the scenes were created, the students hadsome fun lying on the floor to create some of the shapesthey used in their 2-D scenes.

Ms. Serafini’s students enjoyed laying on the floor to formsome of the shapes they created in their 2-D scenes.

Students Meet NED InCharacter Assembly

Students at William Penn enjoyed participating ina character-building assembly.

The central character in the program was NED, anacronym for Never give up; Encourage others; Do yourbest.

Each month William Penn students learn about anew character trait and students who are “caught”exhibiting that trait receive a paper star with their nameon it, that they can add to the “Star Character” bulletinboard in the school’s main hallway.

William Penn students enjoyed meeting “NED” at acharacter-building assembly.

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Fourth Graders AddOriginal Music ToDramatic Reading

The Fourth Grade Band Students at Lincolnparticipated in an annual music department tradition—providing musical accompaniment while Music TeacherAaron Booz read the story, “The BrementownMusicians,” to the school’s third grade students.

Much like "Peter and the Wolf," where instrumentsplay the parts of characters in the story, the Lincolnfourth graders used their musical instruments to playthe parts in the story, such as donkey, hound dog, cat,rooster and robbers!

Once they were assigned their part in the story, thestudents wrote original music for their characters. AsMr. Booz read the story to the third graders, the bandstudents chimed in with their original musical sounds,designed to enhance the plot of the story, which toldhow a group of animals worked together to protect theirhouse from a band of robbers.

Vincent Clementsdressed as aBuckingham PalaceGuard to give hispresentation aboutEngland.

Playing the part of the Town Musicians are (left to right):Violetta Bernardi and Andrew Fullerton.

LINCOLNStudents Go Around TheWorld At This Year’s

Elementary Gifted ExpoBethel Park Elementary Gifted Students did a

great job of taking participants “Around the World” atthis year's Elementary Gifted Expo!

This year's Expo featured 49 of the District'selementary gifted students, who came together for agreat evening at the Bethel Park Community Center.

“Around the World” was this year’s Expo themeand students were asked to research a country of theirchoice and put together a tri-fold presentation boardabout their country. They also prepared an oralpresentation, dressed as someone from their countryand brought a sampling of food from their country.

Attendees at the Expo had a great time learningabout the different cultures and traditions, as well asenjoying some delicious food! Some of the countriesrepresented at this year’s Expo included Nigeria, Chile,Vietnam, Philippines, Nicaragua, Portugal and theCzech Republic.

The evening was coordinated by Bethel ParkElementary Gifted Coordinator Michelle McClellan.

Use of Student Photos orComments

The Bethel Park School Districtprovides opportunities for positive mediapublicity by arranging for reporters and/orphotographers to interview and/orphotograph/videotape studentsthroughout the school year for use in localpublications, newspapers or television.

If you prefer that your child not beinterviewed or photographed for publicitypurposes, pleasenotify your child’sbuilding principal inwriting. This requestneeds to be updatedannually.

Danielle Reiland WinsDistrict-Wide Rotary

Third Grade Spelling Bee

Each year the Rotary Club of Bethel Parkgenerously provides a copy of Webster’s Dictionary toevery Bethel Park third grade student, and this year theRotary decided they wanted to do more.

As a natural extension to the dictionaries, theRotarians worked with Bethel Park Director ofElementary Education Dr. Dee Stark to sponsor thefirst-ever district-wide Third Grade Spelling Bee, whichwas held in January in the Independence MiddleSchool auditorium.

This year, 66 third graders participated in the Bee,by studying 11 lists of spelling words in preparation forthe competition.

It took five rounds of spelling to get down to 22Finalists, and another seven rounds to get down to thefinal two spellers—Lincoln Third Grader DanielleReiland and Franklin Third Grader ZacharySimmons.

The final two spellers went back and forth for morethan 10 words before Danielle won the Bee by correctlyspelling “coyote.”

As this year's winner, she was presented with a$150 Toys R Us Gift Card by the Rotary Club of BethelPark.

For finishing in Second Place Zachary received a$100 Toys R Us Gift Card.

Franklin Third Grader David Jakel finished inThird Place and received a $50 Toys R Us Gift Card.

All students received a ribbon for participating.Congratulations, to all of the participants, and

thank you Rotary Club of Bethel Park, for sponsoringthis great event! We look forward to this becoming anannual Bethel Park tradition!

(Back row, left to right): Dr. Dorothy Stark and RotarianBonnie Pierce congratulate this year’s Spelling Bee topspellers (front row, left to right): David Jakel, ZacharySimmons and Danielle Reiland. Danielle was the winner ofthe first ever Bethel Park Rotary Third Grade Spelling Bee.

Don't forget toreserve a room atthe CommunityCenter soon

for your upcominggraduation party.

We have rooms to accommodate smallor large groups.Call 412-851-2910.

JamesonMyers is theleprechaunat the end ofthe rainbowfor hispresentationon Ireland.

Katharine Tenais a prettyflamenco dancerfor herpresentationabout Spain.

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Fourth Graders Dress UpFor 100th Day Of School

The 100th Day of School for the 2012-2013 schoolyear was celebrated on Monday, February 11, 2013.

Washington Fourth Graders put a different spin onthe day by coming to school dressed either as how theythink they will look when they're 100 years old or what theythink students will dress like in 100 years.

It was a fun to celebrate the 100th Day of School thisway!

(Left to right): Kelli Fedkoe and NinaZonghetti came to school dressed as theythink they will look when they are 100 yearsold. They haven’t aged a bit!

WASHINGTON

‘W.E. Run’ AtWashington!

Over 200 Washington students trained for thePittsburgh Marathon's Kids' Marathon on May 5 byparticipating in the W.E. (Washington Elementary) RunClub.

Beginning in February, the students proudly woretheir “WE Run Club” t-shirts to school everyWednesday as they used their recess time to train forthe Marathon. On days when the weather was on thecool side, the students worked out in the gym, not onlyrunning, but also doing some stretching and abexercises as well as doing some other fun activitiessuch as jumping rope and hula hoop.

The students loved training for the big racebecause they know the importance of staying fit.

Their slogan on the back of their t-shirts says it all:"W.E. Run 'cause it's FUN!"

This group of Washington students understand the valueof training together for the Pittsburgh Kid’s Marathonand having fun together.

Washington CelebratesDr. Seuss' Birthday

Washington Fourth Graders enjoyed celebratingDr. Seuss' Birthday on Read Across America Day bycoming to school dressed as Dr. Seuss characters!

The day was extra special when members of theIndependence Middle School Student Council came toWashington to serve as guest readers for theWashington students.

Read on!

IMSLatin Students Produce

Original Play

When seventh grade Latin I students Mrs.Aristegui’s room completed a unit on the history ofRoman theater, they took what they learned and usedit to stage a performance of “The Myth,” an originalplay that chronicled the battle between the gods andthe titans.

Characters in the play included Kronos, the titanwho rose from the dead to defeat the gods Jupiter,Mercury and Pluto. The Latin script was written by thestudents, who also created the scenery, costumes andlive music that accompanied the show.

The students said they like Latin for manyreasons. Some students like learning about the Latinculture and mythology; others are interested inbecoming doctors and veterinarians; while others wantto be able to program robots using Latin. The studentsalso see the benefits of improving their language artsskills and doing well on the SAT by learning Latin.

IMS seventh grade Latin 1 students did a great job ofstaging “The Myth.”

Having a great time on Read Across America Day were (leftto right): Megan Winzek, Alana Spochacz, Meredith Reeseand Taylor Tekulve.

IMS Students Win AtRegional PJASCompetition

Two Independence Middle School studentsearned awards at the Pennsylvania Junior Academyof Science Regional Competition.

Eighth grader James Fleckenstein earned a FirstPlace Award for his project, “Battle of the Genders,”and will compete at the State PJAS, which will be heldin May on the Penn State University campus.

Eighth grader Sherman Brizzi also earned aSecond Place Award for “Can Water Float on Water?”

Over 800 students from 80 area schoolscompeted in this event. The students were preparedby Middle School Science Teacher Michel Conklin.

(Left to right): Sherman Brizzi and James Fleckenstein.

Maria Jay ReceivesPresident’s Volunteer

Service AwardIndependence Middle School eighth grader Maria

Jay was awarded the President’s Volunteer ServiceAward from the Prudential Spirit of CommunityAwards.

The awards are given in recognition of students’commitment to strengthening the nation and making adifference through volunteer service.

Maria is active with her church’s youth group,having participated in several mission trips, andworking with the younger children in her church. Sheis also a member of Bring a Smile to the Service, agroup of Bethel Park students who meet regularly to

write letters and sendcare packages toUnited States servicemen and women whoare stationedoverseas.

For her efforts,Maria received acertificate and a letterof congratulations fromPresident BarackObama.

Maria Jay

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IMS Students Do Well AtScience Olympiad

A team of Independence Middle School studentsfinished in Sixth Place at the Science Olympiad held atCalifornia University of Pennsylvania by earning twoThird Place and two Fourth Place Awards.

IMS students competed against teams from 28schools in a variety of activities designed to teststudents’ knowledge of science.

Earning Third Place were Bethel Park High Schoolfreshman Emily Augustine and seventh grader MattNestler in Disease Detective; and seventh gradersEvan Aronhalt and Matt Nestler in Reach for theStars.

Earning Fourth Place awards were eighth gradersKyle Coplan and Tarush Bahl in Metric Mastery; andseventh graders Kathryn Kimes and Casey Mack inWrite It, Do It.

The students were prepared by IndependenceMiddle School Science Teacher Michel Conklin.

These Independence Middle School students placed at theScience Bowl (front row, left to right): Tarush Bahl, EvanAronhalt and Matt Nestler; (back row, left to right): KyleCoplan, Casey Mack and Kathryn Kimes.

BPHS

Freshman To Compete InWorld RoboticsChampionship

Bethel Park High School freshman GraceBrueggman will compete in the annual FIRST RoboticsWorld Championships in St. Louis, MO April 25-27.

Grace is a member of the all-girls FIRST RoboticsTeam 3504, better known as “Girls of Steel,” sponsoredby Carnegie Mellon University, which received the“Engineering Inspiration Award” at the FIRST RoboticsPittsburgh Regional Competition at the Petersen EventsCenter. The Girls of Steel were one of 45 teams competingat this event and will be one of five regional teams at theWorld Championships.

For the Regional Competition, the girls were askedto design and build a ruggedautonomous and tele-operated robot in six weeksthat could effectivelycooperate and compete withother robots to play ultimateFrisbee and climb a pyramidstructure.

FIRST (www.usfirst.org) is aworld-wide phenomenonfounded by Dean Kamen, theinventor of the Segway, for theinspiration and recognition ofscience and technology.

Grace Brueggman with“Eve,” the robot.

Personal Finance ClassWelcomes Guest Speakers

Students in Mrs. Broderick’s Personal Finance classwelcomed guest speakers to provide them with some first-hand, real-life finance advice.

David Hricisak, CMFC, a Financial Consultant withFirst National Investment Services Company, talked to thestudents about the importance of saving and investingmoney.

His interactive presentation engaged the students inlearning basic investment strategies for beginning

investors andp o r t f o l i obasics suchas stocks,b o n d s ,mutual fundsand CDs.

Thes t u d e n t sa c t i v e l yparticipated ina questionand answersession at theend of thepresentation.

Also visitingthe classwere YvonneKnes t r i ckand JohnLiersemannfrom Fifth

Third Bank, who visited on behalf of the area’s DaveRamsey Financial Literacy Program.

Mrs. Broderick’s class is partnering with Mr.Ramsey’s “Foundations in Personal Finance” FinancialPeace School Curriculum for High School Students.

The partnership is free to the school district andprovides students with free textbooks, as well ascoordinating CDs, covering topics such as Savings andInvesting, Credit and Debt, Financial Responsibilityand Money Management.

In April the students completed Mr. Ramsey’sFinancial Literacy Test for an opportunity to competefor a $5,000 scholarship.

(Left to right): Personal Finance studentsRyan Smith, Ryan Dodson, Ryan Sosnakand Kenny Gilmore with David Hricisak(center).

Fifth Third Bank’s Yvonne Knestrick (third from left)with Personal Finance students (left to right): CoreyRoach, Michael Vogel, Haley Bowen, Emily Raeder,Olivia Schanck, John Stone, Nate Robbins, Liz Neal andTanner Lowe.

Bethel Park Students Win At Regional PJAS Competition

Five Bethel Park High School students earnedFirst Place awards at the Pennsylvania Junior Academyof Science Regional Competition.

Bringing home First Place awards were juniorsJarrod Cingel for his project, “Interface andProgramming of a High-Precision Robotic Laser,” MollyGraham for “Effects of Implicit Egotism on Choice;” andfreshmen Emily Augustine for “How Organic is‘Organic?’”, Jack Brownfield for “Circular Wheel vs.Reuleaux Triangle” and Christian Smetana for “HowQuick Is a Computer?”

These students are now qualified to compete at theState Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science, whichwill be held in May on the Penn State UniversityCampus.

Earning Second Place Awards were freshmenWilliam dePoutiloff for “Is Age a Factor in the StroopEffect Test?” and Sean McClaine for “Do WhiteningToothpastes Work?”

Sophomore Kristen Kohler earned a Third PlaceAward for “The Effect of Light on Bread Mold.”

Over 800 students from 80 area schools competedin this event. The students were prepared for this eventby High School Science Teacher Barbara Eisel.

(Left to right): Jarrod Cingel, Emily Augustine, MollyGraham and Jack Brownfield. Absent: Christian Smetana.

Black Hawk TV Is NowOn Verizon And

ComcastBlack Hawk TV, the BPHS

student-produced televisionchannel, is now available onVerizon Fios Channel 28 andComcast Channel 19!

Currently, Black Hawk TVbroadcasts the school'smorning announcements live at7:25 AM and re-runs them dailyat 12:30, 4, 5 and 6 PM. In between theannouncements, information that is pertinent to BPHSstudents will air.

As the station grows, so will its programming, toinclude sporting events and more.

The station is on Twitter @BPBlackhawkTV and onFacebook as "blackhawktv."

The students are excited about this new venture!Stay tuned as Black Hawk TV gets bigger and better!

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Students Sew GroceryBags For Food Bank

BPHS students in Karen Potts' Sewing Classesconstructed canvas shopping bags that they donated tothe Food Bank at the South Hills Interfaith Ministries(SHIM).

The students enjoyed participating in this communityservice project to help make shopping easier and to keepthe planet a little bit greener.

Making the bags were (front row, left to right): KaileeTopka, Carly Brooks, Karley Nagy, Sam Gloeckl andAbby Rauch (back row, left to right): Amelia Lipkind,Tom Welman, Meg Kovalchick, Lauren Hardinger, LilyGanchuk and Nikki Desantis.

Bethel Park High SchoolEarns National Student

Council AwardThe Bethel Park High School Student

Government Association has been awarded a 2013National Gold Council of Excellence Award by theNational Association of Student Councils (NASC) forits exemplary record of leadership, service andactivities that serve to improve the school andcommunity.

Nearly 180 high school student councils werenamed National Councils of Excellence. Of those,Bethel Park High School is one of only 163 highschool student councils nation-wide to receive thehighly-esteemed honor of being named a NationalGold Council of Excellence.

To meet the requirements for the NASC NationalCouncils of Excellence Award, a student council mustdemonstrate that it meets a variety of criteria. Toattain the Gold Level, councils must meet a greaternumber of the criterion. In addition to the basicrequirements, such as having a written constitution,regular meetings, a democratic election process andmembership in NASC, schools that qualify for theGold award must demonstrate things such asleadership training for council members, teacher/staffappreciation activities, student recognition programs,school and community service projects, spiritactivities, goal setting, financial planning and activeparticipation in their state and national student councilassociations.

Sarah Fullerton is the BPHS SGA President andBethel Park High School Social Studies TeacherMichael Galietta is the group’s sponsor.

Steel Center NewsTop of the Shop

Three Bethel Park High School students were named“Top of the Shop” by the Steel Center Area Vocational-Technical School for outstanding work during the firstsemester of the 2012-2013 school year.

Receiving the award were senior Justin Fedorowski,a student in the Carpentry program; junior Matthew Millick(Building Trades) and sophomore Jonathan Hammerle(Retail Food Merchandising and Production).

Students are selected based on conduct, attendance,course work proficiency and professionalism.

Extra Effort AwardsTwo Bethel

Park HighSchool seniorswere presentedwith the ExtraEffort Awardfrom the SteelCenter AreaV o c a t i o n a lT e c h n i c a lSchool forexcellent workin the secondquarter of the2 0 1 2 - 2 0 1 3school year.

E a r n i n gthe awards were Shawyahna Bell, a student in theCosmetology Program, and Brendan Herron, a student inthe Medium/Heavy Truck Technology Program.

The awards are given to those students who havedemonstrated outstanding attendance, theory work, shopwork, work ethic and attitude.Skills USA Competition

Three Bethel Park High School students earned oneFirst Place, one Second Place and one Third Place Awardat the SkillsUSA District Competition, which was held inJanuary at the McKeesport Technology Center.

Earning First Place in the Electrical Construction Wiringevent was junior Michelle Braga, a student in the ElectricalConstruction Program at Steel Center. She qualified tocompete at the State SkillsUSA Competition.

Junior Zac Ulakovic earned Second Place in theCriminal Justice event. He is a student in the ProtectiveServices Program.

Also placing at Districts was senior Justin Fedorowskiin the Carpentry event. He is a student in Steel Center’sCarpentry Program.

Brendan Herron (left) and ShawyahnaBell (right).

(Left to right):MatthewMillick, JustinFedorowskiand JonathanHammerle.

(Left to right): Zac Ulakovic, Michelle Bragaand Justin Fedorowski

Bethel Park StudentsPlace At ScienceOlympiad

Several Bethel Park High School students placedat the Science Olympiad held at California Universityof Pennsylvania.

Bethel Park students competed against teamsfrom 28 schools in a variety of activities designed totest students’ knowledge of science.

Bethel Park students earned Third Place in sixevents: juniors Christian Hokaj and Logan Tuite inthe Chemistry Lab event; juniors Victoria Jakicic andKaterina Kimes in the Write It, Do It and MaterialsScience events; senior Shannon Fagan and juniorsJarrod Cingel and Brandon Hanson in ExperimentalDesign; juniors Haley Smith and Hayley Lazzari inDynamic Planet; and freshman Emily Augustine andIndependence Middle School seventh grader MattNestler in Disease Detective.

Two BPHS students—freshmen EmilyAugustine and Sean McClaine— also earned FourthPlace in the Anatomy event.

The students were prepared for this competitionby Bethel Park High School Science TeacherBarbaraEisel.

These Bethel Park High School students placed at theScience Bowl (first row, left to right): Sean McClaine,Emily Augustine, Victoria Jakicic, Logan Tuite andHayley Lazzari; (back row, left to right): Haley Smith,Katerina Kimes, Brandon Hanson, Jarrod Cingel andShannon Fagan. Absent: Christian Hokaj.

Look for the nextissue of theBethel ParkChronicles

mailed the week ofAugust 12, 2013!

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Bethel Park High SchoolStudents Excel At DECA

State Conference

Nine Bethel Park High School students qualified tocompete in the DECA International CareerDevelopment Conference, which was held in Anaheim,CA in April, based on their outstanding performances atthe DECA State Career Development Conference inHershey, PA.

To qualify for the International Conference,students had to finish in the top three in their respectiveevents at States. Earning First Place were senior GrantUnderwood in the Automotive Services Marketingevent and junior Amanda Stofesky in the Sports andEntertainment Promotion Plan event.

Senior David Black earned Second Place in theBuying and Merchandising Operations Researchevent, as did sophomore Tara Nath in the Hospitalityand Tourism Professional Selling event.

Also qualifying for Internationals by finishing inThird Place at States were seniors A.J. Baroffio andHaley Prough in the Learn and Earn Project event;senior Jessa Hogue in the Hospitality and TourismProfessional Selling event, senior Tim Render in theEntrepreneurship Innovation Plan event and freshmanSean McClaine in the Principles of BusinessManagement and Administration event.

Also earning awards at States were freshmanCassie Brown, Fourth Place in the Job Interviewevent; seniors Kelly Gastgeb and Megan Hahey, FifthPlace in the Fashion Merchandising Promotion Planevent; junior Mike Gronsky, Fifth Place in the Logisticsevent; and senior Hayley Dowd, Sixth Place in theAdvertising Campaign event.

Junior Amanda Stofesky was elected to serve onthe 2013-2014 PA DECA Executive Council and seniorDavid Black earned the $500 PA DECA Scholarship.

Ten students earned Medallions for scoring amongthe top three in their respective events, for either theTest, Role Play A or Role Play B. Earning Medallionswere seniors Hayley Dowd, Jessa Hogue and GrantUnderwood; juniors Mike Gronsky, Ana Kopriva andAmanda Stofesky; sophomores Emily Kukan andTara Nath and freshmen Jake Lowe and SeanMcClaine.

The students were prepared for this competition byBethel Park High School Marketing Teachers EmilySmoller and Andrew Tsangaris.

Winning awards at the DECA State Conference werethese Bethel Park High School students (front row, left toright): Gracie Moody (current DECA State Officer), MegHahey, Kelly Gastgeb and A.J. Baroffio; (middle row, leftto right): Tim Render, Grant Underwood, AmandaStofesky, Tara Nath, Jessa Hogue, Cassie Brown andHaley Prough; and (back row, left to right): David Black,Sean McClaine and Hayley Dowd. Absent: Mike Gronsky.

Bethel Park TeamFinishes In Second PlaceAt The Science Bowl

A team of five Bethel Park High School juniorsfinished in Second Place in their division at the RegionalScience Bowl Competition, held at the CCAC SouthCampus in February.

Representing Bethel Park in this competition wereJarrod Cingel (Captain), Brandon Hanson, ChristianHokaj, Hayley Lazzari and Logan Tuite.

The competition was sponsored by the Departmentof Energy.

T h es t u d e n t sw e r eprepared forthis eventby BethelPark HighS c h o o lS c i e n c eTe a c h e r sB a r b a r aEisel andJ a c k i eJeffers. These students represented Bethel Park

High School in this year’s Regional ScienceBowl Competition (left to right): JarrodCingel, Logan Tuite, Brandon Hanson,Hayley Lazzari and Christian Hokaj.

Bethel Park High SchoolStudents Win Awards AtFCCLA Conference

Eleven Bethel Park High School students earned medalsat the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America(FCCLA) Pennsylvania State Leadership Conference, held inHershey, PA, with four students qualifying to compete at theFCCLA National Conference, to be held in Nashville, TN.

Qualifying for Nationals based on their results at the Statelevel are: junior Jorjanna Smith, who earned a First Place GoldMedal in the Focus On Children event; freshman Sara Amato,who earned a First Place Gold Medal in the Recycle Redesignevent; freshman Abigail Beattie, who earned a Third PlaceBronze Medal in the Nutrition and Wellness event andfreshman Faye Greiner, who earned a Third Place BronzeMedal in the Teach and Train event.

Seniors Kelsey Bauer, Kristina Hartman and juniorElizabeth Hartman worked together to earn a First Place GoldMedal in the Life Event Planning event.

Seniors Mary Blackmore, Briana Brookins andfreshman Bri Spellman worked together to earn a SecondPlace Silver Medal in the Illustrated Talk event.

Freshman MaKayla Koller earned a Third Place BronzeMedal in the Nutrition and Wellness event.

The students were prepared for this competition by BethelPark High School Family and Consumer Science Teacher JillSimpson.

(Front row, left to right): Faye Greiner, AbigailBeattie, Sara Amato, Kelsey Bauer and MaryBlackmore; (back row, left to right): MaKayla Koller,Brianna Brookins, Elizabeth Hartman, JorjannaSmith and Kristina Hartman. Absent: Bri Spellman.

BPHS German NewsNational German Exams

Several Bethel Park High School German studentsearned Silver and Bronze Awards for their performanceon the 2013 National German Exams, sponsored by theA m e r i c a nAssociation ofTeachers ofGerman.

Junior LoganTuite and seniorsMatt Mackowiak,Amanda Ruscheland Ryan Dodsonreceived SilverAwards for scoringin the 80thpercentile or highernationally on theLevel 4 Exam.Logan finished 10thout of the 106W e s t e r nPennsylvania highschool students who took the exam. Matt, Amanda andRyan finished 11th, 13th and 17th respectively.

In addition, six students earned Bronze Awards forfinishing in the 70th percentile or higher on the Level 4Exam. They are seniors Ryan Lee and KimberlynCurtis, and juniors Erika Miller, Erin McMahon, KaileighPoe and Hayley Lazzari.

Four students earned Bronze awards for the Level 3Exam. They are senior Skyler Yarroll and sophomoresSteven Davis, Joseph Beaver and Brenden Kail.

More than half of all Bethel Park German studentswho took the Exams received some form ofcommendation from the AATG for their performance.German Day Competition

Bethel Park High School Honors and AP Germanstudents had their most successful year ever at theAmerican Association of Teachers of German ThreeRivers German Day Competition at Washington andJefferson College, bringing back four First Place, fiveSecond Place and six Third Place Awards.

Competing against teams from 12 area high schools,Bethel Park High School students earned 15 of thecompetition’s 33 possible awards.

For the fourth straight year and the eighth time in thelast 11 years, the BPHS team swept the top three placesin the Culture Bowl competition, with junior HayleyLazzari finishing in First Place, followed by junior ErinMcMahon in Second Place and junior Logan Tuite inThird Place. This is also the 11th consecutive year aBethel Park High School student won this event.

In the Poetry Writing category, Becca Najdzinskiearned First Place; junior Jamie Cavrak, Second andfreshman Natalie Lalama, Third.

In the Fiction Writing category, freshman JackBrownfield finished First and freshman Joseph Waskoplaced Third.

In the Nonfiction Writing category, junior Erika Millerwon First and freshman Devin Stewart was Second.

In the Drawing category, senior Matt Mackowiakearned Second Place and senior Kimberlyn Curtisfinished Third.

In the Folkloric Arts and Crafts/Construction Modelscategory, sophomore Grace McCurry took Second Placeand junior Eiren Burkhart was Third.

Junior Ben Muscato earned Third Place in theP o e t r yR e c i t a t i o ncategory.

T h estudents aretaught byBethel ParkHigh SchoolG e r m a nT e a c h e rChristopherTobias.

These Bethel Park High Schoolstudents earned Silver Awards fortheir outstanding scores on theLevel 4 National German Exam(left to right): Matt Mackowiak,Logan Tuite, Amanda Ruschel andRyan Dodson.

(Left to right): Bethel Park High SchoolGerman students Becca Najdzinski,Hayley Lazzari, Erika Miller and JackBrownfield earned First Place Awards atthe AATG German Day competition.

• Admiral Thomas H. Replogle, Class of 1947,served the United States Navy as Commander,Tactical Wings Atlantic. In 1968 he initiated theNavy’s “Top Gun” Program.• Thomas R. Watjen, Class of 1972, started his

own business, Unum, now aFortune 250 company that hasearned numerous distinctions,including Newsweek’s “BestPlaces to Work” and “GreenestCompanies in America.”• Dr. Roger Zelt, Class of 1972,is a well-known Pittsburghophthalmologist, specializing incataract and lens surgery,glaucoma eye care andtreatment for laser visioncorrection, who is committedto numerous communityservice endeavors.

The Bethel Park Great Alumni Hall of Famewas created to recognize and honor BPHS alumniwho have demonstrated outstandingaccomplishments either personally orprofessionally after graduating from Bethel ParkHigh School.

Nominations for the Class of 2014 are beingaccepted through October 31, 2013. Go tohttp://www.bpsd.org/Downloads/2014%20BP%20Great%20Alumni%20Hall%20of%20Fame%20Application.pdf to print off a nomination form.

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Pi Woman Visits BPHSBethel Park

High School MathTeacher ChristineRobb came toschool on Thursday,March 14, dressedas her alter-ego, “PiWoman,” incelebration of 3-14being Pi Day.

Pi Day iscelebrated aroundthe world on March14, because theGreek letter Pi is thesymbol used inmathematics torepresent aconstant—the ratioof the circumferenceof a circle to its diameter—which is approximately 3.14159. Pihas been calculated to over one trillion digits beyond its decimalpoint. As an irrational and transcendental number, it continuesindefinitely without repetition or pattern. While only a handful ofdigits are needed for typical calculations, Pi’s infinite naturemakes it a fun challenge to memorize and to computationallycalculate more and more digits. Ms. Robb has personallycalculated Pi to more than 10,000 digits.

Pi Woman and her students celebrated the day by makinga large paper chain to visually show how long Pi can becalculated, with each color in the chain representing a differentnumber, so the students could see that Pi has no set pattern.The chain was longer than a football field by the end of theschool day.

The students also had some fun decorating cookies withPi symbols, singing Pi songs and reciting a mock pledge to thePi flag.

Look out rational numbers! PiWoman is here to save the day!

The Bethel Park High School Great Alumni Hall of Fame inducted six individualsinto its first class in January.

Members of the Class of 2013 are:• LT Kenneth “Buzz” Beyda, Class of 2003, currently serves

the United States as a Naval Fighter Pilot in an FA-18 Super-Hornet aircraft and has flown severalmissions over Afghanistan.• William Brucker III, Class of 2000, hastaught several courses in Biochemistry atBrown University and has established theProvidence Alliance of Clinical Educators(PACE) to revolutionize the teaching ofscience in several hundred schoolsthroughout the country.• Dr. Grant Hammond, Class of 1962, isthe Deputy Director of the Air Force Centerfor Strategy and Technology (CSAT) and aProfessor of International Security at the AirWar College. Until 2010, he was the Deanand Deputy Commandant at NATO’sDefense College in Rome.• Barbara Bowman Pierce, Class of 1962,is the President of the National Federationof the Blind, and is a nationalspokeswoman for the visually impaired.She is the editor of the Braille Monitormagazine.

Region Orchestra• Joe Beaver (trumpet)Region Band• Joe Beaver (trumpet)• Lucas Beaver (bassoon)• Olivia Dowd (alto clarinet)• Alex Light (alto saxophone)• Mary Hannah Swaney (flute)

National Youth Orchestra• Senior Mark Debski has beenselected to play the oboe with the National Youth Orchestra of theUnited States of America (NYO-USA) in its inaugural season. Thegroup will play this summer at the Kennedy Center in Washington,D.C. before traveling to Europe to perform in Moscow, St.Petersburg and London.

Top 21 at Heinz Chapel• BPHS Top 21 Choir wasinvited by the Heinz Chapel

Choir to participate in the A Capella ChamberChoir Festival at Heinz Chapel in February. Thegroup performed four a capella pieces fromdifferent genres and time periods. Joining themin the festival were two high school choirs andthe Heinz Chapel Choir.

Joe Beaver (Front row, left to right): MaryHannah Swaney and OlivaDowd; (back row, left to right):Alex Light, Joe Beaver andLucas Beaver.

Mark Debski

Top 21 at the Heinz Chapel ACapella Chamber Choir Festival

Music News

First Class Inducted Into Bethel Park Alumni Hall Of Fame

LT Kenneth“Buzz” Beyda

Barbara BowmanPierce

Admiral Thomas H.Replogle

William Brucker III

Dr. GrantHammond

Thomas R. Watjen

Dr. Roger Zelt

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Girls Basketball• W P I A LChampions forthe first time inschool history.

• Qualified for theState Playoffs forthe third time inthe past fouryears.

• Megan Marecicwas named to theSection 4 All-StarTeam and theWPIAL AAAA All-Star Team.

Ice Hockey• Penguin Cup Semi-Finalists• Derek Lesnak, Austin Jameyson, Ryan Kusmira, Daniel Yost andChristian Siak were selected to play in the Class AAA All-Star Game,coached by BP Head Coach Jim McVay.

Boys Swimming• Finished in Third Place at the WPIAL Championships and in 12th Place at the

PIAA Championships.• Erik Brinkhoff—WPIAL Champion in the 50 meter freestyle for the third

consecutive year.• Zach Misak, Mitch Stahara, Dan Litwin and Erik Brinkhoff – WPIAL

Champions in the 200 meter freestyle relay.Wrestling• Paul Dunn is the Section Champion in the 138 pound weight class and NateGrygo is the Section Champion at 195. Both wrestlers qualified to competein the WPIAL Championships and were named Class AAA All-Stars by thePost-Gazette.

Girls Swimming/Diving• Finished in Seventh Place at the WPIAL Championships.• Ashley Sams finished in Second Place at the WPIAL Diving Championships

and in Sixth Place at the State Diving Championships.Boys Basketball• Qualified for the WPIAL Playoffs.Rifle• Jim Lofstead finished in Second Place at the Senior Shoot and Joe Heyl

finished in Third Place.Baseball• Logan Corrigan and DakotaForsyth were named Pre-SeasonAll-Atlantic Region High SchoolHonorable Mention Seniors byRawlings/Perfect Game.

• Dakota Forsyth received the ExtraEffort Award from KDKA-TV inrecognition of his athletic andacademic accomplishments.

Cheerleaders• The squad was one of the top

scoring teams at the WPIALChampionships and qualified tocompete in the first-ever StateCheerleading Championships.

Scholarships• Michael Brucker accepted a scholarship to play football at St. Francis

University.• Zackary Rusch accepted a scholarship to play lacrosse at Seton Hill

University.• Amanda Ruschel accepted a scholarship to run cross country and track at

Lehigh University.

The BPHS Girls Basketball Team lines up for the MedalCeremony at the WPIAL Championships.

Bethel Park Rotary Students• Kaitlyn Wagner, Audrey Donnelly andMaggie Donnelly were named theJanuary Rotary Students of the Month fortheir efforts to begin the Bethel ParkBuddy Program (BPBP) two years ago toorganize fun weekend activities for BPHSspecial needs students and recruit highschool students to serve as buddies for thespecial needs students.

• Nate Ashton was named the FebruaryRotary Student of the Month in recognitionof his efforts the past two years tocoordinate several school and community

service projects as Community Service Chairfor the BPHS Student GovernmentAssociation, and for his mission work with hischurch.

• Angelina Baroffio was named the MarchRotary Student of the Month for her work withthe Friendly Faces and PACS Pals Programsat the high school. Both programs encouragestudents to volunteer to work with the school’sspecialn e e d s

students, by visiting their classrooms andorganizing several in-school special activitiesthroughout the school year, such as aHomecoming Dance, St. Patrick’s Day Partyand Easter Party.

Student Repurposes Headboard Into Bench• Freshman Sara Amato competed in an event

for FCCLA called Recycle/Redesign, whereshe was asked to take something that wasgoing to be discarded and make it into

something usable. Sara took an oldheadboard for a bed and turned it into abench with the help of TechnologyEducation Teacher Bill Wells. Shesanded, primed and painted the benchand made a “shabby chic” bench cushionin her sewing class. The bench not onlyearned a Gold Medal at the FCCLA statecompetition, it also earned Sara a trip tothe national competition this summer.

Carson Scholar• Junior Ross Martinwas recognized as afive-time CarsonScholar at an AwardsBanquet held in Aprilat Heinz Field. The

Carson Scholars Fund recognizes and rewards students ingrades 4-11 who strive for academic excellence (3.75 GPA orhigher) and demonstrate a strong commitment to theircommunity.

Homecoming Queen Scholarship Finalist• 2012 BPHS Homecoming Queen LucySedor-Franzak is a Finalist for the State of Pennsylvania in theAmerica’s Homecoming Queen Scholarship Competition, whichrecognizes students on the basis of outstanding leadership,academic excellence and community service.

BPHS Student News Athletic UpdateYou can read about all of the highlights of the 2012-2013 school year at:

http://www.bpsd.org/Downloads/2012-2013AthleticHighlights49.pdf.

Dakota Forsyth (center) and KDKASports Anchor Bob Pompeani (left) andBPHS Baseball Coach Tony Fisher(right).

(Left to right): Audrey Donnelly, RotaryTreasurer Pat Funwela, Kaitlyn Wagnerand Maggie Donnelly.

(Left to right): Rotary PresidentRachel Thieroff and Nate Ashton.

Angelina Baroffio and RotaryTreasurer Pat Funwela.

(Left to right): BPHS Tech Ed Teacher BillWells and Sara Amato with her winningbench.

Ross Martin

Lucy Sedor-Franzak

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