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8
Notice of Nondiscrimination
The New Brighton Area School District will not dis‐
criminate in its educational programs, activities or
employment practices based on race, color, national
origin, sex, or any other legally protected classifica‐
tion. Announcement of this policy is in accordance
with state and federal laws, including Title IX of the
Education Amendments of 1972, and Section 503
and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Employees and participants who have an inquiry or
complaint of harassment or discrimination or who
need information about accommodations for handi‐
capped persons should contact the Director of Pupil
Services at 724.843.1795 extension 331.
Linda Emert
School Board Secretary
Rick Start, Esq.
Solicitor
Marjory Warnes, Ph. D.
Director of Pupil Services
Cynthia Fuselier, Ed. D.
Director of Curriculum
John Sepe
Business Manager
Robert Lee
Director of Technology
Edward Kasparek
High School Principal
Julian Underwood
Assistant High School Principal
Joseph Guarino, Ed.D
Middle School Principal
Jason Hall
Elementary School Principal
New Brighton Area School District
School Board of Directors
Harry Caminite, President
Kent McDermott, Vice‐President
Christeen Ceratti
Jay Funkhouser
Gary Rombold
Karen Sheffield
Melanie Smith
Mitch Yanyanin
Administration
David C. Pietro, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
The Communicator is a publication of the
New Brighton Area School District. Editor is
Johanna Guarino. Story ideas, questions or
comments should be directed to
Non‐Profit Organization
U.S. Postage Paid
New Brighton, PA 15066
Permit No. 79
LOCAL POSTAL CUSTOMER
NEW BRIGHTON, PA 15066
ATTENTION PARENTS
DON’T WAIT
VACCINATE NOW
Two doses of the varicella (chicken pox) vac‐cine are required for all students in all grades at the start of the 2010‐2011 school year. This requirement is not for the students who have had chicken pox.
In addition, children attending 7th grade in the 2010‐2011 school year are required to have had the following vaccinations:
1 dose of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap)(If 5 years has elapsed since last tetanus immunization)
1 dose of meningococcal conjugate vac cine (MCV)
Please contact your child’s primary care physi‐cian concerning the changes to the immuniza‐tion requirements. When your child receives the new vaccines, send an updated immuniza‐tion record to the health office.
Community Newsletter of
The New Brighton Area
School District
3225 43rd Street
New Brighton, PA 15066
TheThe
New Brighton Area School District Where LIONS take PRIDE in learning.
www.nbasd.org Winter 2010
CC OMMUNICATOROMMUNICATOR
What’s Inside...
● New Brighton Educa‐tional Foundation
● All Day Kindergarten Update
● 9th Grade Academy Update
● WHAT’S HAPPENING‐
Elementary School
Middle School
Spotlight on Student Excellence
Seventh grade students Cade Jenkins, Brandon
Wilson, Riley Smith, and Andy Ludwig recognized
for excellence in Greek Day projects.
T he great pride of the New Brighton Area School District
is without doubt the achievements
and excellence accomplished by
the students. This issue of The
Communicator is pleased to recog‐
nize middle school students Ashley
Rae, Cade Jenkins, Andy Ludwig,
Riley Smith, and Brandon Wilson.
Ashley Rae traveled to Russia in
November on a mission trip to an
orphanage. She, along with her
team of volunteers, prepared for
months to spend time at the or‐
phanage teaching English, putting
on puppet shows, hosting dinners
and dances, and even going bowl‐
ing with the residents. Ashley’s
mother and grandmother accompa‐
nied her on the trip.
Students in seventh grade study a
cross‐curricular unit on Ancient
Greece. The culmination of this
unit is a Greek Day Celebration in
the middle school. Recognizing
their excellence, seventh grade stu‐
dents Cade Jenkins, Andy Ludwig,
Riley Smith, and Brandon Wilson
were selected to present their
Greek Day projects at the statewide
Pennsylvania Association of School
Administrators/Pennsylvania
School Board’s Association confer‐
ence in the Educational Excellence
Hall.
These young men also assisted
their teachers in conducting a
workshop on the unit at the Beaver
County Countywide In‐service Day.
Although they had the day off, they
got up early to showcase their pro‐
jects.
These young people represent the
best of New Brighton students, and
we look forward to brining you
many more stories of success. Con‐
gratulations students, you make
your families, community, and
school proud.
Ashley Rae traveled to Russia to work in an or‐
phanage.
2
T he flu season is in full swing. Please take a minute to read the following information and guidelines in order to help protect you and your family. Remember, the flu comes on much more quickly than the common cold, has more severe symptoms, and typically lasts 3‐5 days. Symptoms of the H1N1 flu can include fever (100 de‐grees and above), severe cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, diarrhea, and/or vomiting.
Parent Corner Keeping You and Your Family Healthy
Flu Prevention Tips Wash your hands often with soap and water. Alcohol‐based
hand sanitizers are also effective.
Cover your nose or mouth with a tissue when you cough or
sneeze. Discard the tissue in the trash.
Cough or sneeze into your upper arm if you do not have a
tissue.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth and avoid touch‐
ing contaminated surfaces.
Avoid contact with people who are sick.
Stay in good general health by getting plenty of sleep, get‐
ting regular exercise, drinking plenty of fluids, and eating
nutritious foods.
Follow your health care provider’s advice regarding flu vac‐
cinations.
Stay home at least 24 hours after you are fever‐free
(without fever‐reducing medication). The virus can be
shared from one day before getting sick to 5‐7 days after
getting sick. Even though you may be feeling better, you
may still be contagious.
Call or take your child to a doctor if your child has Fast breathing or difficulty breathing
Bluish or gray skin color
Dehydration
Severe or persistent vomiting
Unusual difficulty waking up or not interacting
Being so irritable that your child does not want to be held
Flu‐like symptoms improve but then return with fever and
worse cough
Chronic health condition (like heart disease, asthma, diabetes,
immune compromised) and develops flu‐like symptoms.
Fever with a rash
FYI: How Germs Spread The main way that illnesses like colds and flu are spread is from
person to person in respiratory droplets of coughs and sneezes.
This occurs when droplets from the cough or sneeze of an in‐
fected person move through the air and are deposited on the
mouth or nose of people nearby. Sometimes germs also can be
spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another
person on a surface like a desk and then touches his or her own
eyes, mouth, or nose before washing their hands. We know that
some viruses and bacteria can live two hours or longer on sur‐
faces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. Encourage your
children to wash their hands often and model this behavior for
them!
Planning for the 2010 Census
T he Constitution of the United States requires a national census once every 10 years to count the population in order to determine the number of seats each state will have in the U. S. House of Representa‐tives. Federal funding for states and communities is also distributed and based in part on census data. The census is a count of everyone residing in the United States. All U.S. residents must be counted, both citizens and non‐citizens. You will receive your ques‐tionnaire in March 2010 either by U.S. Mail or hand delivery. For more information about the 2010 Census go to www.2010census.gov.
Be part of the 2010 Census Team! Apply today to become a part of the census team. As a member of the census team you will receive paid training, work flexible hours, receive reimbursement for authorized mileage and work‐related expenses, earn good pay, and are paid weekly. Help our commu‐nity have a successful 2010 Census! More information, including a practice test, is available at: www.2010censusjobs.gov or call the toll free jobs line 1‐866‐861‐2010, dial “0” and give your zip code. FedRelay: 1‐800‐877‐8339 TTY
7
September
Trevor Lake
Haley Randolph
Shane Oxendine
Baylee McFadden
October
Austin Shaw
Brittany Trella
Caelan Ceratti
Jenna Rosenfeld
November
Jake Debo
Celina Kelley
Scott Shields
Tanner Evans
December
Kaitlyn Hopkins
Austin Glaab
Kellen Mackey
Jessica Dittman
WHAT’S HAPPENING @
NBHS?
Celebrate the Season
Did you see the Marching Lion Pride on television on Saturday,
November 28 on Channel 11? We hope you caught the appear‐
ance of 36 members of the Marching Lion Pride in the Macy’s
and WPXI sponsored Celebrate the Season Parade in downtown
Pittsburgh. Jamie Beilstein (Director), Jeff Frankenstein
(Assistant Director), and Pam Laughlin (Lionette Sponsor) ac‐
companied the marching band along the parade route. A great
time was had by all kicking off the holiday season in one of
Pittsburgh’s treasured holiday traditions.
Ninth Grade Academy Update
T his year New Brighton High School Ninth Grade Acad‐emy honors two male and two female students each
month as “Students of the Month”. Students who are se‐
lected have demonstrated not only academic success, but
hard work, leadership, team work, and above all good char‐
acter. Congratulations to the following honorees for your
accomplishments.
Love of Language French language learners at the high school shared their love
of learning with middle school World Language students.
Teacher, Mrs. Victoria
Manzo, and the
French 3 students at
the high school cre‐
ated Halloween les‐
sons to share with the
7th grade students.
Mrs. Manzo com‐
mented that she
hopes, “this experi‐
ence will be motivat‐
ing for the 7th grade students to learn a foreign language in
the future.”
Hunting the History of New Brighton Nine years ago, Mr. Bryan Fabyanic introduced his 9th Grade Civics classes to a scavenger hunt. This activity is a special learning experience that encourages students to learn the heri‐tage of the New Brighton. The lesson starts with questions that help the 9th graders learn about the teachers in the high school and expands to historical questions about New Brighton. The culminating search is in Grove Cemetery and involves learning about past residents of New Brighton and how they impacted the history of the borough.
Last year, Mr. Bryan Pasquale’s classes joined in the hunt. On Tuesday, October 13 at 7:40 a.m. the team of Scott Shields, Aaron Barlow, and Tony Tomasi were declared the winners of the hunt. For their efforts, they were awarded a trip to the Brighton Hot Dog Shoppe. The 6th period Honors class was also required to complete a Scrapbook along with the hunt. The winners in the Honors Class were Baylee McFadden and Brooke McMurtrie. Con‐grats!
6
WHAT’S HAPPENING @
NBMS?
New Brighton Sixth Graders Take a STAND
O n Friday, October 16, the New Brighton Middle School sixth
grade students and teachers participated in the STAND pro‐
gram. The STAND program is structured to prepare our youth to
influence their peers to make positive choices and avoid self‐
defeating behaviors.
The students and teachers enjoyed trust building activities that
foster team cooperation and build self esteem. Students and staff
were provided a sack lunch and a New Brighton STAND t‐shirt.
Although the weather did not cooperate for the students to do
their outside activities, they still managed to participate and com‐
plete the program in the middle school gym.
The STAND program’s goals are to deter onset of tobacco, alco‐
hol, and other drug use. This is the second year that Mrs. Carolyn
Welshonce, the middle school social worker, has sponsored the
STAND program.
Mr. and Ms. Manners While studying reading, writing, and arithmetic are important, a
good education also includes improving the character of students
and encouraging good citizenship. Three years ago the middle
school started a program to encourage good manners. While this
may seem like a concept that need not be taught at the middle
school level, rewarding these behaviors has shown results.
Each week one male and one female student are chosen who con‐
sistently show respect for others and use good manners. Each are
treated to lunch and receive a certificate to take home. The Brigh‐
ton Hot Dog Shoppe and Subway generously donated 32 lunches
for our student winners. Congratulations to the students recog‐
nized so far this year. Keep it up!
Middle school Manners Program winners.
Congratulations!
Advanced 8th grade students in Mrs. Twed‐dell, Miss Schwartz, and Mrs. Byers’ 8th grade classes made gingerbread houses to go along with the book The Autobiography of Santa Claus. These students worked in groups to create gingerbread houses that fit the theme “Christmas Around the World.” These ginger‐bread houses were delivered to PPG Place for the annual gingerbread house contest and display. Although there were mishaps and obstacles along the way, the students created beautiful results.
Students also had to complete a paper on Christmas traditions of their chosen country. In December, the students will take a field trip to PPG Place to see their gingerbread houses on display.
3
O n October 23 first grade students and teachers received a special visit from Geneva football play‐
ers. The players read to the students and brought them
a Geneva Golden Tornadoes towel.
Freshman Jesse Klesser, a Hopewell native, spent time with Joni
Parkinson’s class .
Visitors to First Grade
Full Day Kindergarten Update Kindergarten students are participating in the first full‐
day program at New Brighton. Because of the extended day,
students have engaged in a number of activities that would not
have been possible with the half‐day schedule.
In October, the kindergarten teachers and high school teacher
Jeannie Campbell collaborated so that kindergarten students
could visit the Child Development class at the high school. High
school students created a number of Halloween centers for the
kindergarten students to visit and explore. Skills such as gross
motor and hand‐eye coordination were addressed at the centers
where high school students assisted the kindergarten students
in creating holiday crafts and playing games.
On October 23, 126 kindergarten students, their teachers, and
35 parent volunteers visited the Children’s Museum of Pitts‐
burgh. PTA generously sponsored the buses for the field trip. At
the museum students visited various exhibits where they silk
screened, explored a car, launched parachutes, navigated the off
‐kilter Gravity Room, and explored replicas from Mr. Roger’s
Neighborhood. Many thanks go out to all the parent volunteers
Spreading Holiday Cheer Fourth grade students from Room
405 took a field trip to the McNitt
apartment building in New Brigh‐
ton to serve the residents break‐
fast and give a little performance.
The students recited The Night
Before Christmas by Clement Clark Moore. The resi‐
dents were extremely pleased by the visit from the stu‐
dents and were impressed that they even helped clean
up! Mrs. Erin Fusetti was thrilled with the behavior and
performance of the students. Thanks Room 405 for
being such great ambassadors from NBES!
Supporting the Troops Around the holidays, it is im‐
portant that we all take time to
remember our troops stationed
all over the world who are un‐
able to spend this special time
with their loved ones. First
grade teachers and students
modeled this behavior for all of
us by adopting a group of sol‐
diers stationed in Kuwait. Stu‐
dents and their teachers sent
23 jam‐packed care packages
to the soldiers in time for the
holidays. The elementary
school staff and the New Brigh‐
ton Education Foundation gen‐
erously supported the project
by providing funding for the
postage. Kudos to all of first
grade for their spirit of giving.
WHAT’S HAPPENING @
NBES?
Teachers Aimee Mayer and
Jennifer Bonner stuff the care
packages with goodies!
First graders Brady Grizzanti,
Grace Bellan, Colton Scobie,
and Chase Yopp pose with the
packages on their way to sol‐
diers stationed in Kuwait.
4
National Collegiate Scouting Association
J ai Hill spoke to New Brighton student athletes about the recruiting process for college sports on November
5 at the high school. Mr. Hill presented many facts about
the process and debunked some common myths about
playing sports at the collegiate level. Students in grades 8
through 12 were invited to attend this event with their
parents. Staff participation included Ms. Wiest, Mr.
Kasparek, and Ms. Young.
Students who wish to participate in sports at the col‐
legiate level should discuss this option with their
coaches and guidance counselor as early as their 10th
grade year.
Talent Show
The annual PTA sponsored elementary talent
show will be held Friday, January 8, 2010 at 7:00
pm.
Important Information
Registration and Practice January 5, 3:45‐5:30
pm at the high school auditorium.
Children are limited to two acts.
Limit act length to two minutes. Submit music at
registration. Keep a copy at home for practice!
Music selection and costumes must be in accord
with the Student Handbook. Use good judg‐
ment about the appropriateness of lyrics.
Students will walk together with teachers to the
high school auditorium for practice and should
be picked up there.
Dress rehearsal is Wednesday, January 6 from
3:45‐5:30 pm.
Please contact Miss Rhonda Ficca, Elementary
Music Teacher, at (724) 843‐1194 ext. 161 or
[email protected] for more information.
Honoring Our Veterans On November 10, 2009 The New Brighton Middle School
hosted its 6th annual Veterans’ Day Celebration organ‐
ized by Mr. Matthew Wagner, eighth grade Social Stud‐
ies teacher.
The day’s activities began with eighth grade students
spending the morning with 11 Vietnam Veterans. The
students rotated between classrooms and listened to
and asked questions about the experiences these men
had during their Tours of Duty.
Following lunch, the entire middle school attended a
Veteran’s Day assembly. The keynote speaker for this
year’s assembly was James Wagner, Senior Master Ser‐
geant, Retired. Senior Master Sergeant presented a slide
show about his military career, as well as, the military
careers of his three sons.
Music was provided by Mr. Mark Alexander, middle
school/ high school chorus teacher; Mr. Jeff Franken‐
stein, middle school band director; Mr. Cade Jenkins,
middle school guitarist; Mr. Christopher Pipkin, middle
school soloist, and the middle school show choir.
The event was also streamed live over the inter‐
net.
5
New Brighton Area Educational Foundation
Established to support and enrich educational opportunities in the
New Brighton Area School District, the New Brighton Area Educa‐
tional Foundation is a tax‐exempt non‐profit organization. The foun‐
dation is governed by a Board of Trustees comprised of parents,
teachers, community and business leaders in the New Brighton Area
School District. The mission of the foundation is to support and en‐
rich the educational opportunities of the students in the district.
Over the past year, the foundation has accomplished several of its
ongoing goals. Over $2500 in Educational Impact Grants have been
awarded, $300 in Scholarships given out, and various fundraisers held
to support the mission. (Please see the article about elementary stu‐
dents in this Communicator who shipped care packages to soldiers in
Kuwait with the support of the foundation.)
Innovative programs and creative opportunities enhance the educa‐
tion of our children and benefit our community. Unfortunately in
times of unfunded government mandates, budget cuts, and increas‐
ing demands on our schools, many of these opportunities are lost.
The foundation is committed to enriching our children, schools, and
community.
Please consider making a tax deductible donation to the foundation to provide resources for innovation and enrichment in the New Brigh‐ton Area School District.
YES! I will support the students and teachers of New Brighton
Area School District.
Name:_____________________________
Address:___________________________
Phone:_____________________________
Email:_____________________________
Amount of Tax‐Deductible
Contribution
$____________
Please mail checks made pay‐able to New Brighton Area Edu‐
cational Foundation to:
New Brighton Area
Educational Foundation
3225 43rd Street
New Brighton, PA 15066
Thank you for your
generosity!
Technology Department News
T he New Brighton Area School District recently equipped several classrooms with interactive white boards and mounted projectors. These innovative tools were funded through the Classrooms for the Fu‐ture Grant and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Currently, the district has 40 classrooms fully equipped as 21st Century Learning Centers and plans to continue to expand that number as funds become available. New Brighton Director of Technology Rob Lee said that he hopes to have this type of technology available in every classroom in the district by 2012. “It’s amazing to see the students interact with the boards. It truly makes learning come to life and engages the entire class‐room,” Lee said. “I always get a kick out of the elementary school kids calling the boards ‘Polly’ when they use them.”