creating a clear, shared focus

Creating a Clear, Shared Focus

UPPER ST. CLAIR SCHOOL DISTRICT

1820 McLaughlin Run Road • Upper St. Clair • PA • 15241

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vol. 5, issue 2 February 2009

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Proposed draft documents of the Upper St. Clair School Strategic Plan for 2009-2014,including newly revised Mission and Vision Statements, Shared Beliefs, and Goals ofthe Strategic Plan, are presented for final public review, school board approval, andsubmission to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Please turn to pages 3-5. Inaddition, the membership of the Upper St. Clair School District Strategic Plan SteeringCommittee and Technical Committee chairs are listed on pages 5-6.

Highest Achievement • Safe and Healthy Environment • Excellent Value in Education

INSIDE...

SUPERINTENDENT’SMESSAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 2

KUSHNER’S KORNER

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 3DISTRICT STRATEGIC PLAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 3BRAVOS AND KUDOS . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 6-8

WHAT’S HAPPENING . . . . . . . . . . . .page 9-11

CENTRAL OFFICEADMINISTRATION

DR. PATRICK O’TOOLESUPERINTENDENT

DR. TERRY KUSHNER

ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT/DIRECTOR OF SECONDARY

EDUCATION

DR. JOHN BORNYAS

DIRECTOR OFPROGRAMMING, OPERATIONS

ANDMIDDLE LEVEL EDUCATION

DR. JUDITH BULAZO

DIRECTOR OFPROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

ANDELEMENTARY EDUCATION

SCHOOL DIRECTORS

MRS. AMY L. BILLERBECKPRESIDENT

MR. HARRY F. KUNSELMANVICE PRESIDENT

MRS. BARBARA L. BOLAS

MRS. CAROL B. COLIANE

MR. FRANK J. KERBER

MRS. ANGELA B. PETERSEN

MR. LOUIS A. PICONI

MRS. REBECCA A. STERN

DR. WILLIAM M. SULKOWSKI

PAUL FOXEDITOR

JOE KALLISLAYOUT & DESIGN

www.uscsd.k12.pa.us412-833-1600

Upper St. Clair High School proudly invites thegeneral public to an evening in “little old NewYork” - A Singing and Dancing Spectacular -42nd Street! The Spring Musical is presented inthe USCHS Theatre over two consecutiveweekends, Friday and Saturday nights March 6,7, 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m. Additionalperformances include a Sunday Matinee onMarch 8 at 2 p.m. and an early-bird “FamilyNight” performance on Thursday,March 12 at6:30 p.m., featuring backstage tours and a behind-the-scenes look at the sets, make-up,costumes,and stage craft.

42nd Street tells the story of actors, dancers, andall of the people who make up a musicalperformance. Julian Marsh (Grant Carey) facesthe difficult task of working with a “has-been”diva—Dorothy Brock (Jordan McDonough) —simply because her beau Abner Dillon (BenjaminReicher) generously contributes financially to the

performance. The show Pretty Lady must be asuccess, and Julian is determined to do whateverit takes to ensure this—despite any number ofproblems that may stand in the way. PeggySawyer (Hillary Maloney), an unassuming chorusgirl just off the train from Allentown, proves tobe one of the most valuable members of the cast.Based on the book by Michael Stewart and MarkBramble, Harry Warren and Al Dubin created amasterpiece in which the whole stage seems toerupt in song and dance. Additional lead roles ofBilly Lawlor (Tommy Hoffman), Anytime Annie(Anna Gorman) and the girls, and Pat Denning(Adam Matonic) are great characters withunforgettable personalities.

A host of memorable songs will be featured inthis 1933 classic movie transformed into the1980Tony Award for Best Musical: Lullaby ofBroadway, Shuffle Off to Buffalo, We’re in theMoney, Sunny Side to Every

42nd Street comes to USCHS Theatre

On January 27, 28, and 29, theUniversity of Pittsburgh’sScience Outreach program parkedthe new Science Mobile Lab (ahuge 18-wheeler truck) at UpperSt. Clair High School to allow alimited number of 9th gradebiology students to experiencehigh-tech science and research.The activity was called“Outbreak,” which simulated how a city would identify and control the outbreak of an unknowninfectious disease. Upper St. Clair High School was privileged to be the very first school to use thismobile lab!

42nd Streetcontinuing on page 2

USCHS Serves as First “Truck Stop” for the Pitt Science Outreach Mobile Lab

You will noticemore and morethrough this“traditional”newsletter, ST.CLAIR SCENE,that readers aredirected to visit our

District website(www.uscsd.k12.pa.us) and otheronline sources for supplementary andup-to-date information. In this edition,readers are asked to refer to onlinesources for additional information onour new strategic plan, the status ofour middle schools renovation project,new District policies dealing withweapons/terroristic threats/bullying,and resources on bullying prevention.

Strategic Plan — The development ofour new strategic plan that will guidethe District through the year 2014 hasbeen an exciting process involving thework of 49 members of thecommunity, staff, and students. (Alisting of the Strategic Plan SteeringCommittee members and TechnicalCommittee Chairs is found on page 5.)Dr. Kushner describes the plandevelopment process in his column onpage 5. An overview of the plan canbe found on pages 3, and 4.Moreover, the complete plans, whichprovide a comprehensive roadmap to

the future for public education in theTownship of Upper St. Clair, can befound at our District website.

Middle Schools Renovation Project —We continue to plan for the renovationand modernization of Boyce and FortCouch Middle Schools. The Boardhas not voted on a final design planbut has authorized the architect and theadministration to complete theplanning process so that decisions canbe made using the most accurate costprojections. Again, a verycomprehensive, transparent history ofthe planning process is available at theDistrict website.

Bullying Prevention and SchoolSafety — At the Upper St. ClairSchool District, we believe in workingtogether with parents to addressbullying because research shows thatnationwide more than half of allschool-aged children will be involvedin bullying this year as a victim or aperpetrator, with many morewitnessing acts of bullying.

We know bullying isn’t confined toschool grounds. Bullying at schoolaffects and is affected by what happensat home among siblings, what happensin the neighborhood, and whathappens when kids go online. We must

work together to take immediateaction, whether a child bullies, is avictim of bullying, or is a witness tobullying.

I encourage you to consult freeresources regarding bullyingprevention at the following websites:www.education.com/special-edition/bullying/www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_Ten_Actions_Parents

The Board recently adopted newpolicies dealing with bullying, as wellas weapons and terroristic threats, inorder to make sure our schools remainsafe learning environments for allstudents.

The following new and updatedpolicies are posted on the Districtwebsite:

6008.4 — Weapons and Safe Schools6008.5 — Terroristic Threats6008.6 — Bullying & Cyber Bullying7015 — Terroristic Threats7016 — Weapons

Thanks - I wish to publicly thank allwho have contributed to thedevelopment of the above projects,plans, and initiatives.

SUPERINTENDENT’S MESSAGEDr. Patrick O’Toole

2 SCENESSt. Clairt. Clair

Situation, and the title-showstopper 42nd Street. Inaddition, this “show within ashow” spotlights the BESTin dancing — tap and soft-shoe! The entire castdemonstrates “those dancin’feet.”

Over one hundred and fiftystudent performers areexcited to welcome backbeloved Drama Director J.R.Hall. Executive ProducerPaul Fox and Producer JaneDodd are pleased to have somany of their staff returningincluding Vocal Director

Lorraine Milovac,Choreographer ShariOpfermann and AssistantChoreographer ShellyDesmond, Technical DirectorTerry Willard, StageManager Chuck Dodd,Scenery Painting DirectorMary Beth Werner, CostumeDirector Liz Williard, Make-Up Directors RoseannStevens and Debi Blazek,and Box Office CoordinatorJoyce Vance. The StudentProducer (Dave DeBor) andAssistant Producer (JessieBlyth) are working diligentlyalongside Student Director

Danielle Gilbert andAssistant Directors AnneCiarlone and AlainaZemanick.

Tickets are available for salebeginning February 23. TheBox Office will be open onMonday, Wednesday, Friday,and Saturday mornings from10:30 to noon, and Mondayand Wednesday eveningsfrom 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. (fromFebruary 23-March 14).Tickets will also be sold onehour prior to the start of eachshow. The Box Office islocated in the Arts’ Lobby of

the Upper St. Clair HighSchool, adjacent to theUSCHS Theatre.Please call 412-851-2060(Music Activity Hotline andBox Office extension) afterFebruary 23 for moredetailed information onticket prices, groupdiscounts, parkingaccommodations, and anyother questions. SeniorCitizens and school staffmembers will receivecomplimentary admission.

42nd Street comes to USCHS Theatre

Shared Beliefs

We believe that:1. education is a shared responsibility and requires collaboration of the institution, the governingauthority, the student, the family, and the community.2. the involvement of the parents and community in the schools is critical to the education ofstudents and sets an example for children to grow as responsible citizens.3. a commitment to excellence demands an investment of financial, human, and materialresources.4. the quality of the school district impacts the quality of life in the community.5. an exemplary educational institution aims to promote an environment of academic excellenceand pride in the school community.6. a school district that offers a variety of programmatic choices ensures greater studentengagement in the learning process.7. a school district, staff, students, parents, and community benefit from an attitude of continuous progress and consistentpractices of exploration, forward-thinking, and openness to change.8. a safe learning environment is a right and a responsibility for all stakeholders.9. children are our community’s most valuable asset, and each child has intrinsic worth.10. education is most effective when decision-making is focused on the best interests of the student.11. children achieve their maximum potential through hard work and dedication in an environment when expectations are high,

SCENESSt. Clairt. Clair 3

ThePennsylvaniaDepartmentof Education(PDE)requires allschooldistricts in

the state to develop a formalwritten strategic plan. A planmust be submitted to the stateevery six years with amidpoint progress report to befiled after year number three.The Upper St. Clair SchoolDistrict is currently in theprocess of completing therequired 2009-2014 strategicplan for final public review,school board approval, andsubmission to PDE.

The strategic plan is designedto guide our schools byestablishing a set of goalsfocused on future district

needs andexpectationsand identifyingspecific

procedures to achieve thesegoals. The plan essentiallyidentifies what we need to do,why we need to do it, andhow we will accomplish eachgoal.

The goals and objectivesidentified in the initiative aredeveloped through acollaborative processinvolving a wide range ofstakeholders. A steeringcommittee composed oftwenty-one communityvolunteers, thirteenprofessional staff members,two students, two classifiedstaff members, and tworepresentatives of the SchoolBoard was organized last fall.The committee, facilitated byMrs. Kathy Kirsch, a retiredEnglish curriculum leader atUpper St. Clair High School,met on four occasions to

review the district missionstatement, create a visionstatement, establish a set ofshared beliefs, and generate alist of goals based on thesedefined guiding principles.

Once the goals wereestablished, five technicalcommittees were formed tocreate specific strategies andaction plans necessary inachieving the goals. Thetechnical committees definedby PDE include Technology,Professional Developmentand Induction, StudentServices, Special Education,and Academic Standards andAssessment, includingGraduation Requirements.

The committees, composed ofmembers of the school districtprofessional staff, includeteachers and administratorsfrom areas specific to theirexperience, expertise, andresponsibility.

Over the past few months,the technical committees havemet to formulate thestrategies and action plansrelated to their group charge.The results must then be putforth for public and Boardreview before the StrategicPlan can be formallysubmitted to the PennsylvaniaDepartment of Education forapproval.

The strategic planningprocess allows the District toidentify and validatecommunity, staff, and studentneeds and interests. Thedevelopment of the plan is avital step in providingdirection for the Upper St.Clair School District inmaking critical educationaldecisions for our students.

I strongly urge the public toreview the plan. Anyquestions or comments maybe directed to me [email protected].

KKUSHNER’SKorner

Dr. Terrence Kushner

School District Strategic Plan Draft Documents: Creating a Clear, Shared Focus

School District Strategic Plancontinuing on page 4

Dr. Terrence Kushner uses a “terribletowel” to change the pace during theAcademic Standards and Assessment

District Strategic Plan report.

News and awards from the Upper St. Clair Schools


when they understand the purpose for learning, and when they are engaged in the process.12. exposure to a balanced curriculum, including academics, arts, and athletics, expands the human experience and allowseach student to discover his or her own particular interests and abilities.13. a wide variety of extracurricular activities develops a sense of leadership and teamwork in students.14. effective education develops the whole person-ethically, intellectually, emotionally, socially, and physically-and promotesself-esteem and personal happiness.15. interaction and collaboration with people of diverse backgrounds and character encourages tolerance, open-mindedness,and appreciation for others.16. because students learn at different rates and in different ways, it is essential to recognize each student’s needs and interestswhen creating opportunities for continuous progress.17. effective education fosters students’ abilities to listen and communicate, think critically and creatively, and apply theirknowledge to all of their decision-making.18. children do best when they are mentored through their failures as well as their successes.19. service to others encourages students to develop an understanding of and appreciation for other people and encouragesthem to become contributing members of society.20. lifelong learning, a process that begins with parents in the home and is cultivated by teachers and staff in the schools, isessential for success in a changing society.21. thoughtful practices of a school and community can foster a sense of environmental stewardship in students.22. citizens and leaders of tomorrow need to be able to function successfully in a global and technological society.23. an educated and well-informed citizenry is essential for a democratic society to flourish.

Vision Statement

Upper St. Clair School District prepares our students to be successful contributors to an ever-changing, global society byproviding a nurturing, engaging, and challenging learning environment.

Mission Statement

Developing lifelong learners and responsible citizens for a global society is the mission of the Upper St. Clair School District,served by a responsive and innovative staff who in partnership with the community provides learning experiences that nurturethe uniqueness of each child and promote happiness and success.

Goals of the Strategic Plan

I. Develop the fullest potential of the whole child by providing a healthy, safe, engaging, supportive, and challengingenvironment that nurtures each child. Achieving this essential goal requires the infusion of necessary resources, thecollaboration of our staff, and the engagement of our community.

II. Foster thinking and learning among our students by providing a curriculum that sets high expectations appropriate to thechild together with a broad variety of extracurricular opportunities. Our students will develop critical thinking skills,character, ethics, and respect for themselves and others in an environment where the instruction engages and motivates them tobecome self-directed learners. We will monitor and assess whether students are progressing and their needs are being met.The results of the monitoring and assessment will be used to improve students’ thinking and learning.

III. Challenge students to contribute and succeed in an increasingly interconnected world by preparing staff to integrate globalknowledge so that students can discern and value cultural diversity; by equipping students with skills to think critically aboutworld issues and to act collaboratively in finding creative solutions; and by providing students with international learningopportunities across the curriculum to stimulate and expand their global awareness and understanding.

School District Strategic Plan Draft Documents: Creating a Clear, Shared Focus

Goals of the Strategic Plancontinuing on page 5



Goals of the Strategic Plan

IV. Develop student and staff competency in current technologies through the selection and use of technologies based in soundtheory or research and which enable and enhance thinking, learning, or operational efficiency. We will work to assure thatstudents also gain the skills and confidence to adapt to technologies that are continually changing and emerging. Our Districtwill be visionary and vigilant in addressing the constant evolution of technology and the ways that these emergingtechnologies can augment thinking and learning and enhance the operation of our organization.

ZONE 3 LLC is working for the Upper St. Clair School District to build a long-term development program to enable theSchool District's continued excellence in academics, arts, and athletics. Focused on building relationships with individuals andcompanies to create mutual value, opportunities that include naming rights and sponsorships are currently available. “This program represents an opportunity for the community and businesses to build a relationship with the School District thatultimately benefits the students,” said Superintendent Patrick O’Toole.Arrangements are designed to create recognition and value for participants and supplemental revenue for the School Districtthat benefit the students. The menu of opportunities includes sponsorships and naming rights for the following venues andeffects:

Individuals or businesses interested in learning more about these opportunities and building a long-term relationship with theSchool District should contact ZONE 3. Ideas are welcome to collaboratively create a valuable package that fits the objectivesof interested participants. For more information, call 412-831-5699.

• High School Stadium• High School Theatre• High School Theatre Vestibule• Gymnasiums• Tournaments• Cafeterias• Large-Group-Instruction (LGI) Rooms (School District/community meeting venues)

• Educational Programs• Career Day Programs• Administration Offices

• Classrooms• Athletic Fields and Courts• Flower Gardens/Trees• Flagpoles• Bricks (name recognition)• Security Systems• School District Web Site• Computer Systems• Audio/Visual Equipment• Clocks (sidewalk, hallwall)

School District, Zone 3 and Businesses Collaborate

School Board MembersAngela PetersenAmy Billerbeck

Professional StaffDr. Patrick O’Toole, Superintendent of SchoolsDr. Terrence Kushner, Assistant to theSuperintendent/Director of Secondary Education

Deanna Baird, Foreign Language Curriculum LeaderDr. Judith Bulazo, Director of ProfessionalDevelopment/Elementary EducationKevin Clark, Boyce Middle School TeacherNancy Dombrowsky, High School Biology TeacherPaul Fox, Performing Arts Curriculum LeaderDr. Michael Ghilani, High School Principal

Steve Levine, Middle School Social Studies Curriculum LeaderDr. Ruth Ann Matyuf, Baker Elementary School PrincipalMark Miller, Eisenhower Elementary School PrincipalMary Quinn, Elementary Reading/Language Arts Curriculum LeaderMelissa Yoest, Eisenhower Special Education Teacher

StudentsChristine Prorok (Senior)Marni Schreiber (Junior)

Classified StaffDenise Luckenbach, Baker Teacher AideCarolyn Seymour, Baker Teacher Aide

STRATEGIC PLAN STEERING COMMITTEE

Strategic Plan Steering Committeecontinuing on page 6


Angela B. Petersen was recognized by the PennsylvaniaSchool Boards Association (PSBA) for her 12 years of schoolboard service. PSBA recognizes individuals when they reachexactly 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, etc. years of service on a localschool board.

Karen Brown, Principal at Boyce MiddleSchool, was selected as a recipient of theNational Middle School Association’sDistinguished Educator Award for hercontribution to middle level education andyoung adolescents. The award was officiallypresented at the National Middle SchoolAssociation 2008 Annual Conference inDenver on October 30, 2008.

The following students were selected by audition toparticipate in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association(PMEA) Honors Choir Festival held at Upper St. Clair HighSchool on October 24 and 25: Sara Maurer, Rocky Paterra,and Luke Steinhauer placed first chair. Also accepted were Sarah Nadler, Martina Caruso, EmilySummers, and Gage Colangelo. Sidney Kushner was chosenas an alternate. Kudos also went to Lisa Moore, Maria Alessi,and Mishan Blecher for their participation at the auditions.The students are all enrolled in the High School choralprogram under the direction of Lorraine Milovac.

Following are the Commended Students in the 2009 NationalMerit Scholarship Competition:Lauren Abrams, Maeve Klutch, Ellen Cho,

Brandon May-Herrington, Aleksandra Evstiounina, Brian McElhinny, Jacqueline Fera, Katlyn Orient, Xiao Fu, Benjamin Siegfried, Brian Gaudio, David Small, Jeffrey Gooderham, Nikhil Venkatesh, William J. Griffith, Lisa Volpatti, Adam Handen, James Wright, Zachary Joyce, Cynthia Zak,Michael Kaufman

The following Upper St.Clair High Schoolstudents auditioned andwere selected toparticipate in the PMEADistrict 1 Honors StringOrchestra Festival atFox Chapel Area HighSchool on November 15 and 16. All are members of the HighSchool String Orchestra under the direction of Paul Fox.Yudi Chen, violin, Jonathan Powell, violinRachel Szucs, violin, Robert Kaufman, celloMike Kaufman, cello, Stephen Wellard, cello

Seven High School students successfully auditioned for thePMEA District 1 Honors Band:Michelle Szucs, First Chair Flute, Matt Boyas, Eighth ChairClarinet, Laura Rollick, First Chair Oboe, Joe Merchant, FirstChair Bassoon, Jun Iida, First Chair Trumpet, Ben Benack,Second Chair Trumpet, Leo Ciarlone, Seventh ChairTrombone, Kudos also went to Naomi Smith, Sarah Nadler,and Jeff Wucher for their participation in the auditions. These10 musicians are all members of the High School Wind


Community Members

Sujatha BalasubramanianNancy BarnardKaren BostonRobyn BraccoKerrie ConstantiniKerry DiehlBrian Eccher

Andrew FletcherErin FortunatoScott FriedmanJerry GrunnagleAlicia HawkinsBeth HornakJeffrey KrantzGloria MathieJames Meyer

William SotaChristina UnitasJohn VanCleveWendy VespaKevin Whyte

Facilitator - Kathleen Kirsch

STRATEGIC PLAN STEERING COMMITTEE

Raymond BerrottKaren BrownDr. Judith Bulazo

Dr. Michael GhilaniDr. Terrence KushnerDr. William Rullo

Eloise StoehrDr. Sharon Suritsky

TECHNICAL COMMITTEE CHAIRS

BRAVOS and KUDOS

Bravos and Kudoscontinuing on page 7



Ensemble under the direction of Frank Eisenreich. ThePMEA Honors Band performed on November 30 at CarnegieHall in Oakland.

The following Boyce Middle School sixth graders wereaccepted into the Fifth Annual Mucho Macho Music Festival.The festival was held on November 4 at North Hills JuniorHigh School. Morgan Cook, Fernando Escribens, Jeff Huo,Noah Manalo, Josh McCormack, Nathan Steinhauer,Jonathan Summers.

The Calcu-Solve Team of Avisha Shah, Jason Wassel, ErikSchneider, and Poorwa Godbole earned First Place at thecompetition on Monday, November 3. The Second PlaceTeam members were Maya Chandrasekaran, AkhilVenkatesh, Vijay Viswanathan and Vinay Viswanathan. Tyingfor First Place in the Individual Competition were JasonWassel and Erik Schneider. Tying for Second Place wereAkhil Venkatesh and Jessica Cohen. Tying for Third Placewere Maya Chandrasekaran and Vijay Viswanathan.

The following Upper St. Clair High School studentssuccessfully auditioned for the PMEA District 1 West HonorsJazz Ensemble on November 3, 2008:Anthony Ambroso, Principal GuitarBenny Benack, Principal Jazz TrumpetLeo Ciarlone, Third Chair TromboneJun Iida, Principal Lead TrumpetBrian Lynch, Principal Pianist. These students are members of the High School JazzEnsemble under the direction of Frank Eisenreich.

The Pitt Science Outreach program introduced a new mobilebiology lab (an 18-wheeler truck) travelling to variousschools to perform “real” science experiments (including atUpper St. Clair High School during the week of January 27).Diatrah Stott and Meera Babu, juniors at the high schoolalong with their science teacher, Dawn Mostowy, are picturedon the side of the truck where they are shown doing “real”research. Ms. Mostowy continues her participation andcommitment to the Pitt Science Outreach Program as amember of the “Gene Team.”

Several Upper St. Clair singers participated in the MuchoMacho Men Music Festival held on November 4 at NorthHills Junior High School.From ninth grade (studentsof Ms. Lorraine Milovac):Ben Reicher, Dan Ryave,Luke Steinhauer, From Fort Couch (studentsof Ms. Fran Kayatin):Alex Hardwick, Patrick McDonnell,

Nathanael Pudimat, Jacob Ryave, Josh Zakaria, Nick Sembrat

The following Crisis Response Team members are thankedand commended for participating in a planning meeting onSunday, October 19, and for their ongoing support of thestudents and staff at Streams Elementary School. The Districtis fortunate to have such dedicated staff upon whom we candepend.Central Office Streams High SchoolPatrick O’Toole Claire Miller Mike GhilaniTerry Kushner Rosemary Fouts Bill RulloJudy Bulazo Fran McElroyEllie Stoehr BoyceSharon Suritsky Gail O’Hara BakerMary Ann Stabile Vicki Cayuela Kristin RoseShannon Dressler Tonia GarofaloAmie Carpenter Amy Antonio Fort CouchKate O’Connor John Rozzo

Jayna Rubin

The following students were commended for successfullyauditioning for the 2008 PMEA District Chorus Festival onJanuary 14-15 at South Fayette High School:Caroline Campanella, Martina Caruso, Gage Colangelo,Sidney Kushner, Joey Kennedy, Adam Matonic, Sara Maurer,Rocky Paterra, Emily Summers. Janie Feldmann, MahirKhan and Mallory Winner also participated. The students aremembers of the High School Choirs, taught by Lorraine Milovac.

The following students were selected for the PMEA DistrictOne Junior High School Orchestra Festival, which was heldat Pine Richland High School on January 24-25,2009. The students are members of the Fort Couch or HighSchool orchestras taught by Paul Fox, and the Fort CouchConcert Band directed by Glenn Wayland:Joseph Ardolino, String BassBrooke Boehmer, French HornKathy Chen, Violin IMelody MacLachlin, OboeAkhil Venkatesh, Violin I

The Upper St. Clair High School Marching Band performedin the 2008 “Celebrate the Season” Parade in Pittsburgh onSaturday, November 29, 2008. The parade was broadcast liveon WPXI Channel 11.

Shari Ondrejko was honored for having her winter scenedesign chosen for the National School Board Association2008 holiday card. Shari is a sophomore at the high schooland a student of art teacher, Estelle Luck.

Fort Couch Middle School musical Mulan.Bravos and Kudos

continuing on page 8



The Upper St. Clair High School Pantheon Choir, directed byLorraine Milovac, joined the Pittsburgh Civic Orchestra forits holiday concert December 20 in the High School Theatre.

Paul Fox, MusicDepartmentcurriculum leaderand secondarystrings teacher,joined the orchestrain reading ClementMoore’s “Twas theNight BeforeChristmas” to the

children in the audience who were invited on stage. ThePittsburgh Civic Orchestra draws members from Alleghenyand surrounding communities. Members include Upper St.Clair students Alonso Diaz, violin and Stephen Wellard,cello. Paula Scandrol, elementary strings teacher, was theconcertmaster.

The Fort Couch Middle School team placed first in the regionin the Fall Stock Market competition. The teams were given“$100,000” in the beginning of the 10 week tournament. Theteam that earned the most in the stock market at the end ofthe tournament was declared the winner. The Fort Couchteam members were Christopher Besser, David Tsui, andJonathan Wang.

The students at Boyce Middle School provided gifts fordisadvantaged children in Washington County. On December19, the students formed a “human chain” to load a truck withthe gifts. The students made approximately 650 shoeboxesthat contain personal items, small articles of clothing, toysand candy. They were donated to CYS, the Washington CityMission, and a daycare center in Munhall. NorthwesternHuman Services assisted the students in loading the truck.

Junior Caroline Campanella was selected for the MENC All-Eastern Honors Choir to be held on March 12-15 inProvidence, Rhode Island. The chorus will be comprised of350 students who received top chairs at their state’s All-StateChorus festival in the spring of 2008. Caroline is a memberof the Chanteclairs and the Pantheon Choir, under thedirection of Lorraine Milovac.

Nine students from Carolyn Cusick’s Accounting I classscored in the top 25th percentile for the U.S. Department ofthe Treasury’s fall 2008 National Financial LiteracyChallenge, an initiative recommended by the President’s

Advisory Council on Financial Literacy. From November 3,2008 to December 12, 2008, the Challenge was taken bymore than 75,000 high school students. Participants includedstudents in rural areas, suburbs, and cities in this country, andin Department of Defense schools around the world. Thestudents from the High School included Justin D. Budash,Jacob T. Chockran, James A. Janis, Meghan McDougall,Brian E. McGuire, Danny Poljak, Jack Rosso, Brianna L.Schill, and William M. Sullivan.

Forty two students from Fort Couch Middle School recentlyparticipated in the 2008 American Mathematics Competition.The nationwide contest had the students answer 25 problemsolving questions ranging from easy to very difficult. The topscorers were John Rutkowski, who earned a 23/25, OwenMeiman and Shaokang Yuan, both achieving 22/25, andMegan Adamo, scoring a 21/25.

David Tsui, an 8th grader at Fort Couch Middle School, wonthird place in the Pittsburgh Dialogue Foundation’s Art andCreative Writing Contest. David submitted a painting titled“At Liberty Bridge” and earned $50.00. The contest issponsored through Carnegie Mellon University.

The localcompetition of TheNational GeographyBee was held at FortCouch MiddleSchool withapproximately 20students competing.Garret Liebel, a 7thgrader, placed third,Alex Bowman alsoin 7th grade, placed 2nd, and Ben Mertz, an 8th grader, camein first place. Ben will represent Fort Couch in the Statecompetition held at Shippensburg in April.

Four Fort Couch teams participated in the Annual ScienceBowl at Carnegie Science Center. Two teams tied for first,one team placed third, and another team placed fourth. Onefirst place team consisted of Kathy Chen, Sharon Gao,Bethany Mittelman and Justin Brantner. The other first placeteam members were David Duan, Chenhao Yang, ChristopherBesser, and Brett Mace. The third place team members wereChristian Stage, Eric Baumann, Cheyenne Buntain, and SarahTepe. The fourth place team consisted of Ben Wucher, RobertPark, Brigid Kennedy, and Eva Roy.



What’s Happening at USC?

Special thanksand sincereappreciationwere expressedto the studentsand staff of theschool district forcontributingfunds to a localfamily so thatthey could obtain

a service dog for Angelina, who suffers from a rarecondition in which seizures can be frequent and terrifying.In December, the family was able to receive Gigi (picturedhere with Angelina).

Angelina’s New Puppy

On October 10, Assistant Principal Lou Angelointroduces speakers and honorees at the

Upper St. Clair High School Halls of Fame Ceremony.

Students are instructed in proper proceduresand techniques to manufacture a product inManufacturing and Construction class.

Dr. Patrick O’Toole accepts The CommunityFoundation of Upper St. Clair donation of a SteinwayConcert D grand piano for the High School Theatre.




Dr. William Rullo and Dr. Michael Ghilanipresent the Strategic Plan on January 16, 2009.

Dr. William Rullo, Director of Counseling, co-authoredChapter 1 “The ASCA Model and the Educational Trust: The

Changing Role of Career Counselors in the Schools” in the recently released national book publication,

Career Development in the Schools.

Mr. Joseph Kallis’ High School GraphicDesign students working on newspaperlayout assignment.

Students in the High School Architecture class are exposedto the fundamentals of architectural design, sketching

techniques, and computer-aided design software. Studentsbuild a model based upon their own floor plan design.




High School Advance Graphics student using aphotography stencil in the indirect screen

printing process to produce a self-design t-shirt.

Karen Brown,Principal of BoyceMiddle School,alongside formerUSC school districtadministrator Dr.Robert Furman,learned that Ms.Brown was namedrecipient of the“Distinguished

Educator Award” presented by the National Middle SchoolAssociation at their annual conference in Denver, Coloradoon October 30, 2008. This national award recognizesoutstanding practitioners in middle level education, thosewho have made a significant impact on the lives of youngadolescents through leadership, vision, and advocacy.

“It was my honor to be present when you received youraward. Without your leadership and voice, the Middle

School concept would not be alive and well in USC. Yourcourageous and tenacious leadership is making a long-lasting impact because you are not only verbalizing the

message... you are modeling it!! Congratulations again! Icouldn't be more thrilled for you!!”

Dr. Cathy Luke, retired Deputy Superintendent of

Upper St. Clair School District


Retired English teacher and curriculumleader Kathy Kirsch facilitated meetings ofthe Steering Committee of the Upper St.Clair School District Strategic Plan.

Mr. Fred Peskorski’s Engineeringstudents prep their submarine

design for testing.

Tickets for 42nd Street are availablefor sale beginning February 23. TheBox Office will be open on Monday,Wednesday, Friday, and Saturdaymornings from 10:30 to noon, andMonday and Wednesday eveningsfrom 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. (fromFebruary 23-March 14). Tickets willalso be sold one hour prior to thestart of each show. The Box Office is

located in the Arts’ Lobby of the Upper St. Clair HighSchool, adjacent to the USCHS Theatre.Please call 412-851-2060 (Music Activity Hotline and BoxOffice extension) after February 23 for more detailedinformation on ticket prices, group discounts, parkingaccommodations, and any other questions. Senior Citizensand school staff members will receive complimentaryadmission. However, since all seats are reserved andtickets are limited, please pick up your tickets early!

Website: www.uscsd.k12.pa.us• Announcements • Calendar • Directory• Faculty • Information • Schools

School-Access Cable: Channel 19

School District Telephone: 412-833-1600Press “1,” the extension number, followed by the # signPress “2” for alphabetic directory

Music & Theatre Events: 412-851-2060

Athletic Hotline 412-833-1600 x2989

School Delays and Closings

FOR MORE INFORMATION................................

Upper St. Clair Township School District1820 McLaughlin Run RoadUpper St. Clair, PA 15241-2396

ECRWSS* CARRIER ROUTE

RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERUPPER ST. CLAIR, PA 15241

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDPittsburgh, PAPermit No. 397

For information on any delays/closings, you can now visit our website atwww.uscsd.k12.pa.us or tune into Cable Channel 19 in addition to yourfavorite radio and television stations.