N O R T H A L L E G H E N Y S C H O O L D I S T R I C T

Tiger NewsNovember 2017

www.northallegheny.org

Upcoming Events: November 6 & 7:

In-Service Days (No Classes)

November 8:

Building & Grounds Committee Meeting @ CAO Board Room, 6 p.m.

School Board Work Session @ CAO Board Room, 7 p.m.

November 9:

Public Forum regarding School Start Times & Grade Weighting @ MMS, 7-8:30 p.m.

November 13:

Marcia Martin Unity/ Diversity Expression Contest Begins

Public Forum regarding School Start Times & Grade Weighting @ CMS, 7-8:30 p.m.

November 14:

Secondary Report Cards Available

November 15:

Education Committee Meeting @ CAO Board Room, 6 p.m.

School Board Regular Meeting @ CAO Board Room, 7 p.m.

November 23-27:

Thanksgiving Break (No School)

November 28:

School Resumes

From the beaches of Puerto Rico to the coastal metropolis of Texas, the United States and neighboring territories have recently been hit with devastating natural disasters. The students and staff at North Allegheny showed they have extremely big hearts and took no hesitation in stepping in to support those impacted.

• In early September, Peebles Elementary had a “Hats ON for Houston” day in which students donated money to wear a hat for the day. Together, Peebles students and staff raised more than $1,220 for the American Red Cross.

• On September 13, students and staff at Carson Middle held a “Hats for Houston” fundraiser and raised more than $2,500 for hurricane relief in just 15 minutes. The donations were sent to United Way of Greater Houston. “When our school and community come together, we can make a massive difference,” shared CMS Principal Katherine Jenkins.

• Marshall Middle School raised funds to purchase more than $1,000 in gift cards to support the students at Beck Junior High in Katy, Texas impacted by Hurricane Harvey. Marshall also sent more than 500 cards and letters of support and encouragement to the student body.

• Between October 5 and October 13, the Spanish Club at NASH raised more than $3,000 during lunch for the Puerto Rico Relief Fund. At the conclusion of the drive, the homeroom that donated the most to the fundraiser was treated to a Puerto Rican feast.

• On October 16, the staff committee “Hosack Cares” at Hosack Elementary hosted a Mindful Monday fundraiser. Staff wore comfortable clothes and participated in a morning yoga session for a $5 donation. In total, $115 was raised for hurricane relief efforts. From October 16 to October 20, Hosack also hosted a Loose Change Challenge, in which students collected change to help “make a change” in the lives of recent hurricane victims. Students and staff raised more than $1,550.

• NAI raised more than $6,400 for the hurricane victims and fellow Tigers from Spring Woods High School in Houston, Texas. Through their campaign Tigers Helping Tigers, students and staff raised money through a paper link sale, homecoming ticket sales, and a staff jeans day. NAI also competed (and won) against Mt. Lebanon High School, where students also adopted a school in Texas and fundraised to support relief efforts.

Natural Disaster Relief Efforts Across the District

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N O R T H A L L E G H E N Y S C H O O L D I S T R I C T

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November 2017

Middle Schools Named Apple Distinguished Schools

North Allegheny is pleased to announce that Carson, Ingomar, and Marshall Middle Schools have each been recognized as Apple Distinguished Schools for 2017-2019 for the implementation of iPads in grades six through eight as part of the FOCUS 2020 initiative.

Apple Distinguished Schools are centers of innovation, leadership, and educational excellence that use Apple products to inspire creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. They showcase innovative uses of technology in learning, teaching, and the school environment and have documented results of academic accomplishment.

“It’s an honor that our three middle schools have been selected as Apple Distinguished Schools,” Superintendent Dr. Robert Scherrer said. “As we continue to prepare our students for success in a changing world, we strive to successfully provide innovative learning environments that are engaging and challenging for both students and teachers. We’re fortunate and excited to continue integrating Apple technology in our classrooms through the FOCUS 2020 initiative.”

Year three of FOCUS 2020 kicked off at the beginning of the 2017-2018 school year at NASD, which included the expansion of the iPad program to include grades four and five. NASD teachers continue to be energized by the addition of iPads as tools to transform their daily lessons, and provide students opportunities for collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and communication. By fall of 2018, all students in grades 1-12 will have a device. 2

This Month: Public Forums on Start Times & Grade Weighting

Join the North Allegheny community to learn more about potential recommen-dations for adjusting school start times and grade weighting. College admissions counselors and experts in the field of sleep and school start times will be present at these meetings to provide feedback and analysis on the recommendations NASD may be considering in the near future.

Public forums will be held on Thursday, November 9 at Marshall Middle School and Monday, November 13 at Carson Middle School. Each meeting will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. Registration is strongly encouraged for all attendees. Child care is avail-able for ages 3-11 (registration required, children must be toilet trained).

Can’t attend either forum? Don’t worry, the first session will be live-streamed and recorded. Additionally, participants who live-stream at home will also be able to ask questions through the online Q&A platform during the forum. Visit northallegheny.org/stress to access the live-stream. An electronic survey will also be sent out to all parents/guardians, staff members, and select students in mid-November. The survey will include an open-ended section for comments. Visit northallegheny.org/stress to learn more and register.

December Concert Schedule

December 4:NAI/NASH Orchestra Concert @ NASH, 7 p.m.

December 5:BWE Chorus Concert, 7 p.m.HES Chorus Concert, 7 p.m.MCK 5th Grade Chorus Concert, 7 p.m.MES 5th Grade Chorus Concert, 7 p.m.PES Chorus Concert, 7 p.m.

December 7:CMS Chorus Concert, 7 p.m.IES Chorus Concert, 7 p.m.MMS Chorus Concerts, 7 p.m.

December 11:BWE Orchestra Concert, 7 p.m.HES Band Concert 7 p.m.PES Band Concert 7 p.m.

December 14:CMS Band Concert, 7 p.m.IMS Band Concert, 7 p.m.MMS Band Concert, 7 p.m.

December 18:MCK Band Concert, 7 p.m.

December 19:BWE Band Concert, 7 p.m.PES Orchestra Concert, 7 p.m.

December 21:IMS Chorus Concert @ NASH, 7 p.m.CMS Orchestra Concert, 7 p.m.MMS Orchestra Concert, 7 p.m.

N O R T H A L L E G H E N Y S C H O O L D I S T R I C T

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November 2017Students Establish Save the Children Action Network ChapterA group of NASH students have started the first Save the Children Action Network (SCAN) chapter in the state, focusing on political action and advocacy in Pennsylvania.

The chapter was started by senior Samidha Sane through her work with the nonprofit Save the Children (STC), an international non-governmental organization that promotes children’s rights, provides relief, and helps support children in developing countries.

In 2015, Samidha was selected as one out of three students to represent Pennsylvania as a National Youth Ambassador at the STC Advocacy Summit in DC. In March 2015, Samidha initiated the STC Action Network in PA by starting a hosting a fundraising/advocacy talent show at NAI. The event raised more than $1,000 and taught 200 students about health care and education for children worldwide.

Samidha has been working with fellow STC Youth Ambassadors and NASH students Maddie Escourt, Hannah Glasser, Nina Ruffolo, and Roshie Xing to create a SCAN Club at NASH to involve other students in advocacy. As STC Youth Ambassadors for Pennsylvania, these students have discussed the Reach Every Mother and Child Act with policymakers on Capitol Hill and in the White House to ensure that children and mothers are protected from preventable diseases. Currently, the five students are working to continue to develop the statewide SCAN chapter by holding advocacy events in the city and visiting policymakers’ Pittsburgh offices to deliver petitions and information about the Reach Act in Congress.

To get more info about the Student Ambassador Program, visit the SCAN website: https://www.savethechildrenactionnetwork.org.

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NASH Students Test Math Skills

at CalcuSolve Competition

Three teams from NA Senior High School participated in the Allegheny County Calcu-Solve competition held last month at Duquesne Univer-sity.

CalcuSolve is a competition that tests students’ problem-solving skills related to math-ematics.

Congratulations Logan Her-man, Grant Jiang, Heya Lee, and Steven Lu for placing third in the competition out of approximately 60 teams! Addi-tionally, Heya Lee placed sec-ond place honors overall.

N O R T H A L L E G H E N Y S C H O O L D I S T R I C T

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November 2017MMS Student Wins National STEM CompetitionMeghna Behari, a ninth grader at NAI, won the $10,000 Marconi/Samueli Award for Innovation award at the Broadcom MASTERS®, the nation’s most prestigious competition for middle school students in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Finding that current water testing methods are inefficient, Meghna developed the “Aquabot,” an automated testing device that can wirelessly collect and transmit data on water quality. She was an eighth grader at Marshall Middle School when she began the project.

The award was announced on October 24 in Washington after 30 national finalists participated in a rigorous competition that tested their abilities in STEM, critical thinking, communication, creativity, and collaboration.

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Senior’s Play Featured at Young Playwrights

Festival

Congratulations to NA senior Riley Smith, whose play “Get Out the Vote” was selected to be featured during the EQT Young Playwrights Festival presented by the City Theatre.

Riley’s play was one of three winning plays selected from more than 400 submissions from high school students in western Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia. Riley had the privilege of watch-ing her play come to life with the help of the folks from the City Theatre. She sat in during table reads, watched the ac-tors engage with her words, and worked with a dramaturg to revise and edit the play.

On October 25, Riley and 40 fellow NA students saw her play performed during a stu-dent matinee production.

Hundreds Participate in NA Foundation’s Trick-or-TrotThe NA Foundation’s Trick-or-Trot 5K and 1 Mile race started with a rainbow in the sky and smiling faces on Saturday, October 28 at the Marshall campus. While there was a bit of rain during the event, it didn’t dampen the fun of the more than 270 participants.

The NA Band gave a special performance just before the race started, and many of the participants enjoyed the race in costume. Overall, the event was one of those special moments when we celebrate coming together as the NA community.

NA Foundation thanks all the volunteers, sponsors, students, and participants who made the event a success. Because of your support, over $12,000 was raised for North Allegheny students. These funds will be used in the NA Foundation’s grants to teachers and schools program.

N O R T H A L L E G H E N Y S C H O O L D I S T R I C T

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November 2017

School Bus Safety Award Winners RecognizedThe annual School Bus Safety Awards were held on October 17 at Marshall Elementary. Congratulations to the following winners:

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#PinkOutNA Raises Money for Breast Cancer Research

The North Allegheny Student Section organized a Pink-Out at the football game against Hempfield on October 20.

Students sold t-shirts to raise $3,500 for local nonprofit A Glimmer of Hope, which sup-ports breast cancer research.

A.W. Beattie Career Center Student of the

Month

Congratulations to Bradley Gerthoffer, who was named an A.W. Beattie Career Center Student of the Month for Sep-tember-October. Bradley is in the EDAM/Robotics program.

Bradford Woods Elementary

Division I:1st Place: Anaya Pushkarna2nd Place: Matthew Lindblad3rd Place: Ally Grabowski

Franklin Elementary

Division I: 1st Place: Pavithra Kumar2nd Place: Yuvaan Kaneri3rd Place: Samhitha Bhonagiri

Division II:1st Place: Maria Yanning Jiao2nd Place: Tarun Kumar3rd Place: Mahitha Bhonagiri

Hosack Elementary

Division II:1st Place: Thomas Saikaly2nd Place: Meredith Gross3rd Place: Sarah Aggazio

Ingomar Elementary

Division I:1st Place: Dariana Chiosea2nd Place: Megan Dudro 3rd Place: James Hetherington

Division II:1st Place: Marina Chiosea2nd Place: Anushka Ashwin Prabhu3rd Place: Kaitlyn Hetherington

Marshall Elementary

Division I:1st Place: Alina Sitwat2nd Place: Sydney Klaich3rd Place: Chloe Bayer

Division II:1st Place: Lauren Rhoten2nd Place: Ethan Ou-Yang

Peebles Elementary

Division I:1st Place: Avnika Ashok2nd Place: Fiona Foy3rd Place: Paige Boyer

Division II:1st Place: Anukta Ashok2nd Place: Alexandra Stuart3rd Place: Aidan Anthony

Additionally, Anaya Pushkarna and Maria Yanning Jiao took first place in the state of Pennsylvania for their posters. Both students were recognized in Harrisburg on October 17.

N O R T H A L L E G H E N Y S C H O O L D I S T R I C T

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November 2017

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Paid advertisements in District communications and/or on District property do not represent the District’s en-dorsement or approval of the matters or organizations represented in the advertisements. (School Board Policy #2580 - Approved Commercial Advertising.)

Don’t Miss This Fall’s Theater Performances!The NASH production of the play Almost, Maine will open with a free performance for senior citizens on Wednesday, November 8, at 3:30 p.m. There will be four performances for the general public: Thursday, November 9; Saturday, November 11; Friday, November 17; and Saturday, November 18. All shows start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets available here.

NAI’s rendition of the classic A Christmas Carol will begin with a Senior Citizens’ performance at 3:30 p.m. on November 29 at NAI. Regular performances will be held at NAI on November 30 at 7 p.m. and December 2 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door.

Performances of Beauty and the Beast will take place at NASH at on December 8 at 7 p.m., and December 9 and 10 at 2 p.m. On December 6, there will also be a Senior Citizens’ Performance at 3:30 p.m. and a performance for the 5th grade at 10 a.m. Tickets available here.

Support NA with United Way

Contributor’s Choice

Employer match programs can double the impact of

your gift.

If your employer participates in a workplace giving cam-paign through the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylva-nia, you can use the Contribu-tor’s Choice option to direct your gift to The North Allegh-eny Foundation.

North Allegheny Foundation’s

Contributor’s Choice code is 3567.

Last year more than $5,000 was donated through the United Way to support NA classrooms and students!