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Tiger News

TigerThon Exceeds Goal, Raises Over $100,000 for Pediatric Cancer

North Allegheny School District’s Quarterly Newsletter

On Saturday, March 30, 2019, North Allegheny hosted the 5th annual TigerThon, a six-hour dance marathon in which NA students in grades K-12 raise money for local organizations dedicated to fighting pediatric cancer. More than 1,400 people attended this community effort, led by a dedicated team of high school students.

Organizers originally set the goal for $50,000, which was higher than the $37,000 raised in 2018. Students knew their hard work had paid off when the funds raised had doubled by the end of the evening, raising a total of $100,925.81. “My favorite part of the whole evening was how carefully the event captain, senior Kristen Chomos, planned the final number reveal,” shared event sponsor and NASH teacher Mrs. Sharon Volpe. “The reveal is one of the best parts of the night. The crowd knew what the total was before any of the student captains of the event knew. The looks on their faces as word went down the line was just so emotional and something I will always remember.”

All donations benefitted UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Hematology and Oncology Departments, along with local non-profit Pennies from Heaven. TigerThon has been recognized as UPMC’s largest high school dance-a-thon donor, and NASH students continue to uphold this stellar reputation. Watch the NATV recap video here!

IN THIS ISSUE

INGOMAR ELEMENTARY STAIRS LEAD TO A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

JROTC FLYING TIGERS HEAD TO NATIONALS IN COLORADO

HOSACK STUDENTS CREATE LIVING MUSEUM

DISTRICT RECEIVES 13TH CONSECUTIVE MUSIC AWARD

ALUM RETURNS TO SHARE EXPERTISE WITH CARSON

PEEBLES NAMED COMMON SENSE SCHOOL

Preparing all students for success in a changing world.

FASHION CLUB HOSTS 10TH ANNUAL FASHION SHOW

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Bradford Woods Elementary Highlights Diversity in a “School of Fish” Art DisplayThis year, Bradford Woods Elementary created an all-school display of a “School of Fish” in the front lobby of their building. Each student created and designed their own fish representative of their unique signature and impact that they leave on the school every day.

The lobby is covered with vibrantly-colored fish, signifying that while all students are amazingly different, we swim together to create the environment in which we grow and learn from one another in.

Franklin Raises Funds for Pediatric Cancer ResearchThe annual St. Baldrick’s Day event was held at Franklin Elementary on March 7. Together, 29 Franklin students, two staff members, and one parent “braved the shave” for the event, raising $16,500 for pediatric cancer research.

Ingomar Elementary Stairs Lead to a Healthy LifestyleStudents and staff members are reminded of five simple ways they can lead healthier lifestyles each time they take the stairs at Ingomar Elementary.

Health and Physical Education teacher Dean Boronyak created “Stairs to a Healthy Lifestyle” in February. Each step features a message that promotes positive attitudes and staying healthy. “We were inspired to send a healthy reminder to all, and share a very important daily message,” added Mr. Boronyak. “I truly believe if we count to five the healthy way, we will feel better, live better, and learn better.” Another set of stairs focusing on social and emotional learning can also be found at Ingomar.

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Diversity Expression Contest Winners RecognizedEleven students were recognized at the Diversity Contest Winners’ Reception on March 27 at Central Administration prior to the Regular Board Meeting.

Students submitted fine arts and writing pieces that expressed their interpretation of the theme, “The more we respect and understand one another, a better world it will be.” Year after year, students continue to produce excellent works of art to illustrate what they know about the importance of being both unique and accepted in the world.

Congratulations to the following winners in the Writing category: Srinika Dasari (MES), Riya Pasrija (MES), Avery Butcher (MMS), Greta Mott (MMS), Clara Stover (MMS), and Ashna Patel (NAI). The following students were named winners for their Fine Arts entries: Jianglan Chu (MES), Anaya Pushkarna (BWE), Joseph Widjaja (CMS), Laura Vinski (NAI), and Sakeena Badrane (NASH).

To learn more about the winners, click here to view the video produced by NATV.

JROTC Flying Tigers Head to National Finals in ColoradoDescribed as one of the “STEMiest” programs around, StellarXplorers is created and produced by the Air Force Association, with the goal of inspiring and attracting high school students to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and careers. Students need to master complex problems that are literally “out of this world” and function cooperatively as a team. North Allegheny’s StellarXplorers team, The Flying Tigers, is comprised of sophomore, junior, and senior JROTC members alongside their team director Chief Terry Speer, who is NA’s Aerospace Science and Leadership teacher. The Flying Tigers have qualified for the National Finals competition and are heading to Colorado Springs, Colorado in mid-April to compete.

“I cannot begin to say what I have gained from this experience. Working with my team to solve problems has not only benefited my logical abilities, but it has also benefited me in ways that go beyond the classroom. Math and science have always been fascinating to me; and through Stellar, I have learned a multitude of new ways to apply my knowledge. I was fortunate to have a talented team and an encouraging instructor to guide me through the experience. I will never forget the time I spent in this competition and the friendships and knowledge that I acquired,” said sophomore team member, Mattox Gillece Tokars.

The StellarXplorers program provides a hands-on, space design challenge involving all aspects of space systems development and operation within a spacecraft. The program appeals to students with diverse interests and academic abilities, all-the-while exposing them to a dynamic industry. The Flying Tigers have been competing since October 2018 and are in the top 10 out of 216 teams nationwide.

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Hosack Elementary Students Create Living MuseumFourth-grade students at Hosack Elementary learned valuable history lessons in March during their Living Museum projects.

A Living Museum is an exhibit where students dress as celebrated individuals and stand at attention illustrating the life of the person represented. Students remained frozen in time until their “press here” button was triggered. Once activated, the students came alive and told their character’s life story. Students were tasked to choose and research influential public figures who made significant impacts in the world around them.

Staff and students throughout Hosack were given the opportunity to view the exhibit and listen to the presentations. Amelia Earhart, Albert Einstein, Ben Franklin, and Cleopatra were just some of the many icons selected.

The Knights of McKnightThe McKnight Elementary “Knight of the Month” Program is a new initiative based on qualities such as character, leadership, and citizenship.

Each month, the “Knight of the Month” must be a diligent student, complete his/her assignments on time, show a strong effort to learn subjects to the best of their ability, come prepared for class, and have good classroom participation. Each classroom nominates a student based on three principles: do the right thing, treat people with kindness and respect, and do your personal best.

NAI Students Tasked with #believeinYOUchallengeFreshmen and sophomores at NAI were encouraged to join the #believeinYOUchallenge on February 27 when they heard from motivational speaker, Kevin Atlas, during an assembly.

Standing at nearly 7-feet-tall, Kevin motivated students to “be the one” and join the #believeinYOUchallenge where students are encouraged to attend three student events and show their peers that they believe in and support them.

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Peebles Rocks with Socks to Raise Awareness for Down SyndromeOn Thursday, March 21, Peebles Elementary participated in World Down Syndrome Awareness Day. To help raise awareness, students and staff rocked wild and colorful mismatched socks to spark conversations about diversity, inclusion, and acceptance. Leading up to the day, students and staff members performed random acts of kindness for one another to promote inclusion and diversity. Peebles also promoted the theme of “leave no one behind” to encourage students to always be accepting and inclusive of others. This initiative was paired with classroom lessons, assemblies, and a fundraiser for the Down Syndrome Association of Pittsburgh. Students and staff raised a total of $702 through one day of fundraising!

NASH Senior Scores Perfect on AP Computer Science ExamCongratulations to senior Ethan James! Ethan was notified this spring that he achieved a perfect score on the May 2018 Advanced Placement Computer Science A Exam. Ethan’s performance was so superior that it falls into a very select category. Advanced Placement Exams are scored on a scale from 1 to 5, where a 5 is equivalent to the grade of A in the corresponding college course. Not only did Ethan receive the top score of 5 but he was 1 of only 193 students around the world to earn every possible point on this difficult assessment.

North Allegheny Receives 13th Consecutive Music Award

For the 13th consecutive year, the North Allegheny School District has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education.

The Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate significant achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. To qualify for the Best Communities designation, NASD answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, and community music-making programs. Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas. "It's an honor to receive this prestigious recognition from a national organization that supports music education for all ages and abilities," shared Superintendent Dr. Robert Scherrer. "The teachers and staff members in our Music Department provide students with countless opportunities and devote a tremendous amount of effort to making North Allegheny's music curriculum one of the best in the nation. We are extremely proud of the success of our students."

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Marshall Elementary Students Participate in the Pittsburgh Chamber Music Practice ChallengeIn January and February, students at Marshall Elementary were challenged to practice for at least six days a week, for four weeks, to win two free tickets and the chance to meet and hear the world-renowned Sybarite5 String Quartet at their concert which took place on February 4.

“This is the second year orchestra students at MES have participated in the Practice Challenge. Through this program, students are inspired and motivated to become better musicians through practicing and earning two free tickets to hear some of the world’s best musicians. Students enjoyed listening to non-traditional music on traditional acoustic instruments ranging from alternative band Radiohead to tango music. I am thankful for the Pittsburgh Chamber Music Society for offering this program and I look forward to my students participating in future practice challenges!” shared Marshall Orchestra Teacher Sarah Klicker.

NA Alum Returns to Share Expertise with Carson Middle School Students

Carson Middle School seventh grade students were recently treated to a presentation and Q&A session on February 22 with Adelee Choban, a 2011 North Allegheny graduate and Carson Middle School alumnus who now works as a forensic scientist from the Allegheny County Criminal Investigation Unit.

The annual Kick Butts Day was held on Friday, March 8 at Ingomar Middle School. Kick Butts Day features an all-school assembly with one simple message: kick tobacco and nicotine to the curb! With the growing epidemic of teenagers using vaping devices, this year’s theme was Knock Out Nicotine. IMS students celebrated being tobacco-free with student performances, a guest speaker from Tobacco Free Allegheny, and celebrity guest appearances, including Mikey and Bob of 96.1 KISS. The afternoon concluded with a fun basketball game with adults competing against current and former Ingomar students.

Ingomar Middle Hosts Annual Kick Butts Day

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Students Use Algebra Skills to Benefit MMS Kids for Wish ClubAlgebra I students at Marshall Middle applied their learning of linear equations to a Math Means Business activity that raised a profit of $343 for the MMS Kids for Wish Club. The students researched items that they could potentially personalize and sell to the student body of MMS.

Using their research of unit price, shipping costs, and extra expenses, the students wrote and graphed linear equations. By analyzing the x- and y-intercepts, applying projections, and gathering data of student interest, the students voted on designing a wristband to sell. The wristband featured the NA colors with the phrase ‘YOU CAN’T HIDE MY TIGER PRIDE’, and were sold during lunch periods over a week in March as a combined celebration with Pi Day. This project helped bring the core of linear equations to life with marketing, application, and student leadership.

Peebles Elementary Named Common Sense SchoolCommon Sense, the national non-profit organization dedicated to helping kids and families thrive in a world of media and technology, has recognized Peebles Elementary as a Common Sense School.

Peebles Elementary has demonstrated its commitment to taking a whole-community approach to preparing its students to think critically and use technology responsibly to learn, create, and participate, while limiting the perils that exist in the online realm, such as plagiarism, loss of privacy, and cyberbullying. The recognition acknowledges our school’s commitment to creating a culture of digital citizenship.

“We applaud the faculty and staff of Peebles Elementary for embracing digital citizenship as an important part of their students’ education,” said Liz Kline, VP, Education Programs, Common Sense Education. “Peebles Elementary deserves high praise for giving its students the foundational skills they need to compete and succeed in the 21st-century workplace and participate ethically in society at large.”

Peebles has been using Common Sense Education’s innovative and research-based digital citizenship resources, which were created in collaboration with researchers from Project Zero, led by Howard Gardner at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. The resources teach students, educators, and parents tangible skills related to internet safety, protecting online reputations and personal privacy, media balance, managing online relationships, and media literacy. The free K-12 curriculum is used in classrooms across all 50 states, in more than 50,000 schools, and by more than half a million educators.

“We’re honored to be recognized as a Common Sense School,” said Mrs. Susie Bjalobok, Peebles principal. “By preparing our students to use technology safely and responsibly, we are providing them unlimited opportunities to maximize and personalize their learning.”

Peebles joins Bradford Woods, Ingomar, and Marshall Elementary in being named a Common Sense School.

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Fashion Club Hosts 10th Annual Charity Fashion ShowThe North Allegheny FCCLA FIDM Fashion Club hosted its 10th annual Fashion Show on Saturday, April 6, 2019 at North Allegheny Senior High School. The evening featured student-designed and constructed pieces worn by student models. The designs were inspired by fashion trends from previous decades. Over 100 guests also enjoyed musical and dance performances during an after-party reception. While many of the designs were constructed by students through Fashion Club, several pieces were created during the Fashion Design course offered at North Allegheny Senior High and the Sewing and Design course offered at North Allegheny Intermediate. Proceeds from ticket sales, approximately $1,000, were donated to Miss 22 Quties Special Needs Beauty Pageant’s scholarship program.

The Marshall Middle School Buddy Club met during an activity period and made cookies from cookie cutters that were designed by students and printed on using the school’s 3D printer.

3D is Sweet!

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards has announced the names of the 2019 National Medalists, the organization’s highest award. Congratulations to the following North Allegheny recipients:

• Réka Götz, grade 10, NAI – Counterpoint (photography), Silver Medal

• Makayla Wach, grade 10, NAI – It Is What It Is (short story), Gold Medal and New York Life Award

• Teighan Racicot, grade 12, NASH—Yamz (painting), Gold Medal

• Akshaya Sudhakar, grade 12, NASH – So Little Yet So Much (painting), Silver Medal

• Rin Swann, grade 12, NASH – The Second Rule (flash fiction), Gold Medal

• Rin Swann, grade 12, NASH – Stitches (personal essay & memoir), Silver Medal

• Rin Swann, grade 12, NASH – Sophia (short story), Silver Medal

Scholastic Art & Writing Awards 2019 National Medalists

The Teenage Brain & Drug Use: Forging the Path to Addiction Video Available OnlineThe high school Student Assistance Program recently hosted the annual spring Community Connections Seminar entitled The Teenage Brain & Drug Use: Forging the Path to Addiction, featuring local and distinguished physician Dr. Thomas Brophy (right). The program emphasized the importance of parents/guardians, educators, and community members educating themselves and students about the science behind a variety of drugs, including opioids, vapes, and other chemicals that lead to addiction.

In order to reach more families on this critical subject, the program was recorded by members of NATV and has been posted on the NATV YouTube Channel. North Allegheny strongly encourages all families to view the program and use it as a springboard to the ongoing conversation and open communication on the subject. Click here to view the presentation on YouTube.

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Upcoming Events• April 19 Spring Break (No School)

• April 22 Spring Break (No School)

• April 24 School Board Combined Meeting

• May 4 Senior Prom

• May 10 Senior Citizens’ Prom

• May 15 School Board Work Session,

25-Year Employee Recognition

• May 21 Act 80 Day (No Classes)

• May 22 DAA Ceremony,

School BoardRegular Meeting

• May 23 This is Us Celebration at NAI

• May 27 Memorial Day (No School)

• June 6 Last Day of School

• June 7 In-Service Day, Class of 2019 Graduation

SENIOR CITIZENS' PROM

NORTH ALLEGHENY

Enjoy a night out with light refreshments, a free prom photo, and free admission.

M A Y 1 0 , 2 0 1 9 | 7 : 0 0 P M - 1 0 : 0 0 P MN O R T H A L L E G H E N Y S E N I O R H I G H

1 0 3 7 5 P E R R Y H I G H W A Y , W E X F O R D , P A 1 5 0 9 0

Sponsored by the students of the North Allegheny Senior High School.

The NA Senior Citizens' Prom is a special event benefitting the Senior

Citizens of our community.

Please RSVP by May, 3 2019 to 412-369-5447.