close

School News: Week of Feb. 17

4 min read
article image -

STREAM Night

Keystone Oaks Middle School will host its first STREAM Night, an evening that will showcase the integration of science, technology, reading, engineering, art and mathematics across the curriculum, while giving parents and students the opportunity to participate in hands-on activities in these disciplines.

STREAM Night will be held 6-8 p.m. March 31, and will coincide with the Middle School Art Show and Book Fair. The event is open to the public, In addition to the student artwork that will be on display, approximately 50 students are expected to participate by giving dynamic presentations and by reading poetry. A number of local organizations, corporations and universities will be in attendance to give presentations and provide activities related to STREAM disciplines. Those slated to participate include Alcosan, Bayer, Phipps Conservatory, University of Pittsburgh School of Engineering, Robert Morris University, Society of Women Engineers and Land Art Generator Initiative.

Organizations interested in participating should contact Jeff Kattan, middle school principal, at kattan@kosd.org by March 1.

Grants available

Applications are now open for Let’s Move Pittsburgh Champion Schools Awards. These $1,000 grants will be awarded to 40 early childcare centers, pre-kindergarten and elementary schools in Allegheny County to fund new and existing programs that promote children’s health and well-being. The deadline for applications is 5 p.m. April 1, and winners will be announced May 17.

Educators, administrators, students, food service directors, school nurses and parents are eligible to apply for these awards on behalf of any of the above listed schools in Allegheny County. All applicants must receive permission from their school’s principal to apply for funds. For a list of eligible projects or to apply, fill out the online form at letsmovepittsburgh.org/champion.

Theatre Award

(PIC) Bethel Park High School senior Joe Serafini earned a $1,500 Level II Theatre Award based on his performance and participation in the 35th annual National YoungArts Week in Miami, Fla.

Joe was one of 165 finalists selected from over 12,000 applications and the only Pennsylvania student selected to participate in the Theatre portion of the program.

As a YoungArts Finalist, Joe spent a week in Miami attending master classes and workshops with internationally renowned leaders in theater. The program is designed to help attendees gain additional experience to further their careers.

Previous YoungArts alumni include actresses Viola Davis and Kerry Washington, and actor Billy Porter.

Schools to Watch

South Fayette Middle School has been included on a highly selective list of PA Don Eichhorn Schools: “Schools to Watch” as part of a recognition program developed by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform. SFMS is one of 400 middle schools nationwide selected for this honor, which recognizes schools that meet the program’s strict criteria for high-performing schools.

State leaders selected each school for its academic excellence, its responsiveness to the needs and interests of young adolescents, and its commitment to helping all students achieve at high levels. In addition, each school has strong leadership, teachers who work together to improve curriculum and instruction, and a commitment to assessment and accountability to bring about continuous improvement.

Selection was based on a written application that required schools to show how they met criteria developed by the National Forum. Schools that met the criteria were then visited by state teams, which observed classrooms, interviewed administrators, teachers, students, and parents, and looked at achievement data, suspension rates, quality of lessons, and student work.

Schools are recognized for a three-year period, and at the end of three years, they must demonstrate progress on specific goals in order to be re-designated. Unlike the Blue Ribbon recognition program, “Schools to Watch” requires schools to not just identify strengths, but to also focus on areas for continuous improvement; thus the three year re-designation.

The award will be formally presented at the Pennsylvania Association for Middle Level Education Professional Development Institute in State College on Feb. 28.

CUSTOMER LOGIN

If you have an account and are registered for online access, sign in with your email address and password below.

NEW CUSTOMERS/UNREGISTERED ACCOUNTS

Never been a subscriber and want to subscribe, click the Subscribe button below.

Starting at $/week.

Subscribe Today