Peters chamber holds new teachers luncheon
New teachers and new administrators in the Peters Township School District were welcomed by the Peters Township Chamber of Commerce at its annual Welcoming Luncheon Aug. 21 at the Rolling Hills Country Club in McMurray.
Brian Schill, chamber president, served as the master of ceremonies.
“Welcome to Peters Township home of the 246th best high school in the country and the 12th best in Pennsylvania,” said Schill, who drew some laughs and applause from the audience.
U.S. Rep Tim Murphy, R-18th, was the luncheon’s featured speaker.
“Throughout my district, this is the only event that welcomes new teachers,” he said. “Southwestern Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia have had their struggles. Make sure the kids are inspired and have a great year.”
When school begins Aug. 31, there will be 13 new teachers on hand to greet new and returning students. They include Pamela Guenther, a reading specialist; Marissa Clancy, McMurray Elementary; Krysten Scheidler, Peters Township High School; Kayla Koda, Peters Township Middle School; Michelle Chenevert, French; Olivia Enders, Peters Township Middle School; Megan Enscoe, Bower Hill Elementary; Karly Kunkle, Bower Hill Elementary; Katelyn Gilroy, Peters Township High School; Christopher Allen, Peters Township High School; Jamie Recker, McMurray Elementary; Kathleen Melnyk, McMurray Elementary, and Jennifer Carfano, Bower Hill Elementary.
“We have a lot of wonderful additions,” said Jeannine French, district superintendent.
Shelley Belcher, district spokeswoman, agreed. “This is a great way to welcome new staff and to show how important education is to the district,” she said.
Karly Kunkle, is the new media specialist at Bower Hill Elementary, replacing Myra Oleynik, who became the new director of the Peters Township Public Library, said the welcome luncheon gave her a sense of community.
Kunkle’s new colleague, Megan Enscoe, Bower Hill Elementary’s new special education teacher, also said the luncheon made her feel very welcome.
“The administration has been very helpful and easy to talk to,” Enscoe said. “This has been a fun day.”
In addition to the new teachers, six new administrators were welcomed. They are Brandon Womer, supervisor of building and grounds; Mary Burford, assistant business manager; Melinda Stewart, database technician; Robert Garvey, principal Bower Hill Elementary; April Ragland, assistant principal Peters Township High School, and Michael Brookie, assistant principal, McMurray Elementary.