North Allegheny Schools

News Releases
 

December 17, 2008

NA Announces Winter Break

The North Allegheny School District (NASD) announces that all schools will be closed for Winter Break from December 24, 2008 through January 2, 2009.  Classes will resume on Monday, January 5, 2009.

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December 16, 2008

NA High School Hosts PA Secretary of Agriculture

            The North Allegheny School District (NASD) is proud to announce that the Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture, Mr. Dennis Wolff, visited the North Allegheny Senior High School last week.  Mr. Wolff came to the High School to advocate with students and staff on behalf of the PA Preferred Program, which encourages consumers to purchase Pennsylvania products and applies important quality standards to products that carry the PA Preferred logo.

            Mr. Wolff was greeted upon his arrival by the Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Patricia P. Green; the Principal of the North Allegheny Senior High School, Dr. Lawrence Butterini; and Director of Assets, Purchasing and Transportation, Roger M. Botti.  He had lunch with staff and students, who also sampled free local apples and cider in the cafeteria foyer.  After lunch, Mr. Wolff spoke to students in the Environmental Science program, the GOAL program and the Environmental Club about the importance of sustaining our environment and ways they can be involved in that effort.

            “The North Allegheny School District is interested in making our students aware of environmental issues and participating as citizens who are informed and accountable in using resources and disposing of materials in a responsible manner,” said Dr. Green. “This year we expanded our District-wide recycling efforts. We whole-heartedly support the efforts of our food service program to purchase and serve produce from local farmers and to use Pennsylvania products to create their various menu items.”

            The North Allegheny School District food services program is provided by Metz and Associates, a company that has been working with PA Preferred in all of their divisions to help promote local products that are grown, harvested and/or manufactured in Pennsylvania.  The NA Food Services Manager, Justin Betzer, invited Mr. Wolff to the High School and coordinated the day’s activities.

            Mr. Wolff was appointed Secretary of Agriculture by Governor Rendell in May 2003.  He is a dairy Farmer and owns a 600-acre dairy cattle operation specializing in purebred Holstein genetics.  He currently serves as a member of the Pennsylvania Dairy Stakeholders and Penn State University Board of Trustees.  He is also President of the Nicholas Wolff Foundation, Inc., and Camp Victory, a non-profit summer camp for handicapped and chronically ill children.

            For more information about the PA Preferred Program, please visit www.PAPreferred.com. 

Dr. Patricia P. Green, Superintendent of the North Allegheny School District, welcomes
 Mr. Dennis Wolff, PA Secretary of Agriculture, to the North Allegheny Senior High School.

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December 16, 2008

NA Students Excel in Academic Competitions

The North Allegheny School District (NASD) proudly announces that North Allegheny Intermediate (NAI) and Ingomar Middle School (IMS) students recently earned honors in the Fall 2008 Knowledge Master Open academic competitions. 

Students from practically every state and several countries competed in the December 3rd event in which teams consisting of students used computers to answer 200 challenging questions from all curriculum areas.

The NAI team scored 1559 of 2,000 possible points, which earned them 1^st Place in Pennsylvania (out of 22) and 3^rd overall (out of 117) in the Junior High Division.  Students on the NAI team were:  Brian Boehmke, Griffin Caruso, Annie Erickson, Beth Hartigan, Ricky Kotermanski, Dominic LaBella, Martin Majewski, Jake Plichta, Ford Smith and Joey Zou

The IMS team scored 1541 of 2,000 possible points, which earned them 2^nd Place in Pennsylvania (out of 51) and 16^th place overall (out of 639) in the Middle School Division.  Students on the IMS team were:  Catherine Baird, Harish Balasubramani, Cole Benson, Geoffrey Bland, Amy Cheng, Caroline Cwalina, Danny Ficarri, Alanna Foran, Ross Michael Giglio, Samantha Gohh, Megan Gryzb, Luke Gwaltney, Jack Hopkins, Linda Huang, Skanda Koppula,  Dan Lambert, Cathy Li, Sophie Lin, Mia Luo, Joel Mabey, Joe Mancini, Eric Meyer, Kevin Mo, Dominic Moore, Duncan Riding, Victoria Robertson, Christine Scherer, Max Steimer, Nathan Stock, Lena Walton, Carol Wang, Derek Wang, Matthew Wild, Andrew Wu, Dennis Zhang, Bozhang Zhao and Kevin Zhu

The Knowledge Master Open was designed to stimulate enthusiasm for learning and recognition for academic accomplishment.  The contest runs on classroom computers to allow all students the opportunity to compete in a large academic event without the expense of traveling to a central site.  Results of the contest are tabulated into overall, state and enrollment-size rankings by Academic Hallmarks, a Colorado publishing firm that hosts the event.  Contest results and example questions are available at www.greatauk.com. 

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December 15, 2008

NA High School Students selected for All-Eastern Honors Ensembles

            The North Allegheny School District (NASD) is proud to announce that six high school students have earned placement in the MENC (The National Association of Music Education) All-Eastern Honors Ensembles and will participate in the MENC All-Eastern Conference.

Andrew Ho (violin), Jeffrey Lin (cello), Sean Radermacher (violin) and Brett Freithaler (bassoon) have all been selected for the All-Eastern Honors Orchestra.  Maria DeIuliis (soprano I) and Morgan Mihelic (alto II) were selected for the All Eastern Honors Mixed Choir. 

The 2009 MENC All-Eastern Honors Ensembles will perform for an audience of thousands on Sunday, March 15, 2009, at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium for the Performing Arts in Providence, Rhode Island.  More information about MENC can be found on their website www.MENC.org.

MENC was founded in 1907 with 64 members.  Today's membership has grown to nearly 130,000.  The Association's mission is to advance music education by encouraging the study and making of music by all.  Students are recognized by this organization on a state level by earning placement to All-State Honors Ensembles in band, orchestra, chorus, and jazz band.  The next level of recognition is at geographical divisions. 

The MENC Eastern Division is comprised of 13 states.  Eligibility of students for the All-Eastern Honors Ensembles is based upon criteria established by the Eastern Division leaders.  Very few schools have even one student representative who qualifies to participate at this level.  It is a great honor that this year North Allegheny has six.

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December 11, 2008

NA Appoints Director of Human Resources

The North Allegheny School District proudly announces that the NASD Board of School Directors named Ms. Joy M. Gaetano, SPHR, to the position of Director of Human Resources at their Regular Meeting on Wednesday, December 10, 2008.  Ms. Gaetano was appointed at an annual salary of $108,500, pro-rated to the date of hire. 

Ms. Gaetano holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Social Work with Magna Cum Laude Honors from Youngstown State University and a Masters in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University.  Ms. Gaetano was most recently employed by Mylan Inc., of Canonsburg as Vice President of Human Resources for the North American region.  Prior to that, she was the Vice President of Corporate Human Resources for the Cattron Group, Inc., in Sharpsville and the Senior Vice President of United States Filter Corporation in Palm Desert, CA.

Ms. Gaetano is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Allegheny County Library Association and the Jubilee Association and a member of the Ethics Panel of the Society for Human Resource Management.  She has served as Adjunct Faculty for St. Francis University, Youngstown State University and Robert Morris University.

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December 10, 2008

NASD Board and Bus Drivers’ Association Sign Agreement

The Board of School Directors of the North Allegheny School District and the North Allegheny School Bus Drivers’ Association signed a collective bargaining agreement at the Regular Meeting of the Board tonight.

This agreement will be retroactively effective as of July 1, 2008, and extend through June 30, 2014.  The North Allegheny School Bus Drivers’ Association represents approximately 85 members that serve the North Allegheny School District. 

NA bus drivers have been working under the terms of their prior agreement with the District during the period of extensive collective bargaining sessions which began in January of 2008 and extended through November. 

The Chapter was represented in the negotiations by Chief Spokesperson, Bob Eberle, partner, Jubelirer, Pass & Intrieri, P.C.  Other members of the negotiating team were Joe DeLuca, President; Sam Cammerata, Vice President; Grace Kreuer; Patty Hoff; Carol Eichner; Sue Eckert; Lorraine Berkley; Lori Hegness; and Cliff Poff.

The District was represented in the negotiations by Robert Devlin, Chief Spokesperson and Director of Human Resources; Roger Botti, Director of Assets, Transportation and Technology; and Bob Wagner, Kevin Schofield and Brian Pritchard, Transportation Supervisors.

This six year agreement contains the following terms:

• Members will receive a wage increase of 3.5% in the first year, with the percentage of increase progressively declining to 2.7% in the last year.

• Members agreed to pay higher shares of the premium expense for their health insurance, along with increases of utilization co-payments when services are accessed.

• The agreement exchanges one (1) sick day each year for one (1) personal day. Therefore, members will get one fewer sick day, but personal days will increase from one (1) to two (2).

• Other changes in the agreement are essentially operational changes that allow greater clarity in the administration of the contract.

The Bus Drivers’ Association collectively ratified this agreement by a large majority at their meeting on Tuesday, December 2, 2008. 

“We truly appreciate the contribution our bus drivers make to the overall pursuit of excellence to which the North Allegheny School District is devoted,” said Mr. Devlin.  “Their commitment to getting our students back and forth to school each day safely and on time is highly valued by the District and by our parents and community.   We thank them for their dedication and hard work.”

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December 10, 2008

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December 10, 2008

NA High School Marching Band Selected to Represent Pennsylvania

in the 56^th Presidential Inaugural Parade

            The North Allegheny School District (NASD) is proud to announce that the North Allegheny High School Marching Band has been chosen to represent the state of Pennsylvania in the 56^th Presidential Inaugural Parade in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, January 20, 2009. "A New Birth of Freedom" is the theme for the Inauguration. The theme commemorates the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth. The parade takes place on Pennsylvania Avenue, starting at the Capitol and ending at the White House.   

The North Allegheny School District was informed of this honor last weekend and is waiting for additional details and instructions from the Presidential Inaugural Committee.  It has been reported that nearly 1400 applications were received.  The North Allegheny High School Marching Band is the only marching band selected from Pennsylvania and one of only 19 marching bands in the entire parade.  Local dignitaries, elected officials, and other friends of the District who have heard the news have been calling to offer their congratulations.  

            “We are very proud of the fact that our Band was selected to represent Pennsylvania. This is an enormous honor,” said Dr. Patricia P. Green, Superintendent of Schools.  “It will be a wonderful experience for the students in our band to be a part of this historic time – one they will remember their entire lives.  It also reinforces once again that the substantial, on-going investment that NA has made in its music and fine arts program has created one of the top programs in the country.”

            Mr. Todd Stefan, Director of the NA Marching Band, submitted the application for the Inaugural Parade.  It included a video performance of the band recorded on DVD, an audio performance recorded on CD, a photo of the band, and a resume of the band’s significant accomplishments.   Mr. Stephen Baldanzi is Assistant Director of the Band.

            At this time, the District is only beginning the planning process in support of this event. The community is invited to make contributions to help defray the cost of the Band’s trip.  Checks may be made out to the North Allegheny School District with a note on the memo line that indicates “Marching Band trip to Inaugural Parade” and mailed to NASD, 200 Hillvue Lane, Pittsburgh, PA 15237, Attention: Mike Hopkins.

            The Marching Band and the District is appreciative of the support the community has already shown as this news has spread throughout western Pennsylvania.  Congressman Jason Altmire released the following statement to the media on Monday, December 8:

“Being selected to march in the Inaugural Parade is a great honor, and it is a true testament to the skill and dedication of the North Allegheny High School Marching Band.

On Inauguration Day, the eyes of the entire world will be on Washington, D.C. and will see the exceptional talent of these students. I know that the North Allegheny Marching Band will make all western Pennsylvanians proud as they march down Pennsylvania Avenue on Inauguration Day, and I look forward to watching their performance.”

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December 4, 2008

NA Senior Wins First Place in National Competition

The North Allegheny School District (NASD) is proud to announce that Stacey Chen, a senior at North Allegheny Senior High (NASH), won First Place in the Extemporaneous Speaking competition at the Glenbrooks National High School Speech and Debate Tournament held November 22-23, 2008, in Northfield, IL.

This was the 29^th annual Glenbrooks tournament and was hosted by Glenbrook South and North High Schools. It is the largest national-level high school speech and debate tournament in the U.S. hosted by a high school.  More than 1,500 contestants representing over 220 schools from at least 35 states are attracted to this tournament annually.

Stacey’s prestigious win comes on the heels of the recent announcement that NASH has been recognized – for the second year in a row – as one of the nations “Top 100 Schools” in speech and debate activities by the National Forensic League.  NASH ranked 68 out of 2,700 schools nationwide.

            The North Allegheny Forensics Coach is Ms. Sharon Volpe.  For more information, contact 412/369-5445.

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December 4, 2008

NA Announces Honor Roll Listing for 1^st Nine Weeks

             The North Allegheny School District (NASD) proudly announces that 3,088 students in grades 6 through 12 have earned a position on the Honor Roll Listing for the first nine weeks.  Honor Roll placement is calculated for each nine weeks independently using a weighted formula similar to that used for the calculation of QPA on the High School level.*

School                                                                   Grade        Students on    % of Total
                                                                                                 Honor Roll       

Carson Middle School (CMS)                                    6                      187                  63%
Total students enrolled: 729                                         7                      131
                                                                                  8                      139
 

Ingomar Middle School (IMS)                                    6                      137                  69%
Total students enrolled: 553                                         7                      122
                                                                                  8                      124

Marshall Middle School (MMS)                                 6                      169                  72%
Total students enrolled: 645                                        7                      151
                                                                                  8                      145

North Allegheny Intermediate High School (NAI)*      9                      449                  67%
Total students enrolled: 1,284                                      10                    415

North Allegheny Senior High School     (NASH)*        11                    441                  67%
Total students enrolled: 1,379                                       12                    478

An electronic list of names by grade level is available by request.  Please call 412-369-5445.
·          At the High School level, QPA is calculated at the end of each semester using a weighted formula to establish class rank.

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December 3, 2008
 

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