North Allegheny Schools

News Releases
 

July 15, 2009

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July 15, 2009

NA Senior High School Student Council Receives 2009 National Council of Excellence Award 

            The North Allegheny School District (NASD) is proud to announce that the North Allegheny Senior High (NASH) Student Council has been recognized by the National Association of Student Councils (NASC) in their 2009 National Student Council Awards Program.  Only three Pennsylvania high schools, including NASH, have achieved recognition in the 2009 program.   

            The NASH Student Council has been awarded the 2009 National Council of Excellence Award for their exemplary record of leadership, service, and activities that serve to improve the school and community.   Ms. Patricia Dzambo is the staff advisor for the NASH Student Council. 

Student Councils must demonstrate that they meet at least the following criteria to be considered for these awards: have a written constitution, regular meetings, and a democratic election process, leadership training for council members, teacher/staff appreciation activities, student recognition programs, school and community service projects, spirit activities, goal setting, financial planning, and active participation in their state and national student council associations. 

            The National Association of Student Councils (NASC) promotes and provides leadership development opportunities to prepare and empower students to serve their schools and communities.  NASC is a program of the National Association of Secondary School Principals which is the preeminent organization and national voice for middle level and high school leaders.  NASC also sponsors the National Honor Society and the National Junior Honor Society, which recognizes outstanding middle level and high school students who demonstrate excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service and character.  For more information on NASC, visit www.nasc.us.

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July 14, 2009

NA Students Win Honors at State Science Meeting 

            The North Allegheny School District (NASD) is proud to announce that eleven students competed at the 75^th Annual State Meeting of the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS), where they received eight First Place awards, two Second Place awards and one Third Place award. 

First Place award winners were:  Richard Gayler (Physics), Jay Sehgal (Biology), Skanda Koppula (Computer Science – also received Directors award), Michelle Lee (Microbiology), Edden Rabin (Physics), Rona Sun (Biology), Julie Wu (Biology – perfect score) and Kevin Zhang (Microbiology). 

Second Place award winners were:  Jonya Chen (Chemistry) and Kathy Zhang (Botany) 

Third Place award winner:  Akshaya Arjunan (Microbiology) 

      The Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) is a statewide organization of junior and senior high school students designed to stimulate and promote interest in science among its members through the development of research projects and investigations.  To learn more about the PJAS, please visit their website at http://www.pjas.net/.

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July 14, 2009

NA Students’ Hard Work Recognized at Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair 

            The North Allegheny School District (NASD) is proud to announce that several students were recognized for their work at the Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair in April. 

Students were recognized in several categories as shown below. 

Category Award winners were: Lena Vodovotz (Physical Science – Junior-Honorable Mention), Skanda Koppula (Computer Science/Math – Intermediate-First Place), Jonathan Grygiel (Engineering/Robotics – Intermediate-Second Place), Jonya Chen (Chemistry – Senior-Honorable Mention), Richard Gayler (Physics – Senior-First Place) and Edden Rabin (Physics – Senior-Third Place). 

Sponsor Award winners were:  Michelle Lee (2 awards – Allegheny County Health Department and Mine Sefety Appliances Co. Charitable Foundation), Alex Grumski (Allegheny County Health Department), Joe Durante (2 awards – American Society of Civil engineers, Pittsburgh Section and Association of Bridge Construction & Design), Richard Gayler (CONSOL Energy Inc.), Kelly Hung (Eaton Corporation), Greg Fraley (2 awards – IBM Corporation and University of Pittsburgh Department of Freshman Engineering), Jonathan Grygiel (2 awards – Institute of Electrical Engineers, Inc. and The Technology Collaborative),  Jay Sehgal (Pittsburgh Tissue Engineering Initiative), Emma Harvey (2 awards -  PPG Industries, Inc. and University of Pittsburgh), Meghana Gorur (Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh) and Shivam Verma (University of Pittsburgh Department of Neuroscience). 

Affiliate Award winners were:   Skanda Koppula (U.S. Army), Richard Gayler (U.S. Navy/U.S. Marine Corps) and Jonathan Grygiel (2 awards – U.S. Nay/U.S. Marine Corps. and U.S. Air Force). 

Perseverance Award winners were:       Richard Gayler (Junior Scientist), Ria Mulherkar (Junior Scientist) and Shivam Verma (Associate Scientist). 

Scholarship Award winner:       Shivam Verma also received four Scholarship Awards (Allegheny College, Chatham College, The University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg and Penn State Beaver). 

The Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair is a competition of research projects in the fields of science, mathematics, and engineering.  The competition is open to all students in grades 6-12 from the 26 counties within Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The Science Fair has been a Pittsburgh tradition since 1940. It is also the third oldest science fair in the United States under the affiliation of Society for Science and the Public, which facilitates the International Science and Engineering Fair. 

This year was the 70^th year for this competition and nearly 1,000 students from 99 schools competed for over $750,000 in cash prizes, scholarships and trips.  

The Science Fair strives to become the venue to connect bright and motivated young scientists with this region's industry, academia, and professional organizations to promote economic development within Western Pennsylvania. Introducing students to the science and technology opportunities within our region will facilitate the cultivation and retention of a tremendous resource-our youth. 

For more information about the Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair you can visit their website at www.scitechfestival.com. 

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July 10, 2009

NA Retired Teacher Wins National Award:  Best High School Adviser in the Country 

            Ms. Kathy Ann Coll, retired North Allegheny Intermediate High School (NAI) teacher and former Student Council Adviser at the school, has been named the 2009 Warren E. Shull National High School Adviser of the Year by the National Association of Student Councils (NASC).  Ms. Coll was honored during a special ceremony at the NASC 2009 National Convention in Denver, Colorado. 

Ms. Coll was Student Council Advisor at NAI for 25 years before she retired last year and has helped her students complete annual fundraisers, spirit activities, service projects, staff appreciation, student recognition events, and so much more. 

“She understands the importance of developing student leaders, so she created the curriculum for the Leadership 1 and 2 classes that she not only founded, but taught for many years,” says Courtney Quisenberry, a 2009 graduate and North Allegheny’s Region B Representative. “I know I am not alone when I say that she has influenced my life.”

While the award singles out individuals on the state, regional, and national level, the purpose of the award is to highlight the many contributions made by all student council advisers throughout the United States. “Ms. Coll exemplified the tremendous influence advisors can have on the development of leadership in students during her tenure as an advisor and a teacher and we are very proud of her accomplishment,” said Superintendent Patricia P. Green of North Allegheny School District.

The National Association of Student Councils (NASC) provides and promotes professional development and leadership training to student council advisers who, in turn, teach leadership skills to student council members.  NASC is dedicated to preparing and empowering student leaders to better serve their schools and communities.  For more information, visit www.nascus.

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July 10, 2009

NA Announces Honor Roll Listing for 4th Nine Weeks

             The North Allegheny School District (NASD) proudly announces that 2,769 students in grades 6 through 12 have earned a position on the Honor Roll Listing for the fourth 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.*  

Students on

School                                                                   Grade        Honor Roll       % of Total

Carson Middle School (CMS)                                      6                      161                  60%
Total students enrolled: 724                                          7                      142
                                                                                    8                      129

Ingomar Middle School (IMS)                                      6                      149                  70%
Total students enrolled: 558                                          7                      122
                                                                                    8                      121 

Marshall Middle School (MMS)                                   6                      163                  71%
Total students enrolled: 647                                          7                      163
                                                                                    8                      135

North Allegheny Intermediate High School (NAI)*        9                      404                  59%
Total students enrolled: 1,284                                       10                    356

North Allegheny Senior High School     (NASH)*         11                    368                  54%
Total students enrolled: 1,351                                       12                    456

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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July 10, 2009

NA Students Contribute in Support of the Walt Whitman Birthplace Commemorative Poetry Circle 

            The North Allegheny School District (NASD) proudly announces that students who took Honors English 3 at NASH in 2008-09 contributed approximately one dollar each in order to purchase a brick which will be placed in the Walt Whitman Birthplace Commemorative Poetry Circle located in West Hills, NY. 

Ms. Kathryn Esposito, English teacher at the North Allegheny Senior High School, organized this effort and submitted the funds to the Walt Whitman Birthplace Association.  Recently, Ms. Esposito received a letter of acknowledgment and thanks from the Association in which they stated the contribution made by the students would be used to support the educational programs offered at the Walt Whitman Birthplace. 

The Walt Whitman Birthplace Association’s mission is to be the voice of Walt Whitman today.  The Association celebrates the poet’s vision of democracy, diversity and creativity.  Their programs and exhibits educate the public on Whitman’s life and times, explore his contribution to our nation’s rich cultural heritage and inspire young poets and writers.  For more information about the Walt Whitman Birthplace, please visit their website at www.waltwhitman.org. 

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July 10, 2009

NA Teacher Named Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction

             The North Allegheny School District (NASD) proudly announces that Ms. Kathryn Esposito, English teacher at the North Allegheny Senior High School, was recently selected as a Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction by the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS).  Ms. Esposito was nominated for this honor by her former student Dinesh Palanisamy for her outstanding dedication and commitment to excellence in the classroom. Dinesh is a 2009 NA graduate. 

Each year, student members of the National Society of High School Scholars have the opportunity to nominate the educator who had made the most significant contribution to their academic career.  The Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction award recognizes teacher role models who have made a lasting difference in their classroom by encouraging students to strive for excellence. 

Formed in 2002, the National Society of High School Scholars recognizes academic excellence at the high school level and encourages members of the organization to apply their unique talents, vision, and potential for the betterment of themselves and the world.  Currently, there are more than 450,000 members in 180 countries.  NSHSS also provides scholarship opportunities for deserving young people.  For more information about NSHSS visit www.snhss.org. 

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July 10, 2009

NA School Board to Meet in July 

The North Allegheny School District (NASD) announces that the Board of School Directors will hold a Combined Work Session/Regular Meeting on Wednesday, July 15, 2009, in the Board Room of the Central Administration Offices, 200 Hillvue Lane, McCandless Township, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The public is invited to attend all meetings.

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