message from the superintendent - Fox Chapel Area School District

Transcription

2 0 1 2-20 1 3 f ox c ha pe l a re a s c ho ol di s tr ict s tate of th e s c ho ol s
Message from the Superintendent
Dear Residents of the Fox Chapel Area School District,
This issue of IN Fox Chapel Area Magazine highlights many of the outstanding accomplishments of
students and staff during the 2012-2013 school year. In addition, you will read about the building
construction and remodeling plans through interviews of our School Board President, Mr. Joel
Weinstein; Buildings and Grounds Agenda Chair and Treasurer, Nancy Foster; and Finance Agenda
Chair, Charles “Chip” Burke. Construction and remodeling of Fox Chapel Area High School will
begin in early 2014 followed by the remaining buildings in 2015 and 2016. The vision for these
projects is to keep all facilities in excellent condition and to maintain all elementary schools as
community schools within the current designated districts.
Fall is always an exciting time of the year as our students return to school. The winter IN Fox Chapel Area Magazine will be my
final magazine to the residents of the Fox Chapel Area School District due to my plans to retire in December 2013. I always
enjoy writing the State of the Schools report because it allows me to reflect back on each year that I have spent in the district.
I spent a lot of time in 2006 talking with parents, teachers, students, Board members and community members to find out what
they really liked about their school district and what improvements they would like to see. The answers included: raising overall
academic success, increasing AP participation, improving gifted and special education programs, better collaboration with PALS
(special education support organization) and PAGE (organization in support of gifted programming), better organization within
the athletic department, addressing diversity and transitioning so that all students feel comfortable in our schools, improving
access to 21st century technology, improving facilities, and keeping the district financially sound. We began our journey by
developing a new Strategic Plan and annually, a Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP) to address the critical issues. As we begin
the 2013-2014 school year, I am very pleased that so many of those initial goals have been met, a new Strategic Plan has been
written, and we continue to focus our energy on the goals that are set each year in the CIP.
I have met some of the most generous and caring people during my time in the Fox Chapel Area School District. The Board
of School Directors has been amazing to work with; talented and focused on what will benefit children the most. They are
nine different personalities with varied experiences to contribute to the overall good of children at all grade levels. This is truly
the backbone of any school district. From there, you build through your administration, teachers, support staff, students, and
parents. The Fox Chapel Area School District has tremendous strength in each area. I think about our wonderful PTA/PTO
and booster groups, the hard work of so many parents and staff to make two Gala events successful to improve technology
and support the arts, the amazing donation of $800,000 to build new athletic fields at the high school, and the overwhelming
encouragement so many of you have given me over the past few months during challenging times. I have spent 38 years as a
school administrator with 19 of those years as a fully credentialed superintendent by the state of Ohio and the commonwealth
of Pennsylvania. I was also privileged to impact government policy when I was appointed as the Executive Director for School
Reform for the state of Ohio and Ohio’s liaison to Washington, D.C., for education. My goal throughout my career has been to
impact and improve education for all students.
Thank you for your continued support of education in the Fox Chapel Area School District.
Sincerely,
Fox Chapel Area | Fall 2013 | icmags.com 7
2012-2013
State of the Schools
Awards and Achievements
• High school sophomore Rishi Mirchandani
received a Fourth Place Grand Award at the
Intel International Science and Engineering
Fair. He qualified by being named an
overall winner at the 74th Annual Pittsburgh
Regional Science and Engineering Fair.
Students from more than 70 countries
showcased their independent research at the
competition held in Phoenix.
• Seventeen seniors were
designated as National
Merit Finalists and
nine were named
Commended Students
in the 2013 National
Merit Scholarship
Program. The Finalists
were David Ahn,
Sarah Burns,
Joshua Goodman,
Manu Goyal, Colleen Hamilton, Kate
Hardiman, Riley Herrmann, Gavriel Hirsch,
Andrew Kemp, Lisa Liu, Harrison Newman,
Joseph Puthenpurayil, Deeksha Sarma,
Simon Schaitkin, John Shymansky, Zihan Su,
and Gautam Swamynathan.
• A total of 113 high school students were
named Advanced Placement (AP) Scholars
by the College Board in recognition of their
exceptional achievement on the college-level
AP examinations taken in May 2013. Seniors
Jared Everingham, Joshua Goodman, Manu
Goyal, Colleen Hamilton, Bharat Iyer, Lisa
Liu, Joseph Puthenpurayil, and Zihan Su and
juniors Taha El-Magbri and Richard Szabo
qualified for the National AP Scholar Award
by earning an average score of 4 or higher on
all AP exams taken, and scores of 4 or higher
on eight or more of these exams.
8 Fox Chapel Area
Learning
The Fox Chapel Area School District will provide a curriculum
and extracurricular opportunities that foster academic growth and
personal development.
FOX C H A PE L A R E A S C HO OL DI S T R ICT: R E S PE CT, R E S P ON S I B I L I T Y, I N T E G R I T Y
2012-2013 Accomplishments
• The use of Differentiated Instruction (DI) continues to support meeting
the learning needs of all students. This is also the main focus of professional
development for all administrators and teachers. The training focuses on what
students should know, understand, and be able to do in order to achieve mastery
of a skill. Additionally, teacher leaders are being developed in each building
and the expertise of this leadership team will be utilized to assist teachers in the
development of Differentiated Instruction skills.
• The Benchmark Literacy program was piloted in several classrooms at each of
the elementary schools. This reading program involves pretesting to determine
individual literacy levels so that students receive reading materials aligned with
their actual achievement levels.
• The elementary report cards were revised to align with the Pennsylvania Academic
Standards. The new report cards include descriptors for the levels of proficiency.
• All seventh graders at Dorseyville Middle School will receive their own iPads as
part of a 1:1 iPad technology plan that was finalized in 2012-2013. In January
2014, students in seventh grade will engage in new Project-Based Learning
(PBL) experiences using iPads. The iPads will enhance the curriculum through
Project-Based Learning where the learning goals focus on inquiry, discovery, and
collaboration. This project seeks to transform instruction to best meet the needs
of the 21st century learner as well as prepare learners for collegiate and workplace
expectations. The plan will be expanded to include higher grade levels in future
years.
• The FC Virtual program offered six blended online courses for high school
students. Enrollment in these courses increased to 108 students, compared to an
enrollment of 44 in 2011-2012. The SAT prep course had the greatest student
enrollment with 43 students.
Continued on next page
• The Dorseyville Middle School Sinfonia
Orchestra was one of 16 orchestras chosen
to participate in the 2013 American String
Teachers Association National Orchestra
Festival held in Rhode Island. Orchestras
selected from across the nation exemplified
continued excellence, strong curricular focus,
and superior performance attributes.
• Middle School eighth grader Mihir Garimella
was named a finalist and eighth grader Suvir
Mirchandani was named a semifinalist in the
Broadcom MASTERS Competition based on
their achievements at the Pittsburgh Regional
Science and Engineering Fair.
• High school sophomore Zoe Aridor was named
a winner in the national 2012 Cassini “Scientist
for a Day” Essay Contest. She and a group of
her classmates participated in an after-school
videoconference with scientists from NASA.
• High school social studies and gifted support
teacher Jennifer Klein was chosen by National
Public Radio (NPR) to spend election night
2012 at its headquarters in Washington, D.C.
She was part of a select group of 30 people
who were invited to observe NPR’s social
media desk.
• The Fox Chapel Area School District designed a cyber school program to be
implemented in 2013-2014. The program, which is aligned to the Fox Chapel
Area curriculum and is facilitated by Fox Chapel Area teachers, will be open to
students in grades 9-12. Core and elective courses will be offered, plus there will be
access to a variety of Fox Chapel Area’s blended courses.
• Schools throughout the district continued to benefit from the partnership with
the Allegheny Intermediate Unit and access to Allegheny Connect, a network
that connects districts across the state to one another and to countries around
the world. Some programs and benefits include: a Mandarin Chinese course;
iPad video conferencing; math, language arts, and writing projects; high school
anatomy & physiology class; autopsy and surgery video conferences; NASA video
conference; and a Latin America regional seminar.
• A team of administrators and teachers worked together throughout the year
to develop a supervisory model that will set the expectations for teaching and
learning for all teachers beginning in 2013-2014. This team also worked on fully
understanding the new teacher evaluation system that went into effect July 1, 2013.
• The district has been measuring the 21st century skills of eighth graders for the
past four years. Areas included in the assessment are: creativity and innovation;
communication and collaboration; research and information fluency; critical
thinking, problem solving, and decision making; digital citizenship; and
technology operations and concepts. Dorseyville students have performed above
the global and state averages in all categories every year.
• The district teamed with the Cooper-Siegel Library to host a cyber safety session
titled, “It’s A Wired, Wired World: Youth Perspective on Cyber Culture.” Two
students helped to present two sessions on social networking, online interaction,
and cyber bullying. Additionally, students throughout the district continued to be
educated on cyber safety.
10 Fox Chapel Area
• Career QRT (Quality Resource Time) was created at the high school. This QRT
occurs monthly and involves time when students can attend career sessions
or work with a teacher mentor. Additionally, seniors have the opportunity to
complete career-related field experiences.
• The science rubrics developed during the 2011-2012 school year were used in all
elementary schools.
• The Dorseyville Middle School Literacy Committee implemented several
initiatives to promote a culture of literacy throughout the school.
• The high school summer school program is not only for remediation – but
acceleration as well. Classes include physics, Algebra I & II, geometry, English 9-12,
U.S. History II & III, world civilizations, health, recreational sports, and SAT prep.
Students Use 21st Century
Skills to Solve Academic
Challenges
• More than 1,200 classroom teacher observations/evaluations were completed.
Areas of focus included data-driven instruction, knowing each learner, student
engagement through differentiated learning, and questions for reflection.
Recognizing the integration of STEMM
(Science, Technology, Engineering,
Mathematics, and Medicine) in crosscurricular instruction, the district
researched and piloted Project-Based
Learning (PBL) across all levels during
the 2012-2013 school year. With
Project-Based Learning instruction,
students are engaged in challenges
framed with an initial problem to
be solved. The project requires the
integration of multiple content areas
and the use of technology tools that
facilitate collaboration and interaction
in small student groups and between
students and teachers.
For example, O’Hara Elementary School
fifth graders were given a problem
to solve concerning a mock airborne
virus outbreak and asked to determine
how the school should respond to
the outbreak. Additionally, seventh
graders became architects, engineers,
researchers, and public relations staff
as they worked to develop a new
roller coaster ride and presented their
proposal to a panel of judges.
acHievement
More than 90 percent of the students enrolled in the Fox Chapel
Area School District will reach the proficient or advanced level in
reading, math, science, and writing.
• Junior Yiyi Zhao and sophomore Rishi
Mirchandani were among the five students
from Pennsylvania named national winners in
The National Society of The Colonial Dames
of America Essay Contest.
• Sophomore Rishi Mirchandani was one of
70 students from across the nation chosen
to have a story published in “The Best Teen
Writing of 2012,” a national anthology of
the Scholastic Awards.
• Senior Prem Rajgopal, sophomore Elianna
Paljug, and freshman Daly Trimble were
selected as youth reporters to cover the One
Young World international youth summit
held in Pittsburgh in the fall of 2012.
• Senior Elizabeth Bianchini won first place
at the 2013 National Technology Student
Association (TSA) Conference. A total of
eight high school students placed at the
Pennsylvania TSA Leadership Conference and
advanced to the national competition.
• Sophomore Rishi Mirchandani, Dorseyville
eighth grader Suvir Mirchandani, and Fairview
Elementary School fifth grader Justin Oliver
Choo were selected to play the piano at
Carnegie Hall in New York City. All three won
medals in the 2012 World Piano Competition.
Achievement
More than 90 percent of the students enrolled in the Fox Chapel Area School District
will reach the proficient or advanced level in reading, math, science, and writing.
PERCENT SCORING PROFICIENT OR ABOVE ON THE 2013 KEYSTONE EXAMS
Fox Chapel Area High School (Grade 11)
State Averages – Spring Testing (Grade 11)
State Averages – Winter Testing (Grade 11)
Algebra I
Literature
Biology
86%
40%
54%
94%
55%
67%
67%
40%
42%
The PSSA tests at the high school level have been replaced by the Keystone Exams. Beginning with the class
of 2017, the state will require that students demonstrate proficiency in the end-of-course Keystone Exams to
graduate. However, it is already a requirement for Fox Chapel Area High School students to demonstrate
proficiency in reading and math.
PERCENT SCORING PROFICIENT OR ABOVE ON THE 2013 PSSA
School
Math
Reading
Writing
Science
Dorseyville Middle School (Grade 8)
Dorseyville Middle School (Grades 6-8)
Fairview Elementary School (Grade 5)
Fairview Elementary School (Grades 3-5)
Hartwood Elementary School (Grade 5)
Hartwood Elementary School (Grades 3-5)
Kerr Elementary School (Grade 5)
Kerr Elementary School (Grades 3-5)
O’Hara Elementary School (Grade 5)
O’Hara Elementary School (Grades 3-5)
92%
89%
96%
97%
84%
86%
77%
83%
88%
94%
94%
88%
89%
90%
80%
77%
58%
76%
84%
92%
90%
90%*
93%
93%
86%
86%
68%
68%
81%
81%
79%
79%*
N/A
94%**
N/A
84%**
N/A
88%**
N/A
98%**
*Writing and science tests are only administered to students in grade eight at the middle school level.
**Science tests are only administered to students in grade four at the elementary level.
Pennsylvania is no longer using Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) to measure student performance. The entire
state is now using the new Pennsylvania Accountability System that was developed by the Pennsylvania
Department of Education and approved by the federal government.
12 Fox Chapel Area
2013 SAT/ACT/PSAT Mean Scores
2013 SENIOR YEAR SAT MEAN SCORES
Critical Reading
Math
Writing
Fox Chapel Area
567
578
561
Pennsylvania
494
504
482
Nation
496
514
488
A total of 296 members (84 percent) of the students in the Class of 2013 took the SAT during their junior or
senior year.
2013 ACT RESULTS
English
Math
Reading
Science
Composite Score
Fox Chapel Area
25.7
26.3
26.3
25.7
26.1
Pennsylvania
22.2
23.0
23.0
22.2
22.7
Nation
20.2
20.9
21.1
20.7
20.9
A total of 123 high school students took the ACT in 2013.
2013 GRADE 10 PSAT MEAN SCORES
Critical Reading
Math
Writing
Fox Chapel Area
47.4
47.6
45.5
Pennsylvania
44.5
44.8
43.0
Nation
42.5
42.8
41.3
2013 GRADE 11 PSAT MEAN SCORES
Critical Reading
Math
Writing
Fox Chapel Area
50.9
52.4
50.5
Pennsylvania
46.6
47.4
45.3
Nation
46.9
47.8
46.0
The district administered the PSAT to all students in grades 10 and 11 during the 2012-2013 school year.
The results of this assessment are being used to improve outcomes for students on the SAT and to increase
college and career readiness.
• Middle school art teacher Nanci Goldberg was
named the grand prize winner in the “Best
Shots” national digital photo contest.
• Two high school sophomores were selected to
receive the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership
(HOBY) award and attended the Pennsylvania
HOBY Leadership Seminar.
• Sophomore Rishi Mirchandani earned
a gold medal and a summa cum laude
certificate on the 2013 National Latin II
Exam.
• The school district received Alcatel-Lucent’s
annual Dynamic Enterprise Award for its
innovative efforts to implement advanced
technologies that help transform education.
•Three juniors and two seniors were honored
by the Asian American Heritage Committee
of the Pittsburgh Federal Executive Board
through their Outstanding Asian American
Student award program.
14 Fox Chapel Area
• Based on 2012 PSSA scores, the Pittsburgh Business Times’ 2013 Guide to
Western Pennsylvania Schools ranked Fairview Elementary School first in
achievement in western Pennsylvania in grade four and third in grade five. This is
the sixth consecutive year that Fairview has been named a top-ranking elementary
school. Overall, the school district had a ranking of 12 in the state in the 2013
guide and maintained a ranking of six for academic performance in western
Pennsylvania. The district was ranked number seven in western Pennsylvania as an
overachieving school district based on the number of economically disadvantaged
students who reach high levels of achievement. Fox Chapel Area High School
11th graders achieved a ranking of fifth in western Pennsylvania and Dorseyville
Middle School eighth graders ranked 10th. In fifth grade rankings, O’Hara
Elementary School moved from number 14 in western Pennsylvania to number
six; Hartwood Elementary School moved from number 28 to number eight; and
Kerr Elementary School advanced from number 102 to number 66.
• The Keystone Exams, designed to be end-of-course exams, replaced the PSSA
tests at the high school level. In 2013, the first year of the new exams, all students
in their junior year took the tests. Many students who took the new exams had
completed the courses in previous years. This will change in 2014, as students will
take the exams upon completion of courses for which the test is administered.
Middle School Redesignated
School to Watch
Students, staff, and parents, along
with School Board members and
administrators, celebrated the
redesignation of Dorseyville as a
2013 Don Eichhorn Schools: Schools
to Watch school on April 26.
Dorseyville was one of six middle
schools in Pennsylvania to receive
this honor for meeting high academic
excellence, being responsive
to the needs and interests of
young adolescents, and having a
commitment to helping all students
achieve at high levels as set by the
National Forum to Accelerate MiddleGrades Reform. Dorseyville earned its
first designation as a school to watch
in 2010.
• Fox Chapel Area High School was ranked among the best high schools from across
the country in 2013. The school received a Silver Medal rank from U.S.News &
World Report for the fourth time. Additionally, the high school was named one of
America’s Best High Schools by Newsweek and the Daily Beast.
• Fox Chapel Area High School students continue to outscore the state and nation
on the SAT, ACT, and PSAT in all subject areas.
• The high school offered 22 Advanced Placement (AP) courses during the
2012-2013 school year with a total enrollment of 1,035 (many students take
multiple courses). A total of 259 students completed 502 AP exams representing
49 percent of the AP course enrollment. Approximately 95 percent scored
3 or higher.
• The percent of students in eighth grade enrolled in Algebra I (Plus or Core) and/
or more advanced level courses at the middle school increased from 32 percent
in 2008-2009 to 56 percent in 2012-2013. Enrollment in high school molecular
biology increased to 48 percent of freshman from 30 percent in 2007-2008.
• The high school used the Pennsylvania Classroom Diagnostic Tools (CDT) online
tests, designed to provide diagnostic information for use in guiding instruction and
providing support to students and teachers in preparation for the Keystone Exams.
201 2-20 1 3 f ox c ha pe l a re a s c ho ol di s tr ict s tate of th e s c ho ol s
Safety Nets
The Fox Chapel Area School District will ensure each student’s
needs are identified early and supported by a process that provides
the necessary interventions.
• Juniors Ryan Naugle, Christopher Tran, and
Krishna Vallabhaneni placed at the 2013
Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
National Leadership Conference. They
were among the five Fox Chapel Area High
School students who placed at the state
competition and qualified to participate in
the National FBLA Leadership Conference.
• Sophomore Taylor Edwards was named
a Gold Medal winner and junior Melissa
Cagan was named a Silver Medal winner
in The National Scholastic Art & Writing
Awards of 2013. Both were invited to the
national celebration held in New York
City. Additionally, 13 high school students
won Gold Keys in the Pittsburgh Arts
Region of The Scholastic Art Awards of
2013 and two won Gold Keys in the 2013
Pittsburgh Regional Scholastic Writing
Awards competition. The Gold Key winners
qualified for national judging.
• Spanish VI senior Emily Myers had her
artwork featured in ¡ALBRICIAS!, the
official magazine of the Spanish National
Honor Society.
16 Fox Chapel Area
• Response to Instruction and Intervention (RtII) continues to be the main line of
support for elementary students who are not moving through the curriculum as
expected. The goal is to identify students early so that remediation can take place
within the classroom, and this process has reduced the number of students referred
for special education services.
• Kindergarten students entering Kerr Elementary School were scheduled for
individual “Getting to Know You and Your Child” sessions prior to the start of the
2013-2014 school year. The teachers and support staff will use this screening process,
including parent interviews, to learn as much as possible about individual student
interests, knowledge, language, and motor skills. All the elementary schools will
implement this program for the 2014-2015 school year.
• Programs used for remedial assistance at the elementary level included Reading
Recovery, SRA, Leveled Literacy Intervention, and SpellRead. The Academy of
Reading and Academy of Math were also used.
• Approximately 120 students participated in the elementary after-school homework
helper program and 168 students attended the summer program.
• At Dorseyville Middle School, the Back on Track academic support program
provided services to 1,840 students (some attended multiple times); 52 students
were serviced through RtII; 11 students were asked to participate in the summer
intervention program; and 94 students took part in math extension classes.
• Safety net/intervention programs at the high school included: a special education
help center in English and math, a math help center available to all students,
extended library hours, the Back on Track program and Student Support Team
(SST), truancy prevention, and instructional support.
• The Freshmen Summer Seminar was held over a four-week period. A total of 80
students participated in the program that was designed to help students grasp the
principles of note-taking, studying efficiently, test-taking, and organization and to
ease the transition to high school.
• Senior Zihan Su (clarinet) was selected
to perform with the prestigious National
Association for Music Education (NAfME)
All-East Band. High school students were also
chosen to perform in the Pennsylvania Music
Educators Association (PMEA) All-State
Wind Ensemble, the PMEA Honors Band,
the PMEA Honors Jazz Band East, the PMEA
District 1 Band, and the PMEA Region 1 Band.
• Sophomore Rama Godse was a finalist in the
National Catholic Forensic League Grand
National Tournament. A total of three high
school students qualified to compete in the
national tournament.
• Kerr Elementary School was recognized for
implementing School-Wide Positive Behavior
Interventions and Supports by the 2013
Pennsylvania Positive Behavior Support
Network’s Implementers’ Forum.
18 Fox Chapel Area
• The high school FOCUS (alternative education) program concluded a fifth
successful year of providing services to students in need of a less traditional learning
environment. This program gives students a second chance to succeed in school and
a total of 28 students participated.
• The district Core Values were integrated to help students understand how their
actions should reflect Respect, Responsibility, and Integrity.
• To promote acceptance and awareness, the high school hosted internal and
community events throughout the year, and the elementary and middle schools
incorporated lessons into their curriculum.
Middle States Association
Recognizes High School
Fox Chapel Area High School was
awarded two Exemplary Educational
Program Credentials in music and
school counseling by the Middle
States Association of Colleges and
Schools Commissions on Elementary
and Secondary Schools. According to
the Middle States Association, these
credentials “provide external validation
of a school’s accomplishments in
specific areas of expertise, enhancing
a school’s prestige and promoting
its reputation as a top-tier institution.
Middle States credentialed programs
serve as models for schools throughout
the world.” The school counseling
department is the first ever in the
history of Middle States to have
received this award, and the music
department is the first in a public
school to receive this award.
The Middle States Association
also awarded the high school with
accreditation for the next seven years.
• Focus was placed on transitions as students enter kindergarten, at the fifth grade level
prior to middle school, at the eighth grade level prior to high school, and at the 12th
grade level as students prepared for college and the world of work.
• The Family Literacy Center had 122 families registered and 376 children participated
at various times throughout the school year. More than 100 early learning and care
providers attended the spring early learning conference in April.
• The Family Literacy Center is expanding in focus to incorporate creativity,
exploration, and play. Newly named, the Creativity and Literacy Program is being
housed at Kerr Elementary School with additional offerings at Volunteers of
America/All of Us Care in Sharpsburg.
• A drug and alcohol prevention program for parents was presented by Gateway Rehab
and the Alliance for Safe and Drug Free Children.
COMMUNICATIONS
Celebrate the school district, students, teachers, and activities and
provide opportunities for the public to share in learning.
• Senior Justin Brown-Gnarra (flute) and junior
violinists Leila and Olivia Hilal were selected
to participate in the 2013 NAfME All-East
Orchestra. High school musicians were also
selected for the PMEA All-State Orchestra,
PMEA 2013 Western Region State Orchestra,
and the PMEA District 1 Orchestra.
• Two teams of high school students placed
in the state TEAMS Competition to qualify
for the TEAMS Best in the Nation. The
competition is based on science, mathematics,
and engineering.
• High school television production teacher
Doug Martin served as the technology chairperson for the National State Teacher of the
Year – Pennsylvania Chapter Executive Board.
• School district transition facilitator Stacie
Dojonovic served as incoming president of
the Division of Career Development and
Transition, a division of the Council for
Exceptional Children during the 2012-2013
school year.
• Superintendent Anne E. Stephens, Ph.D.,
received the 2013 Outstanding Superintendent
Award given by the Pennsylvania Music
Educators Association (PMEA).
20 Fox Chapel Area
District Receives
Music Recognition
The Fox Chapel Area School District
has been named among the 2013
“Best Communities for Music
Education.” This is the second year
in a row that the district received this
prestigious designation. Fox Chapel
Area is one of only 35 in the state of
Pennsylvania and one of 307 school
districts in the nation chosen for this
honor. The districts and schools were
selected through a program sponsored
by the NAMM (National Association
of Music Merchants) Foundation
which acknowledges schools and
districts across the United States for
their commitment and support for
music education as part of the core
curriculum.
• Edline continued to be used to notify parents of upcoming events, as well as
allowing parents and students to monitor academic progress, attendance, and
assignments.
• The district has upgraded the online student and parent portal to access student
progress and grade information. The new PowerSchool portal replaces Edline and
provides real-time progress monitoring and attendance information that is displayed in
a clean, uniform interface that is easy to navigate.
• The district began utilizing social media and has both a Facebook and Twitter
presence.
• Site-based management teams and PTO/PTA groups help to keep parents
informed of important school activities. Additionally, District Forum meetings
were held throughout the year as a way to share information with the community.
• The IN Fox Chapel Area Magazine was produced four times and mailed to all
district residents. Additionally, the website, art and activities calendar, and
Fox Facts continue to keep residents informed of pertinent issues.
• Five school district publications received awards in the National School Public
Relations Association 2013 Publications and Electronic Media Contest, three
received state awards in the 2013 Annual Pennsylvania School Boards Association
(PSBA) Educational Publications Contest, and two received state awards in the
2012 Pennsylvania School Public Relations Association Excellence in Education
Communications Contest.
Resource Management
The district will take the lead in creative resource management
to address the financial crisis facing public schools across the
commonwealth.
•Hartwood Elementary School second grader
Mia Lynch was named a winner in the
regional PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest
open to students in the Pittsburgh, central
Pennsylvania, and West Virginia PBS
viewing areas.
• An article written by teacher Dave Battista
highlighted the high school’s ninth and tenth
grades physical education triathlon and was
published in a state magazine.
•Two high school sophomores won first place
at the University of Pittsburgh Model UN
Conference.
• Sixteen high school and middle school
students won first place awards at the 79th
Annual State Meeting of the Pennsylvania
Junior Academy of Science (PJAS).
• High school students placed first in essay
contests sponsored by the Society for
Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh and the
Pennsylvania Society for Biomedical Research.
• Two seniors were named Gold Medal winners
in the Trib Total Media’s 2013 Outstanding
Young Citizens Awards program.
• Three seniors were named first place winners
in the 2013 Pennsylvania Statistics Poster
Competition.
• Senior Christine Mikhael was the recipient
of the Spirit of Unity Award for 2013. The
award commemorates the works of Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr.
• The annual telethon, sponsored by the high
school marketing/management and television
production students, raised more than
$35,700 and involved students from all of
the district schools. The 2012 telethon brings
the total raised over the past 23 years by
Fox Chapel Area students to nearly $540,000.
For the third year, the telethon raised money
for Habitat for Humanity.
22 Fox Chapel Area
• The school district maintained a focus on “right sizing” the staff at all levels to meet
the needs of the enrollment, while remaining fiscally responsible to taxpayers. Over
the past five years the district has reduced the number of teachers by 29, mostly
through retirement.
• The school district continued to partner with Volunteers of America/All of Us Care
to provide computers for students and families in need. Through a partnership with
Comcast and a grant from the Fox Chapel Rotary, low-cost Internet and laptop
computers are available to more families.
Summer STEMM
Program Offers Amazing
Opportunities
This year’s STEMM Academy, sponsored
by Fox Chapel Area High School, opened
with a forensic case study led by worldrenown forensic pathologist, Dr. Cyril
Wecht. The Western Pennsylvania
Summer STEMM Academy ran from
July 8-August 1 and provided a projectbased learning environment emphasizing
Science, Technology, Engineering,
Mathematics, and Medicine (STEMM)
careers and opportunities. A total of 50
students from 10 high schools from
across the greater Pittsburgh area
participated.
The Academy encourages partnerships
with businesses and medical/educational
institutions and potential employers.
The program featured keynote speakers,
engaging hands-on learning activities,
and field experiences.
• The district received a grant from the Allegheny Intermediate Unit (provided by
Claude Worthington Benedum and the Grable foundations) to fund a variety
of innovative and unique initiatives that engage students in STEAM (Science,
Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) subjects.
• The district implemented a new telephone system that leveraged the flexibility of
digital networks and an off-premise, hosted solution. The district is saving $1,169 a
month with the new system.
• The district’s Resource Planning Committee, a group of residents with financial and
management backgrounds, continued to provide additional expertise to the School
Board on financial matters, including the annual budget.
Athletics
• Fox Chapel Crew Club seniors Sarah Burns, Colleen Hamilton, and Kelly Power were
named to the USRowing 2012-2013 Scholastic Honor Roll. Only 55 student-athletes
from across the nation were recognized for excelling in academics and rowing.
• Twenty-two high school student athletes qualified to participate in the PIAA (state)
individual championships. They were: Aaron Bliss, Travis Eckman, Elias Graca,
James Humphrey, Colin Martin, Ethan Martin, Karthik Narayanan, and John
Shymansky (cross country); Sia Beasley, Noah Cagley, Dante Cordaro, Frances Dean,
Emily Eames, Miranda Simon, Scott Sterrett, and Zihan Su (swimming and diving);
Travis Eckman, Elias Graca, Colin Martin, Ethan Martin, Michael Mawhinney,
Brandon Mitchell, and Brian Papich (boys’ track); Emma Slevin (girls’ track); and
Siddharth Rajupet and Benjamin Short (boys’ tennis, also WPIAL runners-up).
• Five Fox Chapel Area athletes received scholarships to Division I colleges.
• Fifteen of 24 high school interscholastic athletic teams qualified for the WPIAL
playoffs. Teams that participated in WPIAL playoffs included baseball, boys’
basketball, girls’ basketball, boys’ and girls’ cross country, girls’ field hockey, boys’ golf,
gymnastics, boys’ and girls’ soccer, boys’ and girls’ swimming, girls’ tennis, and boys’
and girls’ volleyball.
• The high school girls’ varsity field hockey team won the WPIAL Class AAA
Championship, was named the WPIAL Class AAA Section 2 Co-Champions, and
participated in the PIAA Playoffs.
• The boys’ varsity golf team won the WPIAL Class AAA Section 4 Title and was
undefeated in the section. Additionally, juniors Jorden Alfery and Charles Friend were
co-medalists and won the WPIAL Class AAA Individual Section 4 Championship.
• The high school girls’ varsity volleyball team was the WPIAL runner-up and
participated in the PIAA Playoffs.
• The boys’ cross country team won the WPIAL Class AAA Section 4 Title and was the
WPIAL team runner-up. The team was undefeated in the section.
• The high school girls’ varsity basketball team was named the WPIAL Class AAAA
Section 2 Co-Champions.
24 Fox Chapel Area
Ethan Martin Wins
State Championship
Junior Ethan Martin won a gold medal
at the 2013 PIAA (state) Track & Field
Championships by placing first in the
3,200. He shattered his own school
record with a time of 9:10.73.
• Six high school students won gold medals at the WPIAL Class AAA Track & Field
Championships including seniors Travis Eckman and Michael Mawhinney;
juniors Ethan Martin (two gold medals), Brandon Mitchell, and Brian Papich; and
sophomore Elias Graca.
• Five high school students were named to all-state teams including seniors Sarah Bradley
and Riley Herrmann (girls’ volleyball), senior Joshua Tublin (boys’ volleyball), junior
Erin Mathias (girls’ basketball), and junior Ethan Martin (boys’ cross country).
• Senior Kate Hardiman was named a WPIAL Scholar Athlete.
• Senior Kelly Capone was voted Western Pennsylvania’s “Most Positive High School
Athlete” in the sport of Girl’s Tennis by Positive Athlete.
• Freshmen Laurel Shymansky and Lacey Cohen were named the WPIAL Class AAA
Section 3 Doubles Tennis Champions and Laurel was also named the WPIAL Section
3 Singles Champion.
• A total of 17 members of the Fox Chapel Crew Club participated in the 2013
Scholastic Rowing Association of America (SRAA) National Championships.
The meet included schools from the United States and Canada.
• High school athletes continued to be named to special all-star teams and allconference teams.
Fox Chapel Area High School
Class of 2013
On June 9, a total of 353 seniors became the 52nd class to graduate from Fox Chapel
Area High School. Approximately 92 percent of those graduates are continuing their
education. Many are enrolled in colleges or universities outside of Pennsylvania.
The graduates continued the tradition of being accepted to the top colleges and
universities across the nation, including: Harvard University, Yale University, Cornell
University, Vanderbilt University, Brown University, Princeton University, Dartmouth
College, Duke University, Columbia University, Northwestern University, The
American University, Boston University, George Washington University, University
of Pennsylvania, University of Virginia, Villanova University, Drexel University, Notre
Dame University, Johns Hopkins University, Case Western Reserve University, Purdue
University, Virginia Tech, the College of William & Mary, Rutgers University, Emory
University, Clemson University, and Boston Conservatory of Music. A total of 98
students in the Class of 2013 (28 percent) graduated with a Quality Point Average
(QPA) of 4.0 or higher.
611 Field Club Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
412/963-9600
www.fcasd.edu
26 Fox Chapel Area
The district continues to use the Continuous Improvement Plan
(CIP) as the guide for what will happen during each school year.
The 2012-2013 school year was the first year of working toward
the goals set in the new strategic plan. The Continuous Improvement
Plan contains goals that are set on a districtwide basis and in each
school, and the plan is constantly being evaluated.
The proposed Fox Chapel Area High School main entrance.
District Embarks on Major Renovation Project
School Board and Administration Determine Time is Right Financially
I
n the spring of 2013, the Fox Chapel Area Board of
School Directors was successful in selling bonds for the
purpose of completing construction and renovation
projects at schools throughout the district. AXIS Architecture,
P.C. was contracted to complete the design work and Massaro
Construction Management Services, LLC to manage the
projects. Following the tradition of the Fox Chapel Area
School District for more than 50 years, the Fox Chapel Area
School District Authority Board assumed the task of assisting
the administration in the overall construction process. The
Authority Board is an appointed board of district residents
who have expertise in construction, management, or business
and assist in providing guidance to the administration
throughout any major construction involving the district’s
facilities. The Authority Board and district administration
worked throughout the summer months to finalize cost
projections and to determine the total scope of the first
project which will be at Fox Chapel Area High School. The
projected start date for that work is February 2014.
Superintendent Dr. Anne Stephens first took the idea of
upgrading facilities to School Board President Joel Weinstein,
a former CEO, three years ago when she realized that the
district would be debt free in 2016. When interest rates
dropped to an all-time low, she also approached School Board
finance agenda chair Charles “Chip” Burke and buildings and
grounds agenda chair Nancy Foster. All were in agreement
that a perfect scenario existed and that the possibility of a
construction project should be further explored. The Board
of School Directors discussed the possible renovations during
their annual Board retreats in 2012 and 2013, and following
those discussions, determined that the time was right to invest
in school facilities.
STEMM Initiative Plays Part in
Secondary Renovations
Mr. Weinstein states, “This is perfect timing to be able
to renovate our high school and middle school to better
accommodate our programs. The STEMM (Science,
Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine)
initiative at both levels warrants spaces for project-based
learning and innovation and this gives us the opportunity to
create those areas. The swimming pool is the original pool
constructed in 1961 and has cost the district thousands of
dollars in repairs over the past several years. In addition,
although we have done many things to increase security at
each elementary school, the middle school, and high school,
additional changes need to be made to ensure the safety of
our students.” He adds, “Having served on the Board for the
“Many of the items included in the renovations would be things we would have to
replace through the general fund, such as roofing, HVAC, and plumbing. By rolling
these into this construction project, they will be covered under the Plancon program
for state reimbursement. This could amount to more than $30 million dollars in
savings for the entire project.”
–School Board Finance Agenda Chair Charles “Chip” Burke
past 17 years and being the father of two Fox Chapel Area
School District graduates, I know the positive impact our
school district has on children at each grade level and how
important it is to always think ahead to determine what will
enhance their educational experiences.”
Buildings and grounds agenda chair and School Board
Treasurer, Mrs. Foster, concurs that this is the perfect time to
put this plan into action. According to Mrs. Foster, who works
in the field of finance, the market was really right to sell the
bonds when the school district did and it looks as though the
timing will be good to have some great competition by the
construction companies in the area at the first of the new year.
When asked what excites her the most about this initiative,
Mrs. Foster replied, “There are so many things, including the
renovation to the high school media center, improvements
to the auditorium, improving safety through changes to
our entrances at all schools, and a new natatorium that will
be utilized by every student in physical education classes,
swimming competitions, the Killer Whales swim team, and
the community.” She continued, “As a Board member and the
mother of a Fox Chapel Area graduate and a current student
in the district, I can see great value in continuously reviewing
our facilities to make certain that they meet the demands of our
vast program offerings and student needs.”
28 Fox Chapel Area
Project Will Address Improving Overall
Learning Environment; Ensuring All Facilities
Up-to-Date and Safe
Mr. Burke, who is chairman of the Grable Foundation,
complimented the administration for being proactive in
making the project happen. Mr. Burke states, “Financially,
this is a perfect time for the Fox Chapel Area School District
to upgrade facilities. The interest rates are low and the district
will very soon be debt free.” He adds, “Many of the items
included in the renovations would be things we would have
to replace through the general fund, such as roofing, HVAC,
and plumbing. By rolling these into this construction project,
they will be covered under the Plancon program for state
reimbursement. This could amount to more than $30 million
dollars in savings for the entire project. This is truly a great
example of good fiscal management. As a resident of the Fox
Chapel Area School District for the past 23 years and the father
of four children who have either graduated from our schools
or are currently attending school in the district, I am extremely
happy that we have taken steps to ensure that our facilities will
be up-to-date and safe for many years into the future.”
Craig Collins of Axis Architecture, P.C. and Fox Chapel Area School Board members President Joel Weinstein, buildings and grounds agenda chair and
Treasurer Nancy Foster, and finance agenda chair Charles “Chip” Burke review plans for the upcoming renovation of Fox Chapel Area High School.
During his Board tenure, Mr. Weinstein has been around
for renovations to every building in the district. When asked
why this project is special, he replied, “The majority of what
we are doing not only impacts our educational programs
throughout the district, but will replace some mechanicals
that will improve the overall learning environment. The Fox
Chapel Area School District has been a leader in preparing all
students for college and the workforce. This is one more step
in the right direction.”
Dr. Stephens commends the Board of School Directors for
their work to keep the district financially sound. In education
today, superintendents, boards, and business managers
must be proactive and creative to make certain all students
have what they need to succeed while practicing sound
management. “The district prepares for the future so that
we are able to prepare our students for their futures. Sound
financial management is the key to making everything else
happen,” she states.
Project Includes Green Initiative
An important part of the project will be the involvement
of interested high school students. Authority Board
Chairman Bob Saunders has introduced the
administration to a “green” initiative, Green Globes,
a system that will assist the district in making the
renovations as environmentally friendly as possible through
such things as recycling of materials, more efficient
lighting, and the use of recommended building materials.
The administration plans to get students involved in this
initiative as well as having interested students work with
architects, engineers, and the management company to
learn more about job opportunities in these fields.
During the 2013-2014 school year, plans will be finalized
for the Dorseyville Middle School and O’Hara Elementary
School projects. Information concerning the remaining
elementary schools will be available soon after that.
The district website will have a construction link as the
construction dates move closer that will allow residents to
follow the progress.
The Fox Chapel Area School Authority is a
group of district residents with construction,
management, business, legal, and finance
backgrounds. The group works very closely
with the Fox Chapel Area School District
administration and Board of School
Directors to help manage the construction
process. The School Authority members are
Chairman Robert Saunders, Vice Chairman
Joseph F. Weis, Secretary Kenneth Haase,
Treasurer Richard Ranii, and Assistant
Secretary/Treasurer Bill Kiszka. Each
member of the Authority is appointed to
a five-year term by the Fox Chapel Area
School Board and may be reappointed for
additional terms.
INCLEMENT WEATHER NOTICE TO PARENTS/GUARDIANS
W
e take the responsibility of delaying or canceling
school very seriously. We recognize that delays and
cancellations create inconveniences for parents/
guardians who work outside of the home and that schedule
changes take away from the continuity of teaching and learning.
Please know that we will not interrupt the educational process
unless we feel it is absolutely necessary.
Our number one concern is the safety of children. We depend
upon the experience of our bus contractor to keep us informed
concerning the ability of buses to travel the roads. The process of
checking road conditions begins very early in the morning. From
that information, a judgment is made to delay or cancel school.
If we receive advance warning of a severe storm, and have sound
information that it will arrive, we may cancel classes so that
children do not arrive at school and become stranded.
Parents/guardians should discuss what their children should
do in case of an early dismissal. If there is an early dismissal,
children will be sent home on the buses. The high school
students will be dismissed first, followed by the middle school
and Hartwood Elementary students, and then the remainder of
the elementary students. This order of dismissal is utilized so that
older children can be at home when their younger brothers and
sisters arrive. Parents/guardians should plan with their children
how they wish to handle an early dismissal.
Buses may be unable to make it to the regular drop-off point.
If that should occur, the driver will radio the bus garage and
inform the school.
If the driver is able to see the bus stop and observe the children
walk to the bus stop, the driver will allow the children to
disembark from the bus to walk to their normal drop-off point.
Parents should encourage their children to stand away from the
side of the snow-covered roads and to use extreme caution at all
times.
If the driver cannot make it to the drop-off point, he/she will
radio the bus garage and inform the school. School personnel
will then attempt to contact the parents/guardians. If the parents/
guardians cannot be notified, the children will be taken back to
school.
In the event that buses do not arrive at school on schedule at
dismissal time, the children will be kept in the school. There are
emergency provisions in each of the buildings and the students
will be fed if they are stranded at school.
Parents/guardians of elementary children must have already
completed and turned in to the building principal, an
emergency card. This information will help the school personnel
know who to contact in the event of an emergency or weatherrelated early dismissal. The card should include the parents’/
guardians’ emergency telephone numbers where someone can
always be contacted.
30 Fox Chapel Area
Please be sure that your children are dressed for the weather.
When there is a threat of snow and the wind chill is low, children
should have hats, coats, boots, and gloves to wear.
Please remember that we are making a decision based on
what is best for the entire school district. That decision may
not always seem like the best decision for your section of the
school district but may be appropriate for another area. The
school district covers an area of approximately 36 square miles, so
there are times when roads will be clear in one section and very
bad in other areas. All roads are not treated or cleared at the same
time, which can result in bus delays.
When there is a school delay, cancellation, or early dismissal,
every parent/guardian in the district will receive a phone call
from the district’s school messaging system. Additionally, an
announcement will still be placed on the district’s information
line at 412/967-2500 and on the district’s website at www.fcasd.
edu. Please note that during a power outage it may not be possible
to place an announcement on the district’s website and on the
telephone information line. Delay, cancellation, and/or early
dismissal announcements will also be placed on the following
radio and television stations: KDKA (1020 AM), KQV (1410
AM), KDKA-TV, WPXI-TV, and WTAE-TV.
The YMCA-sponsored before- and after-school programs
will still be available for children who are enrolled. If school is
delayed, cancelled, or is dismissed early, the YMCA programs
will still be held as scheduled. Only in an extreme emergency will
these programs be cancelled. In the event that any of the YMCA
programs are cancelled, there will be notification on the radio
and television stations listed above, on the district’s telephone
information line, and/or someone from the YMCA will
personally contact parents/guardians who have children enrolled
in the programs.
It is also important to note that if school is cancelled and student
makeup days are necessary, they will be held in the following
order: June 6, June 9, June 10, and June 11, 2014.

message from the superintendent - Fox Chapel Area School District

Transcription

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