District Highlights: August 15, 2011

A Focus on Excellence in Education EXELLENCE IN... Academics Artistic Endeavors Athletics Leadership Character Education August 15, 2011 Excellence in Academics Excellence in the Arts Excellence in Athletics Excellence in Leadership Excellence in Character Education Put First Things First Begin with the End in Mind Synergize Student Achievement Design 21st Century Learning Environment Improve Stakeholder Satisfaction with HS Counseling Dept. through Proactive Communication to Parents/Students Communicate student intervention program and annual progress Improve District SAT Averages Quality Leadership & Accountability Develop Short/Long Term Financial Plan Conduct Energy Audit Create Revenue through Advertisements Set Building and Board Budget Priorities Safe and Secure Learning Environment Training for all staff/students Communicate stadium safety procedures Conduct risk analysis Faculty Excellence Review all job descriptions Ensure HR policies are aligned with regulations Create Staff Recognition Program Review Hiring Criteria Communication Review process for communication/input from all stakeholders Improve teacher-parent-student communication through PowerSchool Protocol PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest Trey Natili Earns Honorable Mention Extended School Year Program PTHS Band Bus Painting! ING Unsung Heroes Grant Nicole Mitchell $2,000 for eReaders Baldridge Examiner Dr. Tom Hajzus Dates to Note August 16 PTMS: New Student & Parent Orientation August 17 Bower Hill: New Student Orientation PTMS: 7th Grade Orientation (Students Only) August 19 McMurray: New Student Orientation August 23 PTHS: Welcome Back Night August 25 Pleasant Valley: New Student Orientation Pleasant Valley: Kindergarten Information Meeting Bower Hill: Walk Through Night August 26 Bower Hill: Kindergarten Information Meeting August 29 First Day of School New Athletic Director Mr. Brian Geyer Rally for America September 11 at PTHS Stadium Welcome! Dr. Patricia Kardambikis Bus Procedures Parochial Students Bower Hill second grader Trey Natili has received an honorable mention in the second grade category of the PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest! Trey was recognized among more than 500 entries into the contest. Bower Hill students submitted entries to this contest as part of an enrichment project overseen by Joe Bratetich. Students throughout the District took part in the Extended School Year Program this summer that helps students academically and socially over the summer months. Today we officially welcomed Dr. Patricia Kardambikis as the Assistant to the Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment. Dr. Kardambikis comes to Peters Township from the Aliquippa School District. School begins in Peters Township on August 29 – but there are many important dates to note! Take a look at the highlights listed above! These dates were emailed to all parents last week. Senior members of the High School band took part in the annual bus painting at the Washington County Fairgrounds. Seniors and members of the band’s leadership team paint the busses prior to their performance Wednesday evening at the fair – the busses are used during the demolition derby. We are eager for our fall sports season to begin. We’re excited to have our new Athletic Director Brian Geyer on staff as the year gets underway. Brian came to us from Seton LaSalle and has already become a valuable addition to the Peters Township family. Middle School teacher Nicole Mitchell has won the ING Unsung Hero grant for $2000. She will purchase eReaders to help institute her plans to increase literacy of classical literature in her classroom. Dr. Tom Hajzus has been appointed to the 2011 Board of Examiners for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. The Award is the highest level of national recognition for performance excellence that a U.S. organization can receive. As an Examiner, Dr. Hajzus is responsible for reviewing and evaluating applications submitted for the Award. The District’s solicitor advised the Board of the legal issues surrounding bussing for parochial students and PTSD students. Given the concerns of the parents, however, the District has decided to continue the procedures for parochial students as they have been in the past and monitor the process for the year. On Sunday, September 11 we hope all of you will join us at 7 p.m. at the High School stadium for the Rally for America. We will honor the 10 year anniversary of 9/11 and honor our service men and women and first responders. This event is sponsored by Character Counts. Throughout this year will we focus on three habits – Putting First Things First, Beginning with the End in Mind and Synergizing. Tonight we introduce to you the goals for 2011-12 that have been outlined by the Board of School Directors. The Board uses the five areas from the District’s Strategic Plan to develop the goals.