IN Woodland Hills by IN Community Magazines

FALL 2010

oodland Hills

COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

T h e F ac e of t h e P arent V olunt eer T oday

I ntroducing a heal th pl an option f or smal l business designed to sav e green. asy to use, conomical and Environmentally friendly.

E nj oy a discount and the ease of 2 4 / 7 on- l ine access f or al l of y our heal th pl an needs. H as there ev er been an easier business decision? A t U P M C H eal th P l an, w e w ant to mak e it that simpl e. T hat’ s w hy w e’ v e introduced the region’ s most comprehensiv e al l - el ectronic option. I t’ s cal l ed and it’ s an easy - to- use, paperl ess option that compl ements any of our S mal l B usiness A dv antage heal th pl ans. W ith , al l enrol l ment, bil l ing, cl aims, and pay ments are conducted onl ine – prov iding y ou and y our empl oy ees w ith greater conv enience. Y our empl oy ees al so enj oy easy access to al l their heal th inf ormation, w el l ness tool s, and heal th support. A nd, as al w ay s, y ou and y our empl oy ees hav e access to our netw ork of more than 8 0 hospital s and 7 , 0 0 0 phy sicians, and the aw ard- w inning member serv ice y ou ex pect f rom U P M C H eal th P l an. I n other w ords y ou get more f or l ess. T o l earn more about how y ou can sav e, go to upmchealthplan.com.

Shouldn’t the people who insure your health understand it? This managed care plan may not cover all your health care expenses. Read your contract carefully to determine which health care services are covered. If you have questions, call Member Services at 1-888-876-2756.

Contents Woodland Hills | FALL 2010 |

FA L L 2 0 1 0

H ealth and W ellness N ews Y ou Can Use For residents of eastern communities

What’s Inside page 2

Kick off the fall sports season and keep your kids in the game with this guide to help prevent sports injuries. (page 3)

Publisher’s Message C O M

U N IT Y

IN T E R E S T

U P M C E y e C e n t e r M o n r o e v i l l e Of f e r s a C l e a r C h o i c e i n R e f r a c t i v e Su r g e r y T i p s f o r C h o o s i n g a n E y e Su r g e o n

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Play I t S afe

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P l a y It Sa f e U P M C E y e C e n t e r M o n r o e v ille Is G r o w i n g

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Ar e Y o u C o n c u s s i o n - Sa v v y ? Sc h o o l Lu n c h e s T h a t M a k e t h e G r a d e

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Wh o K n e w R e h a b C o u l d B e So M u c h F u n ?

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A Ne w E r a o f T r e a t m e n t f o r Hi g h - R i s k P r e g n a n c i e s

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F o r t h e P e r f e c t In s i d e V i e w : Hi g h - T e c h Im a g i n g i n M o n r o e v i l l e

2010 UPMC

Franklin Regional School District Superintendent’s Message | 3 0

Strategic Plan and Changes in the Elementary School | 3 2 Introducing Franklin Regional’s New Special Education Director | 3 3 Senior High Schedule Changes | 3 4

Murrysville Public Library UPMC Today

3 8

Health and Wellness News You Can Use | 2 1 F E A T U R E S

Automated Hell Forever on Hold | 5

Education Update

Planning Your Way to College | 6 Moms Returning to School | 8 Secrets of a Successful Middle School Student | 9 Alternatives to College | 3 6

Older Adults in Murrysville

Good Tidings for the Greatest Generation | 1 0 IN D U S T R Y

IN S IG H T S

Arden Courts

What is Alzheimer’s Disease? | 1 6

Allegheny Hearing

Take the Hearing Health Quick Test | 2 0

CCP Pediatrics

Out of the Pool... And into School | 4 6 O N

T H E

C O V E R

Back Row: (L to R): Kathy Deuel, Nancy Teper, Lora Murray, Midge Shigle, Bob Duffy, Julie Babal, Ian Fielder, Jim Passarelli, Domenic Colangelo, Ron Suvak, Jeff Poole 4th Row: Brandi Lux, Jennifer Difulvio, Lynn Skoff, Catherine Repucci, Julie Shank, Carol Schneider, Brett Thompson, Tina Burns, Joan Mellon, Jennifer Landsberg, Jennifer See, Karen Sinning, Marie Romanelli 3rd Row: Pam Seymour, Karen Connors, Kim Orr, Errin Kilbury, Lori Whitesel, Brandon Aganad 2nd Row: Sam King, Tina Gillen, Judy Morrison, Tina Sauers, Kristi Loyal, Camille MacRae, Chris Kelly, Todd Binnig Front Row: Richard Regelski; Shelley Shaneyfelt; Herb Yingling, School Board President; Dr. D’Arcangelo,Superintendent; Paul Scheinert, School Board Vice-President; Charles Koren

Please recycle this magazine when you are through enjoying it. IN Woodland Hills | Summer 2010 | i nc om

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urrysville F A L L 2 0 1 0

Welcome to the fall issue of Woodland Hills. As summer winds down, I hope that you and your family had some time to get away and enjoy yourselves—even if it was for the day at some local hidden treasure spot. Those are the places we love to highlight in these pages. I met one of our readers while I was finishing up some business with one of the municipalities we serve. He was sitting at a picnic table near a veterans’ monument under a pristine blue sky on a quiet and hot July day. The man recognized my photo from the magazine and said his dad used to enjoy reading about local things. He explained that his father had passed away several years ago. He pointed to the monument and said his father never spoke about the war, but always talked about some close friends he served with that didn’t come home. “ I come by here about once a week or so to enjoy a cup of coffee and listen to the birds,” he said. “We miss him, but here I know that he’s catching up with some old friends.” To say that I was touched would be an understatement, but you can see how this one little area can mean so much to someone. Tell us about places that are special to you – places with history and a story behind them. Send your story to marybeth@incommunitymagazines.com or mail them to Community Magazines, 603 East McMurray Road, McMurray, PA 15317.

I N M urrysville is a non-partisan community publication dedicated to representing, encouraging and promoting the Franklin Regional School District and its municipalities by focusing on the talents and gifts of the people who live and work here. Our goal is to provide readers with the most informative and professional regional publication in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. PUBLISHER

Wayne Dollard AS S I STA N T TO T H E P U B L I S H E R

Mark Berton mark@incommunitymagazines.com M A N AG I N G E D I TO R

Marybeth Jeffries marybeth@incommunitymagazines.com O F F I C E M A N AG E R

Leo Vighetti leo@incommunitymagazines.com WRITERS

Jonathan Barnes Kelli McElhinny Pamela Palongue Sandy Trozzo Josh Wetmore GRAPHIC DESIGN

Cassie Brkich Amante D’Albora Susie Doak Pati Ingold

Wayne Dollard Publisher

Jan McEvoy Joe Milne Tamara Tylenda Tracey Wasilco

P H OTO G R A P H E R S

Garyyonphotography.com A DV E RT I S I N G S A L E S

In this fall edition of Woodland Hills you’ll find interesting topics related to education. We thought it was appropriate to address this issue as all of us can somehow relate to the “back to school” idea. The notion of continually learning something new whether in middle school or as an older adult in the Woodland Hills community, is not a new concept, just one we should consider as the seasons change. A new feature we have begun in this edition is entitled Older Adults in Woodland Hills. We address the subject of scams how older adults can learn to protect themselves. I heard of a couple who was scammed on the phone not too long ago I was so disturbed by the fact that there are dishonest people who can find personal information about your family via the social networking sites and use it to your take your identity, money and other possessions. Please be careful when speaking to anyone by phone who calls you. Even if you think you know them, verify the information before disclosing anything! Hope you enjoy this new feature and am looking for other interesting topics that are important to Older Adults. If you would kindly email me with your suggestions to me at Marybeth@incommunitymagazines.com I would so grateful!

Nicholas Buzzell David Mitchell Brian Daley Linda Mitchell Gina D’Alicandro Tamara Myers Liz Dodson Gabriel Negri Tina Dollard Annette Petrone Rose Estes Tara Reis Jason Huffman Vincent Sabatini Jessie Jones Michael Silvert Connie McDaniel RJ Vighetti Brian McKee This magazine is carrier route mailed to all district households and businesses. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Copyright 2010. C O R R E S P O N D E N C E All inquiries, comments and press releases should be directed to: I N C om m unit y M ag az ines Attn: Editorial 603 East McMurray Road McMurray, PA 15317 Ph: 724.942.0940 Fax: 724.942.0968

Winter content deadline:10/21 www.incommunitymagazines.com

Marybeth Jeffries Managing Editor 7 2 4 .9 4 2 .0 9 4 0

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 

s a catholic, I firmly believe that if you are forced to deal with an automated operator for more than 10 minutes, it should

automatically be credited towards time in purgatory. And if you can accomplish this without throwing the phone against the wall, you should at least be considered for canonization. The strange thing is, if I am calling to subscribe to their services or upgrade my account, there are 346 cheerful operators eagerly standing by to take my call. But if I have a problem with billing, a technical question or need repairs, I hear, “Please hold and the next available representative will be with you shortly,” while I wait for one of the three customer service agents in North America to answer my question. Next I am asked to enter my account number, the last four digits of my social security number and my zip code, only to have Phyllis eventually answer my call and ask for my account number, the last four digits of my social security number and my zip code. Do they do that just to keep you busy? I’m not sure. Then as further protection, I am asked for my mother’s maiden name, my aunt’s street address and the exact measurement of my third molar. All of this precaution is in case there are evil forces who might want to find out if I have call waiting or how many channels I receive. But while I wait for Phyllis, I am treated to 15th century Bulgarian chamber music, interrupted every 20 seconds by a voice saying, “Did you know that you can check your account online at www.Don’tBotherUs.com?” Strangely, I would rather just listen to the Bulgarian chamber music without the interruptions. Or just stick forks into my eyes repeatedly. And instead of an annoying woman’s voice, can’t I at least listen to Gerard Butler’s sexy Scottish accent? Or perhaps Antonio Banderas’ liquid Latino purr? Why must this annoying woman answer the phone no matter where I call? And how much is she getting paid? Is it more or less than $40,000 a year? Could I perhaps be the new automated woman voice? Do I have what it takes? Why don’t tornadoes happen in the winter? Could ice cream be considered a breakfast food? It does have milk in it… These are the things that I think about while I am on the phone waiting…

By Pamela Palongue

Automated voices seem to have pervaded every area of our lives. Recently I was taken aback when I called my doctor’s office for lab results after my yearly check-up and was told to call another number where an automated operator coldly gave me the lab numbers with no explanation of what they meant. It is entirely possible that I have Feldspar Disease or cataracts because I don’t have a clue. What’s next, being informed you have a serious disease via an automated operator? For diabetes, press 1. For an insulin prescription, press 2. To freak out that you have diabetes, press 3. For more information on managing your diabetes, try the internet, watch Oprah, ask your next door neighbor, the guy on the bus or just anyone so we don’t have to talk to you. We hate people. Thank you for calling. Goodbye. What has happened to us? Why do we hate talking to each other? Someone, somewhere has to make a stand by taking that first phone call. What if everyone in the entire nation just agreed to start answering their phones tomorrow? When that phone rings, just pick it up and bravely say, “Hello.” Sure the other person may hang up on us or even scream at us, but be strong. They can’t reach through that phone line and ring your neck no matter how threatening they sound. And the world will be a better place that you stood up to that phone and showed it who’s boss. And while we’re on the subject of improving our world, can’t we all just agree to start the workday at 10 a.m.? Would anyone really mind getting a couple of extra hours sleep every morning? We could all have ice cream for breakfast. I was just thinking…

   

ow important is involvement in extracurricular activities? Is doing volunteer work important? How do GPA and SAT scores factor into acceptance? These are the questions many teens and their parents are pondering as they look into the next phase within the education process – college. By Karen Ferrieri

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 Work with your school guidance counselor to plan

your classes.  Plan out your classes carefully.  Take the most challenging course work you can because college admission counselors would rather see you tackle harder courses than to settle for easier courses just to get higher grades. They look for overall grade trends and class rank. Be careful though not to take too many or to set yourself up for failure.  Nail your PSATs, SATs and ACT exams.  Get involved in extracurricular activities in your school and community. Stay committed to following through for a few months or years with that activity.  Develop a theme that runs through your high school years with the classes and activities that you participate in. For instance, if you love to paint, take art classes at school, volunteer with organizations that promote art awareness, etc.  Plan your summer with college in mind. Stay active and consider what your theme is and stay involved with things that are in line with the theme.  Get to know key people at the college that you want to attend.

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There are a ton of resources out there to guide you through the process of ‘getting ready for college,’ but this process can be very overwhelming. Many people search online for answers and you can definitely find a number of websites online such as www.ehow.com to help guide you through the process. Ehow.com reads like a ‘how to get into college’ instruction manual.

While all of the information out there is readily available, if you do have questions or run into stumbling blocks along the way, your high school guidance counselor is there to assist you throughout the process as well. Make sure you have a target list of schools that  contains three tiers that you go after.    Your first tier is your safety schools,     those that you feel strongly you will get      accepted to. The second tier on the list       contains your target schools, those        schools that you really would like       to go to, however you have to be really       certain to meet the grade requirements,     etc. to make sure that you stand out     against applicants to get accepted. And,   finally, the third tier is your reach schools,

Following these steps will enable you to have a college application worthy of acceptance.

Mr. Bob Atkins, Director of Admissions for Washington and Jefferson College summed it up pretty simply. “Most colleges are looking for the best fit for the college.” For instance, he said, “While academics are important, extracurricular involvement, being able to show leadership ability, employment history and progression of grades are also equally as important.” Atkins recommended, “If possible, find out how to get a face-to-face interview with someone within the college. Consider when you apply for any college program that the majority of applicants are all 4.0 high school students with the SAT scores necessary to get them into a great college. So, what will make you stand out against them? Then, go out and do what it takes to prove that you have the necessary means to show motivation to succeed and the ability to continue to grow within any program. And, while colleges are seeing more ‘Gap Year’ admission students [those who have chosen to take a year off after high school before entering college] they look at those applicants to see what they’ve done during the ‘off’ year that shows productivity.”

those schools that really are a far stretch for you, but that you’d like to at least try to get accepted to. Having this tiered list of schools that you are applying to will ensure acceptance to a school that you are interested in. Once you have a career path in mind and a few colleges/universities that you are considering, do your research and do not be afraid to consult with your guidance counselor, college admission staﬀ and others who currently work within the profession that you are interested in. You’ll be amazed at how much information and assistance is out there to help you prepare for college entrance.

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Good Tidings for the Greatest Generation

Older Adults in Woodland Hills

by Josh Wetmore

survey conducted by the Investor Protection Trust in May 2010 revealed that over 7.3 million senior citizens in the U.S. have “been taken advantage of financially in terms of an inappropriate investment, unreasonably high fees for financial services, or outright fraud.” That equates to about one in five senior citizens who have been scammed. Mary Bach, a member of AARP’s Pennsylvania executive counsel, said that fraud against senior citizens can come in just about any form. Some of the more popular scams include lottery scams, sweepstake scams, email scams, charity scams, and even jury duty scams. “Caution and moving slowly are paramount in any of these situations. And not allowing yourself to be pressured into giving either personal information or any amount of money without doing your own personal due diligence or homework on the issue,” Bach said about how to generally avoid scams. Here are some other tips Bach gives to help senior citizens better avoid scams and fraud: • Don’t give money to a charity over the phone. Ask them to mail you something. This gives time to research the charity. Chances are, if the charity is just a scam they won’t send you anything anyway. • Always be wary of any letter, email, or phone call that requires an immediate or quick response. If there isn’t enough time to carefully consider a proposition before committing to it, there is probably a reason. • Remember the adage “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” 7 2 4 .9 4 2 .0 9 4 0

• When dealing with a financial planner or retirement advisor, make sure that both they and what they are selling are registered with the state of Pennsylvania. To check on the registration and history of a salesperson, financial plan, or product call either the Pennsylvania Insurance Commission at 1.877.881.6388 or the Pennsylvania Securities Commission at 1.800.600.0007. • Discuss what you are thinking of doing with a trusted friend or family member before making any final decisions. Two heads are better than one and someone might recognize a red flag that you didn’t see. • Sign up for both the state and national ‘do not call’ lists. These will weed out most legitimate solicitors so if a soliciting call gets through, there is already a warning sign.

Retirement;

it’s a stage of life that many people look forward to. It’s a chance to relax, and finally accomplish lifelong goals. It can also be an opportunity to make up for lost time with family and friends. For many, however, retirement can mean having so much time with so little to do, and often no longer having a job can lead to no longer have a sense of accomplishment or self worth. There is a solution to the problem though. Volunteering can not only give retired senior citizens a new sense of purpose but it can also help the community, the economy, and the future of the country.

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“There is just talk about, as the economy continues to be on a bit of a downslide, how important volunteers are,” said Mary Bach, a member of AARP’s Pennsylvania executive counsel. “Lots of older consumers have really wonderful skills and backgrounds that can be of benefit.” Volunteer opportunities for senior citizens in the Pittsburgh area can range from helping deliver mail at a hospital to working with high school students in a classroom environment through the University of Pittsburgh’s “Generations Together” program. “Volunteering makes people feel good, but it not only is self serving to that degree that you’re happy about doing something that you enjoy personally, but the beneficiaries of that volunteerism gain so much,” Bach, a senior citizen herself, said. Some other ways for senior citizens to get involved are through senior citizen organizations such as AARP and The Senior Source. Many local libraries also offer volunteer positions. AARP’s “Create the Good” program is focused on helping senior citizens find volunteer opportunities that will fit their schedule, meet their personal interests, and help their community. To get involved with “Create the Good,” go to www.createthegood.org or call 1.800.556.0242.

Senior Agencies

Jeannette Senior Center c/o Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Gaskill & Third Streets Jeannette, PA 15644 Phone: 724.527.3200

T ransp ort at ion F or O lder A dult s There are several agencies that offer free or reduced rate transportation services to individuals who qualify. M edic al A ssist anc e T ransp ort at ion P rog ram ( M A T P ) 1.888.547.6287 Provides non-emergency medical transportation to residents of Allegheny County who have a valid Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Medical Assistance Card. F ree B us P ass f or S enior C it iz ens The Port Authority allows Allegheny County residents, 65 years of age and older, to ride free on local public transportation (buses, trolleys and rapid-transit lines). Participants must obtain identification cards, which are available free of charge, from participating transportation providers. Call 412.442.2000 for the location nearest to you.

A C C E S S 6 5 P lus and A C C E S S A D A P rog ram 4 1 2 . 5 6 2 . 5 3 5 3 or T D D 1 . 8 0 0 . 6 5 4 . 5 9 8 4 ACCESS is door-to-door, advance reservation, shared-ride transportation provided throughout Port Authority’s service area. It serves primarily senior citizens and persons with disabilities. There are no restrictions on the purpose or number of trips which may be taken by riders, except that riders are required to share their vehicle with others traveling in the same direction and at the same time. Are you a nonprofit Senior Center serving the needs of our community’s older adults? We would be happy to post your contact information. Contact Marybeth@incommunity magazines.com with your center’s name and phone number.

SUBMIT YOUR EVENT! Please submit your information, including a phone number and e-mail information to: marybeth@incommunitymagazines.com or call 724.942.0940

O lder P ersons T ransp ort at ion Transportation for medical appointments, grocery shopping, senior center activities and other needs throughout Allegheny County is available to adults 60 years of age and older who live in Allegheny County. Call SeniorLine at 412.350.5460.

Seville Square Apartments 4297 Greensburg Pike

Truly Exceptional Call Today

(412) 680-0000 www.andrews-management.com

1922 Murray Avenue

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C HURCHES S ERVING W OODLAND H ILLS All Saints Anglican Episcopal Church 412.793.0270

Lutheran Church of Forest Hills 412.242.4476

Beulah Presbyterian Church 412.242.4570

Madonna del Castello Church 412.271.5666

Christ Lutheran Church and School 412.271.7173

McMasters United Methodist Church 412.823.1988

Emmanuel Lutheran Church 412.824.4525

Mount Hope Community Church 412.793.0227

Epiphany Lutheran Church 412.241.1313 Faith Bible Baptist Church 412.825.7450 First Presbyterian Church of Edgewood 412.241.4613 Forest Hills Presbyterian Church 412.241.1647 Good Shepherd Catholic Parish 412.271.1515 Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church 412.793.1394 Hebron United Presbyterian Church 412.371.2307

We are interested in highlighting your church! If you are a member of the Clergy from this area and would like to contribute an inspirational message that all of our readers might enjoy, please contact Marybeth Jeffries, Managing Editor at marybeth@incommunitymagazines.com.

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Hope Lutheran Church of Forest Hills 412.242.4476 Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church 412.271.1995 Laketon Heights United Methodist 412.241.9170 Living Spirit Ministry 412.351.1802

Mount Olive Baptist Church 412.271.0303 Mount Olive Church of God in Christ 412.361.0503 Muhleman Memorial Methodist Church 412.823.5170 New Hope Baptist Church 412.271.8998 New Vision Community Church 412.241.6160 Parkway Jewish Center 412.823.4338

Resurrection Baptist Church 412.271.7355 Sri Venkateswara Temple 412.373.3380 SS. Peter & Paul Byzantine Church 412.466.3578 St. Bartholomew Catholic Church 412.242.3374 St. Colman Catholic Church 412.283.2564 St. James Episcopal Church 412.242.2300 St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church 412.824.0246 St. John Fisher 412.241.4722 St. Maurice Roman Catholic Church 412.271.0809 St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church 412.271.9300

Penn Hills Baptist Church 412.793.6640

Trinity Tower United Methodist 412.793.9000

Penn Hills Free Methodist Church 412.793.7263

Universal United Presbyterian Church 412.793.1355

Presbyterian Church of America 412.793.7117

Word of God Catholic Church 412.241.1372

Presentation of Christ Greek Orthodox Church 412.824.9188

Word & Worship Church 412.824.1616

Protestant Reformed Fellowship 412.371.2299

Zion Lutheran Church 412.242.2626

P AROCHIAL E LEMENTARY S CHOOLS Faith Christian School Wilkins Twp. 412.825.7455

St. Bernadette Monroeville 412.372.7255

Word of God Swissvale 412.371.8587

Good Shepherd Braddock 412.271.2492

North American Martyrs Monroeville 412.373.0889

St. John the Baptist Plum 412.793.0555

St. Maurice Forest Hills 412.351.5403

St. Irenaeus Oakmont 412.828.8444

St. Joseph Verona 412.828.7213

St. Bartholomew Penn Hills 412.242.2511

St. James Wilkinsburg 412.242.3515

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IN Woodland Hills | I N D U S T R Y

IN S IG H T

In Honor

Of Those Who Have Served...

Each year towns across America put out flags and host parades in honor of Veteran’s Day. Along with the traditional ceremonies, we at Juniper Village would like to honor all of the local service men and women who served in the armed forces, by sharing information about the Aid & Attendance Federal Pension Program. A federal financial assistance program that can help Veteran’s afford medical care costs in their senior years. What Is The Aid & Attendance Program? The Aid and Attendance (A&A) Federal Pension program is a little known federal pension benefit that provides financial assistance for veterans, veteran’s spouses and surviving spouses who require the assistance of another person for their daily care needs. Who Is Eligible? Any Veteran, spouse, or surviving spouse who meets the below financial criteria and needs assistance with daily activities such as dressing, bathing, eating, toileting and medication management is eligible. The applicant must be home bound, in an assisted living community or skilled nursing facility to receive these benefits. To qualify for the A&A program, it needs to be established by your physician that you cannot function completely on your own and that you require daily assistance from others. What Amount of Compensation Does The Program Provide? Compensation amounts vary and are dependent upon each applicant’s financial situation. However, the Veteran’s Aid & Attendance Pension program can provide up to $1,632 per month for a veteran, $1,055 per month to a surviving spouse, $1,949 per month to a married couple filing jointly, and up to $2582.00 a month for two Veterans married to one another. What Are the Eligibility Requirements? Benefits are available for any War-Time Veteran, spouse, or surviving spouse of a Veteran who served 90 days of active military service, one day of which was during a period of wartime. Divorces are not recognized, and the marriage must have ended due to the death of the veteran in order to be considered a surviving spouse of a War-Time Veteran. Periods of War include: WWI April 6, 1917 to November 11, 1918 WWII December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946 Korean Conflict August 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955 Vietnam Conflict August 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975 Persian Gulf War August 2, 1990 to a date yet to be determined. Medically, there must be a need or necessity for daily assistance of another person for eligibility. A doctor’s letter by the Primary Care Physician along with a completed VA application and the Aid & Attendance form must support the reasons for medically necessary needs and areas of assistance. Most individuals who reside in a personal care home, assisted living community or skilled nursing home meet the VA’s criteria for this medical necessity. Financially; the applicant must have less than $80,000 in personal assets, excluding the value of their home and vehicles, and have a financial need for the benefits. The total monthly income includes all sources of Stocks, Social Security, Pensions…and factors in the monthly out-of-pocket medical and financial expenses for the individual.

How Do I Apply For The Aid & Attendance Program? An application can be obtained by contacting your local Veteran’s Administration office at 1-800-827-1000 or by visiting the Federal Veterans Administration’s web site at www.veteranaid.org . Local volunteers with the American Legion and Disabled American Veterans centers can also assist with the process. Processing of the application normally takes between 4-6 months; and once approved, the monthly income amount will be retro-dated back to the date the application was submitted. Some of the items needed for the application process include: Discharge/Separation Papers (DD-214), Military Records, a copy of the Marriage Certificate and all marital information, a copy of the Death Certificate for surviving spouses, copies of current Social Security awards, along with bank accounts, CDs, Trusts, Stocks, Bonds, Annuities, and proof of all pension, retirement, investment and annuity incomes. To help Veteran’s understand these benefits, Juniper Village at Forest Hills will be hosting a Veterans Aid & Attendance Informational presentation on Tuesday, October 19 at 6:30 pm. The event will feature Attorney Jim Colletta, an Elder Law Attorney accredited with the Veteran’s Administration and currently serving on the Veterans Board of Appeals. For more information about the Aid & Attendance Program or to RSVP to attend Juniper Village’s Aid & Attendance presentation, contact Juniper Village at 412-244-9901. Juniper Village is a senior living, assisted living and specialized memory care community located at 107 Fall Run Road in Forest Hills, just off of Ardmore Boulevard.

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I ndep endent L iving , A ssist ed L iving and Wellspring M em ory I m p airm ent C are Spacious studios, suites and one-bedroom apartments available On-site nursing staff and 24 hour assistance with daily care needs Structured activities and programs seven days a week Delicious meals and snacks daily Housekeeping and laundry services Conveniently located in Forest Hills For more information or to schedule your personal tour, contact Juniper Village at (412) 244-9901 today!

Or visit us on the web at www.junipercommunities.com

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orking as a fraud investigator for Mellon Bank, Ann Flasck was following the career path she had chosen when she had decided years before to study Criminology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. But Flasck, of Peters, through no fault of her own, lost her job and was given severance pay several years ago. The change opened her eyes to other potential opportunities. Flasck used her time on severance pay to take a welding class. “I wanted to learn how to weld to make furniture and artwork,” she said. “Then I found out about the trade unions and in 2005 I took the steamfitters’ [apprenticeship] test.” Flasck, 44, a South Park High School graduate, has had steady work with the union ever since she joined the group. The pay is high--$30 per hour—and a Steamfitters union member can get as much work as she wants, Flasck said, noting that she has become certified as a welder and obtained other skills to increase her ability to be hired for jobs. As many in Western Pennsylvania are learning through the hardships of the recent recession, work in the trades can be a high-paying career bereft of work stoppages. Trade work provides steady employment that is fulfilling to people who don’t enjoy work in an office setting. College is not for everyone and the cost of such an  education is becoming more and more difficult for many families  to bear. Newspapers and  magazines are full of stories of students who took on the  burdensome college debt that  they are struggling to pay off. But for those with a strong  work ethic, some mechanical aptitude and a desire to be a part of building something, becoming a member of a union could be an ideal career choice. Fortunately for those in the Pittsburgh area, the chance to work with the insulators, electricians, laborers, carpenters or other unions is greater than ever, due to the state-of-the-art training programs these and other local unions provide.

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“It’s neat to build things—to see something you’ve worked on turn into something,” Flasck said. The time commitment to becoming a full member of a union might not be for everyone, though. Steamfitters Local #499 takes in anywhere from 12 to 30 new members each year, a group that is winnowed from about 300 who take the initial test and interview for a slot with the union, said Ken Broadbent, business manager for Steamfitters Local #449, located along Woodruff Street in the South Hills. Unlike some jobs, there is no age discrimination in the union apprentice selection process— twenty-somethings and older folks starting a second career have an equal shot at union membership. The Steamfitters apprenticeship program requires 1,000 hours of schooling at night for each apprentice, as well as 2,000 hours per year of guaranteed employment over the five-year apprenticeship. Those man-hours are paid, along with full benefits. Apprentices start at $12 per hour and eventually make $30 per hour as steamfitters, but you have to be fit. “You have to be physically able to perform the work because there’s lifting and climbing, and working in the cold and in the heat,” Broadbent said. “For every hour a journeyman works, we take 50 cents out of his pay to put towards the training program.” The average age of an apprentice is actually 27 years old, said Jason Fincke, executive director of the builder’s Guild of Western Pennsylvania, a labor/management organization that includes both contractors and unions.

Apprentices earn between $10 and $15 per hour their first year, receiving average yearly raises of $3.50 annually during their training. The average building trades worker earns $45,000 per year, Fincke noted. Western Pennsylvania has 17 union apprenticeship schools and all are tuition-free, he said. Studies have shown that a college education might actually be a waste of money for many of those who attend, Fincke said, and so union membership is an increasingly smart career choice. “Only about 5 percent of college graduates make more money than people in the building trades,” he said. While work in construction is hard and physically demanding, the industry isn’t affected in the same way by economic conditions as other industries are impacted, Fincke added. “You can’t outsource construction,” he said. With union workers averaging wages of $25 to $35 per hour, unions are many smart workers’ choice for gainful employment, Fincke said. “There’s a myth out there that to be successful you have to go to college… Building trade work can provide a very good living and a very good wage,” he said. For more information on apprenticeships in the trades in the Pittsburgh area, visit the Builder’s Guild of Western Pennsylvania’s web site, at www.buildersguild.org.

W h at I s S w im m ing ?

• Competitive programs for swimmers age 6 years and older • Pre-competitive programs for swimmers 4 – 6 years • Swim lesson programs for all ages, infant through adult (small group and private) • All programs take place at the Woodland Hills High School/Woodland Hills Junior High School. • Swimmers may join our groups at any time throughout the year. • Group descriptions, fees and practice and lesson schedules can be found on the website, www.whatswimming.org.

C all T ori Z ido at 4 1 2 - 4 1 7 - 1 3 7 8 or em ail h er at t ori@ w h at sw im m ing . org .

Grief Shared is Grief Diminished. Our Grief Support Group meets on the 1st Wednesday of each month in St. Maurice Parish Center at 7 p.m. It is professionally facilitated by Dr. Barbara Coyne and is open and free to anyone who grieves.

412-824-8800

412-823-9350

700 Linden Ave. at Cable East Pittsburgh, PA 15112 PATRICK T. LANIGAN Supervisor

Turtle Creek/Monroeville Chapel Turtle Creek, PA 15145 STEPHANIE L. DORIGUZZI Supervisor

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By Pamela Palongue

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 With the high rate of unemployment, it will not come as a shock that many mothers are returning to school for more education in order to be more employable and to be able to provide better benefits for their families. What might surprise you is that more than ever, universities, trade and specialty schools are offering extremely flexible schedules and payment plans for the special challenges that moms face in furthering their education. One of the major drawbacks to attending college is the loss of income while in school. Although night classes have been available at most universities for years now, Saturday classes are now becoming more common and many of the schedules include meeting every other weekend. This gives working moms the ability to hold down a day job for 40 hours during the we ek, while still retaining the all-important health insurance benefits for their family while attending college on the weekends. More classes than ever are being offered on Saturdays. And, of course, night classes offer greater flexibility for employed mothers as well. Another challenge for moms attempting to advance their education is finding care for their child while they are in school. The high cost of daycare can be prohibitive for those already on a tight budget. Many mothers have the advantage of family members close by to pitch in with child care duties, but this may not be practical for some mothers whose parents or in-laws live hours away. One great way to resolve this issue is to trade babysitting time. When mothers coordinate their class schedules, they can attend classes at opposite times so the other mother can babysit both mothers’ children. Another great way to overcome the high cost of daycare is to trade services. An

individual may be willing to provide child care in exchange for house cleaning or having errands performed. Retired individuals who have the most flexible hours are a great solution in this arrangement. For some, completing a four year college may not be practical either for time considerations or financial reasons. There are many careers available with educational programs that are less than two years. Education and the medical field consistently rank highest for career fields experiencing the most growth. For individuals who already have a four-year degree, universities offer a teaching program that can be completed in one year. Although a bachelor of science in nursin g is a four year degree program, some local hospitals offer two year nursing programs sans the degree. Some of these facilities offer free education in exchange for two years of devoted service at their facility. For even shorter programs in the medical field, medical assistants and emergency medical technicians offer alternatives. Local EMT programs last approximately four months and the tuition is under $200. In addition to the abovementioned career fields, information technology, massage therapists, barbers, cosmetologists and medical insurance billing all offer programs with shorter duration for busy moms and most offer payment options so that upfront payment of full tuition is not required. Each woman’s path to educational advancement is different, but perseverance is the common denominator. With dedication and hard work, every woman can accomplish her goals. And now more than ever, there are many avenues to achieving your dream.

Do you want the “Assurance” of a secure and loving childcare environment? Do you want the “Assurance” that your child will have a Christ-Centered learning experience? Do you want the “Assurance” that your child will be prepared socially, and academically for grade school? • HEAD START Program & PA Certified Teachers On Site • NAFCC ACCREDITED • KEYSTONE STARS – 3 STAR Facility • State Licensed & DPW Approved • Child Care Partnerships and TANF Accepted • Pre-School Computer Program • Trained & Certified Staff • 3 FREE MEALS • Large fully equipped Outdoor Play Area

B L E S S E D A S S U R A N C E Rankin, PA • Ages 1 through 5 years • 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT (412) 271-4727 E-Mail: blessedchildren1@verizon.net

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FALL HAPPENINGS

IN YOUR WOODLAND HILLS LIBRARIES Main Library Edgewood

Branch Library - Forest Hills

C om p ut er C lasses - R eg ist er in advanc e Basic Internet, Tuesday, September 14 @11 a.m. Basic E-mail, Tuesday, September 28 @11 a.m. Getting Started on Facebook, Tuesday, October 12 @11 a.m. Getting Started in Word, Tuesday, October 19 @11 a.m. Basic E-mail, Tuesday, November 9 @11 a.m. Basic Internet, Tuesday, November 16 @11 a.m.

P A L S B ook C lub Meets Tuesdays, August 24, October 26, and December 28 @ 1:00 p.m.

D rop D ead B ook C lub Meets second Wednesday of the month @ 7 p.m. to discuss mysteries.

W isew alk Hour-long walk around the neighborhood Fridays, September 17 - November 19 @ 9 a.m. Paperback exchanges are located in the Municipal Buildings in Braddock Hills, Churchill, Forest Hills and Wilkins. Bring a book and exchange for something new.

T oast m ast ers Meets every Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m.

Please Consider a Gift to CC Mellor Library

B ac k room Q uilt ers Meets every Thursday @ noon.

In mid-October, residents will be receiving our Annual Appeal in their mailboxes. This is our major funding effort, and we rely on the generosity of people like you to be able to provide the materials and services that our users need and want. Our goal this year is $30,000.

W isew alk Hour-long walk around the neighborhood Wednesdays, September 15 - November 17 @ 9 a.m. A nnual A rt s and C raf t s F air Saturday, December 4, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Ballroom, Edgewood Community House, 1 Pennwood Avenue. A great holiday show with plenty of unique items for gifts.

It’s easy to give to the library. You can mail a check in when the Annual Appeal letter arrives or you can go to the library webpage at www.ccmellorlibrary.org and make an on-line gift. Or you can give through The Pittsburgh Foundations Day of Giving on October 13 when gifts will be matched. More than ever your gift is important to C. C. Mellor and the community it serves.

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Battery Tips for Hearing Aid Users Dr. Debra Comte, Owner of Community Hearing and Doctor of Audiology Hearing aids are great, but they are not much use without a battery. Here are some tips for how to care for your batteries and how to get the longest life out of them.

Getting Started Hearing aid batteries are activated when you pull off the sticker on the back of the battery. Under the sticker is one or several holes that fill with air to activate the battery. To optimize how much air gets in, and therefore the performance and longevity of the battery, keep your fingers away from the holes so that your skin oil won’t clog them. It also helps to wait about 2 minutes before inserting a new battery into your hearing aid. This will allow plenty of time for the air to activate the ingredients inside the battery. Once the sticker is peeled off, the battery will slowly use energy even if not put in your hearing aid, so don’t peel it off until you are ready to use it. Putting the sticker back on will not prevent the battery from draining.

Storage Hearing aid batteries perform best when stored at room temperature. So, don’t store them in your hot car or in your refrigerator. Keep the batteries in their packaging or a battery holder. This helps to keep the battery from touching other batteries or other metal objects, which can short-circuit the battery.

Many of my patients ask me if they should change both of their hearing aid batteries at the same time. I tell them that if it were me, I would just change them one at a time as they run out, but I am the kind of person who squeezes the last bit out of the toothpaste tube. But if it makes life easier, go ahead and change them at the same time.

Disposing of your Batteries The short answer is to just throw your batteries away in your trash. But, standard hearing aid batteries contain mercury so some people feel that it is best to recycle them. Batteries Plus in Monroeville (412-380-1388) will dispose of hearing aid batteries for $1 for amounts smaller than a shoebox full. Don’t keep a huge stockpile of dead batteries around, however, since they can be a fire hazard. Some battery manufacturers, such as Rayovac, are starting to make mercury free hearing aid batteries. Just look on the packaging for a mercury free brand. Stay tuned for my article in the next issue where I will discuss rechargeable hearing aid batteries.

DO NOT EAT! Batteries should be kept out of the reach of children and pets. They can be harmful if swallowed. If a battery is swallowed call the National Button Battery Hotline at 202-625-3333 and see a doctor right away.

Forgot your size?

50 packs FREE

No problem. Packaging for hearing aid batteries is color coded by size. Size 675 is blue, 13 is orange, 312 is brown, and 10 is yellow.

Bad Pack? If you get some duds, bring the pack back into your audiologist so that you can get some replacements and the battery manufacturer can look into why the pack was bad.

Having a hard time handling the small batteries? Ask your audiologist for a magnet tool that will hold the battery. You can also consider using rechargeable hearing aid batteries.

Try the longest lasting mercury free hearing aid batteries from Rayovac.

Dr. Debra Comte, Audiologist and Owner

Battery Life Battery life will depend on many things including how much you are wearing the hearing aid, what situations you use your hearing aids in (noisy places require more processing), and the battery size. On average, you can expect to get about 5 days from a size 10 battery, 9 days from a size 312 battery, 2 weeks from a size 13 battery, and 3 weeks from a size 675 battery. To save on your battery life you can open your battery door at night since it removes the battery from the battery contacts. I have my patients put their hearing aid stickers on their calendars when they change their batteries so they can track the average amount of days before having to change a battery.

50 packs of free batteries with any hearing aid purchase. Call by 10/31/10 for this offer

412-499-3215

A $200 value.

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1789 S. Braddock Ave. Suite 575 Pittsburgh, PA 15218

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2010

Back to School Jokes Adopt a Pet: T-Bone Q: What's the worst thing you're likely to find in the school cafeteria? A: The food! Q: Why did nose not want to go to school? A: He was tired of getting picked on! Q: How do you get straight A's? A: By using a ruler! Q: What did the pen say to the pencil? A: "So, what's your point?" Q: What did you learn in school today? A: "Not enough, I have to go back tomorrow!"

When you meet T-Bone, he will offer you a Beagle smile and shyly, by surely, try to climb into your lap. This gentle fellow is brimming with affection and simply needs someone to give it to. A couple months ago, T-Bone probably felt like the luckiest, most beloved dog in the world. But then, sadly, his owner passed away. T-Bone came to Animal Friends, 10 years old and hoping to find a second chance and a fresh start. T-Bone is calm, lovable, and simply wants to share your company. He is curious and friendly around other dogs and

enjoys peaceful rides in the car. He is crate trained and always polite. But most of all, T-Bone is lovable. He adores people and constantly wants to cuddle. While it’s obvious that he loves all women, we’ve noticed that he is particularly drawn to men. Perhaps they remind him of his Dad, who he misses so much. If you are looking for a companion who’s more interested in cuddling and relaxing than playing, T-Bone could be the one for you. T-Bone is currently in foster care. If you can help a loving and deserving dog, call Animal Friends at 412.847.7002.

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H ealth and W ellness N ews Y ou Can Use

What’s Inside

Play I t S afe ©

Kick off the fall sports season and keep your kids in the game with this guide to help prevent sports injuries. (page 3)

2010 UPMC

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Wh y G o Wi t h t h e F l o w ? I n c on t i n e n c e I s Tr e at ab l e

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P l a y It Sa f e M i n i m a l l y In v a s i v e Su r g e r y Av a i l a b l e C l o s e t o Ho m e

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Ar e Y o u C o n c u s s i o n - Sa v v y ? Sc h o o l Lu n c h e s T h a t M a k e t h e G r a d e

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Wh o K n e w R e h a b C o u l d B e So M u c h F u n ?

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A Ne w E r a o f T r e a t m e n t f o r Hi g h - R i s k P r e g n a n c i e s

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Wh a t ’ s Ha p p e n i n g a t U P M C M c K e e s p o rt

W hy G o W ith the Flow? U rinary inc o ntinenc e af f ec ts w o m en and m en o f al l ages — T h e go o d new s : I t is treatab l e. If you’re experiencing the embarrassment and discomfort that accompany urinary incontinence, you’re not alone. More than 25 million Americans have some form of urinary incontinence or overactive bladder. Urinary incontinence is the loss of voluntary bladder control causing leakage of urine. Symptoms can range from mild urine leakage to uncontrollable wetting. “There are lots of people with this problem,” says J ay A. L utins, MD, a urologist at UPMC McKeesport. But many people are ashamed to discuss bladder issues with their doctor.

T y p e s o f In c o n t i n e n c e Incontinence can occur for a number of reasons, and each cause has its own form of diagnosis and treatment. Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing these common types of incontinence: S tress incontinence — loss of urine when you exert pressure on the bladder by coughing, sneezing, laughing, or lifting something heavy. Urge incontinence — a sudden, intense urge to urinate followed by an involuntary loss of urine. O verflow incontinence — frequent or constant dribbling of urine, indicating an inability to empty the bladder. Mix ed incontinence — type of incontinence.

symptoms of more than one

b ut m o s t p eo p l e d o n’ t tal k ab o ut it w ith th eir d o c to r. G e t t h e He l p Y o u Ne e d “No one has to live with urinary incontinence,” says Dr. L utins. “While incontinence is frequently associated with aging, it can happen to anyone. With the medications and surgical techniques we now have available, this problem is definitely treatable.” One of the latest treatments Dr. L utins utilizes is sacral nerve stimulation (SNS), a procedure that involves the electrical stimulation of the nerves that control the bladder. The outpatient procedure involves implanting a tiny neurotransmitter under the skin. The device is connected to the sacral nerve by a lead that also is positioned under the skin. Mild electrical impulses travel through the lead to the muscles of the bladder, sphincter, and pelvic floor, helping to reduce or eliminate bladder control problems. “SNS has been successful in about u5 percent of patients with overactive bladders for whom medications just didn’t work,” says Dr. L utins.

R e c la im

Y o u r So c i a l Li f e

Many people who experience bladder problems become isolated and withdrawn, avoiding social situations for fear of embarrassment. That’s why Dr. L utins and the other UPMC McKeesport urologists view the diagnosis and treatment of urinary incontinence is an important service. “R educing a patient’s urine leakage by just 50 percent significantly reduces their stress level, and helps to keep them active and engaged. The quality of life changes they experience are just amazing,” adds Dr. L utins.

Di d Y o u K n o w ? • Urinary incontinence is common, but it is not normal. • W omen represent 7 5 percent of people who have urinary incontinence. Kegel ex ercises can help women decrease their risk of stress incontinence. • Anyone can ex perience urinary incontinence, not j ust older adults. • Urinary incontinence is often the symptom of another condition.

www.UPMC.com/ Today

P l a y It Sa f e M any y o uth s p o rts inj uries c an b e p rev ented b y f o l l o w ing th es e p rac tic al s ugges tio ns Sports and exercise offer undeniable benefits. But for millions of young athletes, they also bring risks. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sports injuries among high school athletes alone are on the rise, accounting for nearly two million injuries, 500,000 doctor visits, and 30,000 hospitalizations every year. Injuries range from strains, sprains, and fractures to concussions and heat stroke.

Freddie H. Fu, MD, chairman of the UPMC Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and renowned sports medicine expert, blames much of the increase in injuries on today’s trend of kids focusing year-round on one sport.

Experts attribute the high rate of youth sports injuries to:

Dr. Fu says it’s important for parents and coaches alike to understand the dangers and take steps to keep children safe. He recommends the following:

• overuse • trauma • lack of preventive measures (including proper equipment, training, and conditioning) The CDC estimates that more than half of all sports injuries involving children and teens are preventable.

“Kids are doing too much. Now, there’s no off-season. When they’re not playing, they are practicing and at a very intense level,” he says.

K e e p Y o u r K id s in t h e G a m e

1) Cross-train and avoid specializing in one sport to create balance and avoid breakdowns in muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones. 2) Take time off from competition to allow muscles and joints time to rest and recover.

3) Use the right gear and make sure it’s in good condition and fits properly. Insist your child uses the recommended safety gear. 4) Ensure proper techniques are used for throwing, running, and swinging. 5) Take time to stretch before a workout/game and cool down after. 6) Maintain good hydration when playing to avoid fatigue and keep the body cool. R e m e m b b e fu n . C w w w .U P o n th e to a m o n g y

e r, p la h e c k o M C. c o p fo u r o u n g a

y in g u t o m / T in ju t h le

s p o r t s s h o u ld u r w e b s it e a t o d a y fo r d e t a ils r ie s t h a t o c c u r te s .

Minimally I nvasive S urgery N ow Available Close to H ome D uring a recent visit, your doctor recommended surgery and suggested minimally invasive surgery or MI S ( also known as laparoscopic surgery) . W hen you asked for details, you were surprised to learn that MI S is becoming more and more common in hospitals and is available at UPMC McKeesport. “ The technology has evolved to the point where the maj ority of general surgical procedures that have been performed with the traditional open approach ( larger incisions) can now, in appropriate patients, be done laparoscopically,” ex plains S teven G ribar, MD , a general surgeon at UPMC McKeesport who is trained in MI S procedures. I n MI S or “ keyhole surgery,” the operation is done with specializ ed instruments through several small incisions in the body, ex plains D r. G ribar.

The benefits of MI S over traditional open surgery may include reduced blood loss, less scarring, reduced pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery times. And because less tissue is involved, MI S patients have less chance of infection. G allbladder removal was one of the first surgical procedures to be done using minimally invasive procedures. Today, MI S is widely used in many areas of emergency and elective general surgery, including intestinal and colon surgery, and hernia repair. MI S techniques also are routinely applied to other surgical disciplines, including lung and chest surgery, and spine and brain surgery. W hile the number of MI S procedures being performed is increasing, not all patients are good candidates for minimally invasive surgery. B e sure to talk with your doctor to find out which surgical options are best for you.

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H ealth Tips from UPMC H ealth Plan

Ar e Y o u C o n c u s s io n Sa v v y ?

S c h o o l L unc h es T h at M ak e th e G rad e K ids need more than pens, pencils, and notebooks to successfully get through a day at school. They also need healthy lunches. Here are some tips on how to make sure your child eats healthy foods while at schoolz •

Get your child involved with the planning and packing of lunches. •

Acknowledge his or her likes and dislikes. •

Assemble lunch the night before to avoid morning delays and’ or hurried choices. •

If your child buys lunch at the school cafeteria, make sure he or she knows the difference between healthy and unhealthy foods. •

Teach your child about portions and portion control. •

Think healthy and think light. •

Teach your child to eat until no longer hungry, not until “stuffed.”

M e a s u r e y o u r u n d e r s t a n d in g o f c o n c u s s io n s w it h t h e s e fiv e q u e s t io n s . Most of us think of a concussion primarily as a sportsrelated inj ury — and statistics show that one out of every five reported concussions is sportsrelated. B ut any violent shaking or blow to the head can lead to a concussion. “ A suspected concussion should be taken seriously — whether it happens on the playing field, in your home, or on the j ob,” says Michael ( Micky) Collins, PhD , assistant director of the UPMC S ports Medicine Concussion Program. A nationally recogniz ed ex pert in sportsrelated concussions, D r. Collins co- created — along with Mark R . L ovell, PhD , director of the UPMC S ports Medicine Concussion Program and J oseph C. Maroon, MD , vice chairman of N eurosurgery at UPMC Presbyterian and neurosurgeon for the Pittsburgh S teelers — the Center for D isease Control’s ( CD C) “ Concussion Tool Kit for Physicians.”

Ho w m u c h d o y o u r e a l l y k n o w a b o u t c o n c u s s i o n s ? Take this true- false quiz to test your understanding of this common but potentially life- threatening inj ury: 1. A concussion is a brain inj ury. T rue o r Fal s e 2. S igns and symptoms of concussion can develop right after the inj ury or even hours or days later. T rue o r Fal s e 3. Concussions occur even if the person has not been knocked unconscious. T rue o r Fal s e 4 . A repeat concussion that occurs before the brain recovers from the first can slow recovery or increase the likelihood of long- term problems. T rue o r Fal s e 5. Concussions can have a more serious effect on a young, developing brain. T rue o r Fal s e I f you answered “ true” to all five questions, you’re ahead of the game — but there’s more you should know. G et the facts about concussion symptoms and treatment at www.UPMC.com/ Today.

D id Y ou Know? I mPACT , the concussion evaluation system most widely in use worldwide by professional, college, and high school sports teams, was developed at UPMC by D r. L ovell, D r. Collins, and D r. Maroon.

www.UPMC.com/ Today

St u m p e d f o r i d e a s o n w h a t t o p a c k ? T r y t h e s e h e a lt h y o p t io n s : M ain d is h es ✔ Sandwich made with wholegrain bread, lean meat, and low-fat cheese; or peanut butter and all-fruit jelly on whole-grain bread ✔ Pita pocket stuffed with shredded turkey, chicken, or light roast beef; or grated vegetables, low-fat cheese, and light salad dressing ✔ Mini pizza, whole-grain English muffin, or bagel topped with turkey pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, and garlic herb cream cheese ✔ Low-fat tuna or chicken salad on a mini bagel Fruits and v egetab l es ✔ Red pepper strips, carrots, celery, sugar snap peas, or green beans with salsa or light ranch dressing ✔ F resh fruit ✔ F ruit cups ✔ Applesauce

H eal th y s nac k s ✔ Low-fat yogurt, either in a cup or a tube ✔ Wheat crackers with peanut butter or low-fat cheese ✔ Cottage cheese, with or without fruit ✔ Pudding made with skim milk ✔ String cheese ✔ Salsa with baked chips ✔ Peanuts ✔ Small bag of light popcorn O c c as io nal treats ✔ Baked or low-fat potato chips ✔ F un-size candy bars ✔ Low-fat cookies Fo o d s to l im it ✔ Regular snack chips (potato, tortilla, etc.) ✔ F ull-size candy bars ✔ Regular cookies ✔ Canned fruits in sweetened syrup

I nnovation at UPMC

W h o K new R eh ab C o ul d B e S o M uc h Fun? Last November, John Rizzi,* 50, noticed numbness and tingling in his feet. A few weeks later he suddenly fell while hunting. By January, he was paralyzed from the chest down — only able to move his head and shrug his shoulders. Eventually diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that damaged the protective covering of the nerves (myelin sheath) and interfered with the signaling process, John arrived in March at the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute and its Gaming and Robotics Center for intensive therapy. “When I saw the advanced equipment, I was amazed. It inspired me to do whatever I could to walk again,” John says. Playing computer games and doing simulated tasks using robotic devices such as the Armeo Boom enabled John to move his arms and regain fine motor skills. A robotic treadmill called the Lokomat made it possible for him to walk. “I started seeing gains right away. That made me want to work even harder,” he says.

F u n a n d G a m e s fo r E f fe c t iv e R e h a b ilit a t io n The Armeo Boom — available for clinical use at UPMC and nowhere else in the nation — is one of several cutting-edge devices used in rehabilitation at the center. To use it, patients strap their arm into a sling attached to an overhead boom. Robotic supports allow patients to move their arm while playing reach-and-retrieval computer games, such as solitaire and placing apples in a shopping cart, along with simulated tasks such as cooking or cleaning. “Rehabilitation can be very tedious and painful. A lot of repetition is needed to teach the body to move again,” says Michael Boninger, MD, director of the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute. “Using this technology is kind of sneaky. It’s great to see patients enjoy playing a game when you know they are actually working hard at rehabilitation.” * M r. R iz z i’ s treatm ent and res ul ts m ay no t b e rep res entativ e o f al l s im il ar c as es .

John, who has regained most of his abilities, agrees. “It was more like playing a game. You’re working, the sweat is running down your face, but it’s fun. You’re getting the movement and the repetition you need, but you’re laughing,” he says. Dr. Boninger says patients benefit from using the very latest technology. UPMC researchers have developed their own designs, and companies often send their prototypes here for evaluation. Other innovative devices used at the Center include the GameCycle , a machine invented at the University of Pittsburgh that combines a stationary hand cycle with a commercial video game; the Armeo Spring — a companion to the Armeo Boom; and several Nintendo Wii systems. “Technology is very important in rehabilitation. Having a therapist move a patient’s arm repeatedly works, but not nearly as well as having the patient move his own arm while it is supported by a robot and while he is playing a game,” says Dr. Boninger. “Computer games also provide quick feedback and measure improvement, which adds to the sense of accomplishment.”

V i r t u a l T h e r a p y a t Ho m e The Nintendo Wii can be a useful tool for patients as they maintain their physical rehabilitation program at home. It’s relatively inexpensive, and many of the games incorporate the repetitive motion required in ongoing therapeutic exercises. “We can tell patients to do an exercise 500 times in the next week,” said Dr. Boninger. “But many people just won’t do it. Tell them to play Wii Tennis and they’ll do it and have fun.”

D r. Michael B oninger shows how the Armeo B oom’s games and simulated tasks allow rehab patients to work hard and have fun.

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AP io n e e r in g F o r c e in M a t e r n a l- F e t a l M e d ic in e

A N ew E ra o f T reatm ent f o r H igh - R is k P regnanc ies Having a baby is one of the most natural things in the world, but it’s not risk free. For some women and their unborn children, the risks can be especially great, with potential for the development of life-threatening complications. Transforming their treatment and medical outlook is the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC. The program has long been recognized as a leader in MFM, an obstetric subspecialty focusing on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of expectant mothers and their fetuses who may be at high risk before, during, and after pregnancy. Many conditions can potentially put women at higher risk during pregnancy, including: • Preterm labor • Becoming pregnant after age 35 • Multiple birth pregnancies (twins or triplets) • Family history of birth defects or genetic disorders • Medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, thyroid or kidney diseases, and pre-eclampsia Wo r k i n g T o g e t h e r f o r M o t h e r a n d C h i l d “Many MFM programs nationwide are available only at children’s hospitals. At UPMC, our comprehensive program of caring for mother and fetus is offered through Magee,” explains Stephen P. Emery, MD, director of the division’s Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Center. “The maternal component is central to our mission; it’s a natural extension of our hospital’s historic focus on women’s health.”

The center’s MFM physicians are supported by a multidisciplinary team of medical professionals with expertise in high-risk pregnancies, including anesthesiologists, geneticists, radiologists, and bioethicists. “We work together and apply our collective knowledge to find solutions for each patient’s needs,” says Dr. Emery.

www.UPMC.com/ Today

The goal is to give women and their families the information they need to make informed decisions about their pregnancies. The center then provides critical counseling and planning support, and state-of-the-art diagnostic, therapeutic, and surgical services. Magee’s close partnership with Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC also links newborns with congenital abnormalities to neonatologists, pediatric surgeons, and other specialists for ongoing care after birth. “Thanks to the tremendous technological advancements in MFM in recent years, we get to know an unborn child inside and out during a high-risk pregnancy — from his or her chromosomal makeup to cardiac anatomy. We’re prepared to quickly address any health care needs immediately after birth — or even in utero if needed, ” says Dr. Emery. “Just as importantly, we’re also able to ensure that the mother’s continuing health needs are met.”

Typically, an obstetrician, gynecologist, or midwife will refer a woman to Magee’s MFM team for initial evaluation. However, women can contact Magee directly at 412-641-3382. Learn more about Magee’s Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and its Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Center at www.UPMC.com/Magee.

D id Y ou Know? M aternal - f etal m ed ic ine s erv ic es are av ail ab l e at U P M C M erc y ( 4 1 2 - 2 3 2 - 8 1 1 1 ) and U P M C H o riz o n (4 12 -6 4 1-6 3 6 1).

A d v anc ing th e Q ual ity o f C are T h ro ugh R es earc h Despite major medical advancements in recent years, the causes of many fetal complications remain a mystery. That’s why research is so critical to the efforts of Magee’s Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Center. “Through our research, the quality of our care extends far beyond what patients see,” says Hyagriv Simhan, MD, chief of the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and an experienced investigator at the Magee-Women’s Research Institute (MWRI). “Magee is recognized for its pioneering research and medical advancements in MFM,” adds Dr. Simhan. The first research center devoted exclusively to the health concerns of women and infants, the institute’s current MFM research initiatives include preterm birth, genetics, placental function, and pre-eclampsia.

Meet Ou r P h y s i c i a n s Please visit www.UPMC.com/FindADoctor or call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762) for more information about any of our physicians. To contact the UPMC McKeesport physicians listed below, please use the office phone number provided.

G E NE R AL SU R G E ONS

U R OLOG IST S K r is h n a J e t t i, M D

K y r i a k o s Da v i d e s , M D

O f f i c e Ph on e : 4 1 2 - 6 7 2 - 3 4 2 2

Da v i d Li a n g , M D, P C

Da v i d J a c o b s , M D

O f f i c e Ph on e : 4 1 2 - 6 7 2 - 3 4 2 2

Pal e p u S u r g i c al A s s oc i at e s

R o n g C h u n g Li n , M D

M u m t a z Al v i , M D

Sh o w r i P a l e p u , M D

O f f i c e Ph on e : 4 1 2 - 6 7 2 - 3 4 2 2

Un i v e r s i t y of Pi t t s b u r g h Ph ys i c i an s , D e p ar t m e n t of S u r g e r y R ic h a r d B o n d i, M D St u a r t C h e t l i n , M D St e v e n G r i b a r , M D O f f i c e Ph on e : 4 1 2 - 6 7 2 - 3 4 2 2

O f f i c e Ph on e : 4 1 2 - 6 7 2 - 3 4 2 2

Pr e m i e r Me di c al A s s oc i at e s â&#x20AC;&#x201C; G e n e r al an d V as c u l ar S u r g e r y

Ar t h u r F i n e , M D

An t h o n y T a n , M D P e t e r Na m a n , M D

O f f i c e Ph on e : 4 1 2 - 6 7 2 - 3 4 2 2

E d g a r C o r d e r o , M D, P C

Th e Ce n t e r f or Ur ol og i c Car e J a y Lu Al l a n Ar t h u Da v i d

t in s , M Sc h a c h r T h o m He p p s

D te r, M D a s , M D , M D

O f f i c e Ph on e : 4 1 2 - 6 7 2 - 3 4 2 2

Wh a t â&#x20AC;&#x2122; s Ha p p e n i n g at UPMC McKeesport Harvest of Health Festival UPMC McKeesport, the McKeesport H ospital Foundation, the Mon R iver Fleet S tate H ealth I mprovement Partnerships ( McKeesport S H I P, D uquesne S H I P, Clairton S H I P, and B raddock S H I P) , and a wide array of service agencies and community organiz ations proudly present: H ar v e s t of H e al t h F e s t i v al S at u r day, N ov . 6 9 a. m . t o 2 p . m . UPMC Mc K e e s p or t Cam p u s

Featuring: Free health screenings V aluable health information and education booths H ealth presentations Fitness demonstrations H ospital tours G ames and priz es E ntertainment R efreshments D oor priz e drawings G iveaways

J oin us for a festival of good health, family fun, and community pride as we celebrate the bounty of the season. For more information about the H arvest of H ealth Festival, contact B etty J ean Marconi, manager, Community O utreach, at 4 12- 6 6 4 - 2114 or marconibj @ upmc.edu. Parking is free.

1- 8 00- 533- UPMC

U P M C M c K e e s p o rt 1500 Fifth Ave. McKeesport, PA 15132

UPMC Today is published quarterly to provide you with health and wellness information and classes and events available at UPMC. This publication is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice or replace a physician’s medical assessment. Always consult first with your physician about anything related to your personal health.

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Even the smallest discovery is important. Doctors rely on quality images to make accurate diagnoses and treatment decisions for their patients. UPMC is a leader in creating and adopting cutting-edge technologies to enhance medical imaging and improve patient care. In fact, some of the most innovative advances in the field of radiology have happened in our hospitals. And our state-of-the-art computer system allows imaging scans to be quickly accessed and viewed by physicians across our network with just the click of a mouse. Our advanced technology and expert radiologists can make a real difference in your care. Whether you need an x-ray or advanced radiology testing, trust Imaging Services at UPMC McKeesport. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 412-664-CARE (2273) or visit UPMC.com/Imaging.

2 4 3 0 G reensb urg P ik e, P it t sb urg h , P ennsylvania 1 5 2 2 1 | 4 1 2 . 7 3 1 . 1 3 0 0 | w w w . w h sd. k 1 2 . p a. us Photo: Jack Ruskin

2430 Greensburg Pike, Pittsburgh, PA 15221 · 412.731.1300

S UPERINTENDENT ’ S M ESSAGE

Need Title

2010 WHSD BOARD DIRECTORS: (Back Row) R. Clanagan, R. Rinsma, Vice-President R. Driscoll, F. Kuhn (Front Row) President M. Messina, B. Estocin, R. Tomasic, C. Filiak

All material has been prepared and written by Maria McCool, Director of Communications for the WHSD.

Dear Members of the Woodland Hills School District Community, Fall is my favorite season. The nip in the air is a welcome relief from the record heat we all endured this summer. And the start of another school year, with all the promise that holds, is exciting and challenging. When I welcomed back our teachers and staff on August 20, I told them the goal for this coming school year is ZERO. The most important number for our school district this year is ZERO -- as in ZERO Achievement Gap. What do I mean by that? I mean we will close the achievement gap among all students – a gap that has been getting wider year by year across this country. How do I know we will be able to achieve this in the Woodland Hills School District? I know because the Woodland Hills Academy has already proved it can be done. They did it last year. Their PSSA results were 69% proficiency in reading and 86% proficiency in math. Not only did the Academy make AYP (adequate yearly progress), so did Shaffer and Wilkins Elementary Schools. More importantly, the Academy was able to close the achievement gap among all groups of students in Math and narrow it significantly in Reading. Significant gains in Math testing were made across the District. What happened last year at the Academy really proved what I have long believed. There is one truism in education… any education…public or private…and it is this: there is simply no substitute for quality time on task. That’s why we worked hard in our first year to eliminate as many distractions from our classrooms as we possibly could. That’s why we secured our buildings. That’s why we enforced a reasonable zero-tolerance policy. That’s why we cut back on conferences and meetings that took our teachers and principals away from the most important place for them to be: the classroom and the school. It’s also why last year we opened the Academy, despite many who thought it couldn’t be done in time.

Or, when it opened, some thought it could not produce the results it did. It’s also why we extended hours at the high school. It’s why we doubled math periods at the junior and senior high schools. And why we created a pathway to a FREE college education at Point Park. Quality Time On Task. It’s what we have focused on from Day One. And it’s what we’re going to continue working on this year. We have more integrated technology in more classrooms. We worked hard at cross-training many of our District staff from other schools at the Academy last year. And we’re going to continue that this year. We’re also going to do a better job of staying on top of programs for kids who are falling behind. We saw what “Response To Intervention” did at the Academy. So we’re going to extend those practices across the District. In short, we’re going to continue to accelerate the drive to excellence that we promised our kids and our parents. Our goal in the Woodland Hills School District this year is Zero. High achievement. In every school. With zero gaps. Zero.

Sincerely yours,

Walter M. Calinger, Ph.D. Superintendent

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WOODLAND HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT

T h e F ac e of t h e P arent V olunt eer Single parents, dual wage-earner families, stay-at-home dads, foster and step families and guardians – all of these individuals are parent volunteers in our schools today. Why do parents try so hard to juggle work, parenting, extra-curricular activities and volunteering at their child’s school? The answer is simple, even if scheduling volunteer time is not. Study after study has proven that the more personally involved and invested parents are in their child’s education, the more successful the child is in school. Each school in the Woodland Hills School District has committed parent volunteers, especially at the elementary level in PTO organizations and as chaperones for field trips and school activities. At the secondary level, parents put in countless hours in athletic booster clubs, with the marching band and helping with theater productions. We feature two of our parent volunteers on this issue’s cover. Both are parents of children at the Woodland Hills Academy; Mrs. Lisa Baldwin, president of the Academy PIE (Parents Involved in Education) organization and Mr. Ted Hammer, the District’s representative to the Parent Leadership Academy. Mr. Hammer volunteers at the Woodland Hills Academy where his sons are in attendance and Mr. Reginald Hickman is principal (also pictured on cover).

Often time, the time-consuming work of volunteering goes without thanks, but it is not un-noticed. And parents do have the satisfaction that their child is benefiting from their commitment. Schools, public and private, need the budget-extending resources provided by volunteers. Grant makers, both governmental and private foundations, usually require demonstration of parental participation for funding. At the federal level, Title I grants require that school districts have active parental involvement. Now the state of Pennsylvania is helping school districts “train” parents to become more effective volunteers. The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is providing funds for a parent volunteer coordinator from each school district to be trained and mentored in a new program called the Parent Leadership Academy. Academy volunteer Ted Hammer applied to be our parent volunteer coordinator and he attended the inaugural training session this summer. His training will continue throughout the school year. Mr. Hammer will share his training with parents, faculty, staff, and school administrators at each elementary school. He is exploring different ways to increase parental involvement in our schools, and looking for ways for parents to engage in more school activities. He can be reached at the Academy at 412-824-2450, ext. 4125 or via email at hammth@whsd.net. He is interested in hearing from parents and teachers about volunteering in the WHSD. The Parent Learning Academy is a pilot initiative for the state and our District sees a real benefit to this program. Woodland Hills Curriculum Coordinator Norm Catalano agrees that, “having strong parental involvement is key to our students’ success. The extent to which a student’s family is able to create a home environment that encourages learning, and has high, yet reasonable, expectations really boosts academic achievement.” Working with Mr. Hammer as his mentor and advisor is Mrs. Bonita Allen, the PLA consultant for volunteer coordinators in western Pennsylvania. She is also a PIE consultant for the Title I State Parent Advisory Council, so she serves as a resource for the Academy PIE President Mrs. Baldwin. Mrs. Allen provides parent and community engagement training and technical assistance to districts and schools across Pennsylvania.

WOODLAND HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT

T oday Twenty-five years of research have proven that effective parent and community involvement can help support schools and increase student achievement. “In almost every case where there are schools with effective and engaging parents and community support, there is a parent liaison coordinating the efforts,” added Mrs. Allen. “Research has proven the great benefit of investing in a position to fulfill the role of parent and community communicator, supporter and advocate,” she continued, “And Ted is an excellent candidate for this role in the Woodland Hills School District. I am delighted to be working with him.” The PA Department of Education Division of Federal Programs and the Title I State Parent Advisory Council created the Parent Leadership Academy to train and support parent volunteers to become coordinators and volunteer advocates in their home districts. Mr. Hammer says he decided to apply to be the first District PLA representative when he heard a presentation given by District administrator Dr. Anthony Robins at a Title I parent meeting. “I have found volunteering at my sons’ school extremely rewarding, but because of my involvement in the PLA, I have been working with Lisa as President of PIE, and the staff and parents of the Academy to increase volunteerism at our school and across the District.” “I appreciate being given the opportunity through the PLA to deliver the message about the many ways parents can volunteer in the schools and how this involvement promotes higher academic achievements by our students,” concluded Mr. Hammer. “You never know what surprises and benefits come your way when you raise your hand to say, ‘I’ll do it.’”

W HS D F ood S ervic e With national attention currently focused on children’s health and wellness issues, the Woodland Hills School District's Food Service Department is excited to provide parents/guardians with a convenient, easy and secure online prepayment service to deposit money into their child's school meal account at any time. This service also provides parents the ability to view their child’s account balance through a web site called MyNutrikids.com. By placing money in each child’s account prior to entering the cafeteria, the lunch lines move along much faster and students find they have more time to eat and socialize with friends. Also, parents/guardians have the ability to print out a report of their child’s meal purchase history. This history report shows the dates and times of all food purchases within the past thirty days. These services became available on May 1, 2010. Parents/ guardians can now add money to student meal accounts using MyNutriKids.com. When using a credit/debit card to add money to a student’s account, the transaction may take as long as 24 hours to appear in the student’s account. If paying with an E-Check, the transaction may take between 4-7 days to appear. For an introduction to using MyNutriKids.com, parents/guardians can download a Parent Quick Reference Guide at http://whsd.web1.schoolpointe.com/userfiles/990/download.pdf. If you experience any problems or have any questions, please call the Woodland Hills Food Service Dept. at 412-731-1300., ext. 0187 or email the Food Services administrator at breida@whsd.net. To set up a student account, follow these directions. Go to MyNutrikids.com. From this site parents/guardians can create a student account or add money to an existing child's school meal account. All you need is your child’s name, student ID number and school ZIP code. Important things to know: • If you have more than one child in the District you can handle all online prepayments from the same online account. • Payments may be made through an existing PayPal account or with a major credit or debit card only. • In order to use the online prepayment service, a small convenience fee for each transaction will be assessed to cover the associated bank fees. Woodland Hills School District does not profit from the use of this site. The District is very excited to offer this new service as a convenience to our families. However, if parents/guardians choose not to take advantage of the online prepayment service, they may continue to make advance payments via check. Checks should be made payable to the Woodland Hills School District. Please print the child’s full name on the check. If you have any questions about the new service, please contact WHSD Food Services at: 412-731-1300, ext.01867 or email breida@whsd.net.

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Student Registration Registering your child is often the first step in a successful academic experience. The Woodland Hills School District would like to make the process go as smoothly as possible. Parents and legal guardians are asked to bring all of the necessary documents with them at the time of registration. Parents/guardians may register their child or children at our Central Registration Office at the Administration Building, Monday-Friday 8 a.m.- 3:30 p.m., or they may contact their local neighborhood school for registration hours and information. Kindergarten registration and screenings are done in the spring on – site at the elementary schools. Children must be 5 years of age by September 1st of the year they plan to start school. There are a number of documents that parents/guardians must bring with them to establish District residency, as well as requirements that children must meet before entering school. They are highlighted below: Documents required by the WHSD School Board for student registration: The following documents can be used as proof of residency. ✔ Deed or Current Rental Agreement (Lease) and ✔ Valid PA Dept of Transportation identification or PA driver’s license with current District address, and ✔ Current utility bill (Gas, Electric, Cable, Water) (within 30 days) with coinciding WHSD address, OR

✔ Copy of State/Federal Program enrollment, OR

✔ Copy of current paycheck stub (within 30 days) with name and address of parent/guardian, OR ✔ Mail of an official nature In addition, Parent/Guardians must also present the following:

✔ Birth Certificate or Baptismal Certificate with Child’s D.O.B. (Required)

✔ Immunization Records (Required) Students must have all updated shots, including Hepatitis B, two doses of MMR, and a dose of the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine. Please remember that Immunization records will be reviewed by the school nurse for required updates prior to child(ren) starting school. *Faxed documents are not accepted.

C ent ral R eg ist rat ion O f f ic e Hours: 8:00 am-3:30 pm Monday through Friday Location: Woodland Hills Administration Building, 2430 Greensburg Pike, Churchill, PA 15221 If you have any questions regarding registration procedures, please contact the Central Registration Office at 412-731-1300 ext. 0130. You may also contact your local neighborhood school for information.

WHSD Transportation The Woodland Hills School District provides transportation for all students that reside in the District, including those that attend private, parochial and special education facilities. The District provides transportation in line with our approved Board policies as well as the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s guidelines for pupil transportation. All of our District bus suppliershave equipped their vehicles with audio and video monitoring and they are being used for the 2001-11 school year. Request for transportation services to charter, private and parochial schools If students are transferring schools, even if they are not moving from their current in-district address, a parent/ guardian must come to the Central Registration office at 2430 Greensburg Pike and provide the following information: ✔ Deed or Current Rental Agreement (lease), and ✔ Valid PA Dept of Transportation ID card, or PA Drivers License with current district address, and ✔ Current utility bill (within 30 days) with coinciding WHSD address, or ✔ Copy of federal/state program enrollment, or ✔ Copy of current pay stub (within 30 days) with name and address of parent/guardian. The Woodland Hills School District makes the safe transportation of all the students in our care our first and foremost priority.

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 The Woodland Hills High School Wolverine Football Team hosted a “Rally at the Wolvarena” in Turtle Creek on September 4, 2010. The Rally will featured national marquee matches between the Wolverines and three other WPIAL teams playing against two powerhouse teams from Florida and two perennially top ranked schools from Ohio. The 8:00 PM marquee game matched Woodland Hills against national ranked Manatee High School of Bradenton, FL. Manatee, the 2009 Florida 5A runner-up and is ranked in the top 25 in some preseason national polls. The Wolverines lost by the score of 39 – 16, but they played tough. Manatee’s running back Mike Blakely said after the game when talking about playing Woodland Hills: “It was a very physical game. Every play [Woodland Hills] hit us, hit us and hit us. We weren’t used to that. But we had to show that we had a little toughness in us. On top of that, we had the speed.”

McKeesport lost to Steubenville High School 7 – 0, and Thomas Jefferson High School, the reigning state champion, lost its match-up against Cocoa, Florida, 43 -7. The only WPIAL team to emerge victorious was Central Catholic who beat Akron Buchtel by a score of 35 – 6. Ken Halloy, president of Halloy Boy Sports Marketing in New Albany, Ohio is produced the event and credits Woodland Hills Head Coach George Novak with helping to make the “Rally” such a high caliber event. “George (Novak) wanted me to go get the best high school teams I could find,” said Halloy, “and the teams we were able to attract were all top notch.” “Of course we would have liked to win, but it was a fine day for football in Western Pennsylvania, summed up Wolverine Head Coach George Novak. Playing against such high caliber teams only brings out the best in your players. It’s the best preparation we can have to get us ready for our season.”

V A R S I T Y F O O T B A L L (BOYS) Head Coach - George Novak Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5

North Hills Plum Central Catholic Altoona (Homecoming) Fox Chapel Kiski Pine-Richland Penn Hills WPIAL Playoffs

H H A/H H

7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.

A H A A TBA

7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.

J . V . F O O T B A L L (BOYS) Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30

North Hills Plum Central Catholic Altoona Fox Chapel Kiski Pine-Richland Penn Hills

H A H A H A H H

8:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 12:00 a.m.

S O P HM O R E F O O T B A L L (BOYS) Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25 Nov. 1

McKeesport Mt. Lebanon Belle Vernon Altoona Bethel Park Seneca Valley Open Penn Hills

H A H A H A H H

8:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 12:00 p.m.

W P I A L C oac h es p art ic ip at ing in t h e R ally in t h e V alley: J im W ard (McKeesport)

T erry T ot t en (Central Catholic)

B ill C h erp ak (Thomas Jefferson)

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W oodland Hills F oundat ion Host s T our A round D ist ric t The WH Foundation is sponsoring the Tour du District, a bike ride around the District, on October 2, 2010. The bike course will weave its way through each of the twelve communities that make up the Woodland Hills School District with a brief stop at every District school. The first launch will be from Woodland Hills High School at 7:30 a.m. The second launch (5 mile ride) will leave the high school at 9:00 a.m. The WH Foundation will use the registration fees and sponsorships to raise funds to support their Mini Grant and Scholarship programs in the schools. There will be three different distance rides: • a 5 mile ride, a comfortable family ride; • a 25 mile ride, that will pass each school in the District; • a 30 mile ride, a challenging course for expert riders. Registration costs are $5 for the 5 mile run and $25 for the 25 and 30 mile runs. The Foundation is still recruiting sponsors, rider participants, and volunteers. To pre-register or volunteer, contact the WH Foundation at 1.888.281.3241 or email them at info@whsdfoundation.org. You can also stop by the Administration Building to pick up a registration form. Fees can be paid at the High School the morning of the Tour. The WH Foundation intends for the Tour de District to become an annual event and its premiere fundraiser for the District. The Woodland Hills Foundation is an independent, non-profit 501(c) 3 organization dedicated to enhancing opportunities for students, faculty and administration in the Woodland Hills School District by encouraging community-wide participation and philanthropy.

Some of the Foundation’s accomplishments over the last ten years are: • Coordinated a partnership with the Framing Hope national product donation program to accept and distribute to the needy. Approximately $480,000 worth of items have been distributed since September 2009. • Awarded 90 Mini-Grants totaling $45,000 to teachers in the District since 2002. Mini-Grants are modest cash awards that encourage and facilitate great teaching ideas. • Awarded Scholarships totaling $11,500 to 16 graduating seniors pursuing post-secondary education at non-four year institutions. • Established with the McCool Family the Julia Anne McCool Memorial Scholarship for the Arts and Humanities. • Sponsored the All District Art Show since 2006. • Sponsored the Annual Alumni Cabaret for the past five years. The Cabaret showcases Woodland Hills prestigious alumni from the district’s award winning musicals. Upcoming events for the 2010-2011 school year: • • • • •

Tour du District: October 2, 2010 Diamonds & Chocolate: February 12, 2011 Red Carpet Gala: May 5, 2011 All District Art Show: May 13–15, 19-21, 2011 Alumni Cabaret: May 21, 2011

To learn more about the Foundation and our programs, please visit our web site www.woodlandhillsfoundation.org.

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WOODLAND HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT

W oodland Hills S c h ool I nf orm at ion W oodland Hills J unior Hig h S c h ool Grades 7-8 7600 Evans St. Pittsburgh, PA 15218

W oodland Hills Hig h S c h ool Grades 9-12 2550 Greensburg Pike Pittsburgh, PA 15221-3683 Phone: 412.244.1100 Fax: 412.242.2344

Phone: 412.351.0698 Fax: 412.351.4064

Principal:

Daniel Stephens

Dawn Golden

Assistant Principals:

Nikola Drobac, Dawn Gold Licia Lentz D ic k son E lem ent ary Grades K-6 7301 Schoyer Avenue Swissvale, PA 15218

E dg ew ood E lem ent ary S c h ool Grades K-6 241 Maple Avenue Edgewood, PA 15218

Phone: 412.731.5816 Fax: 412.731.5818 Principal:

Phone: 412.731.2238 Fax: 412.731.2256

Allison Kline

Principal:

Janet Wilson-Carter Assistant Principal:

Charmayne Gather F airless E lem ent ary Grades K-6 531 Jones Avenue North Braddock, PA 15104

S h af f er E lem ent ary S c h ool Grades K-6 37 Garden Terrace Churchill, PA 15221

Phone: 412.271.1317 Fax: 412.271.6857

Phone: 412.371.4535 Fax: 412.371.4571

Principal:

Jean Livingston

Principal:

Assistant Principal:

Dr. Deborah Vereen

Kelly Berthold

W ilk ins E lem ent ary Grades K-6 362 Churchill Road Wilkins Township, PA 15235

W oodland Hills A c adem y Grades K-6 126 Monroeville Avenue Turtle Creek, PA 15145

Phone: 412.824.3231 Fax: 412.824.3244

Phone: 412.824.2450 Fax: 412.824.2597

Principal:

Karen Bloch

Principal:

Reginald Hickman

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W oodland Hills S c h ool D ist ric t 2 0 1 0 - 1 1 C alendar MONTH

DAY

A ug ust

23 24

Clerical Day (Teachers Only) First Day for Students

S ep t em b er

6 24

Labor Day (NO SCHOOL) ouse Clerical O p en m Hb er 2 1

O c t ob er

Inservice/Teachers Only

N ovem b er

Parent Teacher Conference ent T eac h er P ar nf erenc e (Pre K-12) (Act 80)* C o em b er 1 1 N ov K - 1 2 Thanksgiving Holiday . P re

25-29

se en Hou

O p b er 2 2 S ep t e S ep t em 7 - 9 p . m . - 9 p .m . 7 h r ig H nt a y E lem e J unior

1 8 15 22 29

2 9 16 23 30

3 10 17 24 31

D ec em b er

20-31

Winter Break

J anuary

Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday

F eb ruary

18 21 21*

Inservice/Teachers Only Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day Snow Day

5 12 S ep t e l 7 - 9 p . m . 19 26 c h oo ig H h S

6 13 20 27

3 10 17 24 31

* February 21, 2011 is a designated Snow Day. Additional Snow Days will be made up at the end of the school year.

M arc h

3 4

Parent Teacher Conference (Act 80)* Inservice/Teachers Only * Act 80 Days are counted as student days. Students do not report

r T eac h e P arennt f erenc e C o h 3 M arc - 1 2 P re K

A p ril

21-25

Spring Break

M ay

Memorial Day

J une

3 6 7 28

Last Day for Students/Graduation Clerical (Teachers Only) Inservice (8 a.m. - 1 p.m.) Wellness Day Kennywood Picnic

Graduation is scheduled for June 3, 2011 at the High School. Graduation will take place on the 180th student day.

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3 10 17 24

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7 14 21 28

1 8 15 22 29

2 9 16 23 30

3 10 17 24

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6 13 20 27

5 12 19 26

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1 8 15 22 29

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3 10 17 24 31

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1 8 15 22 29

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6 13 20 27

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1 8 15 22 29

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3 10 17 24

4 11 18 25

ouse O p en m Hb er 2 3

.m - 3 :3 0 p 8 a. m .

* Act 80 Days are counted as student days. Students do not report

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WOODLAND HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT

W oodland Hills S c h ool D ist ric t C om m unit y S w im P rog ram FALL 2010 J unior Hig h S c h ool P ool Monday

A c adem y P ool

6:45-8:30 pm OPEN SWIM All ages welcome A lane will be set up for lap swimmers

Tuesday Wednesday

7:00-8:00 pm ADULT STROKE CLINIC A coach will provide instruction to assist participants in stroke technique development. A separate fee will be charged for this clinic.

5:30-7:30 pm OPEN SWIM All ages welcome

10:00 – 11:00 am ADULT SWIM Pool set up for lap swimming (ages 18 andover) 11:00 – 12:30 pm OPEN SWIM All ages welcome. A lane will be set aside for lap swimmers. Some weeks will be set aside for group lessons. Advance notice will be given.

10:00 am – noon OPEN SWIM All ages welcome.

Thursday Friday Saturday

1. This schedule is effective August 30th with the exception of the Adult Stroke Clinic which will begin later in September. 2. Pool passes may be purchased at either pool during scheduled hours. An individual pass (good through May, 2011) is $15. Afamily pass (good through May, 2011) is $35. Patrons also have the option of paying $1 per swim session. 3. The fee for the Adult Stroke Clinic is $4 per session or $25 for eight weeks.

WHSD Recreational Swim POOL passes now on sale at the Junior High Pool or the Academy Pool during scheduled Recreation swim pool hours. See lifeguard for details. The prices are: Family Pass $35; Individual Pass $15. Passes good through May, 2011 ADULT STROKE CLINIC -- Beginning September 15th Wednesdays, 7:00-8:00-pm at the Junior High Pool This clinic is for swimmers 18 and older who want to refine their strokes while swimming at their own pace. Focus is on technique not on fast swimming. All four strokes will be reviewed and if time allows, so will the various turns. A coach from Woodland Hills Aquatic Team (WHAT) will be on hand to help participants work on stroke development. The ability to easily swim the length of the pool (any stroke) and a willingness to learn is required. Cost: $4 per session or $25 for 8 weeks.

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W oodland Hills A c adem y 2 0 1 0 - 1 1 C alendar MONTH

DAY

A ug ust

2 3

Clerical Day (Teachers Only) First Day for Students

S ep t em b er

6 24

Labor Day (NO SCHOOL) Clerical/Teachers Only

ouse O p en Hb er 2 3 S ep t em

O c t ob er

Inservice/Teachers Only

N ovem b er

5 25-29

Parent Teacher Conference (Act 80) Thanksgiving Holiday

D ec em b er

20-31

Winter Break

J anuary

Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday

F eb ruary

18 21 21*

Inservice/Teachers Only Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day Snow Day

r T eac h e P arennt f erenc e C o em b er 5

N ov .m . 3 0 -8 p els 1 2 : A ll L ev

* February 21, 2011 is a designated Snow Day. Additional Snow Days will be made up at the end of the school year.

M arc h

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Inservice/Teachers Only Parent Teacher Conference (Act 80)

r T eac h e P arennt f erenc e C o arc h 9 M 4 -7 G rades3 0 p . m . -3 : . m . a 8

A p ril

21-25

Spring Break

M ay

Memorial Day

J une

7 13 14 28

Inservice/Teachers Only (8 a.m. - 1 p.m.) Last Day for Students Clerical (Teachers Only) Kennywood Picnic

The final Inservice Day (6/7/11) and the final Clerical Day (6/14/11) for staff will be held after all snow days have been served.

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P arent al A c t ion R eq uired Emergency Contact Cards

         

          



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

     



             

Student s Name (Please Print): Student s School:

_______________________________________________

Parent (Guardian) email address: __________________________________________________ Student Signature:

At the beginning of each new school year, parents and guardians are asked to update the information on their child’s emergency contact card. It is of the utmost importance for our schools to be able to contact families quickly in case of an emergency. These cards are to be returned to the school your child attends.

_____________________________________________

__________________________________________________

Parent (Guardian) phone number:

__________________________________________________

Parent (Guardian) Signature: __________________________________________________

I nt ernet A c c ep t ab le U se P olic y and I nt ernet S af et y C onsent F orm This is a new form for the 2010-11 school year. (see form A) Parents and guardians must complete, sign, and return this form to their child’s school, in order for a student to have access and use the internet at school. Without this permission, students will not be able to engage in any computer work either in the classroom or on any school computer they may use for study or extra-curriculum activities.

S t udent P h ot o & I dent if ic at ion R elease F orm Student Photo & Identification Release Form I HEREBY GRANT PERMISSION TO THE WOODLAND HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT TO ALLOW MY SON/DAUGHTER TO BE ( VIDEORECORDED/ PHOTOGRAPHED/INTERVIEWED) FOR PUBLICATION ON THE DISTRICT WEBSITE, IN A DISTRICT PUBLICATION, OR IN A MEDIA NEWS RELEASE. I UNDERSTAND THAT MY SON/DAUGHTER MAY BE IDENTIFIED BY NAME IF HE/SHE IS BEING PUBLICIZED FOR A SCHOOL AWARD, ACADEMIC OR ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENT, OR COMMUNITY RECOGNITION. PLEASE RETURN THIS FORM TO YOUR CHILD S HOMEROOM TEACHER BY AUGUST 30, 2010. STUDENT NAME

_______________________________________

PARENT SIGNATURE

_______________________________________

STUDENT SIGNATURE

_______________________________________

DATE

_______________________________________

SCHOOL

_______________________________________

WOODLAND HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT 1. Photos of individual students and student work will be permitted on the website and in District publications and media news releases with parent permission. Individual students will be identified by name for promotion of student achievements with parent permission. 2. Group pictures without names will be allowed on the website. 3. Documents may not include a student s email address, phone number, mailing address, names of other family members, or names of friends.

This is the annual form (see form B) that parents must sign in order for the School District to use their child’s image in WHSD promotional and educational materials. The Communications Department routinely issues news releases, updates the web news stories and creates brochures and publications, such as the community magazine, In Woodland Hills. We sometimes use photos and identify students who have earned awards, scholarships, competitions, or have specific achievements or athletic records Parents are to complete, sign, and return this form to their child’s school.

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            



Student s Name (Please Print): Student s School:

_____________________________________________

__________________________________________________

Parent (Guardian) phone number:

_______________________________________________

Parent (Guardian) email address: __________________________________________________ Student Signature:

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WOODLAND HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT

B Student Photo & Identification Release Form I HEREBY GRANT PERMISSION TO THE WOODLAND HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT TO ALLOW MY SON/DAUGHTER TO BE ( VIDEORECORDED/ PHOTOGRAPHED/INTERVIEWED) FOR PUBLICATION ON THE DISTRICT WEBSITE, IN A DISTRICT PUBLICATION, OR IN A MEDIA NEWS RELEASE. I UNDERSTAND THAT MY SON/DAUGHTER MAY BE IDENTIFIED BY NAME IF HE/SHE IS BEING PUBLICIZED FOR A SCHOOL AWARD, ACADEMIC OR ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENT, OR COMMUNITY RECOGNITION. PLEASE RETURN THIS FORM TO YOUR CHILD S HOMEROOM TEACHER BY AUGUST 30, 2010. STUDENT NAME

_______________________________________

PARENT SIGNATURE

_______________________________________

STUDENT SIGNATURE

_______________________________________

DATE

_______________________________________

SCHOOL

_______________________________________

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WOODLAND HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT

COMMUNITY ACCESS TELEVISION The Woodland Hills School District recently connected with the Verizon FiOS cable supplier and District events, such as the monthly Board Meetings can now be viewed on Verizon FiOS Channel 37. This channel is an addition to our other Community Access channels: C om c ast C h annel 1 3 : covers Churchill - Braddock Hills East Pittsburgh - Turtle Creek - Wilkins C om c ast C h annel 9 8 : Braddock - Chalfont - Edgewood Forest Hills - Rankin - Swissvale If viewers are not able to get Channel 98, you may need to "rescan" your TV. Verizon FiOS Channel 37 covers WHSD, Penn Hills & Monroeville

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There are also tape delayed telecasts of every game shortly after the conclusion of each game. The telecasts are also replayed throughout each week of the season. The telecasts can be seen on Monroeville Area Comcast channel 4 & 13, Penn Hills Area Comcast channel 98 and Eastern Suburban Verizon Fios channel 37. Adam Gusky, (WHHS ’97) calls the play by play. Adam played on the Wolverine Football teams from 1994-1996, including the 1996 WPIAL Championship Team. Matt Kirk, (WHHS ’96) handles the color commentary. Russ Reamer, another Woodland Hills alumnus, is the studio producer and announces scores from around the WPIAL. Russ also hosts a College and Pro football preview during each halftime. V A R S I T Y F O O T B A L L (BOYS)

W oodland Hills F oot b all on t h e A ir

Day

Date

Opponent

H/A

KICKOFF

ON-AIR

For the seventh straight season, A.W. Gusky Productions will broadcast Woodland Hills Football games. Radio broadcasts of the games are carried live on the radio and on TV, as well as live and archived on two websites. Radio coverage is on WLFP AM-1550 in Pittsburgh. The “Radio on TV” simulcasts are on Monroeville Area Comcast channel 4 & 13, Penn Hills Area Comcast channel 98 and Eastern Suburban Verizon Fios channel 37. Internet coverage is live on 1550wlfp.com, as well as live and archived on msasports.net.

SAT FRI FRI FRI

Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1

H H A/H H

7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.

6:40 p.m. 6:40 p.m. 6:40 p.m. 6:40 p.m.

FRI FRI

Oct. 8 Oct. 15

A H

7:00 p.m. 6:40 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 6:40 p.m.

FRI FRI

Oct. 22 Oct. 29

North Hills Plum Central Catholic Altoona (Homecoming) Fox Chapel Kiski (Senior Recognition) Pine-Richland Penn Hills

A A

7:30 p.m. 7:10 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:10 p.m.

IN Woodland Hills

More Sports... 2 0 1 0 -1 1 C R O S S C O U N T R Y

2 0 1 0 - 1 1 J U N I O R HI G H S W I M M I N G

Head Coach - Daniel Collier

Head Coach - Brad Nepa

Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 2 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 21 Oct. 28 Nov. 6

Red White & Blue Classic Altoona Invitational Highlands/Plum Kiski/McKeesport Central Catholic Invitational Fox Chapel/Central/ Oakland Catholic Gateway/Penn Hills Tri-State WPIAL Championships PIAA Championships

8:00 a.m.

7:00 a.m.

A A A A

9:30 a.m. 3:30 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 9:30 a.m.

7:00 a.m. 2:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m. 7:00 a.m.

3:30 p.m.

A A A

4:00 p.m. 3:30 p.m. TBA

2:30 p.m. TBA TBA

TBA

Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Sept. 30 Oct. 5 Oct. 7 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 21 Oct. 23

Franklin Regional Somerset McKeesport Hempfield Relay Meet Penn Hills Derry Laurel Highlands Invitational

A H H H A H A A A

4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 10:00 a.m.

3:00 p.m.

3:00 p.m. 2:30 p.m. 2:15 p.m. 8:00 a.m.

All Home meets are played at Woodland Hills Junior High School, 7600 Evans Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15218.

2 0 1 0 - 1 1 7 t h and 8 t h G R A D E G I R L ’ S B A S K E T B A L L

All Home meets are played at Woodland Hills High School, 2550 Greensburg Pike, Pittsburgh, PA 15221.

2 0 1 0 - 1 1 B O Y ’S S O C C E R Head Coach - Delroy “Lucky” Russell Sept. 14 Sept. 16

*Fox Chapel *Franklin Regional

H A

Sept. 21 Sept. 23

*Central Catholic *Gateway

H A

Sept. 25 Sept. 30 Oct. 5

*Penn Hills *Plum *Fox Chapel

H H A

Oct. 7 Oct. 12 Oct. 14 Oct. 19

*Franklin Regional *Central Catholic *Gateway *Penn Hills

H A H A

3:30 p.m. JV 6:30 p.m. V 8:00 p.m. 3:30 p.m. JV 6:15 p.m. V 8:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. 3:30 p.m. JV 5:30 p.m. V 7:00 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 3:30 p.m. JV 6:00 p.m. V 7:30 p.m.

5:15 p.m.

2:30 p.m.

Head Coach - Patrick Donley Sept. 16 Sept. 21 Sept. 23 Sept. 27 Sept. 29 Sept. 30 Oct. 5 Oct. 7 Oct. 11 Oct. 13 Oct. 15 Oct. 19 Oct. 21 Oct. 25 Oct. 27

*Pine-Richland *Franklin Regional *O’ Block (Plum) North Hills *McKeesport *Norwin (Gold) *Gateway *Penn Hills *Franklin Regional *O’ Block (Plum) North Hills *McKeesport *Norwin *Gateway *Penn Hills

A A H A A H A H H A H H A H A

3:30 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 3:45 p.m. 3:45 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 3:45 p.m. 3:45 p.m. 3:45 p.m. 3:45 p.m. 3:45 p.m. 3:45 p.m. 3:45 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 3:45 p.m. 4:00 p.m.

2:00 p.m. 2:15 p.m. 2:15 p.m. 2:15 p.m. 2:15 p.m.

2:15 p.m.

2:15 p.m. 2:15 p.m.

* Denotes Section Games

4:45 p.m.

All Home meets are played at Woodland Hills Junior High School, 7600 Evans Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15218.

4:45 p.m.

2 0 1 0 - 1 1 7 t h and 8 t h G R A D E G I R L ’ S S O C C E R Head Coach - Michelle Ginia

All Home matches are played at Woodland Hills High School, 2550 Greensburg Pike, Pittsburgh, PA 15221.

2 0 1 0 - 1 1 G IR L ’S T E N N IS Head Coach - Dan Schuller Sept. 16 Sept. 16 Sept. 20 Sept. 22 Sept. 23 Sept. 24 Sept. 27 Sept. 29 Sept. 30 Oct. 1 Oct. 4 Oct. 6 Oct. 7 Oct. 8

Section Singles A Section Singles A *McKeesport H *Shadyside Academy A Section Singles A Section Singles A *Plum H *Fox Chapel H Section Doubles A Section Doubles A *Penn Hills A *Shaler H A WPIAL Section Doubles WPIAL Section A Doubles

TBA TBA 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. TBA TBA 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. TBA TBA 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. TBA

TBA TBA 2:30 p.m. TBA TBA

TBA TBA 2:30 p.m. TBA

Sept. 17 Sept. 21 Sept. 23 Sept. 27 Sept. 29 Oct. 1 Oct. 5 Oct. 7 Oct. 8 Oct. 11 Oct. 13 Oct. 15 Oct. 19 Oct. 21 Oct. 25 Oct. 28

Ellis *Fox Chapel *Plum *Franklin Regional *Penn Hills *Gateway *Kiski *McKeesport Ellis *Fox Chapel *Plum *Franklin Regional *Penn Hills *Gateway *Kiski *McKeesport

H H A H H A A H A A H A A H H A

3:45 p.m. 3:45 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 3:45 p.m. 3:45 p.m. 3:45 p.m. 3:45 p.m. 3:45 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 3:45 p.m. 3:45 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 3:45 p.m. 3:45 p.m. 4:00 p.m.

2:15 p.m.

2:15 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 2:15 p.m. 2:15 p.m. 2:15 p.m. 2:15 p.m.

2:15 p.m.

* Denotes Section Games All Home matches are played at Wilkins Primary on CHurchill Road, Churchill.

TBA

* Denotes Section Games All Home matches are played at Woodland Hills High School, 2550 Greensburg Pike, Pittsburgh, PA 15221.

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WHSD Profile: Agatha Leonard, Director of Special Education

School Administrator Bikes 250 Miles Around High School

Meet the new Director of Special Education for the Woodland Hills School District, Mrs. Agatha Leonard. Although Mrs. Leonard assumed this new position on July 1, 2010, she is definitely not new to our District. Mrs. Leonard came to Woodland Hills in 2008 as an assistant principal for Woodland Hills High School. She was then appointed as Principal at Shaffer Elementary School in 2009. Her different positions in the District are an indication of her strong administrative capabilities, varied educational experiences, and her genuine willingness to help the District wherever she is most needed. Now that Mrs. Leonard has taken over her new leadership position, she is putting her 29 years of experience in area of Special Education to good use. In her career as an educator, she has served in 18 schools, 6 school districts, 5 states, and has positively affected the lives of 68,000 students before she relocated to Pittsburgh. Her first teaching position was as a special education resource room teacher in an elementary school in Gueydan, Louisiana which is her hometown. So it appears that she has now come full circle. “Becoming the Director of Special Education gives me an opportunity to ensure that every student within our school district is afforded a quality, exemplary education experience, “ explained Mrs. Leonard. “All means all.” “I subscribe to the belief that was expressed in one of our District leadership seminars by ELI educator Bob Christie,” said Mrs. Leonard. “He quoted African leader, Kwame Nkrumah, of Ghana, West Africa who described his vision of education: ‘Education consists not only in the sum of what man knows, or the skill with which he can put this to his own advantage. In my view, a man’s education must be measured in terms of the soundness of his judgment of people and things, and his powers to understand and appreciate the needs of his fellowmen, and be of service to them. The educated man should be so sensitive to the conditions around him that he makes it his chief endeavor to improve those conditions for the good of all.’ “ “This is a good summary,” Mrs. Leonard stressed, “of my philosophy concerning Special Education’s role in ensuring that all of the children in our care are given the opportunity to dream and achieve.”

Elementary Assistant Principal Jerry Chessman Spent part of his Labor Day weekend saying “Thank You” to the Students of the District for their Hard Work. Mr. Chessman, an assistant principal at Shaffer and Wilkins Elementary Schools, is helping the Woodland Hills Foundation to organize its Tour Du District fundraiser on Oct 2. In order to promote this event and to draw attention to the many wonderful students in the WHSD, he decided to bike non-stop further and longer than he ever has. "I decided to start cycling around the Woodland Hills High School after school on Friday, September 3 and not stop until I reached 250 miles. I wanted to do this to show my appreciation for all of the hard work that Woodland Hills students have done in the last year," explained Mr. Chessman. "I also hoped to raise awareness for the Tour Du District fundraiser that is being sponsored by the WH Foundation on Oct. 2. I want to encourage riders to sign up for the Tour." When he is not working as an administrator in the District, Mr. Chessman can be found riding his bike around Forest Hills, where he lives, and throughout the District’s municipalities. He has also biked in many different states and countries. Many of Mr. Chessman’s students, their families, his fellow teachers and administrators, and his neighbors and friends turned out on Friday afternoon and throughout the evening to cheer him on his marathon ride. Some supporters even cycled a few loops around the high school with him and some skated, walked, or ran. In the middle of the night, WH Foundation President Steve Gough joined Mr. Chessman on his journey and they were joined later by Forest Hills Councilman Steve Karas. On Saturday morning, after 18 hours of non-stop cycling and covering a distance of 253 miles, (3 miles over his target), Mr. Chessman completed the final laps with two of his former students. It was a fitting end to what started as an improbable mission to do something totally positive to promote the District, our students and the work of the Woodland Hills Foundation. He certainly achieved all of his goals. Thank you, Mr. Chessman. You are a true champion!

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