IN Moon Township by IN Community Magazines

Special Section: Education Page 25

School District News Page 35

Rolls-Royce Expands Facility in Moon Page 40

Fall 2013 icmags.com

Community Comes Together for Moonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s In

ce n e d n depe

Celebration

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Contents fall

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features 25 Special Section: Education Top five classroom trends; jobs of the future; choosing the right college; paying for college.

40 Rolls-Royce Unveils Expanded

Nuclear Services Facility in Moon Through its Nuclear Services business in Pittsburgh, Rolls-Royce helps nuclear utility customers to optimize the safety, availability and cost-effectiveness of their nuclear power plants.

on the cover

Matthew Budzynski of Sweet Treats with Abraham.

departments 4 8 10

From the Publisher IN the Loop IN Person

14 35 48

IN Events School News INCognito

sponsored content 12 17 20 30

Nolfi Insurance Agency Ohio Valley General Hospital Children's Community Pediatrics The Goddard School

42 Choice Chiropractic & Wellness Center 46 FASTER

In Community is a publication dedicated to representing, encouraging and promoting the Moon Township area and its comprising 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.

Moon Township | Fall 2013 | icmags.com 3

FROM THE

PUBLISHER PUBLISHER Wayne Dollard EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Julie Talerico j.talerico@icmags.com REGIONAL EDITORS Mark Berton [South, West and Erie] m.berton@icmags.com

My wife, Lisa, and I with our three sons (l to r): Jordan, Brenden and Tyler, on the beach in Ocean City, Maryland.

In a few months, we will celebrate IN Community Magazines’ 10th anniversary! Our first magazine—IN Monroeville—premiered in 2004, and we’ve since grown to more than 35 publications, serving communities north, east, south and west of Pittsburgh, as well as our quarterly Designing Home Lifestyles magazine. Earlier this year, we added a new magazine to our publishing family—Faith Pittsburgh—that has received tremendous response from readers. As we enter our next decade in publishing, we thought it fitting to give IN Community Magazines a new look (see far right) to reflect our mission to become a top source of information in your community. This issue, we welcome editorial director, Julie Talerico, who has been in publishing for nearly 30 years, including the past 10 years as editor-in-chief CASE of Pittsburgh Magazine. We are excited to have her lead us through our next growth stage, producing and developing high-quality publications. Over the years, our school and township partners have been a vital part of IN Community, and we thank you for your support. We also thank our advertisers, many who have been with us from the beginning. As we head into fall and our kids and teenagers start back to school and college, we hope you’ll take time to read this publication. We welcome your feedback! SUMMER 2013

2013

AWARD S

Special Section: Education Page 25

School District News Page 35

Rolls-Royce Expands Facility in Moon

Community Comes Together for Moon’s

INDEPEN

Page 40

DENCE

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Celebration

FALL 2013 icmags.com

Wayne Dollard Publisher

Tell Us What You Think!

We’d like to hear from you if you know someone in your community who is making a difference or has done something extraordinary. We’re also looking for interesting story ideas (little-known facts, history or other news) within your community. If you have suggestions, please contact Pamela Palongue (p.palongue@icmags.com) if you are in the North and East communities or Mark Berton (m.berton@icmags.com) if you are in the South and West communities. Please include your name, phone number and community magazine for which you are submitting the idea. Thanks in advance for your contributions!

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To Advertise

As the largest magazine publisher in Western Pennsylvania, IN Community Magazines are direct mailed to more than 518,000 households, reaching 1.15 million readers. If you'd like to partner with us, please contact our Office Manager Leo Vighetti at: 724.942.0940 or l.vighetti@icmags.com.

Pamela Palongue [North and East] p.palongue@icmags.com OFFICE MANAGER Leo Vighetti l.vighetti@icmags.com ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Debbie Mountain d.mountain@icmags.com DESIGN DIRECTOR Michael Miller DESIGNERS Cassie Brkich Jim Paladino Anna Buzzelli Melissa St. Giles Sharon Cobb Tamara Tylenda Contributing Writers Jonathan Barnes Heather Holtschlag Jennifer Brozak Leigh Lyons Earl Bugaile Joanne Naser Matt Fascetti Melanie Paulick Tracy Fedkoe Judith Schardt Brenda Haines-Cosola Marilyn Wempa Elvira Hoff Contributing Photographers Ben Chronister Kathleen Rudolph Ginni Klein Jennifer Steenson Len Pancoast Gary Yon Primetime Shots Gary Zak GENERAL SALES MANAGER Tamara Myers t.myers@icmags.com SALES MANAGER Brian McKee b.mckee@icmags.com ADVERTISING SALES Sophia Alfaras Aimee Nicolia Pamela Arder Connie McDaniel Nikki Capezio-Watson Gabriel Negri Dan DeCesare Vincent Sabatini Julie Graff Michael Silvert Holly Hicks-Opperman RJ Vighetti Laurie Holding ICM Printing Sales Manager Tom Poljak ©2013 by IN Community Magazines. All rights reserved. Reproduction or reuse of any part of this publication is prohibited without the written permission of the publisher. Direct all inquiries, letters to the editor and press releases to:

IN Community Magazines 603 East McMurray Road McMurray, PA 15317 724.942.0940; Fax: 724.942.0968 icmags.com Please recycle this magazine when you are through enjoying it.

in the

Loop What’s news in Moon Township?

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Senate Passes Smith Resolution Recognizing the 911th Airlift Wing

The Pennsylvania Senate unanimously approved a resolution sponsored by Senator Matt Smith recognizing the 911th Airlift Wing on its 50th Anniversary. The 911th Airlift Wing in Moon Township began as the 911th Troop Carrier Group in January 1963. In 1980, the base began flying the C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft currently flown. In 1994, the base received its current re-designation as the 911th Airlift Wing and today employs approximately 1,220 Air Force Reserve members and 320 civilians, all less than two miles from Pittsburgh International Airport. Smith commended the reservist aircrews and support personnel through the years who were activated or volunteers for missions from Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm and relief efforts following Hurricane Andrew to humanitarian relief flights in Bosnia and emergency response activities following the crash of USAir flight 427. Missions continued as the 911th Airlift Wing pilots, navigators, engineers, and loadmasters moved approximately 3,000 passengers and 700 tons of cargo per month in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. “Having visited the 911th Airlift Wing on multiple occasions and met with the commander and reservists, I can personally attest to the professionalism and heroism they display on a daily basis,” Smith said. “It was inspiring to see first-hand the work of our military men and women right in our back yard. Their missions take them to locations around the globe and around the corner to answer the call of duty.” Smith addressed his colleagues on the Senate floor to inform them of the role of the 911th Airlift Wing and the effort by state and federal officials to preserve its operations.

“This base is an important asset to our regional and national military security and plays a role as an economic driver for the region,” Smith added. “What I found most encouraging is the 911th commitment to achieving efficiencies and collaborating with other military branches and divisions of law enforcement to most effectively meet the security needs of the 21st century. Through sharing of services with Allegheny County, the Pittsburgh International Airport and other military installations in the area, the 911th is truly a model in cooperation.”

Oncology Nursing Society Lauded as Breastfeeding Friendly Place

To commemorate World Breastfeeding Week, August 1-7, the Allegheny County Health Department announced the winners of its 18th annual Breastfeeding Friendly Place Awards, which recognize workplaces, public places and other sites away from home that make an extra effort to accommodate breastfeeding mothers. Honored in the workplace category was Oncology Nursing Society in Moon. The longer a baby is breastfed the greater the health benefits, yet surveys have found that only 44.3% of babies nationwide and 37.6% in Pennsylvania are breastfed for six months or longer. Making places outside the home more breastfeeding friendly encourages women to breastfeed longer and as a result babies and moms derive greater health benefits. Breastfeeding friendly workplaces are also good for business, since breastfed babies are less likely to get sick in childhood and that means lower absentee rates for working parents due to a child’s illness. Oncology Nursing Society provides a friendly atmosphere and two clean, comfortable, private rooms with occupied/ vacant signage and a separate entrance continued on page 8

Moon Township | Fall 2013 | icmags.com 7

in the

Loop continued from page 6

restroom between the rooms. The rooms are close to the work site and have a sofa or two comfortable chairs, an end table, counter space and refrigerator.

RMU a Good Investment, Survey Says

PayScale says Robert Morris is among the top 10 business schools for providing students a good return on investment. RMU has a good ROI. Robert Morris University is ranked among the top 10 business schools in the nation for providing graduates with the greatest return on their investment, according to a survey by PayScale, an organization that provides salary data to individuals and companies. RMU was ranked 10th in the nation among business schools, based on the tuition students pay over four years as undergraduates versus the salaries they command in the workplace. “When we talk about our value proposition, about an RMU education being an investment, this is what we mean,” said RMU President Gregory G. Dell’Omo. “We are a university of choice for students who want academic excellence with a professional focus in a private school setting – all for an affordable cost.” Although PayScale singled out RMU for its business degrees, Dell’Omo noted that 8 724.942.0940 to advertise | Moon Township

students in all of RMU’s 60 undergraduate degree programs enjoy similar success. The university’s most recent placement report, for the class of 2012, shows that 93 percent have a job or are enrolled full-time in graduate school a year after graduation. (Eighty-six percent are employed and 7 percent are in graduate school.) Most of those who are employed are working in their field of study. Several factors account for the university’s success at preparing students for their careers, including personal attention from faculty who have industry experience, as well as RMU’s Student Engagement Program that requires students to take part in leadership, service, research, international and professional activities outside the classroom. Each of the university’s degree programs for which a professional accreditation exists has earned that credential. John Beehler, Dean of the School of Business, also gave credit to the school’s Board of Visitors, an advisory board of business professionals, which helps students get internships and jobs. Each of the university’s five academic schools has a Board of Visitors. “They also keep us firmly grounded in making our programs focused on preparation for the working world. Their influence and work cannot be underestimated,” said Beehler.

Moon Student Achieves

Suyesh Acharya, born in Kathmandu, Nepal, migrated to the United States via Bangkok, Thailand, where he spent his early school years. After four years in Irving, Texas, his family moved to Moon Township, where Suyesh enrolled in 7th grade at Moon Area Middle School. The family eventually moved to Crescent Township. In 2009, Suyesh graduated as an exemplary student from MAHS.

As Suyesh was extremely fond of basketball, his senior project at MAHS was on the impact of sports on the global community. As part of this project, in addition to coaching a basketball team in the Sewickley YMCA Recreational Basketball League, Suyesh also organized and conducted a basketball camp for recently resettled refugees from Bhutan so they could learn basketball and better adjust to their new lives in America. The participants of this camp were young adults and they were instructed in dribbling, passing and shooting drills and practice. In 2009 Suyesh joined the University of Pittsburgh and graduated in 2013 with a major in bioengineering and minor in mechanical engineering with a Summa Cum Laude. While at Pitt, Suyesh was a Biomedical Engineering Society [Chapter President], Tau Beta Pi: Honors Engineering Society [Historian], Nepalese Student Association [President], and Resident Student Association [Senator]. He was listed in the Swanson School of Engineering Dean’s Honor List every year and was a National Society of Collegiate Scholar. While at Pitt he interned at ALung Technologies Inc. (Pittsburgh), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (Silver Spring, Maryland), Hannover Medical School (Hannover, Germany) and National Institute of Health (NIH) (Bethesda, Maryland). He also worked as a Research Assistant at University of Pittsburgh Human Movement and Balance Lab and at the Pittsburgh Tissue Engineering Initiative Outreach Program. He was the Student Brand Manager for Chipotle Mexican Grill and the Engineering Ambassador for the Swanson School of Engineering. In Spring 2013 Suyesh was awarded the prestigious George Washington Prize, University of Pittsburgh’s top engineering award http://engineering.pitt.edu/ News.aspx?id=2147504318 . The George Washington Prize recognizes seniors within the Swanson School of Engineering who display outstanding leadership, scholarship and performance as determined by a committee of eight professional engineers and faculty. In April he was awarded the 2013 Outstanding Biomechanics student of the year in recognition of his hard work, accomplishments and dedication. Currently Suyesh works for Regulatory and Quality Solutions L.L.C., Murrysville. ■

Moon Township | Fall 2013 | icmags.com 9

inPerson WWII Veteran Honored in Moon Twp. Ceremony

Congressman Tim Murphy honors Reid Feather

These overdue commendations reflect his great sacrifices in the name of a worthy cause and our gratitude for all veterans’ steadfast commitment to that cause. — Congressman Tim Murphy

hen Reid Feather completed his service to his country after World War II, he received the ribbons for his service medals, but never followed through in getting the medals to adorn them. “I never got the hardware,” he said. Now, 67 years later, and with the help of his daughter, Beth, and Congressman Tim Murphy, Feather has his hardware. While he’s appreciative to those who got the medals to him—the American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and Honorable Discharge Lapel Pin—he speaks of them with the humble, measured words so common among those of the Greatest Generation. “These aren’t purple hearts or medals of valor or anything along those lines,” he said.

10 724.942.0940 to advertise | Moon Township

“These are the medals every serviceman gets for completing their service.” However, that doesn’t diminish the importance of what Feather and the rest of the crew of the PC-1265 antisubmarine ship’s charge – locate and destroy German submarines off the coast of the United States. Feather worked sonar on his ship, a 174foot long, 23-foot wide patrol ship that could hit 20.2 knots and carried 65 men. “It was designed for coastal duty. They were smaller than the destroyer escorts, but they could stand the seas if they got rough.” Feather said. “They were used in the European Theater and the Pacific. After the war, we were positioned in the Azores, off the coast of Portugal, for Air/ Sea rescue operations.”

While Feather and the rest of the crew aboard his ship never saw action on their patrols, they did encounter some anomalies. “We had some suspicions, but nothing ever had anything develop out of it,” he said. Had something developed, the PC1265’s full complement of depth charges and nimble turning capacity made it a small, but powerful line of defense against the Germans’ larger, slower trans-Atlantic U-boats. “By the time we were out there, the larger threats of U-boats were diminished, but we were always prepared for that event,” he said. “(Stopping U-boats) was the idea. It was what I was trained for and we were prepared for that event.” It was preparation that took a long time for the U.S. Navy to implement.

Feather’s service came after the infamous German U-boat pounding of the Atlantic Coast known as “The Second Happy Time” in 1942. During that time, Nazi Commander of the German Navy, Karl Donitz, father of the wolf pack U-boat strategy, was able to send 609 ships—3.1 million tons—to the bottom of the sea all along the U.S. East Coast with little formidable response from the US Military, which, at the time, was not prepared to defend against submarine warfare tactics. With just one year into the war and some helpful hints from our British allies, not to mention 34 British ships and escort assistance from the Canadian Royal Navy, the U.S. began to reclaim footing along the Eastern seaboard. English advocates, who were already familiar with the relentlessness of the Nazi war machine, advised their U.S. counterparts to dim coastal lights at night, shutting lighthouses and boardwalks to eliminate target potentials and navigational aids. They also advised U.S. merchant ships to sail in convoys. This advice, however, wasn’t heeded until after the attacks of the Second Happy Time. Feather was discharged on April 14, 1946, nearly a month after the PC-1265 was decommissioned. In May of that year, the PC-1265 was struck from the Naval Register, and was sold by December. Murphy presented Feather with his service medals in a ceremony at the Moon Township Municipal Building Auditorium in August. “I am honored to present Mr. Feather with the medals he earned serving our country in the Second World War,” said Murphy. “These overdue commendations reflect his great sacrifices in the name of a worthy cause and our gratitude for all veterans’ steadfast commitment to that cause.” Feather, now 87, said he knew his daughter was researching his naval service, but never knew it was leading up to the presentation. “I knew she was searching out a number of things, but I wasn’t paying much attention to it until she accomplished what she needed to do,” he said. “I appreciate what I obtained, and what the government gave to me.” ■

Moon Township | Fall 2013 | icmags.com 11

INDUSTRY INSIGHT

Homeowners Insurance

Sponsored Content

Finding Out What’s Right For You

et a quote online, call now, get a quote in 15 minutes. Pretty appealing slogans, right? But in the rush to give you numbers fast, many insurance companies are missing the point.  At Thomas A. Nolfi, Inc., we’d rather take the time to get to know you. More time than just 15 minutes. Why? Because we know you’re not like anyone else. You have different hopes, needs, dreams, wants, risks and concerns that make you unlike any other person on the planet.  Take homeowners insurance. In a quickie quote, someone might not understand that you need sewer coverage in case that massive storm drain backs up onto your property. Or they might not know that your love of collecting art might require an additional “floater” policy. But when we sit down and talk, we know these things. And then we make sure you get the coverage that’s right for you.  Let’s stop rushing to get fast insurance, and make sure we get right insurance. We’ll sit down, chat and help write an ErieSecure HomeSM policy that makes sense for who you are, what you value and what you want to protect.  This Industry Insight was provided by the Nolfi Insurance Agency. Thomas A. Nolfi, Inc. is a family owned and operated independent insurance agency serving the community since 1959.

12 724.942.0940 to advertise | Moon Township

Not all companies are licensed or operate in all states. Not all products are offered in all states. Go to erieinsurance.com for company licensure and territory information.

Moon Township | Fall 2013 | icmags.com 13

inEVENTS

Summer Reading Extravaganza The “Summer Reading Extravaganza” at Moon Township Public Library uses creative strategies to get kids into the library to encourage lifelong learning. Studies show that summer reading programs are beneficial for kids, including one from Johns Hopkins University that concluded “students experience learning and reading loss when they are not taking part in active education. Enrolling in reading programs is an excellent way of forestalling such reading loss.” PHOTOS By Kathy Rudolph

14 724.942.0940 to advertise | Moon Township

Moon Township | Fall 2013 | icmags.com 15

16 724.942.0940 to advertise | Moon Township

IndUStrY InSIGHt

Pain Management

Sponsored Content

Teen Sleep Patterns

Healthy

Sleep Habits in Adolescents

As the summer draws to a close, the luxury of sleeping in no longer exists for school age children. Unfortunately, most adolescents still stay up late despite the need to wake up early for school. Though many adults may feel that this is mainly due to behavior, the sleep patterns of adolescents are quite complicated.

Sleep Physiology

Sleep is an active, dynamic process that has critical impact on many aspects of health, daytime function, and development. Sleep can be separated into two distinct states: rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. During REM or active sleep, our brains are active and dreaming occurs. There are episodic bursts of rapid eye movements and our bodies become immobile while breathing and heart rates become irregular. During NREM or quiet sleep, blood supply to the muscles is increased, energy is restored, tissue growth and repair occur and important hormones are released for growth and development.

Recent studies show that adolescent sleep patterns actually differ from those of adults and kids. During adolescence, the body’s circadian rhythm (the sleep-wake cycle) is temporarily reset causing teens to fall asleep later and wake up later. It is theorized that this may be due to the fact that the brain hormone melatonin is produced later at night for teens than it is for kids and adults. This change coupled with early high school start times and social/school obligations make it very difficult to get enough sleep. Most experts agree that teens need between 9 and 9 ½ hours of sleep but 60% reported sleeping less than 7 hours on school nights and only 15% reported sleeping more than 8 ½ hours on school nights.

Impact of Sleep Deprivation

• Changes in mood causing increased irritability. This can lead to getting frustrated or upset more easily. • Increase in risk-taking behaviors. • Cognitive ability can be affected due to problems with attention, memory, decision-making, reaction time, and creativity. • Impact on academic performance. Teenagers who get less sleep are more likely to get poor grades in school, fall asleep in school, and have school tardiness/absences. According to a National Sleep Foundation poll, more than 25% of high school students fall asleep in class. • Increase in drowsy driving. Teenagers are at the highest risk for falling asleep at the wheel. More than half of teens surveyed reported driving a car when drowsy over the past year and 15% said they drove when drowsy at least once a week.

How to Improve Teen Sleep Habits

• Set a regular bedtime. Going to bed at the same time each night and waking up at the same time each morning can help establish sleep patterns. Try to stick as closely to your sleep schedule as possible, even on weekends. • Avoid oversleeping on weekends. Sleeping in until noon on Sunday will make it hard to fall asleep at a regular time that night. • Avoid stimulants. Don’t drink caffeinated beverages after 4 pm. • Exercise regularly. Try to exercise at least 3 hours before bed to make it easier to fall asleep. • Relax your mind. Avoid violent or scary movies, shows, or video games right before bed. Also, reading books with involved plots may keep your from falling or staying asleep. • Don’t nap too much. Naps longer than 30 minutes and too close to bedtime may keep you from falling asleep at night. • Turn off televisions and computers. These stimulating activities at bedtime usually cause problems fallings asleep. This happens because light signals the brain that it’s time to wake up. • Wake up to bright light. Since light signals the brain that it is time to wake up, dark rooms make it easier to want stay in bed. This Industry Insight was written by Joseph E. Gatial, III, MD, FAAP. Joseph E. Gatial, III, MD, FAAP is a board-certified pediatrician at CCP – Moon and CCP – Wexford. Dr. Gatial graduated from Temple University and completed his pediatric residency at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. He currently serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at University of Pittsburgh Medical School.

20 724.942.0940 to advertise | Moon Township

Moon Township | Fall 2013 | icmags.com 21

inEVENTS

MOOn Township Parks and Recreation Offers Community a Patriotic Party at Moon Park to Celebrate Fourth of July According to the Library of Congress, on July 4, 1776, the second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, announcing the colonies' separation from Great Britain. Becoming a federal holiday on June 28, 1870, most Americans join together every July 4th in celebration with picnics and fireworks displays. Another great way to mark the historical day with family, friends and neighbors was by participating in the Moon Township Independence Day Celebration at Moon Park. Hosted by Moon Township Parks and Recreation, the patriotic party kicked off with kids’ activities, games, inflatables and a performance from Arena’s Performing Arts Centre. No one needed to travel all the way to a theme park to experience the delicious lemonade, cotton candy, funnel cakes, sandwiches and other tasty fare from food vendors such as Sweet Treats, Patrick’s Pub and others. Live country music performances pumped up the crowd, including The Stoney River Boys, Chuck Wicks, Sarah Marince and Brooke Annibale. Finally, a fantastic Zambelli Fireworks Internationale display wrapped up the memorable day of fun. To learn more about upcoming events in Moon, visit the website at www.moonparks.org. PHOTOS By Kathy Rudolph

22 724.942.0940 to advertise | Moon Township

Moon Township | Fall 2013 | icmags.com 23

E @

Current issues of this magazine are also available online

24 724.942.0940 to advertise | Moon Township

EDUCATION MOON TOWNSHIP

fall

20 13

hen it comes to education, too much is never enough. And in a world where job competition is fierce, parents believe the more educated their child is, the better their chances of getting that rewarding, high-salaried position that will allow them to grow as a professional, support a family and pad their 401(k). But ask any high school junior what they plan on majoring in, and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re almost guaranteed to be met with a blank stare.

Traditional college is a smart choice, but for todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s students, other options are available that do not require a degree. The job market indicates an increasing demand for skilled trades, non-degreed and service professionals which is quickly outpacing those who can deliver it. In this special section, we take a look at college preparation â&#x20AC;&#x201D; from choosing the right preschool to prepping for SATs, as well as some alternatives to college that promise a bright future without the need for a four-year degree. Moon Township | Fall 2013 | icmags.com 25

MOON TOWNSHIP

Top Education Trends O

ne thing is for sure; school is not what it used to be. No longer are college students expected to sit for long periods of time in one classroom, listening to one professor while feverishly taking notes. Today, students have a wide array of schooling options, study tools and reference materials that make it easier to get the grade. Among these latest trends are:

Social Media: Social media has given students access to a whole new way of communicating and learning. In todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s classrooms, professors are blogging, maintaining Twitter and Facebook accounts and even communicating with students through these mediums. Students also have access to YouTube and may even be required to produce and post videos as a part of their learning curriculum. Students may find it helpful to use social media techniques to find employment since many sites, such as LinkedIn, give job seekers the venue to create resumes and profiles that are searchable by potential employers. Graduates can also begin networking with professionals in their desired field.

26 724.942.0940 to advertise | Moon Township

Online Learning: No longer is traveling to a school building and sitting at a desk beside 25 other students part of school requirements. Students who want to pursue chosen fields of study can learn from home and study at their own pace laptop style. In fact, according to the Bacon Survey Research Group, the number of students enrolled in at least one online course increased for the ninth straight year. The study reports that the number of students taking online courses has surpassed six million and nearly one-third of all students in higher education are taking at least one online course. Some universities such as the University of CaliforniaBerkeley, Johns Hopkins University and Stanford, even offer free online

courses, a trend that is expected to continue in coming years.

Massive Open Online Course: Massive open online course, or MOOC, is a relatively new way for students to learn. MOOC is a course that is offered exclusively online to provide large interactive participation and open access through the Internet. MOOCs offer all of the traditional types of course materials, but also provide interactive user forums that help build communities among students and teachers and teaching assistants. These free courses only require the use of a computer and an Internet connection. As an extra incentive, there is some discussion about awarding official college credits to students who take these

MOON TOWNSHIP

courses, which continue to grow in popularity around the globe, as they are offered in nearly 200 countries in 44 different languages and have more than 4,500 testing centers.

Better Job Market: Students graduating now may enter a better job market than students from previous years. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, companies expect to hire 9 percent more 2012 graduates than in 2011. And, students who have studied in the STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) have even greater odds of landing a job.

Game-Based Learning: While still a new concept for both students and teachers alike, game-based learning, or GBL, is a method of learning that is growing in popularity and has proven to be

an effective method of teaching. These games are designed exclusively to provide educational value to students in any type of educational environment. They are designed to teach students about certain subjects, reinforce growth and development, encourage the development of new skills, or understand an event that took place in history. GBL methods include boards, cards and video games and incorporate methods like learning simulations with both serious

games and video games into the classroom. In addition, this method offers both gameplay and subject matter so that students can easily remember what they have learned and get ready to apply it in the real world. Although this method is still in its infancy, it is expected to expand in growth in the coming years. The way we learn is changing and it is broadening our horizons, our skills and our possibilities.

The number of students taking online courses has surpassed

six million

and nearly one-third of all students in higher education are taking at least one online course.

Moon Township | Fall 2013 | icmags.com 27

MOON TOWNSHIP

Jobs

of the

Future

hile a college degree does garner some credibility and an advantage in finding a well-paying job, there has been an increase in demand for people who have the right skills, and not necessarily a degree, in certain industries. According to a recent story featured in Forbes magazine, jobs of the future are comparably â&#x20AC;&#x153;lowskilled,â&#x20AC;? meaning they still require a lot of all-around intelligence to succeed, but not a degree. For example, carpentry has experienced a 56 percent growth, and medical secretaries have seen an increase of 41 percent in recent years. Other top jobs include web developers, which has a median salary of more than $75,000 a year and has risen in popularity among those who are self-taught or who have only a minimal amount of college training. In fact, the demand for people in this field is so great

that companies do not view it as a disadvantage if the person does not have a college degree, particularly the smaller start-up companies. Plumbers can make more than $46,000, a profession that is expected to grow 26 percent in the next few years. Paralegal assistants, electricians and industrial machine repairers are also professions that can expect an annual salary of more than $46,000. Administrative executive assistants could see a salary of more than $34,000. Bookkeepers and pest control specialists can earn more than $30,000, while receptionists and skin care specialists may be paid more than $25,000. A possible reason for this recent upward trend in jobs that do not require a college degree, may be that there is a heavier demand for people who offer actual services and specific skill sets. Caring for an aging population is one of the reasons that jobs like home health aides and personal care aides

Some in-demand professions that donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t require a four-year degree.

28 724.942.0940 to advertise | Moon Township

MOON TOWNSHIP

Carpentry has experienced a growth of

are at the top of the fastest growing jobs list compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Statistics, as reported by CareerCast.com. But right below these two occupations are biomedical engineers, which anticipates a 61 percent growth by 2020. Jobs such as brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons and tile and marble setters, expect to grow at least 60 percent by 2020. Veterinary technicians and technologists are expected to grow in demand by 52 percent. Reinforcing iron and rebar workers will increase by nearly 47 percent, physical therapy assistants by 46 percent, pipelayers and steamfitters by 45 percent, meeting and event planners by 44 percent and diagnostic medical sonographers by 43 percent. These fields all rank near the top of the list in popularity and expected job growth.

56 percent

Biomedical engineering anticipates growth of

According to Forbes, many of these types of jobs do not require a college education because a person could potentially learn more about them with on-the-job training as opposed to sitting in a college classroom. Many people who enter "non-degreed" professions are self-taught and begin freelancing with a few clients. Through word-of-mouth, they are able to grow enough to launch their own business. For the most part, the trend remains that college graduates still stand to earn more in their lifetimes than nongraduates, as companies will continue to look for the bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree on a resume. However, there is a bright future for non-graduates with much potential if they have the desire and motivation to be successful.

61 percent

Physical therapy assistant jobs will increase by

46 percent

Moon Township | Fall 2013 | icmags.com 29

INDUSTRY INSIGHT

Your Child

Sponsored Content

BACK TO SCHOOL S

tarting school or going back to school can be a stressful time. Allow children time to adjust. Remind them that everyone feels a little nervous about the first day of school and that it will all become an everyday routine in no time. It's also important to talk to children about what worries them and offer reassurance. Are your children afraid that they won't make new friends or get along with their teachers? Consider adjusting your own schedule to make the transition smoother. If you are a working parent, taking some time in the morning and afternoon so that you are not rushed can help with the transition. Try to arrange your evenings so you can give children as much time as they need to share, talk and decompress, especially during those first few days. To help ease back-to-school butterflies, try to transition children into a consistent school-night routine a few weeks before school starts. You can also prepare them for school with the following tips:

• Make sure your children get enough sleep. Establish a reasonable bedtime so that they will be well-rested and ready to learn in the morning; • Serve them a healthy breakfast. They will be more alert and do better academically if they eat a good breakfast every day; • Have them organize and set out what they need the night before. Have them lay out their clothes in their bedrooms.

To help keep your child healthy at school, ask yourself these questions: • Have your children received all the necessary immunizations? • Have you filled out any forms that the school has sent home, such emergency contact and health information forms?

• Do the school operators, directors and teachers know about any medical conditions your child may have, particularly food allergies, asthma, diabetes and any other conditions that may need to be managed during the school day? • Have you made arrangements with the school administrators to dispense any medications your child might need? • Do the teachers know about any conditions that may affect how your child learns?

To ensure children get the most out of school, maintain an open channel of communication with the teachers by talking with them frequently. Most importantly, whether it’s the first day of school or the last, make sure your children know you're there to listen to their feelings and concerns.

“Taking Taekwondo is Proven to Make You Smarter”

To learn more about The Goddard School located in Moon Township, please visit us online at GoddardSchool.com or call us to schedule a tour at 412.262.1821.

- John J. Ratey, MD, Author Sparks: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain

Call Today! 412.324.1112

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30 724.942.0940 to advertise | Moon Township

This Industry Insight was written by Dina Speranza & Carol Maier. They are the owners of The Goddard School®, located at 800 Commerce Avenue in Moon Township. Goddard offers both full- and part-time Infant/ Preschool/Kindergarten programs. For more information, visit www.goddardschool.com or call 412.262.1821.

Choosing the Right College You made it. You got through grade school, succeeded in high school, and now the search begins…for the perfect college. You may already have your eye on a school, or you may be keeping your options open. Whatever your situation, there are some pointers to keep in mind when making your decision. To start, make a list of the colleges in which you are most interested. Divide the list into three categories: top choices, acceptable choices and sure-things. You also may want to add the reasons they interest you and the factors that make them unique. Seek out advice from those you trust – high school teachers, guidance counselors, friends and family members or school alumni – and ask why they favor a particular school. Also consider your educational goals and the field of study you would like to pursue. If one of your top choices does not offer that particular major, it may be safe to scratch it off your list. Another important component to consider is the social atmosphere and the type of housing accommodations the school has to offer. Do you want to attend a school where the students never sleep, or would you prefer to live in a quiet, non-party environment? Make sure the school that you choose will make you feel comfortable so you can succeed academically. Seek out printed information about the school. Directories, websites, maps and newsletters will help you navigate the campus and enable you to decide if this is where you want to spend the next four, or more, years. Lastly, talk to college representatives and staff on campus. Interview them about their likes and dislikes about the school, the academic and nonacademic programs that the school offers and the types of financial aid that are available. Most importantly, make sure the school will meet your needs and help you to excel in whatever path you choose.

The SATs – Preparation is the Buzz Word You know there is no way around it. If you want to go to college, you must do well on the dreaded SAT test. This single event can lead to many sleepless nights and bouts of nervous anxiety. But if you head into the testing center armed with a few special tips, you may score well ahead of the game. For starters, begin preparing and studying for the test months in advance. Find practice tests or study guides online and upon completion of these practice exams, study the results. Find out why you scored wrong on a particular question and look at what you did right. Perhaps the best way to aid in preparation is to take challenging courses in high school. Take plenty of math and science courses and make sure that your reading comprehension and writing skills are in order. Develop a plan to study for the SATs for an allotted amount of time each day. Seek out the aid of a specialized tutoring service, such as the SAT tutoring offered at Huntington, which may not only help you with your studying, but may increase your confidence and calm your nerves. If you decide to take the test twice, learn from your experience the first time. Research the questions you got wrong on the first test and learn why you got them wrong. As the day of test approaches, do something relaxing the night before, such as reading a book and getting a good night’s sleep. Wake up early enough to eat a nutritious breakfast and plan to arrive at the testing center early. Finally, be sure you are prepared with the right materials – a valid ID for access to the testing center and several number 2 pencils. With preparation, you will find that the test-taking anxiety you initially felt, will be replaced with confidence and satisfaction.

SAT

Paying for College You have your heart set on going to college. Now you need to pay for it. Planning ahead will not only help you save money, but may save you time, as well. First, plan ahead. Simply depositing a minimal amount of money into a savings account years ahead of college will pay off big when the bills for tuition and books start to come. There are a couple of easy methods for saving. The first is to write yourself a check each month that automatically goes into your college account. Or, simply have a part of your paycheck directly deposited into the account. Also, know that you do not have to save for the entire four years of school. There are options like financial aid, grants and loans available that can help to cover expenses and minimize the economic impact on your wallet. Consider investing in a prepaid tuition program, which enables you to prepay for tomorrow’s college tuition at today’s costs. Or, choose a 529 college savings plan, which has no guarantee of earnings, but can be used at any college, for any expense, and has specific tax advantages. Websites such as SavingforCollege.com, offer valuable resources for planning and maximizing your college tuition and other expenses. Most states have a website that contains information about prepaid tuition programs or 529 college savings plans. If you are beginning to save more than five years from the college entrance date, consider investing in mutual funds through a professional fund manager. If you have less than five years before entering college, consider other options such as savings accounts, money market accounts and certificates of deposit. With a little planning and some smart budgeting, paying for college is an attainable goal.

Moon Township | Fall 2013 | icmags.com 31

MOON TOWNSHIP

Finding the Right Preschool Deciding on a preschool for your child is an important decision requiring a lot of thought and research. You want your child’s first experience in school to be a positive one filled with happy memories. There are several factors to keep in mind as you make your decision. Among the first, should be the location of the school. Do you want something that is close to home or close to work? How far are you willing to drive? Another consideration is the school’s reputation. Do you have any friends who send their children to the school or who know any of the staff? Talk to them while doing your research and don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions. The Child Care Aware hotline, 1.800.424.2246, can give you the number of a local childcare referral agency, which can provide you with the names of preschools in the area. Before calling the school, make a list of all of the questions that are important to you, such as teacher to student ratio, the staff’s credentials, what types of activities the kids engage in and what is the level of progression from year to year. Also, be sure to ask if the school is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), a sign that the school is trustworthy and reliable. If you are allowed to visit the school, take a tour and perhaps observe the class where your child would be attending. During this visit, observe how the teachers interact with the kids, their demeanor toward each other and their overall personality. Finally, observe the children themselves. If they are happy in their surroundings and you feel comfortable, it just may be the perfect school for your child!

32 724.942.0940 to advertise | Moon Township

EDUCATION DIRECTORY Dina Speranza and Carol Maier are the owners of The Goddard School located in Moon Township. The Goddard School provides the foundation to encourage each child’s lifelong love of learning. In our warm, loving atmosphere, caring teachers support the healthy development of children from six weeks to six years old. Our year-round program offers families the choice of either a half or full-day schedule. The Goddard School 412.262.1821 • www.GoddardSchool.com

Moon Township | Fall 2013 | icmags.com 33

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34 724.942.0940 to advertise | Moon Township

Moon Area School News

Moon Area School District 36

Keystone State Summer Program

Golfer Raises Money

Students Name Shelter Animals

MAMS Student Trent Clayton

Outstanding Teacher Award

MAHS Class of 2013 Officers

MAHS Marching Band

A Special Thank You

Sharing is Caring

Moon Area High School Seniors Attend

Keystone State Summer Program

at Shippensburg University

oon Area High School incoming seniors Brent Matey and Mia Castleveter attended the American Legionsponsored Keystone Boys State and Keystone Girls State held at Shippensburg University from June 23-29. Keystone State is a week-long summer program that studies local, county and state government through participation and personal experience according to the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. For the program, Matey and Castleveter set up their own mock city, county, and state government with more than 200 of their peers from around the state. They also visited the Pennsylvania Capitol of Harrisburg, where they met with state legislators to learn about the present issues of the state.

Allard Elementary Students' Donation Allows Them to

Moon Area School news

oon Area

Name Shelter Animals

llard Elementary students selected 20 names for shelter animals at Animal Friends in Pittsburgh, PA. Last school year, the school raised a total of $1,500 for the local shelter. Students participated in “dime wars” in each class to help raise money for Animal Friends. The class that raised the most money in dimes was able to sponsor an animal at the shelter. In March, some Allard students took a tour of the Animal Friends vicinity to learn about how the money collected would help the animals there. Keep an eye out for an Allard Elementary name at the shelter – Allard, Allard Spike, Boston Moon, Butterscotch, Chocolate Brownie, Chocolate Chip, Dancer, Donkey Kong, Fuffle, Herbert, Ice Cream Sandwich, Jones, Kinder, M&M’s, Montgomery, Moonbeam, Moon Bounce, Moon Socks, Ribbon Dancer, and Vera.

36 724.942.0940 to advertise | Moon Township

Moon Area High School

Golfer Raises Money

for First Tee of Pittsburgh

oon Area High School (MAHS) senior and golf team captain Austin Seibert presented a $1,000 check to First Tee of Pittsburgh at the Bob O’Connor Golf Course in Schenley Park after Seibert raised the money for his senior project by hosting a golf outing in Moon Township. A total of 48 golfers participated in Seibert’s event. Donations were also made by businesses in the Moon community. The First Tee of Pittsburgh, which mentors young golfers of all backgrounds, is the recipient of Golf Digest’s Junior Achievement Award as the best program in the country. It is also sponsored by major professional golf organizations including the Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA) and PGA Tour.

AMS 5th grader Trent Clayton participates in adaptive sports (sports for people with disabilities) due to his diagnosis of cerebral palsy. This summer, he competed at the National Junior Disability Championships and won a total of 12 gold medals, breaking a national record in the discus and an NJDC record in the shot put. More info: www.moonarea.net. Photo by Joan Wheeler

Moon Area Middle School M usic

Instructor Receives

Outstanding Teacher Award

oon Area Middle School orches tra teacher Amanda Neville was recently awarded this year’s Outstanding New String/ Orchestra Teacher Award from the Pennsylvania-Delaware String Teachers Association (PA DESTA). The award recognizes full-time orchestra and string teachers who exhibit hig h levels of leadership, dedicat ion, and achievement in pub private schools in Pennsylvan lic or ia or Delaware. Neville, a string specialist, is an active member of the Americ an String Teachers Association which is supported by PADEST A. One of Neville’s nominators for the award stated that she has “worked hard to establish hig h standards and bring greate r awa ren ess to the string program in the Moon Area School Distric t.”

s r e c r Space i o f o d f t u O O 3 ’ s 1 Cl ass of 20 ow Future Student

s to All d MAHS n u F s s la signate C De

forgetting ts won’t be n e d u st ) S er class l (MAH tes and form a High Schoo u a d re ra A g n t o n o dent), n. Rece uture M r (vice presi nytime soo ke a a b 3 e 1 n 0 n 2 a f P o n e the Class sident), Rya an) made th tkinson (pre isler (histori e H the ie to n t n officers CJ A n A and djace (treasurer), ase tables a h ro rc st u lla sses. p a o P to cl s r n nch o Laure ss fund leftover cla ide during lu ts se ass u u o t to a io t n n o si ual se r cl decisi aff to ards individ dents and st w u ost to st t m r u t fo a p a th ri re cafete figured funds a e a tr x “W . e id se sa e J s,” C “Typically, th something and lanyard why not do ter bottles so a s, w s r m a e it ch f o pes r and senio gifts su ave those ty dies teache h u y st d l 1 a a 1 e ci ll lr a a so st to in MAHS people d the funds the help of te h a it n g W o ” si ls e t? a d n hey differe mo, they cafeteria. T r Chris D’Era outside the s e ix String ch S n d class sponso e n b a ouncil d three C n t a n s e ave le d b tu ta S r MAHS seniors to h outdoo t for future ns from the o o ti n sp a ig a n s o re a d fo a d e are ot for receive ven as a sp envisions th e n ly a y d ib R o . ss fo b o p lu ce rty, sin Guitar C ther, and themed pa r g nice wea e n ri th u o d r o o h in n, w lunch ve a “fiesta” oms. Laure asses to ha hool classro sc h portunity p ig o language cl h n in a e had llowed a “W t . o p n u y it ll d ra e will be able is gene , summ re students ith the idea tu w fu p t u a e th m ca .” ething ars to come school som time for ye ch to give the n lu ir e tside at th to enjoy ou

Moon Township | Fall 2013 | icmags.com 37

Moon Area S chool news

Succeeds at the National Junior Disability Championship

Moon Area

MAMS Student Trent Clayton

MAHS Marching Band Prepares for

Upcoming Season

Moon Area School news

oon Area

he Moon Area High School Marching Band is prepared for the 2013 fall marching season. In mid-July, the newly appointed field commanders, Ashley Braxton, Luci Marcocci, and Mathew Tessmer attended the Fred J. Miller Drum Major Clinic at University of Pittsburgh, Greensburg Campus. These three seniors attended conducting classes and leadership training seminars to prepare for the upcoming season. In addition, the Moon Field Commanders were recognized and honored at the end of the clinic for their teamwork. The band attended sectional practices in July and a week of “home” band camp at the High School. On August 4, the students packed their bags and instruments and traveled to Washington and Jefferson College for an intense week of camp, culminating with a Parents Performance at the close of camp on Friday. On August 22, the band performed at Kennywood in the 63rd Annual Fall Fantasy Parade. The MAHS Marching Band will participate in the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Marching Band Competition circuit this season, attending competition at McGuffey High School on September 14. The band will also be hosting their 2nd Annual PIMBA competition at Moon Area High School, in addition to providing entertainment and support for all MAHS varsity football games. For the first time at Moon Area, the band will be competing at the Music for All/Bands of America Regional Competition held at Towson University in Towson, Maryland on October 26. The Marching Band will conclude their season at the PIMBA State Marching Band Championship at Gateway High School on November 2. The 2013-2014 marching band consists of 140 members, which includes five majorettes and 20 color guard members and 115 musicians. The half-time/ competitive show theme this season is Sketches of the Moon, which include selections Harvest, Moon Licht from Cirque du Soleil, Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, and Van Morisson’s Moon Dance. The band is under the direction of Nicholas Barthen, Assistant Director Mick Minamyer, and Associate Director Jason Zeh. The percussion coordinator/arranger is Alan Fear. The color guard instructor is Ellen Martin and majorette instructor is Kelly Miller. Band and Orchestra programs at Moon Area High School can be obtained at www.moonband.org.

38 724.942.0940 to advertise | Moon Township

A Special

Thank You

group of employees that are often forgotten about were honored this summer. Due to the hard work of cafeteria workers, in the past two years, student meal sales have increased consistently, and over a five-year period the district has seen an increase in sales of around 5 percent. Two new facilities (Moon Area High School and Moon Area Middle School) have given students the opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of nutritious options similar to food stations found on a college campus. Rather than complain about adjustments that needed to be made, cafeteria workers embraced the Whale Done method of positive reinforcement to increase sales and improve health department ratings.

Sharing is C aring

wo Bon Meade El ementary first gr aders were recent to initiate their ow ly inspired n community se rvice projects afte about communiti r learning es in class. Seven-year-old Gr ace Burns started a campaign to ra for an orphanag ise money e in Guatemala, an d raised more th orphanage. an $150 for the Seven-year-old La nce Zabela organi zed a food drive Hills Food Bank, for the West and collected 25 0 canned items fo r the Food Bank.

St. Malachy S chool news

in Local Parade

t. Malachy Cheerleaders added to the excitement at the annual Kennedy Township Firemenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Parade on August 17. Members of the Varsity and JV Cheerleading Squads as well as the Pep Squad were on hand to represent St. Malachy School with their smiles, sharp motions, and loud voices. Varsity Cheerleaders Emily Halbedl, Jennie Falgione, Haley Gault, and Shannon Logsdon march in the Kennedy Township Firemenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Parade.

Summer Splash

t.Malachy School recently held is Fourth Annual Summer Splash at Crafton Pool. It was a night of family fun with plenty of swimming and snacks available. Admission was free for families and students. Those who showed up with a ream of copy paper for the school also got a dress down bonus pass! Mara Tucci, Julia Mosur, Elena Polar, and Sam Allman enjoy the pool.

Cross Country Team Season Kick-Off

wenty-eight St. Malachy School Cross Country team members toed the line for the start of the annual Assumption Parish Festival Road Race on Aug. 14, 2013. The 1.2 mile course was no match for the Blue Bombers as St. Malachy came home with three of the four first place medals (Donavin Meriweather, varsity boys, Matthew Rees, JV boys, Marissa Bordas, JV girls) and one second place medal (Bryce Meriweather, Varsity boys.) Overall, 72 students from St. Malachy School, Assumption School and North Boroughs Running Club participated with Donovan Meriweather (1st), Bryce Meriweather (2nd), and Matthew Rees (4th) occupying three of the top four positions. Exceptional performances were also turned in by Christina Trocchio, Emma Tomei, Vincent Frank, Wil Drexler, Joseph Rees, Marissa Trocchio, Hogan Schirnhofer and Elena Polar who all finished in the top 8 in their respective age categories. The gutsiest effort came from second grader Victoria Smiegel who took a pretty hard fall at the beginning of the race, but collected herself and continued on to finish. It was a great start to the cross country season and all of the St. Malachy runners did an excellent job of representing the school and the parish. The team has

St. Malachy

Cheerleaders March

11 new members and 31 runners overall. The kids would like to thank all of the parents and other family members who came to the race and helped cheer everyone on to the finish.

St. Malachy Cross Country Team med alists: Donavin and Bryce Meriweather, Matthew Rees, Mari ssa Bordas

Moon Township | Fall 2013 | icmags.com 39

Rolls-Royce Unveils Expanded Nuclear Services Facility in Moon

espite the familiarity with the Rolls-Royce name associated with the luxury cars that date back to the early Twentieth Century, the company began as an electrical and mechanical firm in 1894 owned by Henry Royce. Energy and engineering have remained a large part of the company’s global forte, with the company developing power systems and services for land, sea and air in both civil and defense applications. A Rolls-Royce facility in Moon that has been part of the landscape since the 1980s opened its new expansion and re-branded doors this fall with a tour by Congressman Tim Murphy. The visit marked the official integration of nuclear specialist consultants PKMJ Technical Services into the Rolls-Royce Group following its acquisition. The expanded Moon Township facility, which is already home to over 200 highly-skilled engineers, will enable Rolls-Royce to further grow the business in line with market needs and to broaden the range of plant optimization services that it provides to nuclear utility customers across the world. “We have grown our customer base to serve 157 nuclear power reactors around the world, including every nuclear power plant in the U.S. and Canada,” said Paul Tobin, Rolls-Royce Vice-President, Engineering Services and former President, PKMJ. “We employ some of the most highly-skilled engineers in the nuclear industry. Rolls-Royce is trusted to deliver excellence worldwide and we are proud and excited to

40 724.942.0940 to advertise | Moon Township

become a part of it. Today marks the next step in the evolution of our business.” Through its Nuclear Services business in Pittsburgh, Rolls-Royce helps nuclear utility customers to optimize the safety, availability and cost-effectiveness of their nuclear power plants by understanding and proactively addressing obsolescence-related issues, increasing component reliability and driving supply chain efficiencies. RollsRoyce also has Nuclear Services facilities based in New York and Ontario, and Nuclear Instrumentation and Control facilities based in Alabama and Tennessee. Rolls-Royce Group employs more than 7,700 people in the U.S. across 26 states. Because of its reach and range of applications, the company plans on growing its job base in Moon Township as new projects come on, said a company spokesperson. In the United States alone, Rolls-Royce employs more than 7,700 people in 26 states. Globally, they employ more than 45,000 people

Executive Vice President of Engineering Nuclear Services for Rolls-Royce Paul Tobin with Congressman Tim Murphy following his tour of the newly expanded Rolls-Royce facility in Moon

—nearly a third of those being engineers—in more than 50 countries. In 2012, Rolls-Royce generated nearly 20 billion in revenues, more than half of which came from providing services. Representative Murphy said the growth of Rolls-Royce in the region is a boon for the region as a whole. “I am pleased…to unveil the Rolls-Royce brand in this newly-expanded Moon Township facility, as well as to have the opportunity to meet members of the highly talented workforce who will be based here,” Murphy said. “This serves as a prime example of how a local business can grow and prosper on a global stage, delivering further opportunity for growth and employment in Southwestern Pennsylvania.”

The vision for Rolls-Royce services is to be the customers' first choice when looking for service support for our products.

Moon Township | Fall 2013 | icmags.com 41

INDUSTRY INSIGHT

Your Health

Sponsored Content

Modern Workspace Ergonomics: The dangers of sitting all day that can compromise your health Although technology is constantly evolving, the old-fashioned workspace remains the same. Our desk designs were established in the Industrial Revolution, and it’s still the basis for today’s modern computer station. This is a serious problem, because it contributes to many things including back and neck pain, high blood pressure, repetitive injuries, obesity, diabetes, and other ailments. It is not the computer work that is to blame, but the workspace that creates the greatest risk.

The time machine of the workspace The office era started in 1800 with the manager’s desk and fastforwarded to 1966 to the cubicle as a way to accommodate computer monitors in each worker’s immediate task area. With the explosion of personal computers or PCs came ergo-desking, allowing one to raise or lower the entire work space. Other than an electric motor, nothing has emerged since the 1980s. We have gone from an agrarian economy to an industrial economy to an information economy in the last 300 years. Yet, our workspaces are largely the same as they were in 1813.

What have PCs done to you? PCs have been with us since 1980 and have changed the way we work, because it has increased our productivity. Unfortunately, repetitive stress injuries (RSIs) increased in incidence along with the growth of the PC market. In addition, obesity and all that goes with it (high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.) increased as well. This marked the start of a worldwide dilemma; the U.S. witnessed a gradual rise in RSIs from 1980-1986. The incidences reported in 1985 were 50,000, which then rapidly increased to 281,800 in 1992, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Why, you ask? Workspace Ergonomics As musculoskeletal problems began to rise along with the use of computers, the field of ergonomics began investigating how to lessen the negative impacts of technology in the workspace. A thorough analysis was conducted based on types of injuries, workspace layout, and computer hardware. The conclusion was that there is one correct posture for interacting with computers. The human body cannot sit in one position for an extended period of time; with 600 muscles and 200 joints, people are made to move. Chiropractic care aids in the alignment of these joints to enable a body in proper biomechanical motion. What do we do? Research has found that it takes about 14 to 16 changes from lying to a standing posture each day to keep the metabolism at a high enough rate to avoid degenerative effects. In other words, “Sitting kills and moving heals.” The answer is change. Not one position, but many. Not resting the frame, but making it support itself. Not just big movements but small ones with our legs, torso, and upper body. The next time you are standing in a conversation, note how many times you shift your feet and body position. What if we did that while working all day? Periodic positional changes stimulate an increase in metabolism in response to an expected demand. Easily adjustable keyboard trays, monitors and chair heights also have great benefits to suiting the needs of your body’s proportion or build. If your workspace lifestyle needs some updates and you would like to see how chiropractic care can help, call 412.424.0019 for your consultation today! This Industry Insight was written by Dr. Leah Gallucci. Dr. Leah Gallucci earned her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Pittsburgh with a major in Neuroscience and minor in Chemistry. She attended Palmer Chiropractic College in Florida where she gained her extensive knowledge of Anatomy and Physiology, as well as Chiropractic adjusting techniques. Formally, she practiced at the Choice Chiropractic McKnight location, and is currently accepting new patients at her Moon Township practice.

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Sponsored Content

Business Spotlight

Sponsored Content

FASTER

Fitness and Sports Training Enhanced Results

here are a lot of gyms out there for people to choose from, but there’s only one gym that’s designed from the ground up for those looking to “lose a few” to the avid fitness enthusiast or highly athletic and that’s in Robinson Township. With a recent upgrade in square footage and accoutrements, including an indoor turf field and three-lane track, FASTER is a one-stop shop for advanced speed and strength training for athletes of all ages and upbeat resultoriented fitness training for adults. “People think of a gym, and that’s what we would call a traditional strength training facility,” said Jason DeRose, owner and director of FASTER. “We’re ahead of the curve. We utilize high-speed treadmills that reach up to 31 miles per hour for agility and speed training within our athlete performance programs and mini highspeed treadmills for unweighted cardio-vascular training as part of our fitness regimens. We also do vibration training to improve vertical jump and explosive movement response in our athletes and to increase metabolism and lean body mass with our adults.” With $30,000 treadmills and the most powerful vibration plates available, it’s easy to assume that FASTER only caters to athletes, and with two draft players as clients, they do. However, they also make their equipment and techniques available to anyone who’s looking to improve themselves and see results quickly with a low risk of injury. 46 724.942.0940 to advertise | Moon Township

“Nationally, people doing traditional cross fit training are leading the country in injuries. Maneuvering from one exercise to another is a good thing, but the risk of injury associated with those moves isn’t,” DeRose said. One of the areas where FASTER excels is in educating people new to the gym experience on low risk exercises that burn a high amount of calories. FASTER members have demonstrated transformative change both physically and mentally. DeRose said it’s not unusual to witness clients losing 50 to 100 pounds or athletes crushing speed, strength, and explosive movement records in just a few months. He attributes that success to personal accountability, unique training philosophies, and the cutting-edge equipment housed at FASTER. The workouts are designed to prevent mental boredom where clients can easily see and feel their progress as they go through the workouts, which are non-traditional, transitioning from the treadmill to a strength exercise, to a core exercise, to vibration plate plyometrics, and then back to the treadmill.

“We want our clients to feel welcomed and empowered and to have an overall good time when they’re here,” DeRose said. “I’m blessed with a great staff to help make that happen.” A lot of people here work 12- to 16-hour days and they’re coming in after all that, still trying to get

in a workout. We want to make it as enjoyable for them as possible.” Members of FASTER can choose to work in team training programs, semi-private groups of four to five people, or individually. “In addition, we have fun programs like our Skinny Jeans Challenge, which is an 8-week program that covers everything from nutrition to fitness.” Skinny Jeans starts off with a supermarket tour, where participants learn what looks healthy may not always be the healthiest choice. The program

requires participants to keep a food journal, which is graded at weekly meetings. Body fat, weight and inches also are measured weekly. “It’s driven by accountability through attendance,” DeRose said. It’s another way to keep people motivated and enthused about the program. Skinny Jeans is just one of many programs available, with other seasonal weight-loss programs designed for fun and purpose, including “Sizzle Beach,” and “Muffin Top Meltdown.” For more information on FASTER, including how you can join today, go to performfaster.com, or call 412.489.6036.

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Moon once had a 40-acre amusement park? By Judith H. Schardt

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he attraction of amusement parks has been drawing families to their unique thrills since the late 1800s. These parks have been the architect of magic memories: first kisses stolen in dark rides, memories of yearly school picnics with best friends and the moment when courage overtook fear on a brand new roller coaster. From 1955 to 1989, where Interstate 376 now sits—former Route 60 near Moon Township—a small amusement park, White Swan Park, occupied that space. It was a park for families with young children and was easier to navigate than the much larger Kennywood Park. Despite its small size of 40 acres, it was extremely popular. According to local amusement park historian Jim Futrell, the park was unique because of its owners, a brother and sister team, Roy Todd and Margaret Kleeman and her husband. Not only did they build it, they opened it with just seven rides, all brand new. Eventually, the park featured a kiddie park and 15 rides such as the Galaxi coaster, a merry-go-round, Scrambler, a Ferris wheel, Tilt-A-Whirl, Mad Mouse roller coaster, a giant slide and a train known as “the longest train ride in the Tri-State.” White Swan also had midway games, six picnic shelters, Skee Ball, miniature golf and of course refreshment stands. After the park's 1989 season, a reroute of PA 60 was needed, so PennDOT bought the park. Much of the park's rides and artifacts ended up in auctions. The Mad Mouse went to Lakemont Park in in Altoona, but was sold and removed in 2003. The Galaxi went to Lubbock, Texas. The last item from the park to be removed was the giant slide. The Tilt-a-Whirl is still in operation at Knoebel’s Amusement Resort in Elysburg, PA. ■

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