Vincentian Academy Make YOUR Mark!
Kean Quest Talent Search St. Alexis School Bolsters STREAM Curriculum Batman Trivia
2016 EDUCATION ISSUE
CONTENTS January 2016
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NORTHERN CONNECTION
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NC Features
Health & Wellness
10 Kean Quest Talent Search: Do You Have What It Takes?
44 Advances in Healthcare
Spotlight on Education 2016
48 Fit Families: Get Fit in 2016: It’s a Gadget World! Joella Baker
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From the Publisher
Image & Style
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Movers & Shakers
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Mover & Shaker of the Month: Nine Middle Schoolers Win First Place at the First Lego League Robotics Scrimmage Paula Green
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Trivia Connection: Batman Trivia
13 Innovations in the Classroom Marianne Reid Anderson
26 School Movers & Shakers 30 Cover Story: Make YOUR Mark at Vincentian Academy 32 future_engineers.exe NOW LOADING 34 Saint Alexis School Bolsters STREAM Curriculum
Marianne
Reid Anderson
50 4 Fun Ways to Wear a Poncho or Cape this Winter Kelly Smith
Senior Living 52 Town Crier: Jumpin’ into Our First Month – January Joe Bullick 54 Happenings for Seniors
Advertorials
36 Student of the Month: T.J. Nicotra Paula Green
42 Lose Up to 30 Lbs in 30 Days
37 Want to stick to your New Year’s resolution? You’ll need three things.
49 You Probably Didn’t Know That Chiropractic Can Help...
Dr. Michael Vactor, D.C.
In Every Issue Marion Piotrowski
Paula Green
40 Starting the Conversation: Technology, Children and Social Skills Marianne Reid Anderson 56 January 2016 Happenings 60 Support Our Troops: Local School Districts and an Area College Show Their Support for Troops Paula Green
Dr. Shannon Thieroff
38 Shady Side Academy: Shine Brighter 39 2016 Education Directory 40 Preparing the Future Workforce
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PUBLISHER NOTES
Happy New Year! Welcome to Northern Connection magazine’s 17th year of connecting you to the community!
NORTHERN CONNECTION P.O. Box 722 Wexford, PA 15090-0722
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nce again, the January issue features Northern Connection magazine’s annual education issue. We have worked closely with the area schools to promote the Student Movers & Shakers, and to inform our readers about the Innovations in the Classroom that the area schools have incorporated into their education. Thank you to all the schools that have participated in this special section and please continue to send us your educational milestones so that we can feature them this year in Northern Connection magazine’s Innovations in the Classroom. In this issue, we also feature the 2016 Kean Quest contest! Northern Connection magazine is proud to be a sponsor of the ever growing popular talent contest that has become a staple in and around the area. Read more about this year’s Kean Quest and don’t forget to register…Who knows, you might be the next big star. Good luck! Enjoy reading Northern Connection magazine’s special features and regular monthly columns. Thank you for supporting Northern Connection magazine for the past 16 years and I look forward to another year of together making our community an outstanding place to live and work. F
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Phone: 724-940-2444 Laura Arnold
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Fax: 724-940-2447 Email: northcon@consolidated.net www.northernconnectionmag.com President & Publisher
Marion Swanson Piotrowski Executive Editor
Marianne Reid Anderson Managing Editor/ Public Relations Coordinator
Paula M. Green Mary Simpson
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Marketing & Account Executive and Office Coordinator
Laura Lyn Arnold Marketing & Account Executive
Mary L. Simpson Design & Production
Kostilnik & Assoc., Inc. Web Master
Swanson Publishing Company Marianne Reid Anderson
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Joella Baker Joe Bullick Paula M. Green Marianne Reid Anderson Kelly Smith
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Northern Connection is published twelve times a year by Swanson Publishing Co., Inc. (P.O. Box 722, Wexford, PA 15090-0722, 724-940-2444) and is distributed free of charge to the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh. Subscription can be purchased from the publisher at $25 for one year. The mission of the Swanson Publishing Co., Inc. is to connect the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh by publishing the area’s finest community publication, Northern Connection. The publication is dedicated to the people, communities, educational, religious, travel, and recreational needs of the area. The contents of Northern Connection magazine may not be reproduced or copied in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. Northern Connection magazine reserves the right to refuse editorial or advertisements that do not meet the standards of this publication.
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MOVERS & SHAKERS January 2016
Movers & Shakers Pittsburgh Mercy’s Operation Safety Net® hosted a candlelight memorial service on December 21. The event held on the winter solstice which is the longest night of the year. It honored the people who died while homeless in 2015. The Pittsburgh Penguins team made their annual holiday visit to patients and families at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC on
Dec.17. The players visited with patients at bedside, posed for photos, signed autographs and delivered gifts. The Pittsburgh Pirates’ CARE-a-van rolled into AHN’s Wexford Health + Wellness Pavilion for a special Holiday Party on Dec. 9. Various members of the Pittsburgh Pirates, including players and coaches; the Pierogies and the Bucco Brigade were on hand to greet people.
VA Butler Healthcare hosted their annual Recovery Recognition Day on Nov. 17. The event celebrates and honors Veterans who have overcome mental health problems. The Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce announced the appointment of its executive vice president, Michelle Kreutzer, to the Pennsylvania Association of Chamber Professionals.
The Pittsburgh Airport Chamber of Commerce held their JingleFest event on Dec. 4 at the Montour Heights Country Club. The event raised over $2,000 for local military families in need. Amy Houtrow, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., chief of the Division of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC has been selected for a position on the National Quality Forum Pediatric Standing Committee for the Pediatric Measurement Endorsement Project. The Woodlands Foundation was the beneficiary of a charitable donation from the local division of XTO Energy. Representatives of the company presented the Woodlands with a generous gift of $2,500.
The Community Health Clinic of Butler County held their third annual Signature Sensations affair on Nov. 7, at the Butler Country Club. The event raised $40,000 to support the work of the Clinic and featured QED Cooks host and television personality Chris Fennimore. The Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber has elected seven directors to the board. They are – Steve W. Diffenderfer, Lisa Hunt, Todd Harris, Tracy Armstrong, Ryan Breen, Gregg Hill and Al Marschke. For the seventh year in a row, family law firm Pollock Begg Komar Glasser & Vertz LLC received recognition as a Tier One Best Law Firms recipient in the area of family law. Ryan Pugh, a student at Zang Taekwondo earned his Master fourth degree black belt. Pugh has been training since 1998.
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MOVER & SHAKER OF THE MONTH
Nine Middle Schoolers Win First Place at the First Lego League Robotics Scrimmage BY PAULA GREEN
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ine middle school students from North Allegheny, Pine-Richland, Hampton, Fox Chapel and Pittsburgh school districts won first place at the Western PA First Lego League (FLL) robotics scrimmage. The event was held on Saturday, Dec. 5, at Sewickley Academy. The competition was fierce but Techno Trash was victorious. The winning team consisted of - Felipe Bergerman, Eli Prem, Owen Prem, Coleman Walsh, Jack Walsh of North Allegheny; Kush Bandi of Pine-Richland; Ethen Oh of Hampton; Siddharth Yende of Fox Chapel and Nate Sirlin from the Pittsburgh School District. The team is coached by Maria Yamanaka, co-founder and owner of the GreenE Academy, who since 2011 has been training children in robotics, programming and video game design. “Many schools in the region build FLL teams with students involved in their STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) courses. Since we are independent of any school, we build our team by inviting the summer campers who have shown an interest and have the skills to play FLL (teamwork, persistence, problem solving and robot design and programming). That’s why our teams end up being formed by children from many school districts,” said Yamanaka.
“FLL helps to teach kids about working on projects with a team that are more long term, as the competition goes on for several months,” noted Coleman Walsh. “I have been involved in First Lego League for three years. A small group of us have been together the entire time. Each year, a couple of new people join and add to our team,” remarked Nate Sirlin. “I would encourage others to join, sometimes it’s frustrating but the excitement you get in the end is well worth the pain,” stated Ethen Oh. “This year’s theme ‘Trash Trek’ explored ways to reduce,
Kush Bandi, Felipe Bergerman, Jack Walsh, Ethen Oh, Owen Prem, Eli Prem, Coleman Walsh, Siddharth Yende and Nate Sirlin
reuse, recycle or repurpose trash. Children were judged on the robot game performance, the quality of their robot design and programming, their project research presentation and their adherence to the FLL core values,” noted Marcel Bergerman, of Carnegie Mellon University and assistant coach of team Techno Trash. “I grew up watching my older brother play FLL and I didn’t know how exciting this could be until I joined the team four years ago, said Felipe Bergerman. The team members worked hard and enjoyed the competition. “FLL is a really fun activity that teaches you a lot about robotics. It is a great way to learn about robotics and programming,” Eli Prem commented. “FLL is a good opportunity because in our very near future robotics will become an even greater part of our lifestyle,” Jack Walsh pointed out. “I think we won the competition because we worked hard on the game table. Our robot was much more complex with four motors and multiple sensors,” mentioned Kush Bandi. “It was amazing to see how far we’ve come since September and have a major accomplishment, but I know that there is still a long way to go before we can be ready for the championship in January,” said Siddharth Yende. The Western PA FLL Grand Championship will be held on Jan. 9, at La Roche College. The competition is open to the public. Owen Prem noted that, “FLL is competitive like physical sports. There’s something for everyone.” F
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TRIVIA CONNECTION
Batman Trivia
Celebrating 50 Years of the Batman TV Series BY PAULA GREEN Pittsburgh. Shooting locations included Heinz Field, with members of the Pittsburgh Steelers playing the Gotham Rogues football team. Filming also took place at the Mellon Institute and Software Engineering Institute at Carnegie Mellon University. Since we’ve explored the “Dynamic Duo,” we must now fly through this Batman query. Be sure to cruise through the answers, because it’s time to get a little trivial... 1. This actor portrayed the villain The Archer in the Batman TV show. 2. He played the piano-playing arch-criminal Chandell. His two episodes were the highest-rated of the Batman episodes. 3. Name the actress who portrayed Catwoman in 1966 film Batman: The Movie. 4. Pittsburgh native, Michael Keaton starred in two Batman films. Which Pittsburgh native played a villain in Batman TV show. 5. What were Bruce Wayne parent’s names? 6. What type of car was the Batmobile? 7. Which villainous did Batman almost marry? 8. Name the aunt that Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson live with in Wayne Manor. 9. What was Alfred’s last name? 10. In 1967, Milton Berle appeared on Batman as this villain. 11. Batgirl was Commissioner Gordon’s daughter – what was her given name? 12. In Batman Forever we see two villains – Jim Carrey played The Riddler and which actor plays Two-Faced? 13. What villainous did Uma Thurman depict in the 1997 film Batman & Robin? 14. Who played The Joker in The Dark Knight? 15. What phrase was always used at the end of an episode every week? F Sources: http://mentalfloss.com/article/60213/visual-guide-all-37-villainsbatman-tv-series, http://Wikipedia/batman, http://www.neatorama.com/ neatogeek/2014/01/02/A-Few-facts-You-Might-Not-Know-About-theTV-Series-Batman/, http://www.66batmania.com/trivia/facts.php, http:// www.1966batmobile.com/
Answers: 1. Art Carney 2. Liberace 3. Lee Meriwether 4. Frank Gorshin 5. Thomas and Martha Wayne 6. Lincoln Futura 7. Marsha, Queen of Diamonds 8. Harriet Cooper 9. Pennyworth 10. Louie the Lilac 11. Barbara 12. Tommy Lee Jones 13. Poison Ivy 14. Heath Ledger 15. See you next week, same bat-time, same bat-channel!
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n Jan. 12, 1966, the Batman television series debuted on ABC. It was based on the DC comic book character of the same name. Batman aired twice weekly for its first two seasons and weekly for the third, with a total of 120 episodes produced during its run. The series officially ended on Mar. 14, 1968. Adam West starred as Batman and Burt Ward portrayed Robin – together these two super heroes formed the Dynamic Duo. The series focused on their adventures; and that of their alter-egos, Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson who resided in Gotham City. Over the years, a slew of celebrities guest-starred as the villains. These included – Frank Gorshin as The Riddler, Cesar Romero portrayed The Joker, Burgess Meredith as The Penguin, and Vincent Price was Egghead. Other rogues that appeared in the series were: Victor Buono who played King Tut, Cliff Robertson was Shame, Roddy McDowall as Bookworm, and George Sanders, Otto Preminger and Eli Wallach all had their turns portraying Mr. Freeze. The bad guys weren’t always guys; a few actresses also portrayed evildoers. Julie Newmar and Eartha Kitt both played sinister Catwoman. Shelley Winters depicted bad lady Ma Parker, and Carolyn Jones was villainous Marsha, Queen of Diamonds. Tallulah Bankhead spun an evil web as Black Widow and Zsa Zsa Gabor played the malicious Minerva. Other cast members of the show included - Alan Napier played Alfred the Butler. Napier was the show’s only cast member who had never heard of Batman and had no idea of who the character was before the show began filming. Yvonne Craig was added to the series in the third season she portrayed heroine Batgirl. Neil Hamilton played Commissioner Gordon. Batman producer, William Dozier was also the show’s narrator. The TV series dialog played for laughs, and fight scenes famous for their comic-book “Bam,” “Pow,” “Zap,” and other graphical exclamations. In addition to the TV series, there were Batman movies. The Dynamic Duo hit the silver screen in 1966 in Batman: The Movie. Michael Keaton portrayed the Caped Crusader in the 1989 film Batman and again in 1992 - Batman Returns. In 1995, Batman Forever starred Val Kilmer. The 1997 film, Batman & Robin featured George Clooney. Christian Bale starred as Batman in the next three films – Batman Begins (2005), The Dark Knight (2008) and The Dark Knight Rises (2012). Some of the scenes in this film were shot in
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NC FEATURE
Do You Have What It Takes? Kean Quest Searches for the Next Big Star! BY JILL GREENWOOD
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f you think you’ve got what it takes to become the next Jackie Evancho, we’ve got the opportunity for you! The 2016 Kean Quest Talent Search attracts singers of all ages and has seen its share of amazing talent since launching in 2004. Richland Township’s own Jackie Evancho, who was the runner up in the nationally acclaimed 2010 America’s Got Talent, was a contestant in 2009 in what was then known as Kean Idol. Another 2009 Kean Idol alum is Pittsburgh’s Chris Jamison, who wowed millions of viewers last year with a thirdplace finish on The Voice. Both Jamison and Evancho credit the experience they got at the Kean Theatre as helping to pave the way toward their future success. Now in its 13th season, Kean Quest has steadily gained popularity with nearly 200 contestants in 2015 in both youth and adult competitions. This year, the adults (19 and older) will vie for a $1,000 cash prize, while the youth (18 and under) will compete for a recording session. The
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event is for amateurs and is open to anyone who is not currently signed to a recording contract. The youth portion of the 2016 competition begins in February and will go through March, with the youth finals scheduled for April 1, where Jackie Evancho will present prizes to the winners. The adult portion of the competition will take place on April 15 with the winners chosen that night. Contestants who score well in the preliminary rounds move on to the semifinals and then the finals. They’re judged on three factors: talent, stage presence, and presentation. The audience also gets to vote and will select a winner from each round. Celebrity judges include: Tim Ruff, Logan Roland, Nelson Harrison, and Casey Hanner. Last season’s Kean Quest Champion, Shailen Abram, 18, a student at Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts School, amazed the audience with not just his singing, but also his incredible talents on the piano. Abram is legally blind and has been compared to a young Stevie Wonder, a singer he idolizes. Gabby Barrett, 15, the 2014 Kean Quest Champion, has sung the national anthem at Pittsburgh Steelers and Pirates games and has opened before thousands of people at country music concerts, where she has been noticed by country music stars Keith Urban and Hunter Hayes. Barrett has her own songs on iTunes and Amazon and is currently working on her first album as she pursues her dream as a singer and performer. The grand prize for the youth competition includes a recording session at Audible Images, a Grammy awardwinning recording studio. The winners will also get professional headshots that can be used by an agent for promotions, if they plan to pursue a career in music or acting. The Jackie Evancho award is presented each year to a contestant who has competed in Kean Quest for two or more years and doesn’t give up no matter where he or she
places in the contest. Jackie will present the 6th annual Jackie Evancho Award to the winner. Since her success on America’s got Talent, she has issued five albums, including a platinum and a gold album. While Kean Quest is a talent competition, it is primarily a charity fundraiser. The money raised through ticket sales will benefit St. Barnabas Charities. The St. Barnabas Free Care Fund provides approximately $6 million in free care to patients each year. Contestants must sign up for one preliminary round and be prepared to compete in the semifinals if they are selected. F
Register Now! Call 724-625-3770 or visit KeanQuest.com.
2016 Kean Quest Schedule Youth
• Preliminary Rounds 1, 2: Sunday, Feb. 7, 1 p.m./5 p.m. • Preliminary Rounds 3, 4: Sunday, Feb. 21, 1 p.m./5 p.m. • Youth Semifinal 1: Sunday, March 6, 2 p.m. • Youth Semifinal 2: Sunday, March 13, 2 p.m. • Youth Finals with Jackie Evancho: Friday, April 1, 7 p.m.
Adult
• Adult competition and completion, all in one night: Friday, April 15, 7 p.m.
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EDUCATION2016
S P O T L I G H T
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EDUCATION2016 Here at Northern Connection magazine, we have the honor and privilege of working with many of our area schools and their remarkable educators, administrators, counselors and amazing students. These dedicated individuals go above and beyond, devoting their time, energy, skills and talents to serve their school, communities, neighbors and each other. We are proud to highlight their many achievements, programs and so much more in this, our annual Education issue.
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Innovations in the Classroom BY MARIANNE REID ANDERSON
In this, our annual Education issue, we at Northern Connection magazine are delighted to highlight some of the many diverse ways the dedicated educators in our area are making learning a fun and innovative experience. Past Innovations in the Classroom are still available on our website at www.northernconnectionmag. com and we will continue highlighting new innovations and programs in the coming months. A.W. Beattie Career Center – The new STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) Outreach program is well into its second year and going strong. Last year, they reached over 18,000 people and have reached 5500 this year, already. Their STEAM Outreach program attends community and school events to showcase career and technical education and promote the opportunities available in career fields. The program is typically designed to highlight four different aspects of career and technical education with three hands-on sessions and one career talk with a high-end robotics demonstration. The hands-on sessions may include computer programing, emergency and health careers, and the culinary A.W. Beattie Career Center arts, among others. A.W. Beattie Career Center is a Carnegie STEM EXCELLENCE Pathway Partner which is a competitive application process where only ten schools are selected and A.W. Beattie Career Center is the first career/technical school ever to be chosen for this honor. The Beattie Pathway Team works closely with the Carnegie
(Continued on page 14)
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EDUCATION2016 Innovations
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Science Center to develop plans and initiatives for STEAM education. To learn more, visit http://www.beattietech.com or, if you have an upcoming event and are interested in the A.W. Beattie Career Center STEAM Outreach program, contact Clifton Bossong, M.S. the Assessment/ S.T.E.A.M. coordinator (412) 847-1955. Butler County Community College – BC3 has developed a digital fabrication lab, also known as a “Fab Lab” that provides both students and the public the necessary tools to make physical objects from digital equipment. These tools include a variety of 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC routers, plastic injection, thermo-vacuum forming among many others. Through the lab, they are able to create rapid, proofof-concept prototyping so students/ inventors/entrepreneurs can validate product designs and determine market viability. People are encouraged to build virtually anything they can imagine. BC3 has also been awarded two grants by the National Science Foundation for $1 million each for their electronic guitar building program
Butler County Community College
through which students learn STEAM concepts and has been broadened to include a five-day faculty development seminar to educate teachers from all over the country how to use the building of electric guitars to teach STEAM. Specifically, the students use computer aided drafting software to design the guitar, learn how to engineer the electronics, mathematically place the frets and walk away with a brand new electric guitar of their own making and design. The BC3 Fab Lab is designed to support creativity and innovation; dedicated to the use of digital tech-
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nologies to drive the future product development and provides access to sophisticated equipment at a reasonable cost. To learn more, visit http:// www.bc3.edu or visit their Facebook page BC3 Dynamic Guitar Design. Glen Montessori – Believing in individualized learning, in classrooms at The Glen, you see children of different ages working at their own pace with materials that they have chosen. The teachers blend in to the buzz of quiet activity as they take time to assess the children through regular observation. Teachers also make time to present new lessons to children who demonstrate readiness and spend
the curriculum, differentiate lessons, enhance research and strengthen skills in reading, mathematics and writing. Students in third- through eighth-grade receive their own Chromebook. In the fourth-grade classroom, Mrs. Deborah Todd’s students use websites such as accelerated reading and Khan Academy to supplement lessons, provide practice and monitor skills development in reading and math. Each student is encouraged to work at his/ her own pace. Chromebook writing activities are used across the curriculum for research reports and science laboratory data collection and analysis, Bible study, and social studies research. Students look forward to editing, illustrating, completing and presenting assignments in a nearly paperless environment. Students in kindergarten through second-grade use iPad minis to supplement curriculum in a similar way. The strong and consistent use of such advanced technology pushes the students to achieve high academic
levels, while becoming fluent and comfortable in the use of technology. The goal is to use this technology while maintaining Catholic schools’ traditional superiority in critical thinking skills and writing. To learn more, visit www.holysepulcher/school. La Roche College - At La Roche College, students, staff and faculty participated in International Education Week, a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Education, developed as an opportunity to celebrate the importance of international education and student exchange worldwide. As such, La Roche organized a series of events and programs to promote diversity, to raise awareness of international issues and to celebrate their multicultural community. The Office of Global Engagement also collaborated with the La Roche Design Division so that students could learn about (Continued on page 16)
Glen Montessori
one-on-one time supporting children who need a hand. The teacher’s aim is to encourage hands-on, self-directed learning and that accommodates individual mastery and small group collaboration within the classroom community. Established in 1986, The Glen Montessori School is a private, non-profit independent school. The Glen offers infant, toddler, pre-school, kindergarten, and elementary programs, providing a stellar education for children from 8 week old through sixth grade. The Glen Montessori is dedicated to providing an enriching Montessori educational environment where all children are encouraged to grow to their fullest potential. For more information, please call 412-318-4885 Ext. 1. Holy Sepulcher Catholic School – Holy Sepulcher Catholic School teaches students an enriching curriculum with some of the most current technology. Students at Holy Sepulcher use Chromebooks to enrich all areas of www.northernconnectionmag.com
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the Syrian Refugee Crisis. The Refugee Experience event was also incorporated into The La Roche Experience (LRX), a required sequence of courses for all traditional freshmen, sophomores and juniors. LRX introduces students to the Catholic principles of peace and justice, issues of diversity and discrimination, conflict prevention and issues of economic justice. Instructors asked LRX students to come up with an equivalent to 12 million, the estimated number of Syrians affected by the La Roche College conflict, and write down the equivalent on a notecard. Professor Agarwal said, “The goal was to come up with several equivalents to 12 million and visualize them in order to help viewers really understand the enormity of the situation.� The activity included a display of information about refugees and the Syrian Crisis. International Education Week also included presentations and information sessions by The Rukmini Foundation, Global Pittsburgh, the Peace Corps, Eco-Soap Bank and Foundation Bon Samaritan Inc. Other events included Desserts from Around the World and Global Day, a celebration of the cul-
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tures represented in the La Roche student body. To learn more, visit http:// www.laroche.edu. Little Appleseed Learning Center – A caring and nurturing environment for children six weeks to five years old. Little Appleseed realizes that physical activity in the young leads to a lifetime of health and wellness, as well as, being more focused during circle time and classroom time, learning to read, write, count and so much more. Therefore, Little Appleseed has developed an innovative array of both physical and educational activities, both indoor and outdoor. In the indoor gym, children learn motor skills and coordination through soccer, basketball, tricycles, bicycles, hula hoops among much more and in the playground, they have a lawn area for games and sports, a jungle gym, a sandbox, a climber and bike trails for the older children. They also have an innovative curriculum with
Little Appleseed Learning Center
a different monthly theme and weekly subthemes. The Creative Curriculum they use enables creative play and physical activities, while incorporating language and math skills. The focus is to help children develop socially, emotionally, mentally and physically. (Continued on page 18)
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EDUCATION2016 Innovations
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To further emphasize the curriculum, once a month they host an In-School Field Trip, such as visits from the Children’s Museum, Carnegie Science Center, Pittsburgh Zoo, Al Amazing the Magician and many other fun field trips. Little Appleseed also extends their focus on health and wellness to their security measures with individualized codes for approved access only and a strictly nut-free environment for the safety of children with allergies. Conveniently located at 615 Warrendale Road in Gibsonia, Little Appleseed Learning Center is near Rt-19, Rt-79, Rt-910, and Rt-228. To learn more, visit www.littleappleseedlearningcenter.com, or call (724) 6254029 to schedule a tour. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School – OLSH students are getting creative in several of the school’s STREAM courses this year. In Engineering Design and Applications class, students are studying composite
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materials. They began the unit creating small beams out of Laffy Taffy and rice, spaghetti, or Nerds candy. They had to choose their design specifications (e.g. temperature of Laffy Taffy melt), build a mold from aluminum foil and pour the beam. The beams were then tested for load strength and efficiency. Next, the class responded to a design challenge to build a form for a concrete beam and choose a reinforcement material (newspaper, plastic, or metal). The forms were built, concrete was poured, and now they are waiting for the beams to harden completely before load testing. Students in this class are also working on building a contraption to transport a billiard ball a
Our Lady of Sacred Heart High School
specific distance and trigger an audible sound at the end of a specified time. In Advanced Physics students studying rotational motion and torque built mobiles from recycled materials. They had to balance the forces and have the mobile in equilibrium. Students in 3-D Modeling & Engineering Design recently designed and printed balloonpowered cars using the 3D printer, then measured the distance each car traveled. Students in that course are currently working on constructing bridges made of balsa wood and 3D printed connectors; they will determine the load each bridge can sustain when they are completed. To learn more, visit http://www.olsh.org. Saint Alphonsus - St. Alphonsus employs a variety of technology for all teachers to utilize in their classrooms and in their school activities. (Continued on page 20)
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EDUCATION2016 Innovations
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Specifically, • 60 Chromebooks • 32 iPads • 16 laptops • Computer lab with 30 Macs • All teachers have a Mac on their desktop that is connected to a SmartBoard in the classroom as well as one or two student Macs in the classroom • All teachers also have a Chromebook for planning activities In computer class, students learn to be good Digital Citizens and be safe and responsible online. The students all learn about hardware and software at the appropriate level. They also cover word processing skills, spreadsheets, presentation and desktop publishing skills. Students learn to type with the proper fingering beginning in kindergarten. Eighth grade is learning what to consider when buying a computer - they even have a budget. St. Alphonsus also utilizes the Code.Org
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Saint Alphonsus
Curriculum to introduce coding through coding concepts and offline and online activities. Students also participate in the Hour of Code initiative which used Star Wars and Minecraft to excite the children about Computer Science and programming. The seventh grade uses Chromebooks in both English and reading classes. Once writing assignments are submitted, the teacher is able to use the comment portion of the program to leave feedback to the students (suggestions, errors, etc.). They then were able to correct and resubmit via
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Google Docs. Students also share documents amongst each other allowing them to peer review easily. In reading, students were able to use their google accounts to create their own websites. The new school newspaper The Flame uses the Chromebooks to edit and share articles that students compose. Students are using Print Shop 2 to create the layout of the newspaper. To learn more, visit http://stals.org. Saint Bonaventure Parish School – At St. Bonaventure, students make service a year-round commitment. “We strive to instill stewardship in all of our students, from the youngest preschoolers to our soon-to-be high school students,” said St. Bonaventure principal Jacqueline Easley. The parochial school even offers a Service Club for students, who actively seek opportunities to help those less fortunate. Most recently, students throughout the school collected more than 720 food, personal care and paper products for
the Little Sisters of the Poor, a North Side organization whose mission is to care for and feed approximately 100 elderly low-income residents, along with scores of staff members. This year marked the school’s fifteenth year of giving to the Little Sisters’ annual food drive, which helps to sustain the organization into spring. In third grade, one little girl inspired her fellow students to make 17 shoeboxes filled with toys, school supplies and personal hygiene items for poor children around the world through the Operation
Saint Bonaventure
Christmas Child program. The thirdgraders plan to track the destination country of their packages. In addition, “A toy drive is now underway to benefit North Hills Community Outreach,” said Easley, noting that it’s perfectly normal to have an active service project every month. Sometimes the projects even overlap. Throughout the year, students participate in a variety of service activities, including nursing home visits, monetary collections for worthy organizations, food, coat and toy drives and other volunteer opportunities. To learn more, visit http://www. stbonaventureparish.org. Saint James School – Saint James School has developed an innovative new program to teach and inspire virtues. The Saint James School faculty and administration felt that the values of the Catholic faith needed to be assimilated into the overall school efforts in regards to bullying. The school principal attended a session at the National Catholic Education Association convention where the book, Virtue-Based Restorative Discipline by Lynne M. Lang was pre(Continued on page 22)
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sented. In the introduction to the book it states: Welcome to a spiritual approach to disciplining that cultivates virtue and provides a rich foundation for fostering faith……. Based on the book, the faculty and administration developed a PEACE PLAN. It is based on the definition taken from the book: A Virtue is a Holy Habit that Imitates God. One virtue was chosen to be the umbrella theme: KINDNESS. Walls of kindness were created on each floor that reflected the students’ commitment to live out the virtue of kindness every day. Each quarter, a new virtue is chosen and ways for the students to Saint James School put the virtue into practice are discussed. A description of the virtue is created and discussed through scripture and how a virtue looks in regards to ones actions. During the last quarter, a group of 7th and 8th graders became our Peacemaker representatives for the school. They gathered poems, started writing stories about how to be kind to one another, and created a PowerPoint
presentation which discussed how to be a good friend. The Peacemakers first presentation was about the difference between bullying and a conflict. To learn more, visit http:// www.stjamesschool.us. Saint Sebastian – One of the major objectives of Saint Sebastian School is to teach students to be independent thinkers and problems solvers. Each student is given the opportunity for written and oral presentations from the earliest grades. They present at the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science, the Science Bowl, the Crusader Quiz Bowl or the English Festival at Duquesne University. Opportunities for written creativity are offered through the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers and publication in Creative Communications. The forensics team won first place against 20 other teams in the Diocesan Finals Tournament. Students in the 7th and 8th grades have a STEM class in addition to regular science class, 8th graders build robotic hands for prosthetics and 7th graders construct a three-floor elevator that can stop at each floor. Service is a part of the daily life at Saint Sebastian. A few of the service projects Saint Sebastian include: Collecting canned goods for the Saint Sebastian Parish food pantry. Raising monies for the World Health Organization to purchase nets for mosquito protection in Africa. Collecting new slippers, stuffed animals, books and gifts for the long term patients for Children’s Hospital and delivered them to the hospital. Students also support an orphanage in Poland. Students also collect personal care items that are packaged into individual kits and given to the homeless in Pittsburgh. Other service projects included colleting funds that were given to local health and social services such as HEARTH, Genesis House, Make A Wish Foundation and a mission in Chimbote Peru. To learn more, visit http://www.saintsebastianparish.org Saint Ursula School – The activities at Saint Ursula School are all going strong and teach a variety of academic and social skills: The robotics team the Robovikings all did a great job at a recent tournament where the students participated in 3 rounds of the table game, and by the 3rd round, they improved their score to 351 points--which is over 100 points more than they earned at the tournament 2 weeks ago! Congrats to the 2015 Robovikings for breaking the school record! For the Pop Song Parody, contest, the team came in 2nd place out of 7! During the Christmas season, the first graders at St. Ursula School received firsthand experience as they use edible materials to create their gingerbread houses. A fun and delicious activity, making and (Continued on page 24)
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decorating gingerbread houses encourages a variety of interests such as becoming a future architect, engineer or pastry chef! A favorite social activity is their annual Cookies with Santa and is a beloved tradition at St. Ursula. Students in 7th and 8th grade created the games and were there to run them too. Santa was there to meet the kids and have
Saint Ursula School
a cookie or two. This day is fun for the young children and for the older students who help. They even have some alumni helping! To learn more about these and their variety of fun and interesting activities, visit http://www. stursulaschool.org. Â Be sure and look for more Innovations in the Classroom in our February 2016 issue! If you are implementing an innovative program, lesson, or extra-curricular activity, be sure and let us know by emailing NorthCon@ consolidated.net or calling (724) 9402444. F
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School Movers & Shakers North Allegheny The North Allegheny School District was ranked as the 7th Best School District in America by the 2016 Niche K-12 National Ranking, up from #9 in last year’s ranking. North Allegheny Senior High students Julia Maruca and Mehrnaz Tiv had their creative writing pieces selected for publication in the 2015 Ralph Munn Creative Writing Anthology. In addition, Mehrnaz was awarded 2nd place in the screenwriting category. North Allegheny Senior High student Gabe Ren was a top four semi-finalist in the 32nd Annual Blue Key Speech and Debate tournament held Oct. 30-Nov. 1, at the University of Florida. North Allegheny School District is the recipient of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Safe Sports School First Team award for its Athletic Department. North Allegheny School District announced that their senior high school has been selected as a 2016 GRAMMY Signature Semifinalist. Only 119 high schools from across the country were chosen for this honor. North Allegheny athletic director, Bob Bozzuto will be the recipient of the Pennsylvania Athletic Director Association’s Robert Buckanavage Citation during the association’s conference in March.
program provides child-friendly, single-serving snacks and easily prepared meals for students in need. This year’s Shaler Area Backpack Initiative has grown to serve 250 children. Shaler Area student athletes mentor younger students in Team Up for Success. The new program brings Shaler Area High School student athletes into primary school classrooms to mentor and tutor students.
Seneca Valley Seneca Valley is one of 425 school district in the U.S. and Canada being honored by the College Board with placement on the 6th Annual AP® District Honor Roll for increasing access to advanced placement (AP) course work while simultaneously maintain or increasing the percentage of students earning scores of 3 or higher on AP exams. In December, the Seneca Valley School District sponsored Neighbors for Neighbors non-profit which delivered hundreds of gifts for economically disadvantaged children. Seneca Valley families filled over 150 wish lists.
Shaler Area Shaler Area varsity athletes organized a food drive to benefit district Backpack Initiative. This
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Hampton
Mars Area
The Hampton High School Competitive Cheerleading Team took first place in the small varsity division at the Pennsylvania State Cheerleading Championships. The competition was held at Indiana University of Pennsylvania on November 21. The team also won grand champions in the AAA high school division.
The following Mars Area High School students received the Butler County Area VocationalTechnical School Principal’s List Award for the first nine weeks of school. They are – Kylie Concelman, Morgan Double, Robert Gall, Tyler Marchese, Allison Bruce, Sarah Harris, Griffin Kinter-Keyser, Alyssa Streb, Thomas Zimmerman, Lauren Dietrich, Elias Manjerovic, Clayton Merriman, Tayler Paga and Robert Samarin.
The Hampton Township Board of School Directors has started the search for a new superintendent. Dr. John Hoover, the district’s current superintendent is planning to retire at the conclusion of this school year.
Fox Chapel The Fox Chapel Area School District held their 26th annual telethon on Dec. 23. This year’s event raised funds for Live Like Lou. It was initiated by two parents in the district to help ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) patients and their families in Western Pennsylvania.
Mars Area senior Bridget Merten signed a letter of intent committing to join the Lakers Women’s Golf Team at Mercyhurst University in Erie. Two Mars Area students, Zach Leachman and Maddie Gagnon placed in the 2015 USA Track & Field (USATF) Region 2 Junior Olympics Cross Country Championships held Nov. 22 held in North Chili, N.Y.
Eric DiTullio, Seneca Valley School Board president, has been appointed to the Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV (MIU4) Board of Directors. He replaces Mr. Robert Hill, a now-retired Seneca Valley School Board Member, who left the role earlier this year.
Pine-Richland
The Pine-Richland School Board reorganized on Dec. 7. The board unanimously elected Dr. Jeffrey Banyas as president and Greg DiTullio as vice president.
a result, her school donated food and toiletry items to Gleanor’s Food Bank.
The Fox Chapel Area Board of School Director held their reorganization meeting on Dec. 1. Terry L. Wirginis was elected president. Nancy B. Foster was elected vice president. Sandra M. Garbisch was reelected assistant secretary.
Fox Chapel Area High School senior Emily Kiehn signed her letter of intent to row at Temple University.
Haine Middle School is a registered Litter Free School Zone through Keep America Beautiful. As an active participant, fifth grade gifted Environmental Science students collected three bags of trash and three bags of recyclables on Nov. 16. Addison McLane, a third grade student at Rowan Elementary School initiated a PB&J Fund. As
Abby Pitcairn, a sophomore and member of the Fox Chapel Area Field Hockey Team, was named to the USA Women’s Indoor National Team. Abby competed in the 4 Nations Field Hockey Tournament in December. The Fox Chapel Area School District and one of its teachers, Mairi Cooper were named national winners in the Mir Transcendence Education Project.
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Several members of the Mars Area High School Band performed at the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) District 5 Honors Band Festival. The performers were – Riley Funk, Zach Kowalewski, Katie Olsen, Claire Staresinic, Sydney Weiland, Michelle Manukas, Larson Scheller, Dustin Bauer, Jenna Halenda and Jacob Smith.
Four members of Mars Area High School Girls Varsity Soccer team are listed among the best soccer players in the region. They are: Erin Posey, Emily Scaletta, Tori Kopchak and Amber Lisman. Mars Area School District was named to the sixth annual College Board AP (Advanced Placement) District Honor Roll. Mars Area School Board reorganized for 2015. Its members are – Dayle Ferguson, Rebecca S. Brown, Steve B. Boggs, Rita Dorsch, John L. Kennedy, Gordon Marburger, Christine Valenta, Bonnie L. Weaver and Dr. William G. Pettigrew.
St. Ursula Band Students in the Northern Area auditioned for the April Honors Band Concert at CWNC. Five St. Ursula students will be among those honored. Congratulations to Maya Bianco, Annessa Donato, Adam Larson,
Anna Norman, and Hannah Valenty who will be among the 100 students performing. Oakland Catholic High School participated in the Hour of Code on Wednesday, Dec. 9.
St. Gregory
Providence Heights Alpha School Providence Heights Alpha School Alphabots robotics team finished in the top three in the Western PA First Lego League scrimmage. The Grand Championship will be held at La Roche College on Jan. 9.
For the second year in a row, Saint Gregory School in Zelienople finished on top with their donation of $5,859.76 to Project Bundle-Up. This event is held in conjunction with the Salvation Army and WTAE-TV which provides winter outerwear for area children and seniors.
St. Vincent College
La Roche College La Roche College student celebrated International Education Week on Nov. 16 to 20. La Roche College graphic design students partnered with the office of Mayor Bill Peduto. The team developed designs for the Welcoming Pittsburgh Initiative.
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Dr. Thomas Gessner
Christopher Gessner
Thomas P. Gessner, M.D., a 1964 graduate of Saint Vincent (Continued on page 28)
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College, lifelong physician, hospital medical director and the president of Latrobe Area Hospital Charitable Foundation was recently honored. Gessner was conferred with an honorary doctor of science degree. His son Christopher A. Gessner, president of Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC and Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic was the principal speaker at the Dec. 19 commencement ceremony. Dr. Matthew A. Fisher, associate professor of chemistry in the Herbert W. Boyer School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Computing at Saint Vincent College, was presented with the Thoburn Excellence in Teaching Award.
Saint Vincent College inducted four freshmen as Fred Rogers Scholars at the fifth annual dinner. The inductees were – Carly Rimel, Sydney Schoff, Michaela Yonto and Kyle Ward.
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Dr. Tina Phillips Johnson, associate professor of history at Saint Vincent College and director of Chinese studies has been named to the advisory council of the MidAtlantic Regional Association for Asian Studies (MARAAS). Dr. Catherine Petrany, assistant professor of theology at Saint Vincent College is the author of a new book, Pedagogy, Prayer and Praise: The Wisdom of the Psalms and Psalter.
Dr. Tina Phillips Johnson
The Masters of Science in Management: Dr. Catherine Operational Excellence Petrany (MSMOE) program at Saint Vincent College’s Alex G. McKenna School of Business, Economics and Government was ranked as a Top 50 Best Value Master’s in Management program by ValueColleges.com. In addition, a student-faculty research collaboration was accepted for publication in an academic journal. A day-long observance will be held at Saint Vincent College on Jan. 18 on national Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It will feature a memorial Mass and guest speaker Ruby Nell Sales.
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COVER STORY
Make YOUR Mark! Mark YOUR World
How will you make your mark on the world? What path will you go down? Will you choose medicine? Law? Economics? Education? These questions may seem overwhelming to students who are just about to enter high school; however, Vincentian Academy can help with the answers through innovative academic course selections, 12:1 student/ faculty ratio, and collaborative learning environments that encourage students to explore opportunities for life after high school. “Vincentian Academy is the perfect choice for students who are looking for an education that stimulates thinking, identifies strengths and talents, and promotes academic, personal and professional success,” says Lauren Petricig, Vincentian Academy school counselor, who advises each student regarding their own personal educational path.
Mark YOUR Direction
Vincentian Academy students are on a four-year journey that enables them to investigate education and career options. Class after class, year after year, students are able to navigate the best route possible to achieve their desired goals, whether it be through the Academy’s highly regarded college preparatory course of study, or its International Baccalaureate program which is the only one offered by a Catholic high school in southwestern Pennsylvania. What is an IB Diploma? It is a challenging educational program for a community of schools worldwide, who aim to create a greater, more peaceful world. Whatever the choice, students acquire the knowledge, confidence and conviction to excel beyond what they thought possible.
Mark YOUR Environment
Vincentian Academy students learn in a faith-filled environment which welcomes diversity and incorporates the spirit and charisma of Saints Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac. A ministry of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, Vincentian Academy is more than a Catholic high school. It is a Catholic community of learners and educators who seek to inspire, involve, and incite positive change to the world. As such, Vincentian Academy students are empowered to make a difference, the core of their own successful futures. “Our students thrive in the Academy’s positive learning environment. Exceptional teaching coupled with intellectual learning produces the best and brightest young women and men in the region--our future leaders of the world,” added Petricig.
Mark YOUR Future
With an excellent education under their belts, Vincentian Academy students are able to enroll in the college or university of their choice: they have the option to choose exactly where they want to go and exactly what they want to study. The Academy’s outstanding academic reputation and stellar athletic programs makes its students very attractive to top-notch institutions of higher learning. Furthermore, the return-on-investment is well worth the expense: Vincentian Academy’s Classes of 2013, 2014, and 2015 were each offered over $8 million in academic scholarships and awards, and, in the last two years, eight Vincentian Academy students were accepted and now attend the University of Notre Dame. Vincentian Academy’s Class of 2015 enrolled in 40 different colleges and ranked among the highest in the nation in SAT and ACT scores.
Mark YOUR Time
When it comes to your future, the time is now. Students who attend Vincentian Academy already have a “pre-requisite” for college admittance: Vincentian Academy is proud of the 100% college acceptance rate for the past 11 years. Students who mark their time at Vincentian Academy are destined to become great achievers, as witnessed by our graduates who are doctors, teachers, scientists, entrepreneurs, professional athletes, designers, bankers, pharmacists, nurses, accountants, but most importantly, some of the most well-rounded, morally sound, faith-filled individuals in the world.
Mark YOUR Calendar
Prospective students for FALL 2016 should register for Vincentian Academy’s Entrance Exam which is scheduled for Monday, January 18 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. There is open enrollment for transfer students and the application process is fast and easy. All new and transfer students should email admissions@vincentianacademy.org. Vincentian Academy’s Winter Open House is scheduled for Sunday, January 24 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Vincentian Academy…an Exceptional Catholic High School in the Heart of the North Hills. www.northernconnectionmag.com
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EDUCATION2016
Very early in life, children show that they are naturally fascinated by engineering; they just don’t know it yet! Think about our earliest toys. We built things, tore them apart, and rebuilt them in different, and sometimes, innovative ways. For this reason it is easy to see how Montessori and engineering go hand-in-hand!
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t the Montessori Centre Academy in Glenshaw, our fifth graders are presented a unit called an Introduction to Engineering: Invention and Innovations. This unit culminates with a project we like to call “The Shark Tank Project.” It has grown to become one of several annual projects that Montessori students look forward to as they advance from grade to grade. Sixth grader Baylin Bitar said, “I loved doing this project because I came up with something that could really solve a problem.” Many of the inventions and innovations over the years are memorable. How about a single hanger
that holds an entire outfit including socks, under-garments, and accessories, or a shopping cart attachment that uses your shopping list to map out the route through the store in the quickest possible time?
BRAINSTORMING and RESEARCH:
The students use the engineering design process and begin by brainstorming problems to create an innovation. Is there anything like this out there and, if there is, how I make this innovation different, or better?
DESIGN:
Next, we use cardboard and craft materials to create or design a model, and for the kids, this is the most fun! Montessori students working with their hands to physically assemble what they’ve envisioned in their minds. In real life it is just cardboard and junk, but in their minds they are creating the next new trend! By this time the students are ‘all in’; they are totally engaged in the project.
MENTORING and MATH:
Sixth grade students, who completed this project last year, will now come and join in to mentor and assist the fifth graders on how to improve their project. They will troubleshoot with them, and help them evaluate the design, and make suggestions on how to market and valuation of this invention. According to sixth grader Ashton Ragoowansi, “the business side that was applied was extremely fun, where we learned about royalties, stocks, and controlled percentages.” The sixth graders now get to teach this concept to the fifth graders in a method Montessorians call cooperative learning.
PRESENTATION – Welcome to the Tank:
Prototype building mentored by sixth graders
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Keeping with the Shark Tank theme, our students will now present their innovation to the sharks (our sixth graders, teachers, and administrators), who will then ‘mock invest’ in the students’ project. It has a real feel, just like the TV show, the music plays, the lights are low – this is their moment to shine! There is a flood of benefits to introducing engineering concepts at the elementary school level, preparing them
Building the prototypes
for 21st Century careers, building skills in physics and logic, engaging students in real world learning, just to name a few. STEM education, which is the latest buzz among education professionals, stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. STEM learning creates cross-curriculum projects that inject experiences with the concepts. Hands on learning isn’t anything new for Montessori, but at Montessori Centre Academy the teachers are consistently learning how to combine Montessori philosophy, brain-based teaching methodology, and cutting edge technology to create an unmatched blend of educational experiences for their students. F About the author: Rachel Sams has many years of experience teaching technology and computers to both children and adults. Combining her undergraduate Elementary Education degree and her Masters in Technology Education and STEM Education, she developed the curriculum to teach first through sixth grade at The Montessori Centre Academy in Glenshaw, PA for the past six years. www.montessoricentreacademy.com
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EDUCATION2016
Saint Alexis School Bolst It’s all the rage to claim that students in a particular school will be presented with a curriculum that supports a STEM – science, technology, engineering and math – model. Sciences and math are crucial components to education. But they are not the only important aspects of a well-rounded curriculum model. At Saint Alexis School in Wexford the integration of STREAM – science, technology, reading and religion, engineering, art and math – encompasses all areas of education needed to succeed in high school and beyond.
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he STREAM model is not new for private and especially Catholic elementary schools,” Saint Alexis principal Jim Correll explains. “We have been incorporating all of these elements since our inception more than 50 years ago. But we’re more vocal about it now because it’s important for parents and prospective families to understand that we offer the traditional STEM fields of study and more. We haven’t lost sight of the importance of developing excellent readers, writers and communicators, exploring the artistic sides of our students and sharing the importance of our faith.” Just in the past two to three years, Saint Alexis School faculty have continued to refine offerings within the science and math departments and have created several extra-curricular programs to bridge the gap between the primary and middle school programs. For example, the after-school robotics program is open to students from kindergarten through eighth grade. The upper grades are working with robotics and mechanics, and the younger students have been presented with tasks to create specific items from Lego parts including the traditional bricks, wheels, windows, etc. Eighth-grade students help monitor the younger students’ progress on a weekly basis, which provides not only a way to foster a relationship among the older and younger students but also gives the younger students an opportunity to learn from their more experienced counterparts. Another refinement in the science program is the addition of fifth-grade students preparing and executing an independent, fully researched science fair project. The fifth graders, as well as sixth- through eighth-grade students, create their questions, collect background information, form hypotheses and perform and analyze a testable experiment. The younger students are
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held to the same criteria as their older middle school colleagues and are judged as part of the science fair on their standard tri-fold board presentation and individual interviews with the judges. Several sixth- through eighth-grade projects are then selected to continue to the Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair where their work competes against more than 1,000 other middle and high school students. The science fairs and robotics programs along with the school’s participation in the National Fluid Power Association Hydraulic Challenge and Future City competitions are just a few examples of how the traditional STEM model works at Saint Alexis. For those students who prefer a different challenge and are more reading, religion and arts focused, Saint Alexis also participates in the annual English Festival, and the school’s Forensics team competes in the Southwestern Pennsylvania Forensics League. The school annually sends a participant to the Diocesan Spelling Bee, and the eighth-grade students routinely submit entries into the Roberto Clemente writing contest sponsored by the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 2014, a Saint Alexis student wrote the winning entry. The concentration on creative writing doesn’t begin in middle school. Elementary language arts teachers begin submitting their third- and fourth-grade writing projects to programs and contests both locally and nationally. Making the STREAM model work for as long as it has at Saint Alexis would be impossible without the commitment of the administration and faculty. Support for education on all fronts cannot be accomplished without the combined decades of teaching experience at the school. The faculty boasts three Pittsburgh diocesan Golden Apple teachers – Mrs. Kim Van
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ers STREAM Curriculum Kooten in kindergarten, Mrs. Mary Smolter in middle school math and social studies, and the most-recent addition, the 2015 Golden Apple awardee Mrs. Nicole Maxwell in middle school language arts. The faculty works together with middle school science and math teachers coordinating programs with kindergarten and other primary grades. In addition to working across grade levels, cross-curricular units are established in the middle school in the areas of social studies and language arts with units on The Holocaust and the Medieval era among others. “It’s a balance of traditional and innovative,” Principal Correll says. “Our teachers are constantly looking for new ways to present material to the students. Learning about the Holocaust is one thing, but to experience it in more depth is another, which is why we now take our eighth-grade students to The Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., to complete the interdisciplinary unit. It’s an emotional, thought-provoking finish to an intense subject.” The difference between a public school touting a STREAM curriculum and a Catholic school is one of the “Rs” in the acronym. Religion does play a significant role in the daily life of a Saint Alexis School student. Established not just as a private school option more than five decades ago, Saint Alexis adheres firmly to its Catholic tradition. Students, faculty and staff pray together several times a day beginning with morning announcements and ending with a final prayer before the first child is dismissed from the building. Students as young as first grade lead and participate in the weekly Mass. By having exceptionally young students fulfill roles as readers and gift bearers during Mass, the children learn not only the importance of participation but also these roles build confidence at a young age. When they are reading in front of their peers, parents and other parishioners at the age of seven, they are learning that that they are able to accomplish anything. STEM and STREAM curriculum models vary by school districts and individual schools. But Saint Alexis School has maintained its commitment to the STREAM philosophy since its founding. Along the way, teachers and administrators have tweaked and modified as times have necessitated, but a Saint Alexis Catholic School education delivers excellence in all facets – science, technology, reading, religion, engineering, the arts and math. F
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STUDENT OF THE MONTH
T.J. Nicotra BY PAULA GREEN
Pine-Richland High School senior T.J. Nicotra was recently awarded the Pittsburgh Rotary Student of Distinction. He is actively involved with several of the school’s extracurricular activities.
“I
have been in AFJROTC for the past four years. I have participated in rocketry, the awareness presentation team, drill team, inspection team, color guard and volleyball. I have served as the human resources shop chief, public relations shop chief, Raider team commander and unit commander. I currently serve as the senior assistant to the senior aerospace instructor, and have com-
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pleted over 150 hours of community service,” noted T.J. “Through the AFJROTC, I have participated in Mountaineer Cadet Officer Leadership School, one of the most prestigious summer leadership schools in the country. I attended this school three times, completing each course of study basic, advanced and cadre. Last summer, I interviewed for and earned the position of MCOLS deputy core commander and was in charge of over 250 cadets for the week,” T.J. added. For the past four years, T.J. has been a member of Pine-Richland’s marching band where he plays the trumpet. This year he served as the equipment manager, in charge of the brass equipment. For 14 years, T.J. has also been involved with Pine-Richland Baseball Softball Association. He played on the school’s Men’s Varsity volleyball team but was side-lined last season with an ankle injury. Even though he was injured, he still participated as a coach’s assistant and scorekeeper. He hopes to be more involved this upcoming season. T.J. was honored to receive the Student of Distinction award. As he states, “I am very grateful to have been selected by the Pittsburgh Rotary and I am extremely thankful to have been nominated. The AFJROTC core values of integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do, have led me to the point that I am today and I can’t thank Chief Gasparetto and Major Morrison enough for instilling them in me.” Outside of school, T.J. is a member of Saint Richard’s Life Teen group. He
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Photo courtesy of Nikki Leigh Knox photography
(From l to r) - Al Wells, Tim Nicotra, Jen Nicotra, T.J. Nicotra and Michael Gasparetto
has played on their softball team for the past few years. This past summer he was chosen as one of two players to represent the parish team in the Diocese All-Star Game. He also works at Harvest Valley Farm Market. T.J. resides in Richland Township with his parents Tim and Jennifer and his three younger siblings – Alec, 16; Lily, 15 and Gianna, 10. He enjoys fishing and hunting. T.J. plans on majoring in Criminology and Military history. He was accepted to Valley Forge Military College, but is still applying to other service academies. He plans to pursue a career in the U.S. military. F
Want to stick to your New Year’s resolution? You’ll need three things. A realistic goal. A Plan. Nothing complicated, just a straightforward outline of the steps needed to achieve your goal. A Team. Moral support and people to actively aid you on your journey.
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ith these, you will achieve your goal. Without them, you are bound to fail. These three elements are the foundation of the Rothrock’s approach at Rothrock’s Kung Fu & Tai Chi FiveStar Martial Arts Academy. The first thing that they’ll ask when you walk in the door is “why?” Maybe not just like that, but “why” is the first step towards solidifying your goal. If you’re not sure why, don’t worry, they help you figure it all out. If you don’t have a plan, that’s okay, they do. Need a high-intensity workout for weight loss? They have a plan for that. Need a gentle, lowimpact exercise for balance and joint health? They have a plan for that. And if your child needs focus, discipline, and self-control, they have a plan for that as well. Whether you practice Kung Fu, Tai Chi, or are the proud parent of a little dragon student, they work with you every step of the way; they are your team. For more information, visit http:// www.rothrockskungfu.com or call (412) 259-3791 for a location nearest you. F
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Shady Side Academy: Shine Brighter Shady Side Academy is a nationally respected private school for boys and girls in grades PK-12, with an optional boarding experience in high school. Three age-specific campuses with extraordinary resources, teachers who actively mentor, a forward-thinking curriculum, a diverse and inclusive community, and a legacy of alumni accomplishments all inspire Shady Side students to high achievement in academics, the arts and athletics, and to meaningful ambitions in life.
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o meet the needs of children at every life stage, Shady Side Academy is set on three unique campuses. The seven-acre Junior School (PK-5) is in Point Breeze, while the 35-acre Middle School (6-8) and 130-acre Senior School (9-12) are in Fox Chapel. At Shady Side, there is a balanced approach to education with a commitment to students’ academic, physical and emotional development. Putting that approach into action is a caring faculty dedicated to fostering a true love of learning in students. The academic program provides a challenging, yet nurturing, atmosphere that encourages inquiry, questioning, self-determination and creativity. Teachers urge students to think expansively, read deeply and stretch ideas broadly – helping them to develop into critical thinkers who can write analytically and speak confidently. Small class sizes encourage a strong sense of community. Technology is integrated throughout PK-12 classrooms, including a 1:1 iPad program in grades 5-8.
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Shady Side’s passionate teachers set high expectations for students, pushing and challenging them to reach their full potential. They serve as coaches and advisors, building strong, authentic relationships with students that last a lifetime. Faculty members are leaders in their fields, and 63% hold advanced degrees. Arts and athletics are an integral part of the curriculum. Music, visual and performing arts are intertwined into all levels of learning, and students are encouraged to explore an array of athletic options and find the sport or activity best for them. Extracurricular activities and clubs support students’ diverse interests. The Academy’s Guiding Principles of honesty, kindness, responsibility, respect and safety form the foundation of a strong character education program. Students are engaged in meaningful service learning projects in all grades to cultivate the value of giving back to the community. Both programs ensure that Shady Side graduates are not only out-
Northern Connection | January 2016 www.northernconnectionmag.com
standing scholars, but also good citizens. Senior School students refine critical thinking, writing and analytical skills that distinguish them in the college search, while three full-time college counselors support them through the process. SSA enjoys a 100% college matriculation rate, and 58% of 2015 graduates attend schools ranked among the Top 50 universities and colleges by U.S. News & World Report. The Senior School offers five- and seven-day boarding options. Boarders benefit from greater access to school resources and learn responsibility and independence in a supervised setting, which prepares them for a smooth transition to college. With small classes, individual attention and a rigorous curriculum, Shady Side Academy prepares students to shine brighter in all that they do. To learn more or schedule a personal tour, call (412) 968-3180 or email admissions@shadysideacademy.org. Or visit SSA’s online admissions viewbook at www.ShineAtShadySide.org. F
2016 Education Directory Aquinas Academy of Pittsburgh aquinasacademy.info 724-444-0722
A.W. Beattie
Beattietech.com 412-366-2800
Butler County Community College (BC3) BC3.edu 724-772-5520
The Campus School of Carlow University Campusschool.carlow.edu 412-578-6158
Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School Cwnchs.org 412-321-4823
Carlow University Carlow.edu 412-578-6000
Chatham University chatham.edu 412-365-1100
Cynthia’s School of Dance cynthiasschoolofdance.com 412-367-3330
Eden Christian Academy Berkeley Hills Campus Edenchristianacademy.org
Eden Christian Academy Wexford Campus Edenchristianacademy.org 724-935-9301
Eden Christian Academy Mt. Nebo Campus Edenchristianacademy.org 412-741-2825
The Glen Montessori School Glenmontessori.org 412-318-4885
Saint Joseph High School saintjosephhs.com 724-226-4932
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart
Saint Mary of the Assumption Catholic School
olsh.org 412-264-5140
Stmaryglenshaw.org 412-486-7611
Pittsburgh Christian Schools Pittsburghchristianschools.net
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
Alphaschool.org
stpaulsumc.com 412-486-7006
Quigley Catholic High School
St. Sebastian School
Qchs.org 724-869-2188
saintsebastianparish.org 412-364-7171
Rothrock’s Kung Fu
Saint Teresa of Avila School
Rothrockskungfu.com 724-940-0120
saintteresas.org 412-367-9001
Royal Oak Nursery School & Kindergarten
Saint Ursula
royaloaksch.com 412-487-1668
stursulaschool.org 412-486-5511
Saint Alexis Catholic School
Sewickley Academy
Stalexisschool.org 724-935-3940
Sewickley.org 412- 741-2230
St. Alphonsus School
Shady Side Academy
stals.org 724-935-1152
SSAexcel.org 412-968-3206
Montessori Centre Academy
Saint Bonaventure Parish School
Tender Care Learning Centers
montessoricentreacademy.com (412) 486-6239
Stbonaventureparish.org 412-486-2606
Montessori Children’s Community
Saint Gregory School
Montessorichildrens community.org 412-741-8982
stgregzelie.org (724) 452-9731
Oakland Catholic
Saint James School
Grove City College Gcc.edu 724-458-2100
Holy Family Academy Hfa-pgh.org 412-307-0230
Holy Sepulcher Catholic School holysepulcher.org/school 724-586-5022
LaRoche College
laroche.edu 412-536-1260 1 800-838-4572
Little Appleseed Learning Center littleappleseed learningcenter.com 724-625-4029
Oaklandcatholic.org 412- 682-6633
Providence Heights Alpha School
Stjamesschool.us 412-741-5540
www.northernconnectionmag.com
Educationpros.org Wexford 724-934-0411 Cranberry 724-772-0598 McCandless 412-367-3269 Hampton 412-486-5510
Vincentian Academy
Vincentianacademy.org 412-364-1616 ext. 123 412-364-8055
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EDUCATION2016
STARTING THE CONVERSATION
Technology, Children and Social Skills BY MARIANNE REID ANDERSON
T
he avalanche of Internet, hand-held phones and devices and social websites has altered the way all of us, young and old interact with each other on a daily basis. Experts from around the world are examining how this shift is effecting our social skills, particularly with regards to children. Ultimately, the experts say that parents need to monitor their children’s online time to make sure that it is not too long and definitely not without supervision of where exactly their children are spending their time on the Internet and with whom. But it seems to me this is not without some inherent difficulties. After all, how many of our own rules do we break? I am embarrassed to say how many times I have caught myself texting at the dinner table, checking my texts at red lights, and trying to hold a verbal conversation with a friend or colleague while texting. Having multiple conversations at once is productive, efficient, addictive and very, very rude. One thing I do know, is that the “do as I say, not as I do” rule has never worked and never will work but can we honestly go back to a simpler time? How do we set boundaries and make dedicated face time for one-on-one relationships without slighting everyone else we are connected to? One rule that is gaining popularity is that instead of money for chores, children earn “digital time” on any device they choose. For example, cleaning their room or unloading the dishwasher might earn your children 15 – 30 minutes on their gaming system. Which may work for children, but what should we, as adults, do to maintain our social skills? But, as always, what do you think? Let’s continue the conversation on my blog at http://northernconnectionmagazine.blogspot.com or email me at NorthCon@consolidated.net. F
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Preparing the Future Workforce
W
hat happens when a new state-of-the-art high school starts a program to focus on preparing the future workforce? – Great things! During the Fall of 2015, with a generous grant from the Heinz Endowments, Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School created the Career Development Program. Under the guidance of Jennifer Parsons, Program Manager, CWNC began several initiatives aimed at increasing career exploration and self-awareness for the entire high school, beginning in 9th grade. One of the initiatives is the “My Path” Speaker Series, in which a specific career area is the focus and speakers are brought in from various companies to discuss their current position and how they got there. Recently, a business speaker panel consisted of several people (including a few North Catholic alumni) discussing their roles in such companies as HBK CPAs & Consultants, IBM, Paycor, and PNC Bank. The panel members also discussed how they manage the work/life balance, how helpful internships can be, and how important it is to give back. On November 19, Gene Natali, author of The Missing Semester, encouraged students to start thinking about how making good financial decisions at a young age can impact the rest of their lives, specifically when it comes to retirement. All students received a copy of his book. Another initiative piloted by the program is field trips to local companies where students can get hands-on experience in a realworld setting and be able to ask questions directly to employees on the job. The goal is to couple these field trips with a same-day visit to a local educational institution to bring the experience full circle. “This program has the potential to support and advance industry and economic development in the greater Pittsburgh area for years to come,” stated Luke Crawford, principal of CWNC. “We are excited to be at the forefront of this initiative. As part of our mission as a Catholic school, we are proud to offer these opportunities to a wide range of students from diverse backgrounds and various academic levels.” In order to help with career research and growth, students will also be expected to create a Career Action Plan that will be monitored throughout their entire high school experience. These plans will be used to aid students in the following areas: determining what starting salaries are, what majors are suitable for their career interest, researching school cost of attendance, attending miniworkshops, learning self-awareness and etiquette skills, drafting resumes and cover letters, and taking part in job shadowing opportunities and a mock interview. According to Jen, “Too many students get to their senior year and simply are not sure what they want to do. It can be overwhelming and intimidating at seventeen and eighteen to make these decisions, so our focus is to expose students to as many careers as we can to help them narrow down choices and become confident in their decisions upon graduation.” Our goal is to develop this program with local companies and employers in order to create a vast network of resources available to all students at CWNC. F
Northern Connection | January 2016 www.northernconnectionmag.com
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Northern Connection | January 2016
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Lose 30 lbs. in 30 Days up to
and Keep it Off with Dr. Vactor’s Innovative Weight Loss Program! Reach Your Goal for the New Year
Jen S., Pittsburgh PA Lost 47 lbs.
Tammy T., Cranberry Twp. PA Lost 48 lbs.
H
as your weight loss plateaued? Do you eat right and exercise but the scale doesn’t move? Is your metabolism slowing due to middle age or over-eating? Are you having health-related issues due to your weight? Feeling aggravated, frustrated and helpless every time you get on the scale? With Dr. Michael Vactor’s innovative weight loss program, you can lose up to 30 lbs. in 30 days and learn to keep it off, permanently. How it Works: Unlike other weight loss programs, Dr. Vactor’s plan focuses on losing the weight and keeping it off through a safe, healthy system that is made up of ALL-NATURAL INGREDIENTS with NO STIMULANTS. The system is, quite simply, designed to increase your metabolism. The system increases your metabolism by naturally invigorating your hypothalamus (responsible for your metabolism), without stimulants, while decreasing your hunger response. This way, your own fat-burning engine works at its optimum performance while re-acclimating your metabolism to first lose the weight and then adjust to your new body to keep off the weight. Unlike other programs that you may have experienced, where you lose weight but then gain it all back or even more, this program focuses on first weight loss, then helping you readjust to the thinner you. In addition, this program has consistent, predictable weight loss results where people also see a
Here is my weight loss journey…
I
was over 205+ pounds, miserable and uncomfortable! I wanted to be healthy and thin so I could go and do everything my husband and stepson like to do! I was sitting in my home office one day, at the end of my rope about 5 minutes away from signing up for Nutrisystem (even though in my heart, I didn’t believe it would work for me because I travel for my job 50-75% of the time). I came across an ad and it was Dr. Vactor’s program. I called and made an appointment for the next free seminar to hear more…MY LIFE HAS CHANGED EVER SINCE! Not only did I lose over 65 pounds in less than 10 months, I am the happiest and healthiest, I have ever been! Plus, I have been able to successfully learn how to manage my body and keep the weight off for good!! I am NOT an actress, I am a normal woman who always struggled with her weight! This program really works if you follow it and you are willing to find the foods that don’t work for your body and stop eating them! Here are the pictures of my results…I hope you give it a try and find the same happiness and success that I did. Tina Z. (Wexford, PA)
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Northern Connection | January 2016 www.northernconnectionmag.com
dramatic improvement in their overall HEALTH in about a month’s time. According to Dr. Vactor, “I have seen cholesterol numbers, blood pressure and blood sugar levels return to normal in 30 days. People who follow our program as outlined get great results! But I must be straight-forward about our system. You must be dedicated, committed and want results.” Several different products come with the plan, as well as, a simple, easy-to-follow meal plan that is based on normal food that you can get anywhere and prepare easily for yourself. In addition, they supply pH-balanced, ionized drinking water which is another important part of the system. Also, exercise is NOT required. Alternatively, the focus, is getting the weight off first, so that exercise programs will help tone and strengthen rather than contribute to the risk of over-exertion from carrying too much weight. Who is Dr. Michael Vactor, DC? Dr. Michael Vactor is a doctor of chiropractic, and a natural healthcare advocate in the north Pittsburgh area for over fifteen years. He is also an award winning expert in weight loss management and is frequently featured on KDKA-TV, WPXI, Cornerstone-TV, radio shows and other public speaking venues on health and weight-loss issues. In addition, Dr. Vactor also cares for the players, coaches and families of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ and Pirates’ organizations. To date, 90-95% of his patients have achieved their weight loss goals. YES, 90-95% of patients have achieved their weight loss goals. Dr. Vactor is so absolutely sure of the results and outcomes of his program, that he offers a GUARANTEE of RESULTS! Dr. Vactor and his family have lived in the Cranberry and Mars area, where he is also devoted to his community and helping his patients reach their goals. Over fifteen years in this community, he would not and could not make any such guarantee claims for weight loss, if they weren’t true. How to Get Started: If you are serious about losing up to 30 lbs. of extraneous weight, inches off your waist and, most importantly, improving your health in about a month’s time, call for a FREE, in-office review of his revolutionary weight loss system. His office is conveniently located at 673 Castle Creek Drive Ext., Suite 106, Seven Fields, PA 16046. http://www.drvactor.com Improve your health today! Call now, at 724-742-2700. If you are one of the first 25 callers to schedule your no cost/no obligation consultation and in office review, and mention you saw Dr. Michael Vactor, D.C. in the Northern Connection January 2016 issue, you will receive a $50 discount good towards any of his guaranteed weight loss programs. Not valid with any other offers and new patients only are eligible. F
Patty M., Cranberry Twp. PA – Lost 67 lbs. & 30 inches
Juanita S., Ambridge PA – Lost 43 lbs.
Individual results may vary, depending on starting weight, adherence to the program and other factors. Complete details of the guarantee can be reviewed prior to starting the program.
www.DrVactor.com 724-742-2700 Dr. Michael Vactor, DC
www.northernconnectionmag.com
Northern Connection | January 2016
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HEALTH & WELLNESS January 2016 Advances
(Continued from page 41)
Advances
in Healthcare
BY MARIANNE REID ANDERSON
We, at Northern Connection magazine, continue to be amazed by the latest advances in healthcare that our area’s many devoted healthcare professionals bring to us, our children and our families. In this issue, we are pleased to highlight the following fields of healthcare and their latest developments in care for children, betweeners and teens: Chiropractic Care – The nervous system controls ALL aspects of your body. A properly functioning nervous system provides accurate communication between the brain and body which helps us learn from our environment and grow, and is necessary for us to stay healthy. As Dr. Lucas Amorose explains, “It’s easier to grow healthy children than to fix sick adults.” As a child gets older, poor nervous system communication can lead to developmental delays, behavioral issues, digestive issues, asthma, and inability to concentrate in class. Amorose Family Chiropractic also serves children with special needs including autism, ADHD and children struggling with physical dif-
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Northern Connection | January 2016 www.northernconnectionmag.com
ficulties. These children often have a gap between their neurological and chronological ages. “Through chiropractic care and exercises, we can balance the nervous system and close that gap. Children with developmental disorders are typically stuck in a “fight or flight” response and view their environment as defensive,” states Dr. Kelly Amorose. “Through specific chiropractic care, their nervous system is put into a “resting” state that can aid in better digestion, sleep, and behavior, as they will have a more relaxed response to their environment.”Several gentle chiropractic methods for children, betweeners, and teens are used at Amorose Family Chiropractic. This practice was founded by the husband and wife team of Drs. Kelly and Lucas Amorose who are dedicated to the health and well-being of the entire family. Amorose Family Chiropractic is conveniently located at 8160 Perry
Highway in McCandless. To learn more, feel free to drop by, call (412) 847-8946 or visit their website at http://www.amorosefamilychiro.com. Juvenile Obesity – There is a new weight loss program that has consistent, predictable weight loss results where people also see a dramatic improvement in their overall health in about a month’s time. This program has proven results in individuals from adolescents of 12-13 years of age all the way through to people in their 80’s. Many people suffering from type 2 diabetes have also benefited with a significant loss in weight and with lower blood sugars. Many teens suffering from obesity need to reduce their weight before being able to become physically active for their age. In this program, the focus, is getting the weight off first, so that exercise programs will help tone and strengthen rather than contribute to the risk of (Continued on page 44)
NORTHERN CONNECTION MAGAZINE 20,000 magazines connecting you to the community
Pittsburgh’s 2016 Healthcare Guide Attention all health care professionals... NC Magazine’s February 2016 issue will feature “Pittsburgh’s Healthcare Guide.” Be sure to make your health care organization a part of this special issue by taking advantage of a complimentary directory listing with your ad to highlight your facilities and services!
All ads are full COLOR! Call early and reserve your space!
724-940-2444 www.northernconnectionmag.com
Northern Connection | January 2016
45
HEALTH & WELLNESS January 2016 Advances
(Continued from page 43)
over-exertion from carrying too much weight. This new healthy system is made up of all-natural ingredients, no processed food or shakes and contains no stimulants. The system is designed to increase your metabolism by naturally invigorating your hypothalamus (responsible for your metabolism), without stimulants, while decreasing your hunger response. This way, your own fat-burning engine works at its optimum performance while re-acclimating your metabolism to first lose the weight and then adjust to your new body to keep the weight off. To learn more about this innovative new weight-loss program, call Dr. Michael Vactor, D.C. at (724) 742-2700 for a FREE, in-office review and mention the January 2016 issue of Northern Connection magazine to receive a $50 discount good towards any of his guaranteed weight loss programs or visit http://www.drvactor.com. Concussion Care – If your child
plays any sport, he or she should receive a neuro-cognitive baseline test BEFORE they actually receive an injury. This way, physicians and specialists will have a healthy, accurate baseline to compare should your child sustain a concussion. While football and hockey players are known for being at risk for concussions, other athletes can also be at risk and physicians see concussions from basketball, lacrosse, the girl “flier” in cheerleading, swimmers hitting their heads on starter blocks and divers, especially ones diving from 10-meter towers, hitting their heads with tremendous force. The increase in documented concussions is due, in part, to better diagnosis and better education of coaches, parents and athletic directors in knowing what to look for in case of an injury and to remove them. A concussion can be very common and the younger the child, the longer it can take him or her to recover and even longer in cases of repeat con-
cussions or “rushing” recovery back to the playing field before they are ready to return. For more information, to schedule an appointment, or learn more about concussion clinics for coaches, parents and athletic directors, contact the Sports Medicine Division of Allegheny Health Network at (412) 359-3895 or visit https:// www.ahn.org/specialties/orthopedicinstitute/sports-medicine. Be sure and look for our annual Healthcare Guide in our upcoming February issue! If you know of advances in healthcare treatments and procedures, be sure and let us know so that we can continue to create awareness for the community by emailing NorthCon@consolidated.net or calling (724) 940-2444. F
Calendar of Events – January 2016 Baseline Concussion Testing Every Wednesday from 5 to 6:40 p.m. $20/student $15/student if the parent is an Allegheny Health Network or Highmark employee. Children 10 years and older. Weight Loss Information Session: We invite you and your family to our free session to enhance your understanding of weight loss surgeries and services offered by our Institute. January 12th and 28th, 2016 - 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. 412.362.8677 Option 1 Getting Ready for Breastfeeding January 13, 2016 – 6 to 9 p.m. $40 per couple 412.578.7030 Breast Cancer Support Group: Free breast cancer support group on the second Wednesday of every month! Open to recently diagnosed breast cancer patients and survivors. January 13, 2016 – 6 to 7:30 p.m. 412.622.1212
Meet the OB Anesthesiologist: Expecting a baby? Do you have questions and concerns about pain management for your labor and delivery? Join other expectant parents and learn options for pain relief during labor, what’s involved, advantages and disadvantages and other questions you may have. January 19, 2016 – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tracey Vogel, MD, Obstetric Anesthesiologist 412.578.7030 Community Doc Talk: “The Importance of Advanced Care Planning” Advanced Care Planning is an important part of life. Especially for those that have chronic disease or a limited lifestyle because of a medical condition. Come learn more about how to prepare yourself and your loved ones on making medical decisions based upon your personal preferences and values. January 21, 2016 – 6 to 7:30 p.m. Lori Marshall, RN, CHPN 412.330.4469
Prenatal Yoga Tuesdays, January 19 – February 9, 2016 - 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. 412.578.7030 $50 for a 4 week session
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Northern Connection | January 2016 www.northernconnectionmag.com
Cancer Screenings: Free screenings are available for adults 18 years and older. Screenings include: colorectal, prostate, breast, skin, cervical, neck and throat, and lung cancers. January 23, 2016 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 412.DOCTORS (412.362.8677), Option 2 then Option 1, One-Day Labor and Delivery Session: This intensive full-day class prepares couples for what to expect through labor, birth and beyond. January 30, 2016 – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 412.578.7030
www.northernconnectionmag.com
Northern Connection | January 2016
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HEALTH & WELLNESS January 2016
FIT FAMILIES
Get Fit in 2016: It’s a Gadget World! How do they help you stay fit? BY JOELLA BAKER
We live in a world of technology, gadgets, apps and tools that are supposed to make your life better and easier. How do all these gadgets and apps fit into your fitness plan?
I
’m often asked, “What is the best way to track your fitness?” The best answer I can give, is it depends on your goals. In a way we’re lucky. With all the new gear out there, we now have a way to genuinely set our goals and achieve them. It doesn’t matter if you’re new to working out or you’re a veteran athlete, there are some great apps and tools out there that can really help you get stronger, lose weight and reach some amazing goals. The Fitbit is by far the talk of the fitness community. For those of you who are new to working out and tracking your goals, the Fitbit is a great way to start. I like it because it truly lets you set goals for yourself. It tracks steps, calories burned, distance, heart rate and even your sleep activity. It’s great because at the end of the day it will tell you how far you are from your step goal or your calories burned goal, allowing you to do a little extra if you want to reach that goal at the end of the day. I know my athletes who use the Fitbit or other similar gadgets, love this
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Northern Connection | January 2016 www.northernconnectionmag.com
ADVERTORIAL
feature the most. It eliminates having to calculate these things for yourself. With all that said, if you are a more experienced athlete who is looking to get faster for an upcoming event or race, the Fitbit may not be best for you. The Fitbit won’t help you push your pace or reach running, cycling or swimming goals the way some of the other models out there can. Price of the Fitbit ($75 to $250.) The Charge HR is highly recommended.
“
new gear OUT THERE, WE NOW HAVE A WAY TO GENUINELY set our goals AND achieve them. WITH ALL THE
”
The Garmin allows you to be more workout specific. I love the Garmin for training purposes because it allows me to see my pace, track my mileage, heart rate, calories burned. It will store my fastest paces for a specific distance and let me know when I beat them. It’s by far one of the best fitness trackers for those training for running or triathlon. Garmin makes the Vivo Fit that is like the Fitbit, so you can get the quality of the Garmin and the simplicity of the Fitbit in one. The Jawbone UP2 is probably one of the most comfortable of all the Fitness Trackers. It’s similar to wearing a small, comfortable watch. However, it does fall short of the Charge HR’s advanced fitness skills. On the other hand, it’s comfortable, good looking and accurate. It hits all the basics, activity tagging, sleep monitoring and it has a smart alarm. ($99) For those on a tighter budget, check out the Misfit Flash. It also tracks steps, sleep and it can go in the water and it comes in a vibrant array of colors to suit all tastes. ($24.99) These are a few that I know about and have had the opportunity to see results from and get feedback. There are a lot to choose from. The goal is to choose the one that will provide you with what you need. You need to choose what your fitness goal is and decide which tracker will help you reach your goal. That’s what I love most about these fitness trackers. If you actually use one and learn to use it to reach your goals, then you will see a change in your fitness level and how you feel. That’s the ultimate goal. To get stronger, be more fit and most of all to feel better physically and mentally. It’s hard to believe that motivation can fit into a small watch-like item, but it can. You just have to choose to use it and stick to it. Have fun getting fit in the New Year!! F
You Probably Didn’t Know That Chiropractic Can Help... BY DR. SHANNON THIEROFF
U
S News & World Reports wrote about the positive effects of chiropractic. We think of using chiropractic when we have problems like back pain; but fail to understand how it may help some other problems. Here’s what they had to say... 1. Immune System Problems Studies have shown that chiropractic improves the body’s ability to produce immune cells. The nervous system has an effect on the endocrine system and immune system. Misalignment of the spine stresses those systems and leads to a poor immune response. So if you’re sick of getting sick, go get your spine checked. 2. Migraine Headaches Headaches are one of the main reasons people will abuse medicines. 72% of migraine sufferers treated with chiropractic will experience “substantial” improvement. Decreasing their need to rely on medication. 3. Stress and Anxiety Everyday we experience stress. Most diseases we suffer from can be traced back to high stress levels. Adjustments can help decrease tension and turn off the fight or flight response. Chiropractors can make nutritional and lifestyle recommendations to offset the negative effects of stress. 4. Fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia is described as having “hyperactive nerves.” In one study 60% of people with fibromyalgia using chiropractic reported decreased pain and improved sleep. The adjustment has an effect on the nervous system that helps to make the nerves work in a more normal pattern. 5. Flexibility As we age we tend to lose our flexibility. The less flexible we are the more likely we are to get injured. Chiropractic adjustments to the joints of the spine and body have been shown to restore movement and improve balance and coordination. If you’re curious as to whether chiropractic can help you, I recommend you make an appointment to find out. Also, for tips, articles and blogs, feel free to visit our webpage or “Like” our Facebook Page. F
Choice Chiropractic & Wellness Center, P.C. Dr. Shannon Thieroff and Associates McKnight (412) 364-9699 www.choicechiropractic.net
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4
IMAGE & STYLE January 2016
O
ne of the best trends to embrace this season is the sweater poncho or cape. ‘What’s the difference,’ you may be asking? Well, not much. They’re fun, trendy and they make a great addition to any woman’s winter wardrobe. Who isn’t up for adding a touch of flair on a cold winters’ morning? They’re simplicity is perfect for the busy girl on the go while still providing a modern vibe. So let’s start with the differences between the two. If you want the technicalities then the difference is slight, but trite! A
Fun Ways to Wear a Poncho or Cape this Winter BY KELLY SMITH
sweater cape is sleeveless and is worn over your clothes, generally covering only your back and attaches at the neck. The sweater poncho is typically worn over the entire body and pulled over the head old school style like a sweater. Both are super comfy and both offer warmth and style. How many items in your closet can boast that honor? The styles range from dressy, lightweight silk to warm wool. Opt for thicker fabrics with lining for those blustery days when thin just won’t do but a coat is too warm. Let’s take a look at some of the best ways to showcase a poncho or cape with your winter wardrobe. Layer it up: winter is all about layering, but the good thing about ponchos are the raglanstyle sleeve, or lack of, in some cases. Sometimes, a coat is just too hot to wear while out and about and it can create excess bulk to your look. A poncho will keep you warm and toasty with only a long sleeve top underneath. It is also lightweight enough that if you do want to add a cute vest or sweater over that top, you can remove your poncho and not have to trudge around the extra weight and bulk a traditional winter coat presents. Leggings/jeggings: What a perfect way to show off those legs that have been covered up for months! There’s nothing trendier and classic, not to mention, easier, than pairing up a poncho or cape with a form-fitted pair of bottoms! Mix and match all the endless colors and patterns or stick to solids for a svelte and chic appearance.
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Jeans: Whether your style is skinny, fitted or flared; jeans are the ultimate perfect pairing with a cape or poncho. And, don’t just resolve yourself to traditional blue because denim is fun this winter showing up in all sorts of untraditional colors such as red, teal and camel (winter’s version of winter white.) Don’t forget to finish your denim DIY with a sleek boot! Denim can be dressed up in a snap by adding a high, over-the-knee boot and on those more casual days, don’t forget your UGG’s®! Accessories: Nothing tops off a great winter style by accessorizing, not too much, but just enough to get you noticed! Try an oversized scarf underneath a cape. Add a touch of sophistication with a cross-body bag in a fun bright color over a printed poncho and watch the compliments pour in! Garner attention with a bib necklace sitting atop a solid poncho. To be honest, any and all accessories will work but do accessorize tastefully and minimally. When in doubt, always go with the mantra of “less is more!” Capes and ponchos certainly are not new to the fashion scene but this season has such a better variety of colors, prints and materials from which to choose. I really like the advantage of being able to wear a garment both inside and outside at the same time. How many garments can tout that benefit? If you are a novice in the cape or poncho movement, move slowly and think of it as the garment that is always willing to give you a big warm hug and a smile; well, the smile will be left to you! F
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Northern Connection | January 2016
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SENIOR LIVING January 2016
TOWN CRIER
Jumpin’ into Our First Month – January BY JOE BULLICK
H
ello January! Well 2015 is history and what a year it was, but it did not end on a good note. In San Bernardino, Calif., 14 people were killed in an ambush and many more were injured. Each decade has had its share of problems. As a young boy, I recall the 30s had the Great Depression, in the 40s there was World War II, and the 50s had the Cold War. We have to not let fear take us over. Mom always had a diary, so on the first week of the New Year we would go over it. It had happy things and sad things, but we always thanked God for another year. We always paid attention to the “first footer” which was the first person to cross your threshold in the New Year. The first person through the door of our house was a man named Sam Sarver. He was a great old man who brought us a bottle of wine, so he could have a drink with us. So now we are into the first month of the year 2016. The Latin word for January is Ianuarius. It is named
after Janus, the god of beginnings and transitions. The birthstone for January is garnet which represents constancy. The flower is the carnation and the zodiac signs are Capricorn and Aquarius. I hope you got some great gifts for Christmas. I always wanted a Stetson Cowboy hat. What a hat - I still have it. Stetson hats celebrated their 150 year anniversary in 2015. Their hats have become an icon of the American west. Many famous men wore them - John Wayne, Theodore Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan, Hank Williams and Garth Brooks. A Stetson has long been the go-to hat for both the wellknown celebrities and a guy like me. A fun gift that I got as a young boy was the yo-yo. It is much more than just a spinning disk on a string, the yo-yo has proven its popularity with kids throughout the ages. From ancient Greece to the United States, the yo-yo is not just a fad. Today, this popular toy is exhibited in the National Toy Hall of Fame along with Lincoln Logs, Play-Doh and Mr. Potato Head. The ancient toy retains its appeal and attracts collectors and young people after more than 2,500 years of play. Mom would always buy me a Zane Grey book. She knew I always wanted to be a cowboy like Zane Grey, speaking of which, he’s known as the “father of the modern American western novel.” Grey (1872-1939) produced 89 books, 56 of which were set in the west. 46 movies were released based on his stories and novels. He made TV with Dick Powell’s The Zane Grey Western Theatre. When I was a young boy, January and February were movie times. I got to see some great pictures when they came to the Warner Theatre, the Nixon or the Pitt Theatre. The first movie theatre opened in 1905 right here in Pittsburgh and it was called The Nickelodeon, admission was five cents. Another thing to remember about January is that Pennsylvania hosts the largest indoor agricultural exposition in the nation. The Pennsylvania Farm Show will run Jan. 9-16 with nearly 6,000 animals, 10,000 competitive exhibits and 300 commercial exhibits. So don’t forget January, the cold heart of winter carries the seeds of spring. A few famous people were born in January – Ethel Merriman was born Jan. 16, 1908 and W. C. Fields birth date was Jan. 29, 1880. Well God bless and I leave you with this – Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it -every, every minute?
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Northern Connection | January 2016 www.northernconnectionmag.com
– Emily, from Our Town F
Over 91% Patient Satisfaction I started seeing results after only three treatments. After several weeks, I no longer awake during the night with nerve pain or electric shocks in my foot. I now walk with little or no pain and I am able to complete an hour-long Jazzercise class or 90-minute Pickleball game. What little soreness I may feel after activity is significantly reduced and goes away quickly without medication. — Christine H.
End Your Peripheral Neuropathy Now! Peripheral Neuropathy occurs when nerves are damaged or destroyed and can’t send messages to the muscles, skin and other parts of the body. Peripheral nerves go from the brain and spinal cord to the arms, hands, legs and feet. When damage to the nerves takes place, numbness and pain in these areas may occur. Approximately 20 million Americans suffer from this debilitating disease. It is commonly associated with diabetes, however, neuropathy symptoms can also occur in patients with restless leg syndrome, sciatic neuropathy, and has been recently linked to statin drugs used to lower cholesterol. Although, there are also patients who just have neuropathy without a particular cause. Many patients are suffering from symptoms of painful cramping, burning and tingling, difficulty walking, numbness and even interruption of sleep.
Peripheral Neuropathy symptoms can include: • • • • • • •
Sharp Pains or Cramps in the Feet or Legs Burning Pain in the Legs, Feet or Hands Extreme Sensitivity to Touch Loss of Balance or Coordination Feelings of Walking on Pins and Needles Weakness in the Arms and Legs Numbness and Tingling or Pain in the Toes, Feet, Hands, Arms and Fingers • Dependency on Medications The specialized treatment protocol offered at the Chiropractic Family Health Center includes 9 specific treatments that are designed to heal rather than just deal with the symptoms. This therapy has long been well recognized internationally, and these recent advancements offer hope for many more to live a more pain-free and enjoyable life. Dr. Shawn Richey (a member of the NeuroTCA) has seen many patients suffering with peripheral neuropathy. He has treated patients that have tried everything including potentially harmful medications and other painful testing and treatments. This can leave patients still struggling and wandering down the long road of endless disappointment. Now we are able to address the pain associated with peripheral neuropathy with a successful, non-invasive, drug-free approach that includes the use of light therapy to stimulate tissue repair.
“I highly recommend Dr. Shawn Richey and everyone at his practice. I am already feeling a significant reduction in symptoms and pain relief even though I’m only part-way through my treatments. I am even improving my overall health since now, I can go for walks and be more active.” — Lynda E. “For a few months I was experiencing tingling and numbness in my feet, I was also becoming off balance when I walked. A friend of mine saw an article in Pittsburgh 55+ Magazine describing exactly what I was experiencing. It was called neuropathy. It has only been a short time and already I’m feeling 50% better. Thank you Dr. Richey.” — Liz H. Originally, my neuropathy was diagnosed as due to my diabetes, even though I had symptoms years before I had diabetes. So a friend of mine suggested that I go to Dr. Shawn Richey. I immediately felt better after each treatment and noticed a significant change by the time I was on a third of the way through the process. Dr. Shawn also adjusts my back for me and that always makes such a difference, as well. I highly recommend Dr. Shawn for both neuropathy and for chiropractic care. — Phyllis Neszpaul I’ve suffered with peripheral neuropathy in my feet and legs for 12 years. I travel 100 miles a day for treatments, my feet and legs are waking up after a long hibernation. I’m going to see my neurologist and tell him that I beat neuropathy! I can’t wait to see his reaction! I now take my brother’s 88-year-old mother-in-law with me. She also noticed improvement after one visit. Dr. Shawn and his neuropathy treatments are awesome! Life is good… — Lynne Karanovich This treatment program has given me miraculous relief from a debilitating and painful disease. I would recommend anyone, who suffers from peripheral neuropathy, choosing to have Dr. Shawn help you to your way to recovery as he has helped me. I thank him so much for bringing into my life this miraculous treatment. — Nancy
This ground-breaking treatment has achieved a 90% overall satisfaction rate. The treatment identifies the cause and enables nerve endings to regenerate and heal rather than remain damaged. As the treatments repair the nerve endings, pain is reduced, and patients regain balance and coordination. For a free consultation, contact Dr. Shawn Richey at 724-940-9000 or email him at drshawn@backnline.com.
Call for a free consultation TODAY!
Dr. Shawn Richey drshawn@backnline.com www.backnline.com 2591 Wexford-Bayne Road, Suite 207 Sewickley, Pa. 15143
724-940-9000
We may not be your first choice, but we will be your last!
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Happenings for Seniors Free Home Safety Inspection is available for seniors through the Open Your Heart to a Senior program. For info, call Cathy at (412) 307-0069, ext. 3313 or clpschirer@nhco.org. Free Services for Seniors through North Hills Community Outreach. Help with rides to medical appts., grocery stores, yard work. For info, call Cathy at (412) 307-0069 ext. 3313 or Kerry at (412) 449-0151 to schedule an in-home registration visit. Home Instead Senior Care® is offering a unique approach to help area families in Northwest Allegheny County manage the challenges of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Free training is available for families at HelpForAlzheimersFamilies.com. McKnight Meals on Wheels provides home delivered meals to the elderly, homebound and disabled. Services Ross Twp., Berkley Hills, Swan Acres & part of McCandless Twp. Call (412) 487-4088. Oasis Intergenerational Tutoring – An Hour a Week Can Change a Child’s Life. For adults 50 & over become a tutor. Training sessions held on the fifth floor of the Duquesne Light Building. For details, call (412) 393-7648 or email jdspehar@ oasisnet.org. UPMC Senior Communities offers independent living & personal care. For details, call 1-800-324-5523.
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Support Groups Alzheimer’s Support Group, 10 a.m., 1st Monday of each month, St. Catherine of Sweden Parish, 2554 Wildwood Rd. For details, call Suzie, at (412) 337-6731. Bereavement Support Group (for Widows/Widowers over 50), 1-2:30 p.m., 2nd & 4th Wed., St. Sebastian, Haber Hall. To register, call (412) 366-1300. Paramount Senior Living at Cranberry Alzheimer’s Affiliated Support Group meets 3 p.m., the 1st Mon., of every month, and 2 p.m., the last Friday. Contact Pam, at (724) 779-5020.
Senior Meetings AARP #2991, meeting, noon, 3rd Thursday of every month (Jan. 21), at Northmont Presbyterian Church at Perry Highway and Perrymont, in McCandless. A small luncheon is offered for a nominal fee. Visitors and prospective members are welcome. Cranberry Senior Citizens Club for residents 55+ meets at 1 p.m., the 2nd Tues., of the month in the Cranberry Municipal Center. Call (724) 816-4977 for info and programs.
Friendship Groups for Visually Impaired, Men’s Group meets every Weds. 1-3:15 p.m., Knitting & Crocheting Circle meets every Weds.,1-3:15 p.m., Monthly Meeting 2nd Thurs. of each month 1:15-3:15 p.m., The Lunch Bunch meets 4th Thurs. of every month 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., The Talking Book Club meets 1st Mon. of each month 1-2:30 p.m. For info, call (724) 444-0064. Primetimers, noon, first Thurs of the month, Christ Church Grove Farm, Ohio Twp. Call (412) 741-4900 or visit http://www. ccgf.org.
Entertainment & Social Events Duke LeManna’s Tribute to Engelbert Humperdinck, 2:30 p.m., Jan. 8, Strabane Trails Village. To register, call (724) 225-4100. International Button Box Club, 2:30 p.m., Jan. 15, Vanadium Woods Village, call, (412) 221-2900. Liz Calfo’s “Tribute to Connie Francis,” 3 p.m., Jan. 14, Seneca Hills Village. For info, call (412) 793-1700. Murder Mystery, 2 p.m., Jan. 26, Sherwood Oaks, Cranberry Twp., call 1 (800) 642-2217
Northern Connection | January 2016 www.northernconnectionmag.com
Open Your Heart to a Senior, will host a free sing-a-long showing of The Wizard of Oz, 12:30 p.m., Jan. 19, Vintage Senior Center, 401 N. Highland Ave. RSVP to (412) 661-1670 ext. 619. The Oscars, 3 p.m., Jan. 28, Seneca Hills Village. For info, call (412) 793-1700. A Tribute to Neil Diamond, 2:30 p.m., Jan. 14, Hampton Fields Village, Hampton Fields Village, call (412) 492-8448. A Tribute to Patsy Cline, 2:30 p.m., Jan. 12, Lighthouse Pointe Village, 500 Chapel Harbor, Fox Chapel, call (412) 7812707.
Health Good News for Bad Hips, 2:30 p.m., Jan. 27, Beatty Pointe Village, call, (412) 374-9000.
Seminars Hollywood Scandals, Lies & Cover-ups, 2:30 p.m., Jan. 26, Strabane Trails Village. To register, call (724) 225-4100. Lunch and Learn, 11 a.m., Jan. 12, Sherwood Oaks, Cranberry Twp., call 1 (800) 642-2217.
Who Killed Jon Benet Ramsey, 2:30 p.m., Jan. 20, Beatty Pointe Village, Monroeville, call, (412) 374-9000; Jan. 26, Vanadium Woods Village, Bridgeville, call, (412) 221-2900; Jan. 27, Lighthouse Pointe Village, Fox Chapel, call (412) 781-2707; Jan. 29, Hampton Fields Village, call (412) 492-8448.
Spiritual 2nd Act, 9:30-11:30 a.m., 2nd Thurs., runs thru May 12, Orchard Hill Church, Brandt School Rd. For adults ages 55+ worship time through music and prayer. For details, (724) 935-5555.
Volunteer Opportunities: Drivers Urgently Needed for Volunteer Shuttle Service, NHCO, in partnership with Allegheny County and St. Margaret Foundation. The new shuttle will pick up seniors on various days on the Route 28 corridor for local UPMC medical appts. No special license is required and training is provided. Contact Kerry at (412) 449-0151 or kkmulhern@nhco.org. Hope Hospice is looking for volunteers to visit Hospice patients. For details, call (412) 367-3685.
North Hills Community Outreach’s Faith in Action program is seeking Senior Companion volunteers. For details, contact Nancy, at (412) 307-0069 or nljones@nhco.org. North Hills Community Outreach needs volunteers for their senior programs. For details, contact Patti, at (412) 408-3830 ext. 3204. Open Your Heart to a Senior volunteer orientations, 2:30 p.m., Jan. 6, AGH Suburban, 6 p.m., Jan. 26, Lighthouse Pointe, Aspinwall; 6:30 p.m., Feb. 18, NHCO, Ferguson Rd; 2 p.m., Feb. 24, Shaler Eat-NPark. Jan. 6 & Feb. 18, contact (412) 3070069 x3313, clpshirer@nhco.org Jan. 26 & Feb. 24, contact, (412) 449-0151,kkmulhern@ nhco.org. Pittsburgh Friendship Group is looking for volunteers to help visually impaired seniors. No experience is necessary. Call (724) 444-0064. Seniors in all areas of Allegheny County need snow shovelers. Call the North Hills Community Outreach at (412) 307-0069 ext. 3313 or clpschirer@nhco.org to register for the Snow Angels program. Volunteers in all Allegheny County communities are needed to shovel snow for seniors or transport senior to medical appts., or shopping. Call 2-1-1 or email openyourheart@uwac.org.
Look for it wherever you find Northern Connection
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HAPPENINGS January 2016
Deadline for submissions is by the 12th of the month prior to publication.
January 2016 Happenings North Happenings Mondays Chisel and Chips Carvers of North Pittsburgh meetings, meets 6:30-10 p.m., the 2nd Monday of every month, Parkwood United Presbyterian Church, 4289 Mt. Royal Blvd., Allison Park. Call (724) 940-0034. Greater Cranberry Barbershop Chorus, meets every Monday at 7 p.m., Mars Alliance Church, Rt. 228. Visit Bogmeisters.com. Greater Pittsburgh Civil War Round Table meets the 3rd Monday of every month 7 p.m., Hampton Township Community Center, 3101 McCully Rd., Allison Park. Free & open to the public. Call, Bob or Margie (724) 625-2329. Legacy Theatre Movies, 2 p.m. Mondays, Jan. 4, To Kill a Mockingbird, Jan. 11, Inside Out; Jan. 25, Ricki and the Flash, 700 Cumberland Woods Dr., McCandless. Visit http://www.thelegacylineup.com/ movies/
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Self-Care for Women, eight-week support group for women struggling with stress and depression, 6-8 p.m., Mon. Scholarship available. Call (412) 366-1300. Siblings Group, ten-week support kids ages 8-12 who have a sibling with a disability, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Mon. Scholarship available. Call (412) 366-1300.
Church, 7801 Thompson Run Rd. Visit www. facebook.com/NPMOMS. Sanctuary for Teens, eight-week group for teens with depression & anxiety meets 4-5:30 p.m. Tues. Scholarships available. Register at (412) 366-1300.
Wednesday
SPIN Bellevue for Single Moms, 6-7:30 p.m., 4th Mon. of the month starting Jan. 4:30-5:30 p.m., Center of Bellevue. Sponsored by Anchorpoint. For details, call (412) 366-1300.
Custodial Grandparents Group, a support group for individuals raising grandchildren, 12:30-2:30, Weds. Scholarship available. Call (412) 366-1300.
Tuesdays
Cranberry Women’s Club, meets 7 p.m. the 2nd Thurs of the month, Cranberry Library Meeting Room. Contact Sandy, (724) 779-1854.
Life After Divorce, ten-week group meets 6-7:30 p.m. Tues. Scholarships available. Register at (412) 366-1300. Life Skills Group, ten-week for kids ages 8-12 who need help interacting with adults, meets 4:30-5:30 p.m. Tues. Scholarships available. Register at (412) 366-1300. North Pittsburgh Mother of Multiples meeting, 7:30 p.m., 3rd Tues., of the month, North Hills Community Baptist
Thursdays
Arts & Entertainment Cabaret, Feb. 2-7, Benedum Center. Visit TrustArts.org. Children’s Theatre: Junie B’s Essential Survival Guide to School, 2 p.m., Jan. 10, Byham Theatre; 5:30 & 7:30 p.m., Jan. 14, Marshall Middle School; 2 p.m., Jan. 17, Seneca Valley Intermediate. For tickets, call (412) 456-6666 or TrustArts.org. Legacy Theatres shows: The Tamburitzans, 7:30 p.m., Feb. 21; Swingin’ With An Angel (Johnny Angel), 7:30 p.m., Mar. 12; Rat Pack with Bo Wagner and Buster Maxwell, 7:30 p.m., Apr. 2; Pure Gold, 7:30 p.m., Apr. 30. For tickets, 1-877-9876487 or thelegacylineup.com.
Friday
Health & Wellness
Christy House in Sewickley, the lunch room is open on Fridays. Homemade food and kid’s menu available, corner of Frederick & Walnut. RSVP for reservations (412) 741-5960. Visit The Needles Eye & Earthly Treasure. Visit http://www.ststephenschurch.net/christy-house.
Dance Fitness, 9 a.m., Sat., Lighthouse Foundation, 1302 E. Cruikshank (Rt. 8), Butler. Bring pantry items for the food bank in lieu of class fee. Contact heather.simplynatural@ gmail.com.
Northern Connection | January 2016 www.northernconnectionmag.com
Making a Difference: Healthcare in Rwanda, 9:30 a.m., Jan. 12, Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church. Sponsored by AAUW. Free & open to the public. For info, visit https://aauwfca.wordpress.com/ Zumba Fitness, 9:30 a.m. Mon., & 6:45 p.m., Thurs, Woodland Valley Church, 225 Crowe Ave., Mars. Try a free class! Contact heather.simplynatural@gmail.com. Zumba Fitness, 6:00 p.m., Sats, North Way Christian Community, 12121 Perry Hwy., Wexford. Suggested $5 donation to benefit the food pantry Contact heather.simplynatural@gmail.com.
Outreach Community Auto (a program of North Hills Community Outreach) is accepting old vehicles. For details, call (724) 443-8300 or www.communityauto.org. Expand your outreach at Treasure House Fashion, 8035 McKnight Rd. Shop, volunteer or donate. For info, call (412) 3643256 or www.thfashions.org. Nativity Lutheran Church, 4517 Mt. Royal Blvd. in Allison Park is now a donation site for non-perishable groceries for North Hills Community Outreach for its three food pantries. Drop-off hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visit, www.nativitylutheranchurch15101.org. NHCO is accepting donations of organic seeds. For details, call (412) 487-6316 or visit nhco.org. North Hills Community Outreach is seeking runners for the Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon to be held May 1. For info, call Patti at (412) 408-3830 ext. 3204 or pmferraro@nhco.org or thepittsburghmarathon.com.
North Hills Community Outreach is seeking volunteer tax preparers to help low-income families. For details, email www. swpafreetaxes.org. North Hills Community Outreach Sharing Winter Warmth program is underway. For details, visit nhco.org. North Hills Food Bank, 10 a.m.-1:45 p.m. every Tues & Thurs, rear parking lot of Hiland Presbyterian Church, 845 Perry Highway. Call, (412) 366-7477 or www. northhillsfoodbank.com. Donations always welcome.
Support Groups Bereavement Support Group, Beyond Bridge to Hope, 7-8:30 p.m., 2nd Wed., of every month, Passavant Hospital Conference Center, McCandless Twp. Free of charge, no registration is necessary. Call (412) 748-6640. Bereavement Support Group (for widows/widowers over 50), 1-2:30 p.m., 2nd & 4th Wed. Hosted by St. Sebastian Parish, Haber Hall. To register, call (412) 366-1300. Bereavement Support Group in the North Hills, 10-11:30 a.m., 2nd & 4th Thurs. of each month, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 1965 Ferguson Rd., Allison Park. Call Heritage Hospice (724) 334-6600. Breast Cancer Support Groups, 5:30-7 p.m., 3rd Mon., AGH Hospital; 7-8:30 p.m.,1st & 3rd Weds, UPMC Passavant Cranberry; 6-7:30 p.m., AHN Health & Wellness Pavilion, Wexford. Free & open to cancer patients & caregivers over 18, no students. Sponsored by the Cancer Caring Center. Register at (412) 622-1212. (Continued on page 14)
Financial Aid Community Night at La Roche College
L
a Roche College will help students and parents navigate the financial aid process at their Financial Aid Community Night, to be held 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Jan. 27. The event will be held at La Roche’s main campus in the North Hills in the Palumbo Science Center, Room 103. Financial Aid Community Night provides an overview of financial aid and the application process, a question and answer session, and a demonstration on how to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Counselors from La Roche’s Office of Financial Aid will be on hand to explain the process and answer questions. The session is free and open to the public. For information, contact Sharon Platt, director of financial aid, at (412) 536-1125 or sharon.platt@laroche. edu. F
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HAPPENINGS January 2016
Bridge to Hope, 7-8:30 p.m., every Wed., of the month, Passavant Hospital Conference Center, McCandless Twp. For drug & alcohol addiction. Phone, (412) 748-6640. General Cancer Center Support Groups, 5-6 p.m., 4th Mon., AHN Health & Wellness Pavilion; 6:30-8 p.m., 2nd & 4th Weds, UPMC Passavant Cranberry. Free & open to cancer patients & caregivers over 18, no students. Sponsored by the Cancer Caring Center. Register at (412) 622-1212. Gentle Yoga in Wexford, 6-7 p.m., 3rd Mon., AHN Health & Wellness Pavilion; 6:30-8 p.m., Free & open to cancer patients & caregivers over 18, no students. Sponsored by the Cancer Caring Center. Register at (412) 622-1212. Grief Support Group for widows and widowers over fifty, 2:30 p.m., 2nd & 4th Wed., of the month, St. Sebastian Parish, 311 Siebert Rd. Visit http://www.saintsebastianparish. org/ Lupus Foundation meetings, 7-8:30 p.m., every 3rd Tues, UPMC Passavant Hospital, 9100 Babcock Blvd., Donor Hall. Call (412) 261-5886 or ccallen92@aol.com. Professional Counseling for seniors, families & kids, for those who can’t afford counseling or lack healthcare coverage. Call (412) 366-1300 or www.anchorpointcounselingministry.org. S.P.I.N. For Single Moms: 1st & 3rd Weds, thru May 18 (Single Parent Information Network). For info regarding this FREE group contact Joan at (412) 366-1300 x118. Women’s Self Care Support Group, 10:30 a.m.-noon, Sats., Anchorpoint Counseling. Call (412) 366-1300, ext. 129 or www.anchorpointcounselingministry.org.
Counseling Ask the Attorney, free legal consultation for low-income families. Held 7 p.m., the 3rd Wed, Sessions are 7 p.m., Jan. 20, North Boroughs; Feb. 17, NHCO, Allison Park. Call (412) 408-3830 or hzgibbs@nhco.org. Berkley Hills Lutheran Church is offering it Stephen Ministry Program for people experiencing grief, divorce, cancer, illnesses, job loss, loss of home, military deployment & other life struggles. Free & confidential program for people of any faith. Call (412) 486-4010 or www.bhlc.org. Counseling for Children and Families who lack health insurance is available thru Anchorpoint. Call (412) 366-1300. Group Services, Intensive Outpatient Program, 5:30-8:30 p.m., M,W, Th.,Therapy Group 6-8 p.m., Tues., Family Only Group 7:30-9:00 p.m., 2nd Tues, Psycho-educational Support Group 7-9 p.m., 4th Mon. Contact Anita at 412-2157967, pened1@aol.com, or www.anitasinicropemaier.com.
AM Spirit Wexford Chapter, a business networking group, meets 7:15 a.m. every Mon, at Eat N’ Park, Franklin Village. Call Glen at (412) 916-8699. Cranberry High Noon Toastmasters Club meets at noon every Mon., Pella Windows Training Center, 230 Thorn Hill Rd., Warrendale. Visit http://cranberryhighnoon.toastmastersclubs.org/. Friday Morning Connections - join the Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber at 7:30 a.m. every Friday, at Hosanna Industries’ new Gibsonia location: 3930 Dickey Rd., Gibsonia. Free networking, guests are welcome. Email hschwartzbauer@ pghnorthchamber.com. North Allegheny Special Ed. Parent Networking meetings, 9:30 a.m., Jan. 8, Feb. 12, at North Allegheny High School Baierl Center. For info, visit http://www.nasepng.org/. Western PA Professional Business Association Network Breakfast, 7:15 a.m., Tuesdays, King’s Restaurant, Rt. 8, Gibsonia. Call Mary Ann, at (724) 935-2221 or www.wpabusiness.com
Professional Counseling, need someone to talk with but can’t afford it or lack health coverage. Call Anchorpoint Counseling Ministry, (412) 366-1300.
Volunteer Opportunities
Networking
American Cancer Society is looking for volunteers to drive cancer patients who are undergoing treatments to & from their appts. Interested volunteers call (412) 919-1100 or emailsharon.stalter@cancer.org.
AM Spirit Cranberry Chapter, a business networking group, meets 7:15 a.m. every Wed, at North Park Deckhouse, Rt. 19, Cranberry Twp. Call Glen at (412) 916-8699. AM Spirit Pittsburgh North Chapter, a business networking group, meets 8 a.m. every Thurs, at Panera Bread, Cranberry. Call Glen at (412) 916-8699.
Hope Hospice is looking for volunteer for their patients. Volunteers don’t necessarily have the time, just have the heart! Call (412) 367-3685. Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council volunteer tutors needed to work with adult literacy students on basic literacy skills, 4 hour/week commitment. Free tutor training provided. Call (412) 393-7600 or http://www.gplc.org/becomea-volunteer.cfm. Mission Vision needs volunteers to help with Provide vision –Give hope. For details, call (724) 553-3114 or www. mission-vision.org. North Hills Community Outreach Volunteer Orientations, 10 a.m., Jan. 14, NHCO, Allison Park. Call (412) 408-3830 ext. 3204 or pmferraro@nhco.org. Seeking hospice volunteers...if you can find the time to sit with hospice patients we would love to have you. For details, call Bethany Hospice, at (412) 921-2209. Volunteer tutors needed to work with adult literacy students on basic literacy skills. 4 hour/week commitment. Free tutoring training provided. Call Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council, (412) 393-7600 or http://www.gplc.org/become-avolunteer.cfm. Volunteer Tutors Needed for children struggling with school work. Call Anchorpoint Counseling Ministry, (412) 3661300 or www.anchorpointcounselingministry.org.
Schools Financial Aid Community Night 6:30-8 p.m., Jan. 27, North Hills Palumbo Science Center, Room 103, at La Roche College. For info, call (412) 536-1125 or sharon.platt@laroche. edu. Free Documentary Screening: Most Likely to Succeed, 7-9 p.m., Jan. 4, Hillman Center for Performing Arts, Shady Side Academy Senior School, 423 Fox Chapel Rd. Free & open to the public. For info, visit www.shadysideacademy.org. Hampton High School Student Council is accepting nominations for the 2016 Distinguished Alumni Award. Deadline is Feb. 1. For details, call Kevin Green at (412) 4866000 or green@ht-sd.org. St. Ursula Open House, 12:30-2:30 p.m., Jan. 31,3937 Kirk Ave., Allison Park. For info, call (412) 486-5511 or www. stursulaschool.org.
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Vincentian Academy presents Disney’s High School Musical, 7:30 p.m., Feb. 19, 20, 26, 27 & 2 p.m., Feb. 21, at The Great Pittsburgh Masonic Center, 3579 Masonic Way. For info, call (412) 364-1616 ext. 219 or VincentianTheatre@gmail.com or www.vincentianacademy.org.
Camps Winter Micro Mini Cheer Camp w/the North Allegheny High School Cheerleaders, 4:30-7:30 p.m., Jan. 15, NASH cafeteria & gym. Learn cheers, chants & dance. To register, email nacheerminicamp@gmail.com.
Veterans’ Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Support Group, 10 a.m., Fridays, VA Butler Healthcare. Call 800-362-8262 ext. 2498. “Veteran X” mental health & substance abuse recovery program for vets meets 6 p.m., every Mon., at VA Butler Healthcare, Room 213, East South (ES), 325 N. Castle Rd., Butler. Visit http://www.butler.va.gov/.
Dancing
Seminars & Workshops
Country Knight Line Dancers host a line dance 7-10:30 p.m. every Wed., in St. Athanasius Hall, cost $5 per person. Call, Janine (412) 931-6971 or janine.beley@gmail. com.
Teen driver safety FOCUS program is being offer thru Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC and The Allstate Foundation. For schools interested, call (412) 692-8229 or www.chp.edu/CHP/street+and+off-road+for+parents.
Handicapable Square Dancing, 7-8 p.m., weekly on Thursdays, Dorseyville Alliance Church, 3703 Saxonburg Blvd. For ages 16 & older. Register at (412) 915-8486 or (724) 4432616 or beatty3@consolidated.net.
2016 Outlook for Pittsburgh Real Estate Market, 11 a.m., Jan. 19, Cumberland Woods Village, 700 Cumberland Wood Dr., McCandless Twp. For info, call (412) 635-8080, or TheLegacyLineup.com.
Saturday Singles Dance. For ages 40+, 8 p.m. to midnight, Jan. 9, A Perfect Pair Mix & Match Ice-Breaking Singles Dance Event w/Giftcards & Prizes; Mixer Check-In 7:30 p.m., Free Pizza Party, Jan. 30, West View VFW, 386 Perry Hwy. Free dance lesson 7:30 p.m. Call, (724) 316-5029 or www.dancetonight.weebly.com.
Worry about the New SAT? Total Learning Center is offering practice testing free of charge, 11 a.m., 1st Saturday of every month, 12051 Perry Hwy., Wexford. For info, call (724) 940-1090 or success@totallearningcenter.com.
Veterans North Pittsburgh Quilts of Valor meets 7-9 p.m., 2nd Mon., of the month, Quilt Company, Middle Rd., Allison Park. Call (412) 487-9532 or www.qovf.org. Pennsylvania Community-Based Programs Awarded VA Grants to Support Disabled Veterans in Adaptive Sports at Slippery Rock University. Visit www.va.gov/adaptivesports. Veterans Discover HOPE Here-Career, 3rd Wed., 6:30-8:45 p.m., Cranberry Twp., Municipal Building, 2525 Rochester Rd., Cranberry Twp. Free. Call (724) 779-8323, discoverhopehere@gmail.com or www.discoverhopehere.com. Veterans Fitness Classes 5 Days a week, 4:30-5:30 p.m., VA Butler Healthcare Auditorium (bldg. 1), 325 New Castle Rd., Butler. Visit www.prevention.va.gov/B_Physically_ Active.asp.
P.A. ERBE & Associates Inc.
Yes, You Can Dance! (YYCD) is a special needs ballroom program for teens (16+). Participants meet one hour on Sundays at DancExplosion Arts Center in the North Hills or Steel City Ballroom in the South Hills. Participants are paired with a trained volunteer dance mentor. Call (412) 999-3998 or info@yesyoucandance.org.
Accounting & Tax Preparation Service for Personal & Business Income Taxes
Penny Ann Erbe
Enrolled Agent Federally Authorized Tax Practitioner
412-487-1009
4767 William Flynn Highway Allison Park, PA 15101-2456
Community Events Daddy and Daughter Valentine’s Dance (ages 5 & up), 6-8 p.m., Feb. 12, Pine Community Center. Register by Feb. 6. For info, visit twp.pine.pa.us. First Lego League Championship, Jan. 9, La Roche College. Open to the public. For info, visit www.AlphaSchool. org. Greybrooke Garden Club will meet 9:30 a.m., Jan. 13, Fellowship Hall of Parkwood Presbyterian Church, 4289 Mt. Royal Blvd. For info, call Barbro at (412) 296-9538.
Spring Shows in Slippery Rock University’s Performing Arts Series Offer High-Energy Entertainment
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ickets are available now for two powerhouse performances in Slippery Rock University’s Performing Arts Series this spring. Vocaldente, an a cappella group from Germany will perform at 7:30 p.m. on March 24 in the University Union. Winners of the world’s biggest a cappella competition, they have been praised by NBC for their “precise arrangement, tight harmonies and light-hearted humor. Visit their website at www.vocaldente.com. Barrage 8 - the “8” in the name represents a re-imagining of the string octet; four violins, two violas, cello and double bass - will appear in concert at 7:30 p.m. on Apr. 28 in the University Union at SRU. Visit www.barrage8.com. Tickets for each show - $22 for adults, $20 for senior citizens and $18 for youth 17 and under. Call (724) 738-2018 online or www.sru.edu/pas. F
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North Hills Community Outreach Citrus Sale is underway through Feb. 3. For details, call (412) 307-0069 ext. 3311 or nhco.org/fruit.cfm. Pittsburgh Knit & Crochet Festival & The Pittsburgh Creative Arts Festival, Mar. 4-6, David Lawrence Convention Center. Learn more at www.pghknitandcrochet.com. Selling Kids Out: Body Image, 7-8:30 p.m., Northland Library. Sponsored by Anchorpoint. Register at (412) 366-8100 ext. 123. Slide & Glide on North Park’s Olympic Size Ice Rink, Tuesday-Sunday now until mid-March. Family skate 4:30-7 p.m. every Wed. Two adults and up to four children can skate for only $10. For hours and rates visit alleghenycounty.us/winterfun. Three Rivers Quilters Guild Show, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Mar. 17; 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Mar. 18; 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Mar. 19, The Circuit Center, South Side. For info, visit quiltshow@threeriversquilters.org.
Library Northland Library Events: Cabin Fever Reading Club Returns, 7 p.m., Jan. 1-Feb. 29, Family Fun Night, 7 p.m., Jan. 12; North Hills Genealogists, 7 p.m., Jan. 19; Teen activities, 3 p.m., Mon-Thurs; Microsoft Computer courses through the month of January, 300 Cumberland Rd., McCandless. Call (412) 366-8100 x103 or www.northlandlibrary.org. Shaler Library – Teen Happy New Year, 7 p.m., Jan. 2 & 2 p.m., Jan. 24; Calming, Cozy Colors for Adults, 2 p.m., Jan. 10; Meet State Rep. Hal English, 10 a.m., Jan. 15 & 22; Meet the Author, 6:30 p.m., Jan. 18 & 7 p.m., Jan. 19; The Trip Is On Us, 1:30 p.m., Jan. 19; Get Your Artist On, 7 p.m., Jan. 22; Estate Planning & Asset Protection, noon, Jan. 26; Women Revitalize Now, 6:30 p.m., Jan. 29; Tail Waggin’ Tutors, 10 a.m., Jan. 30; Mini Golf Hole Creators Wanted For February Fundraiser, contact mcraes@einetwork.net or call (412) 486-0211.
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SUPPORT OUR TROOPS January 2016
Local School Districts and an Area College Show Their Support for Troops BY PAULA GREEN
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few local school districts and an area college recently honored and showed their support for our military. The Mars Area School District Inspire Club sponsored their inaugural “Charitable Challenge: Candy for Troops” project. Students in grades seventh through 12th collected over 64 pounds of extra Halloween candy which was sent to troops serving overseas. The drive was held Oct. 30-Nov. 3, and was paired with a similar candy collection conducted by students at Saint Kilian School in Cranberry Township. In conjunction with Veterans Day, the Hampton Heroes Program which honors military service men and women inducted six veterans into their program. The event was held Nov. 12 at Hampton High School. The inductees were - John Seibert, 93 of Hampton Township who served in the U.S. Army Enlisted Reserve Corps. His older brother, Captain Ray Seibert was inducted posthumously.
The elder Seibert was (KIA) killed in action on Apr. 28, 1944 during Secret Operation Tiger, which was a dry run of D-Day. Other inductees included – Gunnery Sergeant Kevin Boyd, U.S. Marine Corps who served from 2001-2012. Boyd was awarded the Purple Heart in 2004 for combat actions in Fallujah and Iraq. Specialist Conner Green, U.S. Army 2012-2013, who served in Operation Enduring Freedom, was installed. Green is a Hampton High School alumnus. Corporal Theodore Hazlett, Jr., U.S. Marine Corps who served 1987-1993 and was part of Operation Desert Storm was instated, and Aircraft mechanic, Sergeant Smith was also inducted into the Hampton Heroes program. La Roche College has been named a Military Friendly® College by Victor Media, a veteran-owned business and publisher of G.I. Jobs®. This is the seventh consecutive year
Keynote Speaker Conner Green
Inductee John Seibert
that La Roche has been bestowed with this prestigious honor. The college ranked in the top 15 percent of all Military Friendly colleges, universities and trade schools nationwide. In 2009, La Roche became a Yellow Ribbon institution working with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to reimburse 100 percent of veterans’ tuition cost. The college also offers military support through the Veterans Organization, which is one of more than 30 student clubs offered at La Roche. Those interested in learning more about the Yellow Ribbon Program at La Roche should call (412) 536-1263 or sherryl.lisco@ laroche.edu. F
We welcome brief biographies and photos of local servicemen and women from our community. If you know of someone you’d like to see featured in this column, please call (724) 940-2444 or mail the information to: Northern Connection Magazine, P.O. Box 722, Wexford, PA 15090-0722 or email northcon@consolidated.net.
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