2019 Northern Connection Education Guide

2019

NORTHERN CONNECTION

Education Guide

In this rapidly changing world, nothing seems to stay the same for very long. That is true even with our educational institutions. To stay the same is to fall behind. We are fortunate in our area to have many innovative programs, facilities and educators who believe in adapting to the times. In this our 2019 Education Issue, you will learn, among many things, about schools that bring the outdoors inside, excel in not only creating scholars, but humanitarians and who are adopting courses that will prepare students for our ever-changing world. We are proud to present our 2019 Education Issue.

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COV E R S TORY

Vincentian A Educating Minds and Hearts to

By Janice Lane Palko

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here is some debate whether ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle actually said that “Educating the head without educating the heart is no education at all,” but whether he gets the credit or not for the quote, the students at Vincentian Academy are not only receiving a top-notch education, but they are also developing hearts for their fellow human beings.

Located in McCandless Township, Vincentian Academy, a co-ed Catholic high school, is in its 86th year of educating students and preparing them to be tomorrow’s leaders. The school is a shining example of what a 21st century Catholic high school should be. Its globally recognized IB program thoroughly prepares students for a college education. “We are the only Catholic IB World High School in Pennsylvania, and we have a 100 percent college admission rate,” said Mrs. Rita Canton, Principal/ Head of School. “Our graduates go on to attend the top colleges and universities in the nation and the world.”

Each Vincentian student has a laptop, and the school boasts a newly renovated computer lab as well as a curriculum that provides additional courses in technology, engineering and robotics.

Vincentian’s stellar reputation is well-known and attracts students from around the world. The 66 students from the Class of 2018 were accepted to 155 of the world’s finest colleges and universities and were offered $15.2 million in college scholarships.

Along with its rigorous curriculum, Vincentian Academy has an outstanding performing arts program, 35 clubs and a successful athletic program, fielding 17 sports. The Vincentian Academy Royals have earned numerous WPIAL and PIAA

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state titles, including back-to-back PIAA state championships in girls’ basketball, three PIAA cross-country championships and the 2016 and 2018 PIAA state championships in baseball.

A ministry of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, students at Vincentian Academy follow the example set by those Sisters by bringing the love of Christ into the world. The amount and magnitude of service projects Vincentian Academy students have undertaken is nothing short of remarkable.

Mission trip to Belize

Last April 22, Mrs. Canton; Mrs. Jacquie Hopkins, assistant to the principal; Sister Luke Boiarski, a Sister of Charity of Nazareth; and a group of Vincentian Academy students traveled to Belize, Central America, to build the 350th Hand in Hand Ministries House for Ms. Sherlene and her three children.

“Working on this house has been a really enriching experience for all of us,” said student Ella Kozel. According to Nicholas Kenna, a current junior, the experience will affect him for the rest of his life. He said, “This has been the best week of my life.”

Lynne Belko joined her daughter, Teresa, on the trip to learn about new places “and understand that we are all the same everywhere we go and that we can live our faith every day in what we do as long as we follow in God’s path and listen to him in our hearts, we will end up where we need to be,” she said. “And I believe in this point in our lives, this is where we needed to be.”

Hurricane Harvey Relief

Students Anna Kim, Brinna Babich and Julia Cordisco dedicated their Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) project to aiding victims who were affected by Hurricane Harvey in Houston,

cademy Change the World

Texas. They designed a T-shirt to sell and donated the proceeds to hurricane relief as well as collected needed items such as cleaning supplies, blankets, bottled water, etc.

The funds were distributed by the National Catholic Association’s “Student to Student” campaign, launched on Sept. 1, 2017, to support the areas affected by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

which raised $10,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for research and awareness.

Caroline and Marina sponsored a second Color Run this past summer. Though they had already graduated, they wanted to continue the great effort that they had begun to increase awareness of Cystic Fibrosis and to assist in funding the research to eliminate it. They raised over $7,000 in this second effort.

Emmaus Community Volunteers

Bubble Run to Beat Breast Cancer

The Emmaus Community of Pittsburgh, a nonprofit dedicating to providing comprehensive support to individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism, benefitted from the support of students Thomas Kim, Joohyun Kim, Root Li and Aiden Zhou. They have helped with Emmaus’ Annual Thanksgiving Celebration, Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, and various fundraising events. They have even taught Emmaus’ residents how to play hand bells!

Laurie Song, who also regularly volunteers at the Emmaus Community, took up the cause of connecting the grandchildren of Korean War Veterans to Korean youth. She heard that the Korean War is called the “Forgotten War,” and acted to change that. She contacted the Blue House (the Presidential Palace in South Korea) asking for Korean Flags to present to veterans here.

Color Run for Cystic Fibrosis

Last February 8, students Caroline Elliott, Mark Yakim and Marina Eyster were honored with the 2017 Outstanding Great Strides Partner Award by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at the Omni William Penn Hotel. They were recognized for their efforts in their Color Run for a Cure, held in September 2017,

Seniors Vincenzo Battaglia, James Lutz, Jacob Lowry and Matthew Matisz hosted the Bubble Run 2 Beat Breast Cancer on September 15, 2018 at Vincentian Academy, utilizing its beautiful 67 acres. The students donated the proceeds of the run to the Young Women’s Breast Cancer Awareness Fund.

Bids for Kids for Children’s Hospital

Students Alex Sturgis and Gia Sunseri hosted Bids for Kids, an event and silent auction to benefit the patients in the burn unit of Children’s Hospital. This event, which required major planning, including the solicitation of sponsorships and donations, raised more than $7,000. 4 4 4

To learn more about Vincentian Academy, visit our Open House scheduled for Sunday, January 27, 2019, 1-3 p.m. call 412-364-1616 or visit our website at: www.vincentianacademy.org. www.northernconnectionmag.com | JANUARY 2019

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Education Spotlight

Outdoor Learning Inspires Shady Side Academy Country Day School Students At Shady Side Academy Country Day School in Fox Chapel, classes have never been limited by walls.

Teachers in all grades and disciplines take lessons outside, where students can engage with nature and explore the world around them.

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SA Country Day School sits on 17 acres of wooded parkland, offering endless outdoor learning opportunities. In addition to a playground, athletic field and garden, the campus includes an outdoor classroom and a new treehouse classroom nestled in the woods.

“We view our outside spaces as an extension of our classrooms,” said Dr. Jennifer Asmonga, head of Country Day School.

“Each day the forest and hillside provide new and exciting experiences for students to explore. Outdoor exploration enables children to be creative and utilize problem-solving skills in an authentic environment.”

The treehouse classroom, which opened last May, is the only one of its kind in Western Pennsylvania. It features a 12x20-foot enclosed classroom with Murphy tables and large windows that provide fresh air and natural light. A 30x30-foot observation deck surrounds the classroom, and a suspension bridge runs to a platform on a neighboring tree.

Country Day’s teachers take full advantage of the treehouse, outdoor classroom and woods as learning spaces year-round. In science, second, fourth and fifth graders use the treehouse as a geology lab, collecting and analyzing rock and soil samples, while third graders study the layers of the forest by observing birds and caterpillars in the canopy, searching for bugs and salamanders in the woods, and building habitat terrariums.

In language arts, students take nature walks and use the sights and sounds of the woods as inspiration for writing nature poetry. After fifth graders read the book Hatchet about a teen surviving on his own in the wilderness, they reenact the character’s experience by building a shelter in the woods and cooking on a backpacking stove.

In art class, students study and recreate the colors, patterns and textures of nature and gather natural materials such as leaves and flowers to create artwork.

Music classes have found the shady wooden stairs of the treehouse to be a perfect spot for singing, and enjoy swaying on 18

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the suspended bridge when singing in 6/8 meter. The outdoor classroom is a perfect spot for campfire-style singalongs, too.

Students also benefit from the Academy-wide SSA Farm program, a PK12 sustainability education initiative. The Country Day School campus features a U-shaped garden bed that students help to maintain, beginning seedlings in the science lab and transplanting them to the garden, and harvesting fresh veggies to make salads and salsa. They also visit the 4,000-square-foot farm on the SSA Senior School campus just across the road to observe firsthand how bees aid in pollination and how chickens provide nutrients and control insects.

To learn more about Shady Side Academy Country Day School, visit www.ShadySideAcademy.org/CountryDaySchool or call 412-963-1277. Register now for January pre-kindergarten and kindergarten readiness screening for the 2019-2020 school year. 4 4 4

2019 Education Guide Directory A Place to Grow Learning Center

www.aplacetogrowlearning center.com (412) 963-7000

Art Imagined

www.artimaginedpgh.com (724) 934-2600

A.W. Beattie Career Center www.beattietech.com (412) 847-1900

Butler Catholic School

La Roche College

Rothrock’s Kung Fu

Carlow University

North Hills Regional Catholic Elementary Schools

Saint Joseph High School

www.butlercatholic.org (724) 285-4276 www.carlow.edu

CCA

www.ccaeducate.me

Clarion University of Pennsylvania

http://www.clarion.edu/

BC3

Early Years

http://www.bc3.edu/transfer

https://earlyyearsinc.com/

Blessed Francis Seelos Academy

Heart Prints Center for Early Education

(Saint Alphonsus / Saint Alexis) www.nhrces.org/seelos (724) 935-1152 / (724) 935-3940

www.heartprintsed.org (724) 741-1008

Blessed Trinity Academy

(Saint Sebastian School / Saint Teresa of Avila School) (412) 364-7171

(Saint Bonaventure / St. Mary / St. Ursula) www.nhrces.org/trinity (412) 486-7611

Holy Cross Academy

www.laroche.edu (412) 367-9300

www.nhrces.org (412) 837-1056

Ohio Valley Hospital School of Nursing

www.rothrockskungfu.com (724) 940-0120 www.saintjosephhs.com (724) 224-5552

Saint Paul’s Kidz Korner www.stpaulsumc.com (412) 334-8193

https://ohiovalleyhospital.org/ schools/school-of-nursing/ (412) 777-6204

Shady Side Academy

PA Cyber

St. Wendelin School

www.pacyber.org (888) 722-9237

Providence Heights Alpha School www.alphaschool.org (412) 366-4455

Quigley Catholic High School www.qchs.org (724) 869-2188

www.shadysideacademy.org (412) 968-3000 www.stwendelinschool.com (724) 285-4986

TenderCare

www.earlyeducationpros.org Wexford: (724) 934-0411 McCandless: (412) 367-3269 Cranberry: (724) 772-0598

Vincentian Academy

Vincentianacademy.org (412) 364-1616

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PA Cyber Charter School

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erving students in kindergarten through 12th grade, the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School (PA Cyber) is one of the largest, most experienced and most successful online public schools in the nation. PA Cyber’s online learning environments, personalized instructional methods and choices of curricula connect Pennsylvania students and their families with state-certified and highly qualified teachers and rich academic content that is aligned to state standards. Founded in 2000, PA Cyber is headquartered in Midland (Beaver County) and maintains a network of support offices throughout the state. As a public school, PA Cyber is open for enrollment by any school-age child residing in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and does not charge tuition to students or families.

At PA Cyber, our student-centered instructional model recognizes the different developmental stages students typically follow, while respecting the innate differences and unique abilities of each individual child. This flexible-but-focused learning model allows our teachers to use a variety of teaching strategies and curriculum choices to create an education program that is deeply personal. It all works to inspire students – supported by the caring adult mentors in their lives – to become self-motivated, lifelong learners.

For more information, to attend an online info session or to make an enrollment appointment, please visit www.pacyber.org or call 1-888-PA-Cyber (722-9237). 4 4 4

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Holy Cross Academy Challenging Minds.

Engaging Hearts.

Nurturing the Spirit.

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oly Cross Academy, located in Ross Township, was formed in 2017.

Beginning in preschool, HCA challenges the minds of students by offering a state-of-the-art curriculum. Next year, HCA will be incorporating Computer Science and STEM classes as part of the core curriculum. With the projections for employment placement in the future, we feel it is necessary to begin introducing Robotics and coding to the school students.

Our commitment to challenging minds is matched by our commitment to engaging hearts. From preschool through eighth grade, we teach values and provide character-building life lessons in each area of our curriculum throughout the school day. Each month, the students live out a virtue that is based upon a theological or cardinal virtue. Students of HCA become walking disciples of Jesus Christ.

HCA students’ spirits are nurtured when they are called to serve others. This year, HCA has partnered with Catholic Charities. The student’s Catholic Identity, as it relates to stewardship, has been shaped by the activities they have participated in with Catholic Charities.

As an example, the students conducted a warming station drive and participated in the Love Walk. From a stewardship perspective, personally delivering the clothing to the people, who would benefit from the drive, allowed the students to form a stronger Catholic Identity.

Becoming a student at Holy Cross Academy will challenge a student’s mind through the state-of-the-art curriculum, nurture a student’s spirit with the partnership with Catholic Charities and engage hearts with the monthly virtues that allow them to model the teachings of Jesus Christ. Call the school at 412-3647171 for more information or to schedule a tour. 4 4 4

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Student of the Month

John Jackline

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ohn Jackline is a ninth-grade student with the University Scholars Program through Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School in West Chester. He is enrolled in the all tenthgrade honors/gifted and eleventh grade AP courses as well as being a member of National Junior Honor Society and Student Government. John has been with this specialized program since the seventh grade. He is also a Ben Carson Scholar and has won this honor for the last three years.

In the athletic realm, John is on both the freshmen football and wrestling teams for Butler School District. He recently played in the Offense Defense All American Bowl, which was held Dec. 26-30 In Daytona Beach, Florida.

John is a member of the Pitt United Rugby Team. He sails and is a member of the Moraine Sailing Club as well as playing ice hockey for Belmont In-House League. John is a golf team member and swims and kayaks with the YMCA Trailblazer/Camp Kon-O-Kwee. John has played baseball for the East Butler League.

A Cadet for the Civil Air Patrol--a branch of the Air Force, John is also a member of St. Paul Roman Catholic church and was also a member of the Youth Advisory Council for Butler. 4 4 4

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Advent Celebrations of the Season

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n the evening of December 11, 2018, Quigley Catholic families strolled through the streets of Baden at the First Annual Christmas Caroling and Walk of Light event. Forty carolers bundled up in festive gear and departed from Quigley Catholic while greeting their neighbors. Hot chocolate, hot cider and cookies were enjoyed by all as they warmed up in the QCHS cafe after the event.

On Thursday, December 13, the QC choir members commemorated the birth of Christ the King with a choral concert. Directed by Mr. Dan Miller, QCHS Music teacher, 54 students raised their voices in song to traditional favorites.

Quigley Catholic students had the opportunity to take part in a wonderful Sacrament of Reconciliation for Advent on Thursday, December 13. Six priests from the Diocese came to QC to listen to confessions. In addition, Quigley Catholic will make a school pilgrimage to Washington D.C. in support of the sacredness of life. They will take two buses to the 46th annual March for Life on Friday, January 18. 4 4 4

Clarion University

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larion University’s Department of Special Education and Disability Policy Studies and The Competent Learner Model Center of Excellence proudly announce two new, all online, certificate programs in the Special Education Department.

Certificates are available at the undergraduate (Assistant Applied Behavior Analyst and Competent Learner Model Certificate) and graduate (Applied Behavior Analyst and Competent Learner Model Certificate) levels.

Supporting the needs of children and families that feel the impact of autism and other behavioral challenges, the program will arm special education students with certifications along the path to completing their degree that will make them better equipped and highly effective educators. The ABA/CLM Advanced Competency Certificate Program has been approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) as a Verified Course Sequence (VCS).

Clarion University is the first in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education to embed the new CLM curriculum within the established undergrad and graduate special education degree and has exclusive rights to the use of CLM for college credit in the state of Pennsylvania.

Prospective students include anyone seeking a behaviorally focused undergraduate degree or master’s degree in special education, or anyone already holding a degree in education, psychology or applied behavior analysis who wants to further their knowledge. These skills support educators, teachers and paraprofessionals, behavior specialists, therapeutic support staff and more. 4 4 4

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New Year is a Great Time to Try CCA’s Fresh Twist on Education

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hances are good that your child’s classroom looks pretty much the same as the one you sat in and probably your parents and grandparents, too. Today’s schools may contain more technology than yesteryear, but they still operate on the same model of teaching students the same thing at the same time in the same classroom.

At CCA, we recognize that a one-size-fits-all education doesn’t work for every student and learning style. CCA is a top, accredited K-12 public cyber charter school that provides a personalized education to all Pennsylvania students – at no cost to families.

Every child learns differently, at different speeds and with different interests. We recognize those differences and work with students and families to make sure the educational experience is personal, meaningful and fitted to each family’s lifestyle.

With a free laptop and internet subsidy from CCA, students can learn at any time from anywhere at a pace that works for them – not the entire classroom. Does your child pursue music, arts or sports interests that conflict with the school day? Perhaps your child has a job or internship or provides help for a family member. At CCA, students can do all of these things and still get a great education on their own schedule. We recognize that families are an integral part of a student’s learning, and that’s why we include them in every step of this educational journey.

CCA students learn through virtual lessons they can com-

plete in real time or whenever is most convenient for them. They learn through workbook projects, conservatory programs, educational field trips and a robust offering of school clubs.

CCA always looks for ways to give students an advantage through hands-on learning opportunities that correlate to a wide variety of career options. We challenge our students to think beyond high school graduation and more about what they might want to do in their 30s, but they need real-world experiences to help them develop those ideas. That might involve arranging for students to tour a TV studio or observe live surgery.

Or that might be CCA teachers rolling out our mobile aquaponics lab and two fully equipped mobile classrooms that travel the state and offer activities from astronomy observation and art exhibits to water and soil testing and book fairs.

School can be interesting, exciting and prepare students for the future. Break free of the traditional brick-and-mortar boundaries, and let your children start learning where and when it suits them. They will enjoy the freedom to pursue their interests, meet classmates from across the state and prepare for the future with job-related skills instead of just preparing for graduation.

Wherever you live in Pennsylvania, CCA can be the perfect match for an education tailored to your child’s interests and skills. We offer new enrollments year-round. Learn more or enroll free today by visiting ccaeducate.me or calling toll-free 844-5902864. 4 4 4

Tender Care Learning Centers

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ur mission is to help children prepare for a lifelong love of learning by providing each child a quality early care and educational experience. We seek organizational excellence by providing high quality services that meet or exceed licensing and recognized industry standards. We are The Early Education Professionals.

Our vision for Tender Care Learning Centers is to become the first and only choice for discerning, nurturing parents and teachers looking for an early child development and preschool home for themselves and their families.

We want our teachers to become known as the early education professionals. We accomplish this through annual, certified teacher trainings beyond the requirements of most child care programs and through our nationally recognized curriculum. 4 4 4 www.northernconnectionmag.com | JANUARY 2019

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Rothrock’s Kung Fu & Tai Chi Chinese New Year 2019 Year of the Pig – February 5, 2019

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his year will be a year of goodwill to all. An excellent climate for business and industry. People will feel better and more relaxed. The complaisant attitude of the Pig will generate a feeling of abundance. The Pig Year is one of plenty and is accompanied by contentment and security. This year will find us entertaining a lot more than usual and getting involved in all types of charitable and social events. The Pig personality has honesty, simplicity and great fortitude. A person born during this year is one of the most natural people that you will meet. Popular and sought after, the Pig personality is the original “nice guy.”

Lion dancing originated during the Tang Dynasty (618-906 AD). Legend has it that the emperor had a dream in which a strange looking animal saved his life. When the emperor awoke and described the dream to his ministers, they told him that the strange animal resembled a creature from the west – a lion. The lion quickly became a symbol of good luck throughout China, and it was believed that a dancing lion chased away evil spirits. Today, lion dancing is still the most important opening ceremony for Chinese events and businesses. It is also a necessary ritual for businesses during the time of Chinese New Year, for the lion dancing evokes good luck in the upcoming year. 4 4 4

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School Movers & Shakers Shaler Area Shaler Area is proud to announce 1977 graduate Dr. Kathleen Buse has been named the 2018 Distinguished Alumnus. Dr. Buse Dr. Kathleen was recognized during Shaler Buse Area High School’s National

Honor Society Induction Ceremony on Nov. 15 for her accomplishments following high school graduation and her contributions to advancing women in the workplace.

Mars Area Two Mars Area Centennial School teach-

ers were selected to receive Mars Planet Foundation Teaching Enrichment Grants.

Chris Churilla, librarian/media studies teacher, received a $609.57 for a “Media Center Collaboration Space.” Colleen Hinrichsen, STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Art Mathematics) teacher, received a $1,312.05 for a “Transforming iPads into Creation Studios” project.

Mars Area eighth-grader Cole Winstead earned first place in the 2018-2019 Mars Area Geography Bee Final Round Qualifier.

Mars Area School Board has reorganized for 2019. Dayle Ferguson was re-appointed as board president and Rebecca S. Brown as board vice president. Other board members are: Steve B. Boggs, Rita Dorsch, John L. Kennedy, Gordon Marburger, Dr. William G. Pettigrew, Christine Valenta and Bonnie L. Weaver.

Several Mars Area High School students were selected as winners of the inaugural West View Water Authority High School Video Contest.

Amanda Scurci earned first place and a $500 award. The team of Talia Bartley, Melissa Heintzinger, Ryan Kaniuff and Paul Rude took second place and a $250 prize.

Mars Area High School’s “Renaissance Students of the Month” for November 2018 are freshman Megan Boddy, sophomore Alex Tiller, junior Luke Vaselj, and senior Megan Hand.

Natasha Narasimhan, Mars Area Centennial School sixth-grader, was selected for an award in the PAGE Gifted Perspective Series Competition.

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North Allegheny North Allegheny Foundation has announced the nine North Allegheny graduates who will be honored as Distinguished Alumni in January 2019. The honorees are: Gregg Behr, Ben Butler, Gloria Flora, Timothy Hoellein, Yie-Hsin Hung, William Kearns, Larry Richert, Jerome (Jerry) Richey and Jeff Sewald.

Seneca Valley Seneca Valley junior and baritone saxophone instrumentalist Sean Scott was selected to perform in the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) AllNational Honors Band in Orlando, Florida. The performance took place at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort on Nov. 28.

Seneca Valley exceptional seniors Victoria Beck, Jacob Geil, Ben Hess and Rishin Sharma, have been selected as 2019 semifinalists in the Coca-Cola Scholars Program.

Two Seneca Valley students won awards at Slippery Rock University’s (SRU) 2018 Regional High School Art Exhibition.

Sonia Fernandes and Jessie Glatz earned two of the five awards presented during the exhibit reception on Nov. 19.

North Hills At the Dec. 4 North Hills Board of Education reorganization, work session and legislative meeting, school directors approved: Edward Wielgus as president and Helen Spade as vice-president of the Board of Education through December 2019.

Butler Catholic School (Butler)

Principal: Sr. John Ann Mulhem C.D.P. (724) 285-4276 www.butlercatholic.org

Providence Heights Alpha School (Allison Park)

Principal: Margaret Ruefle M.ED.M.S. (412) 366-4455 www.alphaschool.org

Saint Joseph High School (Natrona Heights) Principal: Beverly K. Kaniecki (724) 224-5552 www.SaintJosephHS.com

Vincentian Academy (North Hills, PA)

Principal: Mrs. Rita Canton (412) 364-1616 www.vincentianacademy.org

North Hills Regional Catholic Elementary Schools (412) 837-1056 www.nhrces.org

Fox Chapel Six Fox Chapel Area High School students won awards at the 38th Annual University of Virginia High School Model United Nations (VAMUN) Conference. Winners were: Hanna Chen, Rajeev Godse, Henry Jacques, Jackson Romero, Aaron Santilli and Sina Shaikh.

Several Fox Chapel Area High School students won awards at the Annual University of Pittsburgh High School Model United Nations (UN) Conference. Winners were: Hanna Chen, Gwendolyn Cullen, Rajeev Godse, Jonah Green, Shando Naini, Boomba

Nishikawa, Zeynep Ozkaya, Jackson Romero, Aaron Santilli, Anzu Sekikawa, Sina Shaikh, Helene Tracey, Angelique Uku and Felix Veser.

The Fox Chapel Area Board of School Directors held its annual reorganization meeting Dec. 3.

Terry L. Wirginis was re-elected president.

Nancy B. Foster was re-elected vice president.

Sandra M. Garbisch was re-elected assistant secretary.

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Shady Side Academy Interim Academy President Amy Nixon has announced the permanent appointment of Dr. Jennifer Asmonga as the head of Shady Side Academy Country Day Dr. Jennifer Asmonga School. Dr. Asmonga has been serving as the interim head of SSA Country Day School since July 1. She succeeds Sharon Smith, who retired at the end of the 2017-2018 school year. The school was formerly known as Fox Chapel Country Day School before merging with Shady Side Academy in 2017 to become SSA’s second elementary campus.

Butler Catholic Butler Catholic School eighth grader, Evan Dancik was selected as one of 12 winners in “The Respect Starts with Me” poster contest. Evan’s artwork was placed in the 2019 Drug and Alcohol Prevention Calendar produced by the Butler County Drug and Alcohol Program and the Butler County District Attorney’s office.

Butler Catholic School fifth grade class was recognized at a special graduation ceremony for their completion of the D.A.R.E (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) 10-week program. Congratulations to D.A.R.E essay contest 1st place winner Gracyn Vardy, 2nd place winner Ava Roxberry, and 3rd place winner Anthony Stoops.

Butler Catholic School fifth grade students Lissy Cornell, Jacob Hauser, Gracyn Vardy and Ava Roxberry all placed at their first Forensics Novice Tournament at Providence Heights Alpha School.

American Revolution for his exemplary qualities of patriotism and service. He was awarded a special American Commendation and a Good Citizenship medal for his leadership and his success in constructing a permanent flag pole at Aquinas Academy.

La Roche College The Board of Trustees of La Roche College recently welcomed three new members. They are: Dione Graswick, Mike Kenitz and Craig Tillotson.

Author and La Roche College English professor Joshua David Bellin, Ph.D., released his new fantasy novel The Devouring Land on Nov. 20.

Saint Vincent College

Aquinas Academy Aquinas Academy student, Anthony Hite was honored by the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Pennsylvania Society of the Sons of the

Saint Vincent College student Maysoun Y. Seman has been named People’s Choice Winner with her mixed media artwork titled “Mary and Elizabeth – The Visitation” in the Seventh Juried Catholic Arts Exhibition.

Art Imagined

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rt Imagined is a classroom space as well as a studio space. It offers a wide variety of classes including (but not limited to): painting, printmaking, jewelry, sculpture, pottery and drawing to children and adults. In addition to art classes, the studio also hosts group parties (BYOB) and events, including birthday parties.

Heather Rusiski, the owner of Art Imagined, has dreamed of owning a school and studio for more than 10 years. When her kids went to school, she made her dream a reality and now offers her knowledge of art, art history and creativity to students. She has a degree in Art Education and a minor in Art Studio. She is from Wexford and graduated from North Allegheny. Her passions lie in two places, her family and teaching. She believes that in life you can’t just sit back. “You have to experience it, take risks and live without regrets, that’s what I feel ART is all about, and that’s also what drives me every single day,” Heather said. 4 4 4 32

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Carlow University’s New Data Analytics Degree Helps Students to a Bright Future Data analysts may need shades if the latest news from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics is true.

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he bureau has forecast an 11 percent growth rate in data analytics careers, and Carlow University is prepared to help students reach their potential in this growing field with its new bachelor of science in data analytics, enrolling now for Fall 2019 classes.

At Carlow, this degree is more than simply crunching numbers, as the university has added qualities to match what regional employers need.

“In line with what employers say they are looking for from data analysts, Carlow University will join the technical and statistical skills needed in the field with an infusion of ethics and communication skills,” said Beth Zamboni, PhD, chair of the mathematics department at Carlow.

The program will use real world data that has been created and curated by corporations like Google and Microsoft about real world problems.

“Our program focuses on applied mathematics and statistics with a focus on teaching students to use the tools that they will need to interpret and thrive in the data world,” said Ericka Mochan, PhD, who will serve as program director of the data analytics major. “We have intentionally designed this program to be interdisciplinary so that it includes not only math, stats, and analytical tools, but also philosophy, ethics, and communication skills.”

In addition to course work, students will be able to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom during a data analytics internship with one of the many partners that Carlow has enlisted; many of these opportunities will be right in Carlow’s Oakland neighborhood.

For more information about the bachelor’s in data analytics, visit carlow.edu/data. 4 4 4 34

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