Spring 2017
A South Hills remodeling company helps dream projects come true www.twpusc.org/magazine/usc-today-home
The official publication of the School District and Township of Upper St. Clair
Robbins Bobbitt Sales Director
Bonnie Bagay
Rebecca Church
Leanne Dresmich
Bob Ellison
Susan Highley
Dale Swanton
Jody Yurcich
Marie Mageras
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Sue Musulin
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Frankie Jo Kunselman
Jess Hutchinson
Kathy McCloskey
Maureen Cavanaugh
Lynne Bingham
Patty Morgan
Would you like to join our team? Call for a confidential discussion: Robbins Bobbitt,Sales Director 412-833-3600 Janet Hensler
Mary Sapienza
Upper St. Clair Office 180 Fort Couch Rd, Upper St. Clair, Pa 15241 412-833-3600 • HowardHanna.com
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e c i v r e S in ’17 Spring 2017 • Volume 23 • Issue 1 www.twpusc.org/magazine/usc-today-home
Features & Around the Township 12
William T. Fife House Awarded Historic Landmark Plaque
Township 21
Highlights of the Board of Commissioners’ Meetings
•
usctoday@uscsd.k12.pa.us
School District 41
26
Upper St. Clair School District Annual Report
30
Private Donors Advance PLC Initiative at USC
Guides/ Directories 38 Pinebridge 66 Home Improvement 86 Advertiser Index
Department of Finance 2017 Budget Highlights
50
A Healthier USC, Tracking Better Workouts
Reorganization @ the Library
52
Photo Ops 22
55
37
Judge Arnoni Discusses the Positive Benefits of Youth Volunteerism
Fire Safety for Elders with Special Health Needs
14 17 18
Coach’s Corner, Featuring Mark White
34 36
Moving Toward a Sustainable Lifestyle
Bounty Wrap-Up 2016
USCHS Mini-THON Finding Success Through Crowdfunding
60
They Did What?
Veterans Monument Park
72
PSO’s Peter and the Wolf Visits USC
73
Community Foundation’s Oktoberfest
75
USC 2016 Medallion Ball Honorees
Cover
The spring cover of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY is sponsored by
Clark Renovations, Inc. See pages 10 and 11 for a feature article about this long-time South Hills remodeler.
16
Tigers and Bears and Elephants, Oh My!
29
Police Department News
33
Student Volunteers at the Library
53
Freshman Field Day
59
Let’s Make Music 4
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
Spring 2017
76
A Little New and a Little Old
The award-winning, official publication of the School District and Township of Upper St. Clair UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY is a not-for-profit community magazine that is dedicated to promoting
the Township and School District of Upper St. Clair by recognizing the gifts and contributions of the people who live and work here. This year marks 22 years of our publication.
The 89th issue of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY magazine is made possible through the combined resources of the staff and volunteers of the Township and School District of Upper St. Clair. Thanks are extended to the staff and volunteers for their enthusiasm and efforts on this continuing project.
Fall 2017 edition deadlines: Articles—June 22 Advertising—June 26
Publishers Matthew R. Serakowski Township Manager Dr. Patrick T. O’Toole Superintendent of Schools Steering Committee Mark S. Mansfield, Assistant Township Manager Paul K. Fox, School District Representative Editors and Staff Linda M. Dudzinski, Editor-in-Chief Terry Kish, Associate Editor Colleen DeMarco, Office Manager, Advertising Executive Lynn Dempsey, Advertising Executive Dorothy Clark, Graphic Designer Alison Hess, Marketing Executive
Mark Mansfield, Paul Fox, Linda Dudzinski, Terry Kish, Colleen DeMarco, Lynn Dempsey, Dorothy Clark, and Alison Hess. UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY is a non-partisan Township, School District, and community magazine. Political advertising and political commentary are not accepted. The publishers of this magazine reserve the right to reject advertising or articles inconsistent with the objectives, image, and aesthetic standards of the magazine.
The next issue of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY will be the Summer 2017 issue and will be published in May 2017. Articles that were submitted but not published in this issue are on file for consideration in upcoming issues. Articles and announcements may be sent to:
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY magazine is published
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
and mailed quarterly to residents and businesses in Upper St. Clair. Extra copies of the magazine are available at the Township of Upper St. Clair Municipal Building and Township Library. If you did not receive a copy in the mail, please call 412-833-1600, extension 2284. Subscription Information If you know someone living outside the Township who would enjoy receiving UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY, please send $12 to cover mailing and handling for the next four issues with name and address, including zip code, to our address listed above. Add $10 to cover international mailings.
Editor
1820 McLaughlin Run Road Upper St. Clair, PA 15241 or email UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY at usctoday@uscsd.k12.pa.us.
Article Information
Editor-in-Chief Linda Dudzinski phone: 412-833-1600, extension 2681
Advertising Information
Office Manager Colleen DeMarco phone: 412-833-1600, extension 2284 fax: 412-851-2592 Ad file submission: dclark@uscsd.k12.pa.us
Website www.twpusc.org/magazine/usc-today-home Email usctoday@uscsd.k12.pa.us Board of School Directors
Angela B. Petersen, President Amy L. Billerbeck, Vice President Barbara L. Bolas Phillip J. Elias Buffy Z. Hasco Patrick A. Hewitt Frank J. Kerber Harry F. Kunselman Louis P. Mafrice, Jr.
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UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
Township Board of Commissioners Mark D. Christie, President, Ward 4 Rex A. Waller, Vice President, Ward 2 Nicholas J. Seitanakis, Ward 1 Robert W. Orchowski, Ward 3 Ronald J. Pardini, Ward 5 Russell R. Del Re, At Large Daniel R. Paoly, At Large
Spring 2017
Thank you to our volunteer contributors this issue: Judge Ronald Arnoni, Daniel Barr, Cindy Brophy, Deb Conn, John D’Angelo, Heather Holtschlag, Jessica Kester, David Kutschbach, Robb Lenhart, Jay Lynch, Jim Meston, Ashley Miller, Congressman Tim Murphy, Jim O’Brien, Helen Palascak, Jim Render, Emanuel Romanias, Ron Sarrick, and Mary Lynne Spazok. Young Writers Guild (YWG) promotes and encourages young writers in the Upper St. Clair School District to provide articles of interest for our community magazine. Email usctoday@uscsc.k12.pa.us to find out how your student can contribute. The 89th issue of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY is a joint publication of the Township and School District of Upper St. Clair. © Copyright 2017. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this magazine, in print or web version, in whole or in part, without the expressed written consent of the Editor, is strictly prohibited. UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY 1820 McLaughlin Run Road Upper St. Clair, PA 15241 Phone: 412-833-1600, extension 2284 Fax: 412-851-2592 Email: usctoday@uscsd.k12.pa.us Township: 412-831-9000 School District: 412-833-1600 Printed by Knepper Press 2251 Sweeney Drive, Clinton, PA 15026-1818 724-899-4274 Design by DMC Design 412-824-7844 • www.dmcdesign.com
Real Estate Agents Who Make a Real Difference!
Barbara Baker Team*
Lynn Banbury
Justin Christy
Frank Conroy & Florine Kelly
Kathy Corazza
Bob Dini
Wayne Freund
Judy Gelman
Kathy Hallberg
Liz Hoyson
Barbara Kurdys-Miller
Bob Main
Bobbie Mikita
Angela Mize
Heather Orstein
Melissa Prunzik
Joann Robb
Michele Schocker & Ruth Weigers
Donna Snefsky
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Let us help you find your way home! Call one of our award-winning Mt. Lebanon Regional sales associates Sharronn Zhang
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Tony Mete Manager
1679 Washington Road www.ThePreferredRealty.com * Barbara Baker Realtor®, Terry Abbott, Ciara Higgins, Lori Ritchey and Kristen Shaw- All licensed assistants ©2017 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchise of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.® Equal Housing Opportunity. Information not verified or guaranteed. If your home is currently listed with a Broker, this is not a solicitation.
A Spring Note from the Publishers Dr. Patrick T. O’Toole
Matthew R. Serakowski
We are excited to soon be welcoming spring! To greet this much-anticipated season with open arms, we share with you this edition of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY. The ideas for the stories we share come from various sources. At the time of each edition, we concentrate on three general topic areas—what’s going on in our Township, what’s happening in our schools, and what interesting lives our residents are leading. Some of our volunteer writers also enjoy sharing stories of USC past with our readers. In this edition, the Township reminisces about our community’s fall Bounty event (pages 22–23), reports on its 2017 budget (pages 26–28), and provides information about various opportunities for classes and activities at the library (pages 30–33). Make sure to also read the article on sustainability (page 36). In it, you’ll find the most up-to-date information about how you can become a better citizen when it comes to recycling, reusing, and repurposing in our community. Find all Township-related articles on pages 20–37. For the first time, the School District uses the magazine to display its annual report (pages 41–48), providing an overview of our District and its buildings’ and administration’s accomplishments. Additionally, learn about the PLC initiative (pages 50–51) in which private citizens are sharing their resources to enhance our District. Find all School District-related articles on pages 40–64. This year’s UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY motto is “Service in ’17”—a slogan we take very seriously. Which general section do you find most interesting? Which article in this edition best grabs your attention? Let us know by emailing usctoday@uscsd.k12.pa.us, sharing your thoughts. This publication exists for your pleasure; the more feedback we get from you, the more opportunity we’ll have to meet your expectations. Isn’t it nice to know that we’ll soon be trading in our snow shovels for rakes and enjoying the outdoors, as we spruce up our surroundings from winter’s leftovers? Visit the Home Improvement guide in this edition (pages 66-70), where you just might find inspiration for that project you’ve been considering (or putting off). And be sure to thumb through the Upper St. Clair Trash & Recycling Information brochure that was recently mailed to follow the many forms of recycling opportunities that are available to you. Happy spring!
Sincerely,
Sincerely,
Matthew R. Serakowski Township Manager
Dr. Patrick T. O’Toole Superintendent of Schools
Township of Upper St. Clair 412-831-9000 • Fax: 412-831-9882 Website: www.twpusc.org Email: uscadmin@twpusc.org
Upper St. Clair School District 412-833-1600 • Fax: 412-833-5535 Website: www.uscsd.k12.pa.us Email: info@uscsd.k12.pa.us
TODAY, the award-winning, official publication of the School District and Township of Upper St. Clair www.twpusc.org/magazine/usc-today-home 8
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
Spring 2017
usctoday@uscsd.k12.pa.us
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and asked friends, neighbors, and co-workers about their own remodeling experiences often choose to work with us in the end. Once a client decides to partner with us, they rarely go elsewhere. Approximately 85% of our business comes from repeat clients and their referrals.” For those customers who believe that remodeling is a commodity and that the lowest price is the best value, Clark offers the following When choosing a remodeling partner, a prospective client’s decision to contract with a firm is influenced by many factors. In no particular order, considerations such as trust, quality of products offered, warranty, availability, cost, craftsmanship, the ease of doing business, and the company’s reputation all play a role in the decision process. Other factors that are just as important, but often overlooked, are the company’s financial stability, proper insurance, licensing and certifications, and years in the business. “An educated consumer is our best customer,” boasts Steve Clark, president of Clark Renovations. “Customers who have done their homework, reviewed potential contractors, investigated the best products,
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UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
Spring 2017
words of advice, “Customers generally focus on only one of the cost components, that when combined together, form the aggregate cost for a project. When considering a remodeling project, there are essentially three types of costs that the homeowner should consider when choosing a contractor: monetary costs, the client’s time, and, equally as important, the level of frustration and stress that the client is willing to take on.” Interestingly, Steve shares that there is a notable difference in clients’ perceptions of the cost to complete a project depending on whether they are a first-time remodeling customer or someone who has had work done in the past. Consumers new to the remodeling process often make the mistake of assuming all contractors are created equal and that they all have the requisite registrations, insurance, capabilities, and resources available to ensure that a project starts on time, ends on time, and runs smoothly. When things go wrong (and they occasionally will), good companies stand behind their employees and their contracts and make things right, regardless of fault or cost. Remodelers need to make a reasonable profit to assure their viability; otherwise, warranties are worthless. Anyone who has had a project completed by a subpar contractor, or had work done only to find that it was only warranted until they paid their bill in full, understands that there is much more to value than just the price you pay. Most remodeling clients (and people, in general) are busy. Jobs, family, community, friends, recreation, and commitments all consume precious time and leave the average person little time to invest in a remodeling project. A good remodeler will have processes and resources in place to help streamline the decision-making process, substantially reducing the amount of time a client spends worrying about the details. You’ll be surprised (and very possibly overwhelmed) by the number of selections and decisions that need to be made before your project begins. Each of these decisions will impact project timing and cost. Better remodelers—ones with designers and support staff—will have an enormous impact on reducing the amount of time you’ll need to spend making selections. The old cliché, time is money, is true. And the more time you need to spend on a remodeling project, the less time you have to live the rest of your life. A majority of folks would rather not be frustrated. They don’t like living with the stresses that come from uncertainty and unmet promises. Even when working with the best remodelers, clients can experience occasional surprise or disappointment. These instances, when handled properly and with the necessary amount of attention, can often be rectified quickly without impacting project timing or cost. If this added attention is unavailable, minor issues can become major stumbling blocks to your project’s completion date, budget, and overall end result. Having a new bathroom or kitchen installation doesn’t have to be a time-consuming, stressful process filled with uncertainty and frustration. Choose a contractor wisely so that your dream project meets your vision and expectations, and one that you are proud to show off to family and friends. n If you are looking for a new kitchen, bathroom, windows, or doors, Clark Renovations is a family-owned business located right here in the South Hills of Pittsburgh and built upon years of highly satisfied customers. To contact them, call 412-833-7222, visit them online at www.CLARKREMODELING.com, or stroll through their showroom located at 3180 Industrial Boulevard, Bethel Park 15102. See the front cover and also the ad on page 67 for project ideas. Spring 2017
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
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William T. Fife House Awarded Historic Landmark Plaque Robb Lenhart
The William T. Fife house was recently awarded a historic landmark plaque from the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation. The historic house in Upper St. Clair has long been a landmark in the South Hills of Pittsburgh. The home was constructed 185 years ago as a Greek Revival style, two-story brick farm house. Thompson Fife—grandson of John Fife, Sr. who emigrated from Fifeshire, Scotland, and was the pioneer settler in Upper St. Clair in 1766—built the house and, for the next 103 years, it remained in the Fife family. Named after Thompson’s son, William T. Fife, the house was eventually sold in 1935 by his heirs. Surprisingly, the house has had relatively few owners, three in the Fife family and six non-Fife owners. The Fife House is the third oldest, still-occupied residence in Upper St. Clair, trailing only the Joseph Philips stone house on Seegar Road (circa 1806) and the Thomas Dell and Martha Lesnett frame house on Old Lesnett Road (1820). The Fife House is on Old Washington Road, situated on a hilltop and encompassing two and one half acres. In late 2016, the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks William T. Fife house Foundation (PHLF) designated the William T. Fife House as a historic Pittsburgh landmark and provided the owners with a bronze plaque to recognize its architectural significance. The original owners, Thompson Fife and his wife, Margaret Espy Fife, married in 1832 and built the farm house that year for their residence. Their eldest son, William T. Fife, after whom the house is named, was born in the house in 1842, lived there throughout his 86-year lifetime, and died in the house in 1928. Viewed from the exterior, the house is a two-story brick structure on a natural stone foundation. The exterior brick walls were constructed two layers thick. The house has a gabled roof with asphalt shingles and four wall dormers. The Greek Revival PHLF historic landmark plaque design reveals a box cornice with dentils. Double hung windows have 6/6 lights. The left side of the house shows a rectangular screened porch which may have initially been a porte chochere. An open rectangular porch with a hip roof and four box pillars is located on the front of the house. The front door side lights show blue beaded glass with red glass in the transom. Initial construction of the house interior included four rooms—a living room and dining room downstairs and two bedrooms upstairs. A central hallway and staircase connected the two floors. The spacious rooms were constructed with 11-foot ceilings. Initially, there were two chimneys—one on each end of the main house—with a total of four fireplaces. Oak log floor joists support the wooden floors in this original part of William T. Fife the house. Two later left-wing and right-wing additions bring the current total in the house to five bedrooms, four full baths, a powder room, laundry room, study, living room, dining room, family room, sitting room, kitchen, and eight fireplaces. Fluted wood moldings are evident around doorways, windows, mantels, and chair railings. Authentic wooden cupboards, bookcases, baseboards, and the main staircase provide striking examples of quality woodcraft throughout the house. Circa 1890, an initial renovation occurred which involved the construction of a left wing that was added to provide another bedroom, bathroom, sitting room, and an enlarged living room. This renovation was necessitated when William T. Fife and his wife added seven more children to their family during 1880–1895, bringing the total to nine children. Floor joists in this left wing are sawed planks, contrasting with the rough logs found in the original house. Seven years after his death, the heirs of William T. Fife sold the house and 12 acres of the farm property on May 1, 1935, to a Pittsburgh attorney and his wife. At the time of purchase, the house was a red brick structure with an outside frame kitchen and 12
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
Spring 2017
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William T. Fife house in 1935 prior to renovations
Right wing addition
frame wash house. Renowned Pittsburgh architect Louis Stevens, fellow of the American Institute of Architects, then completed a second, more extensive renovation. He transformed the farm house by razing the two adjacent frame buildings and adding an L-shaped wing to the right side to include a two-car garage, two bedrooms, two baths, and a laundry. (In the ensuing years, the garage was converted to a family room and the laundry to a study.) Upon completion of the renovation in December 1935, the house was painted white. The Stevens design maintained the Greek Revival style of architecture of the main house. John Hehman was the contractor for the restoration work completed under the direction of Stevens. The Fife House was also the recipient of an award from the Historical Society of Upper St. Clair on September 16, 1979. At that time, the Historical Society recognized the house in a public ceremony as a historic structure in Upper St. Clair Township and provided a bronze plaque to the owners. n Additional information about the house is available in a book by this article’s author entitled The Historic William T. Fife House in Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania. The book describes the life and times of the Fife family members who, for over a century, owned the house. Considerable information on the Fife family genealogy is included. One of the ten appendices in the book provides a listing and photographs of the remaining 1800-era Upper St. Clair homes. Copies of the book are available from the Historical Society of Upper St. Clair, Bethel Presbyterian Church, and the Bethel Park, Carnegie, Peters Township, and Upper St. Clair Township libraries. Spring 2017
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
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A Healthier U(SC)
Tracking Better Workouts
Heather Holtschlag, Healthy Fit PR, Owner Whether you opt to head outdoors for a run, go to a designated exercise room in your house for an On-Demand workout, or go to the gym to meet your exercise buddies, there is a good chance that you are wearing a fitness tracker. According to a report by PricewaterhouseCoopers, nearly one in five Americans owns a wearable fitness tracker, and about one in ten wears it daily. “A fitness tracker is a wearable device—usually around the wrist—that monitors a variety of activity and sleep patterns,” said David DeCarlucci, MS, CEP, CCRP, supervisor, Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation at St. Clair Hospital. “Some examples of data that fitness trackers can provide include walking steps; running data, including distance, pace/speed, and heart rate; sleeping time, and how much movement is made during sleep. Most fitness trackers can be synced to Smartphone apps, Bluetooth, and computers to help users track their activity and set goals. Users also may be able to input information such as dietary habits.” Fitness trackers are growing in popularity, according to DeCarlucci, partly due to improvements in technology. “Years ago, the options were a basic pedometer that would monitor steps and a separate heart rate watch,” he said. “The current fitness trackers use a combination of technology, including accelerometers, GPS, and Bluetooth. They also are smaller and more comfortable to wear. The other reason for the increase in demand is because of the current culture. We want information immediately. Most of us like receiving instant feedback Dr. David DeCarlucci and data after our workouts.” There are plenty of reasons someone may want to invest in and wear a fitness tracker, but the two main reasons are to improve motivation and to help make the right choices in training. “Anyone who is using goal-setting to improve their fitness and health may benefit from a fitness tracker,” DeCarlucci explained. “When setting goals, people are usually more successful if the goals are SMART—specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and trackable. Fitness trackers help with making the goals specific, measurable, and ‘trackable.’ Some of the apps and websites also help direct the user in making the goals attainable and realistic.” Upper St. Clair resident Kristen Wilson wears a FitBit HR, a strap that wraps around the wrist, all day to be sure that she’s hitting her step goals each day. “Also, just out of curiosity, I like to see what my heart rate is while tracking cardio exercise, steps, and flights of stairs,” she said. “This motivational tool pushes me to reach my goal every day. When I can clearly see where I am and how far I have to go to reach my goal, it helps me to keep moving.” Wilson said she syncs her wrist strap to the FitBit app, which helps her monitor and track her progress. Other popular apps that can help track ongoing progress include My Fitness Pal, which also can log dietary habits and the number of calories consumed, MapMyRun, which is useful for runners who want to track 14
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
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mileage, or an app that connects to the specific fitness tracker the user wears. In addition to monitoring daily physical activity, fitness trackers can also help individuals with long-term goals, such as increasing exercise intensity and weight loss. “Fitness trackers can be a beneficial tool for exercise and weight loss,” DeCarlucci noted. “In addition to providing information like calorie expenditure, some of the apps include food diaries. Logging daily eating by itself can even help with weight loss, and information about your sleep along with the dietary log can provide useful information regarding triggers Kristen Wilson to poor eating habits. For example, some people notice that they eat more sweets when they are sleep-deprived.” According to DeCarlucci, a fitness tracker is only good, however, if it improves the user’s training and daily habits. Some trackers prompt the user to get up and move if they have been sitting for too long. “Before buying a fitness tracker, users should assess their current activities and goals and ask themselves what information would be helpful and what would motivate them and ultimately help them make the best choices for their own health and fitness.” DeCarlucci added that most of the data that a fitness tracker monitors—such as steps, calories, and sleep patterns—are just estimates. They may be off up to ten percent, but are accurate and consistent enough to help show change over time. Other information—such as mileage or pace—while using GPS are usually more accurate, but have limitations as well. It may not be useful if most of the user’s training is performed indoors. With so much reliance on fitness trackers for tracking daily activity levels, there are bound to be days when disappointment sets in or when you overestimate your activity levels only to see that you have fallen short, according to the tracker. How can you prevent an onset of discouragement? “Fitness trackers may be a source of discouragement, but you can also see it as helping you eliminate unrealistic expectations,” DeCarlucci explained. “For example, if you set an unrealistic goal of trying to lose too much weight too quickly just by exercising, seeing what your calorie expenditure is can help you set more realistic goals and, perhaps, help you focus more on daily eating habits. It helps to remember that any measurable progress toward your goal is beneficial. The people who reach their goals gradually and enjoy the process are proven to have better longterm results. When it comes to reaching your health and fitness goals, it may help to think of the process as a marathon, not a 100-meter dash.” n
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One and Two Bedroom Apartments • Large, Open Floorplans • Walk-In Closets • Granite Kitchens Stainless Steel Appliances • In-Suite Washer and Dryer • Private Balconies • Garage Parking Elevators in Every Building • Beautiful Views • Convenient Location in Upper St. Clair No Snow Shoveling! • No HOA Fees! • No Property or School Taxes! • No Maintenance to Self-Perform! No Landscaping to Worry About! • No Guesswork in Monthly Expenses! • No Worries! Call us today to schedule your private tour of the model and grounds at Torrente, 412-551-0520!
Tigers and Bears and Elephants, Oh My! Jay Lynch
One of the wonderful things about USC is the plethora of parents who volunteer for programs and activities that help kids reach their full potential, and, of course, have fun. Whether you’ve been involved with a parent-teacher organization or assisted with recreational programs, you’ve likely experienced what us boomers call “Art Linkletter moments,” when kids say the darndest things. When I was a coach for little kids soccer (ages five to six), I was confronted with a typical, yet troublesome, situation. The young boys and girls on my team had no interest in my attempts to educate them on how the game should be played. Little eyes rolled when I talked about soccer positions, offensive and defensive responsibilities, or the value of teamwork. Ignoring my instructions, they roamed the field together, like a swarm of bees, hovering around the ball and kicking each other in the shins. Having a habit of using obscure, baby boomer references, I told them that they looked like a rugby scrum on an Ouija board, which, of course, was met with head scratching and indifference, as were my other attempts to get them to separate and play by position. My wife, Katie, explained than I needed to modify my approach. I needed to speak to the youngsters in terms they’d understand. Her not-so-gentle words were, “They’re kindergartners. They can barely tie their shoes. And you want them to master soccer positions? Lighten up!” Being an exceptionally obedient spouse, I adjusted my approach. I decided to explain soccer positions in a way that little kids would understand… with animal metaphors. Using my rudimentary artistic skills and magic markers, I drew the faces of three tigers, two bears, and an elephant on cardboard, cut them out, and took a roll of clear packing tape to the next game. Before play started, I explained to my players that the goal of the game was to have fun, and asked, “What more fun could there possibly be, than pretending you’re a wild animal?” I asked for three volunteers to be tigers, and taped tiger faces to their rec-issued T-shirts. I told them that, as tigers, they’d need to be fast and aggressive, attacking at all times. I encouraged hissing and growling, told them to stay on the opponent’s side of the field, and instructed them to kick the ball into the goal with their powerful paws. The rest of the players thought the animal concept was pretty cool and begged to also be soccer beasts. Two players asked to be bears. I taped bear faces to their shirts and instructed them to stay back, near our den (goal), roar at those who dared to come near, and send them away by kicking the ball forward to one of our tigers. My remaining player was the elephant (goaltender), which I described as a large, intimidating 16
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
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beast that stayed near the net and used his massive legs, arms, and trunk to swat away balls that came his way. Trumpet noises from his trunk were also encouraged. The strategy worked! When play began, the players generally respected their positions. To my surprise and delight, the typically subdued sounds of the game were overwhelmed by a cacophony of animal noises from our team’s players. Intimidating the opposition with growls, roars, and trunk trumpets wasn’t part of the strategy, but it was effective. Opposing players had no idea why they were being growled at or why our players had cardboard animals flapping from their shirts. From a coach’s perspective, the animal strategy saved me lots of time. If a player wandered from his position, there was no need to confuse him with instructions about playing offense, defense, or goalie. I just had him look at the animal taped to his shirt. All was well. Until I noticed that one of my “bears” was nearly immobile. He had been restricting himself to the defensive zone, as instructed, but wasn’t growling at opposing players or kicking balls back to the offense. At the end of the quarter, I pulled him aside and asked if he understood the role of a bear. He said, “I was hibernating.” I fought back my laughter in an attempt to maintain a coachlike decorum. I congratulated him for knowing that one of the characteristics of bears was hibernation, and that he’d depicted it admirably. In the back of my mind, I wondered how a six-year-old had learned a complex word like “hibernating.” I assumed that our Blue Ribbon schools were to be congratulated and that my taxpayer dollars had been hard at work. Until I asked him, “That’s a pretty big word. Did you learn it at school?” His response, “Oh, no, Coach Lynch. I learned it at home. Whenever my father’s asleep on the couch, my mom tells us to leave him alone, ’cause he’s hibernatin’ like a bear.” Who would have thought that a simple cardboard animal face would result in a kid revealing his mother’s entertaining sarcasm? Of course, who would have thought Art Linkletter would have entertained USC residents (and America) for years, with a microphone, a smile, and a cavalcade of similarly delightful kids? n The animal photos shared in this article are the actual pictures drawn and used by Coach Lynch for his team. If you’d like to share a humorous memory of childhood sports, send an email to Jay Lynch at bkefather@ yahoo.com. We’d love your contribution!
RONALD A. ARNONI, DISTRICT JUDGE District Court 05-2-20 Office: 412-835-1661; Fax: 412-835-4060 5100 West Library Avenue, Bethel Park, PA 15102
Wellington
Judge Arnoni Discusses the Positive Benefits of Youth Volunteerism
As a District Judge, I have, unfortunately, seen an increase in the number of criminal cases in my courtroom over the past couple of years. All you have to do is watch the news to see what I see every day. There are probably as many reasons for this increase as there are crimes, but I strive to be proactive in identifying ways to prevent crime before it happens. I recently came across some articles on the positive effects of youth volunteerism, and I would like to share some of that information with you. Researchers have been studying the interaction between youth involvement (meaningful participation in an activity with a focus outside themselves) and positive development. When young people become engaged in community activities, they benefit in several ways. • They develop leadership skills as they become empowered in their community, school, church, etc. Problem solving and decision-making skills increase. • Engaging youth in the community creates a sense of belonging and purpose. These are the same reasons that some young people join gangs. If we can point them in the right direction at an early age, they will develop independence and a more positive self-image. • Community involvement has been shown to decrease problem behaviors, which sometimes emerge as a result of feeling disconnected and undervalued. Youth who engage in their communities are 50% less likely to use drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes, drop out of high school, get pregnant, or engage in destructive behavior. • The positive effects of youth who volunteer will last long into their futures. Young people who volunteer are more likely to have a strong work ethic as adults. They are also more likely to volunteer in adulthood, and more than 80% of those who volunteered as youth will donate to charitable causes as adults. • Developing empathy and compassion for the less fortunate is another benefit of community involvement for children. Over 70% of teens who volunteer believe that they have a positive effect on helping people and the community. I have established a program in my court for community service for minor offenders. Those defendants volunteer at nonprofit organizations. I believe that mandating community service in lieu of fines is beneficial for both the offender and our community. We need to encourage our children and young adults to get involved in the community at an early age to inspire them to become responsible adults and, in general, improve our society. Consider volunteering as a family. Children learn more by example than by what they are told. You can show them firsthand how good it feels to help others, whatever the cause. Encourage your child to participate in scouting, youth groups, school clubs, church groups, or sports organizations. Most high schools require some degree of community service as a requirement for graduation. If teens are matched with volunteer opportunities that interest them, they will be more likely to maintain that involvement. For example, animal lovers can volunteer at an animal shelter, future teachers can babysit, someone interested in the medical field can give his or her time at a hospital. Encourage the young people in your life to give of their time. Be creative when considering opportunities. There are many senior citizens living in nursing homes who have no family. They would love a small handmade gift or just some company. Another idea is to help neighbors who need their leaves raked in the fall or their sidewalks shoveled during the winter. If we work together to mentor our youth, we can reduce crime, inspire responsible behavior, and improve the quality of life for everyone in our community. Bottom line is, as I always tell parents and children, be involved in something positive. This keeps kids engaged, active, and out of trouble. n Spring 2017
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UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
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Coach’s Corner Featuring Mark White
Jim Render, USCHS Football Coach Every time I write a profile article for UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY about one of my former football players who has gone on
to become very productive in life after football, I become more aware of how fortunate I am to have coached so many marvelous athletes and, more importantly, so many outstanding people. My guys from the early to mid 1980s are now 50 plus years old and are approaching the heights of their professional careers. I could write a book (which is under consideration) rather than these brief articles, a handful of so many possible stories. In the meantime, let me go forward with this magnificent assignment. It is an All-American success story that needs to be told. In 1981, the Gulf Oil Company transferred Jim White and his family from Columbus, Ohio, to Pittsburgh. Jim and his late wife, Sherry, had four school-age children. The oldest, Mike, Mark White, USC, 1984 was entering his senior year in high school and he was told that he could choose the new school if he would just not raise too much of a fuss about leaving Worthington High School near Columbus. Eventually, Sherry and Mike came to visit Upper St. Clair High School and were greeted by former players Todd Novelli and Todd Lesnett. Since Mike looked like a tight end and linebacker, my guys said that he should join the team. The truth was that Mike was a swimmer, but he said he had an interest in football. He also related that the best football player was his younger brother, Mark. Now it was my turn to recruit, and I think I sold USC pretty well. My Ohio roots were helpful to these Buckeyes. Coincidentally, the Worthington football coach was a family friend, who, like me, grew up in Dover, Ohio. In the fall of 1982, Mike, Mark, younger brother, T.J., and younger sister, Kristine, became student athletes in the Upper St. Clair School District. For the record, Mark White is one of the best athletes to ever play at USC or in the WPIAL or in Pennsylvania, for that matter. Certain facts follow: • Mark was a three-year USC starter at linebacker and tight end. • Our team won 30 games in his three years of varsity football. • Mark was highly recruited and chose Georgia Tech to continue his football career. • Two of his high school teammates and fellow linebackers were Donny Lund, who went on to be captain at Yale, and John Mascaro, who earned a scholarship to Ohio University. How about that for a core of linebackers on the same high school team? • Mark and John graduated with engineering degrees, and Donny is currently a highly-regarded Pittsburgh attorney. 18
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Mark is probably most remembered in Pennsylvania for his accomplishments in track and field. Specifically, he threw the shot and discus, winning numerous WPIAL and PIAA championships. He threw the shot put 62 feet (a USCHS and WPIAL record) and the discus 184 feet (a PIAA record that lasted for more than 25 years). He is, of course, in the PIAA Track Hall of Fame, as well as the Upper St. Clair High School Athletic Hall of Fame. His throwing coach in high school was longtime USC teacher Dave Batchelor, who was a track and field Pennsylvania Hall of Famer and served the WPIAL as the head field judge for 40 years. Rare at the Division 1 level, Mark continued to be a multisport athlete at Georgia Tech. In 1985, he made second team freshman All-American as linebacker. His first start was against Auburn, which featured a running back by the name of Bo Jackson who later that year won the Heisman Trophy. Not many people could tackle Bo on a sunny Saturday afternoon! On the indoor and outdoor track teams at Georgia Tech, Mark was a multi-event All-American. I wonder how many student-athletes played three sports while pursuing a civil engineering degree at Georgia Tech, and at the same time received All-American honors in high level collegiate events? I’m sure it’s a very small fraternity. Most successful athletes set priorities with their time. They must juggle two basic fundamental purMark White, Georgia Tech, 1985 suits. First is the devotion to earn a college diploma. Second is the athletic training, along with competitive goals. But, when the birds start singing a little louder and the flowers bloom brighter, romance is in the air. Mark began paying attention to a “friend” from home who was also a Division 1 college athlete. Chris Joyce, a four-year letter winner at USC and Florida State University, excelled in the sport of tennis. If you want to know the driving time between Atlanta, Georgia, and Tallahassee, Florida, I’m sure Mark and Chris could give you the exact answer as quickly as your voice-assisted Siri. They have now been married for more than 25 years. Chris’ father, Jeff Joyce, is a former USCHS coach and school board member who is a longtime resident of Upper St. Clair. Chris’ mother, Ann, and brother, Rich (also one of my former outstanding football players), reside in Connecticut. Mark used his civil engineering degree to multi-task for Exxon Mobile for ten years. Next was a shift to human resources with PepsiCo., the parent company of Pepsi, Frito-Lay, and Tropicana. For the past 12 years, he has worked for Thermo Fisher Scientific, a world leader in serving science. He is vice president of Human
Speaking of international competition, Mark, after Resource Operations, including management an eight-year hiatus, trained to qualify for the 2000 responsibilities in Europe, Asia, and North Olympics. He trained for two years in the discus and, America. Mark and Chris reside in Hanover, at age 33, finished seventh at trials, an All-American Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston. It is there performance in my estimation. (Only the top three that they raised their daughter, Nicki, now qualifiers compete in the Olympics). 24, who works as an analyst for UBS, a Swiss If you have the opportunity to talk with Mark, global financial services company. Their son, you will note that he uses the word “family” often. Colin, 20, attends Boston College. For those of He praises his dad, his coaches, his opportunities, his you who follow the National Hockey League, educational background, and, of course, his family. His Colin was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in father, Jim, taught the family to “press on.” Jim lost his the first round last year. This past January, he Chris and Mark White in father when he was only 11 years old, and he lost his played for the United States team that won the Sacramento, California, where gold medal in the World Junior Hockey Tour- he competed in the 2000 Olympic son T.J. when T.J. was only 33. (The USCHS T.J. White Scholarship, a college scholarship administered by the nament in Montreal. He scored seven goals in Trials in track and field Community Foundation of USC, the tournament, including two against Russia is dedicated to T.J.) Jim lost his in the semifinals and one when they played Canada wife, Sherry, when she was only in the gold medal game. Losing four to three in the 61. Jim perseveres, and the famthird period, Colin scored to tie the game 4–4 that ily remains strong. Mark likes to eventually ended with the U.S. winning as a result of talk about his family rather than a shoot out. Penguins coach Mike Sullivan watched of himself. He revealed that he the tournament and was quoted in the Pittsburgh still cannot beat Chris at tennis. Post-Gazette saying, “I think it’s one of the greatest He believes that the education, international hockey tournaments that there is. It’s terrific hockey. I watched every second of the final Left to right are Nicki, Colin, Chris, and Mark White coaching, and preparation he received while at USC gave him game. I am proud of them.” I watched the game against Russia in the company of Colin’s and Chris many opportunities to go on to greater things in colproud grandfather, Jim White, at his Naples, Florida, home. It lege and beyond. The journey continues for Mark White and was perfect timing since I had just begun my recall and research his family; each of them is an All-American in my book—past, present, and future. n for this edition of TODAY. Spring 2017
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T Township Commissioners
2017 Township of Upper St. Clair Meeting Dates
Mark D. Christie
Rex A. Waller
Nicholas J. Seitanakis
Robert W. Orchowski
Day 412-831-9000 2017*
Day 412-831-9000 Evening 412-854-5065 2017*
Day 412-831-9000 Evening 412-220-4434 2019*
Day 412-831-9000 Evening 412-854-1868 2019*
President Ward 4
Vice President Ward 2
Ward 1
Ward 3
Ronald J. Pardini
Russell R. Del Re
Daniel R. Paoly
Day 412-831-9000 Evening 724-941-1199 2019*
Day 412-831-9000 Evening 412-287-9076 2019*
Day 412-831-9000 Evening 412-862-5995 2017*
Ward 5
At-Large
• The Board of Commissioners meets at 7:30 p.m. in the Municipal Building. The regular public meeting is held the first Monday of the month in the Board Meeting Room. The informational and general affairs meeting is held the last Monday of the month in the Board Meeting Room. • The Planning Commission meets the third Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m. • The Parks and Recreation Board meets at the C&RC the fourth Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m., no meeting in December. • The Zoning Hearing Board meets the fourth Wednesday of the month at 8 p.m. • The Civil Service Board meets as needed. • The Building/Fire Codes Appeals and Advisory Board meets as needed. • The Library Board meets as needed.
At-Large
*Date indicates expiration of term.
All business regarding the operation of the Township is conducted at the regular meetings of the Board of Commissioners. Citizens are invited to comment on any Township matter. Complete Board minutes can be found at the Upper St. Clair Township Library or on the website at www.twpusc.org. For more information, call 412-831-9000.
Township Administration
Matthew R. Serakowski Township Manager
Mark S. Mansfield Asst. Township Manager & Director of Administration
Douglas Burkholder Chief of Police
Mark P. Romito Director of Finance
Adam A. Benigni Director of Planning & Community Development
Amy Sommer Director of Information Technology
To reach Township personnel, call 412-831-9000 and follow the automated directions. Administrator Extension Matthew R. Serakowski........................................................216 Township Manager Mark S. Mansfield.................................................................219 Asst. Township Manager & Director of Administration Douglas Burkholder..............................................................238 Chief of Police Mark P. Romito......................................................................218 Director of Finance Adam A. Benigni....................................................................501 Director of Planning & Community Development Amy Sommer Director of Information Technology George Kostelich, Jr...............................................................271 Director of Public Works Helen M. Palascak.................................................................247 Director of Library Paul Besterman......................................................................656 Director of Recreation & Leisure Services Other Services Police–Administration............................................ 412-833-1113 Tri-Community South EMS–Administration........ 412-831-3710 USC Volunteer Fire Department–Administration.... 412-835-0660 Animal Control..................................................... 412-833-7500 Community & Recreation Center....................... 412-221-1099 Cable 7................................................................... 412-831-1030 Emergency–Police, Fire, EMS ............................. 412-833-7500
George Kostelich, Jr. Director of Public Works
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Helen M. Palascak Director of Library
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
Paul Besterman Director of Recreation & Leisure Services
Spring 2017
USC Township website:
www.twpusc.org
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Highlights of the Board of Commissioners’ Meetings September 6, 2016
Approximately 45 people attended
The Board • Continued Public Hearing Re. PLC16-1301–Zoning Map Amendment for Rezoning 1320 Mayview Road from C-1 Neighborhood Commercial District and R-LI Low Intensity Residential District to R-3 Medium Density Residential District to the Regular Board Meeting of October 3, 2016. • Adopted Resolution No. 1625 to authorize the Township Manager as the designated official to sign all documentation, agreements, and permit applications on behalf of the Township with regard to the acquisition of right-of-way for the Morrow Road Bridge Replacement Project. • Failed to place a moratorium on the installation of speed humps in the Township until staff can review certain other information to reevaluate the criteria of the Township’s Traffic Calming Program Policy. • Approved the Traffic Calming Plan for Country Club Drive. Approval of Contracts • Walsh Equipment Prospect, PA......................................................$99,790 Two 9' Aluminum Dump Body Upfits @ $49,895 each • R & B Contracting & Excavation, Inc. West Mifflin, PA...........................................$1,400,714 Perimeter Trail Installation–Boyce Mayview Park (Southern Extension Trail with reforestation and sign installation and Morton Trail)
October 3, 2016
Approximately 20 people attended
Recognitions • Commissioner Ronald Pardini presented a Proclamation to the Upper St. Clair Volunteer Fire Department, designating October 9–15, 2016, as Fire Prevention Week in Upper St. Clair. • Commissioner Ronald Pardini recognized the following members of the Volunteer Fire Department for their years of service: Ray Tomnay–45 years, Russell Rauch–40 years, Gregory Gerlach–25 years, David Kish–20 years, John Lekse–20 years, Joe Pascarella–15 years, Marc Chlebowski–5 years, Alan Epler–5 years.
• Approved the applicant’s request to continue PLC160007–Siena at St. Clair–Amended Final Land Development Approval to the Regular Board Meeting of November 7, 2016, and to grant a 35-day extension of all applicable deadlines under the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code. • Adopted Resolution No. 1627 authorizing the Township of Upper St. Clair to enter into a Multi-Municipal Agreement between the Southwestern Pennsylvania Corporation and the Municipality of Bethel Park for the McMurray Road Sinc-Up project. • Adopted Bill No. 8-16 Re. Bond Refunding.
November 7, 2016
The Board • Adopted Bill No. 9-16 Re. PLC16-0008–Tuscany Pointe– Planned Residential Development–Final Approval. • Adopted Bill No. 10-16 Re. PLC16-0009–South Hills Community Baptist Church–Preliminary and Final Subdivision Approval. • Established the public hearing date of December 5, 2016, for PLC16-0010–1371 McLaughlin Run Road–Nonresidential–Conditional Use Approval. • Adopted Bill No. 11-16 Re. PLC16-1251–Amendment to Chapter 125 of the Township Code Entitled “Vehicles and Traffic” to update Schedule VII regarding the posting of stop signs throughout the Township. • Adopted Bill No. 12-16 Re. PLC16-9901–Street Name Signs–Amendment to Chapter 99 of the Township Code, entitled “Public and Private Improvements” to update §99.4.14.1 regarding Street Name Signs throughout the Township. • Adopted Resolution No. 1629 to establish the public hearing date of January 3, 2017, for PLC16-1303–Amendment to Chapter 130 of the Township Code entitled “Zoning” to amend the provisions for freestanding business identification signage. • Closed Public Hearing Re. 2017 Proposed Budget. Approval of Contracts • Bradigan’s, Incorporated Kittanning, PA Gasoline and Diesel Fuel OPIS Daily Pittsburgh Average Index Plus Fixed Margin of $.0145/gallon of gasoline, $.0175/gallon of diesel fuel and $.025/gallon on winterized diesel fuel additive • Walsh Equipment, Inc. Prospect, PA.................................................$39,490.62 Street Signage
Special Meeting of the Board of Commissioners No public attendance
The Board • Adopted Bill No. 7-16 Re. PLC16-1301–Zoning Map Amendment for Rezoning 1320 Mayview Road from C-1 Neighborhood Commercial District and R-LI Low Intensity Residential District to R-3 Medium Density Residential District. • Adopted Resolution No. 1626 to establish the public hearing date of December 5, 2016, for PLC16-1302–Zoning Map Amendment for Rezoning of 1353, 1355, 1357, and 1361 McLaughlin Run Road from RM-Restricted Light Industrial District and RL-I Low Intensity Residential District to RM-Restricted Light Industrial District.
Recognition • Commissioner Mark Christie presented a Proclamation to Curt Leonard for attaining the rank of Eagle Scout.
Approximately 4 people attended
November 16, 2016
Left to right are Township Commissioner Ronald Pardini and Volunteer Fire Department members Ray Tomnay, Russ Rauch, Greg Gerlach, and Dave Kish
December 5, 2016
Approximately 12 people attended
The Board • Continued the meeting Re. 2008 Bond Refunding to Friday, November 18, 2016.
November 18, 2016 Special Meeting of the Board of Commissioners No public attendance
The Board • Adopted Bill No. 13-16 Re. 2008 Bond Refunding.
Curt Leonard and Township Commissioner Mark Christie The Board • Continued Public Hearing Re. PLC16-1302–Zoning Map Amendment for Rezoning of 1353, 1355, 1357, and 1361 McLaughlin Run Road from RM-Restricted Light Industrial District and RL-I Low Intensity Residential District to RM-Restricted Light Industrial District to the Regular Board Meeting of January 3, 2017. • Continued Public Hearing Re. PLC16-0010–1371 McLaughlin Run Road–Nonresidential–Conditional Use Approval to the Regular Board Meeting of January 3, 2017. • Adopted Resolution No. 1630 to authorize adopting and submitting to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection a planning module for land development for South Hills Community Baptist Church as a revision to the official Sewage Facilities Plan. • Adopted Bill No. 14-16 Re. Adoption of the 2017 Proposed Budget. Contracts • Knepper Press Corp 76 total pages = $ 9,900 Clinton, PA 84 total pages = $10,170 TODAY magazine 88 total pages = $11,250 92 total pages = $11,565 96 total pages = $12,420 100 total pages = $12,240 • State Pipe Services, Inc. Cranberry Township, PA.............. Per bidding schedule Operation & Maintenance Program • USDA Wildlife Service Raleigh, NC............................... Not to exceed $45,000 Special Use Culling Permit/Prescribed Activities
Spring Yard Debris Collection Saturday, April 8 Yard debris/leaf waste must be at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on collection day.
The Township of Upper St. Clair, founded in 1788, is a 10.5-square-mile, primarily residential community (19,000+ residents) located 10 miles southwest of Pittsburgh. This family-oriented community boasts an award-winning school district, excellent recreation,and a safe environment. Upper St. Clair has been named one of the “Top Ten Best Places to Live” by U.S. News & World Report. Spring 2017
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USC Recreation and www.twpusc.org
2016 Bounty Wrap-Up The 2016 Bounty at Boyce Mayview Park Fall Fest was a spectacular success, with the glorious weather helping to draw a large crowd. The award-winning Plunge with the Pumpkins enticed many families into the C&RC’s indoor pool. Artist-in-residence Rikki Walsh offered many hands-on crafts, including the always-popular pine cone turkeys, corn husk dolls, owl hand puppets, and tree painting with daubers, which were enjoyed by children, teens, and adults alike!
Visitors were kept busy with many activities, including face painting, a drum circle, square dancing, s’more making, apple slingshot competition, pumpkin bowling, giant Jenga, a petting zoo with baby farm animals and puppies, photo opportunities, live entertainment in the tent, mascot visits, and the baking contest with the always-popular public tasting. Ghost in the Head, a Native American educator, returned for another year with games and artifacts, and our local service heroes were on hand to display their trucks and gear. Already on the tentative schedule is Bounty 2017, set for Saturday, November 4. Mark your calendars now!
Youth Division (through age ten) 1st place: Noor El Nokali–Acorn Cake 2nd place: Gabrielle Fishell–Nutterbutter Turkeys 3rd place: Kate Falce–Ginger Cream Bars Junior Division (age 11–17) 1st place: Eden Ma–Apple Pie 2nd place: Jules Gray–Campfire Cake 3rd place: Madison Fisher–Caramel Apple Cupcakes w/Salted Caramel Adult Division (age 18 and up) 1st place: Abby Pagliai–Mocha Pumpkin Cake 2nd place: Donna Pembroke–Caramel Apple Bites 3rd place: Peri Murphy–Apple cider Cupcakes Thank you to judges Morgan Pahler, Vivian Criner, Colleen Miles, and Megan Kramer. See recipes from our division winners on page 23.
A Special Thank You To These Bounty Patrons Boy Scout Troop 228
Ed Palascak
Duprees Garden
Brown’s Orchard & Cider Co.
Center & Florist Gilfillan Farm
cial Thank You To These Bounty Patrons
e
2016 Bounty Baking Contest Winners!
Sherwood Nursery & Greenhouse
Coming Soon
Boy Scout Troop 228
& Brian McGuire
Spring/Summer USC Township Community Blood Drives Recreation Guide Location: C&RC Palascak Keep anEdeye out for the USC Recreation Spring/Summer Time: noon–6 p.m. Brown’s Orchard & Cider Co. Program Guide published and mailed at the end of March. You Dates: Friday, March 10 and Thursday, June 1 Duprees Garden Center & Florist can also check out the digital guide on the C&RC’s webpage at Fall blood drives will be announced in the summer issue of TODAY. www.twpusc.org/crc/crc-home. Spring programs start in April. Gilfillan Farm &
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UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
Spring 2017
Brian McGuire
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Leisure Services 412-221-1099
Old Fashioned Apple Pie
Eden Ma, first place 2016 baking contest, Junior Division Ingredients: • 1 package pre-made store bought pie crust (or make your own!) • 5-6 Gala apples; peeled, cored, and sliced • 3 tablespoons lemon juice • cup granulated sugar • cup brown sugar • cup flour • 1 tablespoon cinnamon • 1 generous dash ground nutmeg • 2 tablespoons butter • 1 egg + 2 tablespoons water, whisked together (this is the egg wash) Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 425°. 2. Carefully roll out one crust and gently press it into a greased pie dish, allowing excess to hang over edge. Cover lightly with plastic wrap and place in ’fridge to chill. 3. In a large bowl, toss apple slices with lemon juice. 4. Add sugars, flour, and spices to the bowl and toss to coat. Allow apples to sit for a while in this sugar/spice mixture, to release more juices.
Mocha Pumpkin Cake
Abby Pagliai, first place 2016 baking contest, Adult Division Ingredients: • 2 cups pumpkin purée • 1 cup vegetable (or flavorless) oil • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 4 eggs • 2 cups sugar (brown, white, or a combination) • 1 tablespoon baking powder • 2 teaspoons baking soda • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg • ½ teaspoon salt • 2 cups flour • ½-1 cup chopped walnuts (optional) Mocha Fudge Frosting: • 1 ½ cups heavy cream • 2 tablespoons butter • 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder (not granulated) • 350 g (12 ounces) chocolate (mix of dark and milk) • For topping, chop walnuts and chop dried cranberries Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 350°. 2. Grease two 9-inch baking pans with butter (or one 9"x13" pan). Place one of the pans on a piece of parchment paper and trace around it to form a circle. Cut two circles the same size and place at the bottom of each of the buttered cake pans, pressing down so that it sticks well. Dust buttered/ lined pan with flour, tapping out excess to coat.
5. Spoon apple filling into chilled pie crust. 6. Cut butter into very small pieces and sprinkle over the apples. 7. Roll out remaining pie crust. Cut into strips ½ inches to ¾ inches wide. 8. Place one layer of strips across the pie, over the apples, spacing about one inch apart. Do not press edges down. (Don’t worry about the overhang.) 9. Put down another layer of strips across the pie, perpendicular to first layer of strips, weaving each strip over and under the first layer of strips to create lattice effect, alternating weave from strip to strip. 10. Press down on edges of the pie crust to seal top and bottom layers together. Trim overhang and crimp to make a stand-up edge. (For an extra pretty look, press a few extra strips of crust around the rim of pie from leftover strips available.) 11. Brush egg wash lightly around edge of the pie. Cover with a pie crust shield, if you have one. 12. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until top is golden brown and juices are bubbling. 13. Cool on wire rack for at least 30 minutes. 14. Slice and serve with caramel sauce and freshly whipped cream or ice cream.
3. In large bowl, blend together pumpkin purée, oil, vanilla, and eggs until smooth. Add baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg, mixing well. Add sugar and continue to mix. 4. Gradually mix in flour, until batter is slightly thick and smooth; make sure all of the flour is incorporated, but be careful to not over mix, as over-mixing can result in a tough cake. Finally, fold in walnuts and chocolate chips, if using, until just combined. 5. Divide batter evenly between the two prepared pans and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool completely. In the meantime, prepare the frosting. 6. Pour cream into a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl. Add butter and espresso; stir to combine. Microwave for 2 minutes. (You can also do this on the stovetop, stirring constantly until it reaches a boil.) 7. Quickly add chopped chocolate and let sit for 30 seconds. Using a whisk, stir ingredients until velvety and glossy. Cover bowl with cling wrap and place in refrigerator for several hours or until thick and spreadable. 8. Run a knife around edge of the pans to loosen cake layers. Flip pans over onto a cake board or plate, and gently peel off parchment paper to reveal flat surface. Spoon 1/3 of chocolate mocha frosting onto surface of the cake, and spread using a frosting spatula or offset knife. Carefully lay second cake layer on top, so that flat side is up. Spread frosting evenly to create a smooth layer, and work it down sides to cover. 9. To finish, sprinkle cranberries and chopped nuts on border of the cake. Cake stores well in refrigerator for about a week.
Spring 2017
Acorn Maple Cake
Noor El Nokali, first place 2016 baking contest, Youth Division Ingredients • 3½ cups flour • 4 teaspoons baking powder • ¾ teaspoon fine salt • 1 ½ sticks butter, softened • ½ cup packed brown sugar • 2 large eggs • 1½ cups pure maple syrup • ¾ cups whole milk Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 350°. 2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. 3. In a separate bowl, beat butter with brown sugar until creamy. Add eggs, then maple syrup and milk. Add wet ingredients to dry and mix well. 4. Pour into 9"x13" cake pan. Bake for 40–45 minutes. 5. Cool thoroughly before cutting into acorn shape. Frost. Frosting Ingredients: • 8 ounces cream cheese • 1½ sticks butter • ¾ cup packed brown sugar • 2 cups confectioners’ sugar • Cocoa powder, optional Directions: 1. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, and brown sugar for 5 minutes. 2. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar, beating thoroughly. 3. Add a little cocoa to deepen color, if desired, and spread.
Senior Information Gold Card Offered by the USC School District to residents age 62 and older. Card admits holder to School District drama and musical performances, athletic events, and other events free of charge. Applications taken at School District reception desk at 1820 McLaughlin Run Road. Silver Card Offered by USC Township to residents age 62 or older. Card admits holder to the Municipal three-hole golf course, outdoor tennis facilities, specified Community & Recreation Center programs, and other activities designated and sponsored by the Township of Upper St. Clair. Applications are available at the Community & Recreation Center at Boyce Mayview Park. ACCESS 65 PLUS is a shared-ride transportation service program for senior citizens age 65 and older. Contact Chaz McCrommon, assistant community programs coordinator, at 412-221-1099, ext. 603, for information about this program and for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Senior Citizen identification card for the Port Authority Transit (PAT) system. For more information on any Older Adult programming, contact Chaz McCrommon, assistant community programs coordinator, at 412-221-1099, ext. 603, or mccrommon@twpusc.org. UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
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USC Recreation and Leisure Services Four Great Events Are Coming Up! MLB Pitch Hit & Run is scheduled for Sunday, Egg Hunt The annual egg hunt for colorful plastic eggs April 30, 1 p.m., with a rain out date on Sunday, filled with candy or even a prize-winning number May 7, 1 p.m. The USC Recreation Department will once again be sponsored by USCHS’s Interact will host this competition at Boyce Mayview Club and the Bethel-St. Clair Evening Rotary. Park, and participants will test their skills in This fun and free event is scheduled for Saturday, three categories: April 1 at the Township’s Municipal golf course. • Pitch: Try to throw strikes like Major League pitchers by taking a shot at hitting the MLB Strike Zone. Activities and an opportunity to snap a family photo with the Easter Bunny begin at 10 a.m. and • Hit: Swing away from home plate! Just like big leaguers, you’ll be judged on distance and accuracy. the egg hunt begins promptly at 11 a.m. Check the Township website for more details and get • Run: Start at second base, head for third, and then sprint home to test your speed at running the bases. “egg-cited” for the adventure! This is a free event for boys and girls ages 7–14 (four competitive age groups: Arts & Chocolate Spectacular is set for 7/8, 9/10, 11/12, 13/14. Age is determined as of July 17, 2017). Saturday, April 1, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. For more information, contact Chaz McCrommon at 412-221-1099, extension 603. Join in for a day filled with art, performances, and lots of sweet USC Community Day treats! Walk through the art Upper St. Clair Community Day is right around the corner—mark your gallery, create some artwork of calendar now for Saturday, May 20! Complete information will be available in your own to take home, and taste and purchase the summer 2017 issue of TODAY. Set the day aside to have fun with fellow some delicious chocoresidents, watch or participate in the parade, enjoy tasty treats, play a variety late treats from local of games, learn about community groups and school clubs, and more! Register vendors. The Arts & now for this year’s Color Run/Walk for Fun 5K (see form on this page) and Chocolate Spectacular is get your child’s creative juices flowing for the Kids’ bake-off. Pre-registration is appropriate for all ages, required (see details below). And, if you’re looking for a volunteer opportunity, and open to all USC and think about joining the group of energetic USCHS Student Council students, surrounding community Township representatives, and community volunteers who are planning this residents. Event admisyear’s event. For information, contact Lynn Walcoff, Township community sion is free. programs coordinator, at 412-221-1099, extension 655.
USC Community Day Color Run/Walk For Fun Registration Name_____________________________________________ Age as of May 20, 2017_____________ Sex____________ Address___________________________________________ Preferred Contact Number___________________________ Email_____________________________________________ T-shirt sizes: Child Adult
qM qL q S q M q L q XL
$12—Registration and T-shirt, $6—Registration only Make checks payable to:
Upper St. Clair Community Day Return this form by May 1, 2017 to: C&RC at Boyce Mayview Park 1820 McLaughlin Run Road, Upper St. Clair, PA 15241
CONSENT RELEASE FORM: I agree to hold the Township of Upper St. Clair, the Community Day committee and volunteers, and/or any employees thereof harmless and blameless for any accident or injury which may occur while participating in the Run/Walk for Fun. Check the Township website for updated route map and race details.
_________________________________ _______ Signature 24
(Parent/Guardian if Under 18 Years of Age)
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
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Date
© 2017 Coldwell Banker Real Estate Services. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate Services fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Operated by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker® and the Coldwell Banker logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. 93714 1/17
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New Street Signs Coming to USC Old Signs Available for Bid
After 40 years of navigating the streets of Upper St. Clair Township using the black and white cast aluminum signs, USC will be installing new, larger street signs this year. The new heavy gauge aluminum signs will be about 50% larger than the old signs and have a reflective covering to improve readability, making them easier to see at night. The reason for the change in signage comes from the newly imposed standards set by the Federal Highway Administration’s Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
The Township will systematically replace the signs ward-byward, a process that should take about 24 months. The total cost of the project is approximately $75,000, which is lower than the allocated $150,000 set aside for this project in the 2016 capital budget. As the 743 old Upper St. Clair street signs are replaced, they will go up for auction with a starting bid of $25. Contact Sharon Swatko at swatko@twpusc.org or call the Township office at 412-831-9000, extension 271, identifying the sign(s) in which you are interested. The Township will contact you with instructions for bidding once the sign is available. All proceeds will be reinvested into the Township’s street program. n
Current USC Township street sign
New street sign samples Spring 2017
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Department of Finance 2017 Budget Highlights General Fund Budget Overview The General Fund is the primary operating fund for Upper St. Clair Township. This fund is supported by taxes, fees, and other revenues and includes all operations not required by law or policy to be recorded in other funds. Development of the General Fund budget began last May, and carried on through the subsequent months to include multiple internal and public meetings. Operating expenditures in the 2017 General Fund Budget are budgeted to be 2.5% higher than 2016, with roughly the same distribution of costs across major programs. Township staff continues to search for new ways to minimize any cost increases by providing the level of services and programs that the residents have come to expect in the most cost-efficient manner. The 2017 Budget acknowledges the need to maintain fiscal stability by various means, the continued reinvestment in Township facilities, and the need to maintain critical infrastructure and equipment. Where the Money Comes From Upper St. Clair Township’s major operating revenues in 2017 continue to be real estate tax and earned income tax. Other taxes and other revenue make up the balance of operating revenue. Other taxes include real estate transfer, public utilities, sales & use, and local services taxes. Other revenue consists of licenses and permits, fines, fees, rental & service agreements, investment earnings, recreation fees, and other non-tax revenue. General Fund revenues are projected to be $20,891,735 in 2017, an increase of 2.1% from the 2016 Budget. Notable changes in General Fund revenue include increases in state pension aid, employee healthcare contributions, and real estate tax revenue resulting from development growth. The Township’s real estate tax rate will remain at 3.83 mills and the earned income tax rate will remain at 0.80%. The General Fund is projected to end the year with an unassigned fund balance of $3,679,952, or 17.6% of 2017 budgeted General Fund revenues, which is in line with the Government Finance Officers Association’s recommended fund balance level.
Where the Money Goes General Fund operating expenditures are projected to be $15,350,946. The accompanying chart illustrates how those expenditures are distributed across the major programs. The remaining difference of projected revenues over operating expenses of $5,540,789 will be used to fund the debt service costs of $1,306,511, and transfers to other funds of $4,234,278. The 2017 Budget maintains the General Fund’s fund balance at a level necessary for the Township to maintain its AA+ Bond Rating. The primary programs of the Township are Public Safety (which includes the Police, the Volunteer Fire Department, and Animal Control) and Public Works. These programs represent 64.6% of the Operating Budget.
2017 General Fund Expenditures Major Category $6,000,000
$5,000,000
$4,000,000
$3,000,000
$2,000,000
$1,000,000
$0 Public Safety
Public Works
General Government
Debt Service
Operating Transfers
Refuse Costs
Recreation
Community Development
Capital Projects Fund
The Capital Projects Fund is funded by an operating transfer from the General Fund and the fund’s existing capital reserve. Budgeted expenditures in the Capital Projects Fund for 2017 are shown in the following pie chart: IT Equip. & Software; $568,000
2017 General Fund Revenues Major Category $9,000,000
Other Capital Expenditures; $1,900,500
$8,000,000 $7,000,000 $6,000,000 $5,000,000
Police Vehicles & Equipment; $928,000
$4,000,000 $3,000,000 $2,000,000 $1,000,000 $0 Real Estate Tax
Earned Income Tax
Real Estate Transfer Tax
Other Taxes
Other Revenue
For more information, visit www.twpusc.org.
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Library
Building Renovations; $1,234,000
Annual Street Program; $1,060,000 Sidewalk Program, $660,000
PW Vehicles & Equipment; $482,000
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Department of Finance 2016 and 2017 General Fund Budget General Fund Appropriations by Major Programs
Major Revenue Sources 2016 Budget Real Estate Tax $7,856,000 Earned Income Tax 8,470,000 Local Services Tax 265,000 Real Estate Transfer Tax 975,000 Public Utilities Tax 22,500 Local Option Sales & Use Tax 505,000 Licenses and Permits 167,275 Fees and Fines 525,700 Rental Income 91,900 Investment Earnings 4,000 Service Agreements 221,100 Other Non-Tax Revenue 976,186 Recreation Fees 379,000 Total Revenues Fund Balance Total Major Revenues
2017 Increase Percentage Budget (Decrease) Change $8,055,000 $199,000 2.5% 8,531,000 61,000 0.7% 274,000 9,000 3.4% 975,000 - 0.0% 21,000 (1,500) -6.7% 513,750 174,275 561,200 84,676 3,500 222,000 1,098,359 377,975
8,750 1.7% 7,000 4.2% 35,500 6.8% (7,224) -7.9% (500) -12.5% 900 0.4% 122,173 12.5% (1,025) -0.3%
$433,074
2017 Increase Percentage Budget (Decrease) Change
General Government $1,861,473 $1,929,128 $67,655 3.6% Public Safety 5,001,270 5,185,750 184,480 3.7% Community Development 624,717 679,762 55,045 8.8% Public Works 4,697,966 4,726,764 28,798 0.6% Refuse Collection 1,204,500 1,224,500 20,000 1.7% Recreation & Leisure Services 544,124 511,615 (32,509) (6.0%) Library 915,064 914,960 (104) (0.0%) Unallocated Insurance Costs 126,415 178,467 52,052 41.2% Total Operating Expenditures $14,975,529 $15,350,946 $375,417 2.5% Operating Transfers 4,033,101 4,234,278 201,177 5.0% Debt Service Payments 1,122,131 1,306,511 184,380 16.4% Non-Operating Other Revenue; Expenditures $5,155,232 $5,540,789 $385,557 7.5% $63,550 Total Expenditures $20,130,761 $20,891,735 $760,974 3.8% Gen Fund Debt Fund Balance 327,900 - (327,900) 0.00% Service Fund Total Major Programs General $20,458,661 $20,891,735 $433,074 2.1% Appropriation; Operating
$20,458,661 $20,891,735 $433,074 2.1% - - - 0.00% $20,458,661 $20,891,735
2016 Budget
2.1%
Appropriation; $514,160
$1,198,826
Membership Revenue; $3,525,000
Boyce Mayview Community & Recreation Center (C&RC) Fund Facility Revenue; Current demographics show that 59% residents and 41% non-residents make up the membership at the C&RC. The C&RC reached 10,729 total members in 2016, including 3,430 annual memberships. The 2017 membership revenue is budgeted to remain in line with the projected 2016 revenues. Other revenue sources in the C&RC Fund include facility rental revenue and program revenue, which are estimated at General Fund $98,000 and $401,000, respectively, for Operating Appropriation; 2017. The General Fund will appropri$514,160 ate $1,198,826 for debt service costs associated with the construction of the Facility Revenue; $98,000 C&RC building. The General Fund is also budgeted to contribute $514,160 Program to support the common area operations Revenue; $401,000 of the C&RC.
Total expenses in the C&RC $98,000 Fund are projected to increase by 2.9% from the 2016 budgeted amount. This includes increases in pool maintenance expenses Program and contractual services costs, the latter of which is in anticipation of a facility Revenue; $401,000 capital transfer of $645,000 to the enhancement study. There is an estimated C&RC Capital Account for future capital funding. n Other Revenue; $63,550
Distributed Costs; $200,704
Gen Fund Debt Service Appropriation; $1,198,826
Debt Service; $1,198,826 Membership Revenue; $3,525,000
Commodities; $285,900
Personal Services; $2,214,151
Contractual Services; $1,255,650
Distributed Costs; $200,704
2017 Real Estate Tax Notice and Payment Schedule The Township of Upper St. Clair and the Upper St. Clair School District hereby give public notice to all Township real estate taxpayers of the payment schedule of each taxing body for the year 2017. Township Real Estate Tax Schedule for 2017 Date Tax Period May 1, 2017 ...................................... Billing date May 1–June 30, 2017 ....................... 2% discount July 1–August 31, 2017 .................... Face Amount September 1–November 30, 2017 .... 10% penalty December 1, 2017 ............................ Lien date
School District Real Estate Tax Schedule for 2017 Date Tax Period Debt Service; $1,198,826 July 1, 2017 ........................................Billing date Personal Services; $2,214,151 July 1–August 31, 2017 ......................2% discount September 1–October 31, 2017 ..........Face amount November 1–November 30, 2017 ......10% penalty Commodities; Contractual $285,900 December 1, 2017 ..............................Lien date Services; $1,255,650
The Township’s real estate tax millage rate for 2017 has been set at 3.83 mills. The School District will adopt its real estate tax millage rate for the fiscal year 2017-18 at the June 2017 School Board meeting. Spring 2017
This notice reminds all taxpayers that they are responsible to see that their property is properly assessed and taxed, and to ask for the appropriate tax bills if they have not received them by mail. No appeals will be granted due to a taxpayer not receiving a real estate tax bill. Only payments received in the tax office or postmarked by the tax period due date will be given the two percent discount or avoid the ten percent penalty. n Cont. on page 28
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Cont. from page 27
Department of Finance 2017 Earned Income and Net Profits Tax Rate Notice and Corresponding Payment Schedule The Township of Upper St. Clair and the Upper St. Clair School District hereby give public notice to all residents of the Township that the Earned Income and Net Profits tax rates of the Township and the School District for 2017 are 0.80% and 0.50%, respectively, of taxable income as defined by Act 32 of 2008. Thus, the Township taxpayer’s total rate for 2017 is 1.30%. All unincorporated business owners of Upper St. Clair Township and School District are also taxed upon the net profits from their business at the same aforementioned rate and must remit their tax liability quarterly to Jordan Tax Service on the following schedule for 2017:
Date Tax Period April 30, 2017 ............1st quarter 2017 Tax Estimate due July 31, 2017..............2nd quarter 2017 Tax Estimate due October 31, 2017..........3rd quarter 2017 Tax Estimate due January 31, 2018.............4th quarter 2017 Tax Estimate due
Quarterly tax payments are required. A taxpayer whose employer does not withhold local earned income tax must file and pay quarterly tax on the aforementioned schedule. Final tax returns are required for all taxpayers. Final returns for the 2016 tax year are due on April 15, 2017. Final returns for the 2017 tax year are due April 15, 2018. n
Sanitary Sewer Fund
ALCOSAN has increased the sewer rates for 2017 by 11%. In an effort to partially absorb the increase, the Township’s sewer rate multiplier has been reduced to 2.15. More than half of the funds generated by sewer fees go towards paying ALCOSAN to treat residents’ sewage (see “Sewer Processing Fees” in the accompanying chart). The remainder of the fees are used to rehabilitate the Township’s sanitary sewer infrastructure and provide other services related to satisfying all regulatory requirements Personal Services; $214,731 that have been and will Distributed be imposed with regard Costs; $673,781 to sanitary sewer improveService; ment and maintenance. Commodities; Debt $527,285 $39,850 The Township’s costs for sewer processing fees Other in 2017 are projected at Contractual Services; Sewer $3,925,000. Major sewer $204,500 Sewer Processing Rehabilitation; Fees; $3,925,000 rehabilitation costs are $1,375,000 budgeted at $1,375,000.
2017 Upper St. Clair Township Sewer User Multiplier Rate
The Township of Upper St. Clair hereby gives public notice to all Township sewer users that ALCOSAN will raise sewage service charges and usage fees by 11% for 2017. The Sewer User Multiplier rate that is used to calculate the Township’s cost reimbursement has been set at 2.15 for the year. The Township of Upper St. Clair contracts with Jordan Tax Service to provide the billing and collection of the Township’s monthly sewer user fees. n All questions or concerns regarding sewage billing should be directed to Jordan Tax Service at 412-835-5243, option 4, or via email to sewage@jordantax.com.
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Community Development
Flood Protection Flooding and other surface drainage problems can occur well away from a river, lake, or ocean. When you are looking at a property, it is always a good idea to check possible flood hazards. Be aware: • The force of moving water or waves can destroy a building. • Slow moving floodwaters are forceful enough to knock people off their feet or to float a car. • Water-soaked contents, such as carpeting, upholstered furniture, and mattresses often suffer irreparable damage and may have to be disposed of after a flood. • Some items, such as photographs and heirlooms, may never be restored to their original conditions. • Floodwaters are not clean; they carry mud, disease, farm chemicals, road oil, and other noxious substances that are serious health hazards. • The impact of a flood (cleaning up, making repairs, and suffering personal losses) causes great stress to you, your family, and your finances. Township Flood Services Upper St. Clair participates in the Community Rating System, which is a program of providing flood hazard information and services. The first step to protect your home from flood damage is to assess the flood hazard. A complete Flood Protection Library, including flood maps and flood protection references, is available at the Upper St. Clair Township Library. The Department of Planning and Community Development, located in the Municipal building, can provide more information, such as depth of flooding above a building’s first floor, location of floodplains, past flood problems in the area, and tips on how to select a contractor. For your safety, Upper St. Clair regulates all construction and development in floodplains to ensure that buildings will be protected from flood damage. What You Can Do The Township’s efforts depend on your cooperation and assistance. Here is how you can help: • Do not dump debris of any kind into creeks, ditches, ravines, or streams. Dumping is a violation of Chapter 83 of the Township Code. Even grass clippings and branches accumulate and plug channels, causing danger during rains. • If your property is next to a creek or ditch, keep the banks clear of brush and debris. The Township has a response program to help remove major blockage such as downed trees. • If you see evidence of dumping of debris in creeks or ditches, contact the Public Works Department or the Department of Planning and Community Development. • Always check with the Department of Planning and Community Development before you build, alter, grade, or fill on your property. A permit may be needed to ensure that projects do not cause problems on other properties. If you are in a floodplain, special building codes may apply. The Community Development Department personnel will walk you through any application and answer your questions.
If you see building or filling without a Township permit posted, contact the Department of Planning and Community Development at 412-831-9000. Flood Insurance If you do not have flood insurance, talk to your insurance agent. Homeowners’ insurance policies typically do not cover damage from floods. However, because the Township of Upper St. Clair participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, local residents can purchase a separate flood insurance policy. The Township has received a lower rating of a seven out of ten, which provides for a 15% reduction in insurance. It is backed by the federal government and is available to all residents, even for property outside of a floodplain. Any property is subject to flooding. Surface water can accumulate from heavy rain, melting snow, a broken water main, or a ruptured swimming pool. Insurance agents may require photographs of the front and back of your house, an elevation certificate (if you are in a floodplain), a completed and signed application, and a check for the first year’s premium. For sample flood insurance applications, visit the Flood Protection Library in the Township Library. Stormwater Information The Township maintains a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit as mandated by the EPA. This program places requirements on stormwater discharges associated with construction activities and discharges for municipal storm sewers. There are projects that the Township has undertaken to protect our streams and waterways from hazardous discharge. Be sure to check the Township’s website on a regular basis for updates on stormwater management and flood protection and the steps the Township is taking to meet the federal requirements in order to keep Upper St. Clair a safer place to reside. This information is published annually as a part of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Community Rating System recertification and is also available on the Township website at www.twpusc.org.
Sanitary Sewer Backups AND your homeowner’s coverage The Township maintains over 158 miles of underground sewer lines. There is no way to predict when the next sanitary sewer backup will occur. And while only a handful of our residents experience a significant sanitary sewer backup each year, we know that when it does occur, it is a distressing situation. It can be even more devastating if a resident is not insured for losses—losses that can easily run into tens of thousands of dollars. Sewer Backup Insurance Homeowners can alleviate possible sewer-related damage expenses by contacting their property insurance provider to verify that they have sewer backup coverage. Most homeowners’ insurance policies do not automatically include coverage for these occurrences. Given the potential for significant loss, it would be advisable for homeowners served by a public sewer system, particularly those with finished basements, to obtain some level of coverage. Lastly, if you experience a floor drain backup or otherwise suspect a sanitary sewer problem, contact the Township’s Public Works Department immediately at 412-831-9000, extension 271.
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The Upper St. Clair Citizens’ Police Academy, Class of 2016
The Upper St. Clair Police Department hosted its 2016 Citizens’ Police Academy from October 4 to November 15 this past year, on seven consecutive Tuesday nights, 7–9:30 p.m. The interactive academy classes were conducted at the USC Volunteer Fire Department on Route 19. The Citizens’ Police Academy is a free opportunity for people who live or work in Upper St. Clair to learn about the police department, law enforcement, courts, the criminal justice system, and to discuss current local and national issues. If you missed the 2016 class, the 2017 Upper St. Clair Citizens’ Police Academy will be held October to November, with dates and times to be announced. n
Participants of the 2016 Upper St. Clair Citizens’ Police Academy, listed alphabetically, are Terry Aiken, Ava Alt, Peter Alt, Vasthy Barone, Robert Beck, Alexandra Burton, Susan Burton, Darla Cairns, Marie de Torok, Burt Etherington, Jane Etherington, Theresa Feeney, Kathleen Lanzilotti, Nicholas Lanzilotti, Susan Lynch, Matthew O’Connor, and James Yusko, as well as USC Police Department employees Chief Douglas Burkholder, Lt. Curtis Gallatin, and Sgt. Ronald Fleischer
USC Receives AAA Traffic Safety Award
The Township of Upper St. Clair and the Upper St. Clair Police Department received the 2016 AAA Platinum Award (the highest AAA award given) for the Township’s efforts in providing and enhancing traffic safety in the community. Should you wish to see it, the award is on display in the lobby of the Upper St. Clair Police Department. n
Lt. James Englert (left) and Chief Douglas Burkholder, with the 2016 AAA Platinum Community Traffic Safety Award
Recognizing the Rotary
At the Upper St. Clair–Bethel Park (Breakfast) Rotary Club’s November monthly meeting, Upper St. Clair Police Chief Douglas Burkholder presented the club’s president, James Yusko, a plaque in recognition of the Rotary’s donation to the USC Police Department. The donation, which came from proceeds of the Rotary’s 28th annual Chicken BBQ, assisted in the purchase of the Cogent Fingerprinting System, an electronic fingerprint system that is available for use by residents of Pittsburgh’s South Hills region. Those interested in getting fingerprinted using this method should call the Upper St. Clair Police Department administrative office at 412-833-1113 for an appointment. Appointments are available Police Chief Douglas Burkholder (left) with James Yusko, Rotary on Tuesday mornings and Thursday afternoons. n club president Spring 2017
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T From the Director’s Desk: Reorganization @ the Library Helen Palascak, Library Director Why do you use the library? How can the library respond to the increased choices you now have to access books and information? How can the library design its spaces to make your experiences more enjoyable? Is there a better way to organize library books than rows and rows in Dewey Decimal Classification? By applying information gathered from circulation statistics and having many discussions with staff and patrons, the library is in the process of reorganizing its non-fiction shelving units into neighborhoods of related materials that will support intuitive, independent, and empowered finding of books. While Dewey numbers still have a place in this reorganization, the neighborhood organization allows books associated with a particular topic to be shelved together. After years of struggling with multiple shelf assignments for related subjects, library staff decided enough is enough! For instance, trains were in the 380s and transportation in the 620s; diet books in the 613s, but diet cookbooks in 641; parenting babies in 649 and baby name books in 929. You will soon be able to simply stop by the bookcase with a large sign “Parenting” to find all manner of books related to raising children: pregnancy and birth, baby names, child psychology, education, sports, and nutrition, for example. Or visit the DIY Home section for all books related to home repair, electrical, plumbing, masonry, woodworking, and more. Create it! shelves are full of books about crafts of all sorts. The Consumer Center gathers all materials related to financial and legal issues. Clear
signage and shelf labels, as well as feature displays, will make it easy to find the area of your interest. Think of this layout as orchestrated luck—a discovery layout which leads you to all manner of materials related to your interests. Below are a few of the guiding principles that were used: • Be patron-centered. Gather the most Helen Palascak popular subjects in neighborhoods and use natural language (not library-ese) on signage. • Be browseable. Make it easy to scan the shelf to find everything on that topic. • Be flexible and welcoming. Allow space for changing interests and rotating displays. Library staff hopes that you will find this new organization easy to use. You can still use the catalog to find your book quickly when you don’t have time for leisurely browsing, or use the online catalog to request items, which will then be on the hold shelf for your quick pick up. The work has begun. Many of these neighborhoods are already pulled together and more will follow before the new shelving units arrive in late May. Library staff is always available to help you as the reorganization continues. Look for information about the new furniture and room layout in the next issue of TODAY! n
I WANT TO BE A FRIEND! ❑ Yes, I'd like to sign up today.
Please accept my tax deductible donation payable to Friends of the Library of USC. FRIEND
$10 per household + $____ (donation) = _____Total
GOOD FRIEND (entitles you to a Friends of the Library coffee mug)
$25 per household + $____ (donation) = _____Total Name: ______________________________________ _____________________ Date: __________________ Address: ____________________________________ ____________________________________________ Phone: ______________________________________ Email:_______________________________________
❑ Yes, call me for volunteer opportunities. 1820 McLaughlin Run Road Upper St. Clair, PA 15241 www.twpusc.org 30
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T Universal Class No one ever stops learning! The library’s collections of books and audiovisual materials are a way to learn something new. Now you have yet another opportunity to further your educational goals in a new and interesting way. Universal Class is a free online learning service offering Upper St. Clair Library patrons access to a catalog of more than 540 courses. With real instructors guiding the learning and engaging video-based lessons, the courses offer a collaborative learning environment, graded lesson tests, and certificates of achievement. Continuing education units are available for selected courses. Some courses can also be taken as a video audit only, with no assignments or grades. Whether you want to further your education with job-related skills or learn for your own enjoyment, there is a class for you. Universal Class offers courses in exercise and fitness, entrepreneurship, arts and music, home and garden care, cooking, computers and technology, health and medicine, homeschooling, job assistance, law and legal, parenting and family, pet and animal care… plus hundreds more! You can enjoy engaging and measurable learning experiences at your own pace and at the times of your choosing. It’s easy to get started; simply follow the Universal Class icon on the library’s homepage and enter your library card number. Program Registration Just Got Easier! Just click on the library event calendar from the home page, find the program you want to attend, and click “Register.” Complete the simple form and you’ll immediately be sent an email confirmation
USC Township Library Hours 412-835-5540 www.twpusc.org
and a reminder notice a few days prior to the program. If you prefer, you can still talk with a staff member at the library who will fill in the online form for you. The only exception to this is the popular afternoon teas, for which there is a nominal charge. Payment must be made in person at the library at the time of registration. The library’s Kids Department is also piloting online registration for a few of its programs. Checkout the brochure or the online calendar for more information on how to register. Why register? It’s very helpful to library staff for room setup. In some cases, attendance is limited by request of the presenter. While in many cases you can attend a program without prior registration, don’t take the chance that you might miss out on a program that you are interested in. Register early; register often! Five Elements of Landscape Design with Phipps Master Gardener and landscape designer Claire Schuchman Dates/Time: March 14 and 21, 7 p.m. March 14: Simplicity Claire Schuchman and Rhythm and Line March 21: Balance, Proportion, and Use of Focal Points Claire believes a beautiful garden, large or small, can change lives. As a young military wife, she found herself in a brand-new home built in the middle of a cornfield with nary a tree in sight. Missing the leafy canopy of her childhood, she took matters into her own hands and started planting her landscape. Influenced by her childhood spent in her nana’s small urban garden, she used the organic methods she had been taught those many years ago. In 2000, she Monday–Thursday, 9:30 a.m.–9 p.m. Friday–Saturday, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday, 1–5 p.m. Outside book and video return available 24/7
Spring 2017
began working professionally, gardening for others. She currently owns Exceptional Gardens, specializing in landscape design, installation, and maintenance. Friends of the Library Need You! Do you have a few hours a week to spend with a great group of people? So many donated books come into the library every week that Friends is looking for sorters and packers to help organize the piles. Stop by to talk with any library staff person about how you can get started.
Love Your Library The Jack Buncher Foundation really does love our libraries! Not only did the foundation provide matching money for last year’s Love Your Library campaign, the foundation also gave every library in Allegheny County an additional $5000 end-of-year grant to close out 2016. This generosity has enabled libraries to add to their collections, provide additional programming, and purchase needed equipment and supplies. USC Township Library will use this unexpected gift for additional non-fiction room display units, specifically to enhance the new discovery layout shelving units planned for that room this year.
Thank You! The USC Township Library would like to thank the following individuals who adopted magazines during its 2017 Adopt-a-Magazine campaign which ran from mid-October through November 2016: Audrey Amthor, Donna Bowser, Doreen Hurley, Matthew and Kathleen McLaughlin, Bob and Beverly Ontolchik, John and Karen Sechrist, Tina Seech, Loretta Stancampiano, and three generous donors who wish to remain anonymous. Your generous adoptions helped to offset the rising costs of magazine subscriptions. UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
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T Kids & Teens
Upcoming Classes Hop into the library and enjoy some great classes and activities throughout the season! This spring, the library will be offering a wide variety of classes for children of all ages. The library’s popular Storytime sessions begin Monday, March 27 and run through Friday, April 28. This five-week series offers children, parents, grandparents, and caregivers many opportunities to visit the library, listen to stories, and have a good time. Registration for spring classes begins Wednesday, March 15 in person, at the library. A complete list and all program information can be found at the library or online at www.twpusc.org/library/kids. Babies & Toddlers Storytime Children ages 4–24 months, with a grown-up Babies & Toddlers Storytime combines interactive play, action rhymes, songs, and books all designed to hold the attention of the library’s youngest participants. This session runs Monday, April 3 through Tuesday, May 2. Days/Time: Mondays or Tuesdays, 10 a.m. Twos & Threes Storytime Children age 2–3 ½ years old, with a grown-up Twos and Threes Storytime features books and stories, action rhymes and songs, and puppets and play to entertain your child. Days/Times: Tuesdays, 11 a.m. or 1:45 p.m. Wednesdays, 10 a.m. Preschool Storytime Children ages 3 ½, 4, and 5 years old who are ready to spend a half-hour on their own Stories, songs, finger plays, and bookrelated actives are featured in Preschool Storytime, which concludes each session with an activity for participants and their caregivers. Days/Times: Thursdays, 10 a.m. or 1:45 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m.
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Math Mites Children ages 4 and 5 years old who are not yet in Kindergarten Preschoolers can learn early math skills through stories and hands-on activities at the library’s Math Mites class. Day/Times: Wednesdays, 10 a.m. or 1:45 p.m.
Crafting Fun at the Library
Library Explorers Kids currently in Kindergarten Explore the earth and sky! This session of Library Explorers will showcase books and activities featuring topics including worms, plants, gravity, the solar system, and our planet. Day/Times: Tuesdays, 10 a.m. or 1:45 p.m.
Spring Crafts Wednesday, March 15 through Sunday, March 26
Book Trek Kids in 1st–4th grades Enjoy Fairy Tale engineering for a second year, featuring all new stories of famous characters who need help solving a problem using STEM. Days/Time: Tuesdays or Wednesdays, 4 p.m. Family Storytime Families with children ages 2–7 years old are invited to spend a fun evening sharing stories, songs, and games! Date/Time: Thursday, March 16, 7 p.m. A Special Storytime If your child has difficulty sitting through a regular storytime, perhaps this class will work for him or her. We are hoping you and your child will feel comfortable and safe in this storytime setting. We’ll share books, songs, and rhymes and spend time socializing in our Story Room. A parent or caregiver is asked to attend with his or her child and help guide him through the activities. Dates/Time: Mondays; March 13, April 10, May 8; 7 p.m. Paws for Reading Kids in 1st–5th grades Come to the librar y and read to dogs licensed through Therapy Dogs International. These dogs love to listen to stories read by boys and girls! Dates/Time: Thursdays; March 30, April 27; 5:30 p.m. Spring 2017
Enjoy a variety of craft times throughout the spring. Crafts will be set up for you to complete at your leisure during library operating hours. A parent or caregiver is asked to assist his or her children with the crafts!
Mother’s Day Monday, May 8 through Sunday, May 14
Events for Tweens and Teens at the Library
Kids in middle school and high school are invited to attend Teen Fun Nights each month at the USC Township Library. For up-to-date information, see the flyers on the Teen Library website at www.twpusc.org/library/teens. To be included on the teen program announcements, email Miss Colleen at milesc@einetwork.net with your name to join. Spring events will include the following: • Make It at Your Library: A Monthly Maker Program • Princeton Review SAT and ACT Strategy Sessions • Book Jeopardy • Poetry Party
Save the Dates!
Art in the Park will be held Friday, June 2, 10 a.m.– noon at the library’s outdoor playground. Dress for mess and keep your fingers crossed for cooperative weather! Registration begins Monday, May 22. The library’s annual Summer Reading Program and Teen Read Program begin Monday, June 12 and run through Thursday, July 27. Registration for these programs, as well as summer classes and events for kids of all ages, begins Wednesday, May 31.
T Kids & Teens
Student Volunteers at the Library
Dear Librarian, t as a parent, es when I was a child, bu I remember loving fairy tal ropriate for young se stories might be inapp I sometimes wonder if the nk? children. What do you thi Concerned Parent Dear Concerned Parent, e books d a wide variety of pictur I encourage parents to rea ur child is ir preschoolers. When yo the to ion ict n-f no ple and sim uce certain fairy you can begin to introd around four years of age til your child is u might want to wait un tales. For other tales yo for discussing tales are especially good iry Fa er. old n eve or six tales work well ics. The following fairy social and emotional top with older preschoolers: stranger is a great way to discuss • Little Red Riding Hood ur parent rtance of doing what yo danger and also the impo tells you to do. y cannot use ren understand that the • Goldilocks helps child . ons without permission someone else’s possessi ing a good job. do d an l efu zes being car • The Little Pigs emphasi lp with a s out that unless you he • The Little Red Hen point re in the results. project you will not sha kle the issue of ree Billy Goats Gruff tac • Cinderella and The Th ways. bullies in very different ed with children, and repeat ate These stories will reson deeper understanding. readings will encourage Sincerely, Deb Conn Your Librarian s love these books! P.S. Most importantly, kid
The student volunteer program is open to students in grades 6–12 who have successfully completed the library’s Teen Read program. To fulfill Neha organizes the that requirement, students children’s audio books. must register for Teen Read, read five library books, and then complete a survey on each book read. Students are required to complete Teen Read every year to remain on the volunteer roster. Volunteer time is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Assignments are usually for one to two hours. The library offers volunteer hours year-round. During the summer months, the library offers many opportunities for students to work with younger children. During the school year, weekly volunteer sessions are offered where the volunteers work on projects for the library and the community. Students in high school can apply to be part of the volunteer shelving crew. Students who meet the requirements are trained to shelve books on the children’s floor. For more information, contact Colleen at milesc@einetwork.net n
Sai puts away DVDs that have been returned to the library.
Mahesh and Amal set up a marble run for young children.
Aiden helps to dust the library book shelves.
Library volunteers Neha and Sadika organize coupons for the library’s coupon exchange. Spring 2017
Library volunteer Roshini re-shelves library books.
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Fire Safety for Elders with Special Health Needs Daniel Barr, USC VFD, President
Decreased mobility, sight, hearing, or cognitive capabilities may limit a person’s ability to take the quick action necessary to escape during a fire emergency. People over the age of 65 are twice as likely to suffer injuries or lose their lives in fires compared to the population-at-large, according to the U.S. Fire Administration, part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). If your elderly loved one has Alzheimer’s or dementia, problems with mobility, or is vision- or hearing-impaired, there are certain precautions that need to be taken in the event of a house fire. These precautions go above and beyond the traditional fire safety guidelines for all families. Mobility impairments If your elderly loved one uses a cane, walker, or wheelchair, or anyone who is in a cast due to an injury, traditional escape routes may no longer be viable. One-quarter of victims with physical disabilities were unable to act to save themselves during a fire emergency, according to the U.S Fire Administration. • Check all exits to make sure wheelchairs or walkers can get through the doorways. Make any necessary accommodations (such as installation of exit ramps) to facilitate an emergency escape. • Keep a phone by the bed for emergency calls in case the person becomes trapped and is unable to escape. Put emergency numbers in the speed dial directory of the phone. Blind/visually-impaired The most important thing a blind or visually-impaired person can do to improve his or her chances of surviving a fire is to be prepared ahead of time. • Plan and practice two escape routes from each room in the home. By practicing an escape plan, a blind or visuallyimpaired person can escape to safety, without losing time searching and feeling for an exit. Committing these actions to memory will serve as an instinctual map to safety. • A blind or visually-impaired person will not see the fire, but must rely on other senses—the smell of smoke or the sense of heat emanating from the fire—to know where the danger is. Test doors before opening them. Use the back of the hand and reach up high to touch the door, the doorknob, and the space between the door and the frame. If anything feels hot, keep the door shut and use the second exit route. • A person may be forced to crawl along the floor to avoid smoke. It can be very disorienting to crawl when you are used to walking, especially for those who count steps to locate doors and hallways. Place tactile markers along the baseboard of exit routes to help a visually-impaired person feel his or her way to safety. 34
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Hearing-impaired Conventional smoke alarms that sound during a fire aren’t effective for someone who is hard of hearing. Many assistive devices are specially designed to alert hearing-impaired people of an emergency. These include smoke alarms and appliances that use strobe lights and vibration equipment. • Vibrating beds and pillows that are wired to a smoke alarm have been developed to awaken people who are deaf or hard of hearing. • Smoke alarms with a strobe light outside the house can catch the attention of neighbors or other passersby. Alzheimer’s or dementia If your relative has Alzheimer’s or dementia, know that even cognitively-impaired people oftentimes have an innate understanding that something is wrong during an emergency, and may be more clear-headed than you would imagine. • Remain calm during an emergency. Explain what is happening clearly and simply, but don’t expect them to remember specific details. Validate their concerns, but provide clear direction without becoming condescending or losing patience. • Provide a picture book of emergency procedures. A cognitively-impaired person may be able to follow visual instructions more easily. Contact your local fire department or the National Fire Protection agency for information. • Practice escape routes. Cognition tends to improve and worsen at various times for people with Alzheimer’s or dementia. If escape is practiced continually, instinct may take over and guide the person to safety. • The person should sleep in a room that has easy access to the outdoors in case the home needs to be evacuated quickly. A ground floor bedroom is best. • If the person is in the early stages of dementia and lives alone, alert the fire department ahead of time about his or her special needs. Regardless of their disability, all elderly people should live in a home with working smoke alarms. FEMA says a working smoke alarm can reduce the risk of dying in a fire by as much as 60%. Practicing escape plans is also vital for healthy elders. Knowing their escape plan is one of the most important steps elders can take to save their lives in a fire. Plan the escape around your loved one’s capabilities. Know at least two exits from every room. Make sure your loved one can unlock all doors and windows. n Fire safety information was obtained from the NFPA and FEMA websites.
T This is beautiful.
This is home.
This is Providence Point—where fine food, resort-like amenities, award-winning design, and stellar wellness and healthcare combine so that you can truly enjoy life. Providence Point is currently taking reservations for a planned Phase II expansion. Call today to learn how you can become part of this vibrant 62+ LifeCare community. Call to tour our Phase II model and reserve your new home today.
412-489-3550
www.ProvidencePoint.org A Baptist Homes Society community
500 Providence Point Boulevard Pittsburgh, PA 15243
Is Pet Waste Really a Problem? David Kutschbach, Superintendent of Projects It is the responsibility of USC Township residents to protect, recover, and reuse our valuable water resources. One simple way is to clean up and properly dispose of pet waste. According to the U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), pet waste is a significant cause of water body contamination, especially in areas where there are high concentrations of dogs. Pet waste left on the ground has the potential to wash into storm drains and contaminate waterways with various bacteria and parasites. Pet waste can pollute our waterways and degrade our health in several ways: • Decaying pet waste consumes oxygen and releases ammonia. Low oxygen levels and ammonia can impair the health of fish and other aquatic life. • Decaying pet waste contains nutrients that promote weed and algae growth. Excessive growth can make water recreation and swimming unpleasant and unhealthy. • Pet waste also carries bacteria, parasites, and viruses that can threaten the
health of humans and wildlife. Some of the diseases that can be spread by pet waste include: o Campylobacteriosis: a bacterial infection that causes diarrhea in humans. o Salmonellosis: the most common bacterial infection transmitted to humans from animals, causing fever, muscle aches, headache, vomiting, and diarrhea. o Toxocarisis (roundworms): symptoms include vision loss, rash, fever, or a cough. What is the proper disposal method for pet waste? Do not dispose of it into a storm drain; simply: 1) Pull a plastic bag (biodegradable is preferred) over your hand like a glove. 2) Pick up the waste in the bagged hand. 3) With your other hand, grasp the open end of the bag and turn it inside out, keeping the waste inside the bag. Spring 2017
Even in cold weather, USC resident Nancy Groff makes sure to properly dispose of her dog Fritz’s waste.
4) Tie a knot in the open end of the bag and discard the bag into a trash receptacle. Protecting our health and our waterways from harmful pet waste is as easy as this! Please do your part. n
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T Moving Toward a Sustainable Lifestyle Ron Sarrick, Sustainability Administrator
Can one move toward a more sustainable lifestyle with ease? What initial adjustments can be made to introduce sustainable actions? You may be more sustainable than you realize! For me, I’m still working on my frailties. In truth, this is a question that I have been pondering as I indulge in my morning coffee, which is in a paper cup and topped with a #6 lid. There is something brutally wrong with this picture, and I need to adapt! So, lately I’ve been inclined to sharpen my sustainable life and fully engage in the desire to get better with my selection of sustainable measures. Here are a few suggestions of ways to get involved that may help bring about a more sustainable you and me. Change lighting for energy savings. My home is 95% CFL, LED, or electronic fluorescent lighting. I believe that LED is the future of lighting. Old fixtures that are replaced with LED consume much less energy. On the other hand, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are a less expensive bulb to purchase; however, there is also less energy savings. I also believe that CFLs are a good bridge from incandescent to LED. Some argue about CFLs’ startup time, saying it is too long, but they have performed very well as the first-generation replacement to the Edison bulb. The market will decide on the success of CFLs for as long as they are available. There will no doubt come a time when LED bulb prices bottom out, which will make CFL bulbs much less desirable in the market. Insulation in the home is critical in minimizing heat loss. Place an additional layer of insulation in ceilings and check to see if house walls are insulated. Older homes may be deficient of wall insulation and have an inadequate minimum of two inches in the attic. All the electric perimeter wall devices should have an insulation barrier, which is a preformed semi-dense foam card that keeps the cool air from seeping into the house. These measures assist in retaining heat, or air conditioning for that matter, within the insulated area. In addition to these cost savings, the forced air furnace can be controlled by an electronic thermostat, which incorporates a set-back temperature for evening and unoccupied times, in turn, saving energy. Place insulation on hot water pipes. Make sure the hot water tank temperature is set to a modest temperature level. The perimeter door sweeps and barriers around the doors should be snug. Drafty windows should have a plastic barrier, or replace windows if your budget allows. Air conditioning also works best with most of the above mentioned insulation items in place. Gas savings can be vastly improved with items that are energy efficient. If the hot water tank is old, consider purchasing a tank that is more efficient than the current tank. However, if the tank is stable, purchase a universal tank blanket to save energy and increase the R value. My forced air furnace is getting to a point of replacement, as its rating is 80%. Consider age, efficiency, and timing in the replacement of this item. My new purchase will be at least ten to 14% more efficient. How are you getting from point A to point B? I drive a car that gets approximately 25 mpg in the city, but my SUV only gets 16 mpg. I bike (two wheels without a motor) to the store on occasions for small items, weather permitting. Sometimes, I 36
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bike (two wheels with a motor) to the store, for the same reasons. On any trip to town, I usually take public transportation, which makes the most sense to me. Considering the cost of parking, traffic congestion, and the convenience of transit schedules, it’s a no brainer! All in all, I’ve most likely passed the transportation litmus test. Recycling in USC is about as easy as it can get! A few adjustments and clarifications have ensured a cleaner single stream collection. Most recently, lids of all material types—ketchup, squeeze mayo, hot sauce, and some mustard lids—that are two inches or smaller should be placed in the trash. When these small lids are placed in with recyclables, they can slip into the stream of glass, which leads to contamination of the product. There are other requests to limit the rate of contamination. Pizza boxes, for instance, can be recycled if they have not been contaminated with the cheese or grease from the meats and other toppings. It is easy to detach a soiled lid or base from the rest of the box and place it into the trash. Most of the pizza boxes that I’ve seen have a perforated section for easy separation. There is no need to remove labels from containers or to rinse or wash food containers; just make sure that most of the product from within the container is gone. Water savings can be as simple as the purchase of faucet aerators or shower head devices restricting flow and replacing leaking washers or valves. Replacing that old four- to five-gallon per flush water closet (toilet) can realize long-term savings, as newer closets use 1.6 gallons or less per flush. Other obvious ways to save water are: towel and bucket rinse your car instead of hosing; eliminate the second rinse on your washer’s cycle; and, finally, get a rain barrel (in season) to use for your gardening needs. So much good happens with the installation of a rain barrel, and the at-home install is relatively easy. I picked a good spot that provided easy access indoors, as well as outdoors, that is closest to my largest section of gardens. I connect the barrel to my downspout in April and disconnect it in November. I use approximately two to three hundred gallons of rain water per season. Use of a rain barrel is an easy way to keep the garden plantings watered between rainfalls, and your plants will love the fresh water. It also eliminates the stress on the neighborhood watershed. I hope these ideas help you in your choice of how to get involved in your new sustainable lifestyle. Check the many Internet sites for additional ideas. Also, be supportive of others who are trying to adapt their lifestyles, too. Each of us is traveling at a different pace toward the goal of making our world a better environment for today and for generations to come. We can do it by taking one sustainable step at a time. Oh! I almost forgot to mention… my morning coffee is now in a nice steel travel mug, thanks to Santa! n
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Veterans Monument Park Final phase complete
When residents gathered at the Upper St. Clair Veterans Monument Park this past November to honor those who serve or served our country in the military, the occasion marked the second and final phase of the memorial. A bronze statue of a young boy saluting the flag, sculpted and cast by Pittsburgh artist William Kofmehl, is the final piece in the park, which was originally dedicated five years ago, on November 11, 2011. In addition to the unveiling of the statue, decorated Upper St. Clair veterans TJ McGarvey of the U.S. Marines and William Babcock of the U.S. Navy were two of the featured speakers during the program. McGarvey and Babcock were instrumental in starting the concept of the memorial when they approached the USC Board of Commissioners about the idea seven years ago. n
Should I Take My Child to a Doctor? John D’Angelo, Tri-Community South EMS You, as a parent, of course, know your child better than anyone else. Yet, there are times in almost every parent’s experience when he or she wonders if it is time to call a doctor about a sick child or even if it is time to take the child to an emergency room. There are occasions when your child is not acting in his or her usual manner. Is it something that will pass? In an effort to help you in your decision-making, members at Tri-Community South EMS recommend that you seek medical attention for your child if he or she shows any of the following symptoms: • Abdominal pain • Persistent coughing • Slowly healing cuts and scrapes • Persistent diarrhea • Frequent and/or persistent headaches • Fever of more than 100 degrees F • Insect bites or stings • Persistent nausea and/or vomiting • Persistent sore throat • Breathing difficulties
If you make the decision to seek advice from a medical professional, be prepared to answer all of the questions that will be asked. Certain information will be vital in making a proper diagnosis. The following is a list of questions parents should be prepared to answer when seeking a doctor about their child’s illness: • What are the symptoms, and how long have these symptoms persisted? • What steps have you taken up to this point? • How well has your child been eating or sleeping? • Is there anyone else in the home who is ill? • Have there been changes in the child’s urination and/or bowel movements? • Is the child currently taking any prescribed or over-the-counter medications? If so, which ones and what dosages? • Has your child had a temperature? If so, how long has he or she had it and how high is it? Spring 2017
• Is your child complaining of pain? If so, where is the pain and how intense is it? • Has there been a recent outbreak or illness in your child’s school or daycare center? • Is your child unusually tired or listless? It is easy to see how the answers to the above questions will aid a medical professional in forming an accurate diagnosis and providing a proper treatment plan. Members at Tri-Community South EMS hope that the information in this article, along with a parent’s familiarity with his or her child, will help parents make a medical decision that is both appropriate and timely for the child’s best interests. Consult your child’s physician concerning when to seek treatment for the symptoms listed above and when emergency treatment or a visit to the ER is necessary. Call 911 immediately if it is a true emergency! n Visit www.tcsemsorg or call 412-831-3710 for more information on Tri-Community South EMS and the services it provides to residents of Upper St. Clair. UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
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Pinebridge Commons Pinebridge Commons •••••••••••••••••
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Larry E. Manalo, D.M.D. Complete General & Specialty Dental Care Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry Prosthodontic Specialist
Your smile is the greatest gift of all!
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McLaughlin Run Road at Lesnett Road www.pinebridgecommons.com Leasing Opportunity – Avison Young (412) 944-2138
1580 McLaughlin Run Road, Upper St. Clair, PA 15241
412-221-2221 • www.manalosmiles.com
Spring has Sprung Once spring has sprung, take time to give your home a welldeserved check-up along with its annual spring-cleaning. Adding these home maintenance tips to your routine can help your house operate more efficiently. Outside the House • Check the A/C. Have a qualified HVAC contractor, preferably one that belongs to the Air Conditioning Contractors of America, come out to give your air conditioning system a tune-up. To help lower your energy bills, do this every year to ensure the system is running at its manufacturer-rated efficiency. Also, inspect your system’s condensate drain hose, especially if you live in a humid climate. It could become clogged with algae and sediment. Avoid the cost of a contractor by periodically checking the hose yourself. Use a wet-vac to suction out any blockage. • Roofs and Gutters. The hot summer sun can quickly damage a roof’s shingles. Call a contractor if you haven’t inspected your roof in several years. Clean out leaves and other debris that may have collected in the gutters. Then check to see if the gutters are safely attached and haven’t sprung any leaks. Make sure that downspouts direct water away from the house’s foundation to prevent a potential basement flood. • Right the Foundation. For further basement flood protection, inspect the foundation around your house before the spring rains. Look for cracks or imperfections, and seal them or call a contractor, if necessary. Look for low areas in the yard near the foundation that might pool water during a heavy rain. Level these yard depressions by filling them with compacted soil. Tend to other ponding areas around your yard to prevent standing water, which can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes. 38
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Pinebridge Commons 1580 McLaughlin Run Rd Pittsburgh PA 15241
412-257-1150
FAMILY AND COSMETIC DENTISTRY
Let us make you smile!
4000 Waterdam Plaza McMurray PA 15317
724-942-4840 133 West Allegheny Road Imperial PA 15126
724-695-0133
Our primary goal is to give your child positive memories that instill lifelong hygiene habits.
T imothy J. K err , D.M.D. R omana P autler K err , D.M.D.
KK 412-257-4250
Pinebridge Commons Suite 207
Office hours are Monday through Friday. Evening appointments are available. • Seal the Deck. If you have a wood patio deck, inspect the wood for stains, discolorations, or warping, and consider resealing the deck, if necessary. To verify that your old application still works, pour some water onto the dry deck and check to see that it beads up. Most deck-sealer manufacturers recommend resealing annually, but if there are no immediate problems, you can likely wait until the following spring to reseal. Check for any sharp edges, or splintered or rotted wood. Also look for rusting nails or nails that are coming out or appear to be weakening in their connections. Check railings and stairs to make sure they are secure and not wobbly. • Ready the Soil. Spring is the season to prepare for new growth in your garden. Remove leaves and other leftover winter debris. Use a hoe to churn and loosen the soil, and mix in compost for nutrients. Planting new seeds? Follow the seed packet instructions for best results. Inside the House • Water Heater. Look around the base of your water heater for evidence of leaks. The average lifespan of a water heater is eight to 12 years. If your water heater is more than five years old, check it monthly for any leakage or rusting at the bottom. If water leakage or rust is found, the water heater should be replaced. If you live in an area with particularly hard water, you may need to drain your water heater to rid the sediment buildup in the tank. • Basement and Attic. Does your attic or basement smell musty? Check the attic for roof leaks. Closely inspect the underside of the roof and the insulation for discoloration, deterioration, or dirt stains, as the leaking water might have dried up. Check the basement walls, floor, and trim for water stains or any signs of seepage through the foundation. Keep a close eye on your sump pump, making sure it is in good working order and has a battery backup in place. n
kerrdmd.com
Chairside Whitening System
Troy Orthodontics provides care for the communities of Upper St. Clair, Bethel Park, and the South Hills of Pittsburgh. Dr. Beth Troy and Dr. Eric Reitz take the time to place and adjust braces on every patient, giving individualized attention in a caring environment.
Schedule your complimentary consultation today! • Orthodontic services for children and adults • Individualized care in a friendly and patient-focused environment Pinebridge Commons location: 1580 McLaughlin Run Road, Suite 200 Upper St. Clair, PA 15241 412-221-0392 Bethel Park location: 2414 Lytle Road, Suite 100 Bethel Park, PA 15102 412-831-2188
• Convenient appointment hours, including Saturday mornings • 24-hour emergency services • Most major insurance plans accepted
www.drtroysmiles.com
Article provided by Cindy Brophy, State Farm® agent. See ad on page 38. Spring 2017
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
39
SD Upper St. Clair School District
Angela B. Petersen President 412-831-7182 2019*
Patrick A. Hewitt 412-831-0178 2019*
Amy L. Billerbeck Vice President 412-833-2712 2019*
Frank J. Kerber 412-833-4873 2017*
Barbara L. Bolas 412-833-9841 2019*
Phillip J. Elias 412-257-1198 2019*
412-851-1115 2017*
412-851-0622 2017*
Scott Burchill Director of Business and Finance
Dr. John Rozzo Assistant Superintendent
Dr. Judy Bulazo Director of Curriculum and Professional Development
Ray Berrott Director of Technology
Amy Pfender Director of Student Support Services
*Date indicates expiration of term.
To reach personnel, call 412-833-1600, and follow the automated directions. Administrator
Dr. Sharon Suritsky Assistant/Deputy Superintendent
Buffy Z. Hasco 412-833-5712 2017*
The 2017 regular meetings of the Upper St. Clair Township Board of School Directors are held at 7 p.m. on the fourth Monday of each month at the Central Office Board Room, unless otherwise noted. No regular Harry F. Kunselman Louis P. Mafrice, Jr. meeting is scheduled for July.
School District Central Office Administration
Dr. Patrick T. O’Toole Superintendent of Schools
http://www.uscsd.k12.pa.us
Secretary/Email Address Extension
Dr. Patrick T. O’Toole................................ Mary Ann Stabile.............................2201 Superintendent of Schools mstabile@uscsd.k12.pa.us Dr. Sharon Suritsky................................... Donna Faccenda..............................2218 Assistant/Deputy Superintendent dfaccenda@uscsd.k12.pa.us Dr. John Rozzo............................................ Mary Ann Stabile.............................2201 Assistant Superintendent mstabile@uscsd.k12.pa.us Scott Burchill.............................................. Dawn Machi.....................................2220 Director of Business and Finance dmachi@uscsd.k12.pa.us Dr. Judy Bulazo.......................................... Donna Faccenda..............................2218 Director of Curriculum dfaccenda@uscsd.k12.pa.us and Professional Development Ray Berrott.............................................................................................................2059 Director of Technology rberrott@uscsd.k12.pa.us Amy Pfender............................................... Terri Lott...........................................2283 Director of Student Support Services tlott@uscsd.k12.pa.us Melissa Garvin............................................ Cheryl Ellison...................................2116 Asst. Director of Student Support Services cellison@uscsd.k12.pa.us Bradley Wilson .....................................................................................................3318 Supervisor of Customized and Online Learning Sheila Gorgonio.....................................................................................................2826 Director of Advancement sgornonio@uscsd.k12.pa.us Joseph Conners......................................................................................................2560 Chief of School Police Jonn Mansfield........................................................................................................ 3450 Director of Transportation Tina Vojtko............................................................................................................2215 Communications Specialist tvojtko@uscsd.k12.pa.us School District Building Administration
Melissa Garvin Asst. Director of Student Support Services
Bradley Wilson Supervisor of Customized and Online Learning
Sheila Gorgonio Director of Advancement
Dr. Lou Angelo............................... High School Principal Dr. Timothy Wagner ..................... High School Associate Principal for Program Planning and Innovation Daniel Beck.................................... High School Assistant Principal Christine Mussomeli...................... High School Assistant Principal Joseph DeMar ................................ Fort Couch Middle School Principal Erin Peterson.................................. Fort Couch Assistant Principal Daniel O’Rourke............................ Boyce Middle School Principal Dr. Patrick McClintock-Comeaux... Baker Elementary School Principal Mark Miller.......................................Eisenhower Elementary School Principal/ Supervisor of Elementary Education Dr. Claire Miller............................. Streams Elementary School Principal
Upper St. Clair School District Notices Online The required annual notices to parents of children who reside in the Upper St. Clair School District are available online at www.uscsd.k12.pa.us. Kindergarten information is also placed on the Upper St. Clair School District website. 40
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
Spring 2017
SCHOOL DISTRICT 2016 ANNUAL REPORT PULL OUT
Board of School Directors
2016
Annual Report CUSTOMIZING LEARNING
|
NURTURING POTENTIAL
|
DELIVERING EXCELLENCE
From the Superintendent As we take time to reflect on 2016, it was a year of strategic and intentional progress in many aspects of the Upper St. Clair School District. Much of our accomplishments and initiatives are the direct result of our 2015-2020 Strategic Plan and corresponding goals that were adopted by the Board of School Directors in January 2016. We are enormously fortunate to have a school board, administration, faculty and staff who work cooperatively, collaboratively and respectfully for the benefit of our students and the greater community. Adopting and embracing a framework of common goals and a shared vision ensure that we are all rowing in the same direction and reaching our destination more quickly. The following pages provide a snapshot of 2016 – including information regarding student achievement, district finances, significant accomplishments and our goals and initiatives for 2017 and beyond. It is truly an honor to serve as Superintendent of Schools for the Upper St. Clair School District. Our community’s collective commitment to high quality education is simply unmatched. It is with great pride that I present the 2016 Annual Report of the Upper St. Clair School District. Sincerely,
Patrick T. O’Toole, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools Spring 2017
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2017 Goals USC School Board: 2017 Goal Statements (adopted Feb. 13, 2017)
T
he USC Board of School Directors has adopted the following Goal statements for 2017 in its ongoing effort to Customize Learning, Nurture Potential and Deliver Excellence in all that we do for the students, families, staff and community of Upper St. Clair. Customizing Learning & Nurturing Potential in 2017: • Take action on the Strategic Plan Goal (2015-2020) related to Safety and Security. • Take action on the Strategic Plan Goal (2015-2020) related to Technology with specific emphasis on the 1:1 implementation at the high school, continuous improvement at Boyce and Fort Couch, expansion of technology resources at the elementary buildings and improved infrastructure throughout the district. • Take action on the Strategic Plan Goal (2015-2020) related to Professional Learning Communities with a continued focus on our Beliefs of Student Learners and with additional emphasis on the high school teams. • Take action on the Strategic Plan Goal (2015-2020) related to STEAM with curriculum recommendations that expand opportunities, especially at the elementary and middle school levels and address learning space configurations for STEAM instruction. • Take action on the Strategic Plan Goal (2015-2020) related to the High School Experience through 42
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
collaborative processes that enhance our responsiveness to social/emotional learning needs of students, the structure of time and a growth mindset for all teaching and learning practices. Delivering Excellence in 2017: • Evaluate the leadership succession plans to address the administrative needs of the district resulting from personnel changes, budget limitations and personnel development. • Energize the Total Leaders staff development initiative to support and grow new leaders. • Inject an entrepreneurial spirit of innovation, collaboration and problem-solving in student programs including leadership academies, STEAM and more. • Engage the expertise of alumni and other external professionals to assist students and staff with field expertise and career guidance. • Update district policies related to changes in law and practice. • Oversee the leadership transition for district Finance and Human Resources management as well as the Board Secretary function. Spring 2017
Facilities & Finance in 2017: • Continue community engagement and public education advocacy efforts to address the negative impact of additional unfunded state/federal laws and mandates, such as significant increases to the district’s pension (PSERS) costs, and insufficient state/federal funding. • Expand our Advancement function to supplement traditional funding of school programs, such as curriculum enhancements, professional development and technology investments. • Decide on the scope of the identified capital improvement and investment projects to be completed while continuing to develop an advancement plan that addresses the means of funding the projects. • Continue to make improvements to learning space design and furniture that supports the Strategic Plan Goals related to 21st century teaching and learning and, thus, attracts grant and private funding.
Strategic Plan Strategic Plan Visioning Team Goals: 2015 - 2020 Professional Learning Communities (PLC) • Develop and implement Beliefs for Student Learners to guide programmatic and instructional decision-making. • Establish consistent Professional Learning Community practices that are in alignment with our Beliefs for Student Learners. Safety & Security • Examine and prioritize safety and security needs for the district’s physical plants. • Systematically monitor and adjust policies and procedures to maximize the safety and security of students and staff. • Enhance the implementation of programming and services that respond to students’ personal well-being and safety concerns, as well as those that enhance student relationships and connectivity to school.
(adopted Jan. 2016)
STEAM • Increase the depth and breadth of STEAM curriculum offerings and improve the integration of STEAM across the curriculum. • Enhance inquiry-based instructional practices and project-based learning opportunities. • Equip teachers to educate students in STEAM areas by ensuring that they obtain STEAM content, pedagogy and technology experience through professional development. Technology • Determine the best practices and strategies for expanding 1:1 learning opportunities. • Define the necessary infrastructure, tools and human capital to support the district’s tagline, “Customizing Learning, Nurturing Potential and Delivering Excellence.” • Research and implement best practices for self-directed, self-paced and personalized learning in blended and online environments. The High School Experience • Establish a systematic process for teachers to collaborate, plan and deliver instruction that is responsive to the unique needs of all learners. • Customize structures and learning opportunities to meet the academic and developmental needs of each learner by creatively using time, schedules and resources. • Provide a comprehensive school experience in which students feel healthy, safe, engaged, supported, challenged and empowered. • Leverage technology to create learning opportunities that empower students to become active learners in a dynamic and interconnected world.
Spring 2017
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Budget & Finances
School Board approves final budget, tax increase
T
he Upper St. Clair Board of School Directors approved the 2016-17 final budget totaling $76,208,222 in June 2016. The budget included a millage increase of 1.3033 mills – resulting in a final millage rate of 24.3388 mills. “This was a challenging budget year for the Upper St. Clair School District and many school districts throughout Pennsylvania,” Dr. Patrick T. O’Toole, superintendent, said. “In order to preserve our quality educational program, difficult decisions were necessary to make it financially sustainable for both the short- and long-term.” The spending plan represents an increase of nearly $3.5 million or 4.8 percent over the 2015-16 budget. More than half of the increase – nearly $2 million – is attributed to mandated increases to the Public School Employees Retirement System and increases to health care costs.
2016-17 Budgeted Revenue: $76,380,902 Federal 3% Local 76%
State 21%
“The main driver of our budget problems is the state-mandated PSERS payments,” Dr. O’Toole said. “This pension fund has been underfunded since the great recession of 2008-09 to the point that districts now pay more than 30 percent of their total payroll to this fund. The commonwealth reimburses 50 percent of this amount, leaving little money for Pennsylvania to distribute to schools for basic education services. As a result, local taxpayers are forced to pick up the tab.” The 2016-17 budget includes faculty and support staff reductions totaling more than $635,000 in annual savings. These cuts were made through attrition – the result of not replacing staff that retired or resigned.
2016-17 Budgeted Expenditures: $76,208,222
“Budget cuts are never easy. Unfortunately, business as usual would result in a cost trajectory that we simply cannot afford,” Dr. O’Toole said. “Education is a people business – more than 75 percent of our budget is salaries and benefits, which includes the mandated pension contribution. The steps we’ve taken to control Books & Supplies 3% Misc. Fees 7% our personnel costs will enable us to allocate additional resources for student programs and Other Purchased Equipment 2% needed facility improvements.” In the last five years, the mandated PSERS contribution has increased from 8.65 percent in 2011-12 to 30.03 percent in 2016-17. “The extreme increase in the retirement contribution, accompanied by flat state and federal revenue streams, has created an enormous financial burden for all Pennsylvania school districts,” Dr. O’Toole said. “However, we have an obligation to create a path forward that enables us to further our investment in innovative programs and in our facilities to ensure continued growth and sustainability.” 44
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Services 4%
Other Expenses 5%
Purchased Services 2% Contracted Services 5%
Spring 2017
Benefits 27%
Salaries 45%
Student Achievement SAT average scores 800
300
200
A total of 25 Upper St. Clair High School seniors were recently recognized by the 2017 National Merit Scholarship Program.
574 504 511
482 484
Reading
Twelve were named Semifinalists - scoring in the top one percent of all test takers - and 13 earned recognition as Commended Students. Students enter the National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the PSAT – the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test – during the fall of their junior year.
National
400
499 495
Pennsylvania
500
594
573
Upper St. Clair High School
600
Mathematics
Writing
ACT average scores Upper St. Clair High School’s class of 2016 earned the school’s highest average ACT scores during the last five-year period. USC’s composite score is the top score in Allegheny County and tied for No. 3 in Pennsylvania.
36 30
27.0
26.9 22.6
24
12 6 0
26.3 23.0 20.6
26.7
26.3 23.6 21.3
22.8 20.8
23.1 20.8
National
18
Pennsylvania
20.1 Upper St. Clair High School
Measuring success...
700
National Merit Scholarship Program
Upper St. Clair High School earned the highest composite score in Allegheny County and the eighth highest in the commonwealth.
English
Mathematics
Reading Spring 2017
Science
Composite
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
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Student Achievement
School Board approves final budget, tax increase
T
he annual Pennsylvania System School Assessment is a standards-based, criterion-referenced assessment, which is used to measure students’ attainment of academic standards. Students in grades 3 through 8 are assessed in English Language Arts and math. Students in grades 4 and 8 are also assessed in science. The Keystone Exams are end-of-course assessments designed to measure proficiency in the subject areas of Algebra I, literature and biology. Exams are administered as students complete each course. For most students, biology is completed in grade 9; literature in grade 10; and Algebra I ranges from as early as grade 6 through grade 9.
PSSA: English Language Arts Upper St. Clair School District
Grade 3
Pennsylvania
88.9%
90.6%
83.9%
89.0%
54.4%
46.6% 76.3% 44.4% 64.7%
Grade 6
61.7%
88.5%
79.0%
Grade 5
61.5%
Grade 6
Pennsylvania
Grade 4
58.7%
Grade 5
Upper St. Clair School District
Grade 3
60.9%
Grade 4
PSSA: Mathematics
41.1%
76.0%
83.9%
Grade 7
61.5%
Grade 7
0
20
40
60
80
100
PSSA: Science Pennsylvania
95.8%
76.2%
20
20
40
60
80
100
60
80
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
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Upper St. Clair School District Pennsylvania
100
93.3%
68.2% 95.8% 76.8% 94.4%
Biology 0
46
40
Literature
57.7% 0
0
Algebra I
86.7%
Grade 8
31.2%
Keystone Exams
Upper St. Clair School District
Grade 4
79.8%
65.3%
Grade 8
58.4%
76.0%
37.0%
79.8%
87.3%
Grade 8
68.0%
65.8% 20
40
60
80
100
Student Achievement Class of 2016....Where are they now? Allegheny College American University Arizona State University Auburn University Belmont University Bethany College Bloomsburg University Boston College Bowdoin College Bryant University Bryn Mawr College California University of Pennsylvania Canisius College Carnegie Mellon University Case Western Reserve University Community College of Allegheny County Cleveland State University Clarion University of Pennsylvania College of William & Mary College of Wooster Cornell University Davidson College
Drexel University Duke University Duquesne University Edinboro University of Pennsylvania Elon University Emerson College Flagler College Fordham University Franciscan University Gannon University George Washington University Georgia Institute of Technology Grove City College Harvard University Heidelberg University High Point University Indiana University, Bloomington Indiana University of Pennsylvania Iowa State University John Carroll University Johns Hopkins University Kent State University La Roche College Loyola University Maryland Maryland College of Art Mercyhurst College Miami University, Ohio Michigan State University North Carolina State University Northwestern University Ohio University Ohio Northern University Otterbein University Penn State University Pittsburgh Technical Institute Point Park University Purdue University Robert Morris University Rochester Institute of Technology Rollins College Saint Francis University Saint Mary’s College Saint Vincent College San Diego State University Savannah College of Art & Design Seton Hill College Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Sonoma State University Southern Utah State Temple University The Ohio State University Spring 2017
Trinity University University of California, Berkeley University of California, Los Angeles University of Akron University of Alabama University of Chicago University of Cincinnati University of Colorado, Boulder United States Military Academy University of the Arts University of Connecticut University of Dayton University of Delaware University of Florida University of Georgia University of Illinois University of Kentucky University of Mary Washington University of Maryland University of Miami University of Michigan University of Montana University of Mt. Union University of North Carolina University of Notre Dame University of Pennsylvania University of Pittsburgh University of Rhode Island University of Portland University of Richmond University of South Carolina University of South Florida University of Texas-Dallas University of Toronto University of Vermont Utah State University Vanderbilt University Villanova University Virginia Tech University Wake Forest University Washington & Jefferson College West Chester University UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
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Year in Review
School Board approves final budget, tax increase
2016 Highlights... Advancement • USC High School received a $3,000 Environmental Education Grant Award from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to establish a recycling effort. • As part of Reimagining the High School Initiative and through a generous contribution, the former Commons area was transformed into café321. • SHOP@USC expanded its capabilities by purchasing a single sleeve pallet through a generous donation from Coldwell Banker.
• USC was selected as one of 13 schools and universities in the nation to receive an Active Learning Classroom Grant valued at $62,000 from Steelcase Education - creating the Innovation Hub @ Boyce Middle School. • A $42,320 contribution from an anonymous donor family will enable USC to host a national Professional Learning Communities conference in July 2017. The contribution underwrites the registration cost for 80 USC faculty members – significantly advancing a goal of the USC 2015-2020 Strategic Plan.
District Awards & Recognitions • USC received Best Communities for Music Education Designation by NAMM Foundation. • “Newsweek” ranked USC High School #113 in the nation and #5 in Pennsylvania. • “U.S. News & World Report” ranked USC High School #638 of 29,070 nationally and #11 in Pennsylvania. • Boyce and Fort Couch middle schools were named Pennsylvania Don Eichhorn Schools to Watch for the fourth time – a feat accomplished by only two other Pennsylvania schools.
Leadership • Superintendent Dr. Patrick O’Toole was honored with Clarion University’s Distinguished Alumni Award.
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Spring 2017
• Deputy Superintendent Dr. Sharon Suritsky was presented the Tri-State Distinguished Female Educator Award. • Assistant Superintendent Dr. John Rozzo was recognized with the Penn State Alumni Society Leadership & Service Award. • Chief of School Police Joseph Conners received the Champions of Learning Award from The Consortium for Public Education. • USC High School Associate Principal for Program Planning and Innovation Dr. Timothy Wagner was named an Emerging Leader by Pennsylvania Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. • Scott Burchill was hired to serve as Director of Business & Finance effective Jan. 3, 2017, following the retirement of Frosina Cordisco. • The district and the USC Education Association – representing nearly 300 teachers, guidance counselors and school nurses – approved a new six-year collective bargaining agreement through 2021-2022.
Capital Projects • High school stadium turf replaced during the summer of 2016. • Capital Projects Review Ad Hoc Committee established. Presented recommendations for architectual services and community input. • McLean Architects approved for preliminary architectural services for capital improvements projects. • Capital Projects Community Forum held – Nov. 29, 2016.
SD
Highley Dedicated Knowledgeable
SCHOOL DISTRICT 2016 ANNUAL REPORT PULL OUT
Accessible Dependable
Farewell to Frosina
Frosina Cordisco
After ten years of dedicated service, USC’s director of finance, Frosina Cordisco, is stepping down. “Frosina and I began our tenure at USC at about the same time,” Dr. Patrick O’Toole, superintendent of schools, said. “Since beginning at Upper St. Clair, she has been a pillar of strength to our leadership team.” We wish Frosina the best as she starts this new chapter of her life! n
Scott Burchill New Director of Business and Finance
With the retirement of Frosina Cordisco, the new leader of the District’s finance department is Scott Burchill, a public-school business manager. Scott, who stepped into his new position on January 3, was unanimously appointed Upper St. Clair’s director of business and finance by the Board of School Directors this past November. The director of business and finance position will Scott Burchill lead the District’s business office as well as oversee the areas of transportation, food service, operations, and maintenance. “The director of business and finance position plays a crucial role in the overall operations of our School District,” Dr. Patrick T. O’Toole, superintendent of schools, said. “We are fortunate to recommend such a highly qualified and experienced administrator who fully understands the financial challenges facing Pennsylvania’s public schools. Scott will be an excellent addition to our senior leadership team.” Scott served as the business administrator and school board secretary for the McGuffey School District in Washington County since 2005. Prior to that, he served in a similar capacity for the Ambridge Area School District in Beaver County for three years. Scott earned a master’s degree in business administration from Waynesburg University and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from The Pennsylvania State University. Upper St. Clair residents, Scott and his wife, Kimberley, have two daughters who attend Streams Elementary School: Myla, grade four, and Madalyn, grade two. n
Susan Highley ABR, CRS, SRES
$230 Million Sales in 26 Years
“Your Real Estate Needs Are My #1 Priority”
412.833.3600 ext 268 Cell: 412.889.1214
www.shighley.howardhanna.com
We Dream, We Do.
Kimberly Cooper, Food Services Director Joe Wightkin, Support Services Director
Spring 2017
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SD
Private Donors Advance PLC Initiative at USC
A $42,320 contribution from a local donor family and work collaboratively to improve student learning. “The PLC will enable Upper St. Clair School District to host a national model allows teachers—the real experts on students and their Professional Learning Communities at Work Institute in July learning—intentional time to plan, collaborate, and continue 2017. The donor’s contribution underwrites the registration cost to refine their practices,” Mark Miller, Eisenhower Elementary for 80 USC teachers. More than 900 educators from across the principal and supervisor of elementary education, said. “The nation are expected to attend. model allows us to place “This opportunity will student learning at the censignificantly advance one of ter of our District’s mission the District’s five goals within and has enabled us to adthe 2015-2020 Strategic Plan, dress the learning needs of all as well as a goal of the USC students.” Board of School Directors,” In 2004, Eisenhower Dr. Sharon Suritsky, deputy/ Elementary, under Mark’s assistant superintendent, said. leadership, began implement“The PLC Institute at Work ing the PLC model and has conference is an intensive spent more than a decade and expensive staff developemploying PLC core beliefs ment experience that we and developing PLC best would never have been able practices. USC teachers in a PLC meeting to plan, coordinate, and refine their to provide at this magnitude. In 2014, the same donor practices to achieve better results for their students Training 80 USC educators at family, who wishes to remain one time will have a transformational and lasting impact on our anonymous, began its partnership with Upper St. Clair School educational program.” District, providing funding over a three-year period to refine and Registration for the two-and-a-half-day institute is typically expand PLC practices to Baker and Streams elementary schools, $689 per person plus travel expenses, as illustrated by other while continuing to grow and nurture the PLC at Eisenhower. trainings offered in Arizona, Nevada, Missouri, Texas, Georgia, “We have made tremendous progress toward meeting our K-4 Florida, California, Minnesota, Illinois, Washington, Utah, and PLC goals,” Dr. Suritsky said. “We’ve accomplished this work Iowa. In addition to eliminating travel expenses, Upper St. Clair by training teams of teachers, PLC facilitators, and elementary receives a reduced registration fee by serving as the host site. principals off-site for two-day PLC and team building retreats.” According to Solution Tree, the organization that founded the By the end of the 2016-17 school year, more than 80 elementary institute and provides training in PLCs, a professional learning teachers and three administrators will be educated on K–4 PLC community is “an ongoing process in which educators work col- best practices. laboratively to achieve better results for the students they serve. Over the past 12 years, 20 Upper St. Clair faculty and adminProfessional learning communities operate under the assumption istrators have attended a national PLC Institute outside of the that the key to improved learning for students is continual job- District. The donor family’s latest gift will increase that number embedded learning for educators.” to more than 100, while refining the initiative at the District’s Within a PLC, teachers meet regularly by grade level, team, middle schools and expanding it to the high school. and/or discipline to discuss During the last few years, the PLC model was implemented student needs, share expertise, at the middle school level under the direction of Dr. John Rozzo,
Transformational Initiatives Funded Through Private Support
Grinding in the FAB Lab 50
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
Newly updated, café321 provides students a comfortable place to relax or work between classes.
Spring 2017
The idea to host a PLC Institute emerged from a February 2016 meeting between a donor family, USC’s director of advancement Sheila Gorgonio, and District administrators. The family expressed an interest in bringing national experts to Upper St. Clair to help expedite the implementation of the PLC Initiative District-wide. Sheila works with individuals who have an interest in supporting strategic, integrated, and visionary initiatives that will significantly enrich the District’s mission. Other privately funded initiatives include the Innovation Hub@USCHS, which opened in 2014 and includes a MIT-certified
SD assistant superintendent, who formerly served as the District’s supervisor of middle level education and Fort Couch assistant principal. Boyce and Fort Couch middle schools, which organize their students by teams, inherently embrace PLC best practices and core beliefs. “This generous contribution will enable more formalized training of PLC facilitators, teachers, and administrators at each middle school grade level (5–8) in order to maximize student learning while enhancing student achievement,” Dr. Rozzo said. Implementing the PLC model of best practices at the high school poses certain challenges due to scheduling. During the current school year, high school administrators and teachers have been working collaboratively to pilot aspects of the model. “As part of the Reimagine the High School vision team, implementation of a PLC model in grades 9–12 was a primary goal,” Dr. Timothy Wagner, the high school’s associate principal for program planning and innovation, said. “A team of high school teacher leaders worked with K–4 staff and attended a conference during the winter of 2016 to learn about the fundamental components of a PLC framework.” Subsequently, USCHS has implemented four pilot PLC groups, each focusing on key elements of building a PLC culture within the school. “The summer PLC Institute will provide a key opportunity for continued learning about PLCs and help to support our high school staff in scaling up our efforts in the 2017-18 school year,” Dr. Wagner said. n
Watson Institute Education Center SEWICKLEY
The Watson Institute Social Center for Academic Achievement (WISCA) LEAP Preschool SHARPSBURG
Friendship Academy PITTSBURGH
Our Family is Growing ! Led by a team of educators and a mission focus of 100 years of providing educational services and supports to children with special needs, the Watson Institute announces its newest location in South Fayette/Bridgeville. (412) 741-1800 Fax 412-741-2454 Toll-free (866) 893-4751, ext. 2805 Admissions/Referrals (412) 749-2805
Watson Institute Education Center South SOUTH FAYETTE
www.thewatsoninstitute.org
For information regarding Professional Learning Communities, including registration, visit www.solution-tree.com.
FAB Lab and SHOP@USC; the Innovation Hub@Boyce; and the recent renovation of the high school’s café321 (formerly The Commons). “Due to a lack of federal and state funding, today’s school leaders are challenged to do more with less,” Dr. Patrick O’Toole, superintendent of schools, said. “Many of our most transformational initiatives would not have been possible without private support. We are enormously grateful for our donors’ shared vision and commitment to Upper St. Clair School District.” n To discuss partnership opportunities that would enhance the mission and vision at USC, contact Sheila Gorgonio at 412-833-1600, extension 2826, or by email at sgorgonio@uscsd.k12.pa.us. Spring 2017
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
51
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USCHS Mini-THON
Upper St. Clair High School is nearing its end of a five-month campaign to raise $10,000 to help fight and conquer childhood cancer. The effort culminates with a Mini-THON celebration to be held April 21–22, with proceeds presented to Four Diamonds, an organization that assists children who are battling cancer and their families at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital. The organizers of the USC Mini-THON and related events are USCHS seniors and the school’s super mentors Stephen Cuddy, Mackenzie Dominick, Megan Kramer, Eric Lehman, and Allie Ryave. Super mentors help lead a team of junior and senior mentors that assist freshmen with the transition from middle school to high school. “Our super mentors approached us last spring after they were selected as ‘supers’ about hosting the mini-THON as a schoolwide event. They wanted to see the school come together and also improve school spirit,” said Mike Funfar, USCHS mathematics teacher and mentor advisor. “While the high school is very successful and has a culture of achievement, the super mentors felt as though school spirit needed improvement. Being an Upper St. Clair Panther should mean something more than just performing well in academics, arts, and athletics,” he said. High school students attended an assembly in November to learn more about the initiative, the Four Diamonds organization, and how Upper St. Clair can make a difference. The assembly morphed into a Mini-THON pep rally complete with water bottle flipping contests as well as students and staff members willingly being pied in the face in the name of school spirit, including school principal and good sport Dr. Lou Angelo. “I am extremely proud of our students for their emerging leadership,” Lou said. “They have seen an opportunity to provide a service to those in need while pulling our community together.” Following the assembly, 37 teams of students and staff competed in the first of many fundraisers—a volleyball tournament. The event, led by science teacher Russ Hoburg, was hosted by the girls’ and boys’ volleyball teams and the school’s physical education department. The winning team included science teachers Jack Zebo, Lynn Kistler, and Russ, as well as Tom Marquis, school counselor. The volleyball tournament raised approximately $2000.
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Left to right are USCHS senior and super mentors Eric Lehman, Megan Kramer, Mackenzie Dominick, Allie Ryave, and Stephen Cuddy
“The best part of the tournament was seeing staff and students interacting together and enjoying friendly competition,” said Amanda Haas, mathematics teacher and mentor advisor. “The tournament exceeded our expectations in terms of teams signing up, the number of staff members who participated, and funds raised. We look forward to holding the event next school year and improving on this year’s successes.” The super mentors are hoping to offer different fundraisers each month. Two events were held during December: a FTK (for the kids) bracelet sale and a snowman contest. Sponsored by SHOP@USC, students used a variety of crafting materials to create snowmen. High school students and staff voted for their favorite snowman by donating to the respective snowman’s container. Additional events are planned through spring, leading up to the April mini dance marathon. Mini-THONs are modeled after Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, or THON, the world’s largest student-run charity. The money is used to drive the discovery of new and improved treatments for childhood cancer, through funding more than 70 pediatric cancer research team members at Penn State College of Medicine and to ensure that every child is treated for cancer at Penn State Children’s Hospital without any out-of-pocket costs for their families. “Knowing that we have a positive impact and can help families who need our help is truly rewarding. All donations that we raise will go toward kids, just like us, to aid them in their fight against cancer,” said Eric Lehman. “We aren’t looking for awards; we only want to see smiles on the kids’ faces who we help.” During the 2015–16 school year, more than 70,000 elementary, middle, and high school student volunteers in 235 schools across five states teamed up to raise $5,526,281 to fight childhood cancer through Four Diamonds Mini-THONs. “We need the community and students to be involved at all times. This event isn’t a one-day or week-long event,” student Allie Ryave said. “Our Mini-THON is a never-ending fundraiser against childhood cancer. The community and students can do many things to help: come to our fundraisers, donate, sign up for our donor drive, and spread the word.” n For more information about the USC Mini-THON, including how you can support this effort, contact Tom Marquis, school counselor, at 412-833-1600, extension 2406, or via email at tmarquis@uscsd.k12.pa.us.
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USCHS Mentors Host Freshman Field Day
Sack races
The high school mentor program hosted its eighth annual Field Day event for freshmen and their junior mentors this past fall at the high school stadium. “Freshman Field Day offers an opportunity for ninth graders and junior mentors to share in a bonding experience where the mentors foster genuine concern, build relationships, and promote student success,” said Thomas Marquis, school counselor. “Over the last eight years, Field Day has evolved and become a staple event in our school culture.” The morning kicked off with a mentor-mentee breakfast in the nutrition center folWorking together lowed by a variety of team building events including tug of war, sack races, railroad relay, blind-folded dodge ball, and others. Mentors, assigned to freshman homerooms, served as coaches, cheerleaders, and supporters to their mentees during each activity. Mike Funfar, USCHS mathematics teacher, said, “From surveying previous classes, students have indicated that this day is the most unifying event of their freshman year.” Students in grade 11 are eligible to apply to serve as mentors to assist freshmen with the transition from middle school to high school. Each freshman homeroom is assigned three to four mentors who provide information, encouragement, and support throughout the year. Each year, approximately 60 juniors serve as mentors in the program. Thomas, Mike, and Amanda Haas, mathematics teacher, serve as faculty advisors. “We strive to assist students to achieve academic goals by encouraging involvement in the Upper St. Clair High School community,” Amanda said. Freshman Field Day this past year was led by a team of five seniors—Stephen Cuddy, Mackenzie Dominick, Megan Kramer, Eric Lehman, and Allie Ryave—who serve as Freshman Field Day, a super-mentors. A team of approximately 20 senior mentors coordinated each of the great bonding experience competitive stations. n Spring 2017
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PSU Honors Dr. John Rozzo
High School Supports Fallen Officer’s Family
Dr. John Rozzo was recently honored with the 2016 Leadership and Service Award from The Pennsylvania State University John Rozzo College of Education. He was recognized at the College of Education Alumni Society’s awards banquet this past fall. According to the College of Education, the Leadership and Service Award recognizes those alumni who have distinguished themselves in their chosen profession, in or out of the field of education. In his letter of support, Dr. Patrick T. O’Toole, superintendent of schools, commended Dr. Rozzo for his leadership and his student-centered focus. “Dr. Rozzo is an outstanding educator who truly understands best instructional practices and programming for students,” said Dr. O’Toole. “He has earned the reputation of being a considerate and caring leader who focuses on doing the right thing for students, families, community members, and District staff.” Fellow Penn State graduate and 2001 recipient of the Leadership and Service Award, Dr. Sharon Suritsky, Upper St. Clair’s assistant/deputy superintendent, had high praise for John’s interpersonal, decision-making, and communication skills. “Dr. Rozzo embodies the qualities of an outstanding Penn State leader and service provider in the field of education,” she said. “His top-notch skills have separated him from his administrative peers. During my 22 years as an educational leader, I have worked with many outstanding administrators. None of those individuals can compare to Dr. Rozzo.” In 2015, the Pennsylvania Association for Middle Level Education honored Dr. Rozzo with its Outstanding Middle Level Administrator Award. Throughout his tenure, John has led several initiatives, including serving as chairperson of the District’s Strategic/Comprehensive Plan and leading the District’s transition to the new Principal and Teacher Effectiveness Model. In addition, he has presented at numerous local, regional, and statewide conferences regarding increasing student achievement and the components of an exemplary middle school. John began his educational career as a sixth-grade science and reading teacher in the Brentwood School District. A member of the Upper St. Clair School District staff since 2005, he has been promoted into several important administrative positions within the District, including coordinator of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program, high school assistant principal, middle school principal of academics, and supervisor of middle level education. He was appointed to his current role as assistant superintendent in 2014. A graduate of Penn State’s College of Education, John earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a concentration in mathematics and science. In addition, he holds a master’s degree in education from California University of Pennsylvania and a doctorate of education from the University of Pittsburgh. John resides in Upper St. Clair with his wife, Shauna, and their three children: Anthony, Sydney, and Isabella. n
This past November, communities across the South Hills were rocked by news of the death of Canonsburg police officer Scott Bashioum. To honor Officer Bashioum, students at Upper St. Clair High School sold buttons with a black and white American flag and a single blue ribbon across the center, with the name Scott Bashioum and text EOW 11/10/16 written below. (EOW is an acronym for End of Watch, which is used to signify the date that an officer was killed in the line of duty.) High school senior Isabella Oprison was a major catalyst in this project, which was student-suggested, student-designed, and student-produced. Buttons were sold for $5 each, with $4 from each sale being donated to Officer Bashioum’s family. The remaining $1 covered the cost of making the buttons, which were designed and produced by SHOP@USC students. SHOP@USC (Showing How Opportunity Pays @ Upper St. Clair) is a fully-inclusive, student-run business housed within the high school’s Innovation Hub. Students in the Life Skills program and their regular education partners design and manufacture USC spirit-wear products while learning how to develop a business plan. Michelle Zirngibl, SHOP@USC coordinator, said that service learning projects are important because they teach students the importance of giving back, especially in times of need. “This devastating incident affected all of us in some way, and many of us were feeling powerless,” said Michelle. “This project provided our students a way to feel like they were doing something to help.” n
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USC Approves Early Agreement The Upper St. Clair School District reached a new four-year agreement with the Upper St. Clair Education Support Professionals Association, which represents the District’s 40 bus drivers and five attendants. The agreement, which is effective July 1, 2017, through June 30, 2021, was ratified by the association and approved by the Upper St. Clair Board of School Directors on Monday, January 9. The new contract institutes a step system for drivers to move from the initial step to the top step over five years. The contract includes a 2.5% annual increase for drivers at the top step. Drivers at the lowest step will receive a 4% increase in year one and a 3% annual increase for the remainder for the contract. In addition, the approved contract provides increases in the activity rate and offers vision insurance to association members. Under the current and previous contracts, the association had accepted wage freezes for three of the last six years and had agreed to a flat two-tiered wage structure. According to District officials, these concessions were the result of reductions in state and federal funding and significant mandated pension cost increases. “Our school bus drivers and attendants have difficult and important jobs,” Dr. Patrick O’Toole, superintendent of schools, said. “They set the tone for our students’ day. They deliver children to school safely and ready to learn. We are pleased to be able to reach a fair agreement that allows for uninterrupted service to our families and enhances our ability to continue to competitively recruit and retain quality drivers,” he said. Mike Gielata, association president, said, “We are pleased to reach an early agreement that is fair for all parties and we look forward to continuing working together with the District.” n
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Finding Success Through Crowdfunding Teachers at Streams Elementary have found a creative way to fund individual classroom projects. Three teachers received a total of $2000 for five classroom projects through the crowdfunding website DonorsChoose.org. Crowdfunding has become a popular way to raise money for everything from medical treatments to bringing an NBA team to Pittsburgh (which has raised $2620 so far). DonorsChoose.org focuses specifically on education. Its Showing their skill on the balance balls funded by mission is to “make it easy for anyone their families are, left to right, Eli Mandler, Brayden to help a classroom in need, moving Wells, Nathan Powell, Paige Powell, Emily Powell, and Molly Powell us closer to a nation where students in every community have the tools and experiences they need for a great education.” Dr. Claire Miller, Streams principal, has encouraged teachers to pursue these creative funding sources to finance innovative classroom projects. “As building principal, I often have staff members come to me with creative ideas or specific student needs. Finding immediate funding sources to bring these ideas to life can be a challenge,” she said. “Turning to crowdsourcing, as a means for funding, seems like a logical way to bridge classroom needs with citizens looking to support the great work being done by our teachers.” Third grade teacher Emily LaSalle has had three $450 projects successfully funded through DonorsChoose.org. The projects, titled Lights, Camera, Action: Social Studies Alive!; Cultural Hats of the World; and Parade of Nations all had an inquirybased focus on science, social studies, and world culture. “All three projects received substantial donations from a graduate of Upper St. Clair,” said Emily. “He found us and donated during the #BestSchoolDay flash funding event that was orchestrated by celebrities last year.” The feedback from parents, students, and other teachers has been overwhelmingly positive, and fellow teachers have been equally enthusiastic and motivated by Emily’s success with crowdfunding. One of those teachers was Leslie Smirniw, school counselor, who wrote a proposal for a project titled Bouncing Our Way to Better Mental Health. The project raised $200 to purchase balance balls that can be used in lieu of student chairs. “As the school counselor in a K–4 building, I see students when they are feeling stressed, sad, or angry or when they just want to sit and talk for a bit,” said Leslie. “Bouncing helps relax students and makes it easier for them to talk. These stability balls greatly enhance my ability to help our students feel calm and ready to learn!” Leslie was amazed by the generosity of Streams families as four of the six project donors have children in the school. “I was expecting a corporation or local company to fund the project, and I was so humbled to see that it was our very own families donating,” Leslie said. “This speaks volumes about how much our families value the role of the school counselor.” In an effort to expand STEAM opportunities, second grade teacher Lauren Bogus received nearly $275 for her project titled Classroom Coders. The additional funding enabled her to purchase Coding Mice and develop the coding skills of her students. “Crowdfunding is a great resource for our teachers who have that entrepreneurial spirit,” said Sheila Gorgonio, director of advancement for the District. “This is an excellent opportunity to gain the resources needed for specific classroom projects that are beyond the normal school budget.” Before getting started, teachers must receive approval from the school principal to ensure alignment with grade level, school, and District priorities. Proposed projects with a goal of more than $500 or that are directed to individuals, foundations, and/ or businesses beyond the classroom and school community must be coordinated with Sheila Gorgonio in the District’s advancement office. n For further information on crowdfunding, contact Sheila Gorgonio at 412-833-1600, extension 2826, or by email at sgorgonio@uscsd.k12.pa.us. Spring 2017
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Boyce Team Earns Top Score at Calcu-Solve
A team of Boyce Middle School students placed first tied with one other student from another district for first place overall among a field of 111 teams at the Calcu-Solve competition overall. Second place was a tie between two Boyce students, Evan held at Duquesne University this past November. Team members Sarkett and Ben Wasson, and overall third place scorer was Alex included Carter McClintock-Comeaux, Keshav Narasimhan, Alex Sun, another Boyce student. “For overall individual scores, four of the Sun, and Alex Todd. top five students—out of 444 competitors— Each four-person team was tasked with were from Boyce,” Kathleen exclaimed. solving nine total questions, seven which “And the scores aren’t even the best part; the were completed individually and two that kids were amazingly patient, understanding, were answered collaboratively. The highcollaborative, and supportive of each other.” est possible score was 160, and the Boyce To earn one of Boyce’s 12 spots in the team earned 112, the highest team score competition, nearly 60 interested students of the contest. completed a 40-minute test of non-routine “I am thrilled with their problem-solvword problems. The top 12 scorers were ing prowess and the way they matched up placed on three teams. Throughout a against the best fifth and sixth grade mathFirst place Calcu-Solve team members, left to ematicians in the county, but, even more so, right, are Alex Sun, Carter McClintock-Comeaux, three-week period, students practiced math I am thrilled with their cooperative spirit problems at the start and end of the school Keshav Narasimhan, and Alex Todd and their positive attitude,” said Kathleen day. “Our students gave up their personal Hoedeman, Boyce math resource teacher and Calcu-Solve coach. time to work together to improve their problem-solving skills,” Earning a third-place finish was the Boyce team of Phillip said Kathleen. “Though not every person came to every pracMarkovitz, Quinton Miller, Evan Sarkett, and Ben Wasson, with tice, attendees were always enthusiastic and the dialogue always an overall score of 98 points. Also representing Boyce Middle enlightening.” The Calcu-Solve event, sponsored by the II-VI Foundation, School was the team of Sahil Bhalodia, Leona Chen, Matthew is open to fifth and sixth graders throughout Allegheny County. Earley, and Rebecca Lang. Individually, Boyce’s Alex Todd had a perfect score of 35 and The event was organized by the Allegheny Intermediate Unit. n
Fort Couch—Growing Up Global
Sharing a world of new cuisine
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This past November, the World Language program at Fort Couch Middle School celebrated International Education Week. This year’s events included a gallery walk through the Growing Up Global iBooks and posters, an international food festival, and dancing to the popular song “Il Pulcino Pio.” Each student studied a foreign country and, using the school-issued iPads to create an iBook, produced a first-person account of what it would be like to grow up there. As their Maritza Balta, teaching Salsa dancing classmates walked through the gallery, each student “visited” and learned about different countries via the iBooks, which included both text and photos. Traveling to other countries Students also created a food item, either from the country via an iBook they studied or their country of origin, for the food festival. It was a tasty way to learn more about other cultures! A highlight of the week included Greek dancing lessons with Matoula Rice, a USC resident and the school’s former head secretary, and Salsa dancing with USC resident Maritza Balta. Fort Couch teachers Señora Connie Montgomery, Frau Kristin Weaver, Madame AnneMarie Ganster, and Monsieur Marc-Andre Clermont planned International Education Week to promote intercultural understanding and celebrate diversity. Señora Montgomery said she will be using some of the iBooks created by the students when teaching Spanish at the District’s elementary schools. n
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Boyce Named Distinguished Title I School Boyce Middle School is among 179 schools to be recognized as a Title I Distinguished School in the 2016–17 school year by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Division of Federal Programs. Each year, the Division of Federal Programs honors the top performing Title I schools in Pennsylvania. There are two designations: Reward for High Achievement and Reward for High Progress. High Achievement recognizes the highest five percent of Title I schools based on aggregate math and reading PSSA or Keystone scores that also met all Annual Measurable Objectives (AMOs). High Progress recognizes the highest five percent of Title I schools based on a composite of the math and English Language Arts Pennsylvania Value Added Assessment System (PVAAS) indices for the schools. Schools earning the distinction also met participation and graduation/attendance AMOs. “We have selected 179 Title I schools to be named Distinguished Schools based on that criterion,” Susan McCrone, chief of the Division of Federal Programs, said. “I congratulate you and your staff on the success experienced within your school.” Boyce was honored at the 2017 Title I Improving Schools’ Performance Conference this past winter. Title I schools receive supplemental federal funding to bridge the gap between economically disadvantaged students, as determined by free and reduced lunch, and other students. n
Moeller Named Outstanding Educator Upper St. Clair High School teacher Laura Moeller has been selected for the Outstanding Educator Award from the University of Chicago. The Office of College Admissions grants the Outstanding Educator Award to teachers who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to the education and personal development of their students. “Each year, we invite entering first-year students to nominate an educator who has influenced them, challenged them, or helped them along the path toward intellectual growth,” James G. Nondorf, vice Laura Moeller president for enrollment at the University of Chicago, said. “We receive letters back from hundreds of students, inspired by teachers who have changed the course of their lives, who taught them to re-imagine texts, to delve deeper into problem-solving, and to think beyond the borders of the classroom in the pursuit of their own education.” Laura has been a member of the Upper St. Clair High School English faculty for the past 16 years. She teaches IB English 11 and Academic English 12. She was nominated for the Outstanding Educator Award by Gaurav Bhushan, a 2016 Upper St. Clair graduate and a former student in Laura’s IB English course. “I am very proud of Mrs. Moeller for the positive meaningful impact she continues to have on our students,” Dr. Lou Angelo, Upper St. Clair High School principal, said. In addition to her teaching duties, Laura has been involved in several initiatives at the high school, including the Student Support Service team, Natural Helpers program, International Education Week, National Honor Society, Philosophy Club, Moleskine Club, and middle school track. Laura was also nominated twice by students for the Teacher Excellence Award, a regional teacher recognition program that ran from 1993 to 2003. A graduate of Allegheny College, Laura holds undergraduate degrees in English and psychology. She earned her master’s degree in education in English from the University of Pittsburgh. Prior to pursuing her teaching career, Laura worked as an editor at Triumph Books in Chicago for three years. Laura resides in Mt. Lebanon with her husband, Matt, and their two sons, Patrick and Finn. n Spring 2017
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Eisenhower Teacher Publishes Book
After spending almost 20 years researching his family’s genealogy, Eisenhower teacher Christopher George recently published Day-by-day with the 123d Pennsylvania Volunteers: A Nine-month Civil War Regiment from Allegheny County, a book about what life was like for the common soldier during the Civil War. Chris said while learning about his family history, he became captivated with understanding the context in which his ancestors lived. But when researching his great-great-grandfather, John Armstrong George, who fought during the Civil War and died in 1921, very few family documents or photos documenting his life survived. To gain a better understanding about John Armstrong George’s life experiences, Chris turned to the letters and journals of his grandfather’s contemporaries and stories from Pittsburgh newspapers. “The book gives a sense of what life was like for the common soldier during this dark period of our country’s history,” said Chris. “Many soldiers wrote almost daily, and many were well spoken.”
Streams Awarded Grant Streams Elementary recently received a $1000 Innovative Classroom grant from PPG Industries Foundation in support of a STEAM initiative. The project, spearheaded by the school’s art teacher, Angela Stevenson, and librarian, Stephanie Kellner, will provide additional enrichment in science, technology, engineering, art, and technology (STEAM). “The new resources for our library’s STEAM room integrates a strong art and research component,” Angela said. “Students can check out STEAMer Trunks on those cold inside recess days, and use the STEAM classroom Gavin Morse, Ava Liu, and Nithya Kommineni having fun with the contents to engage in lessons of the STEAMer Trunk that we together have developed to add an extension to their classroom studies.” The PPG Industries Foundation’s Innovative Classroom grants program connects PPG employees in the United States with local public schools to apply for grants up to $1000 for projects that spark students’ interest in science, technology, engineering, and math. Kristin McCrory-Wise, whose son Alexander is in second grade at Streams, is an employee at PPG and served as the project champion throughout the application process. The STEAMer Trunk project is an extension of STEAM initiatives that began during the previous school year in collaboration with the school’s gifted teacher, Mary Quinn. During the 2015–16 school year, Streams received two $1000 grants from PPG Industries Foundation that supported other STEAM initiatives. n 58
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Included in the book is a glimpse of what it was like for the families at home, waiting for word about their friends and relatives. Using the local newspapers from that period, Chris attempts to discover how families received news about the location and condition of their loved ones. Chris said, “This book has really come about because others took the time to record and preserve the thoughts and deeds of their lives. The letters, journals, and memoirs that are sadly missing from my family tree have luckily been kept and shared from other family trees.” A graduate of both the University of Cincinnati and the University of Pittsburgh, Chris lives with his wife and three children in South Fayette Chris George Township. n Day-by-day with the 123d Pennsylvania Volunteers: A Nine-month Civil War Regiment from Allegheny County is available on Amazon. Chris George can be reached at cdg123pvi@yahoo.com.
NY Gallery Displays Student’s Artwork A second grader at Streams Elementary has accomplished what many artists only dream of achieving. A piece of Natalie Barefoot’s artwork was on display at A.I.R. Gallery, located in Brooklyn, New York, this past December. “Natalie’s grandmother, Patricia Barefoot, is an artist and was recently made aware of a children’s art exhibit at a gallery in New York in which she has been affiliated,” Elizabeth Barefoot, Natalie’s mom, said. “She submitted a picture that Natalie made in art class last school year when she was in first grade and it was accepted to the show!” The exhibit, titled “It’s Elementary,” featured artwork created by students in kindergarten through fifth grade from New York City schools and throughout the country. Organized by Carolyn Martin and Sylvia Netzer, the exhibition included drawings, paintings, prints, and mixed media. Natalie’s artwork is a colorful piece that featured a hand and forearm along with a border of multicolored hearts. “This art project focused on warm and cool colors. My grandma always said, cold hands, warm hearts,” said Angela Stevenson, Streams Elementary art teacher. “Natalie has such a great heart and is really talented!” According to its website, A.I.R. Gallery (Artists in Residence, Inc.) was established in 1972 as the first not-for-profit, artistdirected and maintained gallery for women artists in the United States. The gallery Natalie Barefoot stands exhibits the work of hundreds of women below her painting before it was sent to A.I.R. artists each year. n Gallery for display
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Let’s Make Music
PMEA Honors Band, Orchestra, and Choir Nine high school musicians were recently selected through competitive audition to participate in the 2016 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) District 1 Honors Band and Orchestra. Trumpeter and double bass player James Boston will represent USC in both the honors band and orchestra. Alexa Drecnik, flute; Meghan Johnson, clarinet; Olivia DeLeo, clarinet; Sheb Rosati, trombone; Matt Higgs, percussion; and Justin Dreyer, percussion, earned spots in the Honors Band. Cellists Malika Matharu and Savannah Shaw earned places in the Honors Orchestra. Additionally, eight members of the high school choral program have been selected to participate in the 2016 PMEA District 1 Honors Choir Festival: Mackenzie Damon, alto 1; Devon Garcia, alto 2; Jonah Glunt and Josiah Ackerman, tenor 1; Patrick Glover and Grant Left to right, front row: Malika Matharu, Alexa Warmbein, tenor 2; and Andrew Rauber and Jack Smith, bass 2. Drecnik, Meghan Johnson; middle row: Olivia DeLeo, Sheb Rosati; back row: James Boston, PMEA District 1 includes school districts Matt Higgs, Justin Dreyer; missing from photo: from Allegheny, Fayette, Green, Washington, Savannah Shaw and Westmorland counties. PMEA is a statewide nonprofit organization of more than 4500 members, dedicated to promoting the musical development of all Pennsylvanians. The organization promotes and supports quality music education, learning, and performance, as well as promoting and support- Left to right, front row: Mackenzie Damon, Josiah Ackerman, Andrew Rauber; middle row: Jonah ing music education in schools and communities. PMEA is affiliated with The National Glunt, Jack Smith; back row: Grant Warmbein, Association for Music Education. n Patrick Glover; missing from photo: Devon Garcia Spring 2017
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T HEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT?T SD THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT?T THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT?T THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT?T THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT?T THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT?T THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT?T THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT?T THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT?T THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT?T THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT?T THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT?T THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT?T THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT?T THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT?T THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT?T THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT?T THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT?T THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT?T THEY DID WHAT?THEY DID WHAT?T THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT?T THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT?T THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT?T THEY DID WHAT?THEY DID WHAT?T THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT?T THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT?T THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT?T THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT?T THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT?T THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT?T THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT?T THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT?T Student Council Wins Coat Drive Contest USCHS Student Council collected 959 coats, winning the inaugural Coats For Kids Contest sponsored by Model Cleaners. For its victory, council earned $1000, which will be used to purchase a mascot costume to bolster school spirit. Upper St. Clair was one of five South Hills area school districts competing in the contest that also included Belle Vernon, Charleroi, Peters Township, and Seton LaSalle. Coats of all sizes— from children’s through adult—were collected at each school and then cleaned by Model Cleaners before being donated to local Salvation Army offices. Left to right: Danny Holzer, USC student activities director; Dan
Jump Rope for Heart This past fall, the students at Eisenhower Elementary participated in Jump Rope for Heart to raise money for the American Heart Association. The students and their teachers enjoyed jump rope activities throughout the day. Jumping rope has many health benefits, including increased cardio fitness, calorie burner, and improved muscle tone. The day was a huge success, raising nearly $8000!
LaCarte, president of Model Cleaners; USC Student Council president Rod Smith; USC Student Council vice president Caleb Troughtzmantz; Brooke Tarcson, USC student activities assistant
Golf Team Supports Children’s Hospital The USCHS golf team raised $6385 to benefit Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. Through its annual Birdies for a Cause, which began in 2011, varsity and junior varsity golfers collect flat donations and pledges for each birdie achieved by the team over the course of the season.
Left to right, front row: Josh Krakoff, Chand Vadalia, Jack O’Leary, Matthew Bishop, Louie Olsakovsky, Chris Joson; back row: Keith Kerber, Nathan Piatt, Andrew Rocks, Jack Steve, Luke McDonnell
USC Hockey Team Scores for SHIM This past December, the USCHS hockey teams collected 308 pounds of food and donated $358 dollars. While visiting SHIM, team members took a tour and learned how the food pantry works.
Left to right: Danny O’Brien, Ian Carroll, David Sileo, Zach Wehrle, Nick Ondrejko, Sam McKeever
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Baker’s Fall Outreach Raises Money The Baker Elementary community raised more than $3000 during its Fall Outreach Project, which was divided between two causes that are closely affiliated with the school. Almost $1500 was raised for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where a fourth grader from Baker is currently undergoing treatment. And, more than $1600 was raised for the Teresa Fox Memorial Scholarship in honor of a Baker teacher who passed away last year. Donations were collected at the school’s annual Boo Bash and throughout the month of October, culminating in the inaugural Baker Fall Crawl, where students paraded in costume to and from Morton fire station.
Boyce Students Sweep Poetry Contest Boyce Middle School swept the third–fifth grade category of 2016 National Chemistry Week illustrated poem contest, sponsored by the Pittsburgh Section of the American Chemical Society. Fifth grade poets Eva Chrousis and Asha Segall won first and second place, respectively. Students were tasked with writing and illustrating a poem using the National Chemistry Week theme, “Solving Mysteries Through Chemistry.” Poems were limited to 40 words and were required to use one of the following styles: haiku, limerick, ode, ABC poem, free verse, end rhyme, or blank verse. The poem contest was open to students in kindergarten through grade 12 in southwestern Pennsylvania, the northern panhandle of West Virginia, and Jefferson County in Ohio. Students competed within four grade level categories: kindergarten–grade 2, grades 3–5, grades 6–8, and grades 9–12. The four first place winners received $50 and advanced to the ACS National Illustrated Poem Contest. Students who earned second place received $25.
Spring 2017
Eva Chrousis with Boyce ELA teacher Sam Gallaher
Asha Segall (right) with Boyce ELA teacher Beth Harris
THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT ? SD THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEY DID WHAT?THEY DID WHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDID DID WH AT? YOU KNOW? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEY DID WHAT?THEY DID WHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEY THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDID WHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDDID WHAT? WHAT THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDID WHAT? ?HAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDW THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? Amin Named Semifinalist USCHS senior Amna Amin was named a 2017 Coca-Cola Scholar semifinalist. Amna is one of 77 students in Pennsylvania and 1914 from across the country selected from nearly 86,000 applicants. The CocaCola Scholars program recognizes high school seniors who demonstrate academic and civic excellence in their schools and communities.
Chen Named AMIA High School Scholar USCHS junior Kevin Chen was recently selected as an American Medical Informatics Association 2016 High School Scholar, which earned him the opportunity to attend the AMIA 2016 Symposium this past November in Chicago. In early September, Kevin submitted his research paper, “A Comparison of Methods for Identifying Direct Casual Influences,” to the High School Scholars competition. His research evaluated Bayesian network-based causal learning algorithms on biomedical datasets. Kevin’s submission was admitted for a poster presentation at the AMIA 2016 Symposium. Each submission was reviewed by two members of the High School Scholars Program review committee on a variety of criteria, including importance to the field, scholarship, methodological contribution, and overall organization of the presentation. Kevin Chen
Amna Amin
Author Visits Via Videoconference This past fall, nearly 50 USCHS ninth graders—along with several other area high schools—recently talked with Marja Mills, author of The Mockingbird Next Door: Life with Harper Lee via video conference sponsored by the Fox Chapel Area High School library. Marja spoke with students about her experiences getting to know Harper Lee, the reclusive author of To Kill a Mockingbird. Marja was a reporter at the Chicago Times when she was sent to Monroeville, Alabama, in the hopes of landing an interview with Harper Lee. She not only interviewed Lee, but also wrote a book about her time with Lee and Lee’s sister, Alice.
Cover of the 2016 Montage
Montage Earns Eighth First Place Award USCHS’s literary arts magazine, Montage, earned a firstplace award in the 2016 Scholastic Yearbook and Magazine awards for the eighth consecutive year. The 2016 Montage was published through the work of several student leaders: Mahima Reddy, editor-in-chief 2016 and 2017; Devon Garcia, assistant editor-in-chief; Grace Eden, art editor; Alexa Rieger, literary editor; Aditi Chattopadhyay, treasurer; and Chris Abraham, public relations editor. English teacher Daniela Buccilli serves as adviser for the publication. Sponsored by the American Scholastic Press Association, the annual contest provides feedback on various publication elements. Each school yearbook and magazine is scored on a point system and is awarded a first, second, or third place in its classification.
National Merit Semifinalists and Commended Students This past fall, 12 USCHS seniors were named semifinalists in the 2017 National Merit Scholarship Program. Scoring in the top one percent of all juniors completing the PSAT in October 2015 were Paul Abrams, Amna Amin, Tyler Besselman, Aditi Chattopadhyay, Devon Garcia, Macey Kaplan, Arushi Kewalramani, Tanmayee Mahajan, Malcolm Miller, Murphy Miller, Vicki Wang, and Claire Zalla. In addition, 13 USCHS senior were recognized as commended students: Thomas Bednarz, Michael Besser, Amatheon Bohan, Michael Camburn, Mackenzie Damon, Raahema Durrani, Aaron Fultineer, Abigail Happ, Philip Hoffman, Shayan Jalali, Yash Lahoti, Allie Ryave, and Yang Zhang. Founded in 1955, the National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships. Students enter the National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the PSAT—the National Merit Scholarship qualifying test—during the fall of their junior year.
Marja Mills presents to USCHS students.
For more information regarding the National Merit Scholarship Program, visit: www.nationalmerit.org.
USC Seniors Published in Anthology Two USCHS seniors are published authors. Mahima Reddy’s piece, “Dear Thotappa,” and Claire Zalla’s, “Polonius Laboratories,” are among the student writings published in the 2016 Ralph Munn Creative Writing Anthology, which is distributed to all Allegheny County public and school libraries, and funded by an endowment from former Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh director Ralph Munn. Mahima won second place in the short prose category. The contest includes categories for poetry, short prose, and screenwriting.
Left to right: Mahima Reddy, Claire Zalla Spring 2017
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Pawprints...
SD PTC
Baker
Eisenhower
Council Beth Huzjak, PTC President One of the best things about the Upper St. Clair School District is the collaboration among the administrators, teachers, staff, students, and parents. We are fortunate to be welcomed and encouraged to be active participants in our children’s education. With that in mind, the goal of Parent Teacher Council (PTC) is to be a liaison between the District and parents to help enhance the educational experience of our students. Here are some of the ways PTC makes it easier for you to stay informed and be involved: • Visit our website. Click on the “USC PTC” tab on the District website to learn more about PTC committees and what we do. • Attend monthly PTC meetings. Hear updates directly from Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Patrick O’Toole, as well as a representative from the Board of School Directors and the presidents from each school’s PTA/PTO/PTSO. It’s one-stop-shopping for parents with children in multiple schools who don’t have the time to attend each school’s individual meeting. PTC meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the month at 9:30 a.m. at one of our school buildings. Check the website for the complete schedule. Agendas and minutes from each of the meetings are posted on the website. • Attend the PTC-sponsored Open Mic sessions. Hosted once in the fall and once in the spring of each year, Dr. O’Toole and key administrators answer questions and give updates on important topics within our District, including the budget, capital improvement projects, District programs, and more. • Have your student take part in one of the sponsored programs. Encourage your children to participate in PTC-sponsored programs, including Arts in USC, the Scripts Spelling Bee, new STEAM Coding Clubs, and more. • Sign up for eAlerts. Visit the District website and click on “eAlerts” to subscribe and receive updates from your choice of many informational areas within the District, including the District’s Weekly Recap, school building and teacher/classroom messages, PTC, and each school’s PTA/PTO/PTSO. Detailed instructions on registering and subscribing are provided. • Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Find us on Facebook at Upper St. Clair Parent Teacher Council and on Twitter at @ptc_usc, where timely updates are posted. Read on to learn more about specific ways to stay informed and be involved at each of our schools. 62
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USC High School Sally Ondrejko, PTSO President Unlike the elementary schools, parent involvement opportunities at the high school level are less visible and quantifiable, but they are just as important and valuable as those at the lower grade levels. Understand that despite outward signs, most teenagers do want their parents to be involved in their lives. Research indicates that parents have a strong influence on their teenagers and that “teens whose parents stay connected to their education are more likely to do better academically, behaviorally, and emotionally.”1 While many activities at the high school are student-led by design to foster responsibility and leadership skills, some more traditional opportunities do exist for parent involvement. For example, the PTSO needs officers and committee chairs each year to operate, and many of these positions provide a natural line of communication with high school staff members. Simply attending meetings is an easy way to establish a connection and stay informed. In addition, the two all-school dances require chaperones. The staff appreciation lunch requires volunteers, as do booster organizations (e.g., Band, Choral, Speech and Debate, and various sports), which support a specific student activity. So, what are the ways to be involved? First, embrace learning strategies for being involved and supportive, which will allow teenagers to achieve autonomy and earn respect. With this goal in mind, here is a limited list of ideas gleaned from my reading: • Keep lines of communication open and make it a point to talk about school. • Read the school website, social media, and school communications to be as informed as possible. • Help students stay focused on learning during the school year, but do not lose sight of promoting balance between academic and social life. • Be clear about educational expectations and the link between education and future goals. • Provide structure at home and “enforce consistent rules that help adolescents learn the relationship of independence and responsibility.”2 • Do not ignore the impact of parental warmth. • With each passing year, encourage students to take more responsibility for their school work. Spring 2017
Fort Couch
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• Communicate with teachers regarding positive experiences, not just negative ones (this should work both ways). • Be cognizant of changes in your student’s behavior and health, which might indicate the need for intervention. These are some ways to be involved at the high school level. They are different from those we focus on at lower levels, and they vary based on the developmental needs of students, but they are no less valuable. We are blessed to live in a school district that recognizes the following important truth: “Scaffolding independence and enabling greater autonomy, responsibility, and decision-making are central parts of the renegotiation of the parent-adolescent relationship.”3 It does take work, but the rewards of this type of involvement are priceless! 1 Bari Walsh. “Letting go, staying close: Strategies for parental involvement in school during the teenage years.” https://www. gse.harvard.edu/news/uk/15/05/letting-gostaying-close. 2 Evanthia Patrikakou. “Adolescence: Are parents relevant to students’ high school achievement and post-secondary attainment?” Harvard Family Research Project. http://www. hfrp.org/publications-resources. 3 Walsh. “Letting go…”
Fort Couch Middle School Melanie Lenthall, PTSO President Fort Couch Middle School is an important stepping stone for our students. During their two years at Fort Couch they are spreading their wings and gaining independence. Even as we cultivate this, parents and guardians need to remain involved. The Fort Couch PTSO offers a variety of ways to stay involved. Attending the monthly PTSO meetings offers a wealth of information about events and happenings at Fort Couch, with reports given by the principal, teacher representative, student council, and PTSO representatives. Last year, invited guest speakers presented after the meetings. Guest speakers have included Mike Burch, who delivered his presentation about his son, Bryan, who passed away due to a heroin overdose. This presentation is part of the guidance department curriculum and is delivered to the eighth graders each spring. Principal Joe DeMar answered questions during an open mic; guidance presented on the adolescent brain and discussed the transition from eighth to ninth grade;
SD
... a USC Parent Teacher Council Feature assistant principal Erin Peterson discussed her role at Fort Couch; and Christine Hostutler, LCSW, clinical director of Outreach Teen & Family Services discussed stress management in adolescents. There is a variety of volunteer opportunities available all year long. Each year, committee chairpersons are chosen and volunteers are gathered. If you work during the day, there are three student socials and a Valentine dance held in the evening, where parents are needed to chaperone. It is a great way to watch your child in action! If you are great with a camera, take photos of our students involved in their activities and submit them to the school’s yearbook staff. (For the Fort Couch yearbook, download the ReplayIt app to upload photos to the yearbook chairperson.) Take it even further and become editor of the yearbook! Enjoy baking? Fort Couch staff appreciation events always need food donations. Sign on as a band, orchestra, or chorus parent and report the news at the meetings. Like volunteering for a cause? Chair the Reach Out or the Sharing & Caring committees. Maybe you are a person who would like to volunteer from home. Giant Eagle Apples for Students, spirit-wear, directory, webpage coordinator are the committees for you! Or how about just one and done? We have those, too: Valentine Grams, eighth grade farewell, welcome breakfast, or Field Day. Fort Couch and the PTSO provides parents and guardians with wonderful ways to stay connected with your children. The more we know about what is happening with our children in their school, the better we can communicate and help guide them through their adolescence and education. Boyce Middle School Katy Loomis, PTO President As USC looks to spring, opportunities abound to get involved at Boyce Middle School! There are several single-day volunteer events for parents this spring. Participating in Civil War Day, Field Day, or sixth grade graduation helps to make the events successful, while also allowing parents to enjoy the last months of their student’s time at Boyce. For those interested in supporting the school by fundraising, there are numerous opportunities. Boyce PTO, Outreach, and Student Council will be raising money for local organizations, including Casey’s Clubhouse and the Education Partnership. Lastly, Boyce PTO is looking for parents interested in serving on a PTO committee for the 2017–18 school year. The committees organize and run the various PTO events that benefit the school’s students and staff. Committees range from staff appreciation, spirit nights, yearbook, and spirit-wear to Box Tops, Apples for
Students, book fair, and student events. These are great ways to jump in and participate! There are many ways for students to get involved at Boyce. Students can find creative, educational, and athletic outlets in clubs and events, including chess club, orchestra, art club, band, musical theater, Little Bits, Odyssey of the Mind, Read for a Reason, and intramurals. Student Council organizes the stylus sales, Boyce Bash, and Valentine Grams, all for charity, and so much more! Make sure your student listens to morning and afternoon announcements for information about these great opportunities at the school. Boyce Middle School is a hub of activity with so much going at all times! Stay connected through the Boyce PTO website, the “Morning Announcements” under “Headlines” on the Boyce Middle School webpage, Facebook, PTO eAlerts, and Thursday Thoughts. The entire team at Boyce Middle School thanks you for your enthusiasm and looks forward to seeing you soon! Baker Elementary Kristie Proud, PTA President Nationwide, today’s PTA is a network of millions of families, students, teachers, and administrators devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools. Of the thousands of schools that participate in the PTA, the one thing they have in common is that they are made up of parents who made the choice to volunteer for the betterment of their child’s experience in school. The Baker PTA comprises more than 200 volunteer members. There are so many ways to get involved in the PTA. Baker is committed to renovating its school playground over the next two years, in hopes of completing the project by the 2018–19 school year to help celebrate the school’s 50th anniversary. The current playground was built during the 1995–96 school year, and in the 20plus years since then, the playground has had equipment removed, break, fade, and become otherwise outdated. To be successful, we need the support from our Baker families! We are looking for a committee to facilitate this two-year project to completion. We hope to raise at least $40,000 to provide the kind of playground that the students deserve and will enjoy for years to come. The PTA has begun to solicit donations from local businesses, and we are excited to announce that our first partner in this process is Extended Day Services, a local child care company that has committed to a $4000 donation for the renovation. We have also been awarded a $5000 grant from the Community Foundation of Upper St. Clair to kick start the fundraising goal.
We are looking for a team of four to six people who will help with solicitations from local businesses, help with design, create visual aids for the project, and work on grant possibilities. This committee will meet quarterly to discuss the progression of the playground renovation. Another way you can help immediately is by donating to the Baker playground fund. Email kristieproud@gmail.com for further information. Whether volunteering for the playground committee or making a financial donation, I urge you to participate in this project that will undoubtedly leave a positive mark not only on Baker students, but also on the entire Upper St. Clair community for years to come. Eisenhower Elementary Jill Hicks, PTO President As Eisenhower’s PTO president, I am grateful to serve our school not only because it affords me the opportunity to see, first hand, all the wonderful benefits our PTO offers the school, but it also provides me the chance to meet families who so loyally dedicate their time to Eisenhower. In fact, that’s one of the greatest attributes I believe that Eisenhower embodies. Year after year, Eisenhower has been fortunate to receive continued support from our families whenever and however help is needed. Nevertheless, new families continue to join our school throughout the year. Additionally, there are families that, for one reason or another, haven’t had the time to actively participate in our PTO activities as a volunteer. In either case, I am often asked, “What can I do to become more involved in the PTO?” The truth is, there are many opportunities to become involved. It’s up to each individual to determine how small or large of a role he or she wants to take. To better help answer this question, I’ve listed five easy ways to become involved: 1. Attend a PTO general meeting. Our PTO general meetings are held the second Friday of every month in Café Ike at 9 a.m. Joining us at a meeting proves helpful because attendees can hear the specifics about what events are taking place at our school, hear updates about our budget, and become informed about upcoming activities in which they can help. 2. Volunteer for after school/evening activities. We understand that many families have two working parents and, therefore, cannot attend PTO events that take place during the school day. No worries! There are still plenty of opportunities to help with events that take place after school during evening hours, including the Eisenhowler, Reading Night, grade level socials, spirit nights and BINGO night. Committee chairs for these types of events are always looking for help to decorate and set-up pre-event and/or clean up after the event. Cont. on page 64
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SD Pawprints Cont. from page 63
Pawprints... a USC Parent Teacher Council Feature
3. Shadow a committee chair. There are many times that active volunteers have said to me, “I want to take on a larger PTO role, but I am worried that it might be too much to handle.” Our recommendation for that is to shadow a committee chair to see what is involved and to learn the lay of the land. This will help that person decide if it’s something that he or she would like to take on in the future. 4. At-home responsibilities. Often, there is a parent who has little ones at home during the day, so attending events during the school day is not possible. An option for this situation is to serve on committees where you can do tasks from home. For instance, as a committee member for grade level breakfasts, one could design the invitation at home, volunteer to make copies of the invitation, or sort invitations to be distributed to teachers’ mailboxes. 5. Donate to Eisenhower Outreach efforts. Life is very busy, and we totally understand that. Between work, helping with homework, and taxiing kids all over the South Hills for after-school activities, there doesn’t leave much time for anything else. If you are a parent who wants to become more involved but can’t donate your time, we ask that you donate to our school’s Outreach efforts. Eisenhower PTO has an incredible outreach program and asks that families donate to the fundraising efforts for Education Partnership. Through your donations, we help support The Kelly School, an underprivileged elementary school
in Wilkinsburg, with school supplies and hats and gloves to stay warm during the cold winter months. Working with the Education Partnership allows our students to see how they have personally and positively impacted someone else who is less fortunate. Towards the end of the school year, a volunteer sign-up packet will be sent home with students. We ask that you carefully review the opportunities available and consider signing up to serve on one or more of those committees. Most importantly, keep in mind that everything the PTO does is done to benefit the school’s students and families. So, even if you can’t volunteer your time, we ask that you attend and participate in Eisenhower events with your children. Whether it is the Eisenhowler, book fair, Ike Crawl, or a Pirates game, we want you and your children to create wonderful Eisenhower memories together that will last a lifetime! Streams Elementary Leria Miles, PTO President Get ready to roll up your sleeves and get involved! The PTO at Streams is an organization that thrives on the selfless acts of service from each of its members. How can you get involved in that service, you ask? I can think of a few tips to start you on your way. To attract active members in the PTO, it is important to be a welcoming community, and that is just what Streams is! Don’t be afraid to approach a new face at a PTO meeting or
school event, say “Hi!” and let that person know you have noticed him. Simply acknowledging someone’s presence can be the key to inspiring a person to participate again. The perfect time for this is at our monthly PTO meetings and Open Mics, which are wonderful settings for open discussion about campus happenings. Would you like to go into an empty restaurant? I don’t think so. On the contrary, if you see a long line in front of the entrance, you might think, “This place might be really cool! Let’s give it a try!” The same is true for our PTO-sponsored events. From book fairs to ice cream socials to grade level special nights… the families that show up help to make the events memorable. Whether you are part of the event’s planning or simply choose to attend, your presence is encouraging to all involved. And what better way to show your child that you care than by being there? Lastly, stay connected. With so many ways to communicate to the masses, there should never be a doubt as to the “when and where” when it comes to Streams happenings! Check the website and Facebook page, and read those eAlerts as soon as they arrive to your inbox. Spread the word to friends and neighbors when you receive a notice, and let them know what time to show up for STAR Night, what to bring for the next staff appreciation event, or even how to sign-up for Field Day. The time is now, so what are you waiting for? The Streams PTO is waiting for you! n
SHOP@USC Expands with Donation
Benefitting from Coldwell Banker’s donation are the students working with SHOP@USC, shown here with District administrators, teachers, and aides
SHOP@USC recently expanded its capabilities, thanks to a generous contribution from Coldwell Banker, South Hills office. The gift was used to purchase a single sleeve pallet, which enabled the program to print on items that are long and thin. SHOP@USC (Showing How Opportunity Pays @ Upper St. Clair) is a fully-inclusive, student-run business housed within the high school’s Innovation Hub. Students in the Life Skills program and their regular education partners design and manufacture USC spirit-wear products while learning how to develop a business plan that includes pricing, marketing, sales, and inventory of products. Michelle Zirngibl, SHOP@USC coordinator, said, “We can do many things in SHOP@USC, but we have not been able to print on shirt sleeves or pant legs. Many students have requested that 64
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we make USC sweatpants and sweatshirts with letters along the arms and legs, and Coldwell Banker’s generous gift has enabled us to purchase the equipment to do that.” The Innovation Hub@USCHS, which includes SHOP@USC and an MIT-certified FAB Lab, was made possible through generous donations from the Allegheny Intermediate Unit, The Grable Foundation, the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, the PTSO, and several individual donors. Increasing STEAM opportunities for all students is a core component of the District’s strategic plan. “We are grateful for the continued support of this STEAM initiative,” said Dr. Patrick T. O’Toole, superintendent of schools. “Coldwell Banker’s contribution enabled the SHOP@USC program to expand its products and, more importantly, teach our life skills students another facet of the production process.” SHOP@USC offers a variety of student-produced USC products, including greeting cards, scrapbook pages, key chains, stickers, decals, magnets, buttons, T-shirts, sweatshirts, and other items. Leigh Harkreader, Coldwell Banker realtor, said, “We love giving back to the community that supports our business. When we looked around for an organization with which to affiliate; the SHOP@USC program was perfect! The students, teachers, and aides are great, and it is a good fit for all!” n For more information regarding SHOP@USC, visit www.uscsd.k12. pa.us or email SHOP@USCsd.k12.pa.us.
ST. CLAIR ORT
OPEDIC ASSOCIATES
Shaka M. Walker, M.D.
William T. DeCarbo, DPM
Richard J. Mitchell, M.D.
Gerson B. Florez, M.D.
Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine
Foot & Ankle Surgery
Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine
Orthopedic Surgery, Hand & Upper Extremity
St. Clair Orthopedic Associates is the newest division of St. Clair Medical Services. Leading experts in their field, these physicians provide a full range of orthopedic services, including sports medicine, total joint replacement, hand and upper extremity surgery, and foot and ankle surgery. They help patients ease pain, restore range of motion and return to normal activites. TWO CONVENIENT OFFICES:
Shaka M. Walker, M.D. earned his medical degree at Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, D.C. He completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at University of California San Francisco, with a subspecialty in Sports Medicine. Dr. Walker is boardcertified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. He practices with St. Clair Orthopedic Associates, a division of St. Clair Medical Services.
ST. CLAIR ACCEPTS ALL MAJOR INSURANCES BOWER HILL PROFESSIONAL OFFICE BUILDING 1082 Bower Hill Road, Suite 100 Pittsburgh, PA 15243 412.942.7262 (SCOA)
William T. DeCarbo, DPM, FACFAS earned his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine at Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine, Cleveland. He completed his residency at Grant Medical Center, Columbus, and a surgical fellowship in foot and ankle at Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Center, Inc., Columbus. Dr. DeCarbo completed a traveling fellowship, learning advanced techniques in foot and ankle surgery nationally and internationally. He is board-certified by the American Board of Foot & Ankle Surgery in Foot, Reconstructive Rearfoot and Ankle Surgery. Dr. DeCarbo practices with St. Clair Orthopedic Associates, a division of St. Clair Medical Services.
ST. CLAIR HOSPITAL OUTPATIENT CENTER–PETERS 3928 Washington Road, Suite 270 McMurray, PA 15317 412.942.7262 (SCOA)
Richard J. Mitchell, M.D., M.S. earned his medical degree at Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans. He completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at George Washington University, Washington, D.C., and a fellowship in Sports Medicine at Washington University, St. Louis. Dr. Mitchell is board-certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. He practices with St. Clair Orthopedic Associates, a division of St. Clair Medical Services.
Gerson B. Florez, M.D. earned his medical degree at Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, D.C. He completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, where he served as Academic Chief, and completed a fellowship in Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Dr. Florez is board-certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. He practices with St. Clair Orthopedic Associates, a division of St. Clair Medical Services.
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HOME IMPROVEMENT
Real Estate Decision—Should I Move? Should I Improve? Some thoughts about making the move Lynn Dempsey
Homeowners are faced with many decisions throughout the years when it comes to their homes and how to best manage them. Your house is one of your biggest investments, if not the biggest! So, when making decisions centered around it, do your homework. It can be a rather unnerving decision when considering whether to move to a different property or stay where you are. Certain factors can enter into play, causing the decision to be somewhat easier: the family size has reduced and your children have moved out or, conversely, your family has outgrown your current home. Many times, though, it is not always a clear-cut choice and can come about from unplanned situations. Your personal financial position and the status of your local real estate market are two major factors to think about. Additionally, people commonly ponder whether to make home improvements prior to selling, and wonder “Will I get out what I put in when I go to sell?” Before taking the “leap of faith,” consider these factors. Putting Your House on the Market What are the trending market conditions? Is your area saturated with similarly-sized houses that are for sale? What is the average transaction time from listing to closing, and does this timeframe fit into your plans? Is the market heavily lopsided with either more sellers or more buyers? What is the employment climate like in your area? Are new companies moving in and will the associated new jobs bring higher incomes, or is downsizing a concern? 68
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What is my house truly worth? Can I get out what I paid for and put into it? Do I hope to make a profit; if so, how much? What is the lowest offer that I can accept? Will I be able to afford the closing costs? Will the buyer need “seller’s assist” to purchase my house? Renovating Your House What are the current real estate market conditions in my area? Will increasing the size of my house or adding upgraded features price me out of the local market? Sometimes, adding high-end accoutrements to your home can make your house appraise higher than homes in your local area. Would buyers appreciate the upgrades? Have the improvements added to my home’s value from a sales perspective? How many years do I plan to live in my house? Will my job unexpectedly transfer me to another location, and will I have to settle for a price that does not overcome the cost of my home improvements? Unfortunately, there is no magical formula when to know what is the best sales strategy for you, but using the services of a professional experienced real estate agent is a great start in that direction! A professional real estate agent knows the market and can help explain the various options that are available and best suited for you. n Lynn Dempsey, Realtor, Coldwell Banker Real Estate Services, can be reached at lynn.dempsey@pittsburghmoves.com. See ad on page 81.
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Moving Motivation Real Estate Round Up
Emanuel Romanias When my wife and I purchased our first home, our only criteria was to remain in the South Hills of Pittsburgh. At that time, our primary motivation was affordability. We settled on a cute, little two-bedroom ranch in Bethel Park that suited our needs quite well. Fast forward seven years when the addition of children forced us into a situation of needing a larger home. This time, however, our primary motivation to move was quite different—the importance of the school district outweighed all other factors. I knew our rationale was not unique, yet I was unaware as to how much influence a school district has with regard to where one decides to live. The data reveals that school districts have a significant impact not only on the home buying selection process, but on home prices, as well. According to a national back-to-school survey of nearly 1000 prospective homebuyers conducted by Realtor.com, more than half of the respondents were willing to go over budget by up to 20% for a home within their desired school district. In addition, more than 90% responded that the school district was an “important” or “somewhat important” factor in their home buying decision. I wondered then what other motivations influenced a person’s decision to move. The U.S. Census Bureau tracks this information and has condensed the reasons into four groups, housing-related being the most important reason (nearly 50% from 2012 to 2013): • Housing-related issues: larger or smaller home, maintenance, affordability, etc. 70
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• Family-related issues: divorce, death, care of a loved one, etc. • Job-related issues: relocation, loss of a job, new job, etc. • Other issues In fact, this partition and order of importance remained steady from 1999 to 2013 and did not waiver with regard to gender, race, age, marital status, or education. Given the current onslaught of world-wide migration, I dug deeper for more information. According to a study conducted by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), there are four major catalysts responsible for mass human migration: economic, social (quality of life, family, friends), political (persecution, war), and environmental (natural disasters). The report goes on to categorize the migration trigger as “push-pull” factors. Push identifies reasons to leave an area and, conversely, pull identifies reasons to move into an area. As you would imagine, be it push or pull, the reasoning is the same, just in a reverse perspective: lack of services (clean water, education, medicine), safety (high crime rates, war), environmental (drought, flood, earthquake, crop failure), and economic. Whether moving across town or across continents, people appear to be motivated by similar factors: safety, community, health, education, and prosperity. n Emanuel Romanias is a Realtor® with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty and can be reached at eromanias@thepreferredrealty.com. See ad on page 85.
Around the Township
Their Ties to USC Remain Strong
Ashley Miller, Baptist Homes Society, Development Assistant As residents of Upper St. Clair, a beautiful neighborhood, community, and people surrounded Jim and Mary Welch for the past 45 years. Mary was involved in the Christ United Methodist Church for 32 years of those years, where she sang in the choir and served as the music librarian. The couple saw three of their children graduate from Upper St. Clair High School, and they currently have two grandchildren enrolled at USC schools. As time went on and the constant work and responsibility of homeownership was becoming a burden, the Welchs knew it was time for a move, with location being a significant factor in their final decision. “We were reluctant to leave Upper St. Clair because we feel such strong ties to the community,” said Jim. “It was important that our new home was close to where our family spent the past 45 years.” Last March, Jim and Mary moved into their new home at Providence Point, a Pittsburgh senior living community located just off Bower Hill Road. Being a short ten-minute drive from Upper St. Clair, the couple still enjoys the amenities of their familiar community. They visit the USC library and use the USC post office and the local drycleaners they were accustomed to. Providence Point has shown Jim and Mary the extent of the beauty and convenience that the South Hills has to offer. The Welch’s roomy, first-floor apartment is complete with an
outdoor patio and a view of the courtyard. “Our residence is so spacious and comfortable that I forget I’m living in an apartment,” said Mary. “The community is always active and available, but I still have peace and quiet both day and Jim and Mary Welch night, if I choose.” For the Welchs, their living space is just one of many highlights they enjoy. The couple makes good use of their indoor parking space, sings the praises of the friendly and helpful staff, and appreciates the outstanding dining options that Providence Point provides. “The food here might just be my favorite part,” said Jim. “Not only is it exceptional, but the multiple dining venues provide flexibility as well as variety, which is very important to us.” Since moving in, the couple has enjoyed discovering each and every detail about their new residence and community. Mary’s passion for music and art is nurtured at Providence Point, where she recently joined the choir and has time to work on her needlepoint. Jim makes good, regular use of the fitness center. With all the amenities at Providence Point, as well as its ideal location in the South Hills, the Welchs feel as if they have the best of both worlds in their new home. n See ad for Providence Point, a Baptist Homes Community, on page 35.
Who is Walter McGregor? Who is Dr. Walter McGregor? A doctor, yes; a thoracic and cardiac surgeon, to be precise. But when it comes to matters of the heart, Upper St. Clair resident Walter McGregor, MD, also revels in the role Dr. McGregor talks with students from Upper St. Clair after their surgery of teacher. observation day at AGH. The director of Robotic and Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery for Allegheny Health Network (AHN), Dr. McGregor is also director of the Thoracic Surgery Residency Program at Allegheny General Hospital (AGH), a part of AHN. In this capacity, along with his position as assistant professor at the Temple University School of Medicine, he works directly with people on their paths to becoming doctors. Recently, Dr. McGregor shared his medical knowledge with a younger, though just as enthralled, group of students—members of Upper St. Clair High School’s anatomy and AP biology classes. They found themselves at AGH in late October for the school’s annual visits to AGH’s popular Open Heart Surgery Observation Program, which, since its debut in 2008, has welcomed more than 10,000 students from across the Pittsburgh region. “The program is a wonderful vehicle for young students who may have an interest in and aptitude for a career in medicine to get a first-hand look at an open heart surgery,” explained Dr. McGregor. “While some may decide life in the OR is not for them, for others the experience they have with this program could start them on the road to a medical career.”
Interest in the program is so strong at USCHS that AGH hosts two groups of USC students every year on back-to-back weeks. That still isn’t enough to accommodate everyone. Students have to make the cut by applying for the sessions through written essays. “The engagement level of the students from USC is pretty amazing,” noted Dr. McGregor, who always tries to ensure he has a case in AGH’s Operating Room 1 on the days the USC students make their visit to watch from the overhead observation room. Once done with the surgery, during which he wears a camera mounted on his head so that the students can see on a monitor what it is like to be right at the operating table, Dr. McGregor makes his way upstairs to talk with the students and answer their questions. With this group, he knows not to expect softballs. “They ask very astute, in-depth questions that show a real interest and understanding of what we’re doing, as well as a desire to learn more,” said Dr. McGregor. “It’s always a pleasure to talk with them after the surgery and I see, even at this young age, a real interest in a medical career.” It is still a few years before Dr. McGregor could field questions from his own kids who might visit the program. He and his wife, Michelle, a nurse, have two daughters: Reagan, 11, is a student at Boyce, and Peyton, 9, attends Eisenhower. When he’s not helping to kindle the next generation’s love of medicine, Dr. McGregor oversees AHN’s robotic and minimallyinvasive heart surgery program. AGH offers robotically-assisted, minimally-invasive valve repair surgery, enabling surgeons to fix people’s hearts with significantly less trauma and risk for the patient as compared to the conventional open chest surgical approach. n Spring 2017
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Hope, Courage, and Combating Depression Jim Meston Hope
Hope isn’t something we inherit in
our genes; neither is it a gift. It’s an outlook or position we take when we are confronted with negative interruptions to our normal daily activities. In the final analysis, it’s a choice that if not taken can erode the peace and normality in our lives. The lack of hope can lead to many negative consequences, including the serious condition of depression. It is doubtful that any of us go through life without some pretty tough incidents that can contribute to eroding our positive outlook on life. Some may have been teased from early childhood and formed negative opinions that may persist into later life. Many have had serious illnesses to battle, and the list of gremlins that bombard our quest for hope is limitless. It is easy to become despondent about the condition of the world, with constant wars being waged, with fears and concerns about political incompetence and job security, plus ongoing concerns about the consequences of growing old and experiencing the death of family and friends. To hope is to dodge negative issues that pull our positive outlook down the drain. But there is an anecdote that can be activated to combat the assailants of hope. Courage In the case of adversity, we all have the potential to confront issues that challenge our 74
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positive hopeful attitude with courage. The good news about courage is that we all have the potential to use it. The bad news is that it stays undeveloped in many of us. Good intentions are admirable, but it’s courage that prompts us to say what needs to be said and do what needs to be done. I relate courage to a muscle in the human body. Unused muscles wither and deny you strength in those under or undeveloped areas. If we do not act appropriately when we are being teased or don’t speak up to defend ourselves or render our opinions, then the muscle of courage lies dormant and our sense of self worth is diminished. This can lead to feelings of hopelessness about the negative state you are in. Take appropriate action when you deem it important for your sense of well being. There are many things in life we can do little to change, but we have the potential to begin developing our muscles of courage to help remove those impediments, allowing us to live more hopeful and fulfilling lifes. Combating Depression If a person lacks the courage to combat issues that erode hope, he can descend into the debilitating depths of depression, during which many bad things transpire. News stories document the alarming increase in the rate of suicide, numbers which include young people and military veterans. Spring 2017
It might be a little more understandable to comprehend a suicide like that of actor Robin Williams, a man who knew his disease would Jim Meston slowly and painfully cause his death. He didn’t want to live like that. Other suicides may be caused by similar circumstances. But, for young people to feel so hopeless is a devastating situation. Family members and friends must be constantly alert for signs of depression in our youth. Taking the time to help someone feel more hopeful is something that we all can do. Give people validation of their importance and always show kindness to others. We never know what the consequences of our own actions will do to another person. Another helpful goal is to encourage others to express their opinions, helping them to share how they feel and develop their muscle of courage. While we can’t control the multitude of things that are hurtful or damaging to others, it is a noble effort to help guide and improve someone’s outlook who might be struggling with issues that can possibly be avoided or conquered. n To read Jim’s blogs on a variety of subjects, visit http://curbstonepulpit.wordpress.com.
USC 2016 Medallion Ball Honorees Beautiful Hearts, Brilliant Minds Bishop David Allen Zubik (Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh) recognized nine Upper St. Clair High School seniors by bestowing the St. Joan of Arc Medallion at the 53rd St. Lucy’s Auxiliary Medallion Ball. The honorees’ selfless volunteerism raises the standards for how we treat each other. While many people think community service is mainly for the mature, retired population, more young people are discovering the benefits of assisting others—the sense of giving without asking for anything in return and the sense of pride knowing that, in some way, they are making another person’s day a little brighter. I consider myself a solid citizen, but I’ve come to realize that community service was not emphasized when I was a teen. Today, I am impressed and thankful for the students of Upper St. Clair High School. It is not just that they are helping neighbors with chores, but they are also behind many charitable activities, including Coats for Kids, USC mini-THON, and so much more! Community volunteerism has proven to be a powerful
Faley Bulazo
Catherine Lund
Elizabeth McDonough
Katy Montgomery
Caroline Rees
Natalie Urban
predictor in a student’s academic life, a positive stepping stone to a career or college. Involvement leads to meeting individuals one might not otherwise meet. Separate from the classroom, volunteerism establishes valuable contacts useful for higher education, professional internships, and potential employment. A sustained pledge of volunteerism alerts college and university admissions that an applicant is not only benevolent, but is also able to manage time effectively. Volunteer endeavors definitely influence one’s future. For honoree Natalie Urban, her positive contribution to The Emmaus Society was transformative. Emmaus provides permanent homes, respite care, in-home services, and advocacy for people with intellectual disabilities and autism. She affirms, “Enlightening, this experience has encouraged me to continue volunteer service throughout my life.” St. Louise de Marillac welcomed the assistance of Catherine Lund. Her position of religious education aide revealed, “How much I enjoy helping kids learn.” She plans to study early education at a school with a strong emphasis on volunteering, thus continuing to help others. Family tradition is praiseworthy for mother and aunt Donna Lund. She is proud of her family’s Medallion Ball participation; Catherine’s older sister, Nicole, and cousin, Hannah, are former honorees. Linda Machi, a registered nurse at St. Clair Hospital, is pleased to share about her daughter, Ashlyn, “Volunteering has enhanced not only our mother-daughter bond, but it has also given me great joy to share our same interests in the medical field. I’ve watched her grow through community service.” Ashlyn agrees and says, “Volunteering at St. Clair Hospital has greatly influenced my goal to pursue a career in pharmacy.” John Machi, Ashlyn’s dad, declares, “The Ashlyn Machi number of times I have witnessed Ashlyn give up her free time to help those in need has made me a proud father! While it is usually parents who teach children the value of giving, it is Ashlyn who has taught me.” St. Lucy’s 2016 president Edyce Rizzi reflects, “It was an honor to be president this past year, recalling the many wonderful achievements of my two daughters who were prior Medallion Ball honorees. While at the ball, it was a distinct pleasure to see the beautiful young women dressed so elegantly. Looking quite dapper, let’s not forget the enthusiasm of their escorts!” With over two decades of service to the auxiliary, Edyce continues as the Medallion Christiana Raftis Ball chair in 2017. Dedicated volunteers—our children, our youth—are the optimistic trailblazers, the leaders of tomorrow. Concern for others and for the greater good is reflected by these nine stellar young women. Their energy, beautiful hearts, and brilliant minds are truly inspiring! Thank you and congratulations from the community of Upper St. Clair! Honoree escorts, in alphabetical order, include Tyler Clark, Tanner Cicchini, Christopher D’Amico, Justin Densmore, Wyatt Keating, William Lang, Ethan Stout, Nicholas Toosi, and Alexander Yerina. n Lexie Wirth
Article by Mary Lynne Spazok; photos by Ron Richards Studio Spring 2017
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A Little New and a Little Old
Jessica Kester, Allegheny Land Trust, Vice President of Education Hello old friends, it feels good to be back writing to you after nearly a year hiatus. First, I want to let you know that all is well with the Kester family and my passion for the environment. Our daughter, Fae, age two, continues to run us in circles, aided now by our newest edition to the family, Malcolm, who will be about seven The Kester family months when this article reaches you. I have settled into my new work family at Allegheny Land Trust (ALT) as the vice president of education, as well. So how does all this wondrous news affect you? I’m glad you asked! The new education department at ALT will be debuting three new programs on the 80-acre Wingfield Pines Conservation Area on Mayview Road. Wingfield Pines is a piece of more than 2000 acres that ALT has helped to protect as greenspace in Allegheny and Washington counties.
Allegheny Land Trust Upcoming Programs in the South Hills
March 12
Starlight Stroll @ Wingfield Pines
8–9 p.m.
18
BioBlitz Citizen Science Workshop: Hopping Herps! @ TBA
8 a.m.–4 p.m.
25
BioBlitz @ Wingfield Pines–Free
Times TBA
April 10
Starlight Stroll @ Wingfield Pines
8–9 p.m.
22
BioBlitz Citizen Science Workshop: Blooms, Birds & ‘Shrooms! @ TBA
8 a.m.–4 p.m.
29
BioBlitz @ Wingfield Pines–Free
Times TBA
May 1
Macro Mayhem @ Wingfield Pines
4:30–6:30 p.m.
2
Science Sprouts Camp: Ages 3–4, with adult @ Wingfield Pines
10:30–11:30 a.m.
9
Macro Mayhem @ Wingfield Pines
4:30–6:30 p.m.
10
Starlight Stroll @ Wingfield Pines
9–10 p.m.
13
Twitter in the Trees: Migratory Bird Count 8 a.m.–4 p.m. @ Wingfield Pines
16
Science Sprouts Camp: Ages 3–4, with adult @ Wingfield Pines
10:30–11:30 a.m.
23
Science Sprouts Camp: Ages 3–4, with adult @ Wingfield Pines
10:30–11:30 a.m.
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Before we talk about the programs, let’s get to know Wingfield Pines. Prior to being purchased by ALT in 2001, Wingfield Pines had a long history of human use and abuse. In the 1940s, when agriculture failed due to the site’s location in the floodplain, the property was strip-mined, followed in the 1960s–1980s as the Wingfield Pines Golf and Swim Club and then the Upper St. Clair Swim Club. Finally, after years of lying dormant, ALT’s purchase and protection of the land began. So why did the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), the USC Citizens for Land Stewardship, and the William and Francis Aloe Charitable Trust, among others, support ALT’s protection of this piece of land? A major economic benefit of maintaining Wingfield Pines as a greenspace is its ability to hold and filter flood waters, a noticeable benefit to those downstream on Chartiers Creek. In addition, the floodplain forest that once covered the property is a treasure trove wildlife habitat, encompassing a high level of biodiversity of both flora A salamander and fauna. This habitat type was once found in abundance in our region, but was cut down statewide for its water front access and fertile soils. Part of ALT’s plan for the property is to help rebuild the floodplain forest habitat, mainly on the southern end of the parcel. The northern end is now covered by a passive AMD (abandoned mine drainage) reclamation pond system that acts to mitigate the iron-laden water pouring from the old flooded Montour No. 4 mine at a rate of 1500– A baby snapper turtle 2000 gallons per minute. Anyone living on the east or west sides of the site has seen it, the orange water seeping out of the ground, flowing into our rivers and streams. AMD is devastating to aquatic habitats, like Chartiers Creek, which runs through Wingfield Pines and the adjacent Boyce Mayview Park and into the Ohio River. The pond system removes some 43 tons of iron oxides from the water annually. Without the pond system’s removal of these precipitates, the iron oxides would
Boyce students learn about Wingfield Pine’s biodiversity
Spring 2017
A new style of living. The Allemont of Asbury Heights. Enjoying a look at the wetlands
settle onto the creek bottom, smothering the living organisms there and disrupting the basis of the creek’s food chain. Want to learn more about this amazing piece of land and its bountiful plants and animals? Join ALT education staff (many of which you’ll recognize from The Outdoor Classroom’s staff) as we explore the nocturnal landscape during one of our Starlight Strolls, or learn about the scores of spring peepers you hear in early spring during our BioBlitz: Hopping Herps workshop. No experience is necessary to aid with some citizen science during a Twitter in the Trees birding program, or one of four, 24-hour BioBlitz days that will be held on site this year. Local scientists and nature experts will be on hand to identify just about any living thing you can find on the property! Or put on some waders (or sturdy old sneakers) and join in for Macro Mayhem Mondays on the first Monday of May through October, as participants dip net, kick net, and do some water testing in Chartiers Creek. All programs are family friendly and require pre-registration through ALT’s Eventbrite page (https:// www.eventbrite.com/o/allegheny-landtrust-6944285091). Starting in May, the ALT will be hosting a camp for children ages 3–4 with an adult. This new Science Sprouts camp will explore the wonders of Wingfield Pines through the eyes of our early learners. These will be great bonding opportunities for adult and child alike. Already familiar with Wingfield Pines? Why not visit one of ALT’s other properties, like Dead Man’s Hollow in McKeesport or Audubon Greenway and Lindbrook Woodlands in Sewickley for an educational event or to help with trail building and other stewardship events? I’m looking forward to seeing many familiar faces this year as ALT’s education department continues to find its roots and grow. n
When making the choice to continue your independent lifestyle, choose a new style of living: The Allemont of Asbury Heights. Each of the 14 newly renovated apartments feature spacious, open-concept designs, many with outdoor patios. You can put your personal touch on your new home with a choice of upgraded finishes, features and interior design packages. Act soon—special incentives are available for a limited time. Call 412-571-5031 today for more information about The Allemont or to arrange a tour of our Allemont model and senior community. Or learn more at asburyheights.org.
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For more information on program availability or to schedule a program, contact Jessica at jkester@alleghenylandtrust.org or 412-741-2750, extension 210.
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Prof iles
on People with a USC Connection
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UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY, 1820 McLaughlin Run Road, Upper St. Clair, PA 15241 or usctoday@uscsd.k12.pa.us. Jake Radziukinas (USCHS 2012, son of Kirk and Rose), Mike Mondzelewski (USCHS 2013, son of Jim and Kara), and Ben Huss (USCHS 2014, son of Eric and Shelly) make their alma mater proud! All three USC grads were three-year starters for the Duquesne Dukes, winning conference championships in 2015 and 2016. Jake, second team all NEC conference defensive lineman 2016, graduated from Duquesne this past December and is now working at Foresters Left to right are Ben Huss (USCHS Financial in Pittsburgh. 2014), Jake Radziukinas (USCHS Mike, center, will gradu2012) and Mike Mondzelewski ate with a marketing (USCHS 2013) major in May 2017, and has accepted a position with BNY Mellon. Ben, third team All American FCS, and first team all NEC conference offensive lineman in 2015 and 2016, and second team in 2014, is majoring in marketing and will return to play for the Dukes in 2017. Also playing on special teams for Duquesne in 2016 and returning in 2017 is Ricky Mellick, a 2015 graduate of Seton LaSalle and son of Rick and Cathy.
Lifelong USC resident Kenneth Truver was recently installed as the president of the Allegheny County Chiefs of Police Association (ACCPA) for 2017. Ken, the police chief of Castle Shannon, has served on the ACCPA board of directors for several years, and is a past president of the Western Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police (2015) and the Western Pennsylvania Chapter of the FBI National Academy Associates (FBINAA) (2011–12). He sits on the national executive board of the FBINAA and will be national president in 2022. Ken retired from the Mt. Lebanon Police Department in 2009 as the deputy chief of support services. Ken’s father, Theodore Truver, was a former Upper St. Clair Police sergeant and Ken’s son, Sean, is a police officer in Upper St. Clair. Ken’s son, Chad, will be attending the Allegheny County Police Training Academy this spring. Ken is a graduate of the 225th session of the FBINAA, holds a MA from California University of Pennsylvania, a BS from Point Park University, and an AS from Community College Kenneth Truver of Allegheny County (CCAC).
Caitlyn Ollendyke, a 2012 Upper St. Clair High School graduate, was recently named a Fall 2015 Outstanding Student Teacher by The Pennsylvania State University College of Education Alumni Society. A 2016 Penn State graduate, Caitlyn studied childhood and early adolescence education, pre-kindergarten through fourth-grade option, with a minor in special education and certification in English as a second language. She completed her student-teaching experience at Standing Stone Elementary School in the Huntingdon Area School District, located in central Pennsylvania. When Caitlyn wasn’t in the classroom, she volunteered with the CARE team, which provides backpacks containing food and clothing for disadvantaged families in the Huntingdon community. She also participated in parent-teacher conferences, staff meetings, after-school grade level meetings, Response to Intervention meetings, and Professional Learning Communities meetings. Caitlyn is currently a Left to right are Bryan Ollendyke second-grade teacher at (brother), USCHS Class of 2002; Park Forest Elementary Todd Ollendyke (father), retired School in State College USCHS teacher; Caitlyn Ollendyke, USCHS Class of 2012; and Cindy and plans to enroll in a Ollendyke (mother), retired Peters master’s program at Penn Township teacher State. 78
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Upper St. Clair resident Elena Petzold was featured on the January 13 episode of the ABC hit show “Shark Tank.” Petzold pitched her self-made business, Mama’s MilkBox, a breastfeeding apparel subscription service, to the Sharks with the hope of getting one of them to invest in her company. Although Elena was not able to strike a deal, her company has since experienced tremendous growth and increased awareness as a result of her appearance on the national TV show.
Elena Petzold
Designing their way from Upper St. Clair to the Laurel Highlands and returning home again to Upper St. Clair, the mother/daughter design duo of Linda Monning and Ashley Monning Carris from Ashlin Interiors (formerly Resort Furnishings) are back in USC and ready to transform your home from basic to exquisite—a space to live in and fall in love with at first sight! Ashley and her husband, John, knew that as soon as their son, Hunter, turned one it was time to say “farewell” to Hidden Valley Resort and move to USC to raise their son. After closing their retail store, Resort Furnishings, of 27 years and moving to USC, Linda, the mother of the design duo, realized it was a no brainer that they needed to keep doing what they loved—interior design—and opened Left to right are Linda Monning and Ashley Monning Ashlin Interiors, a private interior design firm. Ashlin Interiors started because of their passion Carris of Ashlin Interiors for design and a high demand from existing clients to keep on designing their homes. “We carry almost every line, which is rare for private designers,” said Linda. Ashlin Interiors just celebrated its fourth year in business, working through word of mouth and prior clients. Their work, which is primarily focused in Pittsburgh, also extends to the entire United States. Ashley and Linda want to let the USC community know that “We are back and ready to work on your new or existing home!” See ad for Ashlin Interiors on page 70.
Ruth Black is a longtime resident of Upper St. Clair. Last year, she won a medal in the “80-andover” category for a 3.5 mile run in the Great Race. This article is an excerpt from the book FROM A TO Z–A Boxing Memoir from Ali to Zivic, by Jim O’Brien. Check out Jim’s website at www.jimobriensportsauthor.com for more information. Spring 2017
GENUINE
HONEST
sincere
SKILLED
R TO TIA GO NE
PERSONABLE
REPUTABLE
SUCCESSFUL SELF-MOTIVATED
SOLD
LOYAL outgoing TRUSTING CLIENT-CENTERED PROACTIVE
Ruth Black keeps the memory alive of when she first met Ezzard Charles, the once heavyweight boxing champion of the world. Ruth is a friend of mine at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Upper St. Clair, and she was telling me about this framed photograph of Ezzard Charles she had seen at a Cracker Barrel restaurant in Washington, Pennsylvania. “He’s as handsome in that picture as I remember him,” she told me following a church service one Sunday in August 2016. Ruth Black (photo She was Ruth Kirchner and 19 years old when she first took a job by Jim O’Brien) at a Pittsburgh law firm back in 1952. She came from Chattanooga, Tennessee. “I was just a little ol’ Southern girl with quite the accent,” she recalled. The firm was I. Ecker Law Firm, and Mr. Ecker’s two sons, Jim and Ronnie, were young lawyers in the firm. Jim Ecker would go on to become a notable defense lawyer in the city. “If Jim Ecker is representing you,” people would say, “you’re guilty as can be, but you’ll get off easy.” Jim Ecker, a silver-haired, dapper man would smile when I’d see and repeat Ruth’s words to him. I knew Jim because he was a big sports fan, and he would go out of his way to talk to the media. He’d often engage Heavyweight boxing champion Ezzard Charles works out on me at South Hills Village, where he’d be shopping while speed bag. I was doing a book signing at a book store. “We were in the Bakewell Building at the corner of Grant Street and Diamond Street (now Forbes Avenue),” recalled Ruth of her days as a secretary at the law firm. “One of our clients was Jake Mintz, the manager of Ezzard Charles and some other fighters. Mintz was a man who liked to talk. He talked, talked, talked and waved his hands a lot. Some people thought he was dumb. But he was smart and shrewd. He’d be in our offices a lot when I was the secretary there.” Al Abrams, the sports editor of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, called in often to speak to Jake Mintz, and get a boxing note for his column.” After I answered his call one day,” said Ruth, “he asked my boss, ‘Do you have a little colored girl working for you?’ Abrams would come to our office every now and then, and he realized his error. But, people talked that way back in those days.” “I’ll never forget Ezzard Charles. He came in one day wearing a white silk dress shirt and pleated pants,” said Ruth. “I remember he was fussy about how he tied his shoes—both his dress shoes and his boxing shoes. The laces had to be flat and they were crossed in a pattern. It’s hard to describe how he did it, but they had to be just right. He had quite the physique, but I really shouldn’t say that.” “An impeccable dresser, he was also a handsome man. He’d comb his hair just so. He was always pleasant and quick with a smile. I didn’t realize that he fought in Pittsburgh. I knew he was from Cincinnati, but his manager, Jake Mintz, lived in Squirrel Hill,” continued Ruth. A biographical sketch of Ezzard Charles appears just ahead of Billy Conn in The Boxing Register. He was the heavyweight champion of the world from 1949 to 1951. He fought 12 times in Pittsburgh; his final appearance was his most famous. He lost the title, getting knocked out by a left hook in the seventh round by Jersey Joe Walcott at Forbes Field on July 18, 1951. It was called The Fight of the Year by The Ring magazine. That was the year before Ruth Kirchner (Black) came to Pittsburgh to work at the Ecker Law Firm and that’s why she was unaware that Ezzard Charles fought in Pittsburgh. It was the only heavyweight title fight ever held in Pittsburgh until Larry Holmes successfully defended his title with an 11th-round TKO victory over Renaldo Snipes at the Civic Arena in November 1981. n
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Ruth Black Recalls Meeting Boxing Champion Ezzard Charles
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Happenings! Orchid Extravaganza The Orchid Society of Western Pennsylvania (OSWP) will hold its annual orchid show on Saturday, March 18, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sunday, March 19, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. at the Phipps Garden Center, 1059 Shady Avenue (Fifth & Shady). The show is open to the public and admission is free, although voluntary donations are appreciated. An Orchid Extravaganza, this year’s theme, captures the amazing variety, beauty, and quantity of the orchids displayed in the show. Visitors will be exhilarated by the varied exhibits displaying hundreds of blooming orchids. Society volunteers and expert orchid growers will be on hand to answer questions. Enjoy the sales area, where you can purchase a vast selection of orchids from vendors that have been brought in from all over the eastern United States. Many are perfect for the casual grower, but there is also a large selection of the rare and unusual. The show includes free educational seminars, with topics ranging from beginner to specialty, and plant raffles. Featured also is the repotting table, a popular area where you can watch and learn as your orchid plant is being repotted. Cost is $5 per orchid, which includes bark and a six-inch or under plastic pot. At no charge, staff will provide recovery suggestions if you bring in an orchid plant that is not doing well. For information about the show, orchids, and The Orchid Society of Western Pennsylvania, visit www.oswp.org. Tax Assistance Free tax assistance is offered by VITA now through Thursday, April 13, weekdays, 8:30 a.m.–2 p.m. at The Bible Chapel, 300 Gallery Drive, McMurray. Bring the following: 2015 tax return, all W-2 and 1099 tax documents (including Social Security 1099), 1095 health care statements, and property tax receipts. Preparers will help with federal, state, and local taxes and real estate/rent rebate applications. Both spouses are required to sign joint returns, as applicable.
Band Festival in USC The 14th annual Three Rivers Community Band Festival will bring together three of the best community bands in the Western Pennsylvania region, plus an all-new festival band. The concert is scheduled for Saturday, April 29, 2:30–5 p.m. at the Upper St. Clair High School Theater; doors open at 1:45 p.m. WQED-FM’s Jim Cunningham returns this year as the program host. Admission is free, but contributions to support the festival are greatly appreciated. The Three Rivers Community Band Festival continues to be a showcase of the many musically-talented individuals in the region, and the concert promises a medley of music that will appeal to a wide range of musical tastes. Community Band South represents the South Hills communities. This brass, woodwind, and percussion band of more than 80 members is directed by James Bennett, retired director of bands and chairman of fine arts from the Upper St. Clair School District, and Max Gonano, former director of bands at California University of Pennsylvania and its music department chair. Since its USCHS premier concert in December1987, Community Band South has been entertaining audiences throughout the communities from which its membership is drawn, performing an average of 15 concerts each year. Also participating is the East Winds Symphonic Band, founding band of the festival. Joining the festival this year as the regional guest band is the North Pittsburgh Symphonic Band. The fourth band will be the “ultimate community band,” which includes musicians from more than 50 community bands in Allegheny County and ten other counties in the region. The 2017 Festival Band will perform selections under the baton of guest conductor Major Bill Garlette (retired), former deputy commander and associate conductor at the United States Military Academy band at West Point and current music director and principal conductor of the Chesapeake Bay Wind Ensemble. The Festival Band performance will be the exciting kickoff to a wonderful afternoon of music. After the concert, festivalgoers are invited to enjoy free light refreshments as they meet and greet the musicians.
Questions? Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Do no contact The Bible Chapel. Women’s Golf The Women’s Golf Association of Mt. Lebanon invites you to join its women’s golf group for play every Tuesday, April through September. Membership is open to women of all skill levels. For more information, call Sharon Ackerman at 412-480-3319.
Under the baton of Jim Bennett is the Community Band South during its 2016 performance; photo by John Small
For more information about the Three Rivers Community Band Festival, visit www.ewsb.org/festival.
Brookside Lumber Celebrates 90 Years
Founded by P. S . E d w a rd s i n 1926, Brookside Lumber celebrated its 90th anniversary in the community in which it serves. Harkening back through history, Edwards’ sons, Pete Jr. and Frank, returned home after serving in World War II to join the company in the 1940s. The third generation joined Brookside Lumber in the ’70s and continues to be involved in its daily operations, along with Pete Jr., who remains active at age 96. 80
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In the early years, lumber was delivered by rail car and then sold to builders in the local area out of Brookside Lumber’s small, 200 square-foot showroom. Since then, the Bethel Park property has been reconfigured to accommodate a drive-through loading warehouse and 100,000 square feet of product. Brookside Lumber commemorated its anniversary with a party this past September for customers, employees, suppliers, and friends who helped contribute to its many years of success in the business. n
Spring 2017
Many people attended Brookside Lumber’s 90th anniversary celebration.
See ad for Brookside Lumber on page 68.
Tim Murphy U.S. Congressman for the 18th District of Pennsylvania 2332 Rayburn HOB, Washington, DC 20515 Phone: 202-225-2301 • Fax: 202-225-1844 504 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15228 Phone: 412-344-5583 • Fax: 412-429-5092 2040 Frederickson Place, Route 136, Greensburg, PA 15601 Phone: 724-850-7312 • Fax: 724-850-7315 Website: http://murphy.house.gov
DELIVERING RESULTS Selling or purchasing a home is a major life investment... Choose wisely.
Mental Health Legislation Signed Into Law
As part of the 21st Century Cures Act, the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act is now law. On December 13, 2016, Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act, included in the 21st Century Cures healthcare reform package, was signed into law. The day of the law’s passage and one day prior to the fourth anniversary of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary (December 14, 2012), in Newton, Connecticut, Congressman Murphy released the following statement: “This is a moment of hope for all the families who have long lived in the shadows, caring for a loved one with serious mental illness. This is a time of great encouragement for all the patients who have been left out of America’s healthcare system. We are ending the era of stigma surrounding mental illness and focusing on delivering treatment before tragedy. By bringing research, treatments, and cures into the 21st century, we are finally breaking down the wall between physical health and mental health. I am deeply moved that the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act was signed into law just one day shy of the fourth anniversary of the tragedy at Sandy Hook. As I reflect on the day that families of the victims visited my office, I am reminded of why and how we got here: the countless families who never lost their hope that something can change—they motivated my relentless effort to fix the patchwork of antiquated programs and ineffective policies to get care to those in psychiatric crisis. These families hail from California, Kentucky, New York, Oklahoma, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. It doesn’t matter where they’re from, their stories are the same: a mental health system laden with hurdles and bureaucracy that makes it difficult to get proper care. Through congressional hearings and an in-depth investigation, we discovered the fatal disconnect between 112 federal agencies assigned to treat the mentally ill. We exposed a $130 billion dollar investment wasted on feel-good fads that have done little to treat the ill, as the rates of homelessness, incarceration, suicide, and drug overdose deaths soar. We came together across party lines and went to work. And while many doubted we would make it this far, here we are. And we’re still not done. I will continue advancing reforms so none remain in the shadows because we’ve set our eyes on one goal: to fix our nation’s broken mental health system so it works for all. We are turning the tide on the way we treat the mentally ill in this nation. Today, we have a new law that will save lives because someone in psychiatric crisis should get treatment in a hospital bed and not be locked up in a jail cell or dumped onto the street. To every family member, to the tens of thousands who reached out to me, to those who stepped forward to share their stories of serious mental illness and be a voice for change, my deepest gratitude for your courageous stand to help families in mental health crisis.” n Former President Obama signed the 21st Century Cures Act into law on December 13, 2016, which included mental health reforms spearheaded by Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Tim Murphy (R-PA). The reforms are based largely off Chairman Murphy’s bill, H.R. 2646, the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act, which was introduced after the tragedy in Newtown.
• Top 1% of Coldwell Banker agents • Five star agent – Pittsburgh Magazine for 6 years ® • Senior Real Estate lynn.dempsey@pittsburghmoves.com Specialist – SRES • Relocation specialist O: (412) 833-5405 x255 • 21 years of negotiation C: (412) 445-6264 & marketing experience • 34 years as a USC resident • Listing and Selling Agent
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VITA Volunteers
Year after year, Upper St. Clair residents volunteer for VITA, the volunteer income tax assistance program that helps members of the community. Each year, more than 30 volunteers from the South Hills area prepare federal, state, and local taxes for approximately 2000 individuals, at no cost. Rick Jerzyk and Angie Dietrich have volunteered and prepared taxes for others through the VITA program for more than 31 years. n
Participating in a VITA study session this past winter, front row, left to right, are Upper St. Clair residents Ivan Howell, Rick Jerzyk, Don Mysiliwiec, and Angie Dietrich; back row: instructor Patrick Price, Jay Shock, Dave Palmieri, and Sid McAllister; not pictured are Kevin Chambers, Tom Markovich, Tod McDonald, and Bob Wehner
For information about VITA services, see page 80. Questions about volunteering or general questions about VITA, contact Bernie Grimes at berniegrimes8143@gmail.com. Spring 2017
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Traveling with TODAY
Shown, with a Terrible Towel in the background, is Kira Brown with the USC TODAY magazine in hand during Kira’s deployment to the Middle East this past winter.
Serving in the United States Army, Captain Kira Brown (USCHS Class of 2008) is currently deployed to the Middle East. Kira, daughter of Knox and Lynn Brown of USC, graduated from Ohio University in 2012 and commissioned into the U.S. Army the following September. She spent her first two years of service completing the U.S. military graduate program of nutrition and the U.S. military dietetic internship consortium. These programs resulted in a master of science in nutrition and eligibility to sit for the registration examination for dietitians. In her current role, Kira primarily provides one-on-one nutrition counseling to service members of all U.S. military branches regarding weight management, optimal nutrition for performance, and supplement safety, among other concerns. Health promotion, to include nutrition, is essential for maintaining force readiness and preventing the multitude of chronic diseases affecting the American civilian population at large. USC is proud of Kira and her service to our country!
A handful of Upper St. Clair residents traveled west to Las Vegas this past fall and enjoyed activities and events along the Strip and Freemont Street. Side trips included River Rock, Hoover Dam, and a helicopter ride to the Grand Canyon. A best for all was the Elton John concert at Caesar’s Palace, an evening filled with the iconic musician’s songs spanning three decades of memories for baby boomers. The TODAY magazine was happy to be surrounded by music and the EJ enthusiasts.
A History Lesson
Traveling with TODAY Read the following criteria to find out how to submit information. • Clear, close-up photo of USC resident(s) holding his or her TODAY magazine. • Digital photo or hard copy 35mm accepted. ‣‣ For digital, attach jpg (at least 300 dpi) and send via email, including required information (see below) in the body of the email. ‣‣ For 35 mm, attach post-it to back of hard copy photo, listing the required information (see below). • List name(s) of resident(s), group, and specific photo location. • List objective of visit—leisure, volunteer, career, etc. • Include email address or phone number should further contact be necessary. • Deliver one 35 mm photo with details to the USC Township receptionist in an envelope marked “ USC TODAY,” or • Email one digital photo with details to usctoday@uscsd.k12.pa.us, with “TODAY” listed in subject line. Note: Submitted photos and information for this feature section will remain on file for upcoming editions until published.
Outside the concert hall in Caesar’s Palace, left to right, are Chet and Linda Dudzinski, Dan and Mary Repischak, and Lynn and Mark Zacur
A Special Treat It’s been a long time since children in Upper St. Clair could buy candy for a penny. During a 1977 oral history interview, Emily Stoltenberg recalled buying sweets, including licorice and caramels from McCool’s Gas Station in the late 1930s. Clifton School children lucky enough to have a penny would meet Mr. McCool at the edge of the school grounds. They weren’t allowed to cross the street, so it was a special day when Mr. McCool met them halfway from the nearby gas station. “It was a real treat, to have him come over. And, of course, those of us who didn’t have any money would stand and drool at all the goodies,” said Emily. n
Shown is McCool’s Gas Station (center, foreground); Clifton School was to the right (but not visible in this photograph) 82
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Spring 2017
Photo courtesy of the Historical Society of Upper St. Clair. If you have genealogy questions or old photos that you would like to share, email president@hsusc.org.
Taking an OUCH-less approach
New techniques in St. Clair Hospital’s ER take the pain out
At St. Clair Hospital, a novel procedure for treating lacerations in children is changing the experience of going to the emergency room (ER). Going to the ER to have a laceration repaired is a common experience, but for children it can be a traumatic one. Imagine it from the viewpoint of a child—you’re injured and bleeding, you’re in pain, and you’re rushed to the hospital ER, a place with bright lights and sometimes scary sights. You get a shot, a doctor approaches you with an odd-looking needle and thread, and a group of adults come in and pin you down, in order to hold you still for suturing. It’s terrifying, and for many children the ER experience is far more distressing than the original injury, potentially leaving long-lasting psychological scars. At St. Clair Hospital, emergency medicine physicians have decreased the likelihood of the above scenario by implementing an innovative and painless approach to the treatment of certain acute injuries in children. Safe, effective, and humane, the new method employs nasal inhalation to administer medication that calms and quiets children so they can be treated. St. Clair ER physician Emily Brown, M.D. gives the method rave reviews. “It can be terrifying for a child to be held down by adults. We’re pleased that we can now give a child a better experience. We use it primarily for treating lacerations and fractures and for imaging procedures, and we’ve had excellent results. Many times, it allows the child to sit or lie still, and that makes it easier for the staff to complete the suturing.” Dr. Brown describes the procedure, “ER nurses apply topical Lidocaine, an anesthetizing agent, to Emily L. Brown, M.D. is board-certified the skin upon the child’s arrival. This numbs the in emergency medicine and serves as area and eases any pain. Once it takes effect, we use vice chair of emergency medicine at St. Clair Hospital. a nasal atomizer to deliver a carefully calibrated dose of anti-anxiety medication into each nostril. The child is monitored throughout, with nurses keeping track of vital signs and oxygen saturation. After ten minutes, the child is usually sufficiently calm. The effect lasts for 30 to 40 minutes and is well tolerated by children. “No needles, no restraining, no IV, no pain—this is an ideal way to treat lacerations in children. For small and simple lacerations, instead of being sedated with IV medications or pinned down on a table, the child can quietly sit on a parent’s lap. Most often, we treat children in the hospital’s Fast Track room. We see lots of active, healthy kids who get injured. They can be treated here humanely and effectively.” Dr. Brown commends St. Clair’s pharmacy department, which worked closely with ER staff to develop the protocol and reformulate topical Lidocaine for this purpose, as well as Dr. Raymond D. Pitetti, associate chief of emergency medicine at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, an expert in pediatric sedation, who shared his knowledge of and experience with the technique with St. Clair’s ER physicians. “This is a wonderful service for the community. Parents can count on being in and out of the ER quickly,” says Dr. Brown. “As an emergency medicine physician and as a mother, I realize the value of this new approach.” n
e c i v r e S in ’17 Opportunities to Serve Others—Our Focus for the New Year!
ADVERTISE, VOLUNTEER, or SALES OPPORTUNITIES Phone:
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usctoday@uscsd.k12.pa.us Spring 2017
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
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What Do You See in USC?
A USC tailgate for a Steelers game
These photos are not “What do you see in USC?” but rather “Who do you see from USC?” A slight variation from this feature segment, the photo to the left was taken by USC’s Brendan Brown of an Upper St. Clair tailgate prior to the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cowboys game this past November. We put you to the task with the following question: Who do you see? We bet that you’ll see lots of familiar faces, including some Cowboys fans who were rooting for Sean Lee, USC’s hometown favorite Dallas Cowboy.
Paradise! Enjoying the Caribbean wedding of Connor Scott (USCHS 2011) to Jessica Hamrick this past December are his best man and brother, Spencer Scott (USCHS 2009), and his seven groomsmen (all members of the USCHS Class of 2011). The weekend event began at Port Canaveral, and then set sail for the Bahamas. The wedding took place at the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island. It’s fun to see USC people getting away from USC’s winter days for such a heartwarming occasion. Congratulations to the Left to right are Spencer Scott, Drew Newman, Kyle Dudzinski, newlyweds, Connor and Jessica Josh Russo, Barrett Kaib, Connor Scott, Matt Doman, and Alex Scott! Kennedy; missing from the photo is groomsman Sel Erdem
Many of our residents enjoy taking photos, and it’s so easy to do with today’s smart phone! Our newest recurring feature “What Do You See in USC?” will showcase photos of our community taken by our residents. Email a high resolution photo to usctoday@uscsd.k12.pa.us, including the text “What Do You See in USC?” in the email’s subject line, and provide the photographer’s name and a detailed description (what, where, when) of the photo in the body of the email so that we can share the wonder that you captured.
412-561-5405
info@outreachteen.org Dear Outreach, My 12-year-old son doesn’t seem to have any friends. He says that he talks to kids in school, but he never sees anyone after school or on the weekends. Even when he got invited to another boy’s birthday party, he refused to go. The only social interaction he has is talking to peers on his Xbox. Should I be worried? Concerned Father If you need support, contact Outreach 412-561-5405 or info@outreachteen.org. Outreach Teen & Family Services is a nonprofit, confidential counseling service, offer counseling and educational programs to teens and parents. 84
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Dear Concerned Father, Social interaction is important for adolescent development and it can take many forms. Some children may crave socialization and spend much of their time with a lot of friends. Others prefer only a few close friends and feel recharged by solitary hobbies. Sometimes, extroverted parents become concerned when their more introverted child is not socializing to the extent that they do. It’s possible that a crowded birthday party isn’t his scene. Ask your son to come up with some ways he would like to spend time with others, whom he would invite, and then try to provide him with these opportunities. While it is true that children are doing much more of their communication with peers electronically, it is still important to have face-to-face interactions. During these times, children learn social skills by reacting to non-verbal cues, listening, showing empathy, and contributing to the process of finding something to do together. If your son is having difficulty initiating these types of friendships, maybe start by finding an activity where he can begin to practice social skills, such as scouts or a youth group. n
Spring 2017
Upper St. Clair Turned Hollywood Upper St. Clair graduate Eleni Romanias has been pretty busy since high school graduation in 2010. Being involved in the theater department during her middle and high school years, Eleni decided to pursue her love of acting in college. To save money, she attended the Community College of Allegheny (south campus) where she took part in the school’s theater program. She earned her associate’s degree in two years and then transferred to the Penn State School of Theatre (main campus) where she finished her BA in three semesters. After doing theater for so many years, she slowly edged into film and television during college. In 2014, Eleni moved to Los Angeles to pursue a professional acting career. Even though she became a member of the SAG-AFTRA union, being a plus-sized actress, she was finding roles for her character type and age bracket difficult to come by. She refused to let that stop her from living her dream, and instead of waiting for Hollywood to create a role for her, she created her role for Hollywood. Thus, Greek Goddess was born, featuring the first young plus-size action hero ever to be seen on the big screen! Eleni had always wanted to play an action hero. Being Greek, she was interested in Greek mythology and thought a lot of material existed for a great story. She drew off of her personal experience in the high school marching band’s colorguard to influence the main character that she will be playing and “the rest kind of wrote itself,” she said. The premise of the story is a charmingly, awkward band geek who would never be seen as a typical heroine turns out to have the spirit of the ancient warrior goddess Athena inside of her. When the God of War comes seeking revenge, she must go from flag twirler to spear wielder in order to save the Earth and the ones she loves. Not being a Hollywood A-lister, Eleni knew the chances of a big time production company producing her film were slim. At that point and to produce her film, she started her own LLC film production company, Little Pudd Productions. Since then, she has adapted the film script into an anime graphic novel that is available at Barnes and Noble and on Amazon. Ever since the book’s release, she’s had multiple book signings on both the west and east coasts. Having previously worked in the Pittsburgh entertainment scene, she knew from the beginning that she wanted to shoot the live action feature film in her hometown. The first official movie poster was
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released on New Year’s Day 2017, and she’s happy to share that the film is officially shooting this upcoming April and May in and around Pittsburgh. She plans to allow fans to be part of the process by posting behind-the-scenes videos and photos on the Greek Goddess social media pages throughout the production. Represented in the film is Eleni’s conviction: never let anyone tell you that you can’t do something, even if that person is you. Eleni has the most sincere appreciation for her family, friends, and mentors who helped her with her journey. “My time and experiences at Upper St. Clair are no exception,” said Eleni. n Eleni Romanias at a book signing
For more information about the film and graphic novel, check out the official website at www.greekgoddessmovie.com. Spring 2017
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e c i v r e S in ’17 Advertiser Index
Spring 2017
www.twpusc.org/magazine/usc-today-home
Advertiser Page
Advertiser Page
Affordable Decks and Additions.............................................................. 69
* Howard Hanna–Susan Highley .............................................................. 49
Affordable House Cleaning..................................................................... 85
* Howard Hanna–Diane Horvath .............................................................. 59
* Angelo Associates ................................................................................. 68
Infinity Custom Homes ............................................................................ 9
* ARAMARK ............................................................................................. 49
* Keller Williams–Sandy and Marshall Goldstein .................................... 77
Arbor Tree Specialist, Inc. ...................................................................... 69
* Kerr Family and Cosmetic Dentistry ...................................................... 39
Asbury Heights ...................................................................................... 77
* Louis Anthony Jewelers .......................................................................... 5
Ashlin Interiors ...................................................................................... 70
* Manalo, Larry E., D.M.D. ....................................................................... 38
* Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, The Preferred Realty, Rt. 19 South ..7
NRM Contracting & Building Designs.................................................... 69
BISTECCA - STEAKHOUSE - WINE BAR ............................................... 57
Pediatric Dentistry South ....................................................................... 39
Brookside Lumber ................................................................................. 68
* Pinebridge Commons Associates .......................................................... 38
* Calabro Tire & Auto Service .................................................................. 19
Plastic Surgical Assoc. of Pittsburgh, Robert W. Bragdon, MD, FACS .. 51
Chase Custom Creations ....................................................................... 85
Preferred Drapery & Blinds.................................................................... 66
Chinese Acupuncture & Herbs Center, LLC ........................................... 83
Providence Point, a Baptist Homes Society Community ........................ 35
* Clark Renovations, Inc. ...........................................Front cover, 10, 11, 67
* Rusmur Floors ...............................................................Back inside cover
* Coldwell Banker–The South Hills Office .......................Back outside cover
* St. Clair Hospital ............................................................................... 2, 65
Coldwell Banker–Lynn Dempsey ........................................................... 81
* Scott Bros. Windows and Doors ............................................................ 66
What They Said I advertise in UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY because I know my practice information will reach the community in a professional manner. I trust the integrity of the magazine. The local community greatly benefits from the up-to-date articles and outstanding quality.—Dr. Beth Troy, Troy Orthodontics Coldwell Banker–Leigh Harkreader ....................................................... 79
* Sesame Inn ........................................................................................... 55
* Cupelli & Cupelli, Drs. .......................................................................... 77
South Hills Endoscopy Center ................................................................. 1
D&M Chiropractic & Therapeutic Rehab, Inc. ....................................... 79
Southwest Gastroenterology Associates ................................................ 87
Davey Tree and Lawn Care ..................................................................... 70
* State Farm Insurance–Cindy Brophy ..................................................... 38
Eichenlaub Landscapes for Living............................................................ 3
The Romanias Group at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices .................. 85
EQT Children’s Theater Festival.............................................................. 53
The Watson Institute .............................................................................. 51
Extended Day Services .......................................................................... 59
* Thomas Dance Studio ........................................................................... 53
Heartland Homes Bedner Estates ........................................................... 88
Torrente at Upper St. Clair–Luxury Apartments ..................................... 15
Historicial Society of Upper St. Clair ..................................................... 25
Troy Orthodontics .................................................................................. 39
* Howard Hanna USC Office ............................................Front inside cover
Washington Health System .................................................................... 13
* Howard Hanna–Maureen Cavanaugh .................................................... 19
* Wellington Real Estate–Patty Thomas & Rebecca Lutz .......................... 17
The spring 2017 issue of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY is a great opportunity to advertise for the New Year! Our advertisers know this and have responded wonderfully by placing their ads in our publication! *The above advertisers, who are advertising in this issue, have contributed their support for a minimum of 44 issues. Thank you.
Upcoming guides for the Summer 2017 issue include Dining, Home & Garden, and Summer Activities. 86
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
Spring 2017
Advertise in
the official publication of the School District and Township of USC ... and your local connection!
BEDNER ESTATES New Decorated Model Home NOW OPEN – Stop By & Tour! Two New Floorplans in Upper St. Clair The Torino and The Hayworth Sold Exclusively on our Remaining Cul-De-Sac Home Sites • Large, Wooded Home Sites with 120+ Feet of Usable Backyard • Gorgeous Brick and Craftsman Style Homes from the $460s • Homes include Granite Kitchen Countertops, Gourmet Islands, Stainless Steel Appliances and Upgraded Cabinetry • Easy Access to I-79, Route 19 and Downtown Pittsburgh
Schedule Your Personal Visit Today! 412-275-4465 or PittsburghRegionTeam@nvrinc.com 1425 Cook School Road - Upper St Clair, PA 15241 | Model Hours: Mon-Fri 10-5; Sat-Sun 12-5
Be Inspired
Bridgeville n Moon n Murrysville n North Hills n Whitehall PA Contractor’s License #1961
Relax. It’s Rusmur. www.rusmurfloors.com
Presorted Standard U.S. Postage Paid Pittsburgh PA Permit No. 206
1820 McLaughlin Run Road Upper St. Clair, PA 15241
This magazine was printed on recycled paper.
We Move Upper St. Clair! Hope Bassichis
Spring is Around the Corner and so is the Hottest Real Estate Market of the Year!
Noel Bliman
Find out what your home could be worth by asking any of the Coldwell Banker agents shown here! Anita Crago
Lisa Davis
Nancy Heffernan
Barbara Cusick
Janine Dillon
Milo Hindman Manager
Lynn Dempsey
Judy Hlister
John Geisler
Sydnie Jones
Elaine Goldblum
Genie Gooding
Leigh Harkreader
Kathi Kernan & Mary Torchia
Jane Krauth
Sandi Lamar
Maria & Joe Lane
Kim Lanphear
Julie Leslie
Ron Loncharich
Julie Puzausky
Tulla Rakoczy
Kathy Sekeras
Laura Simon
Diane Snyder
Carmela Viviano
Jim Walsh
Mary Ann Wellener
Faith Williard
Jane York
The South Hills Office 412.833.5405 • 1630 Washington Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15241
ColdwellBankerHomes.com © 2017 Coldwell Banker Real Estate Services. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate Services fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Operated by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker® and the Coldwell Banker logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Real Estate Services are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Coldwell Banker Real Estate Services.