SPRING 2021 UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY by UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Magazine

Spring 2021

Julie Welter, Realtor® lists homes with love

www.twpusc.org/magazine/usc-today-home

The official publication of the School District and Township of Upper St. Clair

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STCLAIR.ORG

Spring 2021

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Volume 27

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Issue 1

www.twpusc.org/magazine/usc-today-home • www.15241.TODAY •

Features & Around the Township

The Incomparable Beano Cook

16 14

Horses with Hope

New Year’s Resolutions— Let’s Revisit Them

Cracking the Code, and Craig

“On Stage with Jim & Lanny” Continues to Captivate Its Audience

Restoration at Wingfield Pines

The Berteottis Have Pizzaz

Township

Township Flood Services and Protection

usctoday@uscsd.k12.pa.us

School District

The District’s Annual Report

Highlights on District Administration

Pawprints… a USC PTC Feature shares who’s helping to make a difference in our schools

Discussions Surrounding COVID

Guides/ Directories

40 Pinebridge Commons 41 Home Improvement 80 Advertiser Index

Department of Finance— 2021 Budget Highlights

USC Recreation Department— Staying Connected

Tri-Community South EMS Year in Review 31

Summer Can’t Come Soon Enough

Volunteer Firefighters Wanted!

Cover

The spring cover of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY is sponsored by Julie Welter, Realtor®. Read pages 10–11 to learn more about Julie, her love of the community, and her passion for selling residential real estate. 68

Impact of COVID-19 on 2020’s Holidays

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Spring 2021

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The award-winning, official publication of the School District and Township of Upper St. Clair

Summer 2021 edition deadlines: Articles—March 11 Advertising—March 15 Fall 2021 edition deadlines: Articles—June 17 Advertising—June 21

Website(s): www.twpusc.org/magazine/usc-today-home www.15241.today

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY is a not-for-profit community magazine 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 27 years of our publication.

The 105 th 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. Email: usctoday@uscsd.k12.pa.us @usctoday

Publishers Matthew R. Serakowski, Township Manager Dr. John T. Rozzo, 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 Sarah Beitler, Marketing Executive, Advertising Executive Kerry Turner, Advertising Executive Dorothy Clark, Graphic Designer Student Interns Julia Roeschenthaler Bria Zegarelli

Mark Mansfield, Paul Fox, Linda Dudzinski, Terry Kish, Colleen DeMarco, Sarah Beitler, Kerry Turner, and Dorothy Clark 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. UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY is published and mailed quarterly to residents and businesses in Upper St. Clair Township. 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, call 412-833-1600, extension 2284. Subscription Information If you know someone living outside the Township who would enjoy receiving our community’s official magazine, please send $12 check, payable to UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY, to cover mailing and handling for the next four issues, with their name and address, including zip code, to UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY, 1820 McLaughlin Run Road, USC, PA 15241. Add $10 to cover international mailing.

Board of School Directors Patrick Hewitt, President Phillip J. Elias, Vice President Amy L. Billerbeck Barbara L. Bolas Jennifer L. Bowen Dr. Daphna Gans Louis P. Mafrice, Jr.

The next issue of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY will be the Summer 2021 issue and will be published in May 2021. 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: Editor UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY 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

Township Board of Commissioners Mark D. Christie, President, Ward 4 Daniel R. Paoly, Vice President, At Large Dante R. Plutko, Jr., Ward 1 Pamela L. Enck, Ward 2 Robert W. Orchowski, Ward 3 Ronald J. Pardini, Ward 5 Rex A. Waller, At Large

Angela B. Petersen Jennifer A. Schnore 6

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Spring 2021

Thank you to our volunteer contributors this issue: Judge Ronald Arnoni, Tonia Autieri, Cindy Brophy, Lynn Dempsey, Anya Ekbote (YWG), Paul Fox, Carolyn Jones Friedrich, Tim Gagne, George Girty, Christian Gmiter, Jay Lynch, Jim O’Brien, Jim Render, Pat Ridge, Julia Roeschenthaler (intern & YWG), Caitlin Seiler, Alexandria Shewczyk, and Bria Zegarelli (intern & YWG). Young Writers Guild (YWG) promotes and encourages young writers in the Upper St. Clair School District, grades 8–12, to provide articles and artwork of interest for our community magazine. Email usctoday@uscsd.k12.pa.us to find out how your student can contribute. The 105th issue of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY is a joint publication of the Township and School District of Upper St. Clair. © Copyright 2021. 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 Freeport Press 2127 Reiser Ave. SE, New Philadelphia, OH 44663 Design by DMC Design, 412-824-7844

A Spring Note from the Publishers Matthew R. Serakowski

Dr. John T. Rozzo

Welcome to the spring 2021 edition of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY, our community’s magazine that shares Township and School District information and stories, all written with Upper St. Clair residents in mind. With 2020 recorded in the history books, we all look to this year as one that might return to some level of normalcy and use what we’ve learned from living through this past year to help make our futures better, brighter, and more meaningful. In this edition, the Township spotlights its financial information on pages 27–29, where 2021 budget highlights, as well as a fiscal overview and public notices, are shared. The Recreation Department excites our youngest residents by announcing the return of Camp St. Clair this summer, with its reimagined outdoor activities (page 31). And, the library’s adult department presents the most checked-out books in 2020 (page 33), while the kids department shares some puzzles to challenge our young patrons (page 34), with an answer key found on page 35. The School District delivers its eight-page annual report (pages 49–56), which highlights budget information, goals, achievements, and 2020’s year in review. Some of our District’s administrators and their awards and achievements are featured on pages 58–59, Pawprints highlights some of the District’s personnel who make a difference in our students’ lives on pages 62–64, and stories and advice surrounding the pandemic and its continued effect on the mental and physical health of our students and families are shown on pages 66–69. Since many Township residents have found themselves at home more often with time to kickstart longawaited projects around the house, a Home Improvement guide (pages 41–47) has been included. Be sure to check out the interesting articles and advertisements related to the subject of home improvement. We came across a recently published book, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, by author and illustrator Charlie Mackery, that shares a heartfelt message of living amongst others. At a point in the story when asked if Charlie (the boy) was a “glass half full or glass half empty” kind of person, he thoughtfully responded, “I think I’m grateful to have a glass.” Isn’t that true? We should all be thankful to have a glass and use that glass by sharing it with others, whether it be our gift of time or talents, or our sorrows when needed. We’re not meant to go through life alone. A good read for any age, this book shows, regardless of our differences, how, together, we can overcome even the most difficult of times. In closing, we’re pleased to provide you with our community’s news through this magazine—your magazine—and we’re thankful that we can continue to do so with the support from our loyal advertisers and the This image, used by the Community Foundation of Upper St. Clair for the generosity of our wonderful volunteer writers. Our purpose is to keep you fall 2011 front cover of TODAY, shares informed about Upper St. Clair and all that it offers. We hope that we are the continued relevancy of “Together, we meeting this goal, as well as meeting your expectations. Let us know! can.” See pages 70–71 for current CF information.

Sincerely,

Matthew R. Serakowski Township Manager

Dr. John T. Rozzo Superintendent of Schools

www.twpusc.org/magazine/usc-today-home | usctoday@uscsd.k12.pa.us | @15241.today 8

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Spring 2021

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Spring 2021

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Listing Homes with Love

Julie Welter, Realtor® If you are considering buying or selling your Upper St. Clair home, you need to get to know Julie Welter. While only a licensed real estate agent for four years, in that short period of time, she has skyrocketed to become the number one agent in Upper St. Clair Township. In 2020, Julie sold $14.7 million in USC Township real estate alone. By comparison, the number two agent, along with her team, sold just over half that amount, or $7.6 million, in Upper St. Clair. If you ask Julie the reasons behind her success, she will share that she knows the market, understands the psychology behind selling, and uses strategic marketing to net her sellers more money. During her undergraduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh she studied psychology, and after college, Julie worked as a marketing director for a small, independently owned chain of bookstores. Julie grew up overseas, moving with her family every few years. She has lived in Brazil, the U.S., Germany, and Singapore. Her father was a project manager for Bombardier, based out of Pittsburgh, so even though she didn’t attend K-12 school here, Pittsburgh is the closest thing to home that she knows. When it came time for Julie to decide where to raise her own family, Upper St. Clair was a no-brainer. The International Baccalaureate program was a huge draw. Julie earned her IB diploma when she graduated from high school in Singapore. She likes to joke that Bombardier paid $50,000 a year for her

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Spring 2021

Julie, with her children, Sofia, Andrew, and Olivia

education, but that her kids get the same level of education for the cost of her property taxes. Julie is the proud mom of Andrew (12), Olivia (11), and Sofia (6). She is very happily divorced and has the world’s sweetest dog that is constantly destroying her house in fun, new ways. In her real estate business, Julie offers her clients an occupied home staging consultation through Porchlight Home Staging, an Upper St. Clair mom-owned business. Betsy Boughner walks room by room and closet by closet to offer invaluable advice to every seller on how to make each home and its rooms shine for showings and photos. Most houses typically benefit from leasing her accessories for staging—like throw pillows and artwork—which Julie pays for as part of her home selling services. After staging is completed, Julie brings in her photographer and videographer, Greg Sproul with Captured Listings, to take photos, drone shots, a video walkthrough, and twilight photos for each listing. Sellers have been known to joke that they’ve changed their minds about selling after seeing how amazing their own house looks in the photos and video. Once the photos and videos are edited, Julie posts a sneak peek of the home on social media. The posts garner a huge audience, anywhere from 50,000 to 120,000 views per house. These views lead

to requests for showings, often before the home even hits the market. The house will almost always receive multiple offers within a day and sell to the highest and best offer on a Sunday evening, before the new workweek begins. Julie says she lists homes with love and says that love is a powerful emotion that can be the catalyst for amazing results. She also likes to say that she wants buyers to “fall in love” with her listings because when people are newly in love they act with emotion, which can cause multiple offers significantly over asking. Her homes sell anywhere from 101% to 109% of list price, often without any inspection or appraisal contingencies. Julie’s main focus in life is providing concierge level service to her clients while still being a present, involved mom to her three children. To stay focused on her passion, which is marketing homes, she’s recently decided to delegate more. While still working with buyers who are also selling their home or with a direct referral, she has added two buyer agent specialists to her team. Sean Polosky grew up in Upper St. Clair and is a high school soccer coach. Shannon Kensky is a Bethel Park native and loves working realtor open Julie Welter houses. Julie has full confidence in their abilities to service clients, and she will continue to be involved with every step of the home buying process, even if she isn’t the one showing the house. During the rare hours when Julie isn’t working or mommy-ing, you’ll likely find her at a fun, new restaurant in and around Pittsburgh. Her favorites include the Bloody Mary bar at Meat & Potatoes and Poulet Bleu. Since Julie is a huge advocate for self-care, visits to the Upper St. Clair mom-owned Julia James Salon are a personal monthly requirement. You’ll also find her taking advantage of the aesthetics side of Lamb Medical & Aesthetics, another USC mom’s business. Julie’s Sean Polosky, new team member desire to support Upper St. Clair businesses has helped with her own networking and referral business that extends to her clients’ listings. Today’s market boasts an extreme shortage in residential real estate inventory due to historically low interest rates and families wanting to upsize due to the pandemic’s persistent outcome of working and learning from home. Potential sellers might want to take advantage of where the market is right now. If you are considering selling your home, Julie urges you to contact her. She meets with sellers who are interested in putting their homes on the market next week or ten years into the future. She works with sellers to suggest small updates to their home that can bring significant returns. If you are curious how much equity you have in your home, you owe it to yourself to give Julie a call today! n

Shannon Kensky, new team member

Spring 2021

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Coach’s Corner

The Incomparable Beano Cook Jim Render

My mother used to tell me that if there was a character in town, I would find him. I would always come home with adventurous tales to share at the dinner table. My parents would roll their eyes in disbelief, but I would always defend the authenticity of my newest friend and their exciting life stories. As I have progressed in age, it seems my capacity to find people of interest, some of whom are legitimate characters, remains intact. For instance, when I moved to Upper St. Clair, a whole new world opened up before me as Pittsburgh is loaded with amazing people. Remember that Bob Prince, Myron Cope, and Jack Bogut all lived within a stone’s throw of Upper St. Clair High School. Our community’s senior citizens certainly remember Rege Cordic. That’s a pretty good start. Somewhere around 1988–89, I met Bernard “Baldy” Regan who was the North Side District Magistrate, as well as being the president judge for all the Pittsburgh area magistrates. There are more than a few former Steelers (and a couple of coaches) who were lucky that Baldy grew up with the Rooneys and had more than a passing interest in the success of the team. It is good to have a friendly judge, if you know what I mean. Baldy also served the Rooneys as the press box manager during the football games at Three Rivers Stadium. Somehow, I became one of “Baldy’s Boys,” and I worked the games and served wherever they needed me to help make the press box run smoothly. I did a little of everything, from being a spotter for the Spanish radio broadcast to escorting an upset Mrs. Bill (Kay) Cowher out of the stadium following a tough loss. Baldy was one of a kind who used to tell me that they were still trying to find a car on the North Side that would be worthy enough to drive into Upper St. Clair for one of my games when I was head football coach of the high school team. At his funeral wake in 1995, we all sang the Irish ballad “O Danny Boy,” but the name Baldy was substituted for Danny. Needless to say, the tears flowed as his many friends said good-bye to a Pittsburgh icon. In the press box one Sunday afternoon while I was having lunch and waiting for my assignment, I was introduced to one of America’s, not just Pittsburgh’s, all-time characters. His first words to me were “Sit down and listen, the stories are better than the game.” This was the beginning of many years of listening to the wit, wisdom, and expertise of Carroll “Beano” Cook. For starters, no man knew more about college football than Beano. That was an undisputed fact among coaches, sportswriters, and TV broadcasters across the country. Although he had great opinions on many topics, college football was his passion. He used to lament that he didn’t want to die during football season because he didn’t want to enter heaven without knowing who was number one in the final college poll. Sadly, he died in October 2012, at the age of 81. Beano graduated from Pitt in 1954. And after spending 21 months in the Army, he returned to campus and served as his 12

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Spring 2021

Beano Cook, during his days at ABC Sports

alma mater’s sports information director from 1956–66. During that period, Pitt had an All-American basketball player by the name of Don Hennon who could shoot the lights out of the ball. He was a fantastic scorer. This was the same period of time that Pitt’s Dr. Jonas Salk discovered the vaccine that cured polio. Beano had this great idea for a photo opportunity where Dr. Salk and Don Hennon would appear together, with the caption reading “The world’s two greatest shot makers.” It never happened, since Dr. Salk declined the offer. On October 12, 2002, the Beano Cook Media Room was unveiled in Pitt’s new Petersen Events Center. The concluding remarks on the dedication plaque read “Beano brought the national spotlight to Pittsburgh as he became a college sports icon.” The football practice field at the UPMC sports complex on the Southside is also named in honor of Beano. Beano was a very humorous man, both intentionally and unintentionally. He often described his thoughts in triplicate form. For instance, he said that the three toughest jobs in America are President of the United States, mayor of New York City, and head football coach at Notre Dame. As an addendum, he would say “and the President doesn’t have to go to the Bronx.” He said the three things most important to him were his parents, the movie Casablanca, and college football, not necessarily in that order. When the hostages returned home from being prisoners in the U.S. Embassy in Iran, the commissioner of Major League Baseball, Bowie Kuhn, gave them lifetime passes to all MLB games. Beano, who thought the games were too slow, remarked, “Haven’t they suffered enough?” And, when NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle commented that football betting and gambling on games was probably only done by ten percent of the people, Beano’s retort was that “They must all live in my neighborhood.” For the record, Beano enjoyed a good wager, especially when the home team was getting points. He also surmised that there were only two things that required you to bat a thousand: flying in an airplane and heart transplants. For everything else, you can go four for five. Beano also ranked the greatest accomplishments of the twentieth century: penicillin, jet airplanes, Sophia Loren, and ESPN. Speaking of ESPN, in 1985, the producer and president of ABC Sports as well as (later) ABC News hired Beano to report on college football. Roone Beano Cook (photo courtesy of Arledge was the genius University of Pittsburgh archive)

who changed the viewing habits of all of us. He is the reason we watch football from all camera angles and we see cheerleaders and college Game Day from all parts of the country. He later gave us 20/20 and Nightline. He started Monday Night Football and presented us with Howard Cosell, Don Meredith, and Frank Gifford. He developed the careers of Ted Koppel, Barbara Walters, and Diane Sawyer. He is responsible for ABC’s Wide World of Sports and made Jim McKay a star. He also put Beano Cook on the national stage. (I recommend you read the book ROONE: a memoir.) One of Beano’s ABC assignments was to interview all of the living winners of the Heisman Trophy. At a Sunday lunch room meeting at Three Rivers Stadium, I asked Beano if he was going to interview Vic Janowicz, the Heisman winner in 1950 out of Ohio State. Beano enthusiastically replied that Vic was on his schedule for January of the new year. My uncle, Ike Trubey, had been Vic’s high school coach at Elyria, Ohio. I had heard Janowicz stories since I was old enough to carry a football. (For some of you old time Pittsburgh sports fans, you might remember that the Pittsburgh Pirates were once owned by John W. Galbreath of Columbus, Ohio. For signing with Ohio State to play football, Vic was given a three-year no cut contract to play for the Pirates after playing football for four years with the Buckeyes. This deal was signed on my uncle’s desk.) Beano did not drive or own a car, and he also refused to fly. His logic was that the first word you see as you approach an airport is “Terminal.” This holds true as you turn into Pittsburgh International. So, of course, I volunteered to drive him to Columbus for the Janowicz interview. The trip was memorable to say the least. We left downtown Pittsburgh on a wintery Friday afternoon. We were to meet the ESPN producer who was flying into Columbus from Los Angeles for dinner that night. As we checked into the hotel, Beano said it was “unbelievable” (one of his favorite words, which he pronounced “ON believable”) that there were two Carroll Cooks with pending hotel reservations. This was before cell phones and emails, but it all worked out. The next morning, we arrived at the Janowicz home for the scheduled interview. It must be noted that because Vic experienced some health and emotional issues, his wife was very much against the interview. However, she took their young adult children and left the house for the day. The TV crew turned the home’s living area upside down to make room for the lights, cameras, and chairs for the upcoming interview. Meanwhile, Vic owned a little dog that was very attached to him. So, the producer gave me the job of sitting in the corner and keeping the dog quiet. I was petting the dog as if I was getting paid by the stroke. Once during the interview, the producer stopped the action and requested that I “back up” because the dog’s panting was still being picked up on the sound system. This was discouraging because I wanted to be close enough to see and hear all the action. Vic got quite emotional a few times, and, once again, the interview was stopped so that he could compose himself. After several hours, Vic wanted to know if we could break and go to lunch at his favorite buffet cafeteria. So, off we went to a long lunch. Too long! Upon returning, the man in charge wanted to film Beano coming into the house. It was snowing, blowing, and very cold. They asked Beano to do a second take of walking into

the Janowicz home. Beano looked over at me and said that he felt like (bleeping) Dr. Zhivago. By now, the afternoon was growing late and Mrs. Janowicz had returned home, very upset at the sight of us and the condition of her home. She told the producer that she would give him one hour before she called the police to have us removed. I told Beano what had transpired, and for all his gruffness and confident demeanor on television, he became nervous and wanted to finish the interview quickly. I must add, unfortunately, that ESPN never aired the interview because of so many production quality glitches. I hope it wasn’t because of Beano (background ) visiting the Pitt News office; Jim O’Brien me and that dog. (foreground, right); circa 1963 Beano and I drove home that night under snowy and blustery conditions. When we got to his Midtown Towers apartment building in downtown Pittsburgh, he discovered that his briefcase he’d always carried had been left in Columbus at the Janowicz home. Quite upset, he hurried into his building, and I drove home to USC wondering what to do. I quickly called WTAE channel 4 and demanded the young lady who answered to have Alby Oxenreider call me as soon as he was finished with delivering the 11 o’clock sports report. Alby did. I asked him to call a sister station in Columbus and have them pick up the briefcase. Alby and Beano were very close friends and, needless to say, the briefcase made its way back to Pittsburgh in a hurry. I remember that trip like it was yesterday. I’d like to thank EJ Borghetti, the Pitt associate AD/ Communications for his help with some of the details and a picture for this article. The same thanks goes to my son, JT, for his memory and photo of Beano. Both of these men, when they were young, were close pals of Beano. EJ and JT both share a similar memory of Beano. A longtime bachelor, Beano often said to the young guys that there were three things he didn’t need in his life: a wife, an ex-wife, and a car. So, when EJ and JT each got engaged, they both got similar responses from their fathers: Congratulations! How are you going to tell Beano greets Ethel Kennedy during a Beano? n sideline interview at an ABC Turkey Bowl at Yankee Stadium; circa 1974

Spring 2021

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Horses with Hope Bring Therapeutic Riding to Gilfillan Farm Tim Gagne On a chilly, but clear Saturday morning last November, Anne Davis and a team of volunteers—two holding the leads of halters—formed a circle outside the Bethel Park facility of Horses with Hope, joined hands, and offered a prayer for a successful day ahead, as well as for the recent partnership with the Historical Society of Upper St. Clair (HSUSC) that will bring their therapeutic riding program to HSUSC’s Gilfillan Farm this spring. Shortly after this heartfelt huddle, two young riders arrived and, with assistance, mounted therapy horses, Rex and Rein, for their 40-minute-long riding lessons. Horses with Hope is a discovery, growth, and learning center that employs the power of equine therapy to improve the physical, mental, emotional, and social quality of life for Pittsburgh and Washington County area youth and adults with physical and behavioral health challenges. Carefully designed riding lessons help each participant reach their full potential, assisting them to expand their abilities through various exercises, but more importantly by the relationship developed with the horses. “It’s deeply gratifying to see our riders grow and develop through their partnership with the horses,” said Anne. “There is a spark that ignites when a horse and rider work together that gives the animal a purpose and the rider a way to reach beyond their current abilities. It’s like watching little miracles every day.” In 2007, Anne left a 20-year career in the airline industry to start Horses with Hope, inWalking along the wood-chipped trail at Gilfillan Farm spired by her daughter, Jamie Lynn—now 17—who was born with Down Syndrome. The program began in Washington County with three students and quickly grew to capacity, serving 27 clients per week with more than 75 volunteers. In 2013, Horses with Hope incorporated as a non-profit organization, bought four horses, and moved the program to the South Hills of Pittsburgh. This expansion enabled the program to nearly double the number of individuals it served. This growth is largely attributable to the group’s growing reputation and outreach efforts to underserved groups, including group homes for the physically and developmentally disabled, a psychiatric hospital, Pittsburgh Public Schools, and Allegheny Intermediate Unit schools. By 2014, Horses with Hope had expanded to 100 clients per week when school is in session, offering both therapeutic riding and equine-assisted learning sessions. The organization’s volunteer corps has swelled to more than 100, and includes teenagers engaged in service learning and university students completing internships. The therapeutic benefits of working with horses has been recorded and studied for more than two millennia. However, it wasn’t until Liz Hartel of Denmark won a Gilfillan Farm cleanup silver medal at the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games that equine therapy really caught the attention of medical Left to right: Anne and Jamie Davis and equine professionals. (Hartel had suffered some paralysis from polio and had used horse riding to strengthen her leg muscles.) Now, organizations, including the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) and the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA), accredit hundreds of therapeutic riding programs in North America alone, and therapeutic riding is known to benefit individuals with a wide range of physical and mental conditions. Affiliated with both PATH and EAGALA, Horses with Hope began conversations with the HSUSC last summer that will result in a move by Horses with Hope to Gilfillan Farm, a 15-acre historical property in Upper 14

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St. Clair along Route 19 (Washington Road). The move will provide great facilities and increased visibility for Horses with Hope. The group also plans to add new programming that will include gardening, animal care education, and more. Horses with Hope will house its horses in Gilfillan’s big red barn, using free-standing stalls that both work for the horses and preserve the integrity of the historic structure. Now, as residents enjoy a walk on the wood-chipped surface of the 1.25 mile perimeter trail at Gilfillan, they’ll also be greeted by Rex, Rein, and the other Horses with Hope “therapists,” grazing in the same fields where the Gilfillan family’s animals grazed for generations. Gilfillan Farm will also become home to Horses with Hope’s donkeys and goats, and the group also plans to add more goats (likely “fainting” goats), as well as sheep, once they’ve settled into their new home in Upper St. Clair. Rachel Carlson, HSUSC president, is excited about animals returning to Gilfillan Farm. “The partnership with Horses with Hope helps us to fulfill Margaret Gilfillan’s wishes for the property... that it continue as an operational farm, as well as a historical, cultural, and educational resource for the community,” she said. “Plus,” she added, “we’re thrilled for what Horses with Hope will bring to the community.” Horses with Hope volunteers have already held several working days at Gilfillan Farm, preparing the buildings it will use, as well as clearing fence lines of decades of overgrowth so that the fields will be safer and better for the animals. The group also built a new “sensory trail,” an outdoor, circuitous path filled with objects and activities where the therapeutic riding lessons take place. The trail was completed as an Eagle Scout project of Michael Walsh of Bethel Park. But, additional grounds work needs to be completed in time for when the lessons resume this April, and additional money is needed to complete the work. If you would like to donate in any capacity, visit the Horses with Hope website for further information. So, when residents of and visitors to Upper St. Clair walk the Gilfillan Trail this coming spring, they’ll have some new sights to see... goats, sheep, donkeys and, of course, horses... horses with hope. n

A view of the barn where the horses will be housed; photo by Alison Payne

You can learn more about Gilfillan Farm by visiting http://gilfillanfarm.org/ or phoning 412-835-2050 and Horses with Hope by visiting www.horseswithhope.org/.

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Meet Sven at Gilfillan Farm In the coming months, equine therapy horses will graze the fields of Gilfillan Farm, along with other farm animals. One beautiful horse you might see as you walk or drive by is Sven. Gentle, kind, and hardworking, Sven is a favorite with both the kids and the volunteers. His dual-colored mane, a characteristic of the Norwegian Fjord breed, makes him easy to recognize. While Sven has since been retired from the riding program, he is flourishing in the unmounted programs. A recurring feature new to the magazine, Horses with Hope will Sven, one of the horses making its profile another wonderful home at Gilfillan Farm animal making its home at Gilfillan Farm in TODAY’s upcoming summer edition. n Visit Facebook @HWHTherapeuticRiding to see more animals that will be coming soon to Gilfillan Farm! Spring 2021

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New Year’s Resolutions— Let’s Revisit Them Paul K. Fox Did you know? Of those who make a New Year’s resolution, after one week 75% are still successful in keeping it. After two weeks, the number drops to 71%. After one month, the number drops again to 64%. And after six months, 46% of people who make a resolution are still successful in keeping it. In comparison, of those people who have similar goals but do not set a resolution, only 4% are still successful after six months. (https://discoverhappyhabits. com/new-years-resolution-statistics/) Many other sources support this trend. Unfortunately, many resolutions are set up for inevitable disappointment and eventual burn-out. On average, 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by the second week of February. Good habits, especially ones drastically different from typical lifestyles, are hard to get started and even harder to keep. Research shows that on average, it takes approximately 66 days for a habit to become automatic. (https://www.fsunews.com/story/news/2020/01/05/ how-make-your-new-years-resolutions-last/2818222001/) Sixtysix days? That’s all the way from January 1 to early March! Okay, fess up! How long did your New Year’s resolutions last? Are you still on track? Maybe you didn’t even bother to propose anything new for this year. Although by now we may be experiencing the positive signs of “the light at the end of the tunnel” with the distribution of the vaccines, coronavirus still has its grip on us... off-the-chart infection rates; record-breaking hospital admissions; schedule disruptions; restrictions on school and community activities, restaurants, and small businesses; mandatory mask wearing; social distancing and precautionary self-isolation; etc. By many accounts, mindfulness, self-care, patience, and a positive outlook for the future are the key ingredients to achieving our new goals as the pandemic rages on. I recently wrote a blog post about this age-old custom of New Year’s resolutions, with the perspective to think first before you formulate any self-improvement plans. (https://paulfox. blog/2020/12/29/covid-19-vs-new-years-resolutions/) Here’s the cliff notes summary on what you should satisfy for year-long targets. (https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/ smart-goals.htm)

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1. Adopt a couple (not too many) SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely) goals and write them down. Publish them. (That means tell someone else about your goal-setting promises!) 2. How you approach your objectives is as important as what you choose to do. 3. Make an action plan for each goal. 4. Motivate yourself! Embrace an optimistic and hopeful attitude. As the saying goes: the glass is half full! 5. Don’t accept in yourself blame or complain speech, behavior, or attitudes, unlike what you often read about on social media. 6. Seek inspiration from good role models and positive people. According to Brad Zomick in his online article “Top 10 Most Common New Year’s Resolutions…” (https://www.goskills.com/ Soft-Skills/Resources/Top-10-new-years-resolutions), if you want to turn your dreams into reality and accomplish more personal growth in 2021, you should: 1. Mentally prepare for change. 2. Set a goal that motivates you. 3. Limit resolutions to a manageable amount. 4. Be specific. 5. Break up big goals into smaller goals. 6. Write down your goals. 7. Share your resolutions with others. 8. Automate when possible. 9. Review your resolution regularly. 10. If you fall off track, get back on quickly. Have you heard all the chatter on the Internet about the supposed study (or urban myth) of the 1979 Harvard MBA Business School, or the even older 1953 Yale University research about written goals and creating a plan for them? (https://www. wanderlustworker.com/the-harvard-mba-business-school-studyon-goal-setting/) Read on. Prior to graduation, it was determined that 84% of the entire class had set no goals at all. Thirteen percent of the class had set written goals, but had no concrete plans. Three percent of the class had both written goals and concrete plans. The results? Well, you’ve likely somewhat guessed it. Ten years later, the 13% of the class who had set written goals but had not created plans were making twice as much money as the 84% of the class who had set no goals at all. However, the apparent kicker is that the three percent of the class who had both written goals and a plan were making ten times as much as the rest of the 97% of the class.

With all that has happened over the past year, we should attempt to embrace a positive attitude. Do you remember the joke about the identical twins, one an optimist and the other a pessimist? Read on. A psychiatrist has one son who is a total pessimist and another who is a complete optimist. He decides on an experiment. For Christmas, he fills the pessimist’s room with hundreds of beautifully-wrapped gifts and dumps a heap of horse manure in the optimist’s room. On Christmas morning, he sees the pessimist boy sitting motionless at the center of his room, eyeing his gifts suspiciously. But over in the optimist’s room, he sees his boy filled with joy, digging happily in the odorous pile. He asks his optimistic son what he’s doing, and he answers: “Daddy, with all this horse dung, there’s gotta be a pony in here someplace.” (https://www. centreforoptimism.com/Optimism-Jokes)

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One remedy for losing the blue funk is to reject all blame and complain speech, behavior, and attitudes! It’s so easy to get caught up in negativity, especially these days. Family adversity or challenges of a medical or economic nature or simply being forced to remain distanced from one another, negative daily news media reports about COVID-19, political dissension and the polarization of viewpoints, angry rants on social media, and more literally have fanned the flames of an unprecedented perpetual global bad mood for more than a year! The effect of exposure to or expression of all of these “B” words (badmouth, beef, bellyache, bemoan, bicker, b*tch) is to foster in you more bitterness... not nurturing “can-do’s” for taking steps towards helping others, self-renewal, or an optimistic attitude.

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We all have an inner critic. At times, this little voice can actually be helpful and keep us motivated toward goals—like when it reminds us that what we’re about to eat isn’t healthy or what we’re about to do may not be wise. However, this voice can often be more harmful than helpful, particularly when it gets into the realm of excessive negativity.—Elizabeth Scott (https://www. verywellmind.com/negative-self-talk-andhow-it-affects-us-4161304) Another good read that will prompt you to adopt a revised regime of mindfulness and self-care to promote better mental health is from Bethan Buswell. (https:// www.mentalhealth.org.uk/blog/new-yeartheme-for-yourself-2021) Check it out!

One more piece of advice? Build on your personal resilience! Resilience is what allows you to cope with life’s ups and downs. Making something worthwhile out of painful times helps your resilience grow. (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ stress-anxiety-depression/feel-better-andhappy/) It’s never too late to renew your vows to better yourself. What’s so magical about January 1 anyway? If you fell off the wagon in maintaining your New Year’s resolutions this year or lost your momentum or impetus to change a couple personal bad habits, resolve today to make new written SMART goals with action plans. And, most of all, be positive! n

Check out Deb Sofield’s assessment of the worthlessness of complaining. (https://medium.com/@debsofield/ dont-complain-about-things-you-arenot-willing-to-change-2bf6fae94817) This philosophy includes a deemphasis of negative self-talk.

Spring 2021

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

RONALD A. ARNONI, DISTRICT JUDGE District Court 05-2-20 Office: 412-835-1661 Fax: 412-835-4060

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USC’s 2020 Outstanding Citizen Award The Outstanding Citizen Award is an award given to an individual who demonstrates excellent community leadership, makes significant contributions to their community, and shows generosity and unselfishness through his or her actions. The recipient of the Upper St. Clair 2020 Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award goes to Vicki McKenna! Vicki grew up in Whitehall, but later made the move to Upper St. Clair Township. She is married to Mark McKenna and they have two children, Andrew (27) and Kylie (26). As a child, she was inspired by the humanity of her father, Louis Anania, to step in and step up. Vicki states, “I am driven by gratitude for the gifts and blessings I have received; I firmly believe in giving back. These values—gratitude and giving—are the themes of life, and service is my mission.” She hopes to keep her father’s legacy of compassion and altruism alive in the numerous non-profits, organizations, and communities that she has served through her volunteerism. Vicki says her life of service all started at Point State Park at a hot air balloon launch for the Make-A-Wish® fundraiser in 1988. She says something ignited in her, and she immediately signed on as a volunteer. She has been involved now for more than 30 years as both a volunteer and donor. In 1989, she worked at the Parent and Child Guidance Center (now known as Family Links), where she babysat abused children while their parents attended counseling. From 1999–2004, Vicki held the positions of PTA president at Baker Elementary and Boyce and Fort Couch Middle Schools, and held the position of PTSO president

at the high school. She was honored in 2004 by the National PTA with a Lifetime Achievement Award. From 2004–2005, she was appointed to the USC board of school directors to complete the term of a director who’d vacated the position. In 2005, she lead a District-wide fundraiser to support a neighboring community affected by Judge Arnoni and Hurricane Ivan. Food, clothing, and household Vicki McKenna and personal goods in excess of $16,000 were donated to the Carlynton School District. Vicki and her husband both volunteered for three weekends to provide help cleaning residents’ homes. From 2006–2012, Vicki served as a board member for the Community Foundation of Upper St. Clair. She and her husband hosted a holiday tea in their home, which raised more than $11,000 for the foundation. In 2007, Vicki held the position of chair of the “Heart to Heart” fundraiser, which provided financial support to a USC High School student in need of a heart transplant. This was a first-time-ever School District telethon that received donations of $136,000. Starting in 2008 and through its completion, Vicki was a board member and director of fundraising for the USC Veterans Park. Vicki stated that, “After her children graduated, she did, too!” She believed it was time to move on to other projects, which is when a friend led her to St. Clair Hospital and recruited her to the annual Summer Swing (the hospital’s largest fundraising event). From 2009–2017, Vicki was the chair for the fundraiser. In 2011, she became a member of the St. Clair

State Representative Natalie Mihalek 40th Legislative District

1121 Boyce Road, Suite 2200A Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15241

724-942-2045 www.repmihalek.com

Facebook.com/RepMihalek

For assistance with any state-related issue, either call my office at 724-942-2045 or stop in to visit my office located at 3515 Washington Road, Suite 540, McMurray. To keep up with my legislative updates, follow me on social media: www.Facebook.com/RepMihalek, Twitter.com/RepMihalek, and Instagram.com/RepMihalek.

Supporting Crime Victims One of the core functions of government is public safety. During my first term in office, I authored several pieces of legislation aimed to protect crime victims, first responders, and veterans. In the coming legislative session, I plan to continue my work by drafting legislation to further lift up safety and security within our state, and working with my colleagues to ensure that public safety remains a top priority. Pennsylvania has made much progress when it comes to enacting commonsense criminal justice legislation. But there is more we can do—particularly by providing better support to crime victims who are often the most harmed and least helped by current practices and by offering life-changing therapeutic opportunities to people who are already within our criminal justice system. Studies show that people who have been victimized by violent crime often need help meeting basic needs such as safe housing, counseling, and job stability. When these needs are not met—and nationally, only one in ten crime victims receives support from the criminal justice system—they face heightened risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a deeply destabilizing condition that can have far reaching negative consequences for them and their communities. Pennsylvania can do more to ensure that more victims of crime find a pathway to safety and well-being. The first step is to remove unnecessary or unjustified barriers to things like assistance covering medical bills and relocation costs and 18

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support for dependents of homicide victims. These barriers include time limits for applying for help that are too short and limited coverage for immediate family members, including families of homicide victims. Denying someone assistance because they missed a deadline or because they are struggling with substance abuse can cause undue suffering, exacerbate instability, and lead to future public safety challenges. We can and must limit this by making it easier to access victim compensation. Another step we can take is to ensure that crime victims have safe and stable housing and employment. At least 27 U.S. states recognize that survivors may need to relocate for their own safety following a violent crime and provide them with protections that ensure they can terminate a lease without penalty. Pennsylvania has no parallel statewide protections, aside from limited protections for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors who are tenants of a county housing authority. At least 26 states have laws allowing certain survivors to take leave from work to recover or to make plans for their safety. While some localities, including Philadelphia, have these types of protections, Pennsylvania lawmakers have yet to provide such protections statewide. Again, failing to provide this basic support can lead to avoidable suffering and, in some cases, further undermine public safety. Additionally, I will be calling upon our state to provide crucial, lifechanging support for people within our criminal justice system. As a former prosecutor, I knew that the public’s safety depended upon my

Hospital Foundation board of directors, a position she continues to hold today. In 2017, she received the “ Women of Distinction Award” from the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation as a “Community Champion.” One of Vicki’s favorite quotes, attributable to the late Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, states, “ Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth.” Vicki states, “We all have so much to give. You don’t have to donate money; you can give of your time, your skills, your creativity, or your talents. There are organizations out there that are always in need of volunteers. It doesn’t have to be a recurring thing; any nonprofit will welcome volunteers to help with only a single event. Do what you can. I don’t volunteer for recognition, I volunteer because it’s my passion; it’s in my heart.” During a recognition ceremony, Judge Arnoni presented Vicki with a special certificate, a commemorative medal, and a gift certificate to DeLallo’s Restaurant. Attending the ceremony were State Representative Natalie Mihalek and State Senator Pam Iovino, who also presented Vicki with citations. Judge Arnoni would like to thank the many individuals who participated in the nomination process, and he extends a special thank you to Dick Thomas for nominating a well-deserving Vicki for the 2020 award. n

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ability to do my job. But, I also understood that many people in the system were struggling with severe handicaps that impaired their ability to function in their everyday lives. One of these handicaps was an inability to read. Researchers estimate that as many as half of the adult prison population may suffer from a learning disability like dyslexia, dyscalculia, or a similar condition.[1] Challenges such as these can severely impede a person’s basic ability to learn—especially when the problem has gone unrecognized and undiagnosed. With the right diagnosis and accommodations, however, people can overcome these disabilities and have a meaningful chance of achieving their full potential. I am developing legislation that would offer simple, potentially life-changing support for system-involved people with learning disabilities because it could reset the trajectory of their lives, reduce recidivism, and make us all better off. Most readers know that I was born and raised in Allegheny County, and I currently reside in Upper St. Clair with my family. I am deeply committed to this community, this region, and this state—and to all who live within it. The legislation I have described herein is inspired by a vision of shared safety in which all of us, together, are able to enjoy the blessings and benefits of living in this great state, our home, Pennsylvania. n

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[1] J. Crim. L. & Criminology (2015). Correctional Education Can Make a Greater Impact on Recidivism by Supporting Adult Inmates with Learning Disabilities.

Spring 2021

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Cracking the Code, and Craig Jay Lynch

As young athletes return to USCAA baseball this spring, the runner would try to steal, or that his lead was modest, I’d coaches will be drilling players on fundamentals and rules. show Dave a closed fist (don’t throw to first). However, if I felt They’ll also be explaining the importance of following two forms that his lead was too big or that he was about to try to steal, I’d of instructions: direct verbal commands and secret hand signals. show the open hand, and Dave would spin and throw a strike One of my favorite coaches in the 1960s was Duke Marmion, to my waiting glove at first base. It was very successful, and we t h e n a m e s a k e o f t o d a y ’s picked off lots of unsuspectMarmion Field. He preferred ing runners. We kept our the verbal variety of coachpick-off signal secret, as playing, as I learned the hard way. ers moved from team to team Although a pretty good batter, each season. I had a weakness for high fastIn an important late-seaballs that were hard to resist but son game at Fort Couch field, usually resulted in pop-ups or we were playing against a clumsy-looking whiffs. When very good team that featured dugout conversations with me Alex “Tiny” Hobart, their were ineffective at changing my star player and catcher. Tiny behavior, Coach Marmion used wasn’t tiny. He was gigantic. an on-field tactic from his third More rotund than tall, he was base coaching position. When a very slow runner. He could I’d approach the plate for an hit the ball a country mile, Lower right in photo is Coach Duke Marmion (deceased in 1997), and bat boy at-bat, he’d cup his hands and Bobby Marmion (of Keifer Drive). Duke served as District 40 Pennsylvania State but was an easy “out,” unless Representative from 1981–1984. loudly yell, “Lynch, lay off the the ball went over the fence. high hard ones!” Of course, his message was also heard by opThe game had been competitive. Our team had only scored posing pitchers, who fed me a steady diet of high fastballs. Public one run into the last inning, but Dave and I had picked off evembarrassment was more effective than gentle persuasion, and ery opposing runner that reached first base, resulting in a 1–0 I slowly learned to swing at balls in the strike zone. score. That’s when Tiny stepped to the plate. One of Dave’s best He also used more traditional hand signals to call for clever fastballs became a line drive gap-shot to left-center. Since there batting and base running tactics, like the hit-and-run, delayed was no fence at Fort Couch field, our center fielder chased the double-steal, and suicide squeeze. One of my teammates and I ball beyond the outfield grass and into the woods behind the liked his hand signals so much that we created our own secret Meston’s house. However, given Tiny’s plodding pace, we were sign. It worked like a charm, until it backfired. confident that we still had a play at first. Despite several strong Dave Baxter and I were little league teammates for many relay throws and my best stretch, the umpire called him safe. seasons. He was an excellent pitcher, always the team “ace,” and As he stood proudly on the bag—huffing, puffing, and sweatI played first base. Our hand signal was designed to allow Dave ing profusely—I couldn’t stifle a little sarcasm: “That was the to focus on the batter at the plate, not the runner on first. We longest single I’ve ever seen, Tiny.” His dagger-eyed stare made also wanted to improve our ability to pick-off runners as they me question my decision to tease an opponent twice my size. took their leads. When the next batter Here’s how it worked: As as I was holding a runner on first, strode to the plate, Dave I’d keep my non-glove hand on my knee, in either a closed fist, paused his stretch wind-up or an open hand. Based on my judgement of a runner’s speed, and glanced at me for the sethe length of his leadoff, or overheard the first base coach’s incret sign. Tiny had taken a lead structions, I’d flash Dave a signal. If I thought it unlikely that off first that was way too long, so we could have easily picked him off. However, my desire An example of an intended for an easy out was trumped pick-off in motion by my fear of being crushed A secret hand signal was used to assist in picking off runners. if freshly-angered Tiny dove back to first base. So, I flashed the closed fist. Surprisingly, Tiny’s lead lengthened. Dave looked at me quizzically, wondering why we were tolerating the large lead of such a slow runner. But, he respected my signal and turned his attention to home plate. When Dave delivered a slow curve, Tiny took off! Players and coaches on both teams were stunned as he lumbered slowly toward second base. Our infielders yelled, “Steal! Steal!” to alert 20

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our catcher, who threw a perfect strike to Craig Sanders, who was covering second base. The throw arrived in plenty of time, so Craig positioned himself in the base-line in front of the bag, waiting patiently and bracing himself. When Tiny arrived, he flattened Craig like a pancake and then “army crawled” to the bag. The force of the impact jarred the ball out of Craig’s glove and the umpire called Tiny safe. Players in the opponent’s dugout went wild, chanting, “Tiny stole a base! Tiny stole a base!” as he dusted himself off, climbed atop his second base perch, and lifted both arms in conquest. When play resumed, Dave, now somewhat angry, struck out the side with blazing fastballs. Tiny had been stranded on second. The game was over, and we had won. Although Dave had pitched a shut-out, he remained miffed that trusting my sign has caused him to let the slowest player in the league steal second base. When Coach Marmion asked us why we let this happen, I fessed up about my desire for self-preservation and got a well-deserved lecture about what it takes to be a real baseball player, like burly Ty Cobb or manly Honus Wagner. However, I had my own curiosity about the unlikely stolen base. So, in the post-game handshake line, I asked Tiny how he knew it was the right time to attempt the first steal of his career. He didn’t say a word. He just smiled from ear to ear and showed me a clenched fist. Tiny had cracked the code! So, what’s the lesson for today’s young players? If you and a teammate develop a secret sign, deploy it consistently to maintain trust, and change it occasionally to prevent an opponent’s glory... or a flattened teammate. n

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Duke Marmion, coaching third base

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The Berteottis

Have Pizzaz

Story and photos by Jim O’Brien The neon sign in the front of the resThe Berteottis are a mutual admiration taurant currently boasts of a “cozy” heated society. They love everyone. Starting with tent in the rear of the building, where their parents, Jerry Sr., who passed away in social distancing is possible during the 2001, and their mother, Dorene, who is 80 coronavirus pandemic and for those who and, as both put it, “is still going strong.” It’s a tough choice. I know that still prefer to keep more than the required When I checked the facts for this story, I I want a hoagie (half-hoagie, that is), fill- six-feet distance from other customers. caught up with Missie after her round of ing enough for lunch. But should I order Christmas decorations were prominently golf in Miami. Her mother still plays golf meatball topped with marinara sauce and still on display in the main dining room. once or twice a week, too. I had met and spoken with Missie over Their mother, mind you, still comes in provolone or hot sausage with peppers, onions, tomato sauce, and provolone? coffee the week before. Like her brother, every Monday morning, “like clockwork,” Take your pick. I usually get one of each she flashed a summer smile in mid-winter, as Jerry put it, to clean the floors in the and my wife, Kathie, and I often split them and was delightful company. Both Missie restaurant. “She doesn’t believe anybody because we enjoy them both. For start- and Jerry urged me to write more about does it as well as she does.” Missie, now 58 and a financial adviers, we split the antipasto salad, always the other. They also mentioned they have a sister, the middle Berteotti child, Kendra, sor for Luttner Financial Group, and her so fresh. It’s like picking a favorite between who lives in Morgantown, West Virginia. mother live within a mile of one another in the upscale community of Nevillewood, Missie Berteotti and her “baby brother” and Jerry and his family live in Peters Jerry Berteotti, who owns and operates Township. Missie is a friend of Cindy Pizzaz Italian Restaurant, along with their Russell, the wife of former Steelers star mother, Dorene, on Washington Road Andy Russell, and they play golf on ocin Peters Township. Also called Pizza casion at The Club at Nevillewood. The Township, this stretch of roadway has a Berteotti family had its beginnings in preponderance of pizza outlets. Bridgeville, moving to Upper St. Clair “Which one are you?” I asked Jerry when Missie was a high school sophomore. over coffee on the morning of January “Our parents didn’t push us, but they 4, the first day restaurants were open made sure we had all the opportunities,” for indoor dining in Pennsylvania after a said Jerry. “They got us there. My father three-week shutdown during the holiday would rush to beat our high school baseseason due to COVID-19, normally one ball team to the field on game day, and I’d of the busiest seasons for any restaurant. see him standing on the other side of the “Meatball or sausage?” fence in centerfield. He’d drive me home “I’m the meatball, definitely,” said and we’d talk about the game.” Jerry, blushing as he revealed his identity. A photo of the Berteotti parents hangs “I’m the grinder. Missie is the hot sausage, on the restaurant’s lobby wall as you apsaucy, the real star of the family. She made proach the main entrance. The photo, it to the top; she’s the real deal.” Missie Berteotti, seated in Pizzaz prominently displayed, is Pizzaz Italian Restaurant part of a larger wall of fame. is a landmark in the South Other photos, including Hills. It started out, under some of the greatest sports their parents’ guidance, as names to ever grace the the Olde Southern Pancake South Hills, also share this House and, with a saloon in space and are meaningthe back room, evolved into ful to Jerry and Missie. its current set-up and menu There’s Mario Lemieux of offerings. Missie remembers the Penguins, signed “to how excited she was when, my friend Jerry,” along with at the age of 18, she was leEddie Johnston, raising the gally able to serve drinks at Stanley Cup on high, and the bar. “But you had to be Pierre Larouche from the 21 to drink,” she recalled. Penguins. There is one of Both of them, as if they were Jerry Malarkey, USC High reading from the same menu School’s baseball coach and or script, said, “This place is guidance counselor, who full of good memories.” coached during Jerry’s high Jerry Berteotti, standing in front of the wall of fame at Pizzaz 22

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Spring 2021

youth baseball, playing at the two ballfields (Municipal and Marmion fields) along the Township’s same recreational corridor that runs parallel to McLaughlin Run stream that gave the road its name— McLaughlin Run. “I’ll be 50 at the end of January,” said Jerry. “Can you believe that? “When you were a kid,” he recalled, “playing in the ballfield by the municipal building was like playing at Yankee Stadium.” Jerry was good enough to be signed by the Los A framed photo of Jerry Sr. and Dorene Berteotti hangs in Pizzaz Restaurant Angeles Dodgers organization, and he had a cup of school years and still coaches today. coffee in the big leagues. In Class A Missie is shown standing on the golf green and playing in Yakima, Washington, with the great Arnie Palmer of Latrobe. he got called up by the parent team a He was “the king” when it came to golf few times to catch batting practice and pros from Western Pennsylvania, and it to serve as bullpen catcher to warm up made me think that Missie Berteotti is the relief pitchers. best woman golfer on the pro level from He concedes that Mt. Lebanon’s Chris this region. Carol Semple Thompson of Jelic, who preceded him at the University Sewickley was the best amateur women’s of Pittsburgh, was a better quarterback golfer from this area. and catcher. Jelic, also from an athletic The Berteottis were a blessing when family, played in four games with the New they moved to Upper St. Clair. Missie York Mets and his only hit, in his last atwas the star performer on the high school bat in the big leagues, was a home run. girls’ golf team. She won WPIAL titles two Jerry Berteotti was a favorite of the years in a row, a PIAA title in Carlisle, Dodgers’ manager, Tommy LaSorda (who and distinguished herself on the Ladies passed away at age 93 this past January), Professional Golf Association (LPGA) but he simply wasn’t as good as LaSorda’s tour, competing at that level for 14 years godson, Mike Piazza, a catcher who is and achieving earnings of over $1 million. now in the Baseball Hall of Fame. “I just Jerry was a star in baseball and football, wish I was a better player than Mike,” said and both of them have been inducted into Jerry “But, it’s hard to be that good. At that the Athletic Hall of Fame at Upper St. Clair time, the Dodgers were still owned by the High School. Missie credits her golf coach, Alex Perinis, for improving her play. When she was young, her coach at Valley Brook County Club, where the family belonged, was John Rech. Missie started out, at age 11, playing golf on the three-hole, well-maintained course along McLaughlin Run Road in the heart of Upper St. Clair. “I remember it was a big deal to clear the stream that ran through the fairway of the first hole,” said Missie. “I think it cost $1 to play. I still think it’s so neat for Upper St. Clair to have that little golf course.” Years ago, she also golfed at Wingfield Pines when it was a golf course. “We had to use a driver back then,” said Jerry during my interview with him at a later time. He got his start in

O’Malley family and they treated me well. I have no regrets. I was a lucky man.” Talking further about his past, he expressed one regret. He was the quarterback of the 1988 Upper St. Clair High School team that won the WPIAL championship, defeating Central Catholic in the title game. “That was the year USC’s school board voted for us not to play in the state championship game,” said Jerry. “Instead, Central Catholic went to the state playoffs and ended up winning the PIAA title. That’s still a tough pill for me to swallow.” An unfortunate turn of events, Missie also missed out in winning a state championship her senior year due to extensive injuries from an auto accident in the Liberty Tunnels shortly before the state tournament. Assuredly, she would have repeated as the PIAA girls’ golf champion that year. As a professional golfer, Missie won the Ping Welch’s Classic in 1993 and was a top ten finisher in the U.S. Women’s Open, the Women’s British Open, the LPGA Championship, and the Nabisco Dinah Shore event. Missie eventually retired from professional golf to raise her son, Sam, whom she says “is the love of my life.” Sam, a talented Division I tennis player, attends and plays tennis for St. Joseph’s College in Philadelphia. “We’ve been lucky,” said Jerry. Or was it Missie who said that? “We’ve been blessed,” said Missie. “I love my family. We’re so lucky to have each other and to be healthy.” n Contact Jim O’Brien at www.jimobriensportsauthor.com with your comments.

A signed photo from USCHS baseball coach Jerry Malarkey

Spring 2021

A signed photo from Arnie Palmer

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Township Commissioners

The Township’s Check it out at www.twpusc.org website has a brand new look!

Mark D. Christie President Ward 4

Day 412-831-9000 2021*

Township Administration

Daniel R. Paoly Vice President At-Large

Day 412-831-9000 Evening 412-862-5995 2021*

Dante R. Plutko, Jr. Ward 1

Matthew R. Serakowski Township Manager

Mark S. Mansfield Asst. Township Manager & Director of Administration

Jonathan Wharton Chief of Police

Adam A. Benigni Director of Planning & Community Development

George Kostelich, Jr. Director of Public Works

Christian Gmiter Director of Library

Day 412-831-9000 Evening 412-389-5187 2023*

Mark P. Romito Director of Finance

Pamela L. Enck Ward 2 Day 412-831-9000 2021*

Robert W. Orchowski Ward 3

Ronald J. Pardini Ward 5

Day 412-831-9000 Evening 724-941-1199 2023*

Rex A. Waller At-Large

Day 412-831-9000 Evening 412-854-5085 2023*

www.twpusc.org 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. UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

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

2021 Township of Upper St. Clair Meeting Dates

*Date indicates expiration of term.

To reach Township personnel, call 412-831-9000 and follow the automated directions. Administrator Extension Matthew R. Serakowski......................... 2160 Township Manager Mark S. Mansfield.................................. 2190 Asst. Township Manager & Director of Administration Jonathan Wharton.................................. 2380 Chief of Police Mark P. Romito....................................... 2180 Director of Finance Adam A. Benigni..................................... 5010 Director of Planning & Community Development George Kostelich, Jr................................ 2710 Director of Public Works Christian Gmiter.................................... 2470 Director of Library Paul Besterman....................................... 6560 Director of Recreation & Leisure Services

Day 412-831-9000 Evening 412-854-1868 2023*

Paul Besterman Director of Recreation & Leisure Services

• 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 C&RC Meeting Room. The informational and general affairs meeting is held the last Monday of the month in the C&RC 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.

Spring 2021

Highlights of the Board of Commissioners’ Meetings October 5, 2020

Approximately 22 people attended.

Recognitions • Commissioner Orchowski presented a Proclamation to the Upper St. Clair Volunteer Fire Department designating October 4–10, 2020, as Fire Prevention Week in Upper St. Clair. • Commissioner Waller recognized six Volunteer Fire Department members for their years of service: Richard Jurik–5 years, Marius Rosu–5 years, Michael Gannon–15 years, John Doebler–25 years, Keith Scannell–40 years, Doug Dennig–45 years. The Board • Continued the Public Hearing Re. PLC20-0005– Hastings Village Plan Rev. No. 2–Amended Tentative and Final Approval to the November 2, 2020, Regular Board Meeting. • Adopted Bill No. 8-20 Re. PLC20-0009–Bedner Estates– PRD–Phase 4–Final Approval. • Adopted Resolution No. 1692 Re. Upper St. Clair Library Waiver for State Aid.

November 2, 2020

Approximately 18 people attended.

The Board • Adopted Bill No. 9-20 Re. PLC20-0005–Hastings Village Plan Rev. No.2–Amended Tentative and Final Approval. • Adopted Bill No. 10-20 Re. PLC20-0007–Frosty Valley–Preliminary and Final Subdivision and Land Development Approval. • Adopted Bill No. 11-20 Re. PLC20-0010–Emma Ross Plan of Lots–Preliminary and Final Subdivision Approval. • Continued Public Hearing Re. PLC20-1301–Zoning Map Amendment for Rezoning of 169 McMurray Road from R2 Suburban Residential District to C2 Highway Commercial District to the December 7, 2020, Regular Board Meeting. • Closed the Public Hearing Re. 2021 Proposed Budget. • Adopted Resolution No. 1693 Re. Approval for a Grant Application through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Multimodal Transportation Fund for the Morton Complex/Community Gardens Connection– Phase IIB Perimeter Trail Project in Boyce Mayview Park.

Flanking members of the USC VFD, are (far left) Commissioner Orchowski and (far right) Commissioner Waller. Receiving awards, left to right: Russ Rauch for Fire Prevention Week and Richard Jurik, Michael Gannon, Keith Scannell, Doug Dennig for years of service; missing from photo: Marius Rosu, John Doebler

• Adopted Resolution No. 1694 Re. Directing the Appropriate Township Officials to Develop and Implement a Joint Study and Strategic Planning Process of the Upper St. Clair Volunteer Fire Department. Approval of Contract • Glassmere Fuel Service, Inc........... OPIS Daily Pittsburgh Curtisville, PA Average Index Plus Fixed Margin of between 89 Octane Gasoline, Diesel $.1144 and $.0098 on Fuel and Winterized Diesel each gallon of 89 Octane Fuel Additive Gasoline depending on order quantity, a Fixed Margin Price for Diesel Fuel of between $.1144 and $.0123 on each gallon depending on order quantity and $.03 on Winterized Diesel Fuel additive on each gallon of Diesel Fuel.

December 7, 2020

Approximately 12 people attended.

The Board • No Motion was made for Bill No. 12-20−Re. PLC201305−Zoning Map Amendment for Rezoning of 169 McMurray Road from R2 Suburban Residential District to C2 Highway Commercial District. The bill died. • Adopted Bill No. 13-20 Re. Adoption of the 2021 Budget. Approval of Contracts • Pfund Superior Sales.......................................... $538,014 Lower Burrell, PA Three 2021 Ford E-450 Life Line Superliner Type III Ambulances • Freeport Press...................... Per edition for 9,500 copies: New Philadelphia, OH $9,708.93 to $11,841.76, UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Depending on page count Magazine (72 to 96 pages, plus cover) (3 year/4 editions annually) • USDA Wildlife Services................. Not to exceed $45,000 Raleigh, NC Special Use Culling Permit/ Prescribed Activities

Citizens Police Academy

While concerns

about social distancing due to COVID-19 prevented a group photo this year, congratulations to the following graduates of the 2020 USC Citizens’ Police Academy held this past fall: Joshua Critelli, Anthony DeRubeis, Marsha Eby, Electra Janis, Angela King, Jeffrey Krantz, Dr. Roy Lanz, Joanna Moore, Geron Oakley, Marcia Olds, Steven Olds, Rosemarie Salerni, James Stampfel, Jennifer Stampfel, William Szott, Karen Tindale, Michael Tindale, Michelle Turnwald, and Kurt Warmbein Jr. n

Sgt. Michael Lindenfelser teaches the class about the TASER, in preparation for a TASER demonstration. Spring 2021

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Township Flood Services and Protection

Upper St. Clair participates in the National Flood Insurance

Program’s (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS). The CRS is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum NFIP requirements. As a result, flood insurance premium rates are discounted to reflect the reduced flood risk resulting from the community actions meeting the three goals of the CRS: • Reduce flood damage to insurable property, • Strengthen and support the insurance aspects of the NFIP, and • Encourage a comprehensive approach to floodplain management. In order to protect your home or business from flood damage, it is important to access and understand flood hazard information. A complete Flood Protection Library, including flood maps and flood protection references, is available at the Upper St. Clair Township Library. Localized flooding can result from even minor storms. Runoff overloads the drainageways and flows into the streets and low-lying areas. Sewers back up; yards are inundated. These minor storms could potentially cause more damage as they are most likely recurring, and small impacts accumulated over time can become major problems. A few factors to consider: • Even shallow flooding can pose safety hazards. It is not unusual for children to drown after slipping in shallow water or to be swept into a ditch or storm drain. Adults and even vehicles can be swept away by just a few inches of moving water. • The growth of mold and mildew in damp structures after flooding could contribute to allergies, asthma, and respiratory infections, especially in children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. In addition, gasoline, pesticides, fuel oil, chemicals, and other substances can be brought into the area and into buildings by flood waters. They soak into the soil, building components, and furniture, and can result in long-term health problems. • Even a few inches of water in the basement or ground floor of a building can cause expensive damage. Carpeting, wallboard, insulation, mattresses, and upholstered furniture must be thrown out and replaced. Flooring, studs, and other wooden parts of the building must be thoroughly cleaned and dried. Business records, photographs, and other papers are often destroyed. • Flood waters can block streets, disrupt traffic patterns, and hinder access to homes and businesses. This can affect the entire community, not just those whose property is flooded. People have to evacuate wet and/or damaged homes, and businesses have to close. Cleanup and repairs take time away from normal routines, interrupting lives and business operations. 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 or throw anything into creeks, ditches, ravines, or streams. Dumping is a violation of Section 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. • If you see evidence of dumping of debris in creeks or ditches, contact the Township. • Always check with the Community Development Department before you build, alter, grade, or fill on your property. A permit may be needed to ensure that projects do not cause problems on the other properties. If you are in a floodplain, special building codes may apply. The Community Development Department will walk you through any application and answer your questions. If you see building or filling without a Township permit posted, contact the Community Development Department at 412-831-9000, ext. 5010. • Help yourself by understanding floodproofing, flood insurance, and flood safety. 26

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Spring 2021

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. It is backed by the federal government and is available to all residents, even for property outside a floodplain. Any property could be flooded. 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 Environmental Protection Agency (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. Check the Township’s website on a regular basis for updates on Stormwater Management and Flood Protection in addition to the steps the Township is taking to meet the federal requirements to keep Upper St. Clair a safe place to reside. Sanitary Sewer Lateral Inspection Ordinance The Township has an ordinance that requires video inspections of private sanitary sewer laterals prior to the sale/conveyance of property. Sewer lateral inspections must be conducted by a National Association of Sewer Service Companies (NASSCO) certified contractor. The adopted ordinance supports the inspection, repair, and replacement of private sanitary sewer laterals that are cracked, disjointed, damaged, or blocked in order to reduce the amount of stormwater penetrating the sanitary sewer system. The influx of stormwater into the sanitary sewer system increases the wastewater flow in the collection system and could potentially lead to sanitary sewer overflows during wet weather conditions. To order the Dye Test and Sanitary Sewer Lateral Inspection paperwork, contact the Department of Public Works at 412-831-9000, ext. 2710. The completed forms and video of the inspection must be remitted to the Public Works Department at least 14 days prior to closing, along with a $50 fee made payable to the Township of Upper St. Clair to cover the cost of the dye test and sanitary sewer lateral inspection evidence of compliance letter. A copy of the ordinance can be found on the Township website at www.twpusc.org. This information is published annually as 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, ext. 2710.

Department of Finance Township Budget Overview Upper St. Clair Township’s Board of Commissioners have once again approved a budget with no tax increase. For the 12th consecutive year, the Township’s real estate tax remains at 3.83 mills and the earned income tax rate remains at 0.80%. Due to the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 budget process began earlier than usual. When it became clear in March 2020 that the local, state, and national response to the pandemic would result in significant economic disruption, the Township immediately focused on ways to mitigate the potential negative impact on the budget. In the ensuing months, the Township was faced with many difficult decisions. Each decision required a delicate balancing of safety, service delivery, and fiscal responsibility, ultimately having an impact on the 2021 budget. Development of the budget continued through the spring, summer, and fall of 2020, and included multiple internal and public meetings. The 2021 budget was adopted on December 7, 2020. Comprising the budget are 13 separate funds. The operations of each fund are accounted for by providing a separate set of selfbalancing accounts, which includes its assets, liabilities, fund equity, revenues, and expenditures. This compartmentalization of resources, transactions, and statements is necessary to ensure that specific revenue sources are used to finance the specific activities for which they are intended. The Township’s primary operating fund is the General Fund, which is supported by taxes, fees, and other revenues. The General Fund includes all operations not required by law, policy, or external restriction to be recorded in other funds. Full details are available in the Township’s award-winning budget document, which is online at www.twpusc.org and available in the Township’s library.

General Fund revenue include reductions in earned income tax, local services tax, and sales & use tax that are expected due to the impacts of COVID-19 response. The General Fund is projected to end the year with an unassigned fund balance of $4,448,901, or 20% of estimated 2021 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 $17,181,155, which is a 0.02% decrease from the 2020 budget. In order to hold expenditures fairly level, reductions were made across several categories, including personnel and commodities. The accompanying chart illustrates how the expenditures are distributed across the major program areas. The Township’s two largest programs are Public Safety (which includes the Police Department and Animal Control Services) and Public Works. These programs combine to represent 64.3% of the operating portion of the General Fund budget. The remaining difference of projected revenues over operating expenses of $5,009,185 will be used to fund debt service costs of $1,909,765 and transfers to other funds of $3,099,420. 2021 General Fund Expenditures Major Category $7,000,000 $6,000,000 $5,000,000 $4,000,000 $3,000,000 $2,000,000

Where the Money Comes From The Township’s primary sources of operating revenue in 2021 continue to be real estate tax and earned income tax. These taxes combine to make up roughly 80% of total General Fund revenues. Comprising the balance of operating revenue are other taxes and other revenue. Other taxes include real estate transfer, sales & use, and local services taxes. Other revenue consists of permits, fees, fines, service agreements, investment earnings, and recreation fees. General Fund revenues are budgeted at $22,190,340 for 2021, a decrease of 1.34% from the 2020 budget. Notable changes in 2021 General Fund Revenues Major Category

$10,000,000 $9,000,000 $8,000,000 $7,000,000 $6,000,000 $5,000,000 $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

$1,000,000 $0

Public Safety

Public Works

General Government

Debt Service

Operating Transfers

Refuse Costs

Library

Community Recreation Development

For more information, visit www.twpusc.org. Capital Projects Fund

The Capital Projects Fund accounts for most of the Township’s major equipment purchases and capital projects, and is based largely upon the five-year Capital Improvements Program. The largest item in the Capital Projects Fund for 2021 is the renovation of the municipal building, bringing much needed physical improvements to the library and the police department. Funding for the proposed project would come from a combination of grants and bond proceeds. All other items in the Capital Projects Fund would be funded by a combination of General Fund transfers, grants, and the portion of the fund balance that is specifically assigned for capital reserve. Other significant items in the 2021 budget for this fund are $1,800,000 for the annual Street Improvement Program and $600,000 for the continued partnership with PennDOT to improve the traffic signals along the portion of Route 19 that is located within the Township.

Other Revenue

Cont. on page 28

Spring 2021

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Department of Finance Cont. from page 27

GENERAL FUND APPROPRIATIONS

GENERAL FUND REVENUES Major Revenues

2020 Budget

Real Estate Tax $8,478,300 Earned Income Tax 9,370,000 Local Services Tax 290,000 Real Estate Transfer Tax 1,180,000 Public Utilities Tax 18,100 Local Option Sales & 548,000 Use Tax Licenses and Permits 137,700 Fees and Fines 517,050 Rental Income 2,865 Investment Earnings 40,000 Service Agreements 243,812 Other Non-Tax Revenue 1,317,159 Recreation Fees 349,500 Total Revenues Fund Balance Total Major Revenues

2021 Increase Percentage Budget (Decrease) Change

Major Program Areas

$8,551,932 $73,632 9,051,000 (319,000) 278,400 (11,600) 1,225,000 45,000 18,350 250 514,200 (33,800)

General Government $2,082,834 Public Safety 5,905,995 Community Development 716,348 Public Works 5,304,065 Refuse Collection 1,474,500 Recreation & Leisure Services 558,769 Library 970,790 Unallocated Insurance Costs 170,799 Operating Expenditures $17,184,100 Operating Transfers 3,499,346 Debt Service Payments 1,809,040 Non-Operating Expenditures $5,308,386 Total Expenditures $22,492,486 Fund Balance - Total Major Programs $22,492,486

137,725 489,100 2,865 9,000 279,893 1,325,525 307,350

0.87% (3.40%) (4.00%) 3.81% 1.38% (6.17%)

25 0.02% (27,950) (5.41%) - 0.00% (31,000) (77.50%) 36,081 14.80% 8,366 0.64% (42,150) (12.06%)

$22,492,486 $22,190,340 ($302,146) -1.34% - - - 0.00% $22,492,486 $22,190,340 ($302,146)

-1.34%

2020 Budget

2021 Budget

Increase Percentage (Decrease) Change

$2,075,566 5,966,907 822,426 5,090,235 1,502,500

($7,268) 60,912 106,078 (213,830) 28,000

(0.35%) 1.03% 14.81% (4.03%) 1.90%

541,554 954,645

(17,215) (3.08%) (16,145) (1.66%)

227,322

56,523 33.09%

$17,181,155 3,099,420 1,909,765

($2,945) (0.02%) (399,926) (11.43%) 100,725 5.57%

$5,009,185 ($299,201) (5.64%) $22,190,340 ($302,146) (1.34%) - - 0.00% $22,190,340 ($302,146) (1.34%)

Boyce Mayview Community & Recreation Center (C&RC) Fund The C&RC Fund experienced the most significant financial impact of the COVID-19 response. The C&RC, like other similar facilities throughout Pennsylvania, endured two state-mandated closures during 2020, lasting a total of nearly four months. Prior to the complete shutdown in late March 2020, total memberships averaged roughly 3100 per month, a number that remained fairly level since late 2017. The membership total, which continued to decrease throughout the year, was approximately 2600 as of December 2020. The 2021 budget anticipates that paid membership will again begin to grow in 2021, but remain below the prior years’ averages for the year. The resulting membership revenue is budgeted to be $2,792,000. Other revenue sources in the C&RC Fund include facility rental revenue and program revenue, which are estimated at $52,000 and $264,500, respectively, for

2021 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 2021. The Township’s real estate tax millage rate for 2021 has been set at 3.83 mills. The School District’s schedule is dependent upon its adoption of a real estate tax millage rate for the 2021–2022 fiscal year no later than June 2021. 28

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

2021. The General Fund will appropriate $1,190,371 to the C&RC Fund for debt service costs associated with the construction of the C&RC building. The General Fund is also budgeted to contribute $523,443 to support the common area operations of the C&RC. n Other Revenue, $50,000 General Fund Debt Service Appropriation, $1,190,371 General Fund Operating Appropriation, $523,443 Facility Revenue, $52,000

Membership Revenue, $2,792,000

Debt Service, $1,190,370 Commodities, $273,925

Personal Services, $2,258,934

Contractual Services, $1,140,326

Program Revenue, $264,500

2021 Township Real Estate Tax Schedule Date Tax Period May 1, 2021 ........................................Billing date May 1–Jun 30, 2021 ...........................2% discount Jul 1–Aug 31, 2021 .............................Face amount Sep 1–Dec 31, 2021 ............................10% penalty Jan 1, 2022 .........................................Lien date 2021 School District Real Estate Tax Schedule Date Tax Period Jul 1, 2021 ..........................................Billing date Jul 1–Aug 31, 2021 .............................2% discount Sep 1–Oct 31, 2021 ............................Face amount Nov 1–Dec 31, 2021 ...........................10% penalty Jan 1, 2022..........................................Lien date Spring 2021

Distributed Costs, $182,736

This notice reminds all taxpayers that they are responsible to see that their property is properly assessed and taxed, and to request 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 receive the two percent discount or avoid the ten percent penalty. n

Wellington

ESTATE

REAL

2021 Earned Income and Net Profits Tax Rate Notice

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 2021 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 2021 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 1.30% rate, and must remit their tax liability

quarterly to Jordan Tax Service on the following schedule for 2021:

Date Tax Period Apr 15, 2021 ....... 1st quarter 2021 tax estimate due Jul 15, 2021 ........ 2nd quarter 2021 tax estimate due Oct 15, 2021 ....... 3rd quarter 2021 tax estimate due Jan 15, 2022 ........ 4th quarter 2021 tax estimate due

state Homes The E of

Bedner Farms Upper St. Clair

Available Lot Deposit OPEN SPACE

SOLD SOLD SOLD

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 2020 tax year are due April 15, 2021. n

SOLD SOLD

LOT DEPOSIT 153R

LOT DEPOSIT 152R

SOLD SCAR

LETT

SOLD 136R

SOLD SOLD

DRI

SOLD

VE 50

’

SOLD

SOLD SOLD SOLD

2021 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 seven percent for 2021. The Sewer User Multiplier Rate that is used to calculate the Township’s cost reimbursement has been set at 1.93 for the year. The Township contracts with Jordan Tax Service to provide the billing and collection of the monthly sewer usage fees. n

Sanitary Sewer Fund The Township’s Sanitary Sewer Fund

(SSF) accounts for all sewer usage fees paid by Distributed residents and the expenses related to sewage Costs, processing and maintenance of the sani$853,514 tary sewer system. Sewage processing is performed by ALCOSAN, the company Debt Service, $1,033,005 that also bills the Township for this service. ALCOSAN has increased its Sewer Other Op. Exp., Processing Fees 2021 fees by seven percent. To help $614,228 (ALCOSAN), absorb some of that increase, the $4,708,400 Township’s sewer rate multiplier is Sewer being reduced to 1.93. As usual, the Rehabilitation, ALCOSAN expense is the largest cost $1,625,000 in the 2021 SSF budget (see “Sewer Processing Fees” in the accompanying chart). The remainder of the sewer fee revenue is used to rehabilitate the Township’s sanitary sewer infrastructure and provide other services related to satisfying all regulatory requirements that have been and will be imposed with regard to sanitary sewer improvement and maintenance. n

“Where Custom Homes are a Family Tradition”

1/2 Acre to 2 Acre Home Sites The Thomas Building Experience

• Select Your Lot • Design Your Home With Our in-house Architect • Custom Interior & Exterior Selection

Only 1 Lot Left!

Bedner Estates Phase 2 Coming Soon Patty Thomas, Broker Rebecca Lutz, Realtor

For more information, visit www.twpusc.org. 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.

Spring 2021

724-731-0100 WellingtonRealEstatePA.com

www.

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

USC Recreation and www.twpusc.org

Staying Connected Here, There, and Everywhere The Evolution of the C&RC in 2020

Since the Community & Recreation Center’s (C&RC) doors opened in summer 2009, it has provided residents an opportunity to gather, exercise, swim, play, learn, and celebrate. The facility has become an essential part of life for its frequent users and a reliable resource for many others within the community. But in early 2020, when the pandemic hit, our world was turned upside down. Facing months of shut down, ever-changing COVID-19 mitigation strategies, and a general concern for the health and safety of the community it serves, the Recreation and Leisure Services Department along with the C&RC was confronted with a unique set of challenges. The biggest question: How do we provide the same Enjoying the extended season at high level of service that members, visitors, and program participants have come the C&RC’s outdoor pool to depend on while also ensuring safety? The answer: Look beyond the building’s four walls. It is no secret that the C&RC is nestled in a pristine park. With its recently renovated pavilion, multiple athletic fields, inclusive playground, Learning Lab, and expansive trail system, Boyce Mayview Park provided a perfect setting for youth, senior, adult, and family programs. Group exercise classes, summer camp (Camp St. Clair), and various other sports and enrichment programs made the most of this spacious, airy environment. As summer transitioned into fall, outdoor opportunities continued to be a priority. Once again, classes and programs continued to utilize multiple areas of the park, and for the first time in the C&RC’s 11 years of operation, the outdoor pool remained open beyond Labor Day. Even as the seasons shifted and fall became more pronounced, Monster Hunt ghost station at the regional area was fortunate to be blessed with mild weather. Boyce Mayview Park A seasonably warm October allowed the rec department to wrap up its Fall Session I offering without a hitch, and provided the best possible weather for a revamped Halloween celebration, the Monster Hunt. Moving into November, it was time to focus on indoor offerings once again. Though the C&RC had been operating with a magnitude of safety parameters in place since late June, many individuals Yoga class in the park’s outdoor Learning Lab were still hesitant to embrace indoor activities. This created a challenge, but also brought forth an opportunity for growth. Enter the C&RC Virtual Studio. The idea was simple. Many of the most popular in-person group exercise classes would also stream live through Google Meet. Those who were unable to attend or uncomfortable with attending in-person class at the C&RC could simply reserve a virtual spot, enjoying a great live workout with their favorite instructor from the comfort of their homes. The C&RC’s staff was thrilled to provide an outlet for members no matter where they were at class time. Shortly after establishing live virtual classes, there came a new hurdle to overcome: a mandatory three-week complete closure of the C&RC that would finish out 2020. With some quick thinking and mild weather, the rec department moved its in-person holiday group exercise classes to the outdoors, giving participants Senior bingo in the park’s a chance to celebrate the outdoor pavilion season. Undeterred by the sudden closure, staff continued to build upon its virtual platform of offerings. Dedicated instructors began filming and editing classes that were then uploaded to a YouTube channel. Now, instead of missing out on favorite classes, members could watch them and participate in them anytime, anywhere. To say that 2020 was a challenge is certainly an understatement. Loyal members, patient residents, and an amazing staff have never been more important, and the rec department and the C&RC’s welcoming building look forward to serving everyone as things again begin to open up and expand. n Outdoor fall fitness class

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Leisure Services 412-221-1099

Summer Can’t Come Soon Enough for Camp St. Clair

After flipping between virtual and in-person schooling for the better part of a school year, little has felt normal or constant. It has been hard for children and families to keep on a steady routine. The rec department’s Camp St. Clair aims to be that constant in the lives of those children and their families as we move into summer 2021. The move to an all-outdoor programming in Boyce Mayview Park in 2020 was a positive step towards the future of Camp St. Clair, an obvious choice to serve the community during the challenging and changing times. As we move into 2021, many still feel the stress of constant uncertainty, but Camp St. Clair will remain as it was last summer: a way for children in grades one through seven to get outdoors, be active, socialize, and make new memories in a safe manner. Additionally, Camp St. Clair will grow from last summer. Staff intends to introduce or reacquaint campers with Boyce Mayview Park and all its trails and creeks, bask in the sun and warm weather on the fields while playing sports and games and flying kites, and gathering in the pavilions to make crafts and friendship bracelets, and play bingo. The staff is eager to once again see their campers whom they’ve missed during the school year, a time when camp is not in session. Camp St. Clair is excited about the coming summer, and the staff can’t wait for you to join in! n Contact the C&RC at 412-221-1099 for Camp St. Clair program information and other offerings.

Blood Drive

Save Lives–Feed Families

Monday, March 15, noon–6 p.m. C&RC at Boyce Mayview Park, 1551 Mayview Road When you donate at the Save Lives–Feed Families blood drive, a contribution will be made on your behalf to the South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM) food bank to help feed as many as 25 families in need. Funding is made possible by the Blood Science Foundation. • Your blood can save as many as three patients’ lives. • Appointments recommended; masks required. • Vitalant is now testing for COVID-19 antibodies. To make an appointment: • Visit vitalant.org and click the “Log In” button. At the next window, choose “Donor Login” (for a previous donor) or “New Donor” (for those who haven’t previously donated through Vitalant), and search with group code C565, or • Call 412-209-7000

Seniors at Leisure For more information about any Older Adult programming, contact the C&RC at 412-221-1099. USC Township Silver Card Offered by USC Township to residents age 62 or older. Proof of age and residency required at time of application. 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. USCSD Gold Card Upper St. Clair residents who are age 62 or older are eligible to receive a Gold Card, entitling them to free admission to plays and musicals, as well as regular season home athletic events and activities sponsored by the USC School District. WPIAL and PIAA playoff games are not eligible for free or discounted admission. To obtain a Gold Card, visit the high school main office at 1825 McLaughlin Run Road. For more information, contact Nancy Dunn at 412-833-1600, ext. 2236, or email ndunn@uscsd.k12.pa.us.

Having fun with a giant soccer ball Tug of War

ACCESS and Port Authority Transportation for Senior Citizens Applications for the Pennsylvania Senior Transit ID and ACCESS transportation are available at the C&RC. Application must be made in person at the C&RC during operating hours. Proof of age (65 and older) is required. Additionally, proof of Allegheny County residency is required for ACCESS. The Port Authority will indefinitely continue to accept blue or yellow Pennsylvania Senior Transit ID cards.

Spring 2021

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

From the Director’s Desk Christian Gmiter, Library Director

Hello Upper St. Clair residents and library patrons! As we round the seasons from winter to spring, please know that we are committed to your needs during these ever-changing times. In this issue, you will find several items of note that we hope will pique your interest. Have you ever wondered what the most popular books in the library are? Our staff has compiled a list of the books with the highest number of checkouts for 2020. How many of these books have you read? We are happy to order any of these titles for you in case you would like to catch up on your 2020 reading lists. And don’t forget that we are still able to order items from across the county for you to be picked up at the Upper St. Clair Township Library. A quick library fact: despite being open for limited hours and services from mid to late 2020, our total circulation of items averaged over 20,000 each month from August through December. You will also see a feature interview about the library’s newest staff member, Whitney Minyon. Whitney is a fulltime reference librarian on the adult floor of the library, and she began her tenure in November 2020. In addition to Whitney’s reference services, she is also responsible for arranging adult programming for the library. Please join me in welcoming Whitney! Whitney has been working diligently to schedule virtual adult programming, and we will be advertising for adult programs on the library’s website and social media feeds as they are scheduled. The library held its first adult program of the fall and winter seasons in early December with a Zoom talk from local author Wayne Stewart that discussed the 1960 Pirates World Series team. Topical, interesting, and engaging programming for adults is what we aim to provide, and we are always seeking topics and speakers that we hope you find enjoyable. The library children’s staff has prepared a calendar of scheduled events for this issue of TODAY. This calendar is accompanied by a few photos highlighting the StoryWalks offered by the library and the Department of Recreation and Leisure Services at Boyce Mayview Park this past fall. Some of the other programming and activities that the children’s staff has employed over this past fall and winter included Little Kids Learn packets; Let’s Get Ready for Kindergarten Zoom programs; Listen, Learn, and Create Zoom programs; Paws for Reading Zoom programs (with therapy dogs!); Zoom Rhymes and Songs with Miss Sheri; and Preschool Storytime over Zoom. Teen patrons were not forgotten, and offerings for our teenage audience included Zoom Teen Game Nights and Zoom Teen Craft Nights. As always, we appreciate your tremendous patronage and support, and we hope to see you around the library this spring! n

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Popular Reads During Quarantine USC Township Library’s ten most checked-out adult books during 2020

Almost Just Friends by Jill Shalvis

American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins

Hindsight by Iris Johansen

House on Fire by Joseph Finder

Lady Clementine by Marie Benedict

Lost Hills by Lee Goldberg

Moral Compass by Danielle Steel

The Country Guesthouse by Robyn Carr

The Third to Die by Allison Brennan

When You See Me by Lisa Gardner

USC Welcomes New Librarian

This past November, the Upper St. Clair Township Library hired Whitney Minyon as its new reference librarian. A graduate of Mount Holyoke College, Whitney earned her master’s degree in library/information science (MLIS) from the University of Pittsburgh. Prior to joining the library, Whitney worked as a substitute librarian at every branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, including a year at their East Liberty branch, and at the Cooper Siegel Community Whitney Minyon Library in Fox Chapel. As a reference librarian, Whitney helps library patrons with readers’ advisories, finding material for reports and projects, solving computer problems—including issues with tablets, e-readers, and any other electronic devices—and, of course, helping people find their next great read. When asked about what she likes to read, Whitney said some of her favorite books are Anthony Doerr’s All the Light We Cannot See, L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables, and Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina. Whitney also does adult programming for the library, something that has been made more challenging due to COVID-19, since all programs were required to be virtual to comply with social distancing guidelines. n

USC Township Library Hours Due to restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, continue to check the library’s website for hours of operation. 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 Holiday Closure: • Easter—Sunday, April 4

Spring 2021

412-835-5540 www.twpusc.org UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Kids Library Puzzle Page Test your knowledge of children’s books and characters with the following three puzzles. (The answer key can be found on page 35.)

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Zoom Classes Check the library website (http://www.twpusc.org/library/kids) for class dates. Register online or call the library to register. Directions on how to use Zoom are available on the library’s website. Rhymes and Songs with Miss Sheri Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. Join Miss Sheri for happy rhymes and songs and a picture book story. It’s a great way for young kids to have fun and interact under the supervision of a caring adult. Storytime Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. Each week, Miss Deb reads great stories and uses interactive activities to explore subjects and ideas that young children find fun and interesting. Favorite subjects include animals, nature, friendship, and adventure. Let’s Get Ready for Kindergarten with Miss Deb Tuesdays, 10 or 11 a.m. In these classes, Miss Deb explores skills to help

preschoolers get ready for Kindergarten. The following are some of the readiness concepts to be covered: letters of the alphabet, letter sounds, vocabulary, writing, finger dexterity, following directions, numbers and counting, sorting, and patterns. Listen, Learn, and Create Wednesdays, 4:30 p.m. Miss Colleen shares interesting and fun stories, games, and activities. This program is recommended for kids in Kindergarten through fourth grade, but all are welcome! Teen Zoom Programs Wednesdays, 6 p.m. Miss Colleen leads teens in a game, activity, or craft. These programs are for kids in fifth grade and up.

Library StoryWalks at Boyce Mayview Park

Take Home Activities for Kids

This past fall, the library and Township’s Department of Recreation and Leisure Services teamed up to offer two StoryWalks at Boyce Mayview Park.

Little Kids Learn During the school year, the library staff puts together a weekly packet of worksheets and activities for preschoolers. Materials cover pre-reading skills, numbers and math, science, movement, and crafts. The packets are available on the bulletin board in the library’s lobby during library hours.

Spring 2021

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Tri-Community South EMS Year in Review As might be expected, the COVID-19 pandemic made 2020 a year unlike any other in Tri-Community South EMS (TCS) history. EMS call volume decreased by a larger percentage (10.8%) than in any prior year. While call volume was down, the average call severity was up, as people waited longer to call for help, until they were seriously ill. While the system saw few COVID-19 patients during the first nine months of the pandemic, this past December, such calls were a routine occurrence. Call volume in December exceeded that of any other month of the year, and December was the only month that saw TCS respond to more calls than it did in the corresponding month in 2019. TCS ended the year 2020 with a total of 6528 EMS responses, a decrease of 795 calls from 2019. Non-emergency transport calls decreased from 12 calls in 2019 to just three in 2020. In 2020, about 76% of all responses resulted in the transportation of a patient, and 75% of all transports were to either St. Clair Memorial Hospital or Jefferson Regional Medical Center. These are consistent with percentages from past years. TCS employees and volunteers provided stand-by medical coverage to just 73 school district and community gatherings in 2020, fewer than in any year since 1978, as school district athletic events were postponed and then canceled. CPR classes were canceled through most of the year, with the American Heart Association extending renewal dates until the pandemic abates. The system’s six ambulances traveled a combined total of 103,033 miles during the year. This is a decrease of 7524 miles from 2019. No ambulances were replaced in 2020, and by the end of the year, the total fleet mileage for the ambulances was 435,429. Three ambulances are due for replacement in 2021, as they will be reaching the 100,000-mile mark soon. The 13-yearold response vehicle, with 55,037 miles on the odometer at the

end of 2020, is also due for replacement soon. TCS’s full-time staff decreased again in 2020, to a staff complement of the director, four full-time supervisors, 14 full-time field employees, nine parttime or casual pool field employees, and two part-time office staff. The staff remains experienced, and the average full-time employee has 18 years of service with the system. This highlights one of the most significant challenges for TCS, and for EMS in general. This is the smallest staff ever in the system’s history, at a time when a global pandemic threatens to overwhelm system capabilities. While the staff is experienced and capable, it is no longer young, and replacements are very hard to find, as very few young people seem interested in a career in EMS. TCS remains a field training site for the Center for Emergency Medicine, and in 2020, the system director and some TCS employees attended classes that will allow the system to host EMT classes. The system’s major focus in 2020 was, of course, pandemic preparedness. Beginning in late March, TCS was scouring all available sources for personal protective equipment (PPE) for its staff, and instituted a rigorous cleaning and disinfecting procedure for its vehicles and equipment. EMS Week Activities in May were canceled. The EMS bases were closed to visitors. Under current guidelines, all staff members must have their temperatures checked at the beginning of each work shift and must be masked at all times while on duty. A higher level of protection, with N-95 masks, gloves, and eye protection, is required during all patient contacts, with gowns and face shields required for contact with known or suspected COVID-19 patients. The public efforts to “flatten the curve” proved successful, and by the time the number of infected patients increased late in the year, sufficient, though certainly not ample, PPE supplies were in

Spring Cleaning Tips From USC VFD Spring forward for fire safety by considering the following helpful hints. Smoke detectors Change your smoke detector batteries when you change your clocks. Daylight Saving Time, which this year is March 14, means setting the clocks forward. Use this chance to consider fire safety,

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Spring 2021

as well. It’s important to have smoke detectors installed throughout your house, but it’s not enough to simply install them and then forget about them. Twice a year, it’s critical that you test your smoke detectors and replace their batteries if the detector doesn’t have a ten-year sealed battery. An easy way to tackle this task is to change your smoke detector batteries as you go through your house to change your clocks. At the same time, it can be helpful to dust or vacuum the detectors to keep them free of debris that can interfere with their operation. Establishing this habit twice a year could save the lives of you and your loved ones. More than half of house fire deaths result from fires in the homes with no smoke alarms. Most smoke detector failures are attributed to a lack of annual battery replacement. Should you neglect to change your smoke detector’s batteries, the device may make a chirping sound to alert you that the battery is running low. One should not rely solely on that warning noise. It is always better to proactively change the battery every six months. Once your smoke detectors have been cleaned and their batteries checked for replacement, ensure that everyone in your household is familiar with the sound the smoke alarm emits and knows how to react immediately.

stock. In late December, the first vaccines for EMS providers were available, and in partnership with St. Clair Hospital, TCS employees were eligible to get the first doses of the vaccine. In October, TCS submitted its application for renewal of accreditation by the Commission for the Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS). TCS first was awarded accreditation by CAAS in April 2006 and became the first EMS system in Allegheny County (fourth in Pennsylvania, 100th in North America) to be awarded this prestigious accreditation. The renewal cycle for the accreditation is three years, so TCS is again due for renewal in April 2021. For 2020, despite the drop in revenue from the decreased call volume and the increased expenses caused by the need to handle the pandemic, the system was again fully self-supporting, with its income coming from the annual subscription drive, user fees, and third-party reimbursements, with some equipment purchases supported by the state’s EMSOF program and other grants. No municipal tax monies were used to support the system. n For more information on Tri-Community South, or for any other questions on emergency medical services, call Tri-Community South at 412-831-3710, Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., or visit http://www.tcsems.org.

Excellent Care for Excellent Families WHS ranks among the top 10% of Hospitals for Labor and Delivery in 2020!

For more information visit whs.org

Fire hazards In addition to replacing smoke detector batteries, spring is a good time to rid your home of fire hazards that exist in the form of grease, grime, and dust that build up on appliance cords and in hidden corners of the house. Below are some ways to consider fire safety while doing your spring cleaning this year. • Small appliances. Home appliances should be cleared of dust and grime that has collected on the units, as well as on their electrical cords. Grease should be removed from the outside of kitchen appliances with a slightly dampened rag. The grease pan underneath the toaster oven should be cleaned. • Large appliances. The area underneath and behind your washer and dryer units should be cleared of dust and stray materials, and the dryer vent should also be cleaned. Refrigerators present the extra job of cleaning the condenser coils on the back. The coils collect dust and grime and need to be wiped clean or vacuumed to keep the condenser functioning properly. If you have a self-defrosting unit remember to empty and clean the tray at the bottom of the unit. • Electrical cords. Check the cords of your washer and dryer units, television, stereo system, computer, and all other small appliances, including the coffee pot, microwave, and toaster oven. The cords should not be frayed, split, or bare and should be unplugged and wiped clean with a dry cloth. Any frayed, split, or bare electrical cords that you find while cleaning should be repaired or replaced to avoid the danger

of electrical fires. Systems, including stereos, computers, and televisions, which have multiple electrical cords, should be connected through a power strip with a circuit breaker protection to avoid overloading a single electric outlet. Make sure that cords are placed at least two to three inches away from the wall and are not run underneath rugs. Extensions cords should never be used as permanent wiring. • Dryers. The leading cause of fires from home clothes dryers is a failure to clean them. As tempting as it may be to think, “It’s fine until next time,” as you’re throwing in a load of towels, go ahead and scrape that lint out. Also, make sure to check the drum for extra lint or any items that may have fallen out of pockets and keep the area around the dryer free from anything flammable, including cardboard boxes and cleaning products. • Grills. Nothing says spring and summer quite like grilling out. We couldn’t agree more! But let’s not forget that grilling inherently involves fire, so there are a few things to keep in mind. Before you turn the grill on, check the propane tank, hose, and all connection points to make sure they’re not prone to any leaks. Once the grill is on, turn off the tank and burners immediately if you smell gas. If you’re using a charcoal grill, make sure you’re using charcoal starter fluid, not any other flammable liquid. And, once you’re finished, let the used coals cool completely before dumping them into a metal container. n Spring 2021

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Upper St. Clair Volunteer Fire Department 2020 Year in Review

• 250 calls for service • $626,300 in saved property • More than 4592 hours of combined training • 32 structural incidents • 118 fire alarms • 33 natural gas leaks • Seven rescue calls

• Average manpower per call: 9.3 firefighters • Average response time: seven minutes from dispatch to on-scene • Average time spent on-scene: 25 minutes • Sum of all calls: 115.35 hours • 100% unpaid volunteers for more than 80 years

During October 2020’s Board of Commissioners’ meeting, the Township of Upper St. Clair recognized the USC VFD for its celebration of Fire Prevention Week.

Volunteer Firefighters Wanted! Are you interested in becoming a volunteer firefighter with the Upper St. Clair Volunteer Fire Department? Below is a list of what you can expect when you apply to the USC VFD. Minimum Requirements: • 16 years of age for junior firefighter • 18 years of age for active firefighter • Work permit (for those under 18) • Valid Pennsylvania driver’s license (for those 18 and older) • Successfully pass a background check, including child clearances • Pass a physical agility test • Pass a physical and drug test Training: Once you become a member of the USC VFD, you will join a prestigious organization dedicated to the protection of life and property in the Township of Upper St. Clair. You are provided with all the training, equipment, and uniforms you will need. During your probationary period, which is up to two years, you will attend the fire academy, which is split into five different class sessions for a total of up to 198 hours. Upon completion of the academy, you will then test for your Firefighter 1 National Pro-Board certification. Equipment: You will be issued bunker gear, a uniform, a pager, and your own locker once you become a member. Benefits: Let’s be honest, being a firefighter is inherently a dangerous profession, so we provide you with disability, accident, and workers compensation insurance to assist you should you become injured in the line of duty. 38

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Also offered to each eligible member is a Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP), which is similar to a retirement program, but is designed to retain and reward volunteer firefighters for their service to the community. Additionally, you get an opportunity to learn, serve your community, build more than just friendships, and realize a sense of pride and accomplishment. Also, Allegheny County offers a program called FireVEST which can offer you free or reduced college tuition at CCAC. (Read about it here: https://www.ccac. edu/academics/firevest.php.) What we need from you: In addition to your initial fire academy classes and your Firefighter 1 certification, you will be required to make 20% of all fire calls annually, attend 32 hours of annual fire school training, and attend Wednesday night trainings, 7:30–9:30 p.m. We need your effort, your dedication, and, most of all, your determination. What to expect after you apply: After you apply to the USC VFD, you will have a panel interview scheduled with the USC VFD fire chief, board of directors, and the membership committee chairman. Upon completion of your interview, you will be scheduled for your physical, drug test, and physical agility test. Your background check will be completed. Once those steps are successfully completed and passed, you will be voted into membership by the department at its next regularly scheduled business meeting. n If you’re ready to become a volunteer with the USC VFD, visit the “Recruitment” section on the department’s website at https://www.uscvfd.com and fill out the recruit intake questionnaire. Email the completed form to membership@uscvfd.org. We will then be in touch with you. We look forward to hearing from you!

Doing Good for and in Our Community Actively seeking new members, the Youth Steering Committee (YSC) of Upper St. Clair is an organization committed to educating and empowering the community to address critical issues facing our youth. Members appointed by the Township of Upper St. Clair Board of Commissioners and the Board of School Directors, including adult residents, high school students, parents, board representatives, and District and Township liaisons comprise the group. Its collective mission is to provide positive direction and support to our community’s youth and families. The YSC was founded in the 1980s after a tragic and fatal car accident that involved USC high school students. Our community responded by forming an action group, now called the YSC, to collaboratively address issues that include, among others, drinking and driving, alcohol and drug abuse, the opioid epidemic, anxiety, sibling rivalry, and depression. The YSC meets monthly and frequently hosts open meetings with useful programming and fun. The YSC also hosts Youth Blast events in the fall and spring of each year for fun and safe dancing, games, and dodgeball.

The program “Coping during the Crisis” held this past fall focused on supporting parents as they help their children deal with the challenges and constant uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. The YSC has also partnered with other organizations in and around the community to provide wider programming. In 2019, a collaboration with the USC Parent Teacher Council Wellness Committee, the Community Foundation of USC, and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church to bring Dr. Michele Borba to present on her book, UnSelfie, was shared with the community through a well-attended presentation. Other collaborations include working hand-in-hand with USC Township and School District police to stay abreast of issues that they are seeing in the community. Sergeant Ventura of the USC Township Police Department shared his thoughts about collaborating with the YSC. “The police department recognizes the importance of building and maintaining positive relationships with the youth of our community and their families,” he said. “The YSC continues to provide our department with an ideal opportunity to enhance those relationships through direct cooperation with leaders in our community, the school district, and the student body.” The YSC meets on the second Wednesday of every month from September to June. Meetings are typically held in the Community and Recreation Center (C&RC) at Boyce Mayview Park, but currently are facilitated virtually. The March 10 meeting will host the group Share the Keys to present on the risks of distracted driving. n

Consider joining this community collaborative. Email youthsteeringcommittee@uscsd.k12.pa.us with any questions you might have. PennDOT’s project to construct a roundabout at the intersection of McLaughlin Run, Lesnett, and McMillan roads is underway. Underground utility upgrades have concluded. Soon, PennDOT contractors will implement temporary traffic signals so existing signals can be removed and realignment work can begin. During 2021, PennDOT plans to install new underground stormwater and sanitary facilities and replace the Lesnett Road bridge. The entrance to the U.S. post office will remain open throughout the project. There will be times when the Lesnett Road entrance to Pinebridge Commons will be closed; however, the Pinebridge Commons entrance on McLaughlin Run Road will remain open at all times. The roundabout project is scheduled to fully conclude in September 2022, with one hiatus planned early October 2021 through end of January 2022. n

USC’s Roundabout

Patrolman Majcher Retires

Patrolman Dean Majcher retired from the USC Police Department this past January. Dean began his career as an animal control officer before being hired as a dispatcher for the department in 1989. He tested to become a patrolman and was promoted to that rank in 1995. Since then, Dean has been serving the residents of Upper St. Clair and responding to emergency calls. His way with animals often showed through when he assisted residents with wildlife problems. Over the years, he’s rescued injured birds, including one lucky hawk, along with rescuing numerous animals from swimming pools. If Dean was on duty and there was a call involving an animal, he was the department’s “go-to” guy. Dean’s retirement plans include traveling out west to visit his son, with the hopes of moving there. Congratulations, Dean, and enjoy your retirement! n

Spring 2021

Dean Majcher

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

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Home Improvement COVID Pandemic Effects on Home Remodeling

Lynn Dempsey, Realtor® There has been a noticeable increase in expenditures for home improvement projects, as many people are now working from home since the onset of COVID-19 last spring. With the effects of the pandemic continuing to surge, academic institutions are having their students attend classes remotely and many businesses are requiring their employees work from home. The Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA), which provides a short-term outlook of national home improvement and repair spending to owner-occupied homes, states that certain projects have taken a leading role in home remodeling, including reconfiguring indoor and outdoor spaces for work, school, play, and exercise, and overall space in general. The biggest home improvement projects underway are: 1. Upgrades in the kitchen—whether small projects, new appliances, or a completely new kitchen—to better utilize the space with functional storage solutions. 2. Outdoor living and entertaining space, possibly adding a deck or an enclosed three-season room. 3. Replacing old windows with new ones to allow more natural light to enter your home and improve energy efficiency. 4. Updating bathrooms, with freestanding showers and upgrading the drains. 5. Painting to add a “statement” wall of color, with a rich saturated hue from jewel tones to earth tones. 6. Adding a home office for a separate dedicated space to conduct business while working from home. 7. Adding home gyms and fitness equipment to a designated area for workouts in your personal space. Considering a new home project? Talk to an expert in the real estate market about the latest trends that will work best for you and also increase your home’s value for a future sale. n See ad for Lynn Dempsey, Realtor , Coldwell Banker Real Estate, on page 42. ®

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Choosing Your Deck Surface— Composite vs. Wood Pat Ridge, Buyer for Brookside Lumber

When you decide to add outdoor living space to your home, research pays off. There are many brands of composite decking you can choose from, and chemically-treated wood decking still remains an option. Price and aesthetics play an important role, as you research your many choices. Treated decking is a great, economical choice, but you’ll need to consider the cost to finish your wood deck and the ongoing maintenance to keep it fresh and beautiful. Treated decking is warranted against rot, but small splits can occur without proper maintenance. This is a natural occurrence with wood, and is not something that is covered under warranty. When choosing a wood deck surface, consider the grade of the decking (standard, premium, or C grade) and the amount of chemicals used in the treatment (above ground use or ground contact use). Ask about “wet” or “dry” treated decking, how they differ, the correct spacing between deck boards, and the recommended fasteners for proper installation. Composite decking has evolved from good to great over the years. Today, warranties* range from 25 to 50 years, depending on the brand. In general terms, composite decking is a combination of wood, mineral fiber, and/or plastic that are joined together in the manufacturing process. The aesthetics continue to improve, offering a wide variety of colors and textures. You can now choose from many competing brands with confidence, 44

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Spring 2021

and with the proper care and maintenance, your deck surface will last for years. A word of caution with any brand of composite: the deck surface can scratch, hold on to moisture, and discolor. Knowing this, always take care when moving furniture, use an area rug if your deck is covered by a roof or awning to further protect it and add appeal, and follow manufacturer recommendations when cleaning your deck. While exciting, choosing your new deck surface can prove to be overwhelming, with the many great options of brands, colors, and textures available. A suggestion to make this process fun is to start with the look you like and price range that fits your budget. All manufacturers offer many color choices that will complement your home. Once you have narrowed your choices, do some research before making your final decision, so that you will enjoy your new deck as soon as it is installed and for many years to come. n *Warranty coverage can differ from brand to brand. Take the time to fully understand the warranty before purchasing. See ad for Brookside Lumber on page 45.

Home Improvement

Spring 2021

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Home Improvement

Outdoor DIY Projects

George Girty, Owner, George Girty Landscape Design On the subject of home improvements I consider myself a fairly capable individual. I am no stranger to hand tools, power tools, paint brushes, ladders, and the like. I even own a fancy leather tool belt (never used). I am quite sure I can muddle through a bathroom renovation, which we desperately need. It would take months, put a tremendous strain on my marriage, and probably end up being sub-par. So, while I think I can tackle most inside home improvements, my wife quickly and correctly reminds me some projects are best left to skilled professionals. But what about landscaping? Landscape and gardening are tremendous home improvement opportunities that can be achieved on a number of levels. Most landscape and home beautification projects can be handled by the homeowner if they have the inclination. Trimming shrubbery, maintaining planting beds, and introducing flowers and plant material with a succession of color and interest can all be tackled fairly easily. Even lawncare and maintenance can be a rewarding pursuit that doesn’t require a degree in turf management. My 90-year-old mother-in-law continues to cut her own grass because she likes to. As a landscape architect, some of the most beautiful gardens and grounds I have ever seen have been the work of individual homeowners.

While I stress that landscape projects should be for everyone’s own enjoyment, the positive impact good landscaping has as a home improvement is undeniable. Realtors will tell you the importance of curb appeal. I have had many clients tell me that it was the landscape that sold the house. So, what are a couple of DIY landscape home improvements that make a genuine difference? Lighting can dramatically enhance any home. LED lighting on a 15-watt transformer is very forgiving and easy with a little reading and a couple YouTube videos. A passable lighting installation is easy to accomplish. Other improvements to tackle are raised vegetable beds and compost bins. If COVID has taught us anything, it is the importance of self-reliance. The “X” factor in all of this is time. There is never enough. At our house, I have an unfinished pond, overgrown planting beds, and raised veggie gardens needing repair. We have bees, chickens, a lawn, and a driveway all needing my attention. I may need to call a professional! n See ad for George Girty Landscape Design on page 47.

What Determines Car Insurance Premiums?

You pay one amount for car insurance, your best friend pays another, and your neighbor pays still another. What gives? Most insurance companies look at a number of key factors to calculate how much you’ll pay for your car insurance. Taking a closer look at certain factors that affect your car insurance premium can clear things up, and some of them also come with bonus suggestions for keeping costs down. • Your policy and deductibles. It’s a given that you’ll choose your car insurance deductible and decide whether to add additional coverage that isn’t necessarily required by state law. The specifics of your policy and deductibles play a major role in your monthly payment. Choosing a higher deductible generally means a lower monthly payment, while choosing a lower deductible generally means a higher one. Any additional coverage typically gives you added insurance protection, depending on the claim, but will also add to your monthly costs. • What you drive. Car insurance providers often develop vehicle safety ratings by collecting data from customer claims and analyzing industry safety reports, and they offer discounts to auto customers who drive safer vehicles. The opposite, though, can apply for dangerous, flashy rides. Some insurers increase premiums for cars more susceptible to damage, occupant injury, or theft and they lower rates for those that fare better than the norm on those measures. Driving vehicles that rate highly in terms of driver and passenger protection mean discounts on insurance. And while two-door Honda Civics are one of the country’s most popular vehicles, their lower-than-average safety ratings and desirability to car thieves make them more expensive to insure. So before you head to the dealership, do some research on the car you want to purchase. Does the vehicle that has caught your eye have strong safety ratings? Is this specific model often stolen? Knowing the answers to a few simple questions can go a long way in understanding your insurance rate quotes.

• How often and how far you drive. People who use their car for business and long-distance commuting normally pay more than those who drive less. The more miles you drive in a year, the higher the chances of a crash. To help offset how much you drive, consider joining a car or van pool, riding your bike, or taking public transportation to work. If you reduce your total annual driving mileage enough, you may lower your premiums. Check with your insurance company about a discount for driving less. • Where you live. Generally, due to higher rates of vandalism, theft, and crashes, urban drivers pay more for car insurance than those in small towns or rural areas. • Your driving record. Drivers who cause crashes generally must pay more than those who’ve been crash-free for several years. Always drive with caution and care. As time goes on, the effect of past crashes on your premiums will decrease. • Your credit history. Where applicable, many insurance companies use credit history to help determine the cost of car insurance. Maintaining good credit may have a positive impact on the cost of your car insurance. • Your age, sex, and marital status. Crash rates are higher for all drivers under age 25, especially single males. Insurance prices in most states reflect these differences. Ways to help lower car insurance premiums • In some states, younger drivers can take driver safety courses, like Steer Clear® by State Farm, that could lower premiums. • Check with your insurance company to see if they offer a telematics program, a program that records the miles you drive and uses that information to help determine your premiums. The less your drive, the more you might save. • Other typical discounts include insuring multiple vehicles, crashfree driving, and student-drivers who maintain good grades. Contact your local agent for a full list of discounts that might be available. n This article was provided by Cindy Brophy, State Farm® agent. See ad on page 47.

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Spring 2021

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Upper St. Clair School District

Board of School Directors

Patrick A. Hewitt President 412-831-0178 2023*

Phillip J. Elias Vice President 412-257-1198 2023*

Amy L. Billerbeck 412-833-2712 2023*

Barbara L. Bolas 412-833-9841 2023*

www.uscsd.k12.pa.us

@USCSchools

To reach personnel, call 412-833-1600, and follow the automated directions.

Administrator

Secretary/Email Address

Extension

Dr. John Rozzo...........................................................Sarah MacDonald.................................... 2218 Superintendent of Schools smacdonald@uscsd.k12.pa.us Dr. Sharon Suritsky...................................................Mary Beth Harkleroad............................. 2214 Assistant/Deputy Superintendent mharkleroad@uscsd.k12.pa.us Amy Pfender...............................................................Mary Beth Harkleroad............................. 2214 Assistant to the Superintendent mharkleroad@uscsd.k12.pa.us Dr. Lou Angelo ..........................................................langelo@uscsd.k12.pa.us........................... 2272 Director of Operations & Facilities Ray Berrott.................................................................rberrott@uscsd.k12.pa.us.......................... 2059 Director of Technology Sean Bryson ...............................................................sbryson@uscsd.k12.pa.us.......................... 2560 Chief of School Police Dr. Judy Bulazo .........................................................Mary Beth Harkleroad............................. 2214 Director of Curriculum and Professional Development mharkleroad@uscsd.k12.pa.us Scott Burchill ............................................................Dawn Machi ............................................ 2220 Director of Business and Finance dmachi@uscsd.k12.pa.us Ray Carson, Jr............................................................Sarah MacDonald.................................... 2218 Senior Director of Operations & Administrative Services smacdonald@uscsd.k12.pa.us Cassandra Doggrell ..................................................Julie Karabinos......................................... 2116 Director of Special Education jkarabinos@uscsd.k12.pa.us Lauren Madia ..............................................................Terri Lott .................................................. 2283 Director of Pupil Services tlott@uscsd.k12.pa.us Jonn Mansfield ............................................................jmansfield@uscsd.k12.pa.us ..................... 3450 Director of Transportation Tina Vojtko ................................................................tvojtko@uscsd.k12.pa.us........................... 2215 Communications Specialist Bradley Wilson ..........................................................bwilson@uscsd.k12.pa.us.......................... 3318 Director of Strategic Initiatives

School District Central Office Administration Jennifer L. Bowen 412-660-5846 2021*

Louis P. Mafrice, Jr. 412-851-0622 2021*

Jennifer A. Schnore 412-833-4141 2021*

Dr. Daphna Gans 412-851-18250 2021*

Dr. Sharon Suritsky Assistant/Deputy Superintendent

Dr. Lou Angelo Director of Operations & Facilities

Ray Berrott Director of Technology

Amy Pfender Assistant to the Superintendent

Scott Burchill Director of Business and Finance

Ray Carson, Jr. Senior Director of Operations & Administrative Services

Angela B. Petersen 412-833-4873 2023* The 2021 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 meeting is scheduled for July.

Upper St. Clair School District Annual Notices

The required annual notices to parents of children who reside in the Upper St. Clair School District are available online. Visit the District website at www.uscsd.k12.pa.us. Click on Information and then select Compliance Notifications to view required state and federal notices and information. www.uscsd.k12.pa.us UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Dr. Judy Bulazo Cassandra Doggrell Director of Curriculum and Director of Student Professional Development Support Services

School District Building Administration

*Date indicates expiration of term.

Dr. John Rozzo Superintendent of Schools

Bradley Wilson Director of Strategic Initiatives

Dr. Timothy Wagner .............................. High School Principal Dr. Daniel Beck ...................................... High School Assistant Principal Dan Zelenski ........................................... 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. Christine Mussomeli ....................... Boyce Middle School Assistant Principal Dr. Patrick McClintock-Comeaux ........... Baker Elementary School Principal Mark Miller ............................................. Eisenhower Elementary School Principal/ Supervisor of Elementary Education Lindsay Klousnitzer................................ Streams Elementary School Principal

Spring 2021

Upper St. Clair School District Annual Report: 2020

Dr. John T. Rozzo

Superintendent of Schools To say that 2020 was unprecedented is a vast understatement. Individually and collectively, we were challenged in ways we had never anticipated. The effects of the pandemic have been felt physically, financially and emotionally. In response, our Upper St. Clair community responded as it most often does...with kindness, compassion, and a helping hand. Throughout these trying times, our staff, our community and our students continued to find opportunities to help others. Students organized a free food delivery service for those with compromised immune systems and first responders. School police officers delivered technology devices to students’ homes so that learning and connection to school could continue. Our food service workers and volunteers distributed 121,324 meals via curbside pick-up. And, our teachers and administrators completely altered instructional delivery to ensure continuity of education for our nearly 4,100 students. Countless staff members throughout the District have done extraordinary work during this pandemic. As a “people business,” we have re-imagined nearly every aspect of our operations to ensure that our students, staff and families remain safe and healthy. From parent meetings to graduation, we have leveraged technology to continue to provide our students and families with the Upper St. Clair experience and, most importantly, to keep moving forward. While 2020 was far from ideal, I am incredibly proud of our students and their families, our staff and school board members, and our community. Upper St. Clair is resilient and I am confident our best days as a district are still ahead of us. Thank you for your continued support. Sincerely yours,

John T. Rozzo, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools

Sustaining Excellence Sustaining Excellence through a Pandemic While an organization can never be fully prepared for a pandemic of this magnitude, having essential skills, highly qualified staff and administration, and a culture of excellence enabled previously unthinkable challenges to be met. Throughout 2020, discussions and decisions remained focused on our primary goal of delivering an Upper St. Clair School District quality educational experience to all USC families, in-school and at home, in a way that minimizes exposure and disruption to the greatest extent possible. This included: • Safe schools for students and staff • Choice for families • High-quality education (in-school or remote) with opportunity to transition seamlessly • Emphasis on social-emotional well-being The following discusses some of our greatest challenges of 2020 in the areas of Academics, Wellness and Operations.

ACADEMICS: Ensuring Continuity of Education Strategically investing BEFORE the pandemic Education empowers individuals to not only build better lives, but also to build stronger communities. As such, ensuring that children continued to learn and grow was a priority throughout 2020. Investments in instructional technology throughout the last several years — including 1:1 devices and the Canvas learning management system — enabled students and teachers to successfully transition between in-person and full remote learning, as needed. This year, the 1:1 initiative expanded to include grades K-4 and the transition to Canvas was extended to our elementary schools — providing a seamless and consistent learning experience for students, families and educators, K-12. Providing Families Choice & Flexibility Throughout the 2020-21 school year, students and their families were provided the choice of a hybrid (a combination of in-person and remote learning) or a full remote instructional model. The District remained committed to increasing in-person opportunities as conditions permitted. Key to our success is that all students learn the USC curriculum from USC teachers while remaining connected to their classmates. K-12 teachers worked tirelessly to maintain identical curriculum objectives and pacing between their students who were learning at-home and in-person. This enabled students to transition between instructional models as needs and circumstances warranted.

Upper St. Clair School District

• Annual Report: 2020

Sustaining Excellence OPERATIONS: Maintaining a safe & healthy environment for teaching & learning Implementing effective mitigation strategies

WELLNESS: Supporting students, families and staff members Maintaining physical, mental and social-emotional health services The primary goal of schools is to educate children to the greatest extent possible. In order to accomplish this, student wellness must be prioritized. Our Student Support Services team re-imagined service delivery to continue to support students and their families. Counselors developed lessons for students on healthy practices during a pandemic. Our student assistance teams collaborated with our UPMC socialemotional wellness consultants to provide additional support and services to students and families experiencing unique challenges. And, staff and volunteers distributed more than 120,000 meals to families via curbside pick-up. All schools continued to promote a positive school climate for all students learning in-school and at home through the No Place for Hate initiative, theme days and other creative engagement activities. School clubs continued to meet online to encourage and support connectedness. And, school and community athletic programs helped meet the social/ emotional needs of students. Following the data & collaborating with experts District administrators remained committed to making decisions based on data. The data have clearly and consistently demonstrated that schools were not sources of virus transmission due to extensive mitigation efforts (outlined under Operations). Our school nurses and Health & Safety Team leaders worked closely and collaboratively with experts from the Allegheny County Health Department’s K-12 school team, which includes epidemiologists, physician consultants and contact tracers. Teachers maintained online seating charts to enable school nurses to complete contact tracing anytime/anywhere. In addition to initial contact tracing, school nurses continued to provide ongoing case monitoring to ensure the health and safety of students and staff. Through the District’s diligence in implementing its Health & Safety Plan, in-school transmission and classroom/school closures were minimal.

Despite the rise in cases regionally and nationally, schools are a safe environment for students and staff. Within our schools, we continue to implement a variety of strategies that mitigate virus spread including: face-coverings; frequent cleaning/disinfecting; promoting good hygiene practices; strategic movement within buildings and buses; the addition of sanitizing systems at entrances, on buses and throughout buildings; installation of physical barriers; desk shields for all student desks; added signage to encourage social distancing and frequent hand-washing; ventilation systems that exceed industry standards; social distancing to the greatest extent possible with at least six feet in areas where students may be eating; and more. As a result of these efforts, virus transmission in schools has been rare. Maintaining staffing levels Upper St. Clair School District, like other school entities, faced a challenge previously not seen in maintaining a full and qualified workforce. Through collaborative and creative measures that leverage technology we have been able to find suitable, qualified candidates to serve in open roles. Success in this area can be measured by continued learning with skilled professionals and buildings that are able to stay open. Both targets were met in 2020. Through the hiring and training of new Annual Weekly Substitute (AWS) teachers, schools had immediate access to qualified teachers, familiar with the students and school who could seamlessly enter classrooms during teacher absences. Creative use of our Extended Teacher Certification (ETC) program has also enabled the District to bolster our substitute teacher corps with community members who were not initially trained as educators, but have received special training through the District in collaboration with the Allegheny Intermediate Unit.

Strategic Planning: Upper St. Clair School District will resume its Strategic Planning efforts this spring. Areas of focus include Academics, Wellness, Operations, and more. Community members are encouraged to participate in this important process to help ensure meaningful and future-focused goals for our District. For information, visit the District’s website — uscsd.org/strategicplan — or contact Brad Wilson, director of strategic initiatives, at bwilson@uscsd.k12.pa.us.

Upper St. Clair School District

• Annual Report: 2020

2020-21 Goals

Strategic Planning Develop a new five-year strategic plan for the Upper St. Clair School District for 2021-2026. Focus areas will include: Wellness, Operations, Academics and Culture (expansion of No Place for Hate), and include School Board input via the Sustaining Excellence Committee (SEC). • Engage with the SEC of the Board. • Review, develop and implement the District’s mission, vision and values (shared beliefs), including any updates or revisions. • Create a new five-year strategic plan that is driven by the District’s mission, vision and values with a development process that is inclusive of all District stakeholders. • Develop tracking/management processes to achieve the new strategic plan. Pandemic Leadership/ Management Deliver an Upper St. Clair School District quality educational experience to all USC families, in-school and at-home, in a way that minimizes exposure and disruption to the greatest extent possible.

Upper St. Clair School District

• Create a communication plan and tracking for COVID cases by successfully implementing a District dashboard that provides essential ongoing information to the public. • Implement the approved reopening plan (Phase II and III) as conditions permit. • Maintain four key areas of pandemic planning: safe schools for students and staff, choice for families, high-quality education (in-school and remote) with opportunity to transition seamlessly, and emphasis on socialemotional well-being.

Academics Maintain and expand upon the highest levels of educational excellence, curriculum development, and teaching methodologies. • Maintain the highest levels of performance as measured by PSSA, Keystone, SAT and ACT scores by performing in the top 3% regionally and statewide. • Serve as the instructional leader for the District by providing the Board with periodic updates and recommendations on educational trends/research. • Analyze existing educational programs, resources and practices and identify areas for improvement or enhancement. • Expand district-wide remote learning capabilities. • Measure, identify and develop solutions for pandemic educational gaps for core academic areas. Financial Management Establish a financial budget not to exceed the current index of 3% by creating excellence in financial

• Annual Report: 2020

planning, forecasting, budgeting, financial reporting, compliance and controls. • Responsibly manage financial costs related to COVID-19 via providing updated documentation to the School Board, appropriate use of fund balance for onetime expenses, and continue the solicitation of available grants and other funds to support the pandemic-related expenses. • Re-design and lead a budget process that encompasses longterm forecasting of key budget influencers, prioritization of needs, greater focus and management processes, including the identification of additional revenue sources. • Enhance financial communication and transparency between the Business Office and Central Office Administration.

District Operations Review, revise and/or develop policies and procedures that provide the foundation for operational excellence. • Create an advancement strategy that directly aligns with the strategic plan. • Automate and review software systems for Human Resources and Finance to enhance communication, gain efficiencies and achieve cost-savings. • Complete the review and implementation of all policies with the Pennsylvania School Boards Association and implement a sustainable review process. • Complete District emergency planning, including digital communication work and evacuation plans.

2020-21 Budget Sustaining Excellence... The 2020-21 Upper St. Clair School District budget totals $87,799,219, which included a 1.97% millage increase of 0.5197 mills – resulting in a final tax rate of 26.8972 mills. Throughout the budgeting process, the administrative team and school board embraced the theme, “Sustaining Excellence” as they navigated challenges that included rising fixed costs, substantial revenue losses and continued uncertainty due to COVID-19. Budget priorities include maintaining quality education for students; balancing the needs of the School District while recognizing the fiduciary responsibilities to the community; and remaining cognizant

of the interdependence of all aspects that directly and indirectly affect students’ school experience. The budget includes staff reductions across various employee groups totaling 10.5 positions. Substantial cuts – totaling more than $800,000 – were made to the professional development, technology, operations and supplies budgets. In addition, all District administrators voluntarily agreed to a pay freeze.

With a 1.97 percent millage increase, Upper St. Clair fell well below the maximum 2.6 percent inflationary index established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. “This budget was passed without compromising the future financial stability of the District,” Dr. Rozzo said. “The 2019-20 and 2020-21 budgets yielded the two lowest tax increases in over a decade, while at the same time Upper St. Clair has been recognized as the top performing district by the Pittsburgh Business Times.”

“These difficult decisions resulted in an expenditure reduction of $1.7 million and enabled us to deliver a final budget that safeguards our educational programs,” Dr. John Rozzo, superintendent of schools, said.

Declining Revenue — Reducing Costs REVENUE: $87,545,861 Federal 0.44% Local 78.8%

In addition to preserving the District’s educational programs, the 2020-21 budget expanded technology access for students. In the fall of 2020, all USC students K-12 were issued a District device to further support educational continuity.

State 20.7%

EXPENDITURES: $87,779,219 Books & Supplies 4.92% Other Purchased Services 4.61%

Equipment 0.14%

Dues/Interest Expense/Reserve 5.84% Principal Payments 5.71%

Purchased Services 1.81% Contracted Services 3.41%

Benefits 28.07%

Salaries 45.49%

• Projected revenue losses attributed to the pandemic total $1,140,000 with the potential for more.

• All district administrators agreed to a voluntary pay freeze.

• State revenue increased by only $54,400 over the previous year.

• More than $700,000 in reductions to professional development, technology, operations and supplies.

• Federal revenue dropped by nearly $1.5 million over the last two years.

• 95% of expenditures still paid during the spring closure (legal & contractual obligations, debt service, capital leases & utilities).

• Staffing reductions included 7 current positions and 4 proposed positions - impacting operations, teaching and administration.

• $380,000 from Fund Balance will be used for onetime expenses.

Upper St. Clair School District

• Annual Report: 2020

Achievement Highlights

pass rate. AP tests are scored 1-5; students must earn a 3 or higher to pass and possibly qualify for college credit.

Our Students • In total, 36 Upper St. Clair seniors earned recognition in the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program, including 11 Semifinalists (scoring in the top one percent) and 26 Commended students. Students enter the National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the PSAT during the fall of their junior year. 2021 Finalists and scholarship winners will be announced this spring.

• 172 new members were inducted into the Upper St. Clair High School chapter of the National Honor Society in June 2020.

• 114 Upper St. Clair High School students earned the designation of AP Scholar – including 14 National AP Scholars and one AP International Diploma. These students earned recognition for their exceptional achievement in the college-level Advanced Placement Program in 2020.

• The Class of 2020 included 17 International Baccalaureate Diploma Candidates. Students can earn college credit or advanced standing based on the individual scores for each of their IB courses.

• In May 2020, 386 Upper St. Clair students completed 733 AP exams in 22 subjects – earning an 85 percent

2020 SAT averages

700

600

In 2019, USCHS had the top composite score (reading+math) in the region. (2020 SAT data for all Pa. schools had not been released at the time of publication.) 617

608

400

300

200

Pennsylvania

500

Upper St. Clair High School

543

528

534 523

National

800

Evidence-based Reading & Writing

Upper St. Clair School District

Math

• Seven Upper St. Clair High School students were inducted into the National Technical Honor Society. The students are enrolled in programs at Parkway West Career & Technology Center.

exchange program between the United States and Germany. The School of Distinction program recognizes GAPP schools in the United States for their outstanding engagement and best practices that facilitate youth exchanges in their school, community and beyond. • Upper St. Clair High School’s therapeutic emotional support program was named a first-place award winner in the 25th annual Magna Awards, sponsored by the National School Boards Association’s flagship magazine, American School Board Journal.

Our Staff

Our District & Schools • Each of Upper St. Clair’s six schools earned the designation as a “No Place for Hate” school from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). No Place for Hate helps incorporate anti-bias and bullying prevention resources into the District’s existing programs in order to have one consistent message of inclusivity. • For the fifth consecutive year, Upper St. Clair was named among the nation’s Best Communities for Music Education by the NAMM Foundation. • Upper St. Clair High School ranks among the top 3% of high schools in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report. The newspaper released its list of 2020 Best High Schools in April 2020. • Upper St. Clair High School was selected as a German American Partnership Program School of Distinction for its long-term youth

• Annual Report: 2020

• Warren Sickles, a custodian and the District’s longest serving employee, retired in May 2020 after 42 years of service. • Assistant to the Superintendent Amy Pfender is a finalist for the Women in School Leadership Award, a program of AASA, The School Superintendents Association. In March, she received the Emerging Woman in Education Award from the Tri-State Area School Study Council. • Assistant/Deputy Superintendent Dr. Sharon Suritsky was honored with the Alumni Excellence Award from the Penn State University College of Education. continued on next page

Achievement No. 1 in region, No. 2 in Pa. For the second year in a row, the Upper St. Clair School District ranks No. 1 in the annual rankings of regional school districts published by the Pittsburgh Business Times. Released in May 2020, the 2020 Guide to Southwestern Pennsylvania Schools analyzes school performance data for 102 school districts throughout the sevencounty region. The rankings are based on PSSA and Keystone Exam scores – three years of data are used, with the current year (2019) given the most weight. In addition to its top spot in the regional rankings, Upper St. Clair ascended to No. 2 among Pennsylvania’s 500 school districts. Upper St. Clair was 10th in 2017; climbed to fifth in 2018; and landed at No. 3 in 2019. The top ranked district in Pennsylvania is Unionville-Chadds Ford School District, located in Chester County. “Upper St. Clair has a long tradition of excellence,” Dr. John Rozzo, superintendent of schools, said. “This tradition is the result of a community that values and supports its public school district at every level. The success of the School District is a direct reflection of the commitment of our school board, administrators, teachers, staff and, especially, our students and their families.” The Pittsburgh Business Times released its first school rankings in 2005. Upper St. Clair debuted at number two in the region before spending eight consecutive years, from 2006-2013, in the number one spot. From 2014-2018, Upper St. Clair ranked within the top five each year before regaining the top spot in 2019. • Fort Couch Middle School Principal Joe DeMar was named a Champion of Learning Award winner in the leadership category. Cathryn Rodgers, Eisenhower Elementary second-grade teacher, was one of three K-6 Finalists. • Dr. Dan Beck, Upper St. Clair High School assistant principal, was named the 2020 Pennsylvania

Association of Student Councils Principal of the Year. • Jennifer Kirk, Upper St. Clair High School counselor and curriculum leader, was elected as the 66th president of the Pennsylvania School Counselors Association. • Upper St. Clair High School Student Council Sponsor Brooke

Honor Roll Rank Pittsburgh Region 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Upper St. Clair SD Fox Chapel Area SD Mt. Lebanon SD Peters Township SD Hampton Township SD South Fayette Township SD North Allegheny SD Pine-Richland SD Franklin Regional SD Quaker Valley SD

Honor Roll Rank Pa. Public School Districts 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Unionville-Chadds Ford SD Upper St. Clair SD Radnor Township SD Mt. Lebanon SD Fox Chapel Area SD Peters Township SD Tredyffrin-Easttown SD Hampton Township SD South Fayette SD Lower Merion SD

Tarcson was named Pennsylvania Association of Student Council’s Region B High School Advisor of the Year. • Dr. Christine Mussomeli, Boyce Middle School assistant principal, was elected president for the West Region of the Pennsylvania Association for Middle Level Educators.

Upper St. Clair School District

• Annual Report: 2020

Class of 2020 Where are they now? The University of Akron The University of Alabama Allegheny College American University Arizona State University-Tempe The University of Arizona Auburn University Beacon College Bella Capelli Academy Boston College Boston University Bradley University Bucknell University Butler University Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo California University of Pennsylvania University of California-Davis Canisius College Capital University Carlow University Carnegie Mellon University Case Western Reserve University Chatham University Clarion University of Pennsylvania Clemson University Cleveland Institute of Art Cleveland State University Coastal Carolina University University of Colorado Boulder Colorado School of Mines Community College of Allegheny County Cornell University University of Dayton University of Delaware

Dickinson College Drexel University Duquesne University Edinboro University of Pennsylvania Elon University Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Florida Southern College University of Florida Fordham University Full Sail University Gannon University Gardner-Webb University George Washington University Georgetown University Georgia Institute of Technology University of Georgia Grove City College High Point University Hocking College Indiana University-Bloomington Indiana University of Pennsylvania Ithaca College John Carroll University Johns Hopkins University Kent State University University of Kentucky Kenyon College Lewis University Liberty University Mercyhurst University Miami University-Oxford University of Miami Michigan State University University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

UPPER ST.District CLAIR• TODAY Upper56 St. Clair School Annual Spring Report:2021 2020

University of Mississippi University of New Hampshire Northwestern University University of Notre Dame Nova Southeastern University Ohio University The Ohio State University Pace University Parkway West Vocational Tech. School Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie-The Behrend College University of Pittsburgh University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown Pittsburgh Technical College Queens University of Charlotte Radford University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Robert Morris University Rochester Institute of Technology Saint Louis University Saint Mary’s College Sarah Lawrence College Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Southern Illinois University, Carbondale Syracuse University The University of Tampa Temple University Tufts University University of Amsterdam University of Cambridge UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing Utah State University Vanderbilt University Vet Tech Institute Virginia Tech University of Virginia Wagner College Washington & Jefferson College Washington and Lee University Waynesburg University West Liberty University West Virginia University The College of William and Mary University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh The College of Wooster

District Awarded Safety Grant

Near the end of 2020 , Upper St. Clair School District was awarded a $17,307 equipment grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s (PDE) Office for Safe Schools. Through the grant, the District’s more than 70 exterior door locks will be replaced. Rather than distributing keys, building access for employees will be managed by using access cards/ employee IDs. In addition, the grant will fund the installation of a card reader access control system at the Boyce Middle School field house. In November 2019, officials from the Crime Prevention Center for Training and Services conducted an independent security assessment of all District facilities. Among the recommendations was the need for an improved system for exterior access control. “The card reader access control system is in line with best practices,” said Chief of School Police Sean Bryson. “Access reader cards can be issued, and their usage tracked and terminated in a systematic low-cost-manner after system installation.” The Office for Safe Schools offers four types of safety grants: equipment grants of up to $25,000, program grants of up to $20,000, School Police Officer grants of up to $40,000, and School Resource Officer grants of up to $60,000. According to the PDE, targeted safety grants assist schools in reducing unnecessary student disciplinary actions and promoting an environment of greater productivity, safety, and learning; and enhancing anti-violence efforts between schools and parents, local governments, law enforcement, and community organizations. n

Streams Names Principal

Lindsay Klousnitzer was selected by the Upper St. Clair board of school directors as Streams Elementary principal this past October. Prior to joining the District, Lindsay was an administrator with the Brentwood Borough School District, where she held several positions during her 14-year tenure. She began as an English language arts teacher and ascended through the administrative ranks, holding the positions of assistant middle/high school principal, elementary principal and federal programs coordinator, and director of curriculum, Lindsay Klousnitzer instruction, and professional development. “Lindsay Klousnitzer is a highly regarded educator in the region who will make an excellent addition to the Upper St. Clair School District,” said Dr. John Rozzo, superintendent of schools. “Throughout the past year, she completed an internship in Upper St. Clair, giving us a first-hand view of her skills, knowledge, and character.” A doctoral candidate at the University of Pittsburgh, Lindsay will complete her degree in school leadership this spring. She earned her master’s degree and administrative certifications from the University of Pittsburgh and her undergraduate degree in English/secondary education from Westminster College. Lindsay spent the first few weeks working alongside Dr. Judy Bulazo, interim Streams principal and director of curriculum and professional development, to ensure a smooth transition. She succeeds Dr. Claire Miller, who served as Streams principal for 16 years before her retirement this past September. Streams Elementary School, which serves more than 450 students in Kindergarten through grade four, is an authorized International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (PYP) school. PYP is a student-centered and future-focused approach to education that begins with the premise that students are agents of their own learning and partners in the learning process. n

Spring 2021

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Highlights on District Administration Pfender Named Women in School Leadership Award Finalist

Amy Pfender, assistant to the superintendent, is one of two finalists in the Women in School Leadership Award in the Central Office/Principal category, a program of The School Superintendents Association (AASA). Amy Pfender The awards, sponsored by Horace Mann and AASA, pay tribute to the talent, creativity, and vision of outstanding women educational administrators in the nation’s public schools. Candidates are judged on leadership in meeting the learning needs of students, personal and organizational communication strength, constant professional improvement of knowledge and skills, and active community involvement. Amy was nominated for the award by Dr. John Rozzo, superintendent of schools, with support from Dr. Sharon Suritsky, deputy/assistant superintendent. “As a female leader, Amy is second to none,” said Dr. Rozzo. “She continues to be the driving force in program development for young women and girls, provides mentoring to numerous female staff members, and leads a positive, collaborative, and studentcentered culture within our District.” Hired as a special education teacher at Boyce Middle School in August 2005, Amy became the District’s elementary special education department chairperson in 2009 and the following year, the special education curriculum leader. In March 2012, she was appointed assistant middle school principal and was promoted to

principal of Boyce Middle School one year later. In January 2016, Amy was named director of student support services and remained in that leadership role until her promotion to assistant to the superintendent in 2019. Earlier this year, Amy was named the Emerging Woman in Education Award recipient by the Tri-State Area School Study Council. She was previously honored with the 2018 University of Pittsburgh School of Education’s Distinguished Departmental Alumni Award from the Department of Administrative and Policy Studies. In 2015, she earned statewide recognition for her early leadership skills when she received the Wanda McDaniel Honorary Membership Award from the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators. The annual award recognizes an aspiring school administrator who demonstrates evidence of great leadership potential. Amy earned a master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a bachelor’s degree from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. She holds certifications for administrative principal, K-12 supervisor of curriculum and instruction, and K-12 supervisor of special education. She also recently earned her superintendent’s letter of eligibility from California University of Pennsylvania. A resident of Robinson Township, Washington County, she and her husband, Keith, have two school-aged children, Jonah and Emily. n For more information about AASA, visit www.aasa.org.

Beck Named 2020 PASC Principal of the Year Dr. Daniel Beck, Upper St. Clair High School assistant principal, was named the 2020 Pennsylvania Association of Student Councils (PASC) Principal of the Year. According to Jamison Stout, a 2020 USCHS graduate and 2019–20 student Dr. Daniel Beck council president, Dr. Beck has proven himself worthy of the honor of PASC Principal of the Year through his constant guidance and passion for helping students. “Having an ally like Dr. Beck in our administration has empowered Upper St. Clair’s student leaders by amplifying our voices and recognizing the power of youth leadership,” Jami wrote in her nomination letter. “With a forward-thinking attitude and eagerness for change, Dr. Beck encourages student council to constantly push the climate of our school in the right direction without fear.” Completing his doctoral dissertation on student voice in 2019, Dr. Beck is passionate about empowering students to be the best version of themselves. “Dr. Beck is a truly unique leader who has utilized the research regarding student voice, leadership, and empowerment to mold his daily work with high school students, faculty, and staff,” said Dr. Sharon Suritsky, deputy/assistant superintendent. “He has established a student-centered culture, which permeates every facet of the school and spans all grade levels, academic abilities, and social/emotional development.” Brooke Tarcson, the school’s activities coordinator, serves as student council advisor and works alongside Dr. Beck on several projects and initiatives. 58

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Spring 2021

“He leads with a sincere passion for student council’s development, both individually as student leaders and collectively as a representative body,” said Brooke. “Dr. Beck challenges the students in and outside of student council and beyond their comfort zones to grow not only as students and leaders, but, above all, as people.” Dr. Beck credits being recognized for this distinction as a result of being part of a successful team. In his acceptance, he offered Pennsylvania student council members three pieces of advice. “First, get involved. But, when you’re doing it, be a mindful listener and withhold judgment. It will open doors you would never expect. Second, know your people and trust them. Get feedback and provide feedback. But learn and embrace the job together,” he said. “Lastly, know yourself and thank the people who helped you in the development of that identity.” In addition to his work as assistant principal, Dr. Beck serves as a leader within a variety of local and statewide groups that focus on student membership and engagement. He has served on the board of directors for the PASC since July 2019 and the Pennsylvania Principals Association since July 2018. Within the District, Dr. Beck serves as its representative on the Youth Steering Committee and is the administrative liaison for the school’s student assistance program, mentoring program, and U-THON. Dr. Beck joined the high school’s leadership staff in 2013. Previously, he taught secondary English in the Greensburg Salem School District and the Berlin Brothers Valley School District. He earned his doctorate and undergraduate degrees from Duquesne University and a master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh. A resident of Upper St. Clair, Dr. Beck and his wife, Kelly, have two young children, Carter and Lyla. n

Highlights on District Administration

Dr. Mussomeli Leads Regional Education Association Dr. Christine Mussomeli, assistant principal at Boyce Middle School, was recently elected president for the West Region of the Pennsylvania Association for Middle Level Educators (PAMLE). The two-year term began this past September. A goal of PAMLE is to identify, disseminate, and promote developmentally-appropriate practices for middle level learners and educators. Five geographical regions comprise the organization, including Central, East, Northwest, Southeast, and West. The West Region, which is a ten-county area of Southwestern Pennsylvania, includes Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington, and Westmoreland counties. As one of five regional presidents, Dr. Mussomeli serves on the statewide organization’s executive board of directors. Prior to her appointment as the West Region president, she served as a member of PAMLE’s regional board of directors. A member of the District administrative staff since 2012, Dr. Mussomeli previously served as assistant principal at USCHS before joining the Boyce leadership staff in 2017. Prior to Upper St. Clair, she ascended through the ranks at Pittsburgh Public Schools, where she held the positions of director of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; assistant principal; reading supervisor; and high school English teacher.

Dr. Mussomeli completed her doctoral work at Point Park University and holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from Duquesne University. A resident of Peters Township, Dr. Mussomeli and her husband, Joe, have two young children, Dr. Christine Mussomeli Andrew and Carson. Established in 1973, the Association of Middle Level Education (AMLE) serves as a voice for professionals, parents, and others interested in the educational and developmental needs of young adolescents (ten to 15 years of age). AMLE is the only national educational association exclusively devoted to improving the educational experiences of young adolescents. PAMLE is active in the Dr. Donald H. Eichhorn School to Watch (STW) program that began in Upper St. Clair. Schools to Watch is a program of the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform. Pennsylvania is one of 17 states that has an active STW program that recognizes the unique time of social, emotional, and academic development of middle level learners. Boyce and Fort Couch middle schools are five-time recipients of the STW recognition. n

DeMar Named Champion of Learning Award Winner

Fort Couch Middle School principal Joe DeMar was named a Champion of Learning Award winner in the leadership category. The annual awards, sponsored by the Consortium for Public Education and the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, were announced this past December. According to the Consortium for Public Education’s website, “The people in our community who take time to listen to kids, teach them, guide them, or support them often are unsung heroes. That’s why the Consortium and United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania set aside a day each year to recognize them with our Champions of Learning Awards.” Joe, who has served as Fort Couch Middle School principal for the last 17 years, was nominated for the Champion of Learning Award by Dr. John Rozzo, superintendent of schools, with support from Dr. Sharon Suritsky, deputy/assistant superintendent. “We are so happy for Joe, as he is certainly deserving of this recognition,” said Dr. Rozzo. “Throughout his career in Upper St. Clair, Joe has been a highly effective school leader and a great ambassador for our District.” Before taking the helm at Fort Couch, Joe served as assistant principal at USC High School for seven years and at Fort Couch for two years. He holds degrees from Slippery Rock University and Westminster College in science education and administration. “Joe’s work here will benefit the District for many years to come,” Dr. Rozzo added. “His innate ability to lead is nothing short of remarkable. I am honored to have him as a colleague.”

In addition to Joe’s award, Cathryn Rodgers, second grade teacher at Eisenhower Elementary, was one of three finalists in the Joe DeMar Cathryn Rodgers K–6 group under the educators category. Cathryn was nominated for the Champion of Learning Award by the family of a former student. “We are all proud of her and are thankful that she is part of the Eisenhower team. She is a positive part of continuing our truly student-centered culture,” said Mark Miller, Eisenhower principal. “I feel honored and blessed to work at such an amazing school district, with incredible colleagues and wonderful USC families,” said Cathryn. A graduate of Pennsylvania State University, Cathryn holds an undergraduate degree in horticulture. She earned a master’s degree in education from Duquesne University and has been a member of the Eisenhower faculty since 2009. Nominations for the Champion of Learning Award are accepted in five categories: leadership, educators, school staff, volunteers, and providers/community partners. The Consortium for Public Education is a nonprofit organization that works with schools across southwestern Pennsylvania on initiatives designed to strengthen and broaden school leadership, engage community, and empower students. The organization advocates for excellence and equity in public education for all students. n Spring 2021

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Homecoming court attendees, left to right: Jaden Keating, Marina Bulazo, Zachary Reynolds, Sammie Seewald, Joe Phillips, Malorie Glancy, Buddy Hall, Lexi Hall, Luke Gensler, Sydney Brown

Homecoming 2020 Congratulations to Upper St. Clair High School seniors Joe Phillips and Malorie Glancy who were crowned homecoming king and queen during the Friday night football game’s halftime homecoming festivities this past October. Other members of the court included Sydney Brown, Marina Bulazo, Lexi Hall, and Sammie Seewald, as well as Luke Gensler, Buddy Hall, Jaden Homecoming king and queen, Keating, and Zachary Reynolds. Joe Phillips and Malorie Glancy The celebration of homecoming week included the “Happily Ever After” homecoming parade followed by the annual powderpuff football game between the juniors and senior girls. The fun event was organized by Constantine Tripodes, student council president. The senior girls defeated the juniors 13–7. Many thanks to USC football coaches Mike Junko and Gordon Mathews who officiated the game, as well as to Pat Manion, USCHS social studies teacher, who served as announcer. n

Students Attend Virtual Cardiologist Program

Molly Maher

Briella Mammana

Catalina Marchando

Victoria Ann Pete

Fiona Wang

Carter Chui

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

This past fall, six USCHS students—juniors Molly Maher, Briella Mammana, Catalina Marchando, Victoria Ann Pete, and Fiona Wang, and sophomore Carter Chui—were among the 50 selected to participate in the I Look Like a Cardiologist program. The program took place virtually, with events that included an introduction to the field of cardiology, a panel discussion with physicians, case study discussion relative to diversity, and mentoring opportunities. The mission of the program is to expose students from backgrounds underrepresented in cardiology to the field, inspiring diverse high school students to consider a career in the field. According to the program’s website, “Heart disease is the most common cause of death for Americans from every gender, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic class. However, despite the gains that some of these groups have made in medical school graduation rates over the past two decades, women and people of color remain significantly underrepresented in cardiology. Through targeted outreach to diverse and intellectually-talented high school students in greater Pittsburgh, we hope to cultivate an interest in cardiology and develop a mentorship program for potential future cardiologists from diverse backgrounds.” The cardiologist program is coordinated by Kathryn Berlacher, a practicing physician educator at The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and Diana Rodgers, founder and CEO of Fit Education Consulting, LLC, and a doctoral graduate in higher education management, with a focus on medical school admissions at the University of Pittsburgh. Students are selected by competitive applications that include the submission of transcripts, various test scores, and two essays. The program, first launched in January 2019, drew more than 120 applications and is sponsored by the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute. n

Spring 2021

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Grant Secured for Take-Home STEM Equipment Upper St. Clair High School received $1000 in take-home STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) research equipment from the Society for Science & the Public. Dr. Colin Syme, high school science teacher, applied for the grant after attending the virtual Society for Science & the Public High School Research Teachers Conference last October. “I applied for the grant based on my Honors Laboratory Research And Techniques in Science (LabRATS) class, where I am continually looking for creative and inexpensive opportunities for research topics to form the basis for a second semester in-class independent research project,” said Dr. Syme. “I developed the curriculum for this course based on my own experiences during my PhD and postdoctoral research to provide students with exposure to authentic skills and experiences involved in lab-based research.” The grant provides a variety of different kits, including: • Water-sampling kits that can analyze sample water for eight different test

factors, including pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and coliform bacteria. • Pocket Lab Weather, an all-in-one weather station, that can measure temperature, humidity, pressure, altitude, heat index, and dew point. • Camera Trap that captures daytime and nighttime photos of local wildlife. • PowerUp 3.0 that converts any homemade paper airplane to smartphone controlled. • Wisconsin Fast Plants that provide seeds and materials to test different parameters. “While I will predominantly use these kits in relation to my LabRATS class, they will also be readily accessible to other science teachers,” said Dr. Syme. “These kits will provide students with resources to allow for additional opportunities for hands-on experiences and spark interest and curiosity in learners. Students will be able to develop research studies utilizing these resources. Collectively, this will facilitate development of real-life skills associated with STEM/STEAM careers for students.” Spring 2021

In 2016, Dr. Syme was one of 200 teachers selected to attend the in-person Research Teachers conference in Washington, DC. In addition to the LabRATS course, he teaches honors anatomy and physiology and has also taught Dr. Colin Syme biology. Society for Science & the Public is a champion for science, dedicated to expanding scientific literacy, effective STEM education, and scientific research. The nonprofit membership organization focuses on promoting the understanding and appreciation of science and the vital role it plays in human advancement to inform, educate, and inspire. n

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

PTC Council Kerstin Goodworth, President Hello fellow USC parents and community members. This year has been challenging in so many ways for so many of us, but I’d like to use this article to shine a light on the resilience of the people in our community. At the beginning of the 2020–21 school year, the PTC executive board and each individual building unit president met to lay out a year that none of us were prepared for. The first initiative that came from these meetings was our “#UnitedStClair”—a simple mantra and reminder that United, we are Standing as one Community. I’ve watched as each school, under the leadership of extraordinary volunteers, placed its focus on connection, unity, and giving back. It’s inspiring to see the resilience of our volunteers, the commitment to finding new ways to connect and engage, and the desire to help lift each other up. We are writing these entries at the start of the new year, and decided, as a team, that for this submission, we will highlight interviews with some of the inspiring people each unit works with on a regular basis. Focusing not only on the challenges and changes that have affected us, but also on the hopes and forward movement towards the future. These interviews are another example of what we always say: It takes a village. Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to keep us moving forward. I feel fortunate to be part of such an amazing group of people and community. High School PTSO Beth Thomas, President As we entered 2021, staying healthy remains a top priority at the high school, so we spoke to head custodian Tim Briggs. Tim has been with the District for nine years, two years at the high school. We asked: Has your role changed since COVID-19? Since March 2020, my job has been continually changing, evolving. I work with a great team and we’ve learned to roll with the changing state regulations. At this time last year, we would have been busy setting up for planned events and activities; now we are cleaning and sanitizing more than we could ever have imagined. From the time I began working in the District, I wouldn’t have expected that my day would be spent by keeping furniture six feet apart and wiping door handles multiple times a day. But that is fine with me! My goal every 62

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Pawprints... day is to ensure that everyone who comes into the building healthy, leaves healthy! Do you see your role changing as we move forward? Well, I have to laugh a little at that question, only because I can’t imagine what the future will bring! I (and the entire high school custodial staff) feel that our students are so kind and polite, and it’s a pleasure to work with them. I would love to have the kids back in school full time with everything in full swing, but I just don’t see that happening with Pennsylvania’s current guidelines and restrictions. I can tell you this, whatever the future brings, we will be ready for it and handle it!

Tim Briggs, USCHS head custodian

Fort Couch PTSO Sian Howell, President The year 2020 was a challenging year, and while we’re glad to see 2021 arrive, there have been “silver linings” to the way our lives have changed during quarantine. We received responses from a number of our school’s students, as well as our eighth grade counselor, Jace Palmer, for their opinions on how they think life has changed since COVID and how they see their life moving forward. Student responses

“I’ve become closer to my family, and I’ve spent more time by myself and found hobbies I like to do. I miss spending time with my friends and being able to hang out with them.” “My life has definitely changed. It has slowed down. But, I feel like I’ve learned a lot about myself. I’ve made more connections with my family and enjoyed making new, different memories. I’ve also been quite bored at times and had to look for new things to do to entertain myself. I think life moving forward will be harder in some ways because it will not seem the same. While some of it will be picking up where we left off last winter, some of it will be brand new. I will not take anything for granted ever again.” Spring 2021

“I think my life has changed since COVID because I don’t get to see most of my family and can’t celebrate holidays with them. Also, sports have changed a lot, and I’ve not been able to participate in some activities. Moving forward, I will overcome some of the problems, like online schooling; but, it has been a challenge. I believe that we’ve all worked through many problems and continued to learn from them.” “I feel distanced from my friends; however, doing school from home is sometimes cool. Moving forward, I hope we can get away from wearing masks and shields everywhere.” “COVID has changed my life in many ways. This past year, I missed out on an overseas opportunity to visit my family and friends in England. I’ve not seen them in a year. When COVID restrictions ease up, I believe that people will still be cautious about going places and going without masks. I’ve enjoyed learning online; however I feel that ‘snow days’ will cease to exist because we now know how to attend school online.” “COVID and the resulting quarantine has been a riveting experience for all of us. In my opinion, what makes it so gripping is the sheer absurdity of this situation and the stakes that come with it. We are in such a desperate time, where we are confined to our houses for the safety of billions of people, all while political uprisings, natural disasters, and man-made atrocities occur. And during this time, we’ve all been trying to figure out what brings us comfort (while respecting the boundaries put in place, of course). For some, it’s planting, while for others, it’s baking. I personally enjoy reading through e-books and audiobooks, watching movies, and listening to calming music or sounds while looking at the sky above and just daydreaming. As a plus, I’ve become more aware of activities that make me happy and discovered what activities don’t. So, thanks to the Coronavirus, I will follow up on what I’ve learned about myself in that regard.”

Response from Jace Palmer, school counselor

“My biggest challenge as a counselor has been trying to stay connected with my students who are learning fully remotely. Also challenging is maintaining effective communication with my students and their parents as we transition between remote and hybrid instruction fairly routinely as the school year continues to unfold. For 2021, I simply hope that our students and

PTC

... a USC Parent Teacher Council Feature

teachers can regain the routines and a semblance of normalcy that are so important to effective learning.”

Jace Palmer, Fort Couch eighth grade counselor

Boyce PTO Andrea Amorose, President Almost a year ago, around the world life changed for everyone. I had the opportunity to ask Dan O’Rourke, Boyce Middle School principal, some questions about how his life in the school community has changed and his views about the future. We asked: How has COVID-19 impacted how you do your job? Like every profession, COVID has greatly impacted my job and responsibilities. School principals have a very demanding, high-pressure, high-stress job under normal circumstances. Leading a school during the pandemic has been the most challenging time of my career. Our goal is to continue to provide a world-class education and experience for our students. But the reality is that experience is different for our students and it’s a challenge on how to provide best instruction. While we know that in-person instruction has been proven to be the most effective delivery method for most students, we’ve now added a remote instruction portion to our delivery model. Delivering instruction concurrently, in both remote and in-person platforms, is a new concept. Fortunately, our District was proactive and made previous investments in 1:1 technology for all students, as well as providing an online learning management system. The preparation and the need to continually monitor, create, and adjust is immense. Our staff works incredibly hard to meet students’ needs in ways they’ve previously never had to. I am so proud of our teachers for how they’ve responded. Their creativity and collaboration to create lessons, videos, assignments, assessments, and more has been nothing short of astounding and inspiring.

I make it a point to remind myself and my staff that we are currently writing a difficult chapter of our books, and when we look back, we’re going to be proud of how we’ve responded for the kids and for the community. Do you have advice for getting through this pandemic? Stay positive, think positive, and be kind and considerate to others. This pandemic is impacting each person differently, so please be mindful of that. While we can control very little of this situation, I encourage everyone to take care of the controllables and not fixate on things out of our control. Ultimately, we recognize that this is a very difficult time for kids, and we should stay positive for their sake. They will forever live with the memory of this pandemic, so we should support them however we can. They look to us for leadership and guidance, and we should work together to provide them that and more. What is your hope for the future? Besides hoping that this virus ends soon so we can get back to normalcy, I hope we can all come together for a more united and appreciative world. Our time on this earth is short, and we should be kind to one another and be grateful for the small things that life brings us.

my own children, Lucas and Colette, have stated, their favorite thing about Mr. Andy is that “He’s always happy and friendly, and he makes great jokes. He’s very funny!” However, it’s not only Andy’s positivity and smile that help keep Baker running smoothly, it’s his attention to detail and maintaining a clean and safe environment for the students and staff. The outcome of Andy’s work always shines, but his commitment this school year has, in particular, helped comfort families in knowing that he and his coworkers have prepared the school building each day to make it the safest environment possible. When asked how COVID-19 has impacted his job this year, Andy replied, “Don’t ask… LOL!” And we can all relate to that! This year has brought unprecedented restrictions and changes to everyone’s daily routines. However, remaining focused on the positive, Andy stated, “It amazes me how well the kids are at wearing their masks and washing their hands.” Having Andy at Baker helps unify our Baker family. If Andy were to share some words of wisdom with the students, he would say, “Always treat people the way you would like to be treated. Dream big. The sky’s the limit! Become whatever it is you want to be!” And, after all, these are the things that the kids will remember when this school year comes to an end—the kindness, positivity, and hard work that Mr. Andy brings to Baker each and every day.

Dan O’Rourke, Boyce Middle School principal

Baker PTA Jackie Barefoot, President The entire staff at Baker is loved, but, perhaps, one of the students’ most beloved is custodian Andy Ruffalo. As Andy says, “The best part of my job is at 7:45 a.m. when the buses come rolling into Baker. I have the pleasure of standing outside and greeting the kids as they get off the buses. Seeing their smiling faces brings joy to my heart. There’s nothing better!” As one of the custodians at Baker for the past 20 years (25 in the District), Andy has greeted thousands of students over the years. An integral part of the Baker family, the kids know they can count on him. As

Andy Ruffalo, Baker custodian

Eisenhower PTO Kristin LeBeau, President I chose to interview an individual who has made a difference and has been a great asset (among many) this year at Eisenhower: Matt Cosgrove, the art teacher. Matt’s positive attitude is quickly evident. He has an upbeat, yet laid back energy, and greets everyone with a smile! Matt has been the school’s art teacher for the past seven years, and when asked to Cont. on page 64

Spring 2021

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Pawprints...

... a USC Parent Teacher Council Feature Cont. from page 63

share his favorite thing about working at Eisenhower, Matt expressed, “There are too many favorites! I get to teach the brightest, most caring, and empathetic students. Every day when I walk into the building, I see a staff who I know supports each other no matter what.” Matt went on to praise the supportive PTO and described the overall culture at Eisenhower to be unparalleled. “Overall,” he said, “Eisenhower is such an awesome school to be part of.” Matt believes art is an important aspect of the education of children “because it helps them discover the world around them. Art teaches learning through process and experimentation. I love seeing a child ‘get it’ when we work on a tough project and when a student smiles broadly while holding up a crumpled piece of paper from all the erasing, finally figuring out how to draw the wooden cube sitting on their desk.” In addition to being an art educator, one of Matt’s favorite roles is being a track and field coach for USC High School. He describes it as an honor to work with such a great group of coaches and student-athletes. Like his art students, he enjoys watching the athletes develop from being unsure about their sports performance to becoming competitive, independent athletes. After our discussion, I couldn’t help but reflect on Matt’s example of creative problem solving and what a valuable and important lesson it is for all of us. We’ve all grappled with our own “experimentation,” “figuring it out,” and “erasing” as we navigate new experiences and challenges, especially this year, and I applaud and appreciate the creative problem solving in which our community has engaged. We should take these valuable lessons with us as we move forward to the future. Matt commends everyone at Eisenhower for their efforts this year, too, and said, “The staff has really come together to make a positive place for one another and for the students. It is what Eisenhower does. We go above and beyond for who and for what is important.”

Streams PTO Michelle Holzer, President Having worked for USCSD for almost 13 years—seven as the head custodian at Streams Elementary—Chris Stabile had his routine down pat. As head custodian, his job has always been to keep the school clean. Now, in addition to keeping it clean, it’s also to keep it safe. Prior to working for the District, Chris was a union carpenter. After being laid off—a fate rather common in the trades— he considered becoming a custodian and accepted a position at Eisenhower. He hasn’t looked back. “Mr. Chris,” as he is affectionately known, loves his job as the school’s head custodian. He says the best part of his job is seeing the happy faces of the students every morning. “Seeing them smile makes what I do on a daily basis worth it,” he says. Perhaps those smiles are what motivated him to overcome all the new obstacles that have presented themselves this past year. He says one of his biggest challenges was to prepare the school building for opening day. With all of the new guidelines in place, there were brand new procedures that he and his staff had to learn and implement prior to that first day. As Chris shared, “I had to take everything I knew about cleaning and throw it out the window.” Not only did he have to learn a completely new way to clean, but he also had to train his staff to do so, as well. Now, in addition to keeping the building clean, he needs to ensure that the building is disinfected properly. Regular record keeping has also been added to his daily routine, documenting that all required procedures are properly completed. While he’s adapted to these changes, Chris says there are also positives that come from this. He is better at what he does now because of all the new procedures that have been implemented. In addition, he’s spent more personal time at home with wife of 20 years, Natasha, and his children, Alex (20) and Elizabella (14). He’s also spent more time enjoying some of his hobbies, which include projects in his garage workshop and remodeling his home. n

Matt Cosgrove, Eisenhower art teacher

Chris Stabile, Streams head custodian

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#TheyDidWhat Coca-Cola Scholar Semifinalist #TheyDidWhat USCHS senior Christian Chiu was named a semifinalist in the 2020–21 Coca-Cola #TheyDidWhat Scholars Program, which recognizes high school seniors who have demonstrated #TheyDidWhat academic and civic excellence in their schools and communities. Christian is one #TheyDidWhat of 73 in Pennsylvania and 1609 from across the country who were #TheyDidWhat selected from nearly 99,403 applicants. #TheyDidWhat Christian is a member of the National #TheyDidWhat Honor Society and has been recognized as a #TheyDidWhat National AP Scholar and AP Scholar with Christian Chiu #TheyDidWhat Distinction and a National Merit Semifinalist. In addition to his academic achievements, he #TheyDidWhat is an accomplished pianist who was named an honorable mention awardee in the 2020 #TheyDidWhat YoungArts Awards, sponsored by the National YoungArts Foundation. #TheyDidWhat A joint effort of Coca-Cola bottlers across the country and the Coca Cola Company, the #TheyDidWhat Coca-Cola Scholars Program is the largest corporate-sponsored, achievement-based #TheyDidWhat scholarship program in the U.S. With the addition of the 2021 class, the Coca-Cola #TheyDidWhat Scholars Foundation will have provided more than 6450 Coke Scholars nationwide, with #TheyDidWhat over $75 million in scholarships over the course of 33 years. #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Speech & Debate Team Ranks 50 Nationally #TheyDidWhat USCHS’s Speech & Debate team was named one of the Top 100 schools in the #TheyDidWhat National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) for the 2019–20 school year. USC #TheyDidWhat ranked 50 out of more than 3000 schools nationwide. “Due to the incredibly high #TheyDidWhat number of students involved in your speech and debate program and the degrees they have #TheyDidWhat earned through competition, your school was named one of the top programs in the nation,” #TheyDidWhat said J. Scott Wunn, NSDA executive director. “This is the most prestigious membership #TheyDidWhat award the association can bestow upon a school.” #TheyDidWhat Speech and debate students earn points and degrees from NSDA based on competitive #TheyDidWhat and service-rated activities, ranging from the Degree of Merit, with 25 or more points, to #TheyDidWhat the Degree of Premier Distinction, with 1500 or more points. These degrees contribute #TheyDidWhat to a school’s strength points. USC’s Speech & Debate team earned membership in the #TheyDidWhat NSDA’s 400 Club for achieving 400 or more strength points last year. With nearly 125 #TheyDidWhat members, USC’s Speech & Debate team has high hopes of winning its third Pennsylvania #TheyDidWhat High School Speech League championship this spring. #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat th

#TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat USC Students Attend Pitt Health Flutist Selected to All-National Concert Band #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Profession Program Phoebe Chen, a USCHS junior flutist, was selected to the National Association for Music Eleven USCHS students were selected Education’s (NAfME) All-National Concert Band. She earned this national achievement #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat to participate in the Health Professions Prep after successfully auditioning through the 2020 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association program for the 2021 spring season at the (PMEA) All-State Concert Band. #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat University of Pittsburgh, including senior Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the NAfME canceled Annika Chaves; junior Victoria Pete; and the in-person All-National Honor Ensembles originally scheduled to #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat sophomores Jasmine Dietiker,#TheyDidWhat Shree Diora, take place this past November, and instead held a virtual 2020 AllMaura Joyce, Shivani Kamineni, Mansi Lathia, National Honor Ensembles program that took place in January under #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Priyanka Palayekar, Srinidhi Rajaganapathy, the direction of Rodney Dorsey, professor of music at the Indiana Sophia Song, and Neha Sriram. University Jacobs School of Music. #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat The program is being held#TheyDidWhat virtually each In addition to Phoebe’s musical success within the PMEA and Wednesday evening from January through NAfME honor bands, she took first place in the junior division of the #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat April. Students are being introduced to Pitt’s Central Ohio Flute Association (COFA) competition in spring 2019. Phoebe Chen various health-related schools, including She is also a member of the high school’s biology and art clubs. #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat health and rehabilitation, dental medicine, pharmacy, public health, nursing, and #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat medicine, and have the opportunity to engage in a variety of interactions, including #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat career awareness and exploration, clinical experience, student mentoring, academic #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat experience, reflection, observation and Fifth Graders Recognized in Writing NHS Virtual Blood Drive influential conversations, academic planning, and Arts Contest #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat The USCHS chapter of the National and student success skills. Two Boyce Middle School fifth graders Honor Society (NHS) hosted a virtual The program, which serves 40 participants, were recognized for their work in the fourth #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat blood drive this#TheyDidWhat past December. is open to students in grades nine through 12 annual Mahatma Gandhi Creative Writing Participants donated at any Vitalant who have an overall grade point average of 2.5 and Art Contest, conducted as part of the #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat blood drive location. or above. Candidates were required to submit 2020 Mahatma Gandhi Birthday Celebration The school’s NHS typically hosts an application, which included an essay and at Carnegie Mellon University this past fall. #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat blood drives twice#TheyDidWhat a year at the high a letter of recommendation. #TheyDidWhat Suhavi Singh, who placed in the top five school. The events are led by the NHS The program, previously known as the for her writing entry, was recognized with #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat sponsor, USCHS teacher Laura Carlino, Health Science Career Exploration Institute the book Ghandi’s Search for the Perfect Diet: and the student officers. This year’s and the Medical Explorers Program, began Eating with #TheyDidWhat the World in Mind. Iris Wang, #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat student officers include seniors Sammie in 1974, and its mission is to provide a place whose artwork earned honorable mention, Seewald, president; Topher Bishop, vice where scientific learning can occur for high received a backpack for her efforts. #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat president; Drew Levy, treasurer; and school students who have a strong interest The contest, open to middle school Bryce Keating, secretary. in science and medicine. The program students ages#TheyDidWhat ten to14, asked young writers #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat encourages participation from groups that For a scheduled blood drive offered on and artists to reflect on a time when they have traditionally been underrepresented in March 15 at the C&RC by Vitalant, served their#TheyDidWhat community in efforts to build #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat the health sciences. see page 31. peace, and what actions they might take in the future that mirror Gandhi’s commitment #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat to serving communities, building peace, Pianist Earns Award of Excellence and action. #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat USCHS sophomore Jason Lu was awarded the Award of Excellence in the Young Artists Program, sponsored by the Steinway Society of Western Pennsylvania#TheyDidWhat (SSWPA) this past #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat December. Jason, who performed two classic selections, was selected from among 54 pianists. The award, which provides a $200 scholarship, is in memory of Melanie Schmidt, mother #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat of SSWPA board president Marina Lupinaccci. Jason received piano instruction during the last four years from #TheyDidWhat Natasha Snitkovsky, Suhavi Singh #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat chair of the piano department at Duquesne University. Most recently, he began working with Luz Manriquez, teaching professor of collaborative piano and piano pedagogy at Carnegie #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Mellon University. In addition, he actively participates in the high school’s jazz ensemble and marching band. #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat The Young Artists #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Program is open to up to age 18 or #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhatpianists #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat through their senior year in high school. #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Learn more about and its Young #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat SSWPA #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Artists Program at Iris Wang www.sswpa.org. #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Jason Lu #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Spring 2021 UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY 65 #TheyDidWhat

#TheyDidWhat

DISCUSSIONS SURROUNDING COVID Academic Challenges During COVID-19 Anya Ekbote, USCHS Junior For the past year, the lives of our community members and around the globe have been forced to adapt to an unknown way of life. We have seen obvious changes to our everyday lives, some easier to adjust to than others. Most closely relating to the young kids and teenagers in our community, the adjustment to online and hybrid schooling has been one of great challenge. With students learning virtually via Google Meet much of the time, the question of the impact on the students has generated intense conversation. Specifically, I asked USC High School students how their lives have been affected academically. Seniors working on academics in the high Many students voiced their personal opinions regarding school hallway virtual schooling’s effectiveness during the essential years of high school. The hybrid model presented this year has caused sporadic Similarly, COVID-19 has upended The resiliency and adaptability responses, with many students having students’ college preparation, forcing we have practiced during mixed emotions regarding this new the cancellation of both college tours learning system. Although there is and standardized test taking. Being at the pandemic will lead us to little hope for an alternative, junior the age to begin the college search and Victoria Semenov explained that she unexpected triumphs in the future. application process, these times can is “much more productive at school be especially frustrating. For instance, rather than at home.” She elaborates that hybrid schooling has most juniors have been preparing for their standardized tests been of greater assistance as opposed to fully remote; however, with the uncertainty that their scores will have any value in the it is still difficult to grasp the entirety of the academic content future. Marley Crochier, a junior preparing for the SAT, states, being taught. “I’m not even sure my test scheduled for this weekend is going Victoria participates in cohort B currently, meaning she physi- to happen, and who knows if my scores will even be taken into cally attends school on Thursdays and Fridays, the other days consideration from colleges?” virtually. This way of schooling is well-liked by many students, Many testing dates have been both postponed and, ultimately, hosting an adequate amount of physical and virtual learning. canceled, leaving some high school seniors without scores. Victoria explains that it is very unfortunate she is not able to These cancelations, however, may be of benefit to those students see the other half of her classmates from group A; however, the whose test-taking ability is a personal setback. Although many minimal exposure to a mass amount of people makes her feel schools have announced that they are test optional, COVID-19 more comfortable. Overall, the hybrid model offered received has severely impacted the staple tests of high schoolers’ college a positive review given the circumstances presented, although preparation. it has been challenging for many. Currently, we are fortunate to Likewise, the college application process for seniors in be getting any sort of in-person education at all. USCHS’s Class of 2021 has been altered significantly. Many seniors were not able to physically tour college campuses this year, leaving them unsure if they want to spend the next chapter of their lives somewhere they’ve never visited. On a brighter side, multiple students stated they’ve been grateful for the extra time during quarantine to finish their essays and necessities for their school applications. Senior Martha Mcgelligot voices, “The application process was especially challenging this year. Since test scores were nullified, colleges were really focused on the essays. Also, balancing school and applications was tough due to the mental state we all were in. Because we were already missing out on so much, my peers and I were Left to right: Constantine Tripodes, less motivated overall.” Martha explains that Joe Markovitz, Brooke Tarcson, student activities this year’s college application process has been assistant, Dr. Daniel Beck, assistant principal, all about balance, yet it has been hard to stay Tori Slagle, Stephanie Spina, and RJ Shontz attend an in-person student council meeting. balanced with so many unexpected things 66

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DISCUSSIONS SURROUNDING COVID thrown their way. She offers that the college process during COVID-19 has had its fair share of benefits and downsides, making it difficult to hold everything together. Not only has this year’s learning been difficult on the students, the teachers are feeling it, too. Many teachers explain that it is a teaching challenging to grasp the full attention of the students in class through a screen, not being aware of what distractions may be surrounding them. But USCHS English teacher, Laura Moeller, sees the pandemic’s effect on schooling from a larger perspective. She states, “The resiliency and adaptability we have practiced during the pandemic will lead us to unexpected triumphs in the future. Grit often sows its roots in seemingly arid conditions, only to flourish in the upcoming seasons of our lives.” She believes that “this interruption to academics is merely indicative to the interruption of our entire being as a society.” I believe that her perspective keeps us hopeful for the future and what it has to offer as we persevere through these times. Ultimately, COVID-19 has influenced the academics at schools nationally. For better or for worse, this school year has been greatly affected. Sustaining the motivation and discipline to continually work academically has been a struggle that many high schoolers are currently facing. However, students should be extremely proud that they have been able to succeed through the given stresses of high school, along with the baggage of this unimaginable time. n

Masked up, left to right, are Michael Funfar and Amanda Haas, math teachers and junior mentor advisors

Anya Ekbote, a high school junior, is on the dance team and also participates in student council and speech and debate. She is keeping an open mind during her college search, with no specifics yet in mind.

The Pandemic and Mental Health

A Short-term Discussion for a Long-term Issue Julia Roeschenthaler, USCHS Junior, TODAY Intern With 2020 being the different kind of a year that it was, it is no surprise that mental health was, and still is, at the forefront of conversation. Residents across Upper St. Clair have struggled with the drastic changes that the coronavirus has brought forth on everyday life, including social isolation, extended work hours, the virtualization of nearly every event imaginable, and so much more. At the high school, students and staff reported feeling a variety of emotions regarding the pandemic’s effect on their academic lives, though some students expressed opinions regarding education during COVID-19 that did not necessarily follow the route that many would expect. Thoughts initially expressed by students were relatively straightforward, or perhaps more accurately, unsurprising. Students reported feeling isolated as a result of virtual learning, and some even expressed that the new normal academic model, along with the pandemic in general, gave them a feeling of numbness within the school environment. Many reported that since the pandemic started, they felt a greater lack of motivation to complete their schoolwork assignments and felt as though remaining within the virtual model, or even just not participating in traditional school, made it even more difficult to feel engaged in their classes. Furthermore, students and staff alike expressed the sentiment that the work-life balance has become increasingly complicated. With most work being completed from home, many shared the view that it has become incredibly difficult to separate one’s home life from one’s work life. One staff member stated that it “feels like the workday never ends.” With one’s work occupation being more accessible at home, it becomes more difficult to disconnect from work, and many individuals shared that, because of this development, they have felt more stressed and more overworked than before. However, a number of students expressed, perhaps, unexpected views regarding their experience with school and academics during the pandemic. While some students reported that online school felt isolating, others reported that they felt as though online school actually improved their mental health, as they were able to partake in traditionally stressful activities such as test-taking in a less stressful environment. Students also shared that frequenting school with COVID-19 restrictions in place was often stressful, deeming virtual learning a more approachable option from that perspective. Several students, surprisingly, reported that they felt as though their level of stress was not closely related to the pandemic, but, in fact, primarily tied to school itself. The majority of students interviewed reported their stress levels as being high, but seemed to express the sentiment that this was relatively consistent with what they’ve felt year after year. Such a result brings forth more significant and, perhaps, more concerning questions. Students reported that COVID-19 had a less than significant effect on their stress levels, not because of the virus’ smaller or greater connection to their education, but because their stress levels were normally already high that a global pandemic did not significantly alter them. With that revelation, the question becomes, should high school-age students be facing such an elevated level of stress? It is true that students in Upper St. Clair have some flexibility in regard to their course selection and are thus not obligated to enroll in classes that are, from their own perspectives, challenging or unfulfilling to an unhealthy degree. Nonetheless, there is undoubtedly an incredibly competitive academic atmosphere within Upper St. Clair, challenging students to take increasingly difficult classes, prioritizing academic success over mental health. At the high school, lunch is optional; a student can choose to take a class instead of lunch if they desire. What message does that convey about the need for work-life balance? It is not to say that academic pressure is detrimental or evil. Competition is a motivator. Encouragement to pursue challenges, both academic and otherwise, more effectively prepares students for the difficulties they will undoubtedly encounter throughout their adult lives. Consider this. If students are so stressed because of academics that a worldwide pandemic has little to no effect on their mental health, it might be evident that the pandemic is not solely a significant issue as seen by many, but also a mechanism through which other issues of long-term significance are brought to light. n Spring 2021

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DISCUSSIONS SURROUNDING COVID Impact of COVID-19 on 2020’s Holidays Bria Zegarelli, USCHS Junior, TODAY Intern Last year obviously looked different in many ways than an average year due to COVID-19. So, naturally, the holidays were affected and looked different, as well. In a survey conducted to see what traditions changed, many individuals wrote that for Easter, they normally attend church in the morning, go to brunch, and have an egg hunt. However, virtual mass and video chatting with grandparents gained popularity last year, and instead of having big meals with distant relatives, people cooked at home with immediate family members or barely did anything at all. In fact, numerous people stated that they could not even remember Easter and its celebration. The Fourth of July looked different, as well. People reported normally watching parades and fireworks, having pool parties and picnics, and visiting family across the country. Usually loud and carefree, it was a bit quieter this year. Most people resorted to having their own fireworks and sparklers outside of their individual homes rather than traveling to and gathering at public displays. Halloween appeared to be affected the least. People explained that they usually give out candy, trick-or-treat, attend costume parties, and have movie nights; not much changed last year. Friend groups met over Zoom to have virtual parties, or people had small, masked gatherings where they watched movies and played board games. Countless people still dressed up and trick-or-treated in masks, and they left candy out on tables near their front doors to avoid hand contact. Contrarily, holidays leading into winter did change drastically. For instance, Thanksgiving was definitely a big change for most families, who were used to in-person Black Friday shopping and their largest family dinners and gatherings of the year. Last year, however, many families cooked their entire Thanksgiving dinners by themselves for the first time, since most meals included only immediate family members, making the holiday much more intimate.

Traditional outdoor light displays were one way to safely enjoy the winter holiday season while dealing with COVID-19.

Two other holidays that changed tremendously last year were Christmas and Hanukkah, the biggest times of the year for shopping, parties, travel, and seeing family. People reported doing most of their shopping online, and people attended virtual religious services. Instead of Christmas Eve parties, people hosted dinner with immediate family or only one side of the family, had virtual meetings, or had small, masked gatherings. But, more people mentioned seeing family members in person for these holidays than for any others in 2020. New Year’s Eve was also quieter. People responded that for this holiday, they usually have sleepovers, house and dinner parties for the countdown, and private fireworks. This past New Year’s Eve, though, most people did not attend any activities, except for watching the countdown to midnight. In fact, several people said they did not even make it to midnight. All in all, 2020 and the introduction to 2021 were difficult and unprecedented. Everyone surveyed noted that the holidays were more difficult to remember, and celebrations much quieter, calmer, and smaller than ever before. It is unfortunate that many traditions could not be followed. But, from a positive perspective, we noticed that the majority of people were extremely cautious and respectful of the social restrictions of the pandemic, hopefully limiting the continuation of the virus’ spread. n

Advice From a School Counselor Tonia Autieri, Boyce Middle School Guidance Counselor

Dealing with a pandemic has definitely been a challenging experience. All of us have had to change our daily activities and routines to assure that students and staff are protected and safe in the school environment. Although we’ve necessarily changed our schedules and Tonia Autieri routine, I am still doing my same job, which is being there for the students and teaching them through guidance lessons about social and emotional well-being. My responsibility to my students this year seems ever more important. As a school counselor, logistics have proven to be a concern: how to hold lunch group sessions and one-on-one sessions with students. These activities are still happening, but I’ve become more creative about how and where these sessions happen. Administration has been a great supporter and we’ve made it work, which is most important. Rest assured that students can visit their school counselors when they need to, and they can do it safely. For me, COVID-19 has definitely put things into perspective, especially for what is personally and professionally important. I’ve been primarily focused on being available for the students—to listen, to help ease anxiety, and to comfort them when they need it. Sometimes, a listening ear is all they really need. 68

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Spring 2021

I’ve always thought of myself as a patient person, but since the pandemic began, I believe I’ve become even more patient. I’m taking more time to absorb things and be a calming influence for my students, coworkers, and family. When thinking about how to continue living positively through the pandemic, first and foremost, we need to be kind to one another and also give ourselves some grace. Anger and frustration are natural when something of this magnitude occurs, but it can consume you and will not help the situation or solve the problem. Be grateful for your health and for your family. Look at the positive instead of the negative. Become more understanding. Remember that we are all struggling. Everyone needs an extra smile or air hug. Looking ahead, I hope that we can all learn positive things from this pandemic, like taking more time for the important things in life, including spending time with family, helping others in need, and taking time for yourself. I hope that from all this fear and uncertainty, people realize how precious our lives really are, as well as the people in them. As a group of people, I hope that we become a stronger unit, a more resilient force. Getting through a pandemic certainly isn’t easy, but having positive and supportive people around us surely helps! n

High School Student Submits Blog Post to U.S. Department of Education

During 2020, the U.S. Department of Education called for student authors to submit blogs based on their experiences as learners during the pandemic. USC School District learned about this notification for student submission from retired high school librarian/library curriculum leader and IB Diploma coordinator D’Nis Lynch. USCHS junior Lilian Leggat wrote and submitted the following blog post that Lilian Leggat shared the importance of collaboration and unity, and praised her teachers for their role in this year’s unprecedented school experience. Google Meet breakout rooms often start quite awkwardly, with one brave student unmuting and saying “hello.” It often shocks me how shy we have become and continue to be, especially with classmates I have known to be outgoing since Kindergarten. I have found, however, that once the conversation starts, my peers and I are quite eager to engage with one another. Other than my family and the small group of friends I see, such interactions are the greatest extent that I am in contact with my community. We, as students and young adults, value time in the company of others, even if it is just a shared project or a discussion over the book we are currently reading. It’s refreshing to feel some sense of belonging in a world that lacks unity, particularly as I am a remote learner this school year. The “virtual” companionship between myself and other students that was once taken for granted has become a comforting familiarity, in a learning environment none of us expected. As a student, I owe my teachers a debt of gratitude. They have gone more than above and beyond to include virtual learners in a hybrid classroom. My history teacher has utilized group projects that have allowed me to create friendships with students I otherwise would not have interacted with. In my English class discussions, it’s comforting to hear the familiar voices of peers that I have grown up with. In general, I have noticed increased communication between my teachers and their students. Many of my teachers have voiced their personal challenges with a mixed hybrid and remote school year; these experiences and obstacles are common to a majority of us in this unprecedented time. Collective problem-solving of these difficulties has created a unique, and I would say improved, relationship between teachers and students. The flexibility exhibited by class instructors to accommodate a virtual learner’s needs has genuinely amazed me. Technological barriers and limitations are met with great understanding, which relieves some of the academic stress related to my current learning environment. This sort of community within the “classroom” has created for me a greater connection to my teachers than I’ve ever had before. Throughout 2020, the world faced division in a multitude of aspects, from political tensions to opposition regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. For some time, most of us were quite literally divided, staying home for months at a time. Having experienced time apart and a shared unfamiliar situation, I have a renewed appreciation for connection. In a virtual learning environment, it is not lost on me the importance of collaboration and unity in a time of great disconnection. n

Susan Highley

REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL

25+ Years & $282 Million Listed or Sold President’s Circle of Excellence

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412-889-1214 | shighley@howardhanna.com

Lilian Leggat, a USCHS junior pursuing the International Baccalaureate Diploma, is a member of USCHS’s student council.

Spring 2021

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Around the Township “We all have so little free time these days, but the best decision I made in my 17 years in USC was taking that first step to get involved with community and school organizations. Every organization struggles to find volunteers, but there are many small ways to help that can make a big difference. To those angels throughout Upper St. Clair who have volunteered, thank you for making our community stronger! And to those who donate, we are grateful for your support.” ~Alison Hess, Immediate Past President of CFUSC

Thank you for your generous support of the Community Foundation. Leanne Adamo Daniel Aloe Thomas Anderson Dr. & Mrs. Alan Axelson Linda & William Balsinger Linda & Bill Barkas Nancy & William Barnard Donna Barnhart IMO Edward Davies Klym Andrew Behary Barbara Rozen & Aaron Bernhardt Anne S. & Thomas L. Blank Barbara Ann & Ralph Boden Megan S. & Steven M. Bruno Patricia J. Bulseco Nancy & Laurence Burke Ann Glasgow & Peter Bussey Carol Adele Weitz & James Callen Regina & Ray Carson Tricia Ciccolella Louise M. & Gerard J. Ciprani Martha & George Clendaniel Norbert Connors Frosina Cordisco Douglas V. Cornelius Mark D. Christie Jennifer Dempsey Judith K. & Samuel L. Douglass Johanna Drickman IHO First Responders Michelle Domchek & James Ferry Roseanne Kwait & Robert Fischer Kathy & Tom Foster Paul Fox Magdaline & Chauncey Frazier II Dina J. Fulmer Pat Gallagher IMO Edward Davies Klym Daphna & George Gans IHO Alison Hess Mary W. & Gordon Gibson Alison Blake & Howard Goldberg Carolyn Graham Richard Harshman Sharon & David R. Heilman

Alison Hess IHO CFUSC 2020

Executive Committee

Patrick Hewitt Carol W. & David R. Hoch Margaret E. Kane IMO Leo R. Kane Mary Ann & J. Gilbert Kaufman Virginia A. & William C. Keck Kathleen L. Kennedy Pamela C. & David M. Khani Theresa & David Kish Maria T. & Joseph M. Krenn Cynthia V. Cable & John C. Kulli Antoinette & William Land Diane P. & Ronald C. Lane Ellen L. & Robert G. Langley IMO Linda Marks John Leslie Susan M. & George M. Liptak Donna & Richard Lund Dorothy Ann Davis & David Lynch Sue & Steve Lynch George E. Lyness IMO Dolly Lyness Karen E. & George Manos Diane G. & Cecil J. Marty Bernadette A. & Jeffrey S. Mazza Michelle McGregor Marsha & Robert Meerstein Carol Ann & Thomas M. Meiman Carol & Charles Moellenberg Nancy & Scott Moore Patricia J & Louis J. Moraytis Janet & Vince Mosesso Cynthia & Bruce Nelson Sandra B. & Matthew Newton Sandra L. Nicklas Paula & Richard A. Novak Ruthann Omer & Thomas R. Hudzema Beverly & Robert G. Ontolchik Angela Petersen Cheryl & Sig Petursson Mary Kay Petrinis Terrie W. & Rod L. Piatt

Hedy & George W. Pitcairn, Jr. Virginia Plavetich Joanne M. & Robert F. Prorok David M. Purtell Carolyn M. & Melvin D. Rex Kathleen Walsh Reyes & Vincent E. Reyes Karen Rivers Jeanine & Dan Rizzo Tanis & William Roberts Cindy & Gary Robinson Elizabeth & James Saunders Adina Schiffman Kathleen Schmidt IMO Edward Davies Klym Stacey W. & Scott Seewald Teddy Seidenfeld Wendy F. & George P. Sembrat Harry E. Serene IHO Linda Serene John G. Shortridge Ann & Patrick Slowey Margaret B. Snavely Judith A. & James C. Stalder Sandra L. & Michael A. Stanley Chris A. Starr Kelly & Joel Starr Sandy & Tim Thompson Darrell Underwood Diane & Robert Louis Urbanic Joyce Guffey Vance Vazquez-Perez Family Bernadette D. & James J. Veliky Sharon L. & Raymond A. Volpatt Timothy Wagner Sameer Walavalkar Colleen O. & Robert C. Wehner Maureen L. & John H. White Gregg Zegarelli Donations received in 2020

Donations can be made at www.CFUSC.org using PayPal or by check at Community Foundation of Upper St. Clair 2585 Washington Road #131 Pittsburgh, PA 15241 70

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Spring 2021

USCHS Alumni Step Up to Lead CFUSC

Gordon Mathews, CFUSC President In 2010, Gordon Mathews graduated from USCHS. A comforting memory is morning breakfast sandwiches, which he says he still enjoys. His favorite teacher was his 8th Grade Social Studies teacher, Mr. Kyle. He graduated from Washington and Jefferson College 2014 with a degree in economics and then earned a Masters in Education in School Counseling. In 2016, he joined the USCSD staff to create the Alumni Affairs program and currently serves as 9th Grade Counselor & Alumni Affairs Coordinator. He coaches the Freshman Football team, and when not at school he is an avid golfer. His favorite place in USC is the HS Stadium where he has many memories as a child, a student, a player, and now as a coach. When he decided to work with children, Gordon knew he wanted to return to work at his Alma Mater. He feels that Upper St. Clair gave so much to him growing up and shaped him into the person he is today. Having the opportunity to contribute to that legacy is a dream come true. Gordon and his wife Lauren have two amazing dogs, Nala and Kiki. CFUSC has made such a large impact on this community and he is proud to be part of it. Both his grandmother and his aunt were Trustees of the Community Foundation, so not only does he get to carry on the CF tradition, he can also continue the legacy of his family. While this past year has forced us to change and adapt, Gordon is committed to bringing events and partnerships back to sustain the amazing tradition that is the Community Foundation of Upper St. Clair.

Justin Schmidt. CFUSC Vice President Reverend Justin Schmidt attended Fort Couch Middle School and USC High School, graduating in 1993. He was on the swim team and swimming back and forth for hours is one of the strongest memories he has. He enjoyed math and drafting classes and competing on the Mock Trial team. The bulk of volunteer time during his school years was at his church Zion Lutheran in Bridgeville. In 1997, he graduated from Concordia University in Ann Arbor, Michigan with a Bachelor of Arts degree, and in 2002 he received a Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. Justin’s first appointment was as a pastor in Devils Lake, North Dakota, followed by placements in Thomasboro, Illinois and San Jose/Delavan Illinois. He also served as a Chaplin in the North Dakota National Guard from 2004 to 2008 and is now a pastor at Peace Lutheran Church in McMurray. Justin and his wife Marion have three children, Wolfram, Lilia, and Augustine, all currently students in the School District. He enjoys fly fishing, hiking, travel. He also enjoys golfing at the 3 hole golf course, which he says is great fun and you would be surprised who you meet. Justin says, “I have a strong belief that if you want to live in a healthy community you must give your time to the community. I am hoping that my work with CFUSC will be helpful in reaching out to people who are in need and overlooked.”

Jennifer Burke Dempsey, CFUSC Secretary Jennifer attended St. Louise de Marillac School and graduated from USCHS with highest honors in 2003. Her fondest memory is being part of the 2003 varsity girls basketball WPIAL championship team, and her favorite teacher was Ms. Muffly in AP English. She attended Villanova University and received a BA in English with a Spanish minor, and then earned a Juris Doctor from the Charles Widger School of Law at Villanova. Now, she is Counsel at the law firm of McGuire Woods, LLP. She met her husband in Philadelphia and lived there for 10 years before returning to Upper St. Clair in 2017. She returned to be closer to family so she and her husband could advance their careers and raise their son Colin. Since the birth of their daughter Quinn in 2019, it has been wonderful to have family support nearby. Jennifer is a long distance runner, having completed several half marathons and the Philadelphia Marathon in 2012. During her college years, she worked with Habitat for Humanity, where she was able to make meaningful differences for deserving families. She also volunteered for Philadelphia Reads, hosting students in the offices of her law firm for 1-on-1 reading time. Jennifer feels that she benefited greatly growing up in our wonderful community and wants to do her part to make it even better for the next generation.

Alison Hess, Communications Co-Director Alison is the ultimate definition of a busy and highly productive person! Now immediate pastpresident of CFUSC she will continue to serve as communications co-director. She graduated from USCHS in 1990. Her favorite teachers were Mr. Zuraw, Dr. Saunders, Mr. DePalma, Frau Baird, Mrs. Hughes, Mr. Brosnahan and her favorite places are the USC library and the Log House. Alison and her husband Chris, who is a CPA, have two children, CJ, now at Carnegie-Mellon, and Sara, class of 2021. The Hesses came back to USC in 2003 to be closer to family. Alison holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Richmond and is currently working on a Masters degree in Mental Health Counseling through Northwestern University. Her volunteer experience includes coaching Odyssey of the Mind, and treasurer for Fort Couch PTO and Cross Country. She has worked as a Marketing and Sales Executive for UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY magazine since 2009. She says this has been a wonderful way to make connections and she is grateful for the experiences in advertising, writing articles, and working with a small but mighty staff that keeps this hallmark of USC life in print every quarter. As a CFUSC Trustee, Alison established the C2CF (Connect to the Community Foundation) HS Club and brought “junior” trustees on board to build visions for the future. n Spring 2021

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

15241 TODAY

“On Stage with Jim and Lanny” Continues to Captivate Its Audience

Keeping USC residents captivated with continuing broadcasts, watching 15241 TODAY talk “On Stage with Jim and Lanny” is a great way to become acquainted with local celebrities and people with ties to USC. Through light-hearted, friendly conversations, the half-hour broadcasts co-hosted by Jim Render and Lanny Frattare are aired on USC’s TV stations (Cable 7 or Verizon 42) and can also be viewed digitally on a computer or handheld device at any time. All broadcasts are available through USC Township’s website (www.twpusc.org) by choosing “Video Gallery” under subhead “Life in USC,” and selecting the broadcast of your choice. You can also log into the School District’s athletic website (https://upperstclairathletics.com), where links are shared. Mark Gentile John Sakoian Photos and highlights from interviews with our most recent guests (shown in order of appearance since November 2020) accompany this feature story.

talk

• Mark Gentile is an Upper St. Clair High School graduate who quarterbacked the Panthers to an undefeated season and a Pennsylvania state championship in 1989. A 1995 graduate of Bucknell University in civil engineering, he has risen to become the president of the Pittsburgh-based Trumbull Corporation, a builder of highways, tunnels, and bridges. (https://youtu.be/2UXcjaTRe3M) • John Sakoian has been in law enforcement for more than 40 years. Most of his career was spent as a police officer and lieutenant in Upper St. Clair Township. Now retired from the police force, John is the president and founder of Command Excellence, a company devoted to active shooter and multi-hazard action training. (https://youtu.be/43QS20Sekfw) • Matthew Serakowski has served Upper St. Clair Township for many years, and has risen to the top spot as Township manager. A rising star in municipal management, he leads our Township in its top-rated services of community development, finance, public works, police, and recreation. (https://youtu.be/jhDCYNylGpk) • Dr. Timothy Wagner is a young dynamic educator who has risen to be the principal of Upper St. Clair High School. This 2004 USCHS graduate is a budding star in the world of academics and public school administration. (https://youtu.be/WNINtJIkBbw) • Rich Donnelly was third base coach of the Pittsburgh Pirates under team manager Jim Leyland. His life story and the trials and tribulations of his family are captured in the book The Chicken Runs at Midnight. It’s a must read! (https://youtu.be/KhVI966lXbY ) • Amy Scheuneman is the first female executive director of the prestigious Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL). Talented in many regards, she previously served as athletic director of USC rivals, Bethel Park and North Hills High Schools. (https://youtu.be/2cJMnp5gwyo) • Pennsylvania State Representative Natalie Mihalek is dedicated to service. When you talk about service to your 72

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

community, state and country, Natalie rises above most people. A four-year veteran of the U.S. Navy, this Upper St. Clair resident was recently re-elected as Congressperson of the 40th District in the State of Pennsylvania. (https://youtu.be/ZpUDhOHIJZU) • John Steigerwald has accomplished what most people do not, becoming a radio and TV star in their hometown! Broken in under the tutelage of Pittsburgh icon Bob Prince, John went on to become sports anchor at both KDKA and WTAE. (https://youtu.be/eQH5nkhdIAs) • Kevin Orie, a 1990 USCHS graduate, is one of the best to ever play three sports in high school. He starred in football, basketball, and baseball, and later became the third basemen at Indiana University and in the major leagues for the Chicago Cubs! Find out what he’s doing now. (https://youtu.be/pzUdmiVPboE) • Joe David Joe David has always been successful in his chosen endeavors. He starred in basketball at both Upper St. Clair High School and the University of Pittsburgh. Today, the success continues in his David Physical Therapy business and his accomplished coaching career for the Mt. Lebanon High School boys basketball team. (https://youtu.be/mWzZ8pxHRUk) n

USC Township Manager Matthew Serakowski

Dr. Timothy Wagner

Rich Donnelly

Amy Scheuneman

Pennsylvania State Representative Natalie Mihalek

John Steigerwald

Kevin Orie

Joe David

Interviews with guests appearing from May 2019 to September 2020 (listed below by order of appearance) can be viewed through YouTube at any time on the Township or USCSD athletic websites: Jim Render Sean Casey Jerry Malarkey Police Chiefs Jonathan Pat Palazzolo Tim O’Malley Wharton and Eddie Johnston Jim O’Brien Sean Bryson Danny Holzer Josh Helmrich Steve Blass District Magistrate Von Campanella Kent Tekulve Judge Ronald Arnoni Tony Accamando Jerry Berteotti Gene Steratore Todd Flynn Lanny Frattare Angela Petersen Craig Wolfley Phil Newcamp Jim Leyland Mike White Dr. Kevin Deitrick Dave Schraven Doug Whaley The Honorable Missie Berteotti Tidbits and COVID-19 D. Michael Fisher USC Superintendent Ryan Huzjak Grant Jackson Dr. John Rozzo Don Rebel Suzie McConnell-Serio Terry Kushner John Banaszak Spring 2021

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Restoration at Wingfield Pines

PP Ad-USCSpring2021.indd 1

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Caitlin Seiler, ALT Director of Stewardship and Volunteers Standing on the edge of the creek trail at Wingfield Allegheny Watershed Alliance, the conservation area received Pines, a conservation area in USC, one can watch Chartiers 100 native trees for riparian restoration. With volunteer support from Master Watershed Stewards and Creek flowing and imagine the water making its journey to Lower Chartiers Creek Watershed Association, the Ohio River, eventually connecting with the this past fall ALT planted all the trees while folMississippi, and ultimately feeding into the Gulf of lowing COVID-19 safety protocols and proper Mexico. Protecting what enters these waters has a distancing. The native trees and shrubs were planted great impact on the health of aquatic ecosystems, with protective cages or tubing, which will be in both locally and across the country throughout the place for several years to protect them from deer water’s journey. This is why Allegheny Land Trust browsing. A variety of species were planted suitable (ALT) manages a passive abandoned mine drainfor wet to semi-wet conditions, including redbud, age (AMD) treatment system at Wingfield Pines dogwoods, and swamp rose. Many of the species conservation area, which prevents 48 tons of iron Volunteers plant trees at Wingfield provide a direct food source or support insects oxide from entering the creek each and every year. Pines. (photo by Caitlin Seiler) for migrating birds, further enhancing one of the Equally as important as keeping our waterways clean is protecting and supporting the health of riparian greatest enjoyed benefits of Wingfield Pines. ALT staff and volunteers will monitor the trees over the next areas. These powerhouse areas are where water meets land, providing a unique habitat for species requiring spaces that are not several years to make sure they are growing safely and have not quite dry or aquatic, but that provide nutrients and filtration for been overrun by invasive plants, including bush honeysuckle, water quality. Plants growing in riparian areas stabilize stream- multiflora rose, and Japanese honeysuckle. The trees provide a benefit by diversifying the habitat and providing support and banks and can help prevent downstream flooding. Wingfield Pines protects nearly 4000 feet of streambank along filtration to the streambanks. Visit ALT’s events calendar at alleghenylandtrust.org/events Chartiers Creek, and its entire 80 acres sits within a floodplain. By conserving this space as green space, it prevents millions of throughout the spring to see upcoming plantings, invasive workgallons of water from flooding communities downstream. In part- days, and cleanups. We hope to safely share time with you on nership with the Allegheny County Conservation District and the the land soon! n

Spring 2021

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

All We Are Saying, is Give Peas a Chance Jay Lynch

A recent tooth extraction by a local oral surgeon included some unexpected humor. The minor surgery reflected today’s medical efficiencies. The doctor arrived, politely introduced himself, shot me up with novocaine, yanked my tooth, and then left the room. With other patients waiting, he had no time to chat about post-op pain management. Instead, his nurse, Maria, handed me an instruction sheet and a few gauze pads, took my payment, and hustled me out the door. When I returned home, the novocaine wore off and the pain and swelling began. As I scanned the instructions for pain relief techniques, one of the phrases caught my eye (see below). It seemed odd, to the point of being humorous:

An ice pack or unopened bag of peas or corn can be applied to the area 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off… to help minimize swelling.

g in h l ve wit a Y Tr A D O T

In full sarcasm mode, I picked up my phone and called Maria at the office. Jay: After surgery today, I went to Giant Eagle, filled a plastic bag with peas, took it home, and held it against my jaw for three 20-minute intervals, but the swelling is getting worse. Maria: Were the peas frozen? Jay: Frozen? Oh, I get it. I should’ve bought frozen peas! There’s a bag of frozen cauliflower in my freezer, but I can’t use it. Maria: Why not? Jay: Your instructions say only peas or corn can be used. I assume there are healing microbes found only in the DNA of peas and corn that can magically seep through plastic bags. Maria (laughing): No, Mr. Lynch. There’s no magic, and I think you’re pulling my leg. The instructions are pretty funny when you take them literally. We’ll fix them. But, they used to be worse. Jay: Worse? Maria: Under the paragraph entitled “What You Can Eat,” the instructions used to have a typo. It said, “In the first 24 hours, restrict your diet to liquids or soap.” We got lots of calls on that one! Jay: I guess a mouth full of soap would be justified for extraction patients who’d cursed a lot during the procedure. We both laughed, my pain subsided, and I learned a lesson. Humor works better than a bag of warm peas. n

Watching the team’s buses depart from a Jacksonville hotel for a Sunday afternoon game

TODAY traveled to Jacksonville, Florida, this past November to enjoy the Pittsburgh Steelers 27–3 win against the Jaguars and our hometown team’s 10–0 record at threequarters of the season mark. Watching the team depart for the game in their four buses from a birds-eye view atop the team’s hotel and properly social distancing in TIAA Bank Field’s stadium, the hotel’s hospitability and stadium personnel friendliness couldn’t have been nicer to a crowd of mostly Steeler fans. So Inside TIAA Stadium to much for the season’s ending. watch the Steelers capture A round of golf at The King & Bear in the World their tenth straight win Golf Village, lunch at the World Golf Hall of Fame, and then a quick trip through St. Augustine, Florida, (founded in 1565, the oldest city in the nation) to see the Fountain of Youth, was a great way to enjoy this southern sports trip. For you history buffs, the WGHoF, supported by a consortium of 26 golf organizations from around the world, is unusual among sports halls of fame in that a single site honors both men and women. n

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Spring 2021

Entrance to the World Golf Hall of Fame

Instructions for Traveling with TODAY Read the following criteria to find out how to submit information. • Clear, close-up digital photo of USC resident(s) holding his or her TODAY magazine. • Attach jpg (at least 300 dpi) and send via email, including required information (see below) in the body of the email. • List name(s) of resident(s), group, and specific photo location, and objective of visit (leisure, volunteer, career, etc.) or stay-athome project. • Include email address or phone number should further contact be necessary. • Email information 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.

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Research Leads to More Questions… and Answers

Carolyn Jones Friedrich, Historian, Historical Society of Upper St. Clair An unexpected research project began while research- the various plantings at the farm, which included plantings of ing what was planted on the grounds of Gilfillan Farm. While wheat, rye, apples, and other produce, my curiosity about an working with the Historical Society of Upper St. Clair’s archives earthquake in Western Pennsylvania took over. A quick Internet search revealed that this 1886 earthquake to research local farming practices, a single line written by an Upper St. Clair resident led to a new question and more research. was no small matter. While not a major incident in the Pittsburgh In 1886, Alexander Gilfillan turned 29. He worked as an attor- area, the earthquake devastated Charleston, South Carolina. It caused millions of dollars in damage ney in Pittsburgh, frequently providing and the deaths of more than 60 people. legal services to his USC neighbors. Shocks from the earthquake were felt Following the death of his father, John as far away as Boston, New Orleans, Gilfillan (1826–1885), the previous and Chicago. If your interest is piqued year, Alexander also managed the dayto-day operations of the Gilfillan farm as mine was, I encourage you to learn more about this historic natural disasalong Washington Road. He recorded ter, even if its scope reaches far beyond his daily activities in brief notes that our little corner of Pennsylvania. he kept in a series of journals. For me, this is the beauty of arIn between entries about planting chives. Sometimes you find exactly crops, cementing the cellar, and hirwhat you’re looking for, and sometimes ing a painter, Alexander mentions on curiosity over a single line leads to a September 1, 1886, “An earthquake mini history lesson about something last night at 9.54 did not feel the that you never would have thought to shock.” Once the rest of the diary was Left to right: Alexander Gilfillan (1857–1934) and his search for in the first place. n scoured for the original question of son, John Gilfillan (1898–1980), circa 1908

Spring 2021

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Profiles

of People with a USC Connection

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UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY, 1820 McLaughlin Run Road, Upper St. Clair, PA 15241 or

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The Law Offices of Kristen A Schneck LLC was the 2020 winner of the fourth annual Reisman Awards for Best New Law Firm offered by Clio, the global leader in cloud-based legal technology. The award, recognizing a seasoned immigration attorney who has weathered the trials of entrepreneurship and comes out on top, is presented to Clio customers that demonstrate law firm excellence and innovation. After working at a large law firm, Kristen broke out on her own to found a firm that focused on creating a culture of career growth for women, while creating a more diverse and inclusive workplace that could better serve the needs of her clients. Now considered a leading voice in Pennsylvania on the topic of immigration law, Kristen has seen great success.

“Immigration is a process where you need a lot of patience, and small victories mean a lot. So, when I can call a client and tell them that their case is approved, it’s extremely rewarding,” said Kristen. “My first immigration case involved the marriage of my husband and me. Having been in a client’s position in that case helped me to compassionately anticipate the client’s concerns and worries.” Kristen frequently lectures on immigration topics, including “Know Your Rights” seminars and appears on media panels and local NPR-affiliated radio station broadcasts as a knowledgeable source on immigration law.

Kristen Schneck

For more information on immigration law, contact Kristen Schneck at 412-253-4380 or contact@schneckimmigrationlaw.com or visit www.schneckimmigrationlaw.com.

New Minimally Invasive Option for Treating Mitral Regurgitation Mitral regurgitation—a leaking mitral valve in your heart—produces symptoms that are both uncomfortable and disabling. One of the most common forms of structural heart disease, symptoms of mitral regurgitation include shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling of the feet and lower extremities, dry cough, and excessive urination. Without treatment, mitral regurgitation is likely to become progressively worse and can ultimately lead to heart failure, which causes severe, life-limiting symptoms and eventually death. “As the mitral valve leaks and blood flows back into the lungs, there is an increased load on the heart. The ventricle has to work harder to pump, and it gradually dilates,” explains Andy C. Kiser, MD, MBA, chief of cardiac surgery at St. Clair Hospital and an expert on valve disease. “An enlarged ventricle cannot function effectively and this leads to heart failure. We frequently see patients with mitral regurgitation in St. Clair’s Heart Failure Clinic.” Treatment for mitral valve regurgitation, including the most advanced minimally invasive procedure known as transcatheter mitral valve repair, can be found at St. Clair Hospital. Expert cardiac specialists at St. Clair now offer this option to older adults with severely deteriorated mitral valves and heart failure. These patients are too clinically high risk for the traditional open heart surgical repair or replacement of the mitral valve. Instead, a small device called a MitraClip is implanted in the heart by way of a catheter-based delivery system to more completely close the mitral valve, restoring normal blood flow. The MitraClip joins the valve’s leaflets together and holds them in place. “The MitraClip can keep the patient out of heart failure,” says Dr. Kiser. “Once it is in place, the valve is no longer leaking and the blood is flowing in the right direction again. The heart failure becomes much more manageable.” George Cater, MD, is a cardiac imaging specialist and echocardiologist who joined St. Clair’s cardiology program in July 76

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2020. Dr. Cater is an expert in the MitraClip procedure, a complex process that requires an entire multidisciplinary team of cardiology specialists. Jeffrey C. Liu, MD, a board-certified electrophysiologist, gains access to the mitral valve by making a tiny puncture, using a special needle, in a precise location. Ryan Zuzek, MD, board-certified interventional cardiologist, and Dr. Kiser, at Dr. Cater’s direction, then bring the catheter delivery system into the heart and direct it down over the valve, grasping the leaflets and bringing them together so that the edges are approximated. The procedure lasts several hours and most patients are discharged in two or three days. “The MitraClip is one more way that we can help people with heart disease who are very sick,” says Dr. Cater. “When their hearts can no longer compensate for the leaking valve, and they are too frail for surgery, this is an option that can help some of our patients who are very sick, improving their heart failure and enhancing their quality of life. It’s exciting to see the patient get better. Many patients experience immediate relief of symptoms.” Dr. Cater came to St. Clair for the opportunity to do advanced cardiac imaging. “I’m excited by how the heart program is growing here,” he says. “St. Clair is introducing new, improved technologies, including cardiac MRI, stress cardiac MRI, and coronary artery scanning. In the new Dunlap Family Outpatient Center, opening this spring on St. Clair’s main campus, we’ll have excellent technology for diagnosing and treating heart disease for the regional area. We’ll be able to help a lot of people. Procedures like the MitraClip implantation are changing lives and it’s exceptional to find this technology and this level of sophistication in a non-academic setting.” n To learn more about cardiac care at St. Clair Hospital, visit www.stclair.org. See ads for St. Clair Hospital on pages 3 and 79.

Local Agencies Benefit From Town Hall South Grants When you hear about the Town Hall South Speaker Series (THS), you probably think of the renowned writers, actors, politicians, journalists, scientists, and more who speak at the Upper St. Clair High School theater five times a year and engage our community in dialogue on key issues of our day. But an equally important part of the THS mission is to provide outreach to the community through philanthropic gifts to a wide range of local organizations. Indeed, since THS was organized as an outreach of Westminster Presbyterian Church in 1969, it has donated nearly $650,000 to local organizations. Organizations served by the THS grants primarily focus on children in need, Pittsburgh’s homeless population, and women fleeing from violence and seeking to rebuild their lives. Recipients of grants resulting from THS’s 2019–2020 season include Boys Hope Girls Hope of Pittsburgh, Inc., Spencer Family YMCA/Camp AIM, Operation Safety Net®, Washington City Mission, and CASA for Kids, Inc., to name a few. The needs of these organizations have only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the grants from THS have been used to help fulfill those needs. For instance, Spencer Family YMCA’s Camp AIM, a camp for special needs children, was offered virtually this year. The THS grant was used to help develop interactive programming featuring life skills, physical activities, music, and art. CASA for Kids, Inc., is a nonprofit organization providing advocates for abused and neglected children in the Washington County juvenile court system. The THS grant helped to provide training to 17 new advocates, much of which was accomplished via Zoom, enabling CASA for Kids to assign more than 30 children to an advocate who will speak up for the children’s best interests and give them a voice in court. Another recipient of THS’s recent grants was Washington City Mission, which used the THS grant to fund the Women with Children’s Shelter, a 32-bed shelter for homeless women and their families. Specifically, the funds were used to pay part of the salary of a qualified childcare coordinator who operates a childcare center during the day to help women care for their children as they rebuild their lives. Other uses of THS’s grants include purchases of blankets, sleeping bags, and tents for Pittsburgh’s homeless population, as well as bus tickets to enable these individuals to access housing and recovery services; purchases of equipment to help children requiring therapy and early intervention to achieve their developmental goals; and subsidized counseling sessions for teens and families suffering from mental health issues. THS’s gifts come directly from ticket sales, corporate sponsorships, and donations. Although the 2020–2021 season was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021–2022 season is scheduled to begin this coming October with legendary journalist and news anchor Dan Rather on October 5, 2021; Silicon Valley innovator and visionary Kevin Surace on November 9, 2021; global adventurer and host of Netflix’s The Kindness Diaries, Leon Logothetis on December 7, 2021; former TIME magazine editor and diplomat Richard Stengel on February 1, 2022; and author and professor of animal science, Dr. Temple Grandin, who will discuss her personal journey with autism on March 15, 2022. n

Tickets and more information on Town Hall South are available at www.townhallsouth.org.

Calabro Tire & Auto Service (412) 221-4300 www.calabrotire.com 1476 Bower Hill Rd. Family Owned Since 1941

Safe refers to wet braking when tires are new and worn to 3/32”. All tires eventually wear out and should be replaced. Based on internal wet braking tests from 50 MPH using new tires and tires buffed to 3/32” in tire size 235/55R18 on a 2020 Toyota RAV4 against the Continental® CrossContact™ LX25 and the Goodyear® Assurance® WeatherReady®; and in size 215/55R17 on a 2019 Toyota Camry against the Bridgestone® Turanza™ QuietTrack™ tire and the Continental® PureContact™ LS tire; using the MICHELIN® CrossClimate®2 tire. Actual on-road results may vary.

Based on third-party snow traction tests using ASTM Test Method F1805-12, using tires buffed to 3/32” remaining tread depth. When compared to Standard Reference Test Tire (SRTT), in size 235/55R18 the MICHELIN® CrossClimate®2 tire scored 93 compared against the Continental® CrossContact™ LX25 tire, which scored 63, and the Goodyear® Assurance® WeatherReady® tire, which scored 65; and when compared to SRTT, in size 215/55R17 the MICHELIN® CrossClimate®2 tire scored 90 when compared against the Bridgestone® Turanza™ QuietTrack™, which scored 62, and the Continental® PureContact™ LS, which scored 59. Actual on-road results may vary. Copyright © 2020 Michelin North America, Inc. All rights reserved.

Hours of Operation: Mon-Fri 8:00am - 5:00pm; Sat. 8am - noon

Spring 2021

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Over the Bar Bicycle Café at Hastings is Open Alexandria Shewczyk

Local restaurant chain, OTB Bicycle Café, with sites in South Side and North Park, opened its new eatery in South Fayette, OTB at Hastings. The restaurant, situated on Mayview Road in South Fayette, is in close proximity to the Upper St. Clair Community & Recreation Center, Boyce Mayview and Fairview parks, and Wingfield Pines conservation area. “Besides just being a restaurant with a bicycle theme, we promote healthy lifestyles and active living,” owner and founder Michael Kotyk said. “We’re all about people being outside.” The food menu features favorites that are shared across all three restaurant locations, including the Dirt Rag Delight burger (topped with fresh ground peanut butter, dill pickles, and American cheese), the Bike Lane BLT (pepper jack cheese, fresh avocado, a fried egg, and spicy chipotle mayo), Outspokin’ Spring Rolls, and more. Specialty items served only at OTB Hastings include wings, Gnarly Nachos, and unique protein bowls (sriracha lime seitan, chimichurri steak, and grilled salmon). With 16 beers on tap (mainly local), there is also a large range of bottle and can options, as well as wine and spirits. There is an India pale ale that Dancing Gnome Brewery in Sharpsburg created in collaboration with OTB. The design on the beer can matches a mural on the ceiling of the OTB Hastings bar. When operating at full capacity, the 6000-square-foot restaurant can seat up to 168 patrons inside and 72 outside on a large patio, warmed by 11 large heaters and two fire pits when needed. Floor-to-ceiling windows and two garage doors that can open to 78

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Spring 2021

provide fresh air for the entire restaurant when weather permits gives this restaurant a very open feeling. Colorful murals on the ceilings and walls depicting toothed chainrings of bicycle gears, along with displays of vintage bicycles and fixtures made with bike parts, add intrigue to the inside. In 2018, Michael started working with the housing developer of the Hastings plan, Charter Homes & Neighborhoods, to open a restaurant close to his home, along Chartiers Creek and the active railroad tracks. “We felt there were too few options in the South Hills besides chains for patrons,” said Michael, a USC resident who lives in the Montclair neighborhood with his wife and two children, Aidan (13) and Addison (10). “We suspected that the local community craved a new restaurant that challenged the norm and offered sizzling menu items to make your mouth water.” The restaurant was established as a bicycle-friendly employer through local and national programs, and Michael is advocating for expanded trail networks in the local area. n Over the Bar Bicycle Café at Hastings

1595 Mayview Road, South Fayette; 412-319-7212 Hours: Sunday–Thursday, 11 a.m.–10 p.m.; Friday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Indoor and outdoor dining, as permitted by COVID-19 safety guidelines Takeout service for food, beer, wine, and cocktails Online ordering: otbbicyclecafe.com/hastings Facebook & Instagram: @otbhastings

ENHANCED ACCESS. EXPERT UROLOGIC CARE.

David O. Hepps, M.D.

Shailen S. Sehgal, M.D.

Jay A. Lutins, M.D.

Kevin P. Bordeau, M.D.

Arthur D. Thomas, M.D.

Two of the region’s best urologic practices have become one—and that directly benefits patients with enhanced coordination of services. By expanding access to more comprehensive treatments, patients can now receive more advanced urologic services and greater access to board-certified urologists— a team of five highly-skilled physicians with multiple subspecialties. More flexibility. Less time waiting. And an answer for every possible urologic problem or emergency. Welcome to a more integrated model of urologic care.

1145 BOWER HILL RD, SUITE 105

PITTSBURGH, PA 15243

412.572.6194

STCLAIR.ORG/UROLOGY

Advertiser Index Spring 2021

www.twpusc.org/magazine/usc-today-home Advanced Surgical Hospital .................................................................... 61

* Keller Williams–Sandy and Marshall Goldstein ...................................... 57

Affordable Decks & Additions .................................................................. 47

* Kerr Family and Cosmetic Dentistry ........................................................ 40

* Angelo Associates ................................................................................... 44

* Manalo, Larry E., DMD ............................................................................ 40

Arbor Tree Specialists, Inc. ....................................................................... 42

Mister Sewer ........................................................................................... 43

* Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, The Preferred Realty, Rt. 19 South ....2

Mt. Lebanon Awning ............................................................................... 45

* Brookside Lumber ................................................................................... 45

Movement Mortgage–Kevin O’Laughlin ................................................. 75

* Calabro Tire & Auto Service ..................................................................... 77

OTB Bicycle Café at Hastings ................................................................... 78

Clubhouse Cards ........................................................................................9

* Pinebridge Commons Associates ............................................................ 40

* Coldwell Banker–Lynn Dempsey ............................................................. 42

* Providence Point, a Baptist Homes Society community .......................... 73

Coldwell Banker–Dora Rudick ................................................................. 75

* Rusmur Floors .................................................................. Inside back cover

* Coldwell Banker–South Hills Office ...............................Outside back cover

* St. Clair Hospital ..................................................................................3, 79

* Cupelli & Cupelli, Drs. ............................................................................. 57

* Scott Bros. Windows and Doors .............................................................. 41

Davey Tree and Lawn Care ....................................................................... 44

* Sesame Inn ............................................................................................. 19

Davit, Flavia, Dr. ...................................................................................... 19

South Hills Endoscopy Center ....................................................................1

* Extended Day Services ............................................................................ 69

South Hills Junior Orchestra ................................................................... 19

We would like to thank UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY! The magazine is truly inspiring for the community and we’re happy to have been a partner for the past year.—Clubhouse Cards

G’s Landscape, LLC .................................................................................. 42

Southwest Gastroenterology Associates ....................................................7

G’s Window and Gutter Cleaning ............................................................ 47

* State Farm Insurance–Cindy Brophy ....................................................... 47

George Girty Landscape Design .............................................................. 47

Swift Audiology ....................................................................................... 21

Greater Pittsburgh Plumbing, Heating & Cooling .................................. 41

* Thomas Dance Studio ............................................................................. 77

Hastings South Fayette–Charter Homes & Neighborhoods .......................5

Torrente Apartment Homes ........................................................................9

* Howard Hanna–Susan Highley ............................................................... 69

Troy Orthodontics .................................................................................... 40

* Howard Hanna–Diane Horvath ............................................................... 15

Washington Health System .................................................................... 37

* Howard Hanna–USC Office .............................................. Inside front cover

* Wellington Real Estate–Patty Thomas & Rebecca Lutz ............................ 29

J&A South Park, LLC Heating-Cooling-Plumbing-Electric ........................ 45

Welter, Julie, Realtor® ................................................... Front cover, 10, 11

Let guide you in 2021 with great ad placement.

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Place your ad in UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY, our communityʼs go-to publication. Contact 412-833-1600, x2284. *The above advertisers, who are advertising in this issue, have contributed their financial support for a minimum of 52 issues. Thank you!

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Let Us Help You Find a Home That Fits Your New Lifestyle Julie Leslie

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Working remotely, virtual classrooms and in-home gyms have become the new normal for many people. If your priorities have changed and your makeshift workspace or other aspects of your current home no longer meet your needs, we can help you find a home that better accommodates your new lifestyle. Don’t delay. To find out what your home is worth and to start your new home search, contact one of these Coldwell Banker affiliated agents.

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ColdwellBankerHomes.com/southhills South Hills | 1630 Washington Road | Pittsburgh, PA 15241 | 412.833.5405 Affiliated real estate agents are independent contractor sales associates, not employees. ©2021 Coldwell Banker. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logos are trademarks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker® System is comprised of company owned offices which are owned by a subsidiary of Realogy Brokerage Group LLC and franchised offices which are independently owned and operated. The Coldwell Banker System fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. 21AN6A_PIT_1/21

SPRING 2021 UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Articles inside

Horses with Hope Bring Therapeutic Riding to Gilfillan Farm

Listing Homes with Love