Principal's Report

 South Fayette High School

October 12, 2005

 

               From the Offices of Ann Bisignani, High School Principal

and Aaron Skrbin, Assistant High School Principal

 

 

SAT SCORES SHOW SF STUDENTS WELL ABOVE NATIONAL AVERAGE

The results are in, and for students taking the SAT test at any time during the 2004-2005 school year, the trend is very positive.  South Fayette students scored well above the state and national average in both Math and Verbal, as shown by the table below:

 

 

National (Total Group)

PA

South Fayette

Mean SAT Verbal Score of College-Bound Seniors 2005

508

501

526

Males

513

506

537

Females

505

496

515

Mean SAT Math Score of College-Bound Seniors 2005

520

503

546

Males

538

522

573

Females

504

487

520

 

Number of South Fayette Students Taking the SAT:  87 (44 males and 43 females)

 

Top Ten Schools Where SAT Scores were Requested to be Sent by SF Students (note that not all students request scores be sent to colleges via the College Board):

 

1                    Penn State University Park

2                    University of Pittsburgh Main Campus

3                    Duquesne University

4                    Indiana University of PA

5                    Slippery Rock University

6                    West Virginia University

7                    University of Pittsburgh Johnstown

8                    Westminster College

9                    Allegheny College

10                Grove City College

 

 

PSSA SCORES

 

In August, the district received the results for the 2004-2005 PSSA assessments that were given last March in Reading and Math.  Of the 42 school districts in Allegheny County, South Fayette High School 11th graders scored 7th in Reading and 8th in Math.  Of the 501 school districts in the state of Pennsylvania, our 11th graders scored 16th in Reading and 15th in Math.  This means that our students scored in the top 3% of all students taking the exams in the state!!  These are excellent results indeed!

 

 

NATIONAL MERIT COMMENDED STUDENTS NAMED

 

Congratulations to Nicholas Brozack and Mahmood Rasheed, who have been named Commended Students in the 2006 National Merit Scholarship Program.  A letter of Commendation from the school and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation will be presented to these students on Awards Night.  About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise.  Commended Students placed among the top 5% of more than one million students who took the PSAT exam in 2004. 

 

 

AP SCHOLARS EARN DISTINCTIVE TITLE

 

Eleven students from South Fayette High School have earned the designation of AP Scholar by the College  Board in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the college-level Advanced Placement Program Exams taken last spring.  The College Board’s Advanced Placement Program offers students the opportunity to take challenging college-level courses while still in high school, and to receive college credit, advanced placement, or both for successful performance on the AP exams.  About 18% of the more than one million high school students in more than 15,000 secondary schools worldwide who took AP Exams performed at a sufficiently high level to merit the recognition of AP Scholar. 

 

Two students qualified for the AP Scholar with Distinction Award by earning an average grade of at least 3.5 or higher on a 5-point scale on all AP Exams taken AND grades of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.  These students are Sheena Henry and Nicholas Jones.

 

Two students qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor Award by earning an average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken AND grades of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams.  These students are Nicholas  Brozack and Amanda Wuchevich.

 

Seven students qualified for the AP Scholar Award by completing three or more AP Exams with grades of 3 or higher.  These students are Ryan Holets, Jessica Mann, Mahmood Rasheed, Shane Rooney, Jessica Silko, Lora Werkmeister, and Alex Wolff.

 

 

 

WELCOME, MR. SKRBIN!!

 

Last week we welcomed Aaron Skrbin to the High School team as the new assistant principal.  Aaron comes to South Fayette from Chartiers Valley School District where he was the Assistant Principal at the high school level for the past year. He also spent six years in the Woodland Hills School District as a Social Studies teacher and as the assistant principal in the Woodland Hills East and West Junior High Schools.  Aaron is a graduate of Duquesne University with a bachelor’s degree in education and holds a master’s degree in public management from Carnegie Mellon University. Since 2003, he has been a member of the St. Mary’s Tamburitza Orchestra; and he is also a volunteer firefighter for both the Mt. Lebanon Fire Department and the Wilkins Township Volunteer Fire Company #3.  You can reach Aaron at Extension 242 or via e-mail sent to askrbin@southfayette.org

 

 

SEPTEMBER STUDENTS OF THE MONTH

Congratulations to the September Students of the Month.  The theme for the month was “Awesome Attitude.”  The students will receive a plaque and a coupon for a free lunch.

9th Grade – Cole Valko and Maria Yalch

10th  Grade – Lauren Homes, Jimmy McVicker, and Chaz Oden

11th Grade – Jean Zhang and Stefan Chaussard

12th Grade – Austin Smith and Jason Wilcox

 

SPIRIT WEEK AND HOMECOMING ACTIVITIES

 

The week of October 10-14 is Homecoming Spirit Week at South Fayette High School.  Students Council under the direction of Mr. Felix Yerace has been very active in planning an exciting week of events.  Tuesday is “Country Day,” Wednesday is “Decades Day,” Thursday is “Mis-Match Day,” and Friday is Green and White Day.  There will be a pep rally on Friday for all fall sports teams followed by the varsity football game versus Brentwood with the pre-game Homecoming festivities beginning at 6:45 p.m. in the Stadium.  The crowning of the Homecoming King and Queen will occur at halftime.  The culminating activity of the week is the annual homecoming dance on Saturday, October 15, in the High School Commons area.  Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. for registration and pictures, and the dance will run until 10:30 p.m.

 

ATHLETES ON THE MOVE

Congratulations to Coach Cochran and Coach Nichols and the 2005 Golf Team who won the section for the fourth consecutive year undefeated in section play!!!  Also, five golfers made WPIAL Individual Section Qualifier.  All five golfers qualified and advanced to the WPIAL Individual Semi-Finals on Monday, October 3.  They were:  Jim Markovitz (79), Ryan Castanet and Matt Sampson (81), Steve Markovitz (82), and Kevin Hart (87).  At the Semi-Finals, held at Beaver Lakes Golf Course, three golfers advanced to the Finals:  Jim Markovitz, Ryan Castanet, and Steve Markovitz.  On October 11 at Sewickley Heights Golf Club, Jim Markovitz and Ryan Castanet earned the right to move on to the PIAA State Individual Championship at York, Pennsylvania, to be held on October 24 and 25.  Also, the golf team will play on Tuesday, October 18, for the WPIAL Team Semi-Finals.  Congratulations to our team and coaches and best of luck as post-season play continues!!

 

 

DIDONATO WINS KDKA/SUBWAY EXTRA EFFORT AWARD

 

On Friday, October 7, KDKA television sports anchor Bob Pompeani visited South Fayette High School to present Senior Quarterback Andrew DiDonato with the KDKA/Subway Extra Effort Award.  Andrew was joined by his parents, Joe and Marcy, and his brother Joe as Mr. Pompeani presented Andrew with the award in recognition of his feats on the gridiron and in the classroom.  Andrew is an outstanding student who maintains a 3.58 GPA.  On the field, Andrew is currently the third leading passer in WPIAL history having thrown for 5,000 yards and counting in his career. Andrew will be featured on KDKA’s 6 o’clock news broadcast on Thursday, October 13.

 

LITTLE GREEN MACHINE SHINES!

Congratulations to the South Fayette High School “Little Green Machine” Marching Band, who placed first in the “bands under 100 members” category at the Pittsburgh Labor Day Parade!  The band has been very busy performing at home and away football games and several area band festivals.  Last week, the Band Parents once again outdid them selves in organizing our home Festival of Bands.  The weather was somewhat less than cooperative, so the performance was moved indoors.  Featured bands from South Allegheny, Moon, Montour, North Hills, Chartiers Valley, Monessen, and our own “Little Green Machine”  performed to rousing applause.  All proceeds from the festival benefit the student members of the “Little Green Machine,” as they prepare for their upcoming band trip to Orlando, Florida this May.  Good job, Mr. Mackey, and LGM members!

 

PMEA HONORS CHOIR FESTIVAL  MEMBERS SELECTED BY AUDITION

Mr. Kevin Maurer is proud to announce that South Fayette will be represented in the 2005 Honors Choir Festival by the following students:

Tom Baker (12), Nick Brozack (12), Rylan Collins (11), Adam Levine (11), Ian Scully-Szejko (10), and Danielle Winterhalter (11)

The Festival will be held at South Fayette High School on Friday, October 28 and Saturday, October 29, 2005. The choir will be made up of 128 students from 31 high schools.  Dr. Fritz Mountford from Hastings College in Hastings, Nebraska will be our guest conductor.  All are invited to attend.

 

NEWS FROM PRESCHOOL

It’s been a busy month for our youngest students – the four-year-olds in Mrs. Morally’s preschool program.  On September 26 and 27, JM Productions was here to take individual and group pictures of the preschool children.  On Oct. 6 and 7, members of the Oakridge Fire hall visited with the fire truck, equipment, etc. to talk to the children about fire safety.  A police officer from the Allegheny County Police Department will be here on October 25 and 26 to do a presentation on Halloween safety.  Also on the 27th and 31st of October are the class Halloween parties.  The children, as well as Mrs. Morally, will be in costume.

 

PUBLISHED POETS

South Fayette High School has three newly published poets in our midst, announced Middle School Enrichment Coordinator Lisa Donovan early in September!  Last year, the following students submitted poetry to Creative Communications in hopes of having their poetry selected for publication in A Celebration of Young Poets.  We are pleased to congratulate Becca Havers, Megan Morgan, and Jennifer Schafer, whose poetry appears in the 2005 Spring Edition and will soon be available in our library. 

 

STUDENTS RECEIVE PENN STATE ARTS AWARD

Mr. Kevin Maurer, Fine Arts Department Chair, is pleased to announce that juniors, Courtney Markowitz and Nicholas Brozack have been selected for recognition in this, the inaugural year, of the Pennsylvania Award for Creative Achievement in the Arts.  According to Richard Durst, Dean of College of Arts and Architecture at Penn State University, “Given the number of entrants for the awards, it is a noteworthy accomplishment to be selected and we’re very pleased to provide this recognition of the talents of the select few.”   Mr. Maurer accompanied these two talented seniors and attended a program of special activities and the recognition ceremony on Friday, September 9, 2005 at Penn State’s University Park campus.

 

CONGRATULATIONS TO . . .

 

¨      The Boys Varsity Soccer Team, who is playoff-bound with a season record to date of 12 wins and 2 losses!   The team clinched the Section 4-A title with their win this week!

¨      The following students, who are participating in the Apprenticeship Program offered through the Allegheny Intermediate Unit: 

International Affairs - Justin Scott; Nursing - Ryan Castanet; Filmmaking - Joseph Mastrean; Engineering - Cara Wise; Acting - Amanda Smith, Danielle Winterhalter, and Andrew Yunker

 

 

HIGH SCHOOL HAPPENINGS

 

¨      Winter sports physicals will be held on the following schedule:

Monday, 11/7 - HS 2:00 - 4:00PM   Girls & Boys Basketball

Tuesday, 11/8 - HS 2:00 - 4:00 PM  Wrestling and Girls & Boys Swimming

Tuesday, 11/8 - MS 5:00 - 7:00PM   Wrestling and Boys Basketball

¨      A representative from Harvard University visited South Fayette on September 21 to discuss admission strategies for the Ivy League schools. The program was coordinated by Guidance Counselor Chris Lane.

¨      South Fayette will hold its Community Blood Drive on Friday, November 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the school parking lot.  To schedule an appointment, please contact Mrs. Macurak by e-mail (Macurak@southfayette.org) or by calling Ext. 223.  All donors may register for the bone marrow donor registry at no cost.

¨      More than 60 representatives from colleges, universities, trade schools, and the armed services participated in our College Fair in September.  Juniors and seniors had an opportunity to talk to admission representatives, collect information, and have their questions answered.  A special thanks to Chris Lane and Rege Fechter, Guidance Counselors, for coordinating this very worthwhile opportunity for our students.

¨      On Wednesday, October 5, a group of parents, community members and school administrators met in the High School Conference Center to discuss the wrestling program.  Much productive discussion was held regarding continuing in the co-operative program with Chartiers Valley or beginning one at South Fayette.  A recommendation will be made to the Board of School Directors at the October 18 meeting.

¨      On Thursday, October 6, parents, community members, and administrators met in the High School Theatre for a community information meeting.  Community members and parents were given the opportunity to ask administrators questions on a wide variety of issues that face the school district, students and community.  The next meeting is scheduled for February 2, 2006.

¨      The Guidance Department hosted “So You’re a Senior!” Night on September 13.  We received very positive feedback from the parents in attendance about the information that was shared on that evening. 

¨      The first Graduation Project Day of the 2005-2006 school year was held on September 27.  Ninth graders were introduced to their advisor/group, and seniors received all of the details related to the completion of the formal project over the next three months. 

¨      The High School held its annual Fall Open House on September 29.  Curriculum and assessment topics were discussed with parents in attendance.

 

 

 

MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES ATTENDED

 

Mrs. Bisignani – SHASDA Principals’ Network Fall Planning Meeting

Mr. Farkas – Tri-County AD Meeting

Mrs. Muller – AIU Quarterly Technology Coordinator’s Meeting

Mrs. Bisignani – Project 720 Collaborative Meeting at The Pines

Mrs. Quirk & Mrs. Bisignani – Career Cluster Partner Meeting

Mrs. Billy – National AASL Conference, Pittsburgh

Mrs. Bisignani – SHASDA Principals’ Network Meeting, Thomas Jefferson HS

 

 


UPCOMING EVENTS

Calendar
 
 

 

 

 

October

 

ü      14 – Homecoming (SF vs Brentwood); Pre-Game Festivities begin at 6:45 p.m.; football game begins at 7:30 p.m.

ü      14 – Homecoming Dance, 7:00-10:30 p.m.; Doors open at 6:30 for registration and pictures

ü      15 – Two-Hour Late Start for Professional Development

ü      24-Nov. 3 – PSSA Grade 12 Re-Takes

ü      25 – Graduation Project Day – Research Paper Draft Due

ü      28-29 – SF Hosts PMEA Honors Choir; Concert at 7 p.m. on 10/29 in the HS Theatre

ü      31 – Halloween

 

November

 

ü      1 – Faculty Meeting, 2:05 p.m.

ü      2 – First Nine Weeks Ends

ü      4 – Clerical/Staff Development Day

ü      4 – HCC Community Blood Drive (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.)

ü      7 – Two-Hour Late Start for Professional Development

ü      8 – Election Day; No School for Parkway Students

ü      8 – Graduation Project Day

ü      8 – New Teacher Meeting, 2:05 p.m.

ü      10 – Varsity Letterman Jacket Order Day

ü      10 – Department Chair Meeting

ü      11 – School-Wide Recognition of Veterans’ Day

ü      11 – Report Cards Issued

ü      14 – Parent Advisory Council Breakfast Meeting, 7:15 a.m.

ü      17, 19 – Fayette Follies, 7:00 p.m., HS Theatre

ü      20 – Fayette Follies, 2:30 p.m., HS Theatre

ü      21 – Graduation Project Research Papers (Final Draft) Due

ü      23 – Early Dismissal with Lunch, 11:30 a.m. for HS Students

ü      24, 25, 28 – Thanksgiving Vacation, No School for Students and Staff