Principal's Report
South Fayette High School
November/December, 2005
From
the Offices of Ann Bisignani, High School Principal
and Aaron Skrbin, Assistant High School Principal
CALCU-SOLVE CHAMPS
Calcu-Solve is a highly spirited
math competition hosted by the Allegheny Intermediate Unit. Schools from Allegheny County are divided between two days of competition. The students work
individually and in teams of four to solve math problems similar to those found
on the SAT. Team and Individual Honors are awarded at the end of each day’s
competition. The South Fayette team of Nick Brozack, Kaiting Chen, Rylan
Collins and Jean Zhang were awarded first place overall and Kaiting Chen
was awarded second place in the individual competition among 11th
and 12th graders on November 22, 2005. Thank you to Mrs. Sirc
for hosting an in-school Calcu-Solve competition to determine the students who
would represent South Fayette and to Mrs. Quirk, Enrichment Coordinator,
who helped prepare students for the event! This is the second year in a row
that a team from South Fayette High School has placed first in the Calcu-Solve
competition! Congratulations, team!
Lauren Davis, Bethany Drake,
Areus Jarrett, Stephanie Kedzuf, Rayanne Ross, Allsion Supko, Amanda Walasik and Shruti Valjee represented South Fayette High School at this year’s ninth
and tenth grade Calcu-Solve contest on October 25 at the AIU. A special thank
you to Mr. Alex Hobbs, who helped to prepare the students for the
competition.
CAREER FAIR
The eighth annual
Business-Information-Government Career Fair took place on Thursday, October 20th
at Chartiers Valley High School. Louis Garrett, Richard Hilbert, Richard
Kreush, Andrew McClelland, Kenny Morgan, David Sams, Ian Scully-Szejko and
Holly Shrum from South Fayette High School joined approximately 300
students from area high schools that attended the event which was a
collaborative effort to bring professionals from the community to speak to the
students about the various jobs that they hold, enabling the students to learn
about career opportunities in their particular field of interest. Mr. William
Peduto, serving his first term as a Member of Pittsburgh City Council, was the
keynote speaker for the day.
ENGINEERING
WORKSHOP DAY FOR GIRLS
Seventeen South Fayette students
participated in a one-day engineering workshop designed for high school girls.
The Carnegie Mellon University student chapter of the Society of Women
Engineers hosted this event to encourage girls to explore the field of engineering
as a career. The workshop, which took place on the Carnegie Mellon University campus on Friday, October 21, was designed to give an overview of engineering
through a series of hands-on workshops, demonstrations and lectures. Among the
disciplines included in this year’s workshop were Biomedical Engineering,
Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Civil and Environmental Engineering,
Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Science – Virtual Reality, Materials
Science and Engineering, and Engineering and Public Policy. Throughout the day
each girl attended three workshops about different engineering majors and
engaged in question-and-answer sessions with Carnegie Mellon students. Mrs.
Mary Quirk accompanied the following students form South Fayette to the
Engineering Workshop Day: Kelly Capozzoli, Gretchen Carr, Morgan Castanet,
Chelsea Cord, Nicole DellaVecchia, Hilary Ford, Rebecca Havers, Nicole
Hennemuth, Lauren Holmes, Denise Jones, Taylor Kline, Rayanne Ross, Allsion Supko, Brittany Troyer, Shruti Valjee, Amanda Walasik and Cara Wise.
STUDENTS OF THE
MONTH RECOGNIZED
The following students were
chosen as students of the month for October and November. The October
theme was “most school spirit”: 9th Grade – Ashley Schmider and
Nicole Hennemuth; 10th Grade – Emily Glover and Mike Venetti;
11th Grade: Zach Barzanty and Candace Desmet; and 12th Grade – Jackie
Kalina and Steve Nicholas.
The November theme was “creativity”:
9th grade – Noah Sahady and Taylor Kline; 10th grade – Drew Hareza and
Rebecca Revay; 11th grade – Rylan Collins and Lauren Funari; 12th – Courtney
Markowitz and Vince Battistone. Congratulations to all!
STUDENTS
RECOMMENDED TO GOVERNOR’S SCHOOLS OF EXCELLENCE
Each year, the Pennsylvania Governor’s Schools of Excellence
recommend nominations of academically talented 11th grade students
(a few also except 10th grade students) to apply to participate in
an intensive five-week residential summer program to explore a particular
career area in depth. Mrs. Mary Quirk, in conjunction with all high
school staff, met with the following recommended students to discuss the
program in detail and then hosted a Parent Information Night to meet with
parents to further explain the rigorous application process and to answer
questions. Students will be notified in late March or early April if they are
accepted to participate. Only 64 students from across the state will be
selected from hundreds of applications in each area to participate in this
program. Congratulations to our nominees:
HEALTH
CAREERS FAIR
South Fayette Health Careers Club
members attended a health fair co-sponsored by Mrs. Kathy Macurak and
Mrs. Lynn Heasley (Chartiers Valley High School) and held at Char-Valley on November 15, 2005. Twenty-seven SFHS students learned about a wide range of health
careers through presentations and one-on-one interaction with local
professionals. The students became aware of different pathways in education,
training, and career advancement opportunities, often paid for by employers.
The main presenter from the University of Pittsburgh Human Capital Policy
Initiative informed the students that health care is the fastest growing
occupational sector in the United States, as well as in Pennsylvania. Over 15%
of all workers in Southwest Pennsylvania are in the heath care sector. As our
region is well-known for its large older population, the need has become even
greater. And, as one of the largest medical research and health care centers
in the country, our local universities and health care facilities have a
continuous demand for skilled workers in many health care fields. We were
especially proud to have SFHS class of 1998 graduate and previous Health
Careers Club member, Alyson Likar, present on this day. Alyson is
currently a clinical dietitian at Weirton Medical Center.
DOWN SYNDROME
BUDDY WALK
The South Fayette High School
Circle of Friends volunteered their services to the Down Syndrome Group of WPA
for the 11th annual Buddy Walk. The Buddy Walk is a national event sponsored
by the National Down Syndrome Society and locally sponsored by the Down
Syndrome Group of WPA. This year’s event was held at Beveridge Pavilion in North Park on Saturday, October 1. The Buddy Walk is an effort to build awareness of the
potential and abilities of all individuals with Down syndrome. The Circle of
Friends group has been an integral part of the Buddy Walk for over 5 years.
The students assist individuals with Down syndrome during the Walk, help with
the games and other activities during the day, and made a $725.00 donation.
This year two of the Circle of Friends members won raffle prizes - an IPOD and
Steeler tickets! A special thanks to Mrs. Helen Cardillo for
coordinating this opportunity for our students.
MODEL UN CONFERENCE
Under the
direction of Mr. Felix Yerace, the
following students attended their first Model United Nations Conference on
Monday, November 7, at the University of Pittsburgh: Kaiting Chen,
Shane Coyle, Matt Darnley, Mike DePaul, Doug Fleisner, Becca Havers, Phil
Heinrich, Kevin Hunter, Donald Ingam, Sean Kennedy, Taylor Kline, Craig Lenart,
Andy Lesniakowski, Justin Merhaut, Josh Mittereder, Justin Scott, Dan
Sekelik, Brandon Uram, Shruti Valjee, Jamie Zajicek, and Jean Zhang. The experience was very educational for all! The
group will participate in a second model UN conference in January at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.
GERMAN FIELD TRIP TO ATRIA’S AND OKTOBERFEST
On Thursday, October 13, the Middle and High School German Teachers took
approximately 80 students from Grades 8-12 to Atria’s Restaurant and Tavern in Robinson Township to celebrate Oktoberfest. Atria’s very own German Executive Chef, Josef
Karst, created authentic German entrees for this occasion. The entrée choices
were Spinatsalat mit Speckdressing und Wiener Backhendl, Bratwurst mit
Krautspätzle, and Schnitzelsandwich. Most students also had dessert –
ofenfrischer Apfelstrudel mit Vanilleeis (apple strudel fresh from the oven,
with vanilla ice cream).
The chef, Josef Karst, who is originally from Germany and has been living in
this area for ten years, took the time to talk to many of our students, asking
them how they enjoyed the food and what they are learning in German class (in
German, of course!). He was impressed and said that some of our students were
quite good in German!
Everybody had a wonderful time and we can’t wait to go back to Atria’s next
year. Herr Karst already promised us to create a buffet-style lunch so the
students can sample a greater variety of German food items. The following
Thursday, October 20, the German Club had its own little “Oktoberfest” here at
the High School in the Commons Area, under the direction of Frau Wiernik. The dining area was decorated in the colors of Bavaria, blue and white, and traditional Oktoberfest music blasted from the CD player. The
students enjoyed the traditional Bratwurst, along with Kartoffelsalat (potato
salad) and Brezeln (soft pretzels). Some of the students in attendance were
also up for some traditional German games, such as “Kartoffelsackhüpfen” (potato
sack racing) and “Ballontanz,” a dance during which you have to try to pop as
many balloons as possible that are tied around the ankles of the other dancers,
while protecting your own balloon and that of your partner.
STUDENT SELECTED
TO PMEA HONORS JAZZ ENSEMBLE
Facing
competitors from 19 other schools, many of whom have established jazz programs,
senior trombonist Allie Hughes became
the first South Fayette student to place into the PMEA Honors Jazz Ensemble!!!
She performed at the PMEA Jazz Concert this past weekend and was very excited
to have achieved this honor. Congratulations to Allie and to her instrumental
teacher, Mr. Michael Mackey.
CLASS OFFICERS ELECTED
Congratulations
to the following students who were elected officers of their respective classes
earlier this year:
Class of 2006:
President: Alexandra Sahady
Vice-President: Cara Fornella
Council Members: Ashley Flennemuth and Courtney Markowitz
Class of 2007:
President: Jean Zhang
Vice-President: Rylan Collins
Class Council Members: Elizabeth McCarthney, Sarah Brown, Kaiting Chen,
Danielle Winterhalter
Class of 2008:
President: Bethany Drake
Vice-President: Allison Supko
Class Council: Bethany Darnley, Emily Glover, Tara Talerico, Leigh Ann Clark
Class of 2009:
President: Gary Fleisner
Vice-President: Jessica Salley
Class Council: Monte Lyons, Dave Weber, Kelsey Winterhalter
PRE-SCHOOL PROGRAM HOSTS VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES
The months of November and December have shaped
up to be a busy time in our Early Childhood Development program, under the
direction of Mrs. Judy Morally. On November
17 and 18, Officer Stacey Haines from the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Department
did a safety presentation with a talking bicycle for the children. The
following two days found the children dressed as Indians and singing songs for
the parents and grandparents at the annual Thanksgiving parties. Sibling Day,
held on November 29 and 30, had younger brothers and sisters participating with
the pre-schoolers for toy time and snack time. The students will participate
in the district’s annual food drive this month, as well as participate in
holiday parties on December 19 and 20, with Mr. Young dressing as Santa.
CONGRATULATIONS TO . . .
¨
Mr. Mackey and the Little Green Machine Marching Band for
being selected to perform on December 4, at Heinz Field, when the Steelers met
their AFC rival, the Cincinnati Bengals!
¨
Ninth graders Dan Santiso and Nick Hirsch, who were
selected to perform in the PMEA Jr. High District Band, this February, at Trinity High School!
¨
Senior Nick Brozack, who was declared the State Winner in
the 2005 Pennsylvania MTNA (Music Teachers’ National Association) Student
Composition Competition in the Senior Category! Nick performed his
composition, “Dual,” written for two pianos, at the PMTA Conference on November
11.
¨
Tom Baker, Nick Brozack, Lauren Holmes, and Adam Levine,
who were chosen through audition to represent South Fayette in the PMEA
District Chorus Festival. The festival will take place in early February at Shaler Area High School.
¨
Lindsey Curtin, Kayla Frattini, Nicole Gaab, Michelle
Latta-Maloney, Alyssa McCullough, and Brittany Troyer, who were named to
the 2005 All-Section Team for Girls’ Soccer.
¨
The following boys’ soccer players and coaches who won
prestigious honors at the conclusion of the season: Eric Sharrow
(All-WPIAL Team, 2nd year); Eric Sharrow, Tyler Leopardi, Dale
Quinlan, and Luke Morgan (All-Section); Jim Roberts (Honorable
Mention); Eric Sharrow (Section MVP), and Coach Mark Kuglar, Sr.
(Coach of the Year)!
¨
Mrs. Judy Morally, Mr. Kevin Maurer for being nominated by
students for the 10th Edition of Who’s Who Among American High
School Teachers!
HIGH SCHOOL HAPPENINGS
¨
Members of the Art Club, under the direction of Mr. Patrick
McAndrew, painted Holiday" windows at the Bridgeville Post Office and
Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, November 30. We always received much
positive feedback from this wonderful community service event. A very sincere
thank you to Mr. McAndrew and all of the students who participated.
¨
Mr. Kevin Maurer, who hosted the PMEA Honors Choir
Festival on October 28 aqnd 29. Tom Baker, Nick Brozack, Rylan Collins, Adam
Levine, Ian Scully-Szejko, and Danielle Winterhalter joined 120 other students
in participating in this year’s event. The group performed a wonderful evening
of music on October 29 in our High School Theatre. A special thank you to Mr.
Maurer for the incredible work and energy that it takes to coordinate a program
such as this for area students.
¨
A new club, under the direction of science teacher Mr. Jeff McGowan, is off and running this year, with more than 40 members participating. The
Forensic Science Club is exploring the examination of forensic evidence in
solving crimes, taking field trips, hosting guest speakers, and having a great
time in the process! Newly elected officers include Elizabeth McCartney,
President; Rylan Collins, Vice President, and Cara Wise,
Treasurer.
¨
The Advanced Placement teachers will host their first annual AP
Night for Parents on Monday, January 9, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. The evening is designed to inform parents about the Advanced Placement program, give parents an
opportunity to ask questions, and prepare students for appropriate course
selection in early February.
¨
Another “revamped” club that has already achieved incredible
things this year is our Student Government group! Under the direction of their
enthusiastic and dedicated sponsor, Mr. Felix Yerace, the group now
boasts more than 60 members, who represent our school in social, leadership,
and charitable functions too numerous to list! The group has sponsored the
Sadie Hawkins dance, coordinated an outstanding Homecoming weekend, met monthly
with the principals over lunch, raised to date over $1,000 for charity,
sponsored a Halloween Costume contest, and the list goes on and on! The newly
elected Executive Board, who are extremely active in the group, includes Chair
Jean Zhang, Vice-Chair Rylan Collins, Treasurer Justin Scott,
and Secretary Danielle Winterhalter.
¨
Congratulations to the following students for being selected to
represent South Fayette High School in the 2005-2006 PMEA Senior High District
Band: Senior Emily Krobot, flute; Senior Allie Hughes, trombone; Senior Jason Wilcox, trumpet; Junior Alyssa DeYoung, oboe; Sophomore Derik Dolgos, tenor sax; Sophomore
Garrett Vidak, tenor sax. South Fayette High School is honored to be the
host of the 2005-2006 PMEA Senior High District Band, under the direction of
Indiana University Director of Bands, Stephen Pratt, and hosted by our own Band
Director, Mr. Michael Mackey. The festival will run Wednesday, January
17 through Friday, January 19, 2006. The concert will be held at 7:00PM, on January 19, and will feature the 136 participants from nearly 50 local schools.
MEETINGS AND
CONFERENCES ATTENDED
Mrs. Bisignani, Mrs. Sirc, Mrs. Lane – Project 720 Seminar
“Thinking Outside the Clock to Improve Student Achievement”; Sheraton Station Square
Mrs. Heal, Dr. Gutshall, Mrs. Bisignani – APEX Meeting, Duquesne University
Mr. Skrbin – Superintendent’s Forum on High School Reform,
Renaissance Hotel
Mr. Skrbin – Parkway Principals’ Meeting and Luncheon
UPCOMING EVENTS
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December
ü
10 – Breakfast with Santa, SF Commons
ü
12 – Parent Conference Day, Noon-7:30 p.m. (No School for
Students)
ü
13 – Senior Project Presentation Day (No School for Students
K-11)
ü
14 – DAT for Grade 9, Periods 1-3
ü
14 & 15 – Project 720 Meeting at Penn State
ü
15 – DAT for Grade 9, Periods 9-10
ü
15 – Department Chair Meeting, 2:05 p.m.
ü
16 – Winter Sports Pep Assembly
ü
18 – Band/Chorus Holiday Concert, 3:30 p.m., Theatre
ü
20 – SHASDA Principals’ Holiday Breakfast and Meeting/SHASDA
Math Teachers Breakfast and Meeting at South Fayette
ü
21 – Early Dismissal with no lunch, 10:30 a.m.
ü
21 – Pittsburgh Symphony Pops Holiday Concert, 7:30 p.m., Theatre
ü
22-Jan. 2 – Holiday Break (No School)
January
ü
3 – Classes Resume
ü
3 – Faculty Meeting, 2:05 p.m.
ü
5 – Admin Meeting, 9 a.m. – Noon
ü
9 – Two-Hour Late State (Professional Development)
ü
9 – Pre-School Registration
ü
9 – AP Parent Night, 7 p.m.
ü
10 – Student Government Luncheon
ü
10 – New Teacher Meeting
ü
10 – Financial Aid Night
ü
12 – Department Chair Meeting, 2:05 p.m.
ü
16 – Martin Luther King Day (No School)
ü
19 – PMEA District I Band Festival at SF
ü
19 – Admin Meeting, Noon – 3 p.m.
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