< PreviousYour SchoolsYour Schools N Robinson Township Christian School STORIES AND PHOTOS SUBMITTED Students perform in Piano Day Pittsburgh On Aug. 25, 10th-graders Sarah Heiple and Sonya Campbell performed at Heinz Hall Garden as part of Piano Day Pittsburgh 2019. Piano Day took place at four venues in downtown Pittsburgh. It served to showcase a love of piano, build community, and provide an opportunity to hear and experience some of Pittsburgh’s many talented pianists. Students were selected to perform based on their classical repertoire. Sarah and Sonya played a Brahms duet together and Sonya also performed Brahms’ “Rhapsody No. 2 Op. 79” and Debussy’s “Arabesque No. 1.” Sarah and Sonya are students of Katie Phelps Piano Studio and contribute their gifts regularly to Robinson Township Christian School choirs and concerts throughout the school year. Sarah Heiple and Sonya Campbell perform during Piano Day Pittsburgh. RTCS starts new preschool program Robinson Township Christian School started a 3-year-old preschool program at the start of the fall season. The program, which is geared toward the youngest learners, is led by Kara- Mia Appleton, a teacher who is energetic, loving, fun, hardworking, creative and loyal. Appleton studied Spanish and education at Gustavus Adolphus College and Crown College. She has been a homeschooling mom to her two daughters and has taught math and grammar at Veritas Classical School. Spanish is her second language. Appleton and her family came to Robinson Township Christian School from Georgia. She is passionate about tailoring the curriculum to the unique and individual needs of 3-year-olds. “Children, at this age, all learn through different experiences,” says Appleton. Her students have been learning the basics - including early math, science, letters, numbers and colors - but also so much more. They have been learning how to be good friends and neighbors while also learning Bible stories. Appleton’s goal is that students learn valuable social skills in a God-centered and nourishing environment that lays the foundation for success in kindergarten and beyond. A day in 3-year-old preschool is never exactly the same, just as no two children are exactly the same. Some days, the students sing, take nature walks or paint outdoors. Activities keep school fun and interesting for children while ensuring that a foundation is being laid for proper social and cognitive skills. Appleton keeps the emotional and spiritual health of students at the forefront. Anyone interested in meeting Appleton and inquiring about available space in the class for this year and next can contact the school. Kara-Mia Appleton is teaching a new preschool class at Robinson Township Christian School 20 • Allegheny West Magazine • November/December 2019N Your Schools Your Schools District wins inaugural Schneider Electric bold ideas contest Moon Area School District was named the winner of the inaugural K-12 Bold Ideas contest in September. The national contest challenges school districts across the U.S. to submit innovative ideas for district-wide transformation and modernization. As the winner of the contest, Moon Area School District received an award of $100,000, along with access to Schneider Electric’s team of experts who will support Moon Area’s bold idea: to create a fully functioning aquaponics laboratory for all ability levels to participate in and learn. The lab will provide students STEAM experiences, including hands-on training in sustainability, development of work skills for special needs students, and opportunities in a variety of disciplines to solve “real world” problems. The goal of the aquaponics lab is to grow the district’s curriculum in science, technology, business, special education and engineering. Moon Area’s winning idea was unanimously selected as a winner among hundreds of submissions made by schools nationwide. Moon Area School District STORIES AND PHOTOS SUBMITTED Schneider Electric presents a check to Moon Area School District to help the school develop an aquaponics lab. Cheerleaders raise over $4K for Magee Women’s Cancer Center This fall, the Moon Area cheerleaders raised $4,100 for the Magee Women’s Cancer Center and presented the organization with a check at Moon Area’s home football game on Oct. 4. A pink-out was held during the game in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Prior to the game and a check presentation, cheerleaders and football players honored both cancer fighters and survivors on the field. Proceeds will benefit the Magee Patient Care Fund, which provides the Women’s Cancer Center with necessary funds to help patients purchase items not covered by most insurance companies, including wigs for those enduring chemotherapy and/or radiation treatments; emergency lodging for family members of patients; medications; special bras after mastectomy; transportation for appointments; and much more based on individual needs. Cheerleaders present a check to Magee Women’s Cancer Center for its patient care fund. November/December 2019 • www.awmagazine.com • 21Your SchoolsYour Schools N Students and staff at Bon Meade Elementary participated in a Choose Kind service project for local firefighters Oct. 7 in honor of Fire Prevention Week. Students completed various lessons and activities on both fire safety and the role of a firefighter. Students were also fortunate enough to receive a visit from firefighters from all five stations that service the community. The guest firefighters taught students about fire safety, shared a video and even dressed teachers in their firefighting gear. As well, students also had an opportunity to tour the fire trucks. To show appreciation to these heroes who volunteer their time each day in the community, students made thank you cards and notes. With the combined generosity of teachers and parents, Bon Meade students collected over $1,000 in gift cards from various businesses to fill a “Thank You” basket for Moon Area firefighting heroes. Fifth-graders host living wax museum to learn about world explorers Moon Area Middle School students on the Falcons, Monkeys, Penguins and Lions teams created a live “wax museum” of famous explorers that they studied in class. The middle school’s “wax museum” concept is a spin-off of Madame Marie Tussaud’s wax museums, which feature lifelike depictions of history- makers. Students collaborated in groups of four and were each assigned a role to convey the story of each explorer. Students had to stand as still as a statue until a visitor approached and asked to learn about their character. After explaining the significance of the explorer, students had to return to their “statue pose” until the next visitor approached. Each student crafted their character’s story in their English language arts classes. Fifth-graders were also responsible for creating their own costumes and props to visually display the era, geography, culture and setting of their story. Through a combination of biographies and props, each student brought their explorer’s journey and challenges to life. The project challenged students to apply English language arts skills, social studies knowledge, and public speaking skills to make their project a success. Moon Area School District Bon Meade students participate in service-learning project 22 • Allegheny West Magazine • November/December 2019 Area firefighters visited Bon Meade Elementary to teach students about fire safety. The first responders were also presented with a gift basket from the students. Fifth-graders researched famous historic figures and then reenacted them. N Your Schools Your Schools Express knows jobs. Get to know Express. Oces in Robinson & Monaca 412.494.2000 ExpressPros.com Full-time and part-time opportunities in a variety of positions: Administrative, Professional, Industrial, Skilled Labor, Skilled Trades, and Skilled Professional No Fees! Students launch Serve-A-Thon effort Students at Rhema Christian School are hitting the pavement to serve their surrounding community. Throughout November, each class from early education through eighth grade will be performing service projects in the Pittsburgh area. From making care packages for the servicemen and women at the 171st Air Refueling Wing, to tutoring students at the Mooncrest afterschool program, each student will be working to show others God’s love. According to Chris Berndt, principal at Rhema, each family is also collecting donations from sponsors. Funds raised will help make Christian education more accessible to students in the community. “At Rhema Christian School, we are committed to raising up Godly servant leaders,” said Berndt. “Our students truly have a heart for service, and they light up when talking about the community work they are about to complete.” Below is a list of service projects students are taking on this fall: Early Education - Yard work and clean up around the RCS grounds. Kindergarten and first grade - Care packages for 171st Air Refueling Wing Second and Third grade - Mooncrest After School Program clothing drive / tutoring Fourth grade - Winterizing the Coraopolis Community Garden Fifth grade - Food pantry client support services Sixth grade - Uncommon Grounds Aliquippa cleaning Seventh and eighth grades - West Virginia mission: building extensions to a church, painting, serving widows in need with yard and housework. Rhema is a nonprofit Christian school located in Moon Township. The school serves students in the surrounding areas, from 2-year-old preschool through eighth grade. For more information, visit RhemaChristianSchool.org. Rhema Christian School STORY SUBMITTED Students partner with Communicycle to give back Students at the middle school partnered with the tech ed department in September to assist a local charity. Students worked with teachers Mr. Finn and Mr. Hepak to disassemble old bicycles and organize various bike parts for Communicycle, a local charity that takes donated bikes, fixes them, and then donates the bikes back to local youth in need. Students helped disassemble the bicycles and salvage parts that Communicycle could use to repair bikes for donation. “Communicycle is a local outreach program that builds a sense of community and connects people through bikes,” said Lee Montanari, founder of Communicycle. “In our neighborhood and shop programs, we work with both kids and adults to repair their bikes or refurbish donated bikes for them to keep. Our motto is ‘Every kid in my town has a bike.’” Students enjoyed the hands-on project that will benefit other students in need. “It’s a great opportunity for these students to use reverse engineering to see how stuff works all while helping out the local community,” Mr. Finn said. “This activity was just the start of a number of great things we plan to do with Communicycle.” STORIES AND PHOTOS SUBMITTED Students help disassemble bikes for Communicycle. November/December 2019 • www.awmagazine.com • 23Your SchoolsYour Schools N As a neighborhood-based and community focused publication, Allegheny West Magazine encourages complimentary submissions of informational school news, as well as informational (non- promotional) news from community groups, nonprofit organizations and churches. Please submit via e-mail to: info@awmagazine.com. We’d like to hear from you! Find us on Facebook and Twitter! Going global A group of St. Philip students in grades five through eight are participating in a unique program called Design Squad Global, which is co-sponsored by WQED, Pittsburgh engineering companies, and the Society of Engineers of Western Pennsylvania. Through the program, participants in the U.S. and India will complete the same four engineering challenges, all of which emphasize the design process, challenge students to solve problems and highlight engineering as a powerful tool for making a difference in the world. Partner classes in India and the U.S. then share their experiences by exchanging design ideas, photos and videos on a digital platform. In addition to expanding their engineering experiences, students will begin developing their “global competence,” which is the ability to communicate and collaborate with people from different backgrounds, cultures and perspectives. Volunteers from the Society of Engineers will also mentor participants as they complete the challenges in their schools. Participants will be asked to create an invention that will have a focus on environmental sustainability. Inventors will record a presentation of their innovations in a Shark Tank format so it can be reviewed by a panel of engineers at WQED. The project will culminate with an opportunity for students to team up with other Pittsburgh Design Squad Global member schools to solve three challenges at the WQED studios; see presentations by the sponsoring Western Pennsylvania companies such as PPG, Ansys, Mine Safety Appliance; and have their inventions showcased. The overarching goal of the program is for students to see themselves as young engineers with the power to make a difference. Whether kids ultimately pursue a STEM profession or another career, Design Squad Global helps them build confidence and develop resourcefulness. St. Philip seventh-graders Addison Hazuda, Natalie Kirsch and Rachel McDevitt test their “plane” on the zip line. Making Heinz Field greener A team comprised of students Everett Sargent, Sean Kelsch, Charlie Colantonio and Maslen Anselm advanced to the finals of the Powering Pittsburgh competition sponsored by Heinz Field and Shell Polymers. They were challenged to find a new energy source to supply Heinz Field and the Pittsburgh region. The students will present their project at Heinz Field on Nov. 19 for a group of judges from the Steelers and Shell Polymers. They are competing for a $1,500 grant for the school’s STEM program and tickets to a Steelers Game. Library visit Crafton Library opened its doors to St. Philip students in grades K through five and gave them a tour of the facilities. The library was opened to students for research and recreational reading. They enjoyed stories read by the librarians and applied for library cards. St. Philip librarian Margaret McGaughey arranged the visits after an invitation from the Crafton librarians. STORIES AND PHOTOS SUBMITTED The St. Philip Powering Pittsburgh team is comprised of Sean Kelsch, Maslen Anselm, Everett Sargent and Charlie Colantonio. St. Philip students visit the Crafton library. St. Philip Catholic School 24 • Allegheny West Magazine • November/December 2019N Your Schools Your Schools STORIES AND PHOTOS SUBMITTED Cross country The cross-country teams had a successful fall season, earning a number of first-place finishes along the way. The teams participated in the annual Slippery Rock Invitational at Lawrence County Fairgrounds on Oct. 12 and the Diocese Championship on Oct. 19. On Sept. 27, the teams participated in the South Hills Championship at Youthtowne against 12 other teams and earned impressive results. The JV boys placed first overall and the varsity girls placed second overall. The JV girls also placed fifth and the varsity boys placed seventh. The following runners earned medals for finishing in the top 20: Christian Williams, Andrew Kolocouris, Owen Minzer, Wyatt Walsh, Grant Karlik, Sophia Saginaw, Elise Hornyak, Mia Crofford, McKinley Walsh and Hogan Schirnhofer. Rise of the Archangel Gabriel Knights Late last school year, students were invited to nominate and vote for their new school mascot. This was a much-anticipated revealing, as their hallways, uniforms and cheers would all be emblazoned with the school symbol. The knight, a symbol of virtue, was chosen. Classroom teachers and staff will be conducting lessons and activities to ensure students “rise up” both inside and outside of the classrooms. The knight’s mighty characteristics include: humility - putting others first; self-discipline - the ability to pursue what is right despite temptations; kindness - treating others well; servant leadership - being devoted; loyalty - staying faithful; perseverance - staying with it; honesty - always being truthful; purity - having a clean heart; and integrity - filled with sincerity and honesty. Each student will be continuing their journey with the goal of becoming an Archangel Gabriel Knight. Student art exhibit The 2019-2020 student art exhibit was held Oct. 18-20 at Father Kelty Hall in the basement of St. Philip Church. On Friday, there was a blessing and recognition of individual student artists in the church, followed by the opening reception for students and their families. The exhibit featured selected artwork from Bishop Canevin High School, Archangel Gabriel Catholic School, the 2018-2019 Holy Trinity Catholic School, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School and St. Philip Catholic School. The following students had artwork featured in the 2019-2020 Student Art Exhibit: Reighan Bean, Alan Betten, Ashley Boehm, Lindsay Bressler, Kara Bridge, Marco Buzzard, Isabella Cardimen, Sofia Davoli, Maria DelFiandra, Gianni Domenico, Kaia Douglass, Mia Gaffney, Jenna Gardner, Christian Gill, Tanner Gorsuch, Morgan Hagan, Isaac Jones, Jordan Jones, Kennedy Kalich, Nathan Leiden, Corinne Ludwick, Helene Ludwick, Joelle Ludwick, Mark Martella, Kate Mickle, Matthew Mickle, Luca Michnowicz, Lorin Planinsic, Marin Reinhardt, Ryan Saginaw, Julia Seng, Alex Smith, Amanda Strub, Isabel Stuckeman, Victoria Wegrzynowicz, Olivia Wegrzynowicz, Natalie Zottola, Hannah Zurbola, Alexis Zurbola, Maddie Ashbaugh, Brady Brazell, Brandon Brazell, Joseph Cicchino, Joseph Hathaway, Julia Mosur, Marie Pigoni, Elena Polar, Hogan Schirnhofer, Michael Smith, McKinley Walsh, Ava DePace, Thomas Einloth, Lauralei Kroniser, Samantha Loehlein, Isabella Madden, Maeve McGarvey, Sonni Spadaccia, and Nick Reichard. Archangel Gabriel’s art teacher Mrs. Boehm is part of the dedicated team of people who made the art exhibit a success. Fossils Third grade teacher Mrs. Beck has been busy teaching her students all about fossils. Much can be learned about a once-living thing from its preserved remains or impressions that it has left behind. Students were asked to determine what could be learned from looking at historic fossils and each student then made a unique fossil of their hand print so that, centuries from now, people will be able to learn all about them. Pictured are members of the cross- country teams. The student art show (above) was organized by Mrs. Boehm (below). Students show off the imprints they made of their hands during a lesson on fossils. A student shows off an Archangel Gabriel shirt with the school’s new logo. Archangel Gabriel Catholic School November/December 2019 • www.awmagazine.com • 2526 • Allegheny West Magazine • November/December 2019 Holiday Guide Festive events in and around your area Christmas Light-Up Celebration in Clinton, Nov. 21-Jan. 5 For the past 25 years, longtime Clinton residents Patty and Lloyd Faux have been organizing a Christmas light-up display in Clinton Community Park. Starting in September of each year, an all-volunteer effort gets off the ground to set up the enormous display. With hundreds of decorations, the light-up features an eclectic mix of themes appropriate for the season. The one-mile drive-through route winds through Clinton Park’s scenic woodlands, the entrance to which sits just off Route 30. The $10 entrance fee per car goes right back into the community, via a committee that runs the light up. Those dollars address a variety of needs in the community throughout the year. Various community organizations, residents and businesses also sponsor a Christmas tree display toward the end of the drive. This year, the Christmas Light-Up Celebration in Clinton Community Park is open every evening from Nov. 21 through Jan. 5, from 5-10 p.m., including on holidays. A special walk- through evening takes place on the opening nights on Nov. 21 and 22. Pets and cars are not permitted those evenings. The remaining evenings are drive-through only. For more, follow the Christmas Light Up on Facebook: @ChristmasLightUpCelebration. Light - Up Events Jump in the car, put on some holiday music and head out to enjoy the twinkling lights of the holiday season at these events. The Christmas Light-Up Celebration in Clinton Park features light-up displays along a mile-long route. Moon Lights Holiday Festival in Moon Park, Dec. 5 Moon Township’s annual light-up tradition is moving to Moon Park this year. Head out to enjoy crafts, music, story time, an ice carving, a Christmas hayride, train rides, Christmas carols and snacks. Then light up Moon Park while waiting for Santa to arrive. Like all the best things in life, this event is free to attend but will all take place outdoors, so dress accordingly. The fun kicks off at 6 p.m. and wraps up at 9 p.m. Questions? Call (412) 262-1703 or email info@ moonparks.org. Moon Township neighborhood light ups For the past 29 years, residents in the Woodland Ridge community off Thorn Run Road in Moon Township have been organizing a neighborhood-wide holiday celebration. The annual tradition started with neighbors decorating their homes and someone hosting Santa for the neighborhood kids. It has since grown into a drive-through light-up event, during which Santa drives through atop a Moon Township VFC fire truck and the community places luminaries along the streets. Robin Ross, a real estate agent with the Coldwell Banker office in Moon Township, even organizes a contest for best decorated homes in two categories: festive and elegant. The light-up this year takes place Dec. 15 but judging takes place Dec. 12, so the homes will be decorated by then. That evening, Santa will also be making a stop by the Sonoma community off Beaver Grade Road with the Moon Township VFC before heading over to Woodland Ridge. Another neighborhood light-up will also take place in the Cimmaron community on Dec. 14 . Third Annual McDonald Light-Up Party, Nov. 27, 6-7 p.m., corner of Lincoln Ave. and N. McDonald St. in McDonald, music, Santa, refreshments, www.mcdonaldtrailstation.com. Robinson Christmas Light Up, Dec. 6, 6:30- 7:30 p.m., Clever Park, hot cocoa, Christmas carols, visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, fireworks show at 6:30 p.m., townshipofrobinson.com. North Fayette Tree Lighting, Dec. 6, 6:30 p.m., North Fayette Community Center in Donaldson Park, tree lighting, caroling with the West Allegheny High School and Middle School show choirs, train rides in the gym, holiday crafts, selfies with Santa, refreshments, www.north-fayette.com. ~ More Area Light Ups ~WendellAugust.com/AlleghenyCountyCourthouse Wendell August Forge has repurposed 130-year-old roof tiles from the Allegheny County Courthouse into beautiful commemorative keepsakes. 10 Designs Available | Prices Range from $30-$75 Proceeds benefit the Allegheny County Parks Foundation. Enjoy unlimited skiing and snowboarding all season for one low price! Passes are $75-$225 for individuals and only $575 for a family of four* Prices increase on December 1 SEASON PASSES *Does not include equipment rentals. Extra members may be added to family pass for additional fee. Additional costs for non-Allegheny County residents. Buy yours today at alleghenycounty.us/parkpasses November/December 2019 • www.awmagazine.com • 27 List checked: twice. Nice list: approved. Now bring along the whole family to The Mall at Robinson for a keepsake photo with Santa in his winter wonderland, located on the lower level near Banana Republic. This magical experience includes a photo box, Pittsburgh skyline snow globe, snowflakes, a train and a life-sized magna-doodle for kids to play with while waiting to see the big guy. Be sure to check-in with Santa’s helpers when you arrive to be placed in a virtual line with an estimated wait time. You can then explore the mall, enjoy a treat, take a ride on the holiday train near JCPenney or relax in the mall’s Time Out Zone near Starbucks. You’ll receive a text when it’s time to return to the Santa set, where you can enjoy some playtime while waiting to see Santa. Santa’s hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Santa takes reindeer breaks between 1 and 2 p.m. and 5 and 6 p.m. He’ll also be available 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, with a reindeer break between 2 and 3 p.m. For more on this and other holiday happenings at The Mall at Robinson, visit www.shoprobinsonmall.com/events/. Visits with Santa, breakfasts and more Santa and Mrs. Claus (above) will be taking gift requests at The Mall at Robinson this holiday season in their winter wonderland (below). Moon Parks and Rec. Brunch with Santa, Dec. 7 Register early for this annual breakfast with Santa, which this year takes place at Tapestry Senior Living between 9 and 11 a.m. There will be a pancake breakfast, carolers and seasonal crafts. Tickets are $6.50 for adults and $5.50 for children and seniors. Tickets sell out fast, however, so call (412) 262-1703 or email info@moonparks.org to purchase. Coraopolis UMC Cookie Walk, Dec. 7 This annual “cookie walk” takes place at the Coraopolis VFW and this year benefits the Coraopolis United Methodist Church choir. Count on homemade cookies, activities for the kids, singers, a visit from Santa and more. The cookie walk takes place 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Questions? Call (412) 264-3727. Moonlight and Cocoa, Dec. 7-8 Be sure to register ahead of time for this popular event at the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden, which has been expanded to two nights this year. The fun runs 6-9 p.m. both evenings. The garden will be decorated with 1,000 luminaries. Bundle up by a cozy fire and enjoy live music on the patio. Cocoa and desserts will be served. Shop for unique gifts, including seasonal plants, in the gift shop. Spaces fill up fast, however, so register at pittsburghbotanicgarden.org under “Events.” Kids’ Holiday Tea Party, Dec. 11 Enjoy holiday cookies, cocoa, carols, crafts and candy during this cozy holiday tea party at Robin Hill Park from 5:30-7 p.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Light refreshments and sweets will be served. All attending must register. Tickets are $10 for Moon residents and $15 for non-residents. Register at moonparks.org. St. Matrona Sisterhood Cookie Walk, Dec. 14 A huge assortment of delectables awaits at this cookie walk at the St. Matrona Sisterhood of Sts. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church at 220 Mansfield Boulevard in Carnegie. Swing by between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and fill your to-go container with selections like nut crescents, fruit-filled kolache, Ukrainian truffles, Italian rum balls and more. Proceeds help the sisterhood maintain and beautify the church. Questions? Call (724) 348-7326. Moon Area Marching Band Breakfast and Cookie Walk, Dec. 15 There are times for eating healthy. The holidays aren’t one of them. So head to the Moon Area High School cafeteria between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. for a pancake breakfast with sausage, juice and coffee. Once you’re finished, purchase a large container and stuff as many confectioneries into it as possible on a cookie walk. Be sure to bring the kids to meet Santa. Questions? Email fundraising@moonband.org. Benefits the Moon Area High School Marching Band. Capture the magic of the holiday with a photo with Santa in his winer wonderland at The Mall at Robinson, through Dec. 24 28 • Allegheny West Magazine • November/December 2019Next >