< Previous30 • Allegheny West Magazine • December2020/January 2021 The West Allegheny school community demonstrated its tremendous generosity and compassion when asked to consider donating to the Fall Food Drive. In lieu of this year’s Day of Caring, which could not be held due to COVID-19 concerns, the food drive was promoted to families and staff. On November 4, the District delivered over 50 large moving boxes filled with food and nonperishable items to the West Allegheny Food Pantry. Donations were estimated to consist of nearly 5,000 pounds of much- needed items and came just in time for Thanksgiving. Fall Food Drive donations exceed expectations ABOVE: West Allegheny Food Pantry volunteers finish stacking donated items. In an effort to ensure a form of normalcy for students this year, District schools celebrated Halloween on October 30, albeit a little differently. At the elementary level, in-person students attended school dressed and ready for the celebrations. Due to guest limitations, parades were livestreamed to families, with viewers reported from as far away as Japan. Students learning remotely for the first semester had online Zoom parties where they had the opportunity to show classmates and teachers their creative costumes. Even through the high school grades, students and staff made sure to mark the holiday with costumes and fun. Halloween celebrated across the District BELOW: Elementary Synchronous Online Learning Academy students were all smiles when they caught sight of their classmates’ costumes. ABOVE: High school staff joined in the fun and dressed the part. BELOW: Middle school students enjoy dressing up for the day. RIGHT: West Allegheny’s Harold Nation delivers and helps unload donations. December2020/January 2021 • www.awmagazine.com • 31 West Allegheny Middle School and Wilson Elementary were recognized by the Pennsylvania Positive Behavior Support Network (PAPBS) for their implementation of Positive Interventions and Supports for the 2019-2020 school year. PBIS is an evidence-based, systems approach for establishing the social culture needed for schools to be effective learning environments for all students. The systems eliminate barriers to learning, create and maintain a safe and effective learning environment in schools, and ensure that all students have the social and emotional skills needed to succeed in school and beyond. The middle school earned Universal (Tier1) Initial Implementation With Fidelity for successfully implementing and maintaining a School-Wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports and Wilson was recognized for successfully implementing School-Wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports with fidelity. Both schools were recognized at the 2020 Virtual PAPBS Network Recognition Celebration on November 13. Two West Allegheny schools earn PBIS recognition Spanish newspaper provides real life lessons High school Spanish students are learning from the generosity of Pittsburgh’s Spanish newspaper La Mega Nota, which is providing complimentary weekly editions to the classes. Students in Colleen Cunningham and Michelle Matoney’s upper level Spanish classes are using the newspapers to improve their reading comprehension skills while learning more about Pittsburgh’s Hispanic community. The latest editions of La Mega Nota make for educational reading in high school Spanish classes. West Allegheny was recognized by the Pennsylvania Art Education Association (PAEA) as an Outstanding Visual Arts Community for the second consecutive year. West Allegheny is one of only 26 districts out of over 500 in Pennsylvania to earn this designation. Districts receiving this endorsement demonstrate a commitment to outstanding visual arts education through: ● Rigorous and Inclusive Programs: Arts programs demonstrate rigor using standards-based curriculum taught at every level by highly qualified and certified arts educators. ● Highly Accessible Programs: Art programs are offered to all students at every level of education with a sustainable budget for the visual arts. ● Highly Visible Programs: Schools and districts identify their programmatic accomplishments, curriculum for all levels, art staff, mission statements, and arts events using their school websites and social media. Mike Short, Leah Shuck, Sharon Harn, Brittney Counihan and Claire March represent the District’s visual arts department. Visual arts department earns recognition for second yearfor weekly events , school closings , and delays . V isit W est A llegheny O nline : www . westasd . org B OArd Of s chOOl d irectOrs A dministrAtiOn Mr. Robert Ostrander, President Mr. Mark Rosen, Vice-President Mr. George Bartha Mr. Joel Colinear Mr. Edward Faux Mr. Kevin Hancock Mrs. Tracy Kosis Mrs. Debbie Mirich Mrs. Tracy Pustover Dr. Jerri Lynn Lippert, Superintendent Dr. Christopher Shattuck, Assistant Superintendent of Schools Mrs. Tammy Adams, Assistant to the Superintendent for Special Education and Student Services Dr. Shana Nelson, Assistant to the Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional Learning Mr. George Safin, Business Manager Dr. Frank Hernandez, High School Principal Mrs. Katharine Roche, High School Academic Principal Dr. Cheryl McHone, High School Assistant Principal Mr. David McBain, Director of Athletics/ Administrative Associate Mrs. Patricia Nolan, Middle School Principal Ms. Megan Huchko, Middle School Assistant Principal Dr. Erin Dierker, Donaldson Elementary Principal Mrs. Melissa Wagner, McKee Elementary Principal Mrs. Rachel Gray, Wilson Elementary Principal Mrs. Toni Baldanzi, Supervisor of Ancillary Programs Mr. Kenneth Fibbi, Director of Facilities and Operations Mrs. Karen Ruhl, Community Relations Coordinator W est A llegheny s chOOl d istrict All material has been prepared, written or edited by Karen Ruhl, School Community Relations Coordinator, West Allegheny School District (724) 695-5274 Upholding the Indians’ tradition of excellence, the girls and boys soccer, girls tennis, and golf teams advanced to the WPIAL playoffs this fall. In girls soccer, the team took on Hampton High School in the AAA quarterfinal round and won 2-1 to advance. The girls then went on to take on Plum High School in a difficult semifinal round in which they fell 1-0 to end their season. The boys soccer team took on Moon Area High School in the AAA quarterfinal round. Tied at the end of regular play, the boys pulled out an exciting 2-1 overtime win with a header to the back of the net. The boys faced familiar foe Franklin Regional in the semifinal round. With a close game throughout, the boys again went into overtime but lost 2-1. Girls tennis finished strong this year with a return trip to the WPIAL playoffs after winning their final match of the season to advance. Latrobe, which was their opponent in the opening round, ultimately went on to win the WPIAL championship. Golf was on the links for team semifinals in the AAA playoffs at Champion Lakes Golf Course but finished just out of finals contention. West Allegheny teams advance to post-season play 32 • Allegheny West Magazine • December2020/January 2021St. Clair Hospital Named A ‘Most Wired’ Hospital St. Clair Hospital has been named a Level 9 Most Wired hospital in the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives’ (CHIME) 2020 Digital Health Most Wired Survey. A Level 9 designation highlights hospitals that have deployed technologies and strategies (e.g., population health/cost-of-care analytics, HIEs/integration engines, and patient portals) to help them analyze their data and are achieving meaningful clinical and efficiency outcomes. The mission of the CHIME Digital Health Most Wired program is to elevate the health and care of communities around the world by encouraging the optimal use of information technology. The program does this by conducting an annual survey to identify, recognize, and certify the adoption, implementation, and use of information technology by health care provider organizations. The results are intended to improve patient safety and outcomes by driving change in the health care IT industry. “We are once again honored to receive CHIME’s Digital Health Most Wired award,” said Richard Schaeffer, Vice President and Chief Information Officer at St. Clair. “At St. Clair, we’ve had a long-standing strategic commitment to the use of systems and technology to not only deliver safe, high quality care, but to additionally promote wellness through the use of patient engagement tools.” Louis Civitarese, D.O., M.M.I., Chief Medical Information Officer at St. Clair, added: “St. Clair’s ability to consistently deliver high quality care is due in large part to the collegial environment among physicians, nurses, and staff to work together to continually improve systems and processes through the refinement of the best technologies available.” A total of 30,135 organizations were represented in the 2020 Digital Health Most Wired program, which this year included four separate surveys. The surveys assessed the adoption, integration and impact of technologies in health care organizations at all stages of development, from early development to industry leading. Health care organizations earning Levels 8-10 are being honored with awards. St. Clair’s Level 9 earned it a Performance Excellence Award. CHIME says organizations in Level 9 are leaders in health care technology who actively push the industry forward. These organizations, according to CHIME, are realizing meaningful outcomes, including improved quality of care, improved patient experience, reduced costs, and broader patient access to health care services. Some of the advanced technologies used to achieve these outcomes include telemedicine solutions, price-transparency and cost-analysis tools, access to data at the point of care, and tools to engage patients and their families throughout the care process. St. Clair Hospital Appoints Maxim D. Hammer, M.D., MBA as Chief of Neurology St. Clair Hospital has appointed noted neurologist Maxim D. Hammer, M.D., MBA, as its new Chief of Neurology. Dr. Hammer joins St. Clair from UPMC, where he held numerous titles, including Vice Chairman, Clinical Affairs, Department of Neurology; Clinical Director of Neurology; and Director of Stroke Services at UPMC Mercy Hospital, where he helped develop the Stroke Clinic. Dr. Hammer founded and directed the Neurosonology lab, which provides outpatient and inpatient services, using carotid duplex and transcranial ultrasonography. Dr. Hammer earned his medical degree at Albany Medical College in Albany, New York and completed his neurology residency at Cleveland Clinic, where he was elected chief resident. He also completed a Vascular Neurology Fellowship at UPMC. Dr. Hammer holds an executive healthcare master’s degree in business administration from the University of Pittsburgh Katz School of Business. He is an associate professor, Department of Neurology, at University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Dr. Hammer is board-certified in neurology, as well as in vascular neurology. “We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Hammer to St. Clair,” says John T. Sullivan, M.D., MBA, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at St. Clair. “He brings substantial clinical and programmatic expertise in the management of stroke patients. In terms of the impact on health and quality of life, stroke outcomes are arguably one of the most important for our region and Dr. Hammer brings cutting-edge practices to our team.” “Joining St. Clair,” says Dr. Hammer, “is an excellent opportunity for me to be part of a health system that is so supportive of neurology. I look forward to working with my colleagues at St. Clair to make an excellent program even better.” Dr. Hammer practices with Southwestern PA Associates in Neurology, part of St. Clair Medical Services, and is seeing patients at St. Clair Hospital Outpatient Center – Peters Township. To contact Dr. Hammer, please call 412.942.6300. St. Clair Hospital News Maxim D. Hammer, M.D., MBA Even with COVID-19 complicating many traditions this time of year, there’s still lots to do that’s both safe and fun. Here’s a rundown of fun family happenings and activities occurring either nearby or within a short drive. Please note, all events are subject to change or cancellation. Check the websites listed and our app, AWMag Events, for the most up-to-date information. Holiday Happenings Your guide to day trip ideas, area light ups and other safe things to do this holiday season 34 • Allegheny West Magazine • December 2020/January 2021LifeSpan Meals on Wheels 11 th Annual Cookie Campaign Holiday Sweet Treats 450 Dozen cookies are needed in order to distribute 1/2 dozen cookies to brighten our seniors during this holiday season. Monday thru Friday - 8 AM - 4 PM Please call 412-464-1300 for questions or additional drop off locations You can also visit our website at: www.lifespanpa.org Simply donate 2-3 dozen homemade cookies by Cookies can be dropped off at the LifeSpan Main Office 314 E. 8th Ave, Homestead, PA 15120 Friday December 11th, 2020 December 2020/January 2021 • www.awmagazine.com • 35Christmas Light-Up Celebration in Clinton, through Jan. 3, 5-10 p.m. nightly For the past 26 years, longtime Clinton residents Patty and Lloyd Faux have been organizing a Christmas drive-through 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. The one-mile route winds through Clinton Park’s scenic woodlands, the entrance to which sits just off Route 30. With hundreds of decorations, the light-up features an eclectic mix of themes appropriate for the season. Proceeds from the display also benefit a variety of needs in the community while local organizations, businesses and residents sponsor a Christmas tree display at the end. This year’s Christmas Light-Up Celebration in Clinton Community Park will be open every evening through Jan. 3 from 5 to 10 p.m. nightly, including on holidays. The display is drive-through only and the $10 entry fee is payable in cash at the gate. For more, follow the Christmas Light Up on Facebook at @ChristmasLightUpCelebration or visit them online at www.christmaslightup.com. Light - Ups The Christmas Light-Up in Clinton Park features light-up displays along a drive-though, mile-long route. North Fayette Tree Lighting, Dec. 4, 6:30 p.m. North Fayette Community Center in Donaldson Park, free event, 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. Robinson’s Christmas Light Up, Dec. 4, 6:30 p.m., Clever Park, fireworks, Santa ride-by, letters to Santa drop- off (include return address), townshipofrobinson.com for the latest. Moon Lights Holiday Festival, Dec. 5, 5-8 p.m. Moon Park, light displays, local dancers, food trucks, smore’s station, more, outdoor event, dress accordingly, moonparks.org. More Light Ups! North Park Holiday Laser Shows, Dec. 10-13, 17-20 Allegheny County Parks is taking the concept of a light-up to a whole new level with its holiday laser shows at North Park this December. The 45-minute shows are synchronized to holiday music and can be enjoyed right from the safety of your vehicle. Multiple shows are being offered each night. Tickets are $15 to $20 per vehicle and must be purchased in advance at alleghenycounty.us/specialevents. Oglebay Festival of Lights, through Jan. 10 The show goes on in Wheeling as the Oglebay Winter Festival of Lights carries on a tradition that started in 1985. Known as one of the nation’s largest holiday light shows, Oglebay attracts more than one million visitors each year. The display, which covers 300 acres over a six-mile drive and includes 90 lighted attractions, is a perfect event for social distancing. Though admission is free, a donation of $25 per vehicle is suggested to ensure the continuation of the light show for years to come. Oglebay is also offering overnight holiday packages at its festively decorated Wilson lodge for visitors who wish to make a full weekend of Christmas activities. The Festival of Lights runs through Jan. 10. The display is located at Oglebay Park, 465 Lodge Drive, in Wheeling, West Virginia. For more information, call 877-436-1797 or visit oglebay.com/lights.. All events subject to change or cancellation. Please check our app (download at awmagazine.com or scan the QR code) and the websites listed for the most up-to-date information. 36 • Allegheny West Magazine • December 2020/January 2021Visits with Santa at The Mall at Robinson, Nov.27-Dec. 24 There will be plenty of fun and magic with Santa at The Mall at Robinson from Nov. 27 through Dec. 24. Enjoy photos with your family in a custom-designed sleigh located in the rotunda lower level Macy’s Wing. Reservations are strongly recommended and masks are required for everyone 2 and up. To plan your visit, check out the holiday hours and review the steps being taken this year based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the local jurisdiction at shoprobinsonmall.com. Conceived of as a unique way to promote Steubenville, Ohio to potential visitors, the Steubenville Nutcracker Village has grown and gained worldwide status in the five years since it began. Now called the world’s largest collection of life-sized nutcrackers, the annual display is set up throughout Fort Steuben Park and the historic business district of Steubenville. It’s also free and open to the public. The display consists of more than 150 six-foot nutcrackers with iconic likenesses such as Rosie the Riveter, characters from “The Wizard of Oz,” Slash from Guns n’ Roses and more. The nutcrackers are sponsored by local businesses and community members. Volunteers help paint them. Construction of the nutcrackers is managed by Mark Nelson, one of the originators of the display. Nelson owns Nelson’s of Steubenville, a family-owned shop offering handmade framed art, gifts, apparel and religious items. Several years ago, Nelson was approached by local appliance store owner and current Steubenville mayor Jerry Barilla with an idea. Not unlike others in the community, Barilla was distressed by the loss of population and declining business in the Rustbelt river town. While putting away Christmas decorations, Barilla envisioned collections of nutcrackers displayed in the empty storefronts as a means of drawing visitors to the downtown area and rebuilding the community. Nelson immediately expanded on the idea, enlisting his daughter, who is a graphic designer, and brother, a woodshop manager, to produce a six- foot prototype nutcracker. The display consisted of 37 original nutcrackers its inaugural year in 2015. That made Steubenville one of the top 10 cities in Ohio to visit during the holidays. With the pressure on to outdo that first display, Nelson’s produced 70 more nutcrackers in 2016. This year, the Steubenville Nutcracker Village will showcase more than 150 original figures. All of the nutcrackers are sponsored by Steubenville businesses and individuals. Hundreds of volunteers help bring them to life. A huge lighted hoop donated by a local hardware store forms a “hall” for the figures. Steubenville’s Advent Market coincides with the nutcracker display. It consists of dozens of vendors operating out of wooden, Swiss- style chalets built by Nelson’s. Food, merchandise and wares from local artisans will be available. Hay rides, a Holly Trolley, live entertainment and Santa Claus round out the outdoor scene in downtown Steubenville, one Barilla calls “a magic atmosphere” for families and friends coming together to enjoy the season. Steubenville Nutcracker Village, through Jan. 9 The Steubenville Nutcracker Village consists of over 150 unique life-sized nutcrackers. Visit www.steubenvillenutcrackervillage.com for a schedule of events. The Advent Market will be open from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. The market will be closed Christmas Day. Through Jan. 9, the nutcrackers will stand at attention throughout the park and town at a safe enough distance for photo opportunities. Use 157 N 4th Street in Steubenville, Ohio, 43952 for directions. December 2020/January 2021 • www.awmagazine.com • 37 Janoski’s Farm in Clinton will be hosting its Christmas Open House on Dec. 5 and Dec. 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Janoski’s will also have its petting zoo open and hayrides will be offered from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. As well, there will be visits with Santa and crafts for the kids. While you’re there, be sure to pick up a poinsettia and warm up at the hot chocolate bar in the garden center. A Christmas tree will be given away randomly each day. Then peruse a special Christmas craft show and head upstairs to check out their country gift shop. A trip to Janoski’s wouldn’t be complete without picking up some fresh produce, so the farm market will be offering daily specials on winter squash, apples, cabbage and potatoes. Be sure also to bring a toy donation for the West Allegheny Food Pantry. Janoski’s is serving as a drop-off for the pantry. For more, visit janoskis.com/upcoming. Janoski’s is located at 1714 Route 30 in Clinton. Bedner’s Garden Center at 315 Coleman Road in McDonald is also staying open for the first time this Christmas season. Normally closed after Halloween, Bedner’s will remain open through the holiday. Visitors can purchase fresh-cut trees and wreaths, garland, poinsettias, winter garden containers, and numerous décor and gift items. For DIY enthusiasts in need of a hands-on activity, Bedner’s is offering a series of classes on decorating pre-made wreaths and “build-it-yourself” wreaths, winter containers, and centerpieces. A family wreath decorating session scheduled for Dec. 6 will likely fill up quickly, as class sizes are remaining small to maintain social distancing. Weather permitting, classes will be held outside. Bedner’s Christmas season hours from Nov. 27 through Dec. 22 are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call (724) 926-2541. To check the full schedule of activities and to register online, visit BednersGreenhouse.com/ event. Hozak Farms , located at 488 Anderson Hozak Road in Clinton, is continuing its long tradition of adding holiday spirit to area homes with trees cut fresh on the property. Saws are provided to visitors who can either take a hayride or walk with a tree cart any time between 10 a.m. and dark to fell the fir of their choosing. Hozak’s also offers pre-cut trees, fresh wreaths, white pine roping, and bundles of fresh boughs. Hozak’s multi-room Christmas Barn contains more than 30 decorated trees as well as craft and gift items, candles, Santas, Steeler decorations, and wine accessories. Visitors chilled from a trek to the tree field can warm up with hot cocoa and spiced cider, home-baked pies and fudge. On weekends, guests can enjoy Hozak’s famous hot dogs and kielbasa. Hozak’s hours of operation are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Dec. 23 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 24. For more information, call (724) 899-2400 or visit www.hozakfarms.com. Allison’s Christmas Trees in Raccoon Township, Beaver County, will be welcoming visitors out to select and cut the tree of their choice. There will also be hayrides while a cozy Christmas barn on the property offers live wreaths and other holiday decor, as well as fudge, hot beverages and many other gift items. The landscape company has been in business since 1992 and is located at 121 Allison Lane, Aliquippa, 15001. Call (724) 495-2680 for more information. Venues for Christmas trees, holiday greens and gifts Need a special gift for a loved one or some seasonal decorations to spruce up the home? How about a tree that you can cut yourself? Then check out these venues, which are offering some enlightenment and joy in the closing months of a serious year. For the most part, these venues are outdoors and allow for safe distancing between participants. Just the same, be sure to bring your mask and follow proper procedures. 38 • Allegheny West Magazine • December 2020/January 2021December 2020/January 2021 • www.awmagazine.com • 39Next >