< Previous30 • Allegheny West Magazine • February/March 2022 High school English teacher Jennifer Jones earned National Board Certification in December from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Her certification area is English Language Arts- Adolescence and Young Adulthood. Teachers achieve National Board Certification through a rigorous, performance-based, peer-reviewed assessment of pedagogical (teaching) skills and content knowledge. The certification process takes one to three years to complete. While licensing standards set the basic requirements to teach in a state, National Board Certified teachers demonstrate advanced teaching knowledge, skills, and practices similar to the certifications earned by experts in law and medicine. Jones joined the District in 2004. Jones earns National Board Certification Jennifer Jones Spring musical cast named The generosity of the West Allegheny community was on full display as the District’s Family Support Committee lent a helping hand to over 90 school families (almost 200 children) in December. Gift card collections and angel trees in each school provided families with a brighter holiday season. This was made possible through donations from the West Allegheny staff and families, the Findlay and North Fayette Police Departments, National Honor Society, Clinton Light-Up Celebration, Dicks Sporting Goods, Little St. Nick, Girl Scouts, Knights of Columbus, Crossroads Church, Allegheny Muscle Therapy and Massage, Hunner’s Restaurant, and individual community donors. Generosity makes holiday brighter for families Rehearsals are underway for the spring musical performance of “Legally Blonde,” with a 62-member cast. Following auditions, the lead roles include Eleni Fitsioris as Elle, Ayden Freed as Emmett, Eliza Evans as Paulette, Chris Morrison as Warner, Ella Chandler as Brooke, Nate Presutti as Callahan, Sean Emmett as Kyle and Grandmaster Chad, Kenzie Heidenreich as Enid, Allie Presutti as Vivienne, Rachel Sabo as Serena, Alex Booth as Margot, and Joi Wichryk as Pilar. Sophia Eager will play the Dance Captain. A fabulously fun, award-winning musical based on the adored movie, “Legally Blonde The Musical” follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. Action-packed and exploding with memorable songs and dynamic dances, the musical is so much fun, it should be illegal. Four performances are scheduled for March 17 through 19 at 7 p.m. nightly and March 20 at 2 p.m. Reserved seat tickets go on sale mid-February. Wrapped gifts are prepared for family pick-up. February/March 2022 • www.awmagazine.com • 31 Nearly 70 members of the District’s Gold Card Club enjoyed holiday performances from several student musical groups December 3. Guests were treated to the sounds of the brass ensemble as they arrived at the high school, followed by performances in the auditorium by the middle school jazz band directed by Steve Groba, the middle school percussion ensemble directed by Steve Groba and Darren Humbert, and the high school show choir directed by Terisa Sharlow. West Allegheny’s incredible food service team was recognized with the Child Hunger Hero Award from the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. This award celebrates school districts and community partners making outstanding contributions to food security for kids within the greater Pittsburgh community. The District was evaluated on its child nutrition programs, including everyday meal service, summer food service, weekend meals and holiday meals. Parents may register online through February 28 or by telephone starting March 1. The preferred method is online at: www.westasd.org - or - Call: Donaldson Elementary - 724.213.1010 McKee Elementary - 724.693.8451 Wilson Elementary - 724.695.3300 Incoming kindergarten students must be 5 years of age before September 1, 2022. Holiday musical performances entertain Gold Card Club members The high school show choir performs holiday favorites for Gold Card members. Not all superheroes wear capes - some wear aprons Registration is Open! Middle school art and German classes joined forces in December to collaborate on a holiday Nutcracker Contest. Nearly 60 creative and colorful entries were posted to the District’s Facebook page and the public had the opportunity to vote on their favorite. The top three photos with the most likes and comments at the end of the day January 2 were named the winners. After several hundred online votes, Owen Ruddock claimed first place, Addison Roberts took second and Karley Naughton took third. Each of the winners received a gift card. The contest was organized by teachers Sharon Harn and Kim Patterson. Nutcracker Contest spurs creativity The students who created these winning designs for the Nutcracker Contest were Owen Ruddock, Addison Roberts and Karley Naughton.32 • Allegheny West Magazine • February/March 2022 January 14 marked the end of the first semester and an even greater milestone for sixth-graders who celebrated Halfway Day in all of their classes. Halfway Day celebrates the halfway point between kindergarten and high school graduation. During Mrs. Meehan’s and Mrs. Watkins’ classes, students were presented with a Halfway Day certificate and treat sponsored by the PTA. The students also completed a fun questionnaire that they will receive back upon high school graduation as a reminder of their time at the middle school. In math class, students made Halfway Day symmetry pictures. They were given half a picture and then had to copy it to make it symmetric. ELA classes wrote letters to an adult in their life who helped them get to this halfway point in their education. Art classes had fun drawing half of Jon Bon Jovi to coordinate with the line, “Ohhhhh…..we’re half way there….” from the song “Livin’ On A Prayer.” Halfway Day marks notable milestone Sixth-graders proudly display their certificates of congratulation. Three middle school teams of sixth through eighth grade Horizons students competed in the History Bowl at Heinz History Center on December 14. The annual event was sponsored by the Allegheny Intermediate Unit. While exploring the History Center, each team completed four challenges. Students needed to find answers to questions, think and write creatively, and problem solve. The seventh grade team consisting of Clifford Brindle, Audrey Schotting and Faith Haley won the competition and brought home a first place win. The eighth-grade team of Joi Wichryk, Jakob Budzik and Diegan Martin-Amic came in second place. The sixth-grade team included: Sara Stonebraker, Max Guinther, Julian Bungard and Thomas Bencho. Middle school team earns top award at History Bowl West Allegheny team members take time to explore the Heinz History Center between History Bowl competitions. West Allegheny Middle School was one of only four middle grades schools in Pennsylvania re-designated for the first time as a PA Don Eichhorn Schools: “Schools to Watch.” This distinction is part of a recognition program developed by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform. The designated schools were reviewed and selected for their academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity and organizational structures and processes. In addition, each school demonstrates strong leadership, teachers who work together to improve curriculum and instruction, and a commitment to assessment and accountability to bring about continuous improvement. The middle school will be recognized at the Pennsylvania Association for Middle Level Education’s State Conference on February 27 in State College and at the National Schools To Watch Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. June 23 through 25. Middle school teachers Jessica Henry and Valerie Meehan will be presenting a session on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports at the state conference. The Schools to Watch Team included Patricia Nolan, Megan Huchko, Jonathan Denk, Valerie Meehan, Jackie Schmidt, Jessica Henry, Jeff Kiser, Sharon Harn and Krista Dapper. Middle school named a “School to Watch” The team of Clifford Brindle, Faith Haley and Audrey Schotting claim their first place prizes. February/March 2022 • www.awmagazine.com • 33 Students enjoyed Milk & Cookie Day when it returned to the McKee classrooms this school year. In addition to being treated to student favorites of milk, cookies, fruit and vegetables, they were also entertained with the reading of stories. Research supports that if students are not fluent readers by the time they reach third grade, they may struggle with comprehension and understanding later in school. At Wilson Elementary, administration and staff want to ensure that all students meet this important benchmark while also growing leadership capacity in their fifth-graders. To support both of these efforts, a creative solution emerged. Kristen Martin, literacy specialist - in conjunction with fifth grade ELA teachers Tania DeSilva and Brittney Kuhn - identified several students to become fifth grade Fluency Fun Facilitators. These students serve as mentors to first and second grade students as they practice their fluency skills so that they can read accurately, expressively and at a strong pace. Milk and Cookie Day tradition returns to McKee Dunking is one student’s preferred method of cookie eating at McKee. Fluency Fun Facilitators help young readers at Wilson These fifth-graders were chosen to take on a leadership role and assist the school’s young readers. The Horizons students of Donaldson Elementary School - Xavier, Jonathan, Lachlan, Blaise and Solin - have been selected by Young Writers to have their Ridiculous Writers contest entries published in a book titled “Ridiculous Writers - Enchanted Tales.” In September and October, the students wrote stories that had to be exactly 100 words. They chose a noun and a ridiculous adjective. Then they let their creativity go to work. Pairing it down to just 100 words was a challenge but they succeeded. The students will also receive a certificate and a bookmark in recognition of their efforts. Beth Schultz is the Horizons teacher. Donaldson students have work published Published students proudly display their work. Brittney Kuhn, Kristen Martin and Tania DeSilva look to impact both reading skills and leadership.for 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 Mrs. Tracy Pustover, Vice-President Mr. George Bartha Mr. Joel Colinear Mr. Edward Faux Mr. Kevin Hancock Mr. Todd Kosenina Mrs. Debbie Mirich Mr. Mark Rosen Dr. Jerri Lynn Lippert, Superintendent Dr. Christopher Shattuck, Assistant Superintendent of Schools Ms. 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. Cheryl McHone, High School Principal Dr. Katharine Roche, High School Academic Principal Mr. Samuel Taylor, High School Assistant Principal Mr. David McBain, Director of Athletics 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 In its second year at West Allegheny, the high school Bocce program continues to excite team members, coaches and spectators alike. Through the Interscholastic Unified Bocce Program, students with and without disabilities compete with districts in the region. Despite a 1-2 record to date, the team and their enthusiasm continue to grow every game. Playoffs will be held on February 22 at Montour and teams that win their division in the playoff match will move on to the semi-finals for an opportunity to play at Penn State. School Resource Officer Mike Hamm and the North Fayette Township Youth Programs got in on the team excitement by purchasing backpacks for each player. The backpacks were embroidered with the WA and Special Olympics logos. Excitement builds in second year of Bocce ABOVE: The team comes together for a pre-game photo. BELOW: Players proudly display their new team backpacks. Practice pays off as the West Allegheny team bests Montour. 34 • Allegheny West Magazine • February/March 2022NOW HIRING! O ces located in Robinson Twp. & Monaca 412.494.2000 ExpressPros.com Full-time and part-time job opportunities in a variety of positions: Administrative, Professional, Industrial, Skilled Labor, Skilled Trades, and Skilled Professional. Call to schedule your interview! No Fees! February/March 2022 • www.awmagazine.com • 3536 • Allegheny West Magazine • February/March 2022 At Your Library At Your Library Among the conditions that health professionals treat on a regular basis, few are as serious, frequent or complex as a stroke. According to the CDC, someone in the U.S. suffers a stroke every 40 seconds. While some strokes are minor, and present with symptoms that pass, others can be life threatening and require emergency surgery. The CDC says that one in every six deaths from cardiovascular disease is due to a stroke. American Heart Month, which is observed each February, has helped to raise awareness of stroke risk. Yet some people may harbor one of two different heart conditions known as atrial fibrillation or patent foramen ovale that can also increase stroke risk. These conditions can cause clots to form directly in the heart that, once pumped into the arteries feeding the brain, may cause a blockage resulting in a stroke. Late last year, St. Clair Health held an online symposium dedicated largely to addressing techniques being used to treat people with these conditions who have either suffered a stroke or have a high risk of stroke. Dr. Maxim Hammer, M.D., chief of neurology; Dr. Kyle Buchanan, M.D., FACC, interventional cardiologist; Dr. Jeffrey Liu, M.D., FHRS, director of cardiac electrophysiology; and Dr. Andy Kiser, M.D., FACS, FACC, FCCP, chief of cardiac surgery, participated, delivering talks and answering questions in the days leading up to World Stroke Day on Oct. 29. According to Dr. Liu, atrial fibrillation is a condition characterized by chaotic impulses that result in the upper chambers of the heart contracting ineffectively. This can lead to the development of blood clots in a section of the heart known as the atrial appendage. While not everyone with atrial fibrillation is at risk of suffering a stroke, Dr. Liu said that some people - including those with cardiovascular disease - are more at risk than others. He said those most at risk are over 65 and have suffered a stroke previously. Other risk factors include high blood pressure and diabetes. He said that many patients with atrial fibrillation who have suffered a stroke tend to be prescribed a blood thinner. These patients often end up taking that blood thinner for a long time, possibly even for the rest of their lives. “The reason these medicines are so highly advertised is because there are just so many people with atrial fibrillation these days,” said Dr. Liu. “Although these blood thinners do a very good job of preventing blood clots and certainly have been shown time and again to decrease the risk of stroke, the cost of doing business with a blood thinner is - by virtue of thinning the blood - it also puts people at a higher risk of bleeding.” For patients with atrial fibrillation who are most at risk of a stroke and can’t take blood thinners, St. Clair Health is now performing a new procedure that involves inserting a plug called the Watchman into the atrial appendage to prevent future clots from forming. Doctors insert the plug through the femoral artery. According to Dr. Liu, the procedure takes about one to two hours to complete and requires only general anesthesia. Patients are usually discharged either the same day or next. The procedure was approved by the FDA in 2016 and Dr. Liu says it has been shown to be just as effective at reducing the risk of stroke as blood thinners, but without the downside of medication. By comparison, patent foramen ovale is diagnosed much more rarely. According to Dr. Buchanan, the reason this condition isn’t seen as often is because it’s so difficult to diagnose. It occurs when a hole in the septum separating the right and left ventricles in the heart fails to close. Typically, this hole, which is present at birth, disappears later in life. “For most people, a patent foramen ovale goes unnoticed or undiagnosed their entire life, as it has no significant impact on cardiac function and is not easily visible on standard cardiac testing,” said Dr. Buchanan. However, it is much more statistically significant among people who have suffered a cryptogenic stroke, which is a stroke that has no discernable cause. Dr. Buchanan said 40% of people who experience a stroke without a clear reason have a patent foramen ovale. For people with this condition, a stroke can occur when blood travels through the patent foramen ovale to the left side of the heart, carrying with it a blood clot that can then be pumped into the brain. Dr. Buchanan said that patients with patent foramen ovale who have suffered a stroke are traditionally treated with blood thinners. About 20 years ago, surgeons began utilizing a method to insert a device in either side of the patent foramen ovale to close it, but it wasn’t until recently that this procedure was shown to have benefits outweighing medications. “For about a 15-year period...we did not have great science to support closure of PFOs since blood thinning medication seemed to work just as well,” said Dr. Buchanan. In 2016, research and studies began to suggest that closure of the patent foramen ovale in certain clinical situations was better than just medications alone, he said. That year, the FDA approved one new device for the procedure and, in 2018, the agency approved a second device. St. Clair Health is now performing the procedure for people who are at risk of stroke due to patent foramen ovale. It takes about 30 to 60 minutes to complete with moderate sedation and, much like the Watchman, is inserted via the femoral artery. Patients require two hours of bed rest following and are discharged the same day or next. For more about procedures being used to address atrial fibrillation and patent foramen ovale, and to view the entire symposium, visit stclair.org/heart-stroke-symposium. St. Clair cardiologists discuss new procedures to lower stroke risk February/March 2022 • www.awmagazine.com • 37 Whether you’re a longtime dog owner or one of the millions of people across this country who adopted a pooch during the COVID-19 pandemic, you’ve probably thought about checking out an area dog park. These amenities allow dogs to socialize and run free in a fenced-in area. They’re also a great excuse for you and your pup to get outdoors, particularly during the winter months. Here’s a rundown of this area’s dog parks, along with some tips from a local dog trainer about proper etiquette when visiting one: 38 • Allegheny West Magazine • February/March 2022 This enormous dog park is situated in the middle of Settlers Cabin Park. Head into the park on Papoose Drive or Greer Road and go straight until you come to the “T” intersection. Then take a left. Head to the far end of Te Pee to the roundabout at the end. A sign there indicates the turnoff to the right for the parking area. The dog park features an enclosed area that is around 300 feet wide, offering more than ample room for pups to run and play. There are also separate areas for large and small dogs. A pavilion is located in the larger section and there are bathrooms right inside the dog park. There’s also a water station and some picnic tables set up on the hill. The park gets busy right after work hours. If you’re looking for a nice hike afterward, throw a leash on your pup and jump on the Waterfall Trail on the other side of the parking lot. This trail follows a route downhill all the way to a waterfall at the bottom of the ravine. Be sure to read the dog park rules at: www. alleghenycounty.us/dogparks and, while you’re there, check out more of the dog parks around Allegheny County. The dog park at Settlers Cabin Park is massive, and even has bathrooms, a pavilion and a water pump for filling dog dishes inside the fenced-in area. Settlers Cabin Dog Park Settlers Cabin Park Robinson Township Te Pee DriveFebruary/March 2022 • www.awmagazine.com • 39 The Donaldson Community Park dog park is located in the far corner of Donaldson Park in North Fayette Township. From Donaldson Road, head up the hill and into the park. Head straight, passing the community center on your right, and park in the lot adjacent to the playground. The blacktop foot path will take you over to the fenced-in area. There’s a double gate and bags provided to help you pick up after your pooch. The fenced-in area is about 100 feet wide and consists of a single area, so no second section for smaller dogs. Dog owners tend to check out the park after work and on the weekends. During youth sporting events like soccer, football and baseball, the dog park can get particularly busy. After you’ve checked out the fenced-in area, take your pooch on a walk around the park on the paved walkway for some additional exercise and socialization opportunities. Some play amenities will be coming this spring. The dog park at Donaldson Park is picturesque to say the least and close by for North Fayette residents. Donaldson Dog Park Donaldson Community Park North Fayette Township 590 Donaldson Road, OakdaleNext >