Hopewell Highlighter - Hopewell Area School District

For more information,
please visit our web site
www.hopewell.k12.pa.us
Hopewell Highlighter
Things to look for :
*National Merit Finalists
Published for the Hopewell School District Community
*Senior Project Benefit
*World Vision Volunteers
*Nation Honor Society
inducts new members
Volume 29
Issue 3
Winter 2012
*Message from the Superintendent
*News from Margaret Ross
*Pancakes in class
*Empty Bowl Project
*Festival of Trees
*Gingerbread House
*Legends Plaza
*Beaver County Educational
Trust Grant
Congratulations to seniors Evelyn
Moss and Joseph Satterfield,
Hopewell High School National
Merit Scholarship Finalists!
*Math Counts Competition
*Eagle Scout Projects
*Save the Date, Healthy Foods
Expo
Who To Contact
It is strongly suggested that
you begin your inquiries with
the building principals.
High School
724-375-6691
Principal
Mr. M. Allison
Assist. Principal
Mr. D. Rowe
Junior High
724-375-6691
Principal
Mr. E. Katkich
Hopewell Elementary
724-375-6691
Principal
Mrs. K. Kane
Margaret Ross Elementary
724-375-6691
Principal
Mrs. K. Kane
Independence Elementary
724-375-6691
Principal
Mrs. P. Simmons
Superintendent
724-375-6691
Dr. C. Reina
Business Administrator
724-375-6691
Mrs. J. Robb
Director of Special Education
724-375-6691
Mrs. L. Utchell
Transportation Office
724-375-6691
Mr. D. Smail
Athletic Director
724-375-6691
Mr. D. Short
Dance for Dreams Senior Project
Seniors Mara Palmer and Nikole Baker organized their senior project, a Dance-A-Thon titled a Dance for Dreams, at Hopewell High
School on November 19, 2011. Teacher mentors Tara Giles and Sue
Masley along with students’ parents chaperoned twenty couples and
several walk-ins who danced from nine to five to the music. Competitions were held throughout the event with Pittsburgh Penguin’s gear
awarded. The dance couple of Tyler Pajak and Nate Bowden won the
Penguin’s tickets for the most money pledged. Logan Marshall and Jessica Pontis, won an autographed Mario Lemieux puck and an autographed Evgeni Malkin hat. The Dance for Dreams senior project
raised over one thousand
dollars from the support
of local businesses and
through student pledges.
The proceeds from
the event benefited the
Mario Lemieux Foundation, a cancer research
foundation that establishes childhood playrooms in local hospitals.
On May 27, 2011, the dedication of the
Legends Plaza and banquet at the Club at
Shadow Lakes in Hopewell Township, celebrated the promise and commitment of the
California-Aliquippa Alumni Association in providing a permanent place of honor for the ten
recipients of the "Aliquippa Area Legends
Award."
From 2000 to 2005 the CA-AAA honored
Mike Ditka, Henry Mancini, Drs. Stephen,
Wallace and Michael Zernich, Dr. James
Frank, Dr. Jesse Steinfeld, Charles Betters,
Tony Dorsett and Bill Koman at three Galas in
Legends Plaza, located at Hopewell High School.
Las Vegas and two in Hopewell Township. The
Galas resulted in fund raising that benefited the B.F.Jones Memorial Library ($73,000.00) and
the now defunct Aliquippa Community Hospital ( $25,000.00). In addition, approximately
$31,000.00 was earmarked for a permanent place of honor to memorialize the 10 recipients of
the Legend Award.
Construction of the Legends Plaza located inside the Tony Dorsett Stadium in the Hopewell
Area School District began in the fall of 2010. Fund raising involved material donations, cash
donations, banquet tickets, program advertisements and sale of engraved patio pavers. This
project was two-fold. First to provide funding for construction and second to raise funds for
future maintenance of the Legends Plaza and any other project to improve the Tony Dorsett
Stadium. With the earmarked $31,000.00 the committee raised an additional $30,000.00 for a
total of $61,000.00. With materials donated the cost of construction and cost associated with
the fund raising amounted to approximately $44,000.00.
At the meeting of the Hopewell Area
School Board, on January 24, 2012 at 7:00 PM,
the CA-AAA presented a check to the School
Administration in the amount of $15,000.00 in
the name of our 10 Legend Award recipients
and the California-Aliquippa Alumni Association. Additional funds will be presented at
some future date as fund raising continues.
Pictured: David Bufalini (board president), Pete Eritano, Steve Rodich, and Dr.
Charles Reina (superintendent).
Pancakes Anyone?
Mrs. Karen Parrish’s Language Arts class just finished reading the novel Hoot. This novel
centers around the environmental issues in the illegal building of a Mother Paula’s Pancake
House in Florida, on a site that is the home to burrowing owls, a protected species. During the
novel students discuss environmental issues, ways to protest a belief and did character analysis. Students in this class did so well in their persuasive arguments that they were invited to
“Mother Paula’s Pancake House” for a pancake breakfast. Mrs. Parrish was the chief cook, Mrs.
Sovich worked as her assistant chef and the students all enjoyed a pancake breakfast as can
be seen in the photos.
Window Painting for the Beaver County Festival of Trees
The Art IV class under the supervision of teacher Sue Masley designed and painted holiday
windows in the former Batchelor’s Furniture store location at the Beaver Valley Mall.
A senior who is on the Festival of Trees committee, asked the group to help with the decoration of the site as the location was moved from Brady’s Run Park for this year.
Participants were Jim Ginther, Amanda Jamison, Kaila Kakiou, Cassidy Marshall, Karissa Parsons, Jessica Pontis, Alexis Rains, and Victoria Uram.
National Honor Society Inducts New Members
In early December, the NHS inducted 23 new members into the
Hopewell High School Chapter. During the ceremony the current officers spoke on the attributes of an NHS member. President, Mara
Palmer spoke on Scholarship; Vice President,
Samantha DeSalle spoke on Leadership; the
society’s secretary spoke about Service and Evelyn Moss,
Treasurer spoke about Character. The Induction Chair,
Nikole Baker coordinated the event. New inductees included, senior Santino Graziani and juniors Ryan Alviani,
Polixeni Chirgott, Michael Chuhran, Steven Dadig, Alexandra Garrand, Lisa Graham, Bryon Jones, Erika Kraus, Amelia Mateer, Taylor Miller, Alec Short, Courtney Sundy, Erin
Treese, Haley Trkulja, Olivia Unen, Shatori WalkerKimbrough, Matthew Wise and Brian Zahn. Mr. William
Samantha DeSalle gives her speech.
Smith is the society sponsor. Congratulations to all.
Students Volunteer Time to World Vision
November 14, a group of students went to World Vision’s Pittsburgh distribution
center to volunteer their time to help those in need. Students were divided into two
groups. One group processed seized counterfeit goods from past Superbowls and
readied them to be sent to Uganda and Albania. The second group processed donations from Tommy Hilfiger and organized them for shipment to needy people here in
the United States. Students were told what needed to be done, but were not given instructions as to how the task should be accomplished. It was exciting to see leaders
emerge among the students as they worked in their groups and watch them work together to carry out their task. The staff at World Vision was impressed with how well
our students collaborated and how much work they completed. It was heartwarming to
hear students talking about how good they felt that they could help others. Many
students have already asked for the contact information so they could go back to
World Vision to volunteer. These students
are all looking forward to volunteering at
World Vision again in the future.
First Place in “Christmas at Phipps” Competition
Hopewell High School Service Learning along with teachers
and students from Independence Elementary school took a
field trip to downtown Pittsburgh to the PPG Wintergarden.
Both Independence elementary and Hopewell Service Learning
submitted a gingerbread house into the competition. The gingerbread house “Christmas at Phipp’s Conservatory” made by
Hopewell High School Service Learning won first place in the
competition. Service Learning has also placed second and or
third in the past 7 years. Mrs. Grandovic’s high school students were partnered with Mrs. Pott’s, Miss McClure, Mrs. Milanovich and Miss Snyder’s students. Following the tour of
PPG Place and Wintergarden, students enjoyed lunch together.
After lunch students traveled through downtown on a walking
tour to view the windows at Macy’s and the nativity in front of
the U.S. Steel building. The entire educational experience was
very rewarding as everyone was involved. The high school Service Learning students enjoyed creating memories for their
young companions.
Many thanks are extended to the Beaver County
Educational Trust for the grant approvals for
the following programs:
Independence Elementary Story Walk – titled: “ Rustling Up Readers in the Wild
West” as proposed by Independence Librarian Eleanor Fairbanks and Title 1 Coordinator, Kathy Boranko – in the amount
of $375.
Independence Elementary Garden Club – with
funds provided through the Tusca-Ridge
Garden Club in the amount of $500 – as
proposed Lynn Milanoavich Indy’s school
counselor, and Katie Snyder and Joan
Potts both special education teachers at
Independence Elementary.
“My Plate, My Health” as selected by the Advisory Committee as one of 20 winners in
the 2011 Great Ideas Program – in the
amount of $500 as proposed by Tammy
Kross – Independence Elementary school
nurse.
Margaret Ross Shares Christmas Warmth!
As we have done for the past several years, the students and staff of
Margaret Ross helped to spread some holiday cheer. Two different holiday activities were conducted during the month of December.
First, students brought in new mittens, gloves, scarves, slippers,
and socks. These were used to decorate our "Warm Hearts/Warm Hands"
Christmas tree. These donated items were collected, boxed, and presented to the Women's Center of Beaver County at the end of December.
Second, and our most favorite endeavor, was the annual Christmas Raffle. The staff at Margaret Ross purchased toys, games, bikes, etc. that
were bundled into 12 different gift baskets. Students purchased tickets to
put into the drawing for the various gifts in hopes of their ticket being
picked as the lucky winner. The winning students were: Madysen Block,
Brian Curry, Derek Curry, Connor Gilchrist, Leah Hall, Kaitlyn Mathis,
Kenzie Mawhinney, William Miller, Chris Mullins, Christopher Pollock and
Vincent Selinsky.
A total of $862 dollars was raised by the Margaret Ross students and
staff. This money was donated to the Beaver County Humane Society, the
Women's Center of Beaver County, the Hopewell High School Toy Drive,
and the Margaret Ross PTA.
Well done Margaret Ross Elementary! Your generosity and caring spirit
helped to brighten the Christmas holiday in our community.
Hopewell High School Art Show, (Grades
9-12 Visual Arts, Senior Art IV One
Man Shows,) will be held from March
19 through March 29 in the lobby.
The Opening Reception along with the
induction of the National Art Honor
Society will be on March 20, 6-8 pm.
Save The Date
Empty Bowls Dinner 2012
A Hopewell High School
Hunger Awareness Event
GET YOUR TICKETS EARLY!
$10.00 gets you a handmade pottery bowl and a bowl
of delicious homemade soup, roll and beverage.
Where: Hopewell High School Lobby
When: Tuesday, March 27, 2012-Time: 5-7PM
All proceeds benefit our local Meals on Wheels
Tickets can be purchased by contacting Hopewell Service Learning,
Michele Grandovic grandovicm@hopewell.k12.pa.us or
Sue Masley masleys@hopewell.k12.pa.us
Math Counts Team Takes Fifth Place
On February 4, 2012 the Junior High Math Counts club sent eight
representatives to Geneva College to compete in the Beaver County
Math Counts Competition. Representing the Junior High were: Seventh graders Deanna Fiejdasz and Joshua Misidua; and Eighth graders: Adam Barkman, Hope Bowden, Jennifer Cranmer, Shannon Langton and Jacob Welsh.
Hopewell finished fifth in the team competition with a team comprising of Adam Barkman, Jennifer Cranmer and Jacob Welsh. Adam
Barkman finished ninth overall for the individual portion of the competition. The Math Counts club would especially like to thank the parents of its members and district administration for their support leading up to the competition.
Eagle Scouts Complete Service Projects on District Grounds
Four Hopewell School District students recently received their Eagle rank from Independence Boy Scout Troop 442. Receiving this award
was Ian Buchanan (11th grade), Jordan Buchanan
(8th grade) Scott Staby (9th grade) and Santino
Graziani (12th grade). As part of the Eagle requirements, each boy had to complete an eagle project in which they would be responsible for planning, finding a means to fund the materials, orgaPictured above: S. Graziani, I. Buchanan, S. Staby, J. Buchanan
nizing, and implementing the project. Each of
these boys completed an eagle project which bene-
fited the Hopewell School District. Ian repaired and repainted the dugouts for the boys’ varsity baseball team. Jordan refurbished the courtyard at Independence Elementary by replacing the wood on the benches and planter as well as repainting various other benches on the
playground. Scott repainted all of the playground equipment at Independence Elementary.
And Santino constructed and installed two rails in the senior high school to display approximately 100 section championship plaques. Achieving the rank of Eagle requires a tremendous
amount of dedication and is realized by only 2% of all boys entering scouts. Congratulation
boys!
The Hopewell Area School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides an Equal Education Opportunity in conformance with Title VI and Title VII
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. The Title
IX and Section 504 compliance officer is Dr. Sue Pocci, School Psychologist, 2354 Brodhead Road, Aliquippa, PA 15001-4501.(724-375-6691).
Hopewell Area School District
2354 Brodhead Rd.
Aliquippa, PA 15001-4501
Charles M. Reina, Ed.D, Superintendent
Johannah M. Robb, CPA, Business Administrator
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
David Bufalini, President
Lesia Dobo, Vice President
John Bowden
David Cicone
Michael Johnston
Rob Harmotto
Lori McKittrick
Daniel Santia
Jeffrey Winkle
Find Us On The Web
www.hopewell.k12.pa.us
John Salopek, Solicitor
Nancy Barber, Secretary
Debra Shaffer, Editor
A Message from the Superintendent…
The Hopewell Area School District will hold Kindergarten registration at three sites from Tuesday, March 6,
2012 through Friday, March 23, 2012. There will be one evening registration session at each elementary
building. The registration site does not determine which building a student will assigned.
Registration Sites and Times
Independence Elementary
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
March 7, 2012
5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Margaret Ross Elementary
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
March 15, 2012
5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Hopewell Elementary
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
March 20, 2012
5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
All students in grades 3-8 and 11 will participate in the Pennsylvania System of School Assessments (PSSA)
during the month of March. The testing window can become quite stressful for both your children and their
teachers. Please encourage them to get appropriate rest during the course of the testing week(s) and to do their
very best. We must not lose sight of the fact that children are learning and growing individually each and
every day and that the PSSA represents a snapshot measurement of a moment in time during their educational
experience. I am confident that every student will be successful.
Very truly yours,
Charles M. Reina, Ed. D.
Superintendent