School News - Norwin School District

NORWIN
School News
Norwin School District
28
Sheridan Terrace Elementary School Earns
Governor’s Recognition
29
Norwin School District Graduates 410
Students at High School Ceremony
30
PA Stem Vision Conference Attracts 650
Educators, Business Leaders
31
Students Solve Mystery at Norwin Middle
School STEM Day
32
Norwin School District’s Preliminary Budget
for the 2013-2014 School Year
32
Steelers’ Field Goal Kicker Visits Norwin
Middle School
33
Sports Page Photos
34
Norwin’s Daniel Conwell and Anna Romeo
Presented Most Positive Athlete Award by
Hines Ward
35
35
36 Norwin High School Students Raise
$2,200 for Westmoreland County “Shop
with a Cop” Program
36
Norwin High School Envirothon Team Wins
County Competition
37Norwin Embarks On Long-Term Fund-Raising
Approach: School District to Follow College
and University Model for Fund-Raising
and Philanthropy
38
Select Orchestra Performs for
Local Senior Citizens
38
Norwin Show Choir Excels at Music in
the Parks Festival
38
High School Music Honors
39
High School Students Learn about
Financial Reality
Sheridan Terrace Student One of Three in
State Honored
39
Student’s Artwork Appears in
Pennsylvania Game News
High School Student Council Recognized
with Gold Award
39
Norwin Technology Club Battles at
BotsIQ Competition
Sheridan Terrace Elementary School Earns
Governor’s Recognition
Sheridan Terrace Elementary School
has received recognition from Governor
Tom Corbett and the Pennsylvania
Department of Education as a highperforming school.
On their last day of school, Friday, May
23, 2014, Sheridan Terrace Elementary
School students and Principal Heather
Newell received the Governor’s Award
for Excellence in Academics along with
a celebratory banner. The award was
given to schools that earned a 90 percent
or higher on the 2012-13 Pennsylvania
School Performance Profile.
Sheridan Terrace Elementary School
earned an academic performance score
of 91.3 percent, the highest among
Norwin School District’s seven schools.
academic performance score is based
not only on state test scores, but also on
many other factors that signal student
achievement. Test scores, progress in
closing achievement gaps, and degree
of student growth over time are factored
into the scoring, while other identifiers
of high-achieving schools are also
considered.
“This school will serve as a role model
to its peers across the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania for its ability to
showcase what can be achieved
when quality educational programs,
enthusiastic teachers and staff, dedicated
administrators, parents and a supportive
community come together on behalf of
students,” Governor Corbett wrote in a
Proclamation to the school.
“We are extremely
proud of the students,
families, faculty,
and staff for their
collaborative efforts
to improve student
achievement at
Sheridan Terrace
Elementary School,”
said Ms. Natalie A.
McCracken, Assistant
Superintendent of Elementary Education.
“Sheridan Terrace is a very special
environment where all students are
welcomed, valued, and challenged to
“We are extremely proud of the
students, families, faculty, and staff for
their collaborative efforts to improve
student achievement at Sheridan
Terrace Elementary School.”
– Natalie A. McCracken, Assistant Superintendent of
Elementary Education
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The Pennsylvania School Performance
Profile provides demographic data,
academic data, and an academic
performance score for public schools. The
The Governor’s Proclamation:
learn and grow every day. The entire
school community is to be commended
for this deserved recognition.”
Principal Heather Newell is also proud
of Sheridan Terrace’s students, teachers,
staff, and parents.
“They have beaten the odds to
earn achievement scores above and
beyond what the statistics predicted,”
Ms. Newell said. “I think the Governor’s
Award symbolizes our faith in children
and effective use of consistent, reliable
educational practices.”
Access to the Pennsylvania School
Performance Profile is available
at http://paschoolperformance.
org/. Information specific to Norwin
schools is available at http://
paschoolperformance.org/328/Schools.
Sheridan Terrace Elementary School celebrated its receipt of the Governor’s
Award for Excellence in Academics. From left (front row): Students Jasella Davis,
Jacob Streily, A.J. Hathaway, Macie Daugherty; (back row); Head Teacher Nancy
Abramovic, Principal Heather Newell, and Assistant Superintendent of Elementary
Education Natalie McCracken.
28 Norwin
On behalf of Norwin Board of
Education and its Administration, Dr.
William Kerr, Superintendent of Schools,
extended sincere congratulations to the
students, families, teachers, and support
staff for this outstanding academic
achievement award. “Working together
for academic excellence is a high priority
in the School District, and Sheridan
Terrace Elementary is a shining example
of a high-performing school with
distinction,” Dr. Kerr said.
The graduating seniors are clearly focused on the
future and they are truly the leaders of tomorrow.
Of the members in the Class of 2014, approximately
88 percent will be attending a four-year college,
two-year community college, business, trade, or
technical school; 3 percent will be enlisting in the
armed services; 5 percent will directly enter the
world of work; and 3 percent are undecided, but
they are determined to follow a productive and
contributing pathway for future success.
At commencement, the valedictorian and
salutatorian, along with all honor graduates, were
recognized. National Honor Society members
CLASS OF 2014
AT A GLANCE
NUMBER OF GRADUATES:
410
VALEDICTORIAN:
Olivia Kubli
SALUTATORIAN:
Alexis Boytim
JOHN BAYARD RODGERS
SCHOLARSHIP:
Lindsay Westwood
“MOST OUTSTANDING SENIORS”:
William R. Kerr and Sarah Kerr
This is an annual honor decided by a
majority vote of the faculty with criteria
being excellence in academics, leadership,
community involvement and citizenship.
Norwin graduates (l to r): William R. Kerr,
Brian Czapor, Olivia Kubli and Alexis Boytim.
were also visible as they wore honor cords representing the service hours they
completed during their high school careers.
Scores of graduating seniors earned scholarships for their academic or athletic
excellence. These honors, as well as the list of all graduates, are published in the
Class of 2014 Commencement Program.
Also, Vespers was held Wednesday, May 21, 2014 in the high school auditorium.
During this time of reflection, several seniors shared inspirational messages and
readings about graduation and the future. Vespers speakers included Cole Smith,
Paige Dieter, Amanda Booth, Lindsey Smith, Shannon Squires, Kathryn Kratzenberg,
Amanda Henderson, Molly Paige, Lindsay Robinson, and Christian Alesius.
At Commencement, friends and family of the graduates also heard the
Commencement speakers give their final farewells to Norwin High School. The
seniors speaking at Commencement were Alaina Mastrippolito, Olivia Kubli, Tessa
Tinley, Julia Carter, Brian Czapor, Mikayla Nolfi, William R. Kerr, and Rachel Bitsko.
These commencement speakers were chosen for their eloquence, facial expression,
articulation, posture, vocal variety, and eye contact throughout an audition process.
The senior class advisor is teacher Ms. Lori Anselmino, assisted by teacher Ms.
Peggy Bryan.
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Norwin School District graduated 410 students
at a ceremony held Friday, May 23, 2014 at Norwin
Knights Stadium.
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Norwin School District
Graduates 410 Students
at High School Ceremony
PA STEM Vision
Conference Attracts
650 Educators, Business Leaders
Governor Tom Corbett,
STEM Leaders Headline Event
Nearly 650 educators and business
representatives came together to explore
student achievement, bridging the
skills gap, workforce development and
cross-sector partnerships at a major
conference about STEM education
(Science, Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics).
The conference — titled “PA STEM
Vision: Connecting Classroom to Career”
— was designed to support teachers’
efforts in improving STEM education.
It was held May 9, 2014 at the David
L. Lawrence Convention Center. It was
hosted by ASSET STEM Education and cosponsored by Norwin School District, the
Pittsburgh Technology Council, and the
Philadelphia Education Fund.
“Norwin School District was honored
to be a co-sponsor of this first-class event,
and we credit ASSET STEM Education
for their tremendous drive to improve
upon previous years’ conferences,” said
Dr. William Kerr, Norwin Superintendent
of Schools. “It was a gathering of STEM
stakeholders from across the state who
are passionate about inspiring a better
future for Pennsylvania’s students.”
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Norwin School District co-sponsored
last year’s conference with ASSET in
Pittsburgh after having created
the conference in Westmoreland
County in 2012.
Dr. Cynthia Pulkowski,
executive director at ASSET
STEM Education, provided the
welcome, and Governor Tom Corbett
provided the opening remarks.
Attendees traveled from New York,
Ohio, Tennessee, West Virginia, and
from across Pennsylvania to learn from
presenters who shared best practices at
nearly 40 breakout sessions throughout
the day. The keynote speakers were
Randall Dearth, President and CEO,
Calgon Carbon Corporation; Gamal
Sherif, Educator, Science Leadership
Academy; and Doug Jensen, Associate
Vice President, Workforce Education and
Economic Development, Westmoreland
County Community College. Dr. Kerr,
Norwin Superintendent of Schools,
introduced keynote speaker Mr. Jensen.
From Norwin School District,
approximately 125 employees
participated. Four Norwin High School
students — Olivia Bazanos, Hunter
Stecko, Marina Novotnak, and Andrew
Halza – attended the conference as well.
There was no school at Norwin School
District the day of
the conference,
which was
Additional photos from the PA STEM Vision
Conference are available at this Web page:
www.norwinsd.org/Page/6990
30 Norwin
Governor Tom Co
rbe
tt provided the We
lcome remarks.
held on Norwin’s Act 80 day for staff
development.
Those who attended are taking what
they learned at the conference back to
their school districts and businesses to
ignite the conversation and continue
their forward movement on a course to
becoming model STEM schools.
For example, Ms. Cecilia Lange, a
fourth-grade math and science teacher
at Struthers Elementary School near
Youngstown, Ohio, attended a breakout
session titled “Leadership Beyond the
Classroom,” presented by Diane DeMario
and Barb Williams of ASSET STEM
Education, and by Natalie McCracken
and Michael Choby of Norwin School
District. Three Norwin Lead STEM
Teachers also participated in the
presentation: Tom Harskowitch, Paula
Giran, and Judi Zindren.
Ms. Lange gave Norwin School District
a ringing endorsement for its approach
to STEM Education as was presented in
the breakout session.
“I hope we are as successful as the
Norwin School District in modeling
and cultivating an atmosphere where
all the teachers are excited and willing
to collaborate with each other to
promote STEM,” Ms. Lange said after
the conference. “I also think that the
relaxed atmosphere that Norwin used
to develop STEM in their classrooms
helped make it effective. I also think
administration needs to be involved in
the vision statement like they were with
Norwin Schools.”
Teacher Matt Anticole from Norwin
High School presented a session
titled “Science Fair Best Practices,” and
Norwin High School librarian Katherine
Kauffman presented “Google: Not Just a
Search Engine.”
There was an Interactive Forum
featuring scores of exhibits from
educational institutions and
corporations. Norwin School District
hosted two tables at the interactive
forum: One about K-12 STEM Education,
and another about the proposed Norwin
STEM Innovation Center.
Another feature of this year’s
conference was a panel discussion
moderated by Margaret Ashida, Executive
Director, STEMx Network. Panelists
included Alicia Booker, Vice President,
Workforce Development, Community
College of Allegheny County; Dr. Jay
Burkhart, Assistant Superintendent, East
Pennsboro Area School District; Kacy
Conley, Director, Pennsylvania Statewide
Afterschool/Youth Development Network
(PSAYDN); Mary Ann Eisenreich, Director,
Governor’s Southwest Office; and Dr.
Ted Frick, Vice President, Polyurethanes
Applications Development, Bayer
MaterialScience LLC.
To view photos from the 2014 STEM
Conference, visit www.norwinsd.org/
Page/6990.
ASSET STEM Education arranged to
film the keynote speakers, and their
remarks are also available on the
web page.
At the beginning of the day, students were given a mock accident scenario in which a
fictitious person (Jane Doe) became unconscious while driving, causing a car accident.
All students were assigned to three breakout sessions in which they used some aspect of
science, technology, engineering, or math to collectively solve the mystery of why Jane
Doe became unconscious while driving.
During the first breakout session, students explored the roles of the first responder and
the emergency room. In the second breakout session, students learned about a laboratory,
blood banking, microbiology, and
chemistry to assist a doctor in saving
Jane Doe’s life and determining what
caused her to become unconscious.
They discovered that it was due to an
infectious disease, later revealed to
be tuberculosis, and so as part of the
scenario, a hazardous materials team
was called. Students donned “HazMat”
suits provided courtesy of Allegheny
Health Network and the Forbes Hospital
Emergency Room. During the third
Middle School
breakout session, students reviewed
students donned
hazardous materials
X-rays with a radiologist.
suits and used
As the mock scenario unfolded,
powerful microscopes
to solve a STEM Day
students were challenged to use
mystery on Friday,
everyday materials to build a thermos
April 25, 2014.
Photos by Anne
that would keep an antidote at optimal
temperature under extreme conditions. Marie Morgante and
Jonathan Szish
Students used software design to
program computers and robots to deliver the medication. The
students also saw the need for protecting their inventions through patent engineering.
There were a total of 15 activities run by a combination of teaching staff and community
experts from the fields of science and medicine.
This comprehensive educational opportunity required extraordinary commitment
from teachers and community members. Norwin Middle School is indebted to the parent
volunteers who dedicated their time to foster an interest in science. The parent volunteers
represented many fields and organizations, including Forbes Regional Hospital, UPMC, and
the Excela Health Laboratory.
“We had numerous responses from parents and tried to use everyone who replied,”
teacher Mr. Matt Mincucci said. “The ideas they came up with were phenomenal. It was
nice to hear from those outside the education field as to how things could be presented
differently from what we normally do.” A Norwin graduate who attends Point Park College,
Mike Bowen, also volunteered for the event.
“Students got to explore various engineering and design areas related to healthcare,”
teacher Mr. Matt Wyant said. “But it wasn’t just about medicine. It was about patent
design, programming, using science as evidence to solve a mystery and to help out their
fellow citizen.”
Norwin Middle School is just one Norwin school that ended the school year with
comprehensive STEM day experiences for students. Each of the elementary schools and
the Hillcrest Intermediate School arranged for parents and community members who
hold STEM-related jobs to visit and provide hands-on classroom presentations. Presenters
explained their jobs and engaged the students in learning experiences to help motivate
our students to strive for the best in these fields.
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N OR WI N SC HOOL DI STRI C T N E WS
Nearly 400 eighth-grade students participated in fun and stimulating hands-on activities
at the STEM Day at Norwin Middle School on Friday, April 25, 2014.
Nor win
Students Solve Mystery at
Norwin Middle School STEM Day
Norwin School District’s
Preliminary Budget
for the 2014-2015 School Year
The Norwin Board of Education has approved a 2014-15 preliminary education budget
that includes expenditures of $64,134,000 and is balanced by a real estate tax increase of
1.85 mills and the use of $200,000 of unreserved fund balance. The 1.85-mill tax increase
on a home with a median assessed value of $21,460 would be approximately $40.
The preliminary budget is available for public inspection on the District’s Web site at
www.norwinsd.org under “About Us” and “Administrative Reports.” The preliminary budget
is not a final budget; the Board is scheduled to vote on a final budget at its June meeting.
“As with past budget years, there are uncertainties with the State Education Budget
allocation process in Harrisburg and what its final outcome will be in June,” said Mr.
Robert Perkins, president of the Norwin Board of Education. “The Norwin School District is
committed to doing what is best for our students and their education. We are hopeful that
the State will follow through and support increased education funding.”
For much of the past decade, Norwin School District has had the lowest real estate tax
rate of the 17 school districts in Westmoreland County. Norwin School District has the
lowest total expenditures per student in Westmoreland County (and eleventh-lowest in
Pennsylvania). Norwin School District is also third-lowest in Westmoreland County for
actual instructional expenditures per student, as well as its equalized mills, which is a state
measure of local tax effort.
K-12 public schools in Pennsylvania have endured three years of budget limitations
due to lower state subsidies. The 2014-15 preliminary budget represents Norwin School
District’s best effort to provide quality educational programs and services after difficult
years of “right-sizing.”
“The Board and Administration have made budget cuts amounting to just under
$7 million during the last three years with minimal compromises to the integrity of
our educational programs and services,” said Dr. William Kerr, Norwin Superintendent
of Schools. “The School District has re-prioritized funds and continues to streamline
operations as needed for efficiency and cost-effectiveness, but not to the detriment of
cheating students from a quality education. The greater Norwin community highly values
its educational system.”
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The School District has proposed seven new teacher positions to improve the academic
program. These include two elementary teachers to address student needs in kindergarten
and first grade; two high school teachers to implement the new Air Force JROTC aerospace
program; two new learning support teachers; and one new autism support teacher to
establish a new program at Norwin Middle School. Funding for the new positions will
come from state and federal funds. In addition, the School District will hire replacements
for all retiring employees.
By expanding its existing autism program and moving its final contracted learning
support program in-house for 2014-15, the School District will reduce or avoid $153,500 in
costs when compared to contracting with outside agencies, according to Mr. John Wilson,
Director of Business Affairs. Also, the District is hiring one school psychologist to replace
a contracted service provided by the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit, which generates
additional savings for the School District.
The $64,134,000 spending plan represents a 4.8 percent increase, or $2.9 million, in
expenditures from the current budget. Revenues increased by 4.6 percent over the current
budget. The projected unreserved fund balance as of July 1, 2014, will be $4 million, or
about 5.9 percent of budgeted expenditures. The budget reflects a significant investment
in technology in the classroom, preventative maintenance of facilities, and upgrades for
safe and secure schools.
The 2014-15 Education Budget includes a proposed 1.85-mill real estate tax increase in
Westmoreland County and a 0.21-mill decrease in Allegheny County. State law requires
that a district that lies in two or more counties must “equalize” its millage between the
counties, so that the tax burden on the properties is the same in both counties.
Norwin School District educates approximately 5,200 students in grades K-12.
32 Norwin
Pittsburgh Steelers field-goal kicker Shaun
Suisham speaks with Norwin Middle School
students. Photo by Jonathan Szish.
Steelers’
Field Goal
Kicker
Visits Norwin
Middle School
Pittsburgh Steelers field-goal kicker
Shaun Suisham visited Norwin Middle
School to talk about healthy eating
and active play at an assembly on
May 16, 2014.
The assembly came through Fuel Up
to Play 60, an initiative created by the
National Dairy Council and the National
Football League that empowers students
to make healthy lifestyle changes at
school. The program is sponsored locally
by Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association, a
regional affiliate of National Dairy Council.
Fuel Up to Play 60 encourages students
to eat healthy and engage in at least 60
minutes of physical activity every day.
Funds for the program provide support
for a variety of activities and tools, such
as foodservice materials and equipment,
nutrition and physical education
materials, student and staff incentives,
staff development and Fuel Up to Play
60 implementation. Schools, parents
and students can learn more about the
program at FuelUpToPlay60.com.
The program at Norwin Middle School
is overseen by Mrs. Vicki Potter, a health
and physical education teacher at Norwin
Middle School. She is assisted in the
planning and implementation of these
wellness activities by a team of Norwin
Middle School students called the “Fuel Up
to Play 60 Team.”
N OR WI N SC HOOL DI STRI C T N E WS
Norwin | Summer 2014 | icmags.com 33
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Here are some of the best Norwin varsity sports
photos taken by the Norwin High School Journalism/
Yearbook Production students and Mr. McLaughlin of
Captured Image Photography during the 2013-2014
school year. Special thanks to Norwin senior and
yearbook staff member Cassie Smith for helping to
select the photos. Congratulations to all our studentathletes for a successful year. Additional sports
highlights photos are available at www.norwinsd.org
under “headlines.”
Norwin’s Daniel Conwell and Anna Romeo
Presented Most Positive Athlete Award by Hines Ward
PITTSBURGH (May 19, 2014) – Norwin High School students
Daniel Conwell and Anna Romeo won the title of Western
Pennsylvania’s “Most Positive High School Athletes” in the
sport of Boys Volleyball and field hockey, respectively, on
Saturday, May 3, 2014 as presented by former Pittsburgh
Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward and Roberto Clemente, Jr.,
the son of the late Pirates Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente.
Conwell and Romeo earned the award, along with 24 other
winners representing a variety of boys and girls sports at the C
Harper Positive High School Athlete Awards at the Senator John
Heinz History Center and Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum
in downtown Pittsburgh.
Nearly 1,000 nominations from coaches, principals, athletic
directors, teachers, and parents were submitted by a total of 125
Western Pennsylvania high schools. Norwin High School parents
and coaches nominated a total of five students.
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Anna Romeo was
unable to attend the
May 3 ceremony due
to a schedule conflict,
but the Positive
Athlete Pittsburgh
organization ensured
that she received her
award, including a
T-shirt autographed by
Hines Ward.
Daniel did to serve the team, such as carrying balls on and
off the bus, keeping stats, filming varsity games, and
working with younger volleyball players to build a
solid future for the team.
“Can nice guys finish first? Daniel Conwell is
showing that they can,” Mr. Warden said. “He is a
starting libero (defensive specialist) on the Norwin
Knights 2014 team. He has obtained this position
as a result of him showing up every day with a
positive attitude that he was going to do his best
on that day, knowing mistakes may be made, but
also that the journey would be worth it if he kept
showing up with his optimistic attitude.”
Norwin High School’s Anna Romeo is an eleventh-grade
student who embodies the definition of Positive Athlete by
providing inspiration and leadership to teammates, coaches,
friends and family both with her play and by returning from
season-ending knee injuries. She has an optimistic, team-first
attitude and gives 100 percent. Anna exhibits this on and off
the field and during the difficult times of recovering from major
knee surgery.
“This is the third
year for the C Harper
Positive High School
Norwin High School junior
Athlete Awards, and
Anna Romeo.
the stories of our
nominees continue
to amaze me,” said Ward. “I was always
credited with having a positive influence
on my team during my days with the
Steelers, but the stories I hear about
kids like Daniel really inspire me to be a
better person.”
Left to Right: Roberto Clemente, Jr., Daniel Conwell, Hines Ward; Olympic women’s hockey goalie
In addition to an awards certificate
signed by Mr. Ward, Daniel, a senior at
Norwin High School, took photos with the
former Super Bowl MVP and Mr. Clemente.
Brianne McLaughlin; and former Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Manny Sanguillén. Photo by Positive
Athlete Pittsburgh.
Daniel gained attention with his work ethic, overcoming an
initial challenge starting as a 5-foot-5-inch tall freshman on the
volleyball team (he has since grown to 6-feet-four-inches tall).
Head coach Al Warden recounted numerous little things that
34 Norwin
After her first surgery and while she was still on crutches
and in a full leg brace, she continued to attend all field hockey
practices and games, both encouraging her teammates as well
as helping the coaching staff by instructing a novice goaltender.
She endured the intense long rehabilitation necessary to
return to sports this season. Anna excelled by being named
Positive Athlete Pittsburgh (http://
pittsburgh.positiveathlete.org) and
the Positive High School Athlete
Awards is in its third year and was
created as a movement for more positivity
in youth sports. In addition to excellence
on the field, each participating Positive
Athlete shares similar characteristics
including an optimistic attitude, teammate
encouragement, servant leadership, heart
for others, ability to admit imperfections,
giving 100 percent all the time, and
realizing the team as more important than
the individual.
“We did not put out a search for the best
athletes in Western Pennsylvania,” said Ward,
“We put out a search for kids with positive
attitudes whose efforts don’t necessarily
show up on the stat sheets. These kids are
also positive role models in their schools
who get involved in charitable causes, and
have already learned the meaning of giving
back at an early age”.
Mayor Robert Brooks of Murrysville
also presented each of the athletes with
an FR PROUD t-shirt as a thank you to
the entire Pittsburgh community for
their support of Franklin Regional High
School. A group photo of all of the
athletes in their FR PROUD t-shirts will
capped off the award presentations.
“We hope this program focuses the
spotlight on how important a positive
attitude is not only in sports, but in life as
well,” said Roberto Clemente, Jr. “My father’s
legacy will always be remembered for his
heart for others, something that ultimately
cost him his life.”
Ramona spoke to more than 500 educators
about how she learns, about what makes her an
outstanding Title I student, and about her teacher
Ms. Nancy Abramovic, her Title I teacher Ms. Amy
Proctor, her principal Ms. Heather Newell, and
her family. The Department of Federal Programs
awarded each student speaker a large bag of
personalized gifts, which for Ramona included
many books and a loaded e-book reader.
Congratulations to Ramona!
Acting Pennsylvania Secretary of
Education Carolyn Dumaresq stands
with Ramona Beckman of Sheridan
Terrace Elementary School at the
annual Pennsylvania Federal Programs
Conference. Photo by Rich Beitzel of
Beitzel Photography.
High School Student
Council Recognized
with Gold Award
Former Advisor Named Regional
Winner in National Advisor
of the Year Contest
Norwin High School Student Council has been recognized as a National Gold
Council of Excellence award winner by the National Association of Student
Councils. Gold awards are given to those councils that consistently provide
quality leadership activities and service to their schools and communities.
The award is a testament to the leadership and support that principals and
advisors give to them and to the value placed on student council as an integral
part of Norwin High School and its educational mission. The Norwin High School
Student Council was awarded a Gold Council of Excellence seal. Congratulations
to Student Council!
In a related item, Ms. Lynn Clark, a former advisor to Norwin High School
Student Council and retired teacher, was named a finalist for the 2014 Warren E.
Shull High School Student Council Adviser of the Year Award sponsored by the
National Association of Student Councils (NASC) and the National Association of
Secondary School Principals (NASSP).
Norwin | Summer 2014 | icmags.com 35
N OR WI N SC HOOL DI STRI C T N E WS
a 2013 WPIAL All-star in field hockey
and by being chosen as the only female
on the Norwin Varsity Ice Hockey team.
Unfortunately, she again sustained an
ACL injury while playing in a Norwin
Field Hockey game and underwent a
second surgery. However, her example
continues to inspire teammates and
the greater community.
Ramona Beckman, a third-grade student
at Sheridan Terrace Elementary School, was
one of three students who received this year’s
Distinguished Title I Student Award from the
Pennsylvania Department of Education. The award
was presented to Ramona and two other students
on April 28, 2014, during the annual Pennsylvania
Federal Programs Conference at Seven Springs
Mountain Resort.
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Sheridan Terrace Student
One of Three in State Honored
Norwin High School Students
Raise $2,200 for Westmoreland
County “Shop with a Cop” Program
Program Benefitted 301 Westmoreland County
Children Last Year
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N OR WI N SC HO OL D IS TRI C T NE WS
Norwin High School students
raised $2,200 for the Westmoreland
County “Shop with a Cop” program,
which provides a holiday shopping
trip with police officers to children
who are in need or whose families
have experienced crime.
Norwin High School students and staff
presented the Westmoreland County
“Shop with a Cop” program with a $2,200
check on May 14, 2014. From left: Ryan
Lynn, co-advisor for Norwin High School
Student Council; Dianne Peters, human
resources manager with the American
Beverage Corporation; students Nick Palo
and Zeke Kljucaric; Steve Limani, public
relations officer with the state police in
Greensburg; student Mikayla Nolfi; Andrew
Lisiecki, chief of the North Huntingdon
Police Department; student Amanda
Booth; and Det. Sgt. Jeff Bouldin of the
North Huntingdon Police Department.
Photo by Jonathan Szish.
Norwin High School Student
Council members sold vouchers
during school lunches in April, with
the vouchers redeemable for Little
Hug Fruit Barrels. The American
Beverage Corporation donated
150 cases of Little Hug Fruit Barrels, which gave the fund-raising effort a
tremendous boost.
The Westmoreland County Shop with a Cop program benefitted 301
children last year, including some from the Norwin area. Twenty-four local
police departments from Westmoreland County assisted, including the
North Huntingdon Police Department, as did additional agencies.
This year, Det. Sgt. Jeff Bouldin of the North Huntingdon Police
Department agreed to take a pie to the face if students raised more
than $2,000. This was broadcast on Norwin High School’s K-WIN student
television program during the last week of the school year.
The program is in its fifth year and is supported by an annual golf outing
(September 8, 2014, at Champion Lake) and a motorcycle run (July 12, 2014
at Cooperstown Club, Derry/Latrobe). For details, contact Trooper Steve
Limani at slimani@pa.gov or 724-832-6485.
36 Norwin
Norwin High School
Envirothon Team
Wins County
Competition
L-R: Westmoreland County Commissioner Ted Kopas,
Rachel Bitsko, Jackie Castelli, Joyce Muchoney
(advisor), Teagan Kocher, Alexis Boytim, and William R.
Kerr. Westmoreland County Commissioner Ted Kopas,
himself a Norwin graduate, presented the awards.
Photo by Westmoreland County Conservation District.
T
he Norwin High School Envirothon
team won the Westmoreland County
Envirothon competition held on Monday,
April 28, 2014, at Twin Lakes Park. The
Norwin team beat 19 other teams from nine
school districts.
This exciting academic competition
presented students in grades 9-12 with a
variety of challenges related to our natural
resources grouped into five categories: Soils
and Land Use, Aquatic Ecology, Forestry,
Wildlife, and a Current Issue topic.
Students worked in teams of five to answer
questions of fact, and used critical thinking to
find solutions to reality-based situations, such
as how to balance the use and protection of
our natural resources. Teams were asked to
identify a tree, examine soils, or describe an
animal’s life cycle. Scientists and experts in
environmental science and natural resource
management guided the students through
each of the challenges.
The Norwin team, having won the
county level, won the right to advance
to the Pennsylvania Envirothon held at
Susquehanna University on May 20, 2014,
where they competed for a chance to go on
to the North American Envirothon. Winners
received recognition and scholarships.
The School District educates
approximately 5,200 students, with a
proposed budget of about $64 million.
With the cost of providing a premier
academic program rising each year,
investigating new potential funding
sources makes sense, according to officials
with the School District and its affiliated
501c3 nonprofit organization, the Norwin
School District Community Foundation.
The Foundation’s mission is to develop
programs and activities benefiting Norwin
School District students, to develop and
increase community philanthropy, to
develop and administer scholarship funds
for graduates of Norwin School District,
and to support educational programs. With
a desire to maintain Norwin School District
as a top-tier school system, the Foundation
Directors have decided to pursue alternate
revenue sources to become a safety net
for Norwin School District should there
be a time in the future when learning
opportunities are threatened due to
financial deficiencies. The Foundation will,
for example, be the conduit for accepting
tax-deductible donations that will provide
continuity and sustainability for longterm investments of Norwin educational
programs and services.
It is anticipated that following this
national model will provide wise
investments and support to sustain
K-12 public education programs and
services for the benefit of all students.
This approach is consistent with Norwin
School District’s Seven Guiding Principles
for Academic and Financial Success,
which are available for public viewing
at www.norwinsd.org under “About”
and “Superintendent’s Section.” One of
the Principles is to “make educational
and financial investments based on
best practices, proven methods, and
strategies for long-term success.” Another
is to “enhance the quality of educational
programs and services for all students.”
In addition to the Foundation, the
Norwin School District Board of Education
and Administration are also supporting
this approach. Recently, a majority of
School Board members approved an
agreement with Bob Carter Companies
Fundraising & Philanthropy to help the
District begin a fund-raising and capital
campaign. Bob Carter Companies has
worked with educational institutions such
as Greater Latrobe Partners in Education
Foundation, as well as nonprofits in
western Pennsylvania and across the
country. The company has provided
assistance to colleges and universities
such as Pitt, Carlow, Chatham, Duquesne,
LaRoche, Point Park and Robert Morris;
private schools such as Winchester
Thurston; and major non-profits such as
the Children’s Home of Pittsburgh, Phipps
Conservatory, and the Pittsburgh Zoo and
PPG Aquarium.
An initial goal of the fund-raising
and capital campaign is to pay for
construction of a proposed new facility
for the Norwin campus called the Norwin
STEM Innovation Center. It is envisioned
that the proposed STEM Center will
enable High School students to explore
STEM career pathways and work hand-inhand with Norwin teachers and mentors
from business and industry on authentic
projects in an environment that promotes
entrepreneurship, innovation, creativity,
and cross-curricular work.
Dr. William Kerr, Superintendent of
Schools for Norwin School District, said
the STEM Center project has influenced
the School District to follow the college
and university model of philanthropy.
However, the approach goes well
beyond the STEM Center toward creating
an ongoing culture of philanthropy, in
cooperation with the leadership and
hard work of the Norwin School District
Community Foundation, which will
support quality educational programs
and services at Norwin School District far
into in the future.
“Fund-raising and philanthropy are
new approaches for K-12 education,” Dr.
Kerr said. “It’s a paradigm shift in the way
we think, the way we must operate, and
we’re optimistic this can be accomplished
given the extraordinary interest in STEM
education and maintaining quality
educational programs and services
into the future. This is a public-private
partnership that is solely about the future
of our students and the workforce quality
skills they need to thrive and survive in
the 21st century workplace.”
In a related matter, the Norwin
School District recently submitted its
Business Plan to the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania for Redevelopment
Assistance Capital Program funds in
the amount of $2.5 million, which is
considered the financial catalyst for
raising required matching funds as well as
the remaining funds for the construction
of the state-of-the-art STEM Center. The
School District will be responsible for
programming, curricula, and staffing
needs in the future as part of its business
and sustainability plans.
Norwin | Summer 2014 | icmags.com 37
N OR WI N SC HOOL DI STRI C T N E WS
Norwin School District is taking steps to
follow the college and university model of
fund-raising and philanthropy to sustain
quality educational programs and services
far into the future.
Nor win
Norwin Embarks On Long-Term Fund-Raising Approach
School District to Follow College and University Model for
Fund-Raising and Philanthropy
Select Orchestra Performs for Local Senior Citizens
Twenty-one students of the Norwin High School
Select Orchestra presented concerts at Juniper Village
Senior Living Community and Wellspring Memory Care
Program at Huntingdon Ridge in North Huntingdon
Friday, March 7, 2014. The student musicians performed
popular standards and Broadway show tunes from
America’s past.
Members of the Select Orchestra are chosen by audition
and represent the most advanced and dedicated string
players in the music department. The Ensemble meets daily
as part of the students’ regular academic schedule.
“The students and I appreciated having the
opportunity to share our music with the senior citizens
and really enjoyed the experience,” said Mr. Michael
Szymanski, orchestra director and music department
chairperson. “The enthusiastic response we received
from the residents was especially rewarding.”
The Norwin Select Orchestra performs at Juniper Village Senior Living Community.
Photo by Michael Szymanski.
Norwin Show Choir
Excels at Music
in the Parks Festival
or win
N OR WI N SC HO OL D IS TRI C T NE WS
On Saturday, May 17, 2014, the Norwin Show Choir competed at
the Music in the Parks Festival in Sandusky, Ohio. The Show Choir
did a truly outstanding performance earning a 99/100 for the First
Place Show Choir Award. In addition, they won the Esprit de Corp
Award (Spirit Award) and Emily Welsh (Show Choir Senior) won
the Most Outstanding Soloist Award. This group was really able
to raise the bar for the groups in the future and was outstanding
students to work with, according to teacher Ms. Bridget Faulk.
High School
Music Honors
Congratulations to the following high school
music students and their individual honors. Norwin
collectively sent 11 students to the Pennsylvania
Music Educators’ Association (PMEA) Honors Band,
Chorus and Orchestra; eight Chorus students, eight
Orchestra students and nine Band students to the
district level; three Chorus students, three Orchestra
students and five Band students to the Regional level;
and the following students to the All-State level:
• Chorus - Katie Kratzenberg (Alto 1) & Davion Heron (Tenor 2)
• All-State Orchestra - Matt Seiler (Percussion)
• All-State Band - Megan Seiler (Clarinet)
More information about the above-mentioned
students is available at the Norwin Music
Department’s Web page at http://www.norwinsd.org/
Page/80.
Also: The Norwin Select Orchestra awarded a
“Superior” rating from all four judges at the PMEA
Music Performance Assessment on May 6, 2014.
The Norwin Show Choir celebrates after their performance at the
Music in the Parks Festival. Photo by Bridget Faulk.
The Norwin High School orchestra placed first in
competition at a Music in the Parks Festival at Hershey
Park held during the weekend of May 17-18, 2014.
Congratulations to these deserving young musicians!
38 Norwin
The Norwin Technology Club’s battle bot team competed at
the 2014 BotsIQ Final Competition for the Pittsburgh region
April 24 and 25, 2014, at California University of Pennsylvania.
The Norwin Technology Club’s battle bot team would like to
thank their sponsors for helping them perform a successful season.
Sponsors include: PDS Industries, ExOne, Astro Automation, RWS
Development, Carly Railcar Components, Rodgers Scape, RJ
Hardscaping, Doms Lawncare, Mesta Electronics, Norwin Rental,
Pennwest Lift, Pozzuto’s Auto Service, and Score Clocks.
Photo by Mandy Wagner.
Approximately 120 Norwin High School students
participated in a Financial Reality Fair April 2, 2014,
designed to help students understand the reality
and practicality of planning and implementing
a monthly household budget, centering on an
occupation choice with a corresponding monthly
gross and net income.
Students visited many financial kiosks set up
in the gym that were staffed by credit union and
community volunteers, each of whom offered
suggestions and advice on how to complete the
monthly budget. The event gave all students the
opportunity to better understand how “money” works
in a real-life scenario, and more specifically, how their
own personal “decisions” made on a daily basis will
impact their lives forever. The event was sponsored
by the Norwin Teachers Federal Credit Union, Norwin
Chamber of Commerce, Westmoreland Community
Federal Credit Union, and Lesco Federal Credit Union.
Student’s Artwork
Appears in Pennsylvania
Game News
Alyssa Minko, a Norwin High School eleventhgrade student, placed third in the High School
Division of the 2014 Youth Wildlife Art Contest,
sponsored by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
The team’s two bots – nicknamed “AMBUSH and JACKAL”
– were completely different from one another. Ambush, built
with help from PDS Industries, was primarily made from
traditional subtractive manufacturing methods with a touch of
the latest additive manufacturing techniques on the inside.
Jackal, made with help from ExOne and Astro Automation,
was just the opposite: Its armor was made from additive
manufacturing techniques (3-D printing) and subtractive
techniques were used on the inside. The big story about Jackal is
the fact that it was the first bot (in the country) in the 15-pound
weight class to use 3-D metal printing for the bulk of its armor.
Both bots received a lot of attention because of their extreme
engineered design. Check out the BotsIQ website (www.botsiqpa.org),
as well as the Facebook page and Flicker album that are posted
there, for additional information and photos.
The Norwin High School Bots IQ team at the 2014 BotsIQ Final
Competition for the Pittsburgh region April 24 and 25, 2014, at
California University of Pennsylvania. Photo by Robert Shuber.
Her prize-winning artwork of a proud and mighty
eagle was published in the May 2014 edition of the
Pennsylvania Game News on pages 30-31 (visit www.
penngamenews.com). Her artwork was also publicly
displayed in the lobby of the Pennsylvania Game
Commission and also the lobby of the Pennsylvania
Department of Education, both in Harrisburg.
Congratulations to Alyssa Minko!
Norwin | Summer 2014 | icmags.com 39
N OR WI N SC HOOL DI STRI C T N E WS
Norwin Technology
Club Battles at BotsIQ
Competition
Nor win
High School Students
Learn about
Financial Reality