HighlightsHighlightsHighlightsCANON-McMILLAN

CO

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ITMENT TO EXCELLEN

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CANON-McMILLAN SCHOOL DISTRICTOne North Jefferson AvenueCanonsburg, PA 15317Web site: www.canon-mcmillan.org

CANON-McMILLAN BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORSMrs. Debbie Link, PresidentMrs. Darla Bowman-Monaco, Vice PresidentMr. Robert Malwitz, TreasurerMrs. Zeffie CarrollMrs. Laura GrossmanMr. Eric KlineMr. Manuel PihakisMr. Paul ScarmazziMr. Joseph Zupancic

VOL. 24 WINTER 2011

HIGH SCHOOL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .724-745-1400Principal: Mr. David HelinskiAssistant Principal: Mr. Michael HallAthletic Director: Mr. Guy Montecalvo

CANONSBURG MIDDLE . . . . . . . .724-745-9030Principal: Dr. Greg Taranto Assistant Principal: Mr. Kenneth Schrag

CECIL INTERMEDIATE . . . . . . . .724-745-2623Principal: Mr. Scott Chambers

NORTH STRABANE INTERMEDIATEPrincipal: Mr. Mark Abbondanza 724-873-5252

BORLAND MANOR ELEMENTARYPrincipal: Ms. Marella Kazos . .724-745-2700Assistant Principal: Mrs. Nina Unitas

CECIL ELEMENTARY . . . . . . . .412-221-6808Principal: Mr. Robert KleinhansAssistant Principal: Mrs. Tula Dziak

FIRST STREET ELEMENTARY . .724-745-3130Principal: Mr. Robert KleinhansAssistant Principal: Mrs. Tula Dziak

HILLS-HENDERSONVILLE ELEMENTARYPrincipal: Mr. Tom Theodore . .724-745-8390Assistant Principal: Mrs. Shelley Brose

ADMINISTRATION OFFICE. . . . . . 724-746-2940Superintendent: Dr. Helen K. McCrackenAssistant to the Superintendent: Mr. Michael DanielsDirector of Business and Finance: Mrs. Joni MansmannDirector of Curriculum and Instruction: Mrs. Grace LaniDirector of Special Education: Ms. Betsy SomervilleSpecial Education Coordinator: Mr. Robert ChueyPsychologist: Mr. Michael MinorTechnology Coordinator: Mr. Matthew HardingDirector of Buildings and Grounds:

Mr. Randy Huddart . . . . . . . . 724-745-1502Director of Transportation:

Mr. Jonn Mansfield . . . . . . . . 724-745-1502

MUSE ELEMENTARY . . . . . . . . . .724-745-9014Principal: Mr. Tom TheodoreAssistant Principal: Mrs. Shelley Brose

SOUTH CENTRAL ELEMENTARY .724-745-4475Principal: Mrs. Michelle Tomicek

WYLANDVILLE ELEMENTARY . .724-222-2507Principal: Ms. Marella KazosAssistant Principal: Mrs. Nina Unitas

C A N O N - M C M I L L A N S C H O O L D I S T R I C T D I R E C T O R Y

EDITOR’S NOTE: If you know someone who does nothave access to the Highlights online, please direct themto the Canon-McMillan School District administrationbuilding, 1 North Jefferson Avenue, Canonsburg, PA15317, or call 724-746-2940, to receive a printed copyof the Highlights.

INSIDEINSIDE■ Superintendentʼs Column:

Behind the Scenes in Canon-Mac

■ Symphonic Band selected to perform at PMEA 7 times

■ Setting the Scene

■ Bella Voce honors veterans, families

■ Creativity, math and a snack - with pumpkins

■ Our School Rocks!

■ 3 place at TSA Nationals

■ Students create and ʻsellʼ real-life ad plan

■ ʻWhale Doneʼ on display

■ Safety Committee members for 2010-11

■ 25 C-M students earn AP Scholar awards

■ Lend a Helping Hand to the library

The CMSD “Leadership

Team” (administrators

involved with academic

programming) includes:

Dr. Helen K. McCracken

Superintendent

Mr. Michael Daniels

Assistant to the

Superintendent

Mrs. Grace Lani

Director of Curriculum and

Instruction

Building Principals:

Mr. Mark Abbondanza

Mr. Scott Chambers

Mr. Dave Helinski

Ms. Marella Kazos

Mr. Robert Kleinhans

Dr. Greg Taranto

Mr. Tom Theodore

Mrs. Michelle Tomicek

Assistant Principals:

Mrs. Shelley Brose

Mrs. Tula Dziak

Mr. Michael Hall

Mr. Kenneth Schrag

Mrs. Nina Unitas

Ms. Betsy Somerville

Director of Special

Education

Mr. Robert Chuey

Coordinator of Special

Education”“

The fact that lots of learning goes on in ourschool district should certainly come as no

surprise to anyone. We pride ourselves on our educa-tional programming. However, there is a portion ofthat programming that may indeed be a surprise.That is the fact that among our most eager andhard-working learners are our administrators!

Members of the CMSD “Leadership Team,” aswe refer to all administrators who are involved withthe academic programming, are highlighted at right.

Our programming is based on the PennsylvaniaInspired Leadership framework and is designed tobuild capacity in our school leaders so that we canprovide sustained instructional leadership and ulti-mately higher levels of student achievement. For themost part, our learning style is collaborative. Weshare ideas, books and topics of interest so that wecan keep abreast of current trends and cutting-edgeinformation.

Just a small sampling of our works studied wouldinclude the books A Whole New Mind and Drive byDaniel Pink. In A Whole New Mind, the authorputs forth a theory that the keys to success are indeveloping and cultivating six senses: design, story,symphony, empathy, play, and meaning. He predicts

FROM THE SUPERINTENDENTFROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

H I G H L I G H T S

BEHIND THESCENESan upcoming “Conceptual Age.” In his book Drive,Daniel Pink refutes the customary motivational the-ory of the “carrot and the stick” and instead assertsthat we are motivated by our ability to grow anddevelop, to realize our fullest potential.

During our monthly Leadership Meetings, it isnot unusual to see an administrator or a team ofadministrators leading the rest of the group in dis-cussion, dividing the group into smaller workingteams and/or making interactive presentations. The“teachers” of our group vary because we take turnsteaching each other. We typically end our meetingswith “Rounders,” where each individual administra-tor takes a turn to add comments, questions orremarks to the topics at hand. Over the years, wehave jelled as a fine-tuned learning community andare proud of our accomplishments and learningachievements. Our learning curve is never ending;

we continually challenge ourselves with new and bet-ter ideas and concepts as we embrace the philosophyof constant and never ending improvement. We takeour learning experiences very seriously because weknow that instructional leadership is the key to highlevels of student achievement.

So, if you are a parent watching your son ordaughter working on a presentation for class, or astudent putting the finishing touches on a team proj-ect, know that CMSD administrators often do thesame thing!

“Commit yourself to lifelong learning. The mostvaluable asset you'll ever have is your mind and whatyou put into it. – Brian Tracy

Helen K. McCracken, Ed.D.Superintendent of Schools

Commit yourself to lifelong learning. The most valuable asset you�ll ever have is your mind and what you put into it.

● Brian Tracy, author and professional speaker

InCanon-Mac

FRANK SARRIS PUBLIC LIBRARYFRANK SARRIS PUBLIC LIBRARY

I hope that you have been following the constructionof the new Frank Sarris Public Library located at theintersection of Murdock & Jefferson in Canonsburg.Completion is anticipated for January 2011!

The 30,000-square-foot building will serve the town-ships of North Strabane and Cecil, as well as theBorough of Canonsburg; in other words – the entireCanon-McMillan School District.

The new building will include much more collectionspace, more public computers, a genealogy/local historyroom, separate young adult and children’s departmentswith their own program rooms, study rooms, publicmeeting rooms, a career section and much more.

In addition to the cost of the building, we needmany items that are not included in the constructionbudget. You can help by sponsoring a specific item aspart of our “What a Treasure! Your Community Library”program.

Many items can be marked with donor plates. TheLibrary is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, so all giftsare tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.

For personal, memorial or corporate sponsors, this isa great way to give back to the community, garner goodwill, and receive public recognition for your generosity.Donors’ names will appear in our media materials, andon the Library website.

For further information on sponsoring an item forthe “What a Treasure!” campaign, please contact Lyn

Crouse, Library Director, at 724-745-1308 or gcpldirector@comcast.net.

We also ask you to lend us a helping hand and make a memory for your child, grandchild, niece or nephew – and forgenerations to come! In partnership with our friends atFired Up, we are offering the opportunity for children tomake ceramic handprint tiles which will be used to deco-rate the children’s program room in the new Frank SarrisPublic Library. The child’s name and the date will beprofessionally added to each unique handprint tile.

You may purchase your tile-making certificate at theLibrary. The certifictate entitles you to go to Fired Up, atyour convenience, to make your Helping Hands tile. Forfurther information and to register for the next session,please contact Lyn Crouse, Library Director, at 724-745-1308 or gcpldirector@comcast.net.

Thanks to our partners in education at the Canon-McMillan School District, information will be cominghome throughout the year about a series of schoolfundraisers that will benefit the new Library. Pleaseencourage your child to participate in this valuable community service. It’s never too early to learn that freepublic services are only available for free if we all do ourpart to support them.

We look forward to welcoming you to our new facility in 2011.

Gold: $500 & upbookdrop

computer carrels

laptop charging station

meeting room kitchen refrigerator

meeting room kitchen warming cabinet

podium

public computer station for the catalog

outdoor benches

overhead projection equipment

shelving

staff kitchen refrigerator

Silver: $250 - $499commercial vacuum cleaner

dishwasher

file cabinets

library table

meeting room tables

patron lounge chair

staff desks

staff room sofa

study room tables

■ What a Treasure!Sponsor an item and help the library.

There are different levels of giving

available in the “What a Treasure!”

campaign. Some examples of needed

items are:

■ All Fired Up!Lend a helping hand and make a

memory for a child. In partnership with

our friends at Fired Up, we are offering

the opportunity for children to make

ceramic handprint tiles which will be

used to decorate the children’s pro-

gram room.

LEND A HELPING HAND!Dear Friends,

Sincerely, Lyn Crouse, Library Director

$50 donation:

6-inch ceramic tile with

small child’s handprint

in a single color and

professionally lettered

with the child’s name

and the date

$100 donation:

Two 6-inch ceramic

tiles with both

handprints.

Bronze: $100 - $249bulletin boards

cigarette receptacles

commercial coffee urn

display units

janitorial supplies (mop, bucket, etc.)

kitchen disposal

microwave for meeting room

microwave for staff use

signage

stacking chairs for meeting room

CANON-MCMILLAN HIGH SCHOOLCANON-MCMILLAN HIGH SCHOOL

H I G H L I G H T S

Honoring veterans

Canon-McMillan High School’s BellaVoce performed for veterans and theirfamilies at the National Cemetery of theAlleghenies on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.The audition-only singing ensemble, ledby Maggie Morgan, CMHS ChoralDirector, performed a gospel arrange-ment of “America the Beautiful.”

The Big Mac Band, led by MarkFalvo, CMHS Band Director, played theNational Anthem at the ceremony. Thisis the third year that the high schoolmusic department has participated inthis important event.

Bella Voce members are,

from left, front row, Nicole

Marcischak, Alexa Zeremenko,

Ashley Stadtfeld, Rachel

Barnes, Kathryn Griffin and

Stephanie Tress; middle row,

Sarah Chelli, Ava Myers, Hilary

Blackhurst, Dani Graves,

Rebecca Veres, Kristin Salaky

and Jeralyn Tatano; back row, Andrew Miles, Jacob Brown, Eric Dahl, Joseph Helinski, Jared Barton, Paul Wherry and Trevor Arrigoni.

▲

▼

BRIANNA IANNARELLI,a senior at Canon-McMillanHigh School, has beennamed the DARGood CitizenshipAward winner for the2010-2011 schoolyear. Brianna, aMcDonald resident, isthe daughter of Joeand Nancy Iannarelli.

Brianna achievedthis award first bybeing nominated byfaculty for considera-tion, then by beingselected by a vote of the seniorclass. The DAR Good Citizensprogram and scholarship contestis intended to encourage andreward the attributes of depend-ability, service, leadership andpatriotism.

Brianna will receive a DARGood Citizen pin, certificate,and wallet recognition card. Shewill represent the Canon-McMillan High School in anessay contest.

The DAR Good Citizensprogram is a national scholar-ship contest. Bethel Fife andDrum is the sponsoring DARChapter.

NOTEWORTHYNOTEWORTHY

H I G H L I G H T S

▲

MMM, PIE: Borland Manorteamed up once again with theWashington Food Bank and donated 23 apple pies to the low-income seniors of Canonsburg whoreside at the Heritage House.  The family of kindergartner QuinnGriffin, a student in MadelynSellers’ class, donated five apple piesto the Food Bank. Quinn is pictured with Rebecca Cribbs fromthe Washington County Food Bank.

▲BRIAN HERRIG, Technology Educationteacher at Canonsburg Middle School, was pre-sented the Dr. Nevin Andre Award forOutstanding Journal Article by the Technologyand Engineering Education Association at itsannual conference at Camp Hill, Pa., inNovember. This award is presented to the authoror co-authors of an article published in one of thefour editions of the TEEAP Journal published inthe year immediately prior to the fall conference.

The published article must have contributedto the goals and standards of the TEEAP organiza-tion and promoted the organization as well as thetechnology and engineering education profession.

Mr. Herrig’s winning article entitled“Thinking Like a Programmer” describes thevideo game design unit that he developed for hisseventh-grade Technology Applications class atCanonsburg Middle School.

■

THANKSGIVING ESSAY: Borland ManorElementary School fourth-grader Hannah Price in CharleneRinehart’s room, won the school’s Thanksgiving Essay contest.

■

STATE POSTER WINNERS: Two Canon-McMillan School District students have been named win-ners in the 2010 Pennsylvania School Bus Safety PosterContest.

Catherine Jicomelli and Aaron Smith entered during thepast school year as fourth-grade students of Betty Bellicini atWylandville Elementary School. They are now fifth-gradersat North Strabane Intermediate School. In Division 4,Catherine placed second and Aaron placed third.

The principal, teacher, and students were invited toattend an awards ceremony to recognize the students’accomplishments in Harrisburg in October, duringNational School Bus Safety Week. They also had a CapitolRotunda tour.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation(PennDOT) annually sponsors this poster contest.

■

VOKIS AT NSIS: A Voki is a talking voice character, ora computer-generated speaking avatar. Teachers at NSIS areusing Vokis to remind students about upcoming projectsand homework assignments. The avatars add a “human” element to the teachers’ blog page. To see a Voki in action,visit some of the NSIS teachers’ blog pages on the NorthStrabane Intermediate School webpage. This Web 2.0 technology is making learning fun for fifth- and sixth-graders!

The Canonsburg Middle School Symphonic Band is a stand-out, according to state music educators.

The Symphonic Band has been selected a record seventh timeto perform for the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association,this time at its 2011 annual conference at Hershey Lodge andConvention Center. The performance will be on April 15.

Being selected seven times means the CMS Symphonic Bandhas been asked to perform for PMEA more than any other middle school band in Pennsylvania.

According to Paul Rush, CMS Band Director, his studentswill be performing two premieres at the conference. “ComposerSamuel Hazo, who worked with the band last year, has agreed tohave our band perform at the conference the Pennsylvania premiere of his work, ‘Blue and Green Music,’ based on a paint-ing of the same name by Georgia O’Keefe. It was composed lastyear for a school in Wisconsin, Ms. O’Keefe’s home state.”

Also on the program will be a piece composed especially forthe CMS Symphonic Band by composer Gary Fagan. The young

musicians will receive the new work in January and will present it as a world premiere. Both of these works will be performed atthe CMS Spring Band Concert at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 5, inthe middle school auditorium. Mr. Fagan will be conducting hiswork that night.

The CMS Band is just one example of Canonsburg MiddleSchool’s educational philosophy of educating the “whole child.”It is truly embraced by providing every student with experiencesand opportunities to continually learn and grow.

Middle School Symphonic Band Selected

to Perform at PMEA 7 times

NORTH STRABANE INTERMEDIATENORTH STRABANE INTERMEDIATE

Tribute to Veterans

At North Strabane Intermediateschool, social studies teachers taught students about the importance of remem-bering to honor veterans who have servedin the military. Many teachers showedvideo clips depicting the history behindthe meaning of Veterans Day. RaymondGaus, a decorated Prisoner of War fromWorld War II, visited NSIS to share someof his experiences while being held captive. He is the great-grandfather ofsixth-grader Alexa McNeil. Students werecaptivated by his real-life story as a POWand Staff Sergeant in the Air Force.

Red RibbonWeek PosterWinner

Congratulations toBROOKE PARRIS,

winner of the state RedRibbon Week poster con-test. Brooke was presentedwith a certificate fromNSIS in addition to beinginvited to Harrisburg to have lunch at the Capitol onDecember 15. The State Attorney General’s office pre-sented her with a $200 savings bond for her winningentry, which will be featured during April in the 2011calendar that is distributed throughout the state.

▲ Limo ride for pizza

Eighty students fromNorth Strabane IntermediateSchool got to ride in anExcursion Limousine toCici’s Pizza as a result of sell-ing 12 or more magazinesubscriptions during the fallfundraiser. The entire student body raised morethan $12,000 for the school.

Veteran Raymond Gaus with his great-grand-daughter, Alexa McNeil.

▲

▲

SETTINGTHE SCENEIN ‘WAX’

Fourth-graders at Borland ManorElementary School created their veryown Wax Museum!  

During the first weeks of school,students were grouped and assigned achapter book to read at home.Throughout the reading process thestudents were responsible for identify-ing the story elements. After everyonein the group had completed the read-ing, they worked collaboratively tochoose a scene to recreate as a WaxMuseum exhibit.  Once a scene hadbeen chosen, the students workedtogether to gather props and cos-tumes. They also created a backgroundfor their scene.

Finally, the Wax Museum exhibitswere open for students, teachers, andparents to tour.

BORLAND MANOR ELEMENTARYBORLAND MANOR ELEMENTARY

H I G H L I G H T S

▲ Scene from “Mr. Popperʼs Penguins”

Scene from “Stuart Little”

▲

FIRST STREET ELEMENTARYFIRST STREET ELEMENTARY

The second-grade team at First StreetElementary took advantage of the gorgeousweather in October and planted tulip bulbs infront of the school. Each of the 72 studentswas very excited to have the chance to gethands dirty and plant a bulb. Jamie Dunn,

Maria McNally andDennis Pastorius

had their stu-dents make apredic-

tion of what they thought would happen whenthe flowers started to grow. They recordedtheir predictions in two forms: by writing asentence about what they thought will happenand drawing a picture of the flower that theythink will come up in the spring.

When spring arrives, the students will seethe results of their hard work and will look attheir sentences and pictures to see if their pre-dictions have come true.

It should be a brilliant sight in April whenthe colorful tulips bloom and the beautifi-

cation project is complete.

Dennis Pastorius and thesecond-graders begin workon tulip planting at First

Street ElementarySchool.

▼ ‘OUR SCHOOL ROCKS’

At First Street Elementary, everyonewas “Rock’n and Rolling” for Red RibbonWeek. The students enjoyed Rock StarDay and got to get up and move their feetto some rock and roll tunes. They enjoyedthe program, which included a ventrilo-quist, who taught them about the impor-tance of staying drug free!

All First Street students signed theschool banner, “OUR SCHOOL ROCKSDRUG FREE” and took the pledge tolead a drug-free life! To round out theweek, they enjoyed “Hocus Pocus - DrugsAren’t my Focus” with Halloween festivi-ties.

Dennis Pastorius ̓second-gradersenjoyed Red Ribbon Week at FirstStreet Elementary School.

■ HIGH FIVE There will be more fitness at First Street Elementary School

because the school has received a Highmark High 5 schoolgrant for $8,312. The program will incorporate the Wii and itsfitness applications into the school curriculum. It will increaseeach student’s physical activity by an additional 45 minutes perweek and provide teachers and students with the opportunity tomake healthy decisions regarding exercise. The program will beused throughout the school day and in after-school enrichmentprograms to increase students’ physical activity.

■ ACADEMIC AWARD WINNERFirst Street Elementary School has been selected by the

Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) to receive theTitle 1 Academic Achievement Award of $3,000 in the 2010-11 school year. The school is among the top 25 performers inreading and math, based on the percentage of students scoringAdvanced and Proficient in the All Students category of the2009-10 Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA).

In addition to the awarding of funds, the PDE’s Division ofFederalPrograms willhonor FirstStreetElementary atthe Penn Stater2011 Title 1ImprovingSchoolsPerformanceConference as a2011DistinguishedTitle 1 School.

H I G H L I G H T S▼ Looking forward to Spring

CECIL ELEMENTARYCECIL ELEMENTARY

H I G H L I G H T S

Ashley Kniznerʼs first-grade class

Chuck E. Cheese

Cecil Elementary School held afundraiser at Chuck E. Cheese’srestaurant in Bridgeville withChuck E. Cheese visiting each classat the school. He distributedreminder stickers to each studentabout the fundraiser night. HeatherSollon’s first-grade class is seen withChuck E. Cheese.

▲

Creativity, math & a snack – with pumpkins

Pumpkins were donated to Cecil Elementary School’s first-grade students atHalloween for a creative activity. Students cleaned out the inside of their pumpkins,removing the seeds. They rinsed the seeds and let them dry. The students eachreceived a packet in which the students were asked to complete estimation and meas-urement activities along with addition, subtraction and patterning, using the seeds.The students took the rest of the seeds home with a recipe on how to bake them foreating. Finally, the students painted their pumpkins using their own creativity.

■ Read NowScholastic hosted a 90th Anniversary Reading Event on Oct. 27 with a live class-

room event about the power of books and reading, READ NOW with Taylor Swift,hosted by Nick Cannon. All three first grades from Cecil Elementary School tookpart in the 30-minute webcast. The students enjoyed the experience as well as theThanksgiving-themed webcast in November.

■ Ready, Set, What

Cecil Elementary School’s first-graders were visited by PittsburghSteelers Mascot Steely McBeam and members of the Steelers Kid Zonetelevision crew in October. Classrooms of Ashley Knizner, StacieScheidler and Heather Sollon were video recorded by host Sandy Romahto be on a segment of “Ready, Set, What.” They were asked questions per-taining to football terminology and the Steelers players. This televisionshow airs Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. on WPCW.

▲

CANON-MCMILLAN HIGH SCHOOLCANON-MCMILLAN HIGH SCHOOL

The Technology Student Association (TSA)at Canon-McMillan High School has had students qualify for national competition manytimes, including last summer, when three students placed at the TSA NationalConference in Baltimore, Maryland.

Renee Lani placed 8th in ImagingTechnology and the team of Patrick Williamsand Matthew Rozak placed 9th in MusicProduction. Renee and Patrick both graduatedwith the Class of 2010 at CMHS.

The team of Patrick and Matthew won at

the state level to qualify for the national competition, but Matthew was unable toattend. Matthew is a senior at CMHS this year.

The Technology Student Association is anational organization where students can compete in over 50 events, including robotics,photography, bridge building, dragster design,music production, computer aided design(CAD), architecture, biotechnology, websitedesign, flight challenge, extemporaneous speech and various problem-solving challenges.The regional level competitions are held atCalifornia University of Pa., the state level atSeven Springs Mountain Resort, and this yearthe national competition will be held in Dallas,Texas. TSA’s membership includes over 150,000middle school and high school students in 48states.

Canon-McMillan has had an impressiverecord of award-winning TSA chapters. Canon-McMillan has had students qualify to go to thenational level of competition for over a decade.The students learn many important technologyskills, gain leadership opportunities, have funand have earned many college scholarships as adirect result of the TSA competitions.

The TSA creed is “Learning to Live in aTechnical World.”

“Please join us at our meetings. We welcome all participants and encourage newmembers to join,” says Cyndy Carroll, technol-ogy education teacher and TSA sponsor.

Natalie Johnson’s marketing students at Canon-McMillan HighSchool were asked to create advertising materials for a local businesscalled Pop-A-Lock, owned by Chris Ulam. Pop-A-Lock is a local resi-dential, commercial and business locksmithing company. The compa-ny also helps when motorists are locked out of their vehicles or needroadside assistance.

Students prepared for the assignment by discussing potential clien-tele bases, current direct competitors, methods of advertising and pro-motion, effective media and outlets, as well as the design of effectivethemes and logos. Then students were given class time to put togetheran advertising piece. Upon completion of the advertisement, Mr.Ulam visited the classroom so the students could “sell” him on theiradvertisement. They held an “informal business meeting.” Studentsprepared a sales pitch to discuss the creation of their advertisement.

From left, front row, Grant Waldron, 12th grade; Kelsey Veydt, 12th grade; ChrisUlam, Pop-A-Lock owner; Eric Forrester, 12th grade; back row, Dom Pilorusso,12th grade; Josh Wise, 12th grade; Mike Kohler, 12th grade; Cooper Schroeder,11th grade; Mike Centore, 12th grade

H I G H L I G H T S

3 place at TSA Nationals

More information on TSA is

available at the national website at

http://www.tsaweb.org/ or the

Pennsylvania TSA website at

http://www.patsa.org/ or by

contacting Ms. Carroll at

carrollc@ cmsd.k12.pa.us

From left, Renee Lani, PatrickWilliams, and Matthew Rozak

Studentscreate,

‘sell’ real-lifead plan

Touching the future

South Central Elementary Schoolfirst-graders in Tiffany Kolarcik’s classare touching the future using innovativetechnological devices.

Mrs. Kolarcik wrote and won aCanon-McMillan mini-grant titled “ITouch the Future” to purchase iPodTouch units. The goal was to have atotal of five devices to use for a centeractivity when lessons allowed studentsto rotate to stations. With the districtgrant, Mrs. Kolarcik was able to pur-chase three iPod Touches. She alsoentered and won a grant fromDonorschoose.org to obtain the remain-ing two devices.

Students use these devices duringeducational learning centers to reinforceskills and concepts. Applications havebeen created for these devices thataddress the first-grade Language Arts,Mathematics, Science and SocialStudies curricula and that meetPennsylvania State Standards andAnchors.

The students are touching the futurebecause they are the 21st century learn-ers. Their world revolves around newtechnological devices. Incorporatingthese devices into the classroom is tak-ing these students a step further.

Tiffany Kolarcikʼs first-graders are comfortablewith technology.

▲

SOUTH CENTRAL ELEMENTARYSOUTH CENTRAL ELEMENTARY

South Central Elementary School invited veterans of all backgroundsto the school on Veterans Day to share their stories and receive

thanks for their years of service.  Twelve local veterans attended. They were: Joseph Angott (Army),

Nick Rumbaugh (Coast Guard), John Carlisle (Marine Corps), JustinBriley (Army), Tom Miklavic (Army), Frank Martorala (Army), JeffUlanich (Army), Michael Ricciuti (Army), Jacquelin Bartrum (Army),David Slain (Navy), Mike MacFarland (Army), and Bob Packard (MarineCorps).  

The program started with the entire school saying the Pledge ofAllegiance. It continued with a performance by the Fourth-Grade Chorus,directed by Deanna Alchier, music teacher.  The students performed twoinspiring songs, “Bless Our Troops” and “Americans We.”  A small groupof fourth-grade students read a poem in tribute to all veterans. 

Principal Michelle Tomicek led a discussion with the children aboutthe five branches of the military and why they celebrate Veterans Day.Each of the veterans took a turn at the microphone to share their name,branch of service, and relationship to which student.

To end the program, the students watched a video that was a stirringtribute to the men and women who served in every American war. Theprogram was a great way to help the elementary school students learnabout the past by connecting them with different generations of bravemen and women.

SouthCentralthanks localveterans

Laura Ricciuti, 4th-grader, and herfather, Michael Ricciuti

SOUTH CENTRAL ELEMENTARYSOUTH CENTRAL ELEMENTARY

The 2009-2010 Fourth-Grade Art Enrichment studentsfrom South Central Elementary School should be very

proud of themselves. After months of hard work, their “WhaleDone” mosaic artwork is now on display in the office, hallway,and art room. Mosaic is the art of creating images with anassemblage of small pieces of colored glass, stone, or othermaterials.

Art Enrichment is an optional opportunity for students totry various art techniques that lend themselves to small groupsettings. Five separate groups created their own large “WhaleDone” mosaic wall displays. This project demanded a lot oftime and dedication from the fourth-graders, and it took thegroups approximately eight sessions to complete each mosaic.The students became personally invested in their specific proj-ect and a significant amount of careful planning went intoselecting which design would be chosen.

First, each student developed a design that contained animage of a whale. Students then voted on which design wouldbe used to represent their group and they redrew the image ona 2'x4' sheet of plywood. The students’ favorite part of thisproject was taking turns to break ceramic tiles and porcelainplates with a hammer. The small pieces of broken tiles andplates were arranged by color. Once students agreed on wherethe pieces would go, they glued them in place on their plywoodsheet.

The countless compliments from parents, school staff, andother students have been extremely rewarding for everyoneinvolved. These mosaic wall hangings are indeed a job "WhaleDone!"

‘Whale Done’mosaic on display

Project completed by GeraldBowman, Aimee Buxton,Alexandra Cain, Reece Eiben,April Giles, Josey Goodell,Logan Gray, Jason Higgins, ZoeHutzel, Nicholas Loechner, andNathan Weese.

▼ Students, from left, SaulMartinez, Megan Lewis,Samantha Schafer, Chris Chubaand Allison Paxton draw adesign onto their piece of plywood.

▲

Canon-McMillan School District’s

Safety Committee for 2010-2011

has added new members of fac-

ulty, staff and administration to

maintain a safe environment and

procedures in the District build-

ings. These are the people who

are working diligently to coordi-

nate a high level of safety in the

District.

Jon McCrory, High School,

Teacher, Safety Committee

Chair

Scott Chambers, Cecil

Intermediate, Principal, Safety

Committee Vice-Chair

Donna Barca, Central Office,

Confidential Secretary, Safety

Committee Secretary

Mark Abbondanza, North

Strabane Intermediate, Principal

Elaine Andronas, North

Strabane Intermediate, Teacher

Jennifer Auman, South Central

Elementary, Teacher

Shelley Brose, Hills-

Hendersonville

Elem., Assistant Principal

Bruce Grice, Wylandville Elem.,

Teacher

Linda Camerson, Hills-

Hendersonville Elem., Cafeteria

Employee

Charles Cheroke, Cecil

Intermediate, Custodian

Michael Daniels, Assistant to the

Superintendent

Roberta DeJohn, Wylandville

Elem., Teacher

Art DelCorso, Borland Manor

Elementary, Custodian

Karen Dorgan, Support Facility,

Secretary

Dawn Ellis, South Central Elem.,

Cafeteria

Michael Hall, High School,

Assistant Principal

Randy Huddart, Director of

Buildings & Grounds

Jim Hughey, Cecil Elem.,

Teacher

Cindy Karner, Canonsburg

Middle, Custodian

Kristen McGowan, Muse Elem.,

Teacher

Amanda Kyle, North Strabane

Intermediate, Teacher

April Lowden, Cecil Elem.,

Teacher

Steve Lucas, Support Facility,

Maintenance

Jonn Mansfield, Director of

Transportation

Joni Mansmann, Director of

Business & Finance

Joanna McCullough, South

Central Elem., Teacher

Jennifer Morgan, First Street

Elem., Teacher

Debbie Murdock, Borland Manor

Elem., Teacher

Lori Peterson, Borland Manor

Elem., Teacher

Tacy Ross, First Street Elem.,

Secretary

Melissa Schad, Nutrition Inc.,

Food Service Director

Chuck Tatum, Cecil

Intermediate, Teacher

Tom Theodore, Muse Elem.,

Principal

CHEER CLINIC: Canon-McMillan High School cheerleaders held a clinic at the beginning of the school year towelcome the Little Mac Cheerleaders. Cheerleaders from all seven C-M elementary schools learned new cheersand worked on jumps, tumbling and stunt skills during this two-day clinic. Sept. 17 was Little Mac Footballnight when the girls performed these new cheers and other skills alongside the CMHS cheerleaders.

Read for the RecordBoth Muse and Hills-Hendersonville

elementary schools participated inJumpstart’s “Read for the Record” cam-paign. Jumpstart, in partnership with thePearson Foundation, has sponsored thissince 2006. The goal is to have as manypeople around the country read a story onthe same day. This year the book was “TheSnowy Day,” by Ezra Jack Keats, aCaldecott Medal award winner and was onOctober 7.

All of the teachers in both buildingsread the story to their students and thestudents participated in various activitiesthroughout the day regarding the story.

All proceeds provide books, suppliesand a proven program to children in low-income neighborhoods.

Jack Kropinak takes part in “Readfor the Record” activities at Hills-Hendersonville Elementary.

DISTRICTDISTRICT

Safety Committee Members 2010-11

CANON-MCMILLAN HIGH SCHOOLCANON-MCMILLAN HIGH SCHOOL

Twenty-five students at Canon-McMillan School District have earnedAP Scholar Awards in recognition oftheir exceptional achievement on APExams.

The College Board’s AdvancedPlacement Program® (AP®) providesmotivated and academically preparedstudents with the opportunity to takerigorous college-level courses while stillin high school, and to earn collegecredit, advanced placement, or bothfor successful performance on the APExams.

About 18 percent of the nearly 1.7million students worldwide who tookAP Exams performed at a sufficientlyhigh level to also earn an AP ScholarAward.

The College Board recognizes sev-eral levels of achievement based onstudents’ performance on AP Exams.

At Canon-McMillan School

District:

Two students qualified for theNational AP Scholar Award by earningan average grade of 4 or higher on afive-point scale on all AP Exams taken,

and grades of 4 or higher on eight ormore of these exams.

Five students qualified for the APScholar with Distinction Award byearning an average grade of at least 3.5on all AP Exams taken, and grades of3 or higher on five or more of theseexams.

Seven students qualified for the APScholar with Honor Award by earningan average grade of at least 3.25 on allAP Exams taken, and grades of 3 orhigher on four or more of these exams.

Thirteen students qualified for theAP Scholar Award by completing threeor more AP Exams with grades of 3 orhigher.

Of this year’s award recipients atCanon-McMillan High School, 10were sophomores or juniors at thetime of testing: Trevor Allen, MelindaBuker, Luke Burtch, AddisonGalambos, Melissa Harbert, JonathanNaser, Matthew Rozak, NicholasAnderegg, Eric Forrester, and KaleenHayes. These students have at leastone more year in which to completecollege-level work and possibly earn ahigher-level AP Scholar Award.

Through more than 30 differentcollege-level courses and exams, APprovides motivated and academicallyprepared students with the opportuni-ty to earn college credit or advancedplacement and stand out in the collegeadmissions process.

Each exam is developed by a com-mittee of college and university facultyand AP teachers, ensuring that APexams are aligned with the same highstandards expected by college faculty atsome of the nation’s leading liberal artsand research institutions.

More than 3,600 colleges and uni-versities annually receive AP grades.

Over 90 percent of four-year col-leges in the United States providecredit and/or placement for qualifyingexam grades.

Research consistently shows thatAP students who score a 3 or higheron AP Exams (based on a scale from 1to 5, with 5 being the highest) typical-ly experience greater academic successin college and higher graduation rates.

National AP Scholar Award

Christine Gorman

Grant Strimel

AP Scholar with Distinction

Christine Gorman

Renee Lani

Annie Preaux

Joshua Snyder

Grant Strimel

AP Scholar with Honor Award

Nicholas Anderegg

Eric Forrester

Samit Ghelani

Kaleen Hayes

Daniel Kramer

Alexis Pozonsky

Nathan Vargo

AP Scholars

Trevor Allen

Cynthia Bober

Melinda Buker

Luke Burtch

Addison Galambos

Melissa Harbert

Henry Itani

Brian Mezerski

Jonathan Naser

Carol Newark

Justin Rosenthal

Matthew Rozak

Nicholas Schnur

25 C-M students earn AP Scholar awards