Every week is a great week in Blue Devil Country! Please scroll down to learn more. #True2theBlue

• October 20: Act 80 1/2 Day
• October 31: End of the 1st Nine Weeks

Senior Ashlynn Kubatka was crowned Homecoming Queen at last week's Homecoming Football Game. Congratulations, Ashlynn!

Students and visitors to the MS/HS will notice some new paintings displayed in the Guidance hallway. The Guidance Department, along with our school social workers, implemented “The Positive Painting Project” as a way to raise mental health awareness with students. The Positive Painting Project is a Pittsburgh based non-profit endeavor created to honor the memory of Katie Whysong. Katie was an avid art student who struggled with depression. She had a huge heart and an amazing idea that has become the project's mission: using visual art to share positive and encouraging messages in schools and throughout communities. This is typically achieved by holding painting events at schools or festivals. These one-of-a-kind paintings are then screen-printed with messages encouraging mental health awareness, positivity, and support.

Last May, students from the Blue & White Ambassadors and the Peace, Love & Diversity Club created paintings for this project. We also invited families to create paintings during the Maker Space evening event last May. Over 60 paintings were made for this project.

By encouraging and facilitating positive mental health with beautiful art, this project aims to increase the conversations, decrease the stigma, and provide opportunities for students to create art that is a part of that effort.

It was another busy week in our schools and on the athletic surfaces. Students in the newly established Turtle Club "renovated" and painted the turtle boxes that serve as a habitat for the turtles. The school counselor from WACTC spoke to our 9th grade students about CTC options available to them beginning in 10th grade. Cross Country Senior Recognition was held to recognize Seniors Deedra Closser and Michael Pleska. Mrs. Nonack's students participated in her Creepy Carnival activity which focused on elements of plot as taught in her Reading 7 class. Mrs. Dzugan's Algebra 8 students solved 2 step equations. A rather intense game of Rock Paper Scissors using Spheros ensued in Mrs. Kline's class and our teachers and paraprofessionals participated in a Safety and Security update session that contained information about assembly areas and reunification which ended with a walk to learn more about some of the topics.

We received a letter from WTAE this week:

"WTAE-TV Channel 4 is excited to announce the launch of our Teacher of the Month recognion program. Each month, from September through May, a teacher will be selected from the many deserving submissions that we receive. Nominations can be made by students, parents, colleagues or even the person themselves. The selected Teacher of the Month will receive a $1000 credit to www.donorschoose.org, sponsored by Closets by Design. In addition Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 will feature that teacher and their story (and possibly a surprise school visit) during a news broadcast, as well as on our online platforms."

To nominate a teacher, please click HERE

We remind students, employees, parents, guardians, and community members that smoking, the possession or use of alcohol or other drugs, and the possession of weapons on school grounds, including outdoor athletic areas, by any individual, is prohibited. These acts are subject to police action and must also be reported to the Department of Education.

Student and employee safety is extremely important to us. We are constantly looking for ways to make our schools, school grounds, and property safe for all. Recently, we ordered signage that will be placed on all of our school busses, warning that unauthorized boarding will be subject to criminal prosecution. This is not something new, it is simply something we are creating a greater awareness of.

According to the Pennsylvania Crimes Code:

§ 5517. Unauthorized school bus entry. (a) Offense defined.--A person who enters a school bus without prior authorization of the driver or a school official with intent to commit a crime or disrupt or interfere with the driver or a person who enters a school bus without prior authorization of the driver or a school official who refuses to disembark after being ordered to do so by the driver commits a misdemeanor of the third degree. (b) Notice.--A school district may place a notice at the entrance of the school bus that warns against unauthorized entry.

Our school district prides itself on providing the best possible learning environment for our students, and school buildings and other facilities that can be a source of pride for the community. We are constantly monitoring the conditions of our schools, athletic complexes and other district-owned property but sometimes we miss things. You can help us by completing this form when you notice something that you think needs our attention. It can be something as basic as noticing that there is a light out in our parking areas, or that the trash receptacles at the baseball field need emptied. Just like you have for your home, we have a running list of items that need our attention. These items get prioritized and acted upon. We may already know about the issue you raise, but if we don't, we can't prioritize it until we do. We are all in this together and your input is greatly appreciated. Please click her to access this form: HERE

It was another busy week in our schools.