The Panther Press

DTA 2.0 Parent's Edition 11/8/23

Limitless PAWSibilities!

Mr. Ken Lukitsh, affectionately known as Coach L, will forever live on as his encouragement and discipline helped transform so many tiny, timid kindergarteners into confident leaders, through his belief that with teamwork and the right attitude, anything is possible.

Grief is tricky, in that we can find ourselves laughing in one moment, then crying in the next. It is not confined by time and it manifests differently in each of us.

While we will continue to lead, learn, and grow with positive hearts, minds, and actions, in the manner Coach L instilled, know that we are here to assist families with processing grief. Please contact School Social Worker, Mrs. Hart at nhart1@pghschools.org and School Counselor, Brandon Phillips at bphillips1@pghschools.org, if you would like support in house, to help your child through these challenging times. Please see below for additional outside wellness and mental health resources and support.

As the weather changes, please send students in layers. We have plenty of coats available for students who have outgrown last year's winter gear. Please visit the Uniform Exchange link below to put in a request for a FREE winter from the school. https://t.ly/IpbJI. We also have some additional winter items like hats, gloves, and boots. Simply complete the form and we will do our best to fulfill your request.

We have noticed that families have improved with pick up and drop off safety! Kudos, parents for putting students first, and making safety a priority. Please do not pull into the staff lot during drop off/pick up. Also, be sure to greet and respect our favorite crossing guard, Mrs. Rita and our favorite para, Mrs. Williams. They will remind you to park/stop in designated safe locations. If you are stopped in an unsafe area, please move. It may not be convenient, but the safety of every student is more important than two minutes of any of our time.

Another safety reminder is around footwear. Please send students in sneakers, tennis shoes, and rubber bottomed shoes so that they can run and play freely with less risk of injury. Please do not send students in Crocs, slippers, slides, heels, or other shoes that have minimal/no traction and/or easily fall off of feet.

Birthday Do's & Don'ts

We absolutely love celebrating our students on their special days. Birthday pencils, birthday runs, and birthday songs are all part of making our panthers feel extra loved on their birthday. Due to increased allergies and dietary restrictions, please do not send in edible treats of any sort for birthdays. If you'd like to volunteer to read to the class, that would be the most memorable gift!

Any specific requests to add information should be emailed directly to Principal Zyhier with the subject line, "The Panther Press DTA Request." Requests should be made by Tuesday morning each week. Please note that although requested, not all requests are guaranteed approval.

zoom_out_map

Important CUBmunications!

FREE WINTER COATS!!!

The weather outside is getting cold again! Is your student in need of a winter coat? We can help! Please visit the Uniform Exchange link below to put in a request for a FREE winter from the school. https://t.ly/IpbJI We also have some additional winter items like hats, gloves, and boots. Simply complete the form and we will do our best to fulfill your request.

Pittsburgh CAPA Annual Recruitment Open House and Audition Workshops

Please join CAPA for their annual recruitment open house on Saturday, October 27th from 9am-12pm. Interested students and parents can tour the school, meet teachers, engage with current students, and learn more about the application and audition process. Additionally, prospective students can come to CAPA on November 4th and 18th from 9-11 AM for preparation workshops for the upcoming auditions in January 2024. Please contact Dr. Melissa Pearlman (ext. 6101; mpearlman1@pghschools.org) with any questions.

Hybrid PTA Meetings

Please join us in person or virtually for the monthly Pittsburgh Dilworth PTA meeting on November 15th from 6-7:30.

PTA contacts:

Linda president@pghdilworthpta.org

Alexis vicepresident@pghdilworthpta.org

Natasha secretary@pghdilworthpta.org

Backpack Initiative

Thank you to everyone who supported Dilworth PTA’s Backpack Initiative on World Kindness Day! Dilworth students, teachers, and staff raised $470 to support the Backpack Initiative, and we are so grateful - thank you for your amazing generosity and kindness!

The Backpack Initiative continues to provide weekend food supplies to Pittsburgh Dilworth students experiencing food insecurity all throughout the school year. Each participating student receives a bag packed with child-friendly single-serving snacks and easily prepared meals every Friday; so far this year, we’ve sent home over 165 bags with more than 1,140 meals. If you would like to enroll your child in the program for this school year, please fill out the online form at http://tinyurl.com/DTABackpackSignup2023-24.

If you’re interested in volunteering or donating to the program, please email Megan Spak at dtabackpacks@gmail.com to find out more - we would love to have your help.

Dilworth Uniform Exchange

Dilworth provides a volunteer-run Uniform Exchange where you can donate old school uniforms your child has outgrown and request additional sizes!

In order to donate, please send clean clothes in a bag to the main office and label "For Uniform Exchange." These donations will be sorted and put away by volunteers. We are only able to accept clothing that conforms with the Dilworth Uniform Policy.

In order to request clothing from the uniform exchange, please fill out the form below:

Dilworth Uniform Exchange Request Form

Clothing is distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. We tend to have an abundance of smaller sizes and fewer options for larger sizes. Requests will be delivered to your child's homeroom. You will be notified if your request cannot be filled. Please allow one week for your request to be filled and delivered. Any items that are sent home and do not fit can be returned to the uniform exchange and additional items can be requested.

If you would like to volunteer to help out with the uniform exchange, please email Rachous1@aol.com.

Holiday Shop

Holiday Shop is a beloved annual tradition at Dilworth. The PTA sets up a shop inside the school so that all students have the chance to buy small presents for their loved ones, if they choose. The shop will be open during school the week of December 4th and is an all-hands-on-deck event for the PTA and our school community. For more information, or to learn about the event itself, visit the Holiday Shop Page on the PTA website, the Pittsburgh Dilworth PTA Facebook Page, or email pghdtapta@gmail.com. More details coming soon, but right now we are in need of:

Volunteers! Holiday Shop is an opportunity to volunteer inside the school. It requires minimal time commitment (as little as a few hours), but it does require clearances be on file with the school. So if you're even slightly interested, please start that process now: https://www.pghschools.org/Page/3958
Crafters, Makers, Artists! We love getting contributions to sell at Holiday Shop from our amazing families. It doesn't have to be complicated. We've seen great success with jewelry, bookmarks, wood-burned spoons, hand-painted mugs, bath salts, beard oil, potholders, hand scrubs, buttons, magnets, etc. - anything you can make (or persuade a friend to make) at least 24 of. The simplest things with just “I love mom/dad/grandma/grandpa/auntie/my pet goldfish…” are always hits. Anyone have a Cricut longing to be used….?
Donations! Purchase something from our Amazon Wish List of items (https://tinyurl.com/dilworthholiday-shop) to sell at the shop. Any donations from the list are extra valuable to the PTA. They add to the variety that we’re able to offer the kids, let us keep holiday shop prices down, and help fundraise for the PTA.

Arrival & Dismissal

Students will be welcomed into the foyer of the building at 8:55 am. All students should keep 1-2 books in their backpack for reading during arrival until morning meeting begins at 9:10 am. At 9:00, students may go to the cafeteria for breakfast or directly to the auditorium. Students are not permitted to leave the auditorium until dismissal from morning meeting. Differentiated instruction takes place daily from 9:25-9:50. During this time students will engage in proactive/restorative circles, academic enrichment/assistance, music practice, and more. Arriving at 9:10 am daily is contributes to a positive learning experience.

Please arrive no later than 3:55pm for pick up, if your child does not ride the school bus. If you have challenges picking your child up on time, reach out to any one of several after school programs (Deakings Daycare, Mt. Arayat, Boys & Girls Club, etc.) to see if they have availability.

Early Dismissal Reminder

Early dismissals may occur up until 3:30 pm daily. Please utilize this EARLY DISMISSAL LINK to complete the form prior to arriving. If you are unable to complete this prior to arriving at Dilworth, a QR code is posted at the main door to complete while you wait for your child to be dismissed.

Self Screening Tool, Covid Decision Tree, & Covid Updates

Please utilize this self-screening document and follow the necessary steps to adhere to district mitigation strategies in our fight against the spread of Covid-19. Review the PPS Decision Tree to understand how decisions are made regarding next steps for individuals exhibiting one or more symptoms of Covid-19. Please utilize the district website for up to date Covid related information, procedures, and resources.

Breakfast & Lunch Menu

Please visit PPS Food Services to access the breakfast and lunch menus.

Student Handbook 2023-24

Please review the linked STUDENT HANDBOOK with your child and to understand and reiterate our schoolwide expectations. Teachers will review schoolwide and classroom procedures and expectations regularly with students.

zoom_out_map

Cultural & Global CATnections

Native American Heritage Month

November is Native American Heritage Month. I encourage families to research and explore

Native American history and how the brilliance and excellence of Indigenous individuals and

groups have shaped the world in which we live today. Explore the website below to learn more

about Indigenous people and Native American customs.

https://nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/

Purr-Fect Resources for Health & Wellness

Free Christmas and holiday programs Allegheny County

Catholic Community of Bloomfield

4712 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15224. For information on applications, call 412-682-3877
Programs include a free food pantry that can have ingredients for Christmas dinner. Other assistance in Allegheny County include meal programs, clothing giveaway drives and Christmas gifts.

Other Allegheny County Catholic Charities also offer assistance to low-income families. They serve free Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas meals. There are basic needs, such as electronics, small Christmas gifts for boys and girls, an Adopt a Family program and more. Continue with Catholic Charities holiday assistance Allegheny County.

Free Toys for Tots in Allegheny County
This is the local version of the national gift-giving program. It has free presents for qualifying low-income children in Allegheny County. Run in partnership with the Marine Corps as well as local churches and nonprofits. Get free Christmas gifts such as video games or consoles, Legos, trucks or dolls for boys or girls, clothes, winter jackets, books, and so much more. There are multiple application sites. They include the following.

NE part of the county - Apply here. https://tarentum-pa.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/default.aspx?nPageID=100&nPreviewInd=200&nRedirectInd=3
NW part of the county, including Beaver County Toys for Tots is here. https://beaver-county-pa.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/default.aspx?nPageID=100&nPreviewInd=200&nRedirectInd=3
Southern part of the county, including city of Pittsburgh Toys for Tots - https://pittsburgh-pa.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/default.aspx?nPageID=0&nPreviewInd=0&nRedirectInd=3

Salvation Army Centers of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County
They offer the Angel Tree program as well as meals for seniors and low-income families. There are multiple centers in the Pittsburgh area - see below for a few locations. They also provide free Thanksgiving turkey dinners with sides. The Angel Tree program provides free Christmas toys or gift cards for parents. Salvation Army can also provide financial resources, vouchers for holiday food and more.

6017 Broad St, Pittsburgh, PA, call (412) 362-0891
12751 Lincoln Hwy, US-30, Irwin, PA 15642. Call (724) 863-6116
8020 Frankstown Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15221
39 W Main St, Carnegie, PA 15106, telephone (412) 276-4757

Best of the Batch Foundation
2000 West St, Homestead, PA 15120. Call (412) 326-0119
Provides free Christmas toys, educational scholarships, and more.

Lighthouse Holiday Programs
116 Browns Hill Road, Valencia, PA 16059. Call (P) 724-586-5554
If the individual or family used Lighthouse services earlier in the year they can participate in the Thanksgiving or Christmas programs. Food, meals, gifts, toys, and games may be passed out.

Wilkinsburg Community Ministry
704 Wood Street, Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania 15221. The phone number is 412-241-8072
Food and free meals at Thanksgiving or Christmas are available, including Turkeys.

Union Aid Society
601 Thorn Street, Sewickley, PA, 15143. Call 412-741-9240
Offers assistance for the residents of the Quaker Valley School District. Free Thanksgiving and Holiday gift cards, meals, and other food items.

Stewart Avenue Lutheran Church
2810 Brownsville Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15227. Dial (412) 881-4448
The main resource is the free food pantry, which has Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter food. They also have some small free Christmas gifts or school supplies, stocking stuffers, and decorations for kids.

Brashear Association
320 Brownsville Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15210. Call (412) 431-2236
A holiday program where children 12 and younger can get free Christmas toys, games, books, and more. There is also Thanksgiving help, gift cards for low-income families and other support. The support is part of an Adopt a Family assistance program. Free Christmas or Thanksgiving food baskets, stocking stuffers for kids, small toys, gift cards and other items are offered during the holidays.

Stewart Avenue Lutheran Church
2810 Brownsville Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15227. Call (412) 881-0171 or 412-881-4448
The charity supports Carrick, Brentwood and Baldwin. A free food pantry and soup kitchen are onsite. Kids under 12, from low-income families, can also receive a free Christmas present. There are also clothes and school items, books at Christmas, sneakers and more.

New Song Community Church
4767 Library Road, Bethel Park, PA, 15102. Main phone number is 412-283-0888
Seasonal Bountiful Blessings program that provides Thanksgiving meals, Christmas toys and gifts, Easter baskets, and even back to school supplies.

New Vision Community Church
1620 Randolph Ln, Verona, PA 15147. Call (412) 241-6160
They have a free kids clothing closet for the working poor, single moms, low-income families and more. Get free winter coats or clothes, small Christmas gifts, boots, sneakers, games and more.

Coraopolis Youth Creations - Give a Gift
912 4th Ave Rear, Coraopolis, PA, PA 15108. Only for Coraopolis-area residents. (412) 474-3372
A free Christmas gifts and toy giveaway. Teens, infants, single moms with kids, and others can register for holiday help.

Rainbow Kitchen Services - Free Holiday Program
Location is 135 E 9th Ave, Homestead, PA 15120. Call 412-464-1892

Play it Forward Pittsburgh
Christmas toys and birthday gifts for low-income families. Apply here: http://www.playitforwardpittsburgh.com/

St. Thomas More Church
126 Fort Couch Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15241. Phone: 412-833-0031
Free food, Thanksgiving turkey dinners, meals, and more. Free toys - books, games, tablets, clothing, gender specific toys, board games and more for children from low-income households in Allegheny County.

Toys For Pittsburgh Tikes

Contact a local police department, DHS office, or 211 to inquire at the United Way. You can also see a list of participating charities here: https://toysforpittsburghtikes.com/charities-2019/ Toys are distributed through community partners and do not support individual requests from families.

North Hills Community Outreach
Referrals to holiday programs, financial aid, and other support is available. They have free Christmas toys for kids as well as winter jackets, food, and more holiday assistance in Pittsburgh.

Millvale Office, 939 California Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15202, main phone (412) 487-6316
North Boroughs, 100 South Jackson Ave, Bellevue, Pennsylvania, 15202, 412-307-0069

Light of Life Rescue Mission
10 East North Avenue, Pittsburgh, 234 Voeghtly St, Pittsburgh, PA 15212. Call 412-803-4120 for hours and availability.
Free holiday gifts, lights, and toys.