Advanced Topics in Computer Science
(advanced Java and C++, Intro. to Python
programming language).
“The computer science coursework
that I have made available at the high
school will help children understand, at a
fundamental level, how to use coding in
creative problem-solving while reaching
a broader spectrum of students, not just
those who are naturally inclined toward
the topic,” Ms. Gutosky explained.
“This lends itself to my pledge for the
future – to continue to make computer
science available to all high school
students and to recruit underrepresented
populations such as young women who
are historically underrepresented in
computer science fields.”
Ms. Gutosky has a goal of bringing
a Computer Science Club to Canon-
McMillan High School that appeals to a
diverse population of students in new
after-school programs.
“The best advertisement is word
of mouth,” Ms. Gutosky said. “I think
they have an intrinsic need to have the
freedom to be creative and to express
themselves. I think in a lot of other
courses they don’t always have the ability
to be creative.
“We have students from all different
levels coming into this course.”
In addition, Ms. Gutosky and Canon-
McMillan High School has applied to
partner with Microsoft Philanthropies
TEALS, who helps high schools build
and grow sustainable computer science
(CS) programs. TEALS is a program that
recruits, mentors, and places passionate
technology professionals into high school
classrooms as volunteer instructors.
These volunteers bring subject matter
expertise and will join Ms. Gutosky to
teach computer science together in
AP Computer Science Principles next
year. The program provides training for
both parties, rigorous curricula, and
opportunities for students to continue
their education outside of the classroom.
7-year-old Nevaeh
Makes Heroic Decision
Nevaeh Ellis knows what a sore
throat feels like. But the sore throat
she was suffering from while in bed
January 9 was a little different.
“I thought it was a sore throat
but this hurt even more,” the 7-year-
old Canonsburg girl and student
at Muse Elementary School said. “I
told my parents my throat was really
hurting.”
Nevaeh could not ignore the pain
and sensation and, thankfully, she
got out of bed to alert her parents
something was wrong. It was more
than a sore throat. Nevaeh’s quick
thinking alerted her family to an
early-morning fire in the laundry
room that allowed them to escape
their Valley View Terrace home
unscathed.
“My dad smelled something so
he went an looked and he told my
Nevaeh Ellis
mom to call 911,” Nevaeh said. “I
started upstairs with my mom and
got some water in the bathroom and then my dad said we should all go outside.
“We went down the steps and couldn’t breathe.”
Nevaeh and her family, which includes her mother, Ashley, father, John, and
four brothers, ages 2 to 6, stood outside for about 10 minutes before going to a
neighbor’s house.
“I was thinking it was a big fire,” the girls said. “I was crying because I thought
the house would burn up.”
Canonsburg firefighters responded to the scene and extinguished the fire,
which was caused by an electrical problem in the dryer.
For her heroic effort, Nevaeh was honored with a plaque from Canonsburg
Mayor David H. Rhome, January 14, at a borough council meeting.
The award reads, “For efforts in the preservation of life, Mayor David H.
Rhome and the Canonsburg Council present Nevaeh Ellis with the Life Saving
Award. On January 9, 2019 the Canonsburg Volunteer Fire Department
responded to a call in Valley View Terrace. 7-year-old Nevaeh was awakened
with a sore throat. When she woke her parents to tell them, they realized
there was a strong smell of smoke in the house which led them to investigate,
finding the source in the laundry room. We commend Nevaeh for her heroic
actions in alerting her family. All family members demonstrated their fire
prevention skills to “get out and stay out” until the fire department arrives.
Tragedy was averted and all are safe.”
Nevaeh is grateful for the award but especially pleased to help save her family.
“I am so happy and glad to save my family,” she said.
Tula Dziak, principal at Muse Elementary, said Nevaeh is “definitely a hero” and
her action and willingness to move when she felt something was wrong is a good
example of taking charge of a situation and ending up saving lives.
“She’s a hero,” Dziak said. “If it (flames) hits the gas stove not only would her
house had been impacted but those of her neighbors as well. Nevaeh is a hero to
her family, her school and her neighborhood.”
CANON-MAC
❘
SPRING 2019
47