SV Receives Lifeskills
Training Program Grant
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eneca Valley
Personal self-management skills, general social skills and drug
resistance skills are the objectives of an evidence-based substance
and violence prevention program designed to be implemented
into Seneca Valley Middle School’s (SVMS) seventh grade health
curriculum beginning this fall.
The LifeSkills Training (LST) program grant was approved late
last school year and provided training and technical assistance, as
well as curriculum materials for the program. LST incorporates
age-appropriate and culturally relevant information, facilitated
discussion and structured activities in 30 class sessions over a
three year period.
Additionally, LST effectively helps reduce violence and other
high-risk behaviors and also provides students with personal selfmanagement skills, general social skills and drug resistance skills.
“We are very excited and optimistic about the implementation
of this program into our seventh grade health curriculum,” says
SVMS Principal Robert Ceh. “While these are topics that have
been covered prior to this program, this evidence-based program
will work to change the thought process and teach the skills
necessary to have the impact we are looking for beyond the
classroom. This program is not about teaching information, but by
using a three year implementation process, students will exit the
program thinking and acting differently when it comes to engaging
in health risk and negative behaviors.”
LST was developed by Dr. Gilbert J. Botvin, Professor of
Public Health and Psychiatry and Director of Cornell University’s
Institute for Prevention Research.
The Seneca Valley Middle School is located at 122 Seneca
School Road, Harmony 16037. For more information, contact
Jessica Phillips, seventh grade health teacher, at 724.452.6040, ext.
3259 or by email at [email protected].
The finalists for the traditional ATHENA award compose a
varied and distinguished group. Each woman uses her leadership
to create professional excellence and positive regional impact.
“I was shocked when I heard that I was a finalist for the
ATHENA Pittsburgh Award,” says Dr. Vitale. “I am very
honored and quite humbled by both the nomination and the
announcement. I have had wonderful mentors and strong female
leaders in my life as examples to inspire me. I have always enjoyed
mentoring others; I suspect that is the teacher in me.”
Lauri Pendred, Evans City Elementary Principal, believes Dr.
Vitale’s success comes from building a strong administrative
team, with clear expectations, direction and vision all focused
on personal growth and development. “She helps others reach
their full leadership potential through her modeling of strong and
effective service leadership in a transparent manner to community,
staff, board, and her administrative team,” says Pendred.
Last year’s Greater Pittsburgh ATHENA Awards luncheon drew
nearly 900 attendees. That makes it among the largest stand-alone
events of its kind among the 500-plus communities around the
globe that present the award each year.
The Greater Pittsburgh ATHENA Awards Program is made
possible by support from UPMC Health Plan; Citizens Bank;
KPMG LLP; FedEx Ground; Pittsburgh Magazine; WTAE –TV;
Carnegie Mellon Leadership for Women; Covestro LLC; Dickie,
McCamey & Chilcote, P.C.; Meyer, Unkovic & Scott LLP; PPG;
Pittsburgh Penguins; The Ellis School; TiER1 Performance
Solutions; and Williams.
SV Superintendent of Schools
Named Greater Pittsburgh
ATHENA Awards Finalist
Seneca Valley
Superintendent of Schools Dr.
Tracy Vitale is one of just eight
women to be selected as a
finalist in the 2016 ATHENA
Awards Program of Greater
Pittsburgh.
She will be among the many
nominees recognized for
their professional excellence,
contributions to the
community and mentorship
of other women at the annual
ATHENA Awards luncheon
on Monday, Sept. 26. The
awards are presented by the
Allegheny Conference on
Community Development at the Westin Convention Center
Hotel. One finalist from each category – the traditional ATHENA
award and the ATHENA Young Professional Award – will receive
her respective award at the event.
54 Cranberry
Taking Engineering to New
Heights
Allison Spear, a senior at Seneca Valley, rec