IN McKeesport Fall 2017 | Page 34

Dear McKeesport Area School District Families and Friends: We are off to an outstanding 2017-2018 school year. Our students and staff have begun to embark on a journey full of engaging and productive academic experiences. Dr. Wanzo and I have had the wonderful opportunity of visiting with our staff and students on a daily basis. We are focused on building morale and gathering data to better inform our leadership initiatives. We introduced a comprehensive district study to our staff with the hope of redefining the core values of our schools and providing support to our school leaders. I look forward to sharing the data from those surveys and interviews with our stakeholders in the upcoming months. A strategic planning process will occur in the near future that will utilize the data collected and mold the future decisions of the McKeesport Area School District. I am encouraged by the participation of our staff in this study as well as their willingness to improve the teaching and learning process in all of our schools. I am eager to continue the positive momentum that we have started the year off with and invite you to attend all of the wonderful events and activities coming up, over the school year. These events can be found any time on our website calendar. Sincerely, Dr. Mark P. Holtzman MASD Family- What a great start to the school year! This year brings a lot of excitement and change to our district. We are excited about the direction that both Dr. Mark Holtzman and Dr. Tia Wanzo have begun to steer the District toward. You will start to see the fruits of their labor in the District’s plan moving forward which will be rolling out to the public over the next few months. Make sure to check the winter edition of this magazine for more information on where we are headed! As always, one of the biggest factors in the overall success of our students and our district is our ability to work in partnership with our parents and the community. We hope that you feel welcome in our schools and that you will take advantage of opportunities to become involved, to learn more about your school district and to be a part of the many things that are taking place. Be sure to follow us on our social media pages for information and stories regarding what we have going on day to day. Members of the school board of directors encourage parents and guardians to be actively involved, in all areas if the district, by attending board and building level meetings. Board Meetings are typically held on the fourth Wednesday of every month. Sessions begin at 7:30 p.m. in the board room at the district administration building, located at 3590 O’Neil Boulevard in McKeesport. Check our website, www.mckasd.net, for accurate meeting information. Superintendent On behalf of the board, I hope you are having a great start to the school year! Sincerely, Joe Lopretto President, McKeesport Area School District Board of Directors 32 McKeesport Area