SUPERINTENDENT’S
MESSAGE
Dr. Gennaro R. Piraino, Jr.
Superintendent
Mary Catherine Reljac
Assistant Superintendent for
Curriculum and Instruction/
Public Relations
FR A NKL I N RE GI ON AL NE WS
ranklin Regional
Marlena Buterbaugh
Director of Human Resources
Jon C. Perry
Director of Financial Services
Linda Miller
Assistant to the Director
of Financial Services
Brad Schrecengost
Supervisor of
Technology Services
James Heck
Director of Facilities
Zachary Kessler
Director of Athletics
& Student Activities
Richard E. Regelski, Jr.
Director of Special Education
Donna Wolf
School Board Secretary/
Executive Assistant
to the Superintendent
Ronald Suvak, Principal
Senior High School
Andrew Leviski, Principal
Middle School
Robert Buffone, Principal
Heritage Elementary
Tina Gillen, Principal
Newlonsburg Elementary
Tina Burns, Principal
Sloan Elementary
50 Murrysville
Dear Franklin Regional Community,
Problem solving is a process of finding solutions to issues. It requires one to define a
problem, generate multiple ideas for potential solutions, select solutions for testing and
further consideration, refine ideas, and implement a solution. Problem solving often requires
communication, collaboration, and creativity. Problems are at the center of what many people
do at work every day.
In the Franklin Regional School District, students are provided with multiple opportunities
to engage in problem solving. Whether in math and science classes, during writing projects in
literacy and social studies classes, or in their elective classes, students are engaging in rigorous
thinking, applying their extensive skills and deliberating to solve real-world problems. Learning
and innovation skills such as those practiced through problem solving are important for the
increasingly complex life and work environments in the 21st century.
This edition of IN Murrysville showcases students engaged in problem solving activities at
all levels. Our youngest students in Kindergarten have been problem solving with “Bee-Bot”
by using basic programming skills to move the robot across a grid. Middle school students
practiced algorithms in the pool – while snorkeling in Physical Education. High school students
designed and created complex machines to accomplish simple tasks. These articles highlight
only a few of the exciting problem solving experiences occurring within our classrooms.
Additionally, this edition highlights some exciting academic announcements for the District.
We are pleased to recognize H