(L to R): Ashley Holt, Sabrina Puskar, Matthew Knizner,
James Swift, Joshua Selvakumar in a writing workshop
The students, staff, and families of Heritage Elementary worked together
to help all students in the school to achieve at high levels. The staff focused
on improving the reading, writing, and math skills of students through
rigorous, well-designed lessons applied across multiple classrooms and
grade levels. During the school year, the teachers met multiple times before
students arrived for the day to explore new strategies, plan academic
experiences for students, and hone their instructional skills.
Students engaged in multiple experiences throughout the year including
writing marathons, reading challenges, and math competitions. With
the leadership of Mr. Robert Buffone, principal, the school community
worked collaboratively to meet student needs in a comprehensive way.
When learning of the reward, Mr. Buffone shared, “I am excited for the
students and staff to be recognized for their efforts. Their hard work
made this a reality.” Dr. Piraino, Superintendent of Schools, said, “The
Heritage community’s collective commitment to continuous growth and
improvement is notable. I am proud of their work as well as the work being
done throughout the District to meet the needs of all
students.”
Title I is a Federal Program that provides supplemental
funds to schools to improve the academic achievement
of disadvantaged students. These Federal dollars help to
subsidize reading teacher salaries, provide supplemental
materials for instruction, and support parent involvement.
Heritage Elementary is the only designated Title I school
in Franklin Regional School District. As a result of its
designation, Heritage Elementary is eligible to apply for
grants through the Pennsylvania Department of Education
to continue to improve its programs. Those grant awards
will be determined in the fall of 2016.
Students concentrating on a mode of writing
(L to R): Julianne Landsberg, Kelsey Mack, Savannah Lawrence,
and Paige McMillen in a writing workshop
Argument Writing Awards
Students engaged in a literacy workshop
Murrysville | Summer 2016 | icmags.com 53
FR
FRAN
ANKL
KLIIN
N RE
REGI
GION
ONAL
AL N
NEEWS
WS
Heritage Elementary School was designated as a Title I Reward School
for High Progress during the 2015-2016 school year. This designation is
reserved for the highest 5% of Title I schools in Pennsylvania based on
their improvements for all students as well as those that are considered
“historically underperforming” in Reading and Mathematics on the
Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA). To be eligible, Heritage
Elementary also had to meet the required test participation rates for the
PSSA and the required attendance rates. Heritage Elementary is one of only
89 schools across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that earned this
reward.
Franklin Regional
Heritage Elementary
Recognized as Title I Reward
School