SUPERINTENDENT’ S MESSAGE
Dear Franklin Regional Community, ranklin Regional FRANKLIN REGIONAL NEWS
Dr. Gennaro R. Piraino, Jr. Superintendent
Dr. Mary Catherine Reljac Assistant Superintendent
Marlena Lang 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
Dr. Richard E. Regelski, Jr. Director of Special Education
Cara A. Zanella Director of Development & Communications
Donna Wolf School Board Secretary / Executive Assistant to the Superintendent
Ronald Suvak, Principal Senior High School
Andrew Leviski, Principal Middle School
Dr. Robert Buffone, Principal Heritage Elementary
Tina Gillen, Principal Newlonsburg Elementary
Jennifer DiFulvio, Principal Sloan Elementary
42 MURRYSVILLE
The conclusion of another academic year presents me with the opportunity to reflect upon the many accomplishments of our students and staff. The 2017-2018 school year allows our community to share a tremendous sense of pride due to their many monumental achievements!
Academically, our students attained results commensurate with the best and brightest from across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and our Great Nation. For instance, their scholastic accomplishments and performance on the PSAT allowed Franklin Regional to celebrate eight National Merit Finalists. In addition, Franklin Regional Senior High Mathletes won the Western Pennsylvania Math League Competition for the first time in fifteen years. This competition represents the“ Who’ s Who” among our region’ s best public and private schools.
Students also made impressive contributions to Franklin Regional’ s tradition of excellence in the arts. The spring musical featured many amazing performances as our students presented“ 42nd Street”. Franklin Regional Senior High Chorus and Marching Band programs also attained impressive honors and future opportunities due to their exceptional performances. The FRSH Chorus won an invitation to participate in the World Strides Youth Chorus at Carnegie Hall in 2019-2020. Recently, officials from Macy’ s traveled to Franklin Regional Senior High to announce that our Marching Band was being awarded an invitation to represent the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the 2019 Macy’ s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Athletically, Franklin Regional varsity teams also experienced great success. At the time that we were developing this edition of IN-Murrysville, our students won section championships in Boys’ Soccer, Boys’ Basketball, Girls’ Swimming & Diving, Boys’ Track & Field, Girls’ Track & Field, and Boys’ Tennis. Palmer Jackson was also the state runner-up in Golf and Colton Camacho was the state runner-up in wrestling. Our Boys’ Basketball team finished as runner-ups in the 5A WPIAL Tournament.
Our exceptional students have garnered so many accolades that we could never showcase all of them in this magazine. I am so proud of our students for their commitment to academic, artistic, and athletic excellence! Most importantly, Franklin Regional students also excel in their roles as citizens. So many of our students do amazing volunteer work, give of their time to help others in our schools and community, and raise money to support important challenges that face our region and nation.
I would also like to celebrate our dedicated professional staff. These individuals work diligently to provide our students with world-class experiences, while continually raising the bar for both their students and themselves. During the 2017-2018 school year, National Math + Science Institute( NMSI), Introduction to Engineering, and other Project Lead the Way courses were launched in Franklin Regional classrooms. As an aside, the FR Panther Foundation financially supported STREAM Forward, Project Lead the Way and other innovative programs.
Finally, please join me in also recognizing and thanking our local taxpayers, educational partners, and entire school community, who selflessly support our students and staff as they strive for excellence, learning, achievement, and citizenship in all that they do! Without their unwavering commitment to providing a world-class educational experience for our students, Franklin Regional’ s tradition of academic, artistic, and athletic excellence would not be possible.
Yours in education, Dr. Gennaro R. Piraino, Jr. Superintendent of Schools