IN North Allegheny Summer 2017 | Page 54

North Allegheny Music Education Program Receives National Recognition For the 11th consecutive year, North Allegheny School District (NASD) has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education. NASD is among just four percent of school districts in the nation selected for this prestigious award in 2017. The Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate significant achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. To qualify for the Best Communities designation, NASD answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program and community music-making programs. Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas. About The NAMM Foundation The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit supported in part by The National Association of Music Merchants and its approximately 10,300 members around the world. Its mission is to advance active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving, and public service programs. For more information about The NAMM Foundation, visit nammfoundation.org. 52 North Allegheny NA Students Host Prom for Senior Citizens Students from North Allegheny Senior High School (NASH) hosted the annual Senior Citizens’ Prom on Friday, May 12, from 7 to 10 p.m. at North Allegheny Senior High School, located at 10375 Perry Highway in Wexford. All interested senior citizens were invited to attend this free event, which featured music and dancing, light refreshments and a free prom photo. For more information or to make reservations, visit northallegheny.org/ Page/25603. North Allegheny Community Seminar Addresses Opioid Addiction The North Allegheny School District (NASD) Student Assistance Program’s spring Community Connections Seminar educated students in grades six through 12 and their parents on the nationwide opioid epidemic and its impact in Western Pennsylvania. The Community Connections Seminar, which was held on April 5, will featured the Saltworks Theatre Company’s stage production of Off ‘Script— a thought- provoking portrayal of three students’ addiction to prescription drugs. The powerful play explores the consequences of opioid addiction and the students’ journeys to hope and healing. In addition, Community Outreach Specialist Kelly Wesolosky from the FBI Pittsburgh Field Office led a presentation discussing the scope and magnitude of the opioid epidemic, as well as the efforts that the FBI’s Heroin Outreach Prevention and Education (HOPE) initiative has made to date. Several local substance abuse treatment centers and other community resources were also present. In addition to hosting the Community Connections Seminar, NASD also participated in the local conversation about drug addiction during a Town Forum on the Opioid Crisis on April 11. Sponsored by the Town of McCandless in partnership with NASD, CCAC North and the FBI Pittsburgh Field Office, this forum provides the opportunity for local government, school officials and the public to learn more about the opioid epidemic. For more information about this event: northallegheny.org/Page/27482 North Allegheny Students Join Elite 8 in New York for International Debate Competition Finals After months of competing in written debates with students around the world, a team from North Allegheny Senior High School (NASH) advanced to the “Elite 8” round of the Brewer Foundation/New York University International Public Policy Form (IPPF). By advancing, the team won an all- expenses-paid trip to the IPPF Finals, that took place in New York City at the Harold Pratt House on Saturday, May 6. NASH was one of eight teams competing in oral debates in front of some of the world’s foremost experts in debate, business, law and politics. The winner was named “IPPF World Champion” and received a $10,000 grand prize. The “Elite 8” teams represent schools from six U.S. states, China and Taiwan. The NASH team – comprised of students Anmol Anand, Julie Chen, Frank Li and