IN North Allegheny Summer 2019 | Page 12

LOOP IN THE C O N T I N U E D culture, key values and traditions of family and community. The preschool through eighth grade school has enrollment of 370 students from nine surrounding school districts. The Learning Enrichment Fund for Blessed Francis Seelos Academy was established two years ago. The committee’s goal for the 2018-2019 school year was to bring in at least one schoolwide program for each letter of STREAM—Science, Technology Religion, Engineering, Art and Math. Every K-8 student at Seelos had a hands-on opportunity to build the mosaic that will hang in the school building for many, many years to come. BLESSED FRANCIS SEELOS ACADEMY STUDENTS WORK WITH PROFESSIONAL ARTIST TO CREATE MOSAIC Professional artist Laura Jean McLaughlin was a resident artist for 10 weeks on the campus of Blessed Francis Seelos Academy in Wexford this spring. 10 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE ❘ She worked with a core group of eighth graders each week, and each homeroom from kindergarten through seventh grade also spent time with the artist. Together, the students made a large mosaic— designing it, nipping tiles, gluing tiles, grouting and more—that now stands near the school lobby. It is made of ceramic and mirrored tiles and represents the many facets of a Seelos Academy education and community, including representations of spiritual and academic aspects as well as fine arts, athletics and the school’s extracurricular activities. It also illustrates the friendships that are formed among the school community. McLaughlin has created and installed more than 100 collaborative mosaic murals and installations throughout the city of Pittsburgh and as far away as Tolne, Denmark. The program was part of the Pittsburgh Center for Arts and Media through the Artists in Schools & Communities Program. Blessed Francis Seelos Academy was established in 2017 through a merger of Saint Alexis Parish School and Saint Alphonsus Parish School. Located on two campuses in Wexford, the academy integrates Catholic teachings with the icmags.com ANIMAL CHARITIES IN SOUTHWESTERN PA BENEFIT FROM CLEARVIEW’S COMMUNITY GIVING PROGRAM Clearview Federal Credit Union announced the selection of several local animal charities and shelters located near financial centers in southwestern Pennsylvania as the benefactors of its Community Giving Program for the first quarter of 2019. The animal shelters benefiting from this program include the Beaver County Humane Society, Action for Animals Humane Society, Two Ladies and Four Paws Rescue, Animal Protectors, Steel City Rescue, Butler Humane Society, Animal Friends, and the Hancock County Shelter. Financial centers in Chippewa, Center, Hopewell, Latrobe, Lower Burrell, Delmont, Butler, and East Liverpool are participating and have received a wish list of items needed by the shelters. Due to recent flooding at the Beaver County Humane Society, cash donations will also be accepted at the Hopewell, Chippewa, and Center financial centers in order to provide extra assistance. n