GET TO KNOW:
eters Township
PETERS TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
GET TO KNOW:
Lauren Yearsley
One of the most special aspects of our schools are the talented and dedicated individuals who work hard every day to make Peters Township one of the best Districts in the region. In this issue, we would like everyone to Get to Know Mrs. Lauren Yearsley, reading specialist at Pleasant Valley Elementary. Mrs. Yearsley joined our staff in 2021 and previously worked for the Allegheny Intermediate Unit. We took a few minutes to help you Get to Know Mrs. Yearsley!
What inspired you to become a teacher?
I’ ve always loved reading and believe the written word has such power. It can inspire, comfort, and connect us. I became a teacher because I wanted to share that love of reading with children and help them find confidence and joy in learning. There’ s nothing better than seeing a student light up when the words start to make sense.
If you weren’ t a teacher, what other job would you have?
If I wasn’ t a teacher, I would probably be a physical therapist. I’ ve always been passionate about exercise, movement, and helping people feel their best. In a way it’ s like teaching— both involve motivating others, setting goals, and celebrating successes.
What is your favorite thing to do outside the classroom?
Outside of school, I enjoy an active lifestyle. I love teaching yoga, running in Frick Park, and walking my dog, Ted, with my husband, Joe. I’ ve recently discovered a love for making jewelry, often inspired by the beach and containing seashells.
What has been one of your favorite projects / events / days at school?
It’ s hard to pick just one favorite day since there’ s always something fun happening at Pleasant Valley! I love visiting the first-grade classrooms each week to teach syllables, but the week of Groundhog Day might be my favorite. I read Groundhog Gets a Say and do an interactive comprehension activity. It’ s especially meaningful to me because my mom is originally from Punxsutawney.
What do you wish every student would know after their time in your classroom?
This makes me think of the poem Listen to the Mustn’ ts by Shel Silverstein. The poem ends with the line:“ Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.” These words remind me that possibility is at the heart of learning. Reading is often the key that unlocks those possibilities. I want every student to feel that anything is possible for them.
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STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS
TROLLEY MUSEUM VISIT FOR BOWER HILL FIRST GRADE
Bower Hill First Graders enjoyed an exciting field trip to the PA Trolley Museum. Students rode a trolley, learned about transportation from the past, explored the interactive exhibits, and completed a scavenger hunt.
WHITE CANE DAY
October 15th was White Cane Day, and high school student Kate Panasko gave a presentation to her classmates on what White Cane Day is along with her Vision Teacher Kate Barnes. This day is set aside annually to celebrate the achievements of people who are blind or visually impaired and the important symbol of blindness and tool of independence, the white cane.
6TH GRADE CLAY TABLETS
Students in Mrs. Seelhorst’ s social studies classes tackled the challenge to create their own Cuneiform Clay Tablets. This handson activity allows them to appreciate the difficult skill scribes had to master to record Sumerian trade, agriculture, and government history.
FIRE SAFETY WEEK AT PLEASANT VALLEY
Our Fire Department Heroes visited Pleasant Valley recently to share fire safety tips for in our homes and students got a tour of the truck as well. Many thanks to all of our first responders for sharing these important lessons with our students.
Pleasant Valley students took turns practicing safe evacuations in the Fire Safety House.
HIGH SCHOOL FALL PLAY
The High School’ s 2025-26 theatrical season began in October with a zany trip into the woods with the Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon! The fast-paced, comedic play is a retelling of all 209 of the Brothers Grimm fairy tales in a single evening. Congratulations to the entire cast and crew on a great kickoff to the theater year.
PTHS MOONSHOT GRANT VISIT
Five students from Peters Township High School visited Carnegie Mellon University’ s Mill 19 Manufacturing Future Institute as part of the Moonshot Grant Project. Throughout this year Jack Stewart, Jackson Hardcastle, Alex Schullek, Maddy Chase and Carly Sadowski will participate in this think tank model to use human-centered AI to reimagine the K-12 school system along with students from four other area schools and a CMU mentor. Students will visit technology hubs in our regions and be exposed to realworld applications of AI, design and innovation.