GET TO KNOW :
GET TO KNOW :
Courtney Murphy
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 . Courtney Murphy , the secretary in the front office at Pleasant Valley Elementary who is new to the school this year . She is the first face that many parents and students see when they come to Pleasant Valley and we took a few minutes to help you Get to Know Mrs . Murphy . eters Township
PETERS TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
What made you want to move from the High School Staff to Pleasant Valley ?
There were a few reasons that made me want to make the move from the High School to Pleasant Valley . First , I had always heard wonderful things about Pleasant Valley , that alone made me interested . Though it was hard leaving my friends , coworkers , and students at the High School , I truly feel that coming to PV was the best move I could have made . From day one I was welcomed with open arms , and knew I had made the right decision .
What other interesting jobs have you held ?
After college I worked as a senior assistant at a public relations company in Pittsburgh for 14 years . In that position I got to see and do very interesting things
STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS
Stem Challenge Honors
McMurray students took first place in the STEM Design Challenge . The team of Dylan Galloway , Casey Kazienko , Andy Serdy took top honors at the Intermediate Unit 1 Regional Challenge and has now qualified to move to on the state level . Each fall , students are given a challenge and have until March / April to design a prototype in response to the challenge . Along with a prototype , the teams must create a blueprint , a design notebook , and a presentation .
Future Business Leaders of America Honors
Nine students from PTHS recently took part in the 2024 Future Business Leaders of America Pennsylvania State Leadership Conference . Students attended various business-related workshops and competed in competitive events during their time at the conference . Two teams finished in the Top 10 in their events and will now move on to the national level of competition - Ryan Fusco and Austin Kriz – Coding & Programming – 4th Place ; and Bradley Zaricki and Tyler Good – Computer Game & Simulation Programming - 5th Place .
68 PETERS TOWNSHIP both inside and outside of the city . We planned many different special events , and worked to promote our clients and their products to the press and consumers . The job was fast paced and exciting , and allowed me to work with many different people from different types of business .
What is your favorite thing to do outside of school ?
My absolute favorite thing to do is spend time with my family . Since we are a big sports family , most times that means weekends and evenings spent getting kids to practice or watching games , which I love . I also enjoy getting together with friends , spending time outdoors , a good book , binge watching crime shows , and unwinding at home .
Bower Hill students check out the geodes .
What has been one of your favorite projects / events / days at Pleasant Valley ?
There have already been so many ! The first event I attended outside of school was PV ’ s Got Talent , which was so fun ! I was very proud of all our brave students and impressed by their many talents . Other than that , I really just love my day-to-day interactions with them . They always make me smile and remind me of when my kids were this age .
What do you wish every student would know during their time at Pleasant Valley ?
I wish they would know that everyone here cares about them and wants them to be successful both in school and in life . And that we hope when they look back at their time at Pleasant Valley they have many happy memories .
Geologist Visits 1st Grade
Geologist Jeff the Geode Guy visited 1st grade at Bower Hill and shared his adventures into an extinct volcano in Mexico where they mine for geodes . Students had a chance to examine and hold samples from his collection . They were also able to purchase polished geodes or even to have him break a new one right in front of them following the presentation .