IN Peters Township October/November 2018 | Page 68

eters Township

PETERS TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS

PT WELCOMES NEW STAFF MEMBERS

The first day in a new school is an overwhelming and exciting time for anyone – even our new teachers in the Peters Township School District! On August 10th, the District’ s new hires reported for their induction program and were greeted by a team of District Administrators to officially welcome them to our community.

Our induction team includes teachers, principals and administrators and provides a comprehensive and practical overview of the District’ s best practices and expectations. The effort is led by Assistant to the Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Mr. Michael Fisher.
“ Becoming a new teacher in Peters Township School District is no easy task,” said Fisher.“ Each year we have hundreds
New teachers at the Chamber Welcome Luncheon at Valleybrook Country Club.( L to r) Reale, Santa, DeCarlucci, Carfano, Kornosky, Sparks, Ferragonio, Fodse and Caldwell of applicants eager to teach in our schools. These new staff members rose to the top through a very comprehensive hiring process and we know they will be an asset to our schools and this community.”
In addition to the training, the new staff members were invited to an annual Welcome Luncheon hosted by the Peters Township Chamber of Commerce. The new teachers had a chance to meet and talk with local business owners and parents who attended the event at the Valleybrook Country Club. Following the lunch, the teachers also visited the Peters Township Public Library to learn about available programs and services through the library’ s partnership with the District.

GET TO KNOW: NICOLE MCAFOOSE, BOWER HILL ART TEACHER

In any visit to our schools you will encounter talented and dedicated individuals who make each child’ s school day fun and challenging. In each issue, we are profiling some of our staff members to help parents and the community get to know some of these people. This month, we asked Mrs. Nicole McAfoose to answer our questions. Mrs. McAfoose is the creative mind behind the elementary art projects these students bring home and she is inspiring the artistic side of our Bower Hill students. We wanted everyone to get to know Mrs. McAfoose!

What made you want to become a teacher?
I always loved art and working with kids growing up, so it felt natural to me to combine the two.
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What other interesting jobs have you held?
I was an art director for a children’ s theater program.
What is your favorite thing to do outside the classroom / during your summer break?
I enjoy spending time with my family, exercising, repurposing old furniture, and creating art!
What has been one of your favorite events at Bower Hill?
Bower Hill Day is always a favorite of mine! I also love Polar Express day, and the Bower Hill Beestro / Art Show!
What do you wish every child would know after a year in your classroom? About art, about themselves, about anything!
I want every child to think like an artist( investigate, observe, question, explore)
District Administration: Trisha Caldwell, Payroll Specialist
Middle School: Emily Bergman, Health / PE Daniel Kornosky, Spanish Lisa Revale, Special Education
McMurray Elementary: Rebecca Fodse, Special Education Rebecca Sparks, 5th Grade Jessica Farragonio, Health / PE
Bower Hill: Jennifer Carfano, Assistant Principal Colleen Gallagher, 3rd Grade Teacher Jill Santa, Instructional Support /
Reading Specialist
Pleasant Valley: Danielle DeCarlucci, Kindergarten Laura Tokarczyk, Spanish
and know they can do anything they put their minds to!
Mrs. Nicole McAfoose