N OR TH HI L LS SC HO OL DI STRI C T NE WS
or th Hills School District
N
North Hills Holds First
Trade Unions Fair
orth Hills High School held its
first‑ever Trade Unions Fair this
spring to expose students to the
wide variety of careers career paths within
in-demand trade industries in the area. The
fair is slated to become an annual event in
the district.
In partnership with the Builders Guild
of Western Pennsylvania, which promotes
tuition-free apprenticeship programs from
17 different area trade unions, high school
technology education teachers Matt
Demharter and John Loeser and Dean of
N
Students David Barkovich spearheaded
and planned the fair.
The fair provided a total of 326 students
enrolled in the high school’s technology
education classes greater access to
information and networking opportunities
available in the rewarding and valuable
trade fields.
Representatives from nine unions
spoke to students about the tuition-free,
highly competitive apprenticeship spots
that combine classroom study with paid
on-the-job training available in their
industries.
North Hills High School
Recognized As One
of Best Schools for
Music Education
orth Hills High School has been honored with a
SupportMusic Merit Award as part of the Best Communities
for Music Education program overseen by the noted NAMM
Foundation.
North Hills School District is one of only seven districts
in Allegheny County to receive one of the two prestigious
designations awarded this year. Schools in 471 districts across the
country also have been recognized.
The SupportMusic Merit Award is awarded to individual schools
that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide
music access and education to all students.
“It is an honor to be one of the 472 districts and schools
nationwide to be selected, and this recognition is a testament
to the incredible educators and talented students who instruct
and learn in North Hills High School’s valued music education
program,” said Dr. Patrick J. Mannarino, North Hills School District’s
superintendent.
At North Hills School District, approximately two out of every
three students has taken part in a music class or related activity
during the 2013-14 school year. A total of 14 different classes
40 Ross Township
The fair included representatives from
nine trade unions:
• Cement Masons Union Local 526
• Plumbers Local Union #27
• Steamfitters Local Union 449
• Sheet Metal Industry of Western Pa.
• Operating Engineers Local Union #66
• Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos
Workers Local Union No. 2
• Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local 9
• Greater Pittsburgh Regional
Council of Carpenters
• Duquesne Light Electrical Union IBEW #29
are taught at North Hills High School, and the district offers 45
different music courses to elementary and secondary students.
A Columbia University study found that children who play
music do better in school, are more cooperative with teachers
and peers, more self-confident and better able to express ideas.
According to a recent Gallup Pool, 94 percent of Americans
consider music to be part of a well-rounded education.
Established in 1999, the Best Communities for Music
Education from the National Association of Music Merchants
Foundation honors school districts and school buildings that
have demonstrated exceptional efforts toward maintaining music
education programs as part of the schools’ core curriculum and
exemplify commitment and support for music education.
To be considered for the designation, district educators are
required to answer detailed questions about funding, graduation
requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities,
support for the music program and community music-making
programs. Responses are verified with school officials and
reviewed by The Institute for Educational Research and Public
Service of Lawrence, Kansas, an affiliate of the University of
Kansas.