l l l A Messagefromthe SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
l l l A Letterfromthe SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT
SHALER AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
l l l A Messagefromthe SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Dear Shaler Area Families, haler area school district SHALER AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
Spring is a season of growth and fresh starts. From budding trees to ordering commencement caps and gowns, we see the promise of new beginnings everywhere.
As we look to the growth of our community, we have been formulating a five-year-plan for our district. The strategic planning process has included a thorough inventory of our current work, thoughtfully reflecting on our values, and collaboratively considering our goals for the future. Our district has already come together for two community forums. At each of these gatherings, I have seen the heart, generosity, and character that make Shaler Area such a special place and unite us as we move forward. I hope you will join us for our next community forum on April 3rd at Scott Primary School and lend your perspective to this exciting undertaking.
The dynamic growth of our students is the result of the daily dedication of our teachers and staff. Our students thrive because of the skill and care of those who serve them. In order to honor these contributions, we recently celebrated six exemplary educators through the Kim Baysek-Young Extra Mile Award. From providing a safe and healthy environment to exploring the latest technology to creating meaningful workplace skills for students with special needs, they show the many ways our staff enable our students to grow and thrive in every area of their lives.
Each member of our community contributes to the success of our students. I invite you to see the ways your support comes to life in the following pages. Thank you for the many ways you are empowering and engaging our students to excel to new heights.
Sincerely,
Bryan E. O’ Black, Ed. D. Superintendent of Schools
l l l A Letterfromthe SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT
Dear Shaler Area Community Members,
This month, Shaler Area High School presented Guys and Dolls. When the curtain rose on February 21st, it was the culmination of endless hours of work. The crew had been skillfully constructing sets, the chorus energetically practicing songs, and the cast had been tirelessly rehearsing lines for months. Our students, under the capable direction of Ms. Jennifer Birch, came together to stage an outstanding performance that delighted and moved audiences. It is a testament to the creativity and passion of our students and the incredible things they can accomplish.
Not only does a musical bring students together, it brings generations together. One of the most captivating aspects of musical theater is how a fresh batch of performers bring their own enthusiasm and vision to beloved shows. Guys and Dolls was first performed over 70 years ago. It has melodies and lines that audience members recognize and enjoy— yet we all appreciated new aspects of Sarah Brown’ s character as Jordan Fowler embodied her. Shaler Area is a community with robust roots and strong traditions. It is our joy, as the Shaler Area School District, to see a new generation of Titans be fueled by the legacy we pass on to them.
In the stories throughout this issue, you will see the generosity of students and alumni as they host food drives, make blankets for those in need, revisit their alma maters, and go on to work for justice in our region. These stories celebrate a few of our endless reasons to feel Titan Pride, and I hope you enjoy them.
Warm regards,
James Tunstall President Shaler Area School District Board of School Directors
26 SHALER AREA