Moonshot Grants Propels Future Focus outh Fayette SOUTH FAYETTE TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
Lions Add Dance to Curriculum and Activities
Dance has been part of our schools for more than a decade with various attempts at offering after-school / extracurricular dance opportunities . With more than 20 established athletic teams , dance was noticeably missing from the list of available offerings for students . As students returned to school after the COVID-19 pandemic , the timing was right to initiate a trial dance team in the middle school .
The following year , a team was developed at the high school as an extracurricular activity that required an audition to join . The young ladies on the team have been performing during pep rallies , as well as football and basketball games . They have also held two dance clinics for kids in Kindergarten through seventh grade . This year , they began competing with positive early results . Led by Mrs . Kristy Kay , the team took first place in the Pom competition and third in Hip-Hop at their very first competitive outing on December 10 at the Elite Cheerleading Battle of the ‘ Burgh . But even before this big win , they had their sights set on going to the national level competition at Disney World in February . At the “ most magical place on Earth ,” South Fayette ’ s Dance Team gave it their all , competing in both Pom and Hip-Hop with several other local schools along with talent from all over the country . It was a trip this young team will likely never forget .
In addition to offering a competitive dance team , the district added three levels of dance classes to the high school curriculum for the 2023-2024 academic year . These courses include Intro to Dance , Diving into Dance , and an Advanced course focusing on choreography and production . Dance and movement instruction are also incorporated in the Arts Alive programming in younger grades .
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South Fayette Township School District ( SFTSD ) proudly received $ 70,000 in funding through Remake Learning ’ s Moonshot Grant program , generously provided by The Grable Foundation and The Benedum Foundation . The award is the result of a successful application showcasing the district ’ s bold ideas for the future of K-12 education and willingness to challenge what has become the status quo in primary and secondary schools .
The grant application revolved around a developing Freight to Plate program intended to challenge traditional notions of classroom-based learning and conventional career exploration by integrating agriculture with culinary arts and cultural education . Funds from the grant will be used to purchase a 16 ’ food trailer complete with commercial-grade kitchen that will be used for demonstrations and hands-on interaction .
Over the past year , the district has partnered with Avonworth , Elizabeth Forward , and Duquesne City school districts and World of Work Pittsburgh to put into practice the RIASEC career initiative which prepares students for career development and gainful employment . Starting as early as Kindergarten , students begin to identify their interests , explore their strengths , and develop workplace values . Incorporating the trailer bridges the gap between theoretical learning and real-world application , and makes it possible for students at every grade level to investigate a variety of interests and career possibilities from farming and beekeeping , to environmental science , to banking , business and marketing , culinary arts , and more . The opportunities for career and cultural discussion , exploration , and participation are endless .
The Freight to Plate trailer will also serve as a mobile classroom and will be accessible to both urban and suburban learners through partnerships with other school districts in the Pittsburgh region . Within the South Fayette community , the trailer ’ s mobility will allow for a broader range of instruction and participation . “ Our community has grown exponentially over the past decade ,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr . Michelle Miller . “ We have welcomed students from dozens of different backgrounds into our schools and are seeking ways to encourage involvement and reduce barriers among various cultures to build a more inclusive community . The more we have thought about it , the obvious connection - the universal language - is food .” The district hopes to involve the community through food-centric cultural events and shared dining experiences .
In addition to being a mobile agricultural hub , proposed plans for the Freight to Plate trailer include that it double as a video production studio allowing for sessions within the trailer to be aired live or recorded and rebroadcast .
SFTSD is also proud to be a joint recipient , along with Baldwin- Whitehall and Beaver Area school districts , of another Moonshot Grant providing funding for the continuation of the Fly Like a Girl ( FLAG ) Drone Academy that was hosted on the SFTSD campus last summer .