IN South Fayette Winter 2025 | Page 35

June 2025, the start of corner classroom construction
Corner classrooms as of October 2025

The school district launched two new initiatives with the 2025-26 academic year: Flex at the high school and WIN( What I Need) for grades K-5. These steps further the district’ s commitment to providing personalized learning opportunities for every student.

Flex at the High School
High school students now benefit from a weekly Flex Period, a dedicated block of time designed to support academic progress, foster connections with teachers, and encourage personal growth. During Flex, students can seek extra help, complete assignments, or work with peer tutors, all in a structured, purposeful setting.
“ Flex time is part of our commitment to helping students become the best version of themselves,” explained Dr. Natasha Dirda, principal of South Fayette High School.“ It gives students the tools to take ownership of their the side of the building closest to Old Oakdale Road. Foundation work and walls are taking shape, and this significant expansion remains on track for completion in time for the start of the 2026 – 27 school year.
As grades 3- 5 look forward to expanding their space at the Intermediate School, the Kindergarten through second graders are dreaming of the all new elementary school. Planning is well underway as architects continue to actively collaborate with administrators, educators, and staff to finalize the building’ s design. The project, which will include an additional turf field and new tennis courts, is expected to go out to bid around January 2026, with construction anticipated to last approximately 30 months once bids are awarded.
With the site of the new elementary school planned for the location of the current bus garage and maintenance facility, plans are advancing for these structures to be relocated across from campus on the former Dimun Property. The project went out for bid in October, and construction contracts are expected to be awarded in November.
These projects represent more than just new buildings. They are an investment in the future of South Fayette students and the community. For more detailed progress updates and visuals, visit the District’ s website at southfayette. org.

Helping Every Lion Learner Thrive

learning while building meaningful relationships with staff and peers.”
WIN in Grades K – 5
At the elementary level, every student participates in daily WIN sessions, short for“ What I Need.” In addition to the high-quality core instruction delivered by classroom teachers, WIN provides focused instruction in reading and math, tailored to each child’ s current needs. Some students use the time to strengthen core skills, others receive targeted support, and those ready for more advanced challenges explore enrichment opportunities.
By using the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support( MTSS) framework, teachers are able to adjust groups as students grow,
ensuring instruction remains personalized and effective.
Preparing Students for the Future

Both Flex and WIN align with the district’ s“ Portrait of a Lion Learner,” which emphasizes collaboration, responsibility, and independence. These programs reflect South Fayette’ s vision of equipping students with the skills they need for success not only in school, but in life beyond the classroom. outh Fayette SOUTH FAYETTE TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS

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