March 27, 2023
THIS WEEK’S HEADLINES
RECORDS DAY REMINDERS: DATES OF NOTE
Today is Records Day, and there are no classes. Classes will resume tomorrow, Tuesday, March 28. Report cards for the third nine-week marking quarter will be posted in the Home Access Center on Thursday, March 30.
Other dates of note include:
+April 6-10: Spring Break (No Classes)
+April 11: Staff Development Training (Two Hour Delay)
+May 16: Staff Development Day (No Classes)
+May 29: Memorial Day (No Classes)
+June 6: Last Day of Classes for BPSD Students
+June 8: Class of '23 Commencement Ceremony
*Please note these dates could change due to unexpected school cancellations.
UNPACKING STANDARDIZED TESTING: MARCH 28
Parents and caregivers of students in grades 3-8 are invited to join us for a virtual parent training at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 28. The session will provide an overview of the PSSA exams in Math, Science, and English Language Arts. It will also provide tips and tools to help alleviate the testing jitters. The session will be recorded and shared for asynchronous viewing. Use the link provided to access the Google Meet session.
PSSA TESTING SCHEDULE
Here are Bethel Park's testing dates in which students in grades 3-8 will be tested in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. Students in grades 4 and 8 will also be tested in Science.
ONLINE TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW FOR BETHEL PARK DAY AT KENNYWOOD (JUNE 16)
Bethel Park School District’s 2023 Kennywood Day will be held on Friday, June 16, 2023. This year’s tickets will be sold exclusively online through Kennywood. No tickets will be sold at any Bethel Park school.
Guests can purchase an Event Day Online Park Admission Ticket for $35.99 (plus fees), or if you’re unsure you can make it on June 16, you could also opt for the Flexible Date Online Park Admission Ticket for $38.99 (plus fees). That guarantees you admission on any date between April 22 and June 30.
SPREAD THE WORD TO END THE WORD
On Friday, Bethel Park High School’s Best Buddies organization celebrated Spread the Word to End the Word, an ongoing effort by Special Olympics, Best Buddies, and supporters to inspire respect and acceptance through raising the consciousness of society about the R-word and how hurtful words and disrespect can be toward people with intellectual disabilities.
The campaign, created by youth, is intended to engage schools, organizations, and communities to rally and pledge their support at www.r-word.org and to promote the inclusion and acceptance of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
That group provided Bethel Park with a banner and “Spread the Word” spirit wear, including shirts, bags, water bottles, bracelets, and stickers.
BETHEL PARK TO HOLD SECOND ANNUAL FAMILY SENSORY MOVIE NIGHT: APRIL 15
Bethel Park School District and the Interact Club will host the second annual Sensory Family Friendly Movie Night, at 6:30 p.m., on Saturday, April 15. The event is open to all families in the area that have disabled members of their family. Please join us for the "Finding Nemo" movie and other sensory activities for the students. We hope to see you there! Please sign up using this link.
BPSD FCCLA CLUB EARNS HONORS AT STATE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
Members of the Bethel Park Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Club recently participated in the FCCLA State Leadership Conference and Competition at the Seven Springs Mountain Resort. Several members earned recognition for their projects.
NAMS PTO LAUNCHES NEW PAINT-A-ROCK FUNDRAISER
If you’ve been to Neil Armstrong Middle School recently, you may have noticed painted boulders outside the school parking lot. They are part of the NAMS PTO’s Rent the Rock fundraiser, in which parents, administrators, and teachers can rent up to four large rocks for $25 each for the week and decorate for any occasion.
The rules for painting the rocks can be found on the NAMS PTO website (https://bit.ly/3FIMGL1). Email NAMSrenttherock@gmail.com to learn more.
NAMS STAND CLUB RAISES MORE THAN $700 FOR AREA CHARITIES
The Neil Armstrong Middle School STAND (Stand Together Against Negativity and Discrimination) club recently donated more than $350 each to a pair of deserving local charities, the Bethel Park Public Library and Make a Wish Greater Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
The students raised that money by selling Kindness Candy Grams to their classmates during homeroom.
In a brief ceremony held at the school, the students presented their donations to Christine McIntosh of the Bethel Park Public Library and Jake Seavy of Make-A-Wish, Greater Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Seavy, a BPHS alum ‘15, then spoke to the students about his organization and the importance of giving back.
ANTS ON PARADE AT WILLIAM PENN
Students in Mrs. Lori Joseph’s first grade class at William Penn Elementary School concluded their bug unit by completing a STEM activity and creating edible marshmallow ants.
The lesson was designed by Joseph’s student teacher, Cameron McKeever, a senior at Duquesne, and was inspired by Hi!, Fly Guy by Tedd Arnold, which is part of the district’s Wonders reading series.
The students also read Arnold’s, Super Fly Guy; Hey, Little Ant, by Phillip and Hannah Hoose; The Spider and the Fly, by Mary Howitt; and Itsy Bitsy Spider, where they compared and contrasted the body parts of insects and spiders.
According to McKeever, the marshmallow models are a great reminder of the primary parts of an ant: its head, thorax, and abdomen.
“The models are just a fun physical reminder of some of the insects we studied this week,” said McKeever.
WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL’S GREEN TEAM HOSTS METAL RECYCLING EVENT
Over the weekend, Washington Elementary’s Green Team partnered with the Municipality of Bethel Park, Vericheck Technical Services, Michael Brothers Hauling and Recycling, and Scrap University for the first-ever George Washington Elementary Metal Recycling Event.
The kids recently shot a commercial about the event with the help of our friends from BPTV. Here is a video of the event.
Michael Brothers accepted cans, holiday lights, USB cables, power cords, pipes, metal siding, scrap metal, and more!
THE BETHEL PARK MINUTE
Bethel Park School District Superintendent Dr. James Walsh regularly addresses timely or hot-button issues facing BPSD during video segments he calls “The Bethel Park Minute.” The informal videos are typically brief and a way for Dr. Walsh to answer questions he’s receiving and to address or dispel some of the misconceptions that may arise.
The most recent edition discussed student achievement in and outside the classroom.
BPSD PARTICIPATES IN WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY
March 21 was World Down Syndrome Day 2023. Many Bethel Park schools celebrated the event by participating in the Lots of Socks program. Students and staff wore mismatched socks or their craziest and most colorful socks, whatever they chose!
The 21st day of March was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication of the 21st chromosome, which causes Down syndrome. Each year since 2007, on March 21, World Down Syndrome Day is observed to create awareness about Down syndrome.
Some of the classes that participated in this year’s Lots of Socks initiative were Mrs. Kristen Mills’s kindergarten classes at Memorial Elementary School, Mrs. Sara Liberto's second grade class at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School, and multiple classes at George Washington Elementary School.
SCHOLARSHIP REMINDERS
Many local, regional, and national scholarships are available to Bethel Park students, but the application deadlines are fast approaching. All local scholarship information can be found by visiting Mrs. Quinn in the Counseling Office or on Naviance.
Students can look up scholarship information by visiting the Naviance landing page and clicking on COLLEGES at the top of the screen. From there, they should navigate to SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH on the right-hand side, where they will find a complete listing of scholarships available, along with scholarship amounts and deadlines.
The following scholarships each have March deadlines:
The Lisa Simpson Memorial Scholarship (Deadline: March 30), the Bethel Park Kiwanis Scholarship (Deadline: March 30), the Jennifer A. Morgan Memorial Scholarship (Deadline: March 30), the National Italian-American Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship (Deadline: March 30), and the Black Association of South Hills (BASH) for Women Annual Scholarship (Deadline: March 31).
Students are encouraged to regularly check that section in Naviance as scholarships are regularly added to the portal and you don’t want to miss out on your opportunity to earn money for school.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
DISTRICT NEWS
CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS WEBSITE
Visit our new facilities microsite, http://bpsdbestinclass.org, for the latest developments and most accurate information regarding the ongoing construction projects at Independence Middle School and Bethel Park Elementary Center.
DISTRICT CALENDAR
Please consult this daily View All Events Calendar for the most up-to-date Bethel Park School District events information. Residents can find the recently ratified 2023-2024 Yearly Calendar here.
IMS NEWS
SCHOOL BOARD NEWS
SCHOOL BOARD ACTION SUMMARIES
Bethel Park School District provides school board action summaries after each meeting. The summary includes a short description of the main topics and action items. These summaries are meant to supplement minutes approved and posted after the next regularly scheduled meeting. We hope these summaries provide some basic information and context around the reports, presentations, and action items. Also, you can follow the agenda for the next school board meeting here and watch the school board meetings streamed live online or on-demand on the school district's YouTube channel.
SCHOOL BOARD 2023 MEETING CALENDAR
Bethel Park residents can find the school board’s current meeting calendar on our website. All school board meetings begin at 7 p.m. and are held in the Dr. Thomas A. Knight Memorial Community Room in the Bethel Park Administration Building unless otherwise noted. There are no school board meetings scheduled for July. If you cannot attend the school board meetings in person, know they will be live-streamed through the school district’s YouTube channel. Meeting dates and times are also available on the school district’s website.
ANNOUNCEMENTS & REMINDERS
THE KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION ONLINE PORTAL REMAINS OPEN
Kindergarten Registration for the 2023-2024 school year is officially open. Click the link below to learn more about how you can enroll your future Black Hawk in our schools from the comfort of your own home.
http://bit.ly/3Rlbqhi
BLOOD DRIVE SCHEDULED FOR BETHEL PARK’S KIM DEBALD: APRIL 7
Friends and Family of Kim DeBald are hosting a replenishment blood drive for her benefit from 10 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., on Friday, April 7, 2023, at the Pittsburgh Pride All-Stars multipurpose room [105 Springfield Drive, Canonsburg, PA 15317].
Kim has spent 29 years teaching in the Bethel Park school district, where she is a favorite among students and colleagues.
Recently, the veteran educator was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). She needed multiple blood and platelet transfusions during treatment and will need more.
“It surprised me how much blood I needed, which made me realize how many other patients depend on blood transfusions to keep healing their bodies and souls,” Kim said.
Nicole Loebig, a sixth grade math teacher at Neil Armstrong Middle School and a close friend of DeBald’s, is helping to organize the event. According to Loebig, the decision to hold this event is just another way for Kim's friends and family to support Kim in her journey to recovery. “Knowing how impactful blood donation is to patients like Kim led us to set up a drive in her honor,” said Loebig. “We hope that not only will people continue to rally around Kim, but also learn the importance of the selfless act of donating blood.”
GRADUATING SENIORS SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR CAPS AND GOWNS INFORMATION FROM JOSTEN’S
Students graduating in June may have received an email from Josten's with different promotions for purchasing merchandise for graduation. Josten’s is the official ordering company for BPHS Caps and Gowns, Announcements, Yearbooks, and other Senior Accessories.
Throughout the year, they offer early incentive packages. If you have yet to order a cap and gown package, including the tassel, the current price is $57. The price will increase the longer you wait to order. For your convenience, here is Josten's website link to the BPHS store.
https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1045653/Bethel-Park-High-School/
You may also call 1-800-567-8367 to place an order. Please contact the BPHS Main Office (412-854-8581) with questions.
EMPLOYMENT NEWS
Bethel Park School District is looking for new custodians. The benefits include a competitive starting salary, health care coverage, and entrance into the state pension system. Interested applicants should visit the Employment section of the website or call 412.854.8414.
Bethel Park School District is looking for bus drivers and aides. The benefits include a signing bonus, a competitive starting salary, health care coverage, and entrance into the state pension system. Interested applicants should visit the Employment section of the website or call 412.854.8414.
Metz Culinary Management is growing and is seeking Team Members for full and part-time roles in a busy Student Dining Services setting. Whether you enjoy cooking, serving, or customer relations, our Food Service Team comprises multi-talented individuals, all contributing to the Culinary and Hospitality services, ensuring our Students, Staff, and Guests enjoy a fantastic dining experience!
Metz Culinary Management offers flexible schedules, mostly daylight hours, competitive wages, benefits, and Career Growth in the Contract Dining Services Industry! Interested parties should reach out by calling 412.854.8754.
BLACK HAWKS ATHLETICS
For those unable to attend the games, Trib High School Sports Network often broadcasts our games live at https://tribhssn.triblive.com/broadcast-calendar/. The games are also often broadcast live on local radio stations.
March is National Athletic Training Month. We wanted to take this opportunity to showcase our hardworking athletic trainers and thank them again for their dedication to our student-athletes!
The Trib has a nice story on former Hawks football standout Gavin Moul, who will compete in the legendary Big 33 Football Classic at 7 p.m. May 28 at Bishop McDevitt’s Rocco Ortenzio Stadium in Harrisburg. The game matches players from Pennsylvania against a team from Maryland. Every Super Bowl has featured at least one Big 33 Football Classic alumnus.
SPORTS SCHEDULES
Stay updated with the latest information and changes to the BPHS sports schedules at https://bpathletics.bigteams.com/main/calendar/. Get information on all Bethel Park sports teams or those you’re interested in. Sign up on the site to have updates and schedule changes emailed to you, so you will know if something is canceled due to inclement weather. It’s a great way to stay in touch with our athletic teams, mainly when unpredictable weather necessitates postponements and rescheduling! Go Hawks!
ALUMNI NEWS
BONACCORSI, A FINALIST FOR PRESTIGIOUS COLLEGE WRESTLING HONOR
Last weekend, Bethel Park alum and Pitt wrestler Nino Bonaccorsi ’17 won the NCAA Wrestling Championship at the 197-pound division this past weekend in Tulsa, Okla. Now, he is up for college wrestling’s equivalent of the Heisman Trophy.
FEDOREK EARNS PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY CONTRACT
Congratulations to Connor Fedorek ‘17 on signing with the Kalamazoo Wings Hockey Club of the ECHL. “Feddy,” as his former Utica College teammates affectionately know him, debuted Friday vs. the Wheeling Nailers.
COMMUNITY NEWS
TOP AREA FISH FRIES
With Lent in full swing, here are some excellent places to find fish fries around Bethel Park.
BOY SCOUT TROUP 215 IS WELCOMING NEW MEMBERS
Want to join the Scouting community? Troop 215 from Bethel Park Presbyterian Church would love to welcome you! Troop 215 has been around for 100 years and is looking for new scouts to continue its legacy. If interested, please get in touch with Scoutmaster Craig Blocklin (cblocklin@gmail.com) or Senior Patrol leader Nathan Disori (nated.sccr@gmail.com) for more information on how to join Scouting!
NEWS & NOTES FROM OUTSIDE THE DISTRICT
PROJECT PROM
Do you know a student who wants to go to prom but may not be able to afford it? Any student receiving services from the Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS) or who qualifies for a free or reduced school lunch can come to the Project Prom Shop, where they can browse and try on free, new, or gently used gowns and accessories, like shoes and jewelry, and take home their favorites!
The Project Prom Shop is at 10 Duff Road, Penn Hills, PA, 15235. Students can visit the Project Prom Shop on the following dates and times:
Monday, March 27: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Thursday, March 30: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, April 1: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Guests are asked to bring only one friend or family member into the shop with them ~ advanced registration is required. Click here to learn more.
IRS PROGRAM
The Internal Revenue Service provided details clarifying the federal tax status involving special payments made by 21 states in 2022, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.
DR. FREDDIE FU SPORTS MEDICINE SCHOLARSHIP
UPMC Sports Medicine is proud to once again offer the Dr. Freddie Fu Sports Medicine Scholarship Program in 2023. UPMC developed the scholarship program to increase student interest in a career in sports medicine.
One scholarship for the amount of $2,000 will be awarded to a western Pennsylvania resident entering their senior year of high school in September 2023 in return for a six-week summer internship (30-40 hours per week for six weeks in a row) at the UPMC Freddie Fu Sports Medicine Complex and the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex.
The recipient will be able to observe patient evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation by physical therapists and athletic trainers, observe clients in the Sports Performance Department, and observe surgery with UPMC orthopedic surgeons.
FCC ANNOUNCES AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM
The Affordable Connectivity Program is a Federal Communications Commission program that helps connect families and households struggling to afford internet service. This new benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for families on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 from purchasing a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers.
Eligible households can enroll through a participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) using an online or mail-in application.
You can learn more about the benefit, including eligibility and enrollment information, by visiting www.fcc.gov/ACP or calling 877-384-2575.
IMPORTANT LINKS
· Bethel Park School District: www.bpsd.org
· eSchoolPlus/PowerSchool Home Access Center Login:
https://bpk-hac.eschoolplus.powerschool.com/HomeAccess/Account/LogOn?ReturnUrl=%2fHomeAccess
· Twitter: www.twitter.com/bpsdinfo
· Facebook: www.facebook.com
· Instagram: bethel_park_school_district
· YouTube: BETHEL_PARK_SCHOOL_DISTRICT
· Linked In: www.linkedin.com
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY
The Bethel Park School District will not discriminate in its educational programs, activities, or employment practices based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual preference, disability, age, religion, ancestry, union membership, or any other legally protected classification.
The announcement of this policy is per state and federal laws, including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Employees and participants who have an inquiry or complaint of harassment or discrimination or need information about accommodations for persons with disabilities should contact:
Dr. Zeb Jansante
Title IX Compliance Officer
301 Church Road
Bethel Park, PA 15102-1696
412.854.8420
412.854.8430 (fax)
jansante.zeb@bphawks.org
If you receive this newsletter in error, please email Mr. James Cromie at cromie.james@bphawks.org and the district will promptly remove you from the list. Also, if someone you know is not getting this newsletter but would like to receive one, please encourage them to contact Mr. Cromie. Finally, all of this year’s email newsletters are posted on the district’s website, so you can go back and look at past editions if you’d like.