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THIS WEEK’S HEADLINES
HAPPY HALLOWEEN
Happy Halloween from the Bethel Park School District! Please check out our social media platforms for plenty of photos of today's festivities.

TEACHER IN-SERVICE DAY: NOV. 8
Don’t forget that Tuesday, Nov. 8, will be a staff development day for all district employees. No classes will be held on that day.

BETHEL PARK’S KITTERMAN FEATURED ON 93.7 FM, THE FAN
Earlier this week, Shelby Cassese of 93.7 The Fan sat down with Bethel Park's Brock Kitterman, who has overcome cancer, blindness, and deafness to complete 84 triathlons and reach the US National Blind Hockey team. You can listen to that piece via the link below.
https://bit.ly/3DIngwB

BACK-TO-BACK STATE CHAMPS HAWKS BASEBALL TEAM HONORED AT CAPITOL
Last week, at the behest of PA State Senator Devlin Robinson and Representative Natalie Mihalek, the Bethel Park varsity baseball players and coaches who were part of the back-to-back state championship runs were invited and introduced in the state house and senate in honor of their remarkable achievement. KDKA-TV (CBS) reported on it.

OFFICE OF VOCATIONAL AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES (OVR) 101: NOV. 14
Parents and guardians of high school-aged students receiving special education services are invited to attend an informative session on the Office of Vocational and Rehabilitative Services, or OVR, at 7 p.m., on Monday, Nov. 14. This supportive service supports students in their transition needs into post-secondary life.  This event is highly encouraged to understand how OVR can support your child's needs.  

BPHS TO STAGE ‘THE LAST CHRISTMAS SHOW’: NOV. 10-12
Bethel Park High School’s fall play, “The Last Christmas Show,” will be staged at 7 p.m., Nov. 10-12 in the high school auditorium. Tickets are $5 and are available at the door. Tickets can also be purchased in advance in the main office of the high school from 7:30 a.m. until 2 p.m., Nov. 1-3.  There will also be a special evening sale from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 2. For any questions about Handicap Accessible seating, please call Tracy Celletti at 412-854-8514.

Click here for the plot summary. The show is an original production written entirely by Mrs. Cortney Williams, a Bethel Park High School teacher and the show’s director. One of the show’s leads, Dylan Finnell, has more.

IMS IS LOOKING FOR A SLEIGH FOR ITS PRODUCTION OF ‘RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER JR.’ DEC. 1-3
Independence Middle School is undergoing a full-scale renovation that will render its auditorium unavailable throughout the late winter and spring as it undergoes its facelift. As they say, however, “the show must go on!”  For IMS, that means moving up their traditional spring musical to December, where they will present “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Jr.,” December 1-3, 2022.

The story and its songs are exceptionally familiar to local audiences. The show’s producers are also asking for community support as they search for a life-sized sleigh to place on the stage throughout the show. If you have a life-sized sleigh or know someone who does and might be willing to lend it to the production for a few weeks in late November and early December, please get in touch with Jeff Schilling, [email protected].

SGA SPONSORING ‘SOCKTOBER” FOR LIGHT OF LIFE MISSION
Today is the last day for the Student Government Association’s (SGA) sock drive for the Light of Life Mission called “Socktober.”

For most people, socks are not something we give much thought to. When you get dressed in the morning, you open your drawer and pull out your most comfy, warmest, or favorite-colored socks. But for those who don’t have a home and who often spend a lot of time on their feet without access to laundry facilities, warm, clean, well-fitting socks are some of the essential items they can own to avoid getting cold and wet feet and to avoid developing blisters or worse.

We are encouraging everyone in the community to donate. Collection boxes can be found at the high school, IMS, NAMS, the YMCA, and the community center. The collection runs through the end of October.

PTHS TO HOST TRADE & TECH FAIR FOR AREA STUDENTS: NOV. 1
Peters Township will host a Trade and Tech Fair on Nov. 1 from 6-8 p.m.  This event is open to all BPHS students (9-12). They currently have 45 organizations participating, and it is an excellent opportunity for BPHS students to learn about trades, technical colleges, military options, and high-demand careers in our area.

See the link below for complete details.  Updated QR Trade Tech Advertisement.PNG

IMS VETERANS DAY BREAKFAST: NOV. 8
Independence Middle School, in conjunction with Bring a Smile to the Service, will host a Thank You Breakfast for area Veterans, from 8-11 a.m., on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022. To RSVP, please email Mrs. Jenn Makel at [email protected].

MCGOUGH TO PERFORM WITH RIVER CITY BRASS BAND: NOV. 15
BPHS junior, Clara McGough, will be performing as a featured vocal soloist with the professional brass band River City Brass at Bethel Park High School on Tuesday, November 15 as part of their Les Mis n’at tour.  

Clara will be performing On My Own (Les Miserables), Memory (Cats), and Lullaby of Broadway (42nd Street). Tickets can be purchased on the website or at the door.

https://www.rivercitybrass.org/les-mis-nat

Clara McGough (‘24) is a member of Top 21, Concert Choir, and Chamber Orchestra and performs in the BPHS musicals — Cinderella (Ella) and 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Schwartzy).

CAREER CONNECTIONS OPPORTUNITIES
The application for the 2022 Career Connections programs is now open.  Please note that the links for the forms are currently on the AIU website (https://www.aiu3.net/careerconnections), and Program descriptions are updated. 

Career Connections programs are for students in grades 9-12.  The application fee is $100.  Some programs may have an additional fee that is noted in their description.  The programs that the AIU is currently accepting applications for are:

• Associated Artists – Art Careers (no start date yet)

• Future Teachers Academy (no start date yet)

• RxPlore Pharmacy – December 8 (Please note that this program has no application fee as it is only one session.)

• Writing for Publication (no start date yet)

• Zoo Animal Care (no start date yet)

More programs will be added throughout the year.

A Career Connections application is complete when we receive:

• Online Application

• Waiver Form

• Teacher Recommendation

• $100 application fee (except RxPlore Pharmacy) – We are now accepting credit cards at https://www.aiu3.net/careerconnections.  Checks and money orders may be mailed to the Allegheny Intermediate Unit.  Please ensure students include identifying information if they are mailing payment – student name, program, school, and phone number.
  
  

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. This week’s edition, which in keeping with tradition is not 60 seconds long, discusses the successes of our Fall Sports teams and student-athletes. 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
DISTRICT NEWS
BETHEL PARK HIGH SCHOOL WAS NAMED NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL
Bethel Park School District is proud to announce that Bethel Park High School has been selected as a 2022 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education.

FRANKLIN BOOK BLAST
Last week, Ben Franklin Elementary School had a Book Blast event celebrating that the school had raised more than $23,000 during its September Book Drive. That allowed the school to buy 1,900 titles, which were then distributed to each child at the school. 

Each Franklin student walked away with three to 10 titles to increase their home libraries. Click here to learn more.

DISTRICT LUNCH MENUS RELEASED FOR NOVEMBER
Bethel Park School District offers free breakfasts to all district students regardless of their circumstances. To see the November breakfast menu, click here. You can also click this link to find your school’s lunch menu.

PENN ROCK GARDEN
At the start of the school year, the Scalzo family, including Vincent, Joey, and Tommy, students at William Penn Elementary School, created a Kindness Rock Garden for the community to visit and share some lovely painted rock creations. The display is located at the entrance of the school. 

Mrs. Serafini's 3rd grade class and Mrs. Clifford's and Ms. Sabol's 4th grade classes each recently contributed to the rock garden. This unique garden has already brought much joy to the students and staff of William Penn, and we hope that it spreads a kind vibe throughout the Bethel Park community that continues for years to come. 

LINCOLN STORYTIME STEAM 
Students in grades K-2 completed their first Storytime STEAM activity this month in the Lincoln Library. The story they read was “Spookly the Square Pumpkin” by Joe Troiano. After reading the story, students completed the learning centers. Some centers included: coding Spookly’s journey home with BeeBots, completing a pumpkin science experiment, and building Spookly’s garden out of legos. It was a Spooktacular time!

Students in grades 3-4 had a spooky steam challenge to construct a spider bridge using yarn, cups, and tape. Together the kids created some fantastic designs and showcased teamwork.  The most blocks held on the bridge was 13 blocks! Bravo! This was a design built and constructed by Mrs. Strotz's class. 

CLASS OF ’23 FUNDRAISER: SARRIS CANDIES SALE
The Bethel Park High School Class of 2023 Ways and Means will sell Sarris Candies for their winter fundraiser to raise money for the Senior Prom and Senior Luncheon.  Please consider purchasing some candy for yourself or as gifts. To place an order, see a member of the Class of 2023 (senior class) or purchase online (www.sarriscandiesfundraising.com) using the Group ID: 10-3458

Orders must be placed no later than Nov. 18.  They will arrive on Dec. 7.  If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact Mr. Kszastowsi at [email protected] or Ms. Durco at [email protected]. The Class of 2023 would like to thank everyone for their continued support!

NEW CONSTRUCTION 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.

BETHEL PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT’S STRATEGIC PLAN
The district recently released its Strategic Plan (2021-2026), including its Comprehensive Plan (2021-2024) and its ongoing long-term Facilities Planning. You can also see the district's Professional Development Plan and Induction Plan. See Superintendent Dr. James Walsh’s explanation of the plan. 

DISTRICT CALENDAR
For the most -up-to-date information on events happening within the Bethel Park School District, please consult this daily View All Events Calendar.

VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS
The Bethel Park School District encourages the involvement of parents and guardians in our schools. Pennsylvania State Law requires that EVERY volunteer who has direct contact with students must have the necessary clearances on file with the school district. The required clearances are the Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 151), Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check (Act 34), and the FBI Federal Criminal History Record (Act 114).  PA Clearances are free to volunteers, and the FBI Clearance is $22.60. Volunteers who have resided in Pennsylvania for ALL of the past 10 years and have never been convicted of a Disqualifying Offense can sign a waiver that would eliminate the need for FBI Clearance.

Click here for complete details on how to become a volunteer in the Bethel Park School District. Please be sure to follow the checklist in the attached link.

PROJECT IGNITE
Carnegie Mellon University is re-introducing Project Ignite, an interdisciplinary project-based 10-week program that takes place on Sundays in the Spring on Carnegie Mellon’s campus, where High School students work in groups of 5 to 9 to research, design, and build large-scale projects with Carnegie Mellon University students who support them to actualize their wildest ideas. 

Projects are available in tech, science, and the arts. Topics range from VR games to AI to music psychology and filmmaking. Teams can shape these projects in any direction, or they can also propose a self-designed project!

Click here to apply. The application window runs through Sunday, Nov. 20. 

AZURE FAMILY CONCERTS GROUP VISITS FRANKLIN
Students at Benjamin Franklin Elementary School were recently treated to a performance by Azure Family Concerts Pittsburgh members. Azure is a nonprofit that works to create interactive concerts for everyone that are fun and sensory-friendly and where all behaviors are welcome.

BPSD WINS REGIONAL MEDIA AWARD  
Bethel Park recently won the Best Public Affairs Program Award for its piece on the renovation of Independence Middle School. That recognition is part of the Greater Pittsburgh Community Media Awards.

IMS NEWS
IMS TO HAVE REMOTE ASYNCHRONOUS REMOTE LEARNING DAYS ON NOV. 23 AND 29
Independence Middle School will have asynchronous remote learning days on Wednesday, November 23, and Tuesday, November 29, as their teachers transition their classrooms as part of the next phase of renovations at the school.

Please note that these calendar changes only impact IMS students and staff.  All other Bethel Park schools will conduct standard in-person instruction on those dates.

IMS YEARBOOK ON SALE NOW:  CLICK HERE TO ORDER

IMS YEARBOOK - PHOTOGRAPH SUBMISSIONS
The IMS Yearbook would love for you to share your images of middle school life.  We are looking for photographs from athletics, extracurricular activities, or other community events to use in the 2023 book potentially.  If you are willing to share any of your photographs throughout the school year, you can upload them to either yearbookforever.com or download the Yearbook SNAP app on your phone.  The access code to submit images is Hawks

IMS SPORTS:
UPCOMING TRYOUTS:
If your child plans to play a winter sport, please submit all paperwork before tryouts.

Sign up on the REMIND APP to stay up to date.

• WRESTLING: Practice begins Nov. 18 after school for Students in grades 7-9, in the BPHS wrestling room.

• IMS GIRLS BASKETBALL:  Tryouts/Season begins in January 

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 not meant to replace minutes, which are 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 DONATES BOOKS TO SCHOOL LIBRARIES TO HONOR LOVED ONES LOST
At last week’s school board voting meeting, the board announced the donation of five books in the names of loved ones recently lost by school district employees.

• BPHS counselor Mr. Michael Bruce chose “The Lighthouse Effect,” by Steve Pemberton, to be donated IMS in his late mother’s name, Peg Bruce.

• BPHS science teacher Mr. Clyde Qualk selected “Jim Thorpe, Original All-American," by Joseph Bruchac to be donated to IMS in his late father’s name, Clyde W. Qualk.

• Benjamin Franklin Elementary School teacher Ms. Theresa Vescovi decided on “Wonder Walkers,” by Micha Archer to be donated to her school's library in her late mother’s name, Janet Burgoon.

• George Washington Elementary School teacher Ms. Jenine Wessel elected to go with “Waiting" by Kevin Henkes to be placed in her school's library in her late father's name, Gerard Como.

• BPHS teacher Ms. Jennifer Callahan opted for “Love You Forever” by Robert Munsch to Ben Franklin in her late father's name, William Blose Sr.
  
  
  

SCHOOL BOARD 2022 MEETING CALENDAR
The school board’s current 2022 meeting calendar, which is always subject to change, can be found here.

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
BETHEL PARK PARTNERS WITH PEACHJAR E-FLIER SYSTEM

Bethel Park School District is partnering with Peachjar to provide an electronic alternative for distributing fliers.

Peachjar’s e-flier management system electronically approves fliers and emails them to parents’ and guardians’ inboxes. Parents can view e-fliers from their smartphones or computer. In addition, fliers are also posted on the school's website for easy viewing. More information about Peachjar can be found on their website.

The district is encouraging schools to use Peachjar because it saves time for school staff, it sends fliers directly to parents rather than using students as the distribution channel, and it saves paper. 

EMPLOYMENT NEWS

• Bethel Park School District is looking for school bus drivers and school bus 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 an amazing 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 to John Rambo by email or 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.
  
  

• Bethel Park (9-1, 5-0) raced out to a big early lead against Peters Township (6-4, 3-2) before stumbling a bit, holding on to win, 27-21. The win clinched the Allegheny Six Conference title for the Hawks, just two seasons removed from a winless campaign.  It also earned them the top seed in the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs. Bethel's Ryan Petras rushed for 146 yards on 18 carries, and Gavin Moul scored on first-half touchdown runs of 2 and 4 yards to lead the way. Moul also made arguably the game’s biggest play when he managed not only to gather an errant fourth quarter punt snap that had sailed over his head but also to boot it solidly into Peters Township territory. 
  
  

• Bethel Park will face North Hills (3-7) in the first round of the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs. The game is a rematch of the season opener, won by Bethel Park, 22-10. 
  
  Tickets can be purchased multiple ways:

  • 1. Student ($5) and adult ($7) tickets can be purchased in advance online at GoFan (https://gofan.co/app/school/PA68325). 
    
    

  • 2. General Admission Tickets ONLY (NOT STUDENT) can be purchased in advance on Friday, Nov. 4 from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. in Bethel Park High School’s main office. Tickets are $7 each.
    
    

  • 3. Tickets will also be on sale at the gate for $7 (No student tickets will be sold at the gate).
    
    

*Please note that season passes, district-issued ID badges, and senior citizen passes will not be accepted for any WPIAL playoff games. Also, there are NO reserved tickets for sale in the playoffs, all seating is general admission. 

• The Black Hawks girls tennis team lost a competitive match to New Oxford, 3-2 in the first round of the PIAA state tournament. That was the tennis team’s first-ever state tournament appearance. 
  
  

• The Bethel Park girls volleyball team edged Norwin, 3-2, in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs before bowing out to North Allegheny, 3-0, in the quarterfinals.
  
  

• The Bethel Park girls soccer team (10-5-2, 8-4-2) lost a heartbreaker last week, 2-1, at North Allegheny (18-1-0, 13-1-0) in the WPIAL Class 4A quarterfinals.
  
  

• The Hawks boys soccer team (14-6, 11-3) edged Mars in the first round of the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs but were overmatched by a powerful and top-ranked Moon team (18-0-1), 6-0, in the WPIAL quarterfinals.
  
  

• Jenna Lang’s fifth-place finish (18.54) in last week's WPIAL Cross Country Championships at Penn West’s California campus has qualified her for her third consecutive PIAA Cross Country State Championship meet this weekend in Hershey, PA. The girls' AAA race is scheduled to begin at 12:30 PM and will be live-streamed. For information on how to view this race, visit https://pcntv.com/crosscountry/

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, especially when we have unpredictable weather that necessitates postponements and rescheduling!  Go Hawks!

COMMUNITY NEWS
MUNICIPALITY HALLOWEEN PLANS
The Municipality of Bethel Park is gearing up for a “Spooktacularly” good time this Halloween! Trick-or-Treating will be held on Monday, Oct. 31, from 6-8 p.m.
https://bit.ly/3EKRBf2

REUSCHLING PUMPKIN PATCH
You are invited to join us once again this year at the "Reuschling Pumpkin patch located at 3051 Eastview Road tonight from 6-8 p.m., rain or shine. There will be more than 300 jack-o-lanterns! The carving team, “The Pumpkin Posse,” is primarily composed of Bethel Park alumni. The event is free, but donations are welcome as the team continues to raise money for the PA Keystone chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in honor of Amy Reuschling, who is living with this disease. Come on over and find your favorite jack-o-lantern!

A DAY OF HEALING: NOV. 6
The Municipality of Bethel Park is hosting a "Day of Healing" from 1-4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 6 at the Bethel Park Community Center.

Whether you've been affected by the opioid epidemic, COVID-19, or any other personal crisis, we want you to know you are not alone. This will be a Community Support Day to grieve, heal, and CELEBRATE LIFE!

Mayor Jack Allen, Judge Ron Arnoni, and Chief Timothy O’Connor will be among the speakers, and there will also be an opportunity for residents to share their grief and wisdom. 

Family-friendly crafts and other activities will also be at this special community event.

IMS HOLIDAY CRAFTS SHOW: NOV. 19
Independence Middle School will host its annual Holiday Craft Show from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19.

ADOPTION CONNECTION SPEAKS AT A SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
In October, Annelise O'Neil,  Foster Family Recruiter for Adoption Connection, spoke to the Bethel Park school board about Allegheny County’s dire need for new Foster Families for youth in the Pittsburgh region. There are currently approximately 15,000 children in the Foster Care System in Pennsylvania alone. Adoption Connection, PA’s goal is to find and mentor families interested in becoming Foster Families. That agency helps families complete their required training, get licensed with the state, and support them during and after placement. Many children in Allegheny County wait to be placed in safe, loving homes. The current highest-need youth groups are children between the ages of 6-21 years-old, sibling groups, BIPOC youth, LGBTQIA youth, and children with medical needs.

For more information about Foster Parent classes or the foster adoption process, please get in touch with Foster Family Recruiter Annelise O'Neill at [email protected] or call the Adoption Connection, PA Office at (724) 371-0671.

IMPORTANT LINKS

·       Bethel Park School District: www.bpsd.org

·       eSchoolPlus/PowerSchool Home Access Center Login:

https://bpkhac.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