Science Olympiad teams from Quaker Valley Middle School and Quaker Valley High School placed 15th and 26th respectively in the State Finals on April 26, 2013, at Juniata College. Both teams recorded the highest finish on record for each of their schools.

The Quaker Valley Middle School team, coached by Clare Conry-Murray, was the second highest scoring team from southwestern Pennsylvania.

“I was really hoping we would break the top 20 and they blew my expectations away with 15th place,” Dr. Conry-Murray said. “Amazing results for a team of almost all first-timers, and mostly sixth graders!”

Team members include eighth grader Beth Fleming; seventh graders Ben Graham, Miriam Levesque, Kevin McManus, Jake Musial, Michael Parker and Sida Wilson; and sixth graders Marin Bishop, Aidan Conry-Murray, JohnRocco Kazalas, Katie Kelly, Ross McKee, Jeevan Pillar, Carson Riker, Lia Warburton, Nina Wiggins and Noah Wiggins.

Results for the team’s top scoring events include:

• 5th Place: Complex Machinery (Rube Goldberg Machine) - Ben Graham and Marin Bishop represented the build team, which also included Kevin McManus, Dom Lagnese and Maria Beatty
• 5th Place: Helicopters - Carson Riker and Katie Kelly represented the build team, which also included Noah Wiggins, Jeevan Pillar, Miriam Levesque, Ben Graham, JohnRocco Kazalas, Ben Graham and Aidan Conry-Murray
• 6th Place: Musical Instrument Design and Demonstration - Ben Graham and Beth Fleming represented the build team, which also included Lia Warburton, Jeevan Pillar, Aidan Conry-Murray and Marin Bishop
• 7th Place: Meteorology - Jeevan Pillar and Katie Kelly
• 9th Place: Thermodynamics - Carson Riker and Ross McKee
• 9th Place: Electrical Circuits - Carson Riker and Marin Bishop
• 11th Place: Experimental Design - Sida Wilson, Marin Bishop and Beth Fleming
• 11th Place: Write It Do It (Procedural Description) - Sida Wilson & Beth Fleming

In addition, the following events scored in the top 20 in the commonwealth: Anatomy, Boomilever, Crime Busters, Food Science, Forestry, Mousetrap, Road Scholar as well as Rocks and Minerals.

Coached by Mr. Matt Littell, the Quaker Valley High School team is comprised of senior Julian Dech; juniors Axel Gross and Kaylene Kowalski; sophomores Michael Falcone, Addison Gould, Justin Green, Ricky Lagnese, Max Magera, Guillaume Shippee, Andrew Warburton and Caroline Westwood; and freshmen Sabine Gross, Tzarina Shippee, Elizabeth Truchan and Mimi Zipparo.

Results for each event are as follows:

• 5th Place: Dynamic Planet - Axel Gross and Caroline Westwood
• 6th Place: Disease Detectives - Andrew Warburton and Kaylene Kowalski
• 6th Place: Write It Do It (Procedural Description) - Addison Gould and Michael Falcone
• 10th Place: Thermodynamics - Justin Green and Julian Dech
• 11th Place: Chemistry Lab - Julian Dech and Axel Gross
• 14th Place: Anatomy and Physiology - Caroline Westwood and Andrew Warburton
• 14th Place: Elastic Launched Glider - Michael Falcone and Max Magera
• 14th Place: Forestry - Elizabeth Truchan and Sabine Gross

The Pennsylvania Science Olympiad hosts six regional tournaments and one state tournament. Based on a percentage of teams registered at regional sites, the highest scoring teams in both Division B (grades 6-9) and Division C (grades 9-12) from each region are invited to compete in the State Tournament. First- and second-place team winners in each of the two divisions at the state competition are eligible to compete at the national tournament.

Quaker Valley High School senior Josh Szymanski recently signed his letter of intent to compete in cross country at Southern New Hampshire University, a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II school in the Northeast-10 Conference.

In addition to an athletic scholarship, Josh has been awarded SNHU’s Presidential Scholarship and has been accepted to the university’s honors program.

Josh is a four-year member of Quaker Valley’s cross country and track teams. During this time, he helped lead the Quakers to three WPIAL cross country team championships and a PIAA state championship in 2011. Individually, he is a three-time qualifier for the PIAA state championships and two-time medalist at the WPIAL cross country finals.

SNHU’s cross country team is coached by Joanne Dow, a five-time U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier who competed in the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing.

Academically, Josh is a member of the National Honor Society – having earned Distinguished Honor Roll status each year at Quaker Valley High School. In addition, he was named a finalist in the Ayn Rand Institute's worldwide 'Atlas Shrugged' essay contest from among 19,000 applicants.

Last year Josh was awarded the Challenge Program Award for his community service work with Encouraging Angels, non-profit organization serving the disabled and special needs population in the Quaker Valley community.

The Quaker Valley School District is liquidating its surplus furnishings and equipment through the use of an online auction. Now through May 13, 2013, the public has the opportunity to bid on more than 400 items. To view photo and to bid on any items, visit http://hostetterauctioneers.com/index.php?ap=1&pid=32142.  

Surplus items, much of which is the result of school renovations, include food service equipment, snow blowers, pianos, keyboards, recycling bins, garbage cans, desks, lockers, tables, chairs, shelving units, TV carts, TVs, microscopes, dishes, filing cabinets, fans, a wheelchair lift, networking cabinets, exercise equipment, textbooks, floor scrubbers, air conditioning units, and much more. All items are being sold in as-is condition.

The online auction, managed by Hostetter Auctioneers, is currently in progress. Bidding ends on Monday, May 13, 2013. Beginning at 7 p.m., 10 items will end every five minutes. If there is bidding within the last five minutes of an item ending, that item will remain open for five additional minutes.

Successful bidders must pick-up their items between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, 2013, at the Ambridge Regional Center located at 2301 Duss Avenue in Ambridge.

Quaker Valley High School earned eight nominations in the 23rd Annual Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater for its recent production of “Anything Goes.”  The show received nominations for the following:

• Best Musical
• Best Actress: Rachael Houser, senior; for the role of Reno Sweeney
• Best Supporting Actor: Peter Heres, sophomore; for the role of Lord Evelyn Oakleigh
• Best Supporting Actress: Katie Manuel, junior; for the role of Erma
• Best Scenic Design
• Best Crew/Technical Execution
• Best Choreography
• Best Direction

“Quaker Valley’s vibrant art and music programs are an enormous source of pride for our community. We are extremely proud of our students and their directors for their hard work and talent in bringing such an outstanding performance to our Quaker Valley stage,” Dr. Joseph H. Clapper, superintendent, said. “These eight nominations represent the high quality opportunities that are afforded to our students.”

This is the second Gene Kelly Award nomination for Rachael Houser. Last year Rachael was nominated for Best Actress for the role of Sarah in “Guys and Dolls.” 

The Pittsburgh CLO’s 23rd Annual Gene Kelly Awards will be held Saturday, May 25, 2013, at the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts.  Best Actor and Best Actress nominees – including Quaker Valley’s Rachael Houser – will perform on-stage at the Benedum Center during the awards show.  This year, the winners of the Best Actor and Best Actress Awards will travel to New York City on July 1, 2013, for the National High School Musical Theater Awards.

Twenty-nine Allegheny County high schools competed in this year’s Gene Kelly Awards. Nominees were judged by a panel of judges comprised of performing arts educators, arts administrators, entertainment professionals and performers.

According to the Pittsburgh CLO website, “the Gene Kelly Awards were launched in 1991 as a means to recognize and encourage student achievement and to focus the attention of the community and school districts on the importance of musical theater and arts education.”

View the complete list of 2013 nominees

Cast list for "Anything Goes"

More information about the production

Quaker Valley senior Rachel Smith has signed with West Virginia Wesleyan where she will compete in NCAA Division II volleyball for the Bobcats. She plans to major in public relations.

A three-year letter winner, Rachel earned all-section team honors in her junior and senior years as well as all-tournament team her senior year.  

“I chose Wesleyan because I like the small campus, the people, and the education,” Rachel said. “It seems like I can learn there and there aren't a lot of distractions around the campus.”

In addition to volleyball, Rachel is a four-year varsity letter winner in basketball and a two-year letter winner in softball.

Best wishes to the Quaker Valley baseball and lacrosse teams as they head to the first round of the WPIAL playoffs this week. In addition, the QV track team has several members who will compete in the WPIAL championship this Thursday.

Looking to extend its winning streak, the undefeated QV baseball team takes on the Burrell Buccaneers at 4:30 p.m. today (Monday, May 13) at Hampton Township Park. This is Coach Todd Goble’s first year at the helm for the Quakers.

The boys’ and girls’ lacrosse teams will compete in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs this Thursday. The Quaker Valley boys’ team will host Indiana at Chuck Knox Stadium. The girls will travel to Shadyside Academy. Both games begin at 7 p.m.

The WPIAL track championships will be held this Thursday, May 16, at Baldwin High School. The following Quaker Valley athletes will be competing:

• Hannah Bablak, 800
• Roy Hadfield, 800
• Ashley McKendry, 3200
• Allegra Menniti, triple jump
• Abby Rausch, 100 hurdles
• Teresa Reiter, long jump
• Josh Szymanski, 3200
• Bryn Tomczak, 100 hurdles
• Rob Veltre, 3200
• Moriah Wigley, 100
• Girls’ 400 relay team (Wigley, Tomczak, Mennitti, and Sammie Pugh)
• Boys’ 3200 relay team (Hadfield, Austin Thomas, Matt Rodgers, and Szymanski)

Tickets for all WPIAL playoff games are $6 for adults and $4 for students and can be purchased at each event.

Good luck to all of our Quaker Valley student athletes!!! Go Quakers!!!

• WPIAL Baseball AA Playoff Bracket
• WPIAL Girls’ Lacrosse Division I Bracket
• WPIAL Boys’ Lacrosse Division II Bracket
• WPIAL Individual Qualifiers – AA Southern

The Quaker Valley School Board approved the 2013-2014 proposed final budget during its legislative meeting on Tuesday, May 14, 2013. The budget totals $42,174,145 and does not increase the millage rate following the mandatory millage decrease that is required due to the county-wide reassessment.

The gap between projected revenues and expenditures is currently $191,769. The district plans to use reserve funds to balance the budget.

Under Act 1 of 2006, school districts must adjust their millage rates to be revenue neutral. Prior to this legislation, school districts could collect up to a five percent "windfall” in the year of a reassessment. This is no longer the case.

The school district’s proposed millage rate has been reduced from 21.25 mills to a projected 16.93 mills. This number may fluctuate slightly as Allegheny County continues to process assessment appeals between now and the adoption of the district’s final budget in June.

After adjusting the millage rate to be revenue neutral, school boards can vote to increase the millage rate by the previous year’s index, which is 1.7 percent. In November, the Quaker Valley School Board and administration committed to keeping the millage rate at the adjusted rate and stated that the district would not seek a millage increase for the 2013-14 budget.

The proposed spending plan represents a 2.68 percent increase over the current year’s budget – 2.18 percent of which is attributed to the state-mandated increase in retirement costs. All other increases combined total $208,804 or 0.5 percent over the current year.

“We continue to work diligently to reduce expenditures and create efficiencies while preserving our quality educational programs,” Dr. Joseph H. Clapper, superintendent, said. “Our staff understands the financial challenges that public schools face; therefore, the budget includes wage concessions and freezes for various employee groups – including our administrators.”

Currently, the budget includes estimated figures and assumptions and may not represent the final millage rate. The school board will continue budget deliberations at the next finance committee meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21, 2013.

“I emphasize that this budget is preliminary,” Dr. Clapper said. “We remain hopeful that state allocations to public schools will increase beyond the governor’s proposed budget and we are awaiting the most up-to-date figures from Allegheny County regarding property assessments.”

The vast majority of the district’s revenues – 84 percent – is derived from local taxpayers. Pennsylvania funds only 12 percent of Quaker Valley’s revenues.

The 2013-14 proposed final budget provides funding for several new and ongoing initiatives including the following:

• The elementary program will benefit from a year-long extension of the elementary literacy coach position, which works closely with teachers and administrators to improve literacy instruction in for elementary students.
• A kindergarten teacher has been added in order to maintain acceptable class sizes for the district’s youngest learners.
• A four-year technology plan has been approved that continues the one-to-one laptop initiative for students in grades 6-12. The new plan represents significant immediate and long-term savings compared with previous years.
• There will be an increased focus on career education — especially for high school students including internships, job shadowing, etc.
• Quaker Valley High School will be developing curriculum for a pre-engineering offerings.
• The district will examine the potential to transform the middle school library into an educational space that fosters innovation and creativity for 21^st century learners where students choose to spend their time.

In addition, the proposed budget maintains the district’s current contribution of $497,000 for the Sewickley Public Library of the Quaker Valley School District.

The school board will vote on the final budget and taxes during its special legislative meeting on Tuesday, June 18, 2013. The meeting, which is open to the public, begins at 7 p.m. in the large group instruction room of Edgeworth Elementary School.

The 2013-2014 proposed final budget is available on the district’s website www.qvsd.org and at the district’s administrative offices, 100 Leetsdale Industrial Drive in Leetsdale as well as the Sewickley Public Library, 500 Thorn Street in Sewickley.

Download the 2013-14 Proposed Final Budget

View Dr. Clapper's presentation

More information about the 2013-14 Budget Process

Good luck to the Quaker Valley baseball, boys’ lacrosse, and track teams as they advance in the WPIAL and PIAA championships.

On Wednesday, May 15, 2013, the QV baseball team defeated Freeport 6-1 -- extending the team's winning streak to 20-0. The Quaker's compete in the WPIAL semifinals on Tuesday, May 21 against Deer Lakes. The game begins at 4 p.m. at Fox Chapel.

The Quaker Valley boys’ lacrosse team advances to the WPIAL semifinals after defeating Indiana 15-10 on Thursday, May 16. The Quakers take on Greensburg Central Catholic at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21, 2013, at Baldwin High School.

The Quaker Valley track and field teams won seven medals – awarded to the top eight in each event – in the WPIAL championships on Thursday, May 16, 2013.

The following Quaker Valley student athletes earned medals:

• Roy Hadfield, 800: 2nd place
• Hannah Bablak, 800: 3rd place
• Allegra Menniti, triple jump: 3rd place
• Bryn Tomczak, 100 hurdles: 4th place
• Girls’ 400 Relay team (Moriah Wigley, Tomczak, Mennitti, and Sammie Pugh): 4th place
• Hannah Bablak, 1600: 5th place
• Boys’ 3200 Relay team (Hadfield, Austin Thomas, Matt Rodgers, and Josh Szymanski): 7th place

The top five finishers in each event qualify to compete in the PIAA championships on Friday, May 24, and Saturday, May 25, at Shippensburg University.

The Quaker Valley girls’ lacrosse team fell to Shadyside Academy 9-8 on Thursday, May 16 in a WPIAL playoff game. Thanks for a great season!!!

• WPIAL Baseball AA Playoff Bracket
• WPIAL Boys’ Lacrosse Division II Bracket
• WPIAL & PIAA Qualifiers / Results
  

News articles

Baseball:

• QV pitcher Pilewicz silences Freeport’s bats in quarterfinals
• Unbeaten Quaker Valley baseball team not celebrating yet

Lacrosse

• Quaker Valley boys lacrosse to host 1st WPIAL playoff game
• Juniors packing scoring punch for Quaker Valley boys lacrosse
• Quaker Valley goalie Tarris makes transition from ice to turf

Track:

• Quaker Valley’s Roy Hadfield has PIAA championship meet aspirations in 800

In keeping with tradition, the annual FRIENDS OF QUAKER VALLEY SCHOOLS Education Foundation Distinguished Staff Awards event was a day of sunshine and celebration. Six staff members were recognized at the event, which was held on May 9, 2013, at the Edgeworth Club in Sewickley.  

Honored staff members include:

• Mrs. Jessica Garavaglia, special education teacher – Quaker Valley High School
• Mrs. Samantha Hiller, cafeteria and transportation support staff – Quaker Valley Middle School
• Mrs. Jenielle Johnson, grade 3 teacher – Osborne Elementary School
• Mrs. Corrie Nye, music teacher – Quaker Valley Middle School
• Mrs. Laura Piatek, grade 4 teacher – Edgeworth Elementary School
• Mr. Thomas Pipkins, paraprofessional – Quaker Valley High School

Each honoree received a monetary award and an engraved paperweight to commemorate the honor.

“It is a beautiful day as we celebrate the success of six Quaker Valley School District staff members. They are held in high regard for the profound impact they make in our schools and our classrooms,” Dorothy Pollon, president of the FRIENDS OF QUAKER VALLEY SCHOOLS Education Foundation, said. “Our students are fortunate to benefit from the expertise, dedication, and commitment of this year’s Distinguished Staff awardees.”

Awardees are selected by members of the Quaker Valley School District administration.

“Every year it is difficult to select from our outstanding staff at the Quaker Valley School District,” Dr. Joseph H. Clapper, superintendent, said. “We are fortunate to have such wonderful, dedicated staff who truly care about our students.”

Dr. Velma Saire, retired Quaker Valley administrator and FRIENDS trustee, applauded the families of the awardees for their support.

“We must give credit to their families, who without their unwavering support, would not be able to be there for our students to the level that they are committed to achieving,” Dr. Saire said.

Awardees were introduced by their respective principal or supervisor. Comments about the six awardees included “hard-working,” “instill intrinsic motivation,” “have a life-long commitment to learning,” “have an intense focus to improving their craft,” “foster student relationships,” “volunteer in after-school activities,” “have a passion for teaching,” as well as “positive, supportive, and child-centered.”

“It was a proud day for the Quaker Valley School District, and the FRIENDS OF QUAKER VALLEY SCHOOLS Education Foundation,” Mrs. Pollon said.

The FRIENDS OF QUAKER VALLEY SCHOOLS Education Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization that has grown to support the students in the Quaker Valley School District by helping them to learn and develop into well-educated, healthy, productive, and socially conscious adults with a life-long commitment to learning.

View photos from the event

Learn more about the FRIENDS OF QUAKER VALLEY SCHOOLS Education Foundation

The Quaker Valley Middle School Juggling Club will host its annual spring car wash from 3:15 – 5:15 p.m. on Thursday, May 30, 2013. The event will be held in the middle school parking lot, 618 Harbaugh Street in Sewickley.

The car wash is FREE, but donations are greatly appreciated. Proceeds will be used to help defray the cost of the club’s 13th Annual Summer Juggling Camp – a one-day event planned for June 24 in Venango County

The Juggling Club will be performing in the Sewickley Memorial Day parade at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 27, 2013.

Current Quaker Valley third graders who are interested in participating in elementary band or orchestra in the 2013-14 school year are encouraged to attend Tryout Day at their respective school.

Tryout Day is scheduled for Tuesday, June 4, 2013, at Edgeworth Elementary and Wednesday, June 5, 2013, at Osborne Elementary.

In addition, any fourth or fifth grade student interested in starting an instrument is also invited to attend Tryout Day.

Students will be permitted to try one or two instruments of their choice to determine which they might like to learn to play in the fourth grade instrumental music program.

Parents are asked to call their respective school office to schedule a 15-minute tryout time for their child.

• Edgeworth: (412) 749-3605
• Osborne: (412) 749-4003

For more information, please contact Mrs. Christine Burgh, elementary band and orchestra teacher, at burghc@qvsd.org or (412) 749-3639.

The Quaker Valley Middle School girls’ and boys’ track teams finished the regular season 10-0. This is the first time in school history that both were undefeated in the same season.

In addition to team accomplishments, Quaker Valley’s student athletes set new school records in multiple running and field events.

The new school records for the girls are:

• 200 Meters: Bearett Tarris, 26.5
• 400 Meters: Bearett Tarris, 1:01.76
• 1600 Meters: Lucie Kubinski, 5:31
• 3200 Meters: Lucie Kubinski, 12:08
• 1600 Relay: Annie Luptak, Alana Davidson, Maddie Mills, Bearett Tarris, 4:19.9
• 3200 Reley: Audrey Durbin, Lucie Kubinski, Annie Luptak, Bearett Tarris, 10:38.49

The new school records for the boys are:

• High Jump: Noah Berry, 5'08"
• Triple Jump: Noah Berry, 38' 10”
• 400 Meters: Amos Luptak, 55.9
• 800 Meters: Amos Luptak, 2:08.2
• 1600 Meters: Amos Luptak, 4:48.17
• 3200 Meters: Zach Skolnekovich, 10:43
• 1600 Relay: Zach Skolnekovich, Amos Luptak, Parker Redcross, Noah Berry, 3:47.42
• 3200 Relay: Amos Luptak, Jonathan Wicker, Zach Skolnekovich, Duff Klaber, 9:11.7

The boys’ 1600 relay was the fastest of all area middle school over the past 10 years. Alana Davidson was the top high jumper in Western Pennsylvania while Amos Luptak was undefeated in the 800 and 1600 this season.

In post-season competition, the girls' team posted first and second place finished at the Moon and Mars invitationals respectively. The boys’ team was champion at both events.

Quaker Valley senior Rachael Houser received the Best Actress award in the 23rd annual Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater. Rachael was recognized for her portrayal of Reno Sweeney in Quaker Valley High School’s recent production of “Anything Goes.”  

In addition to her Best Actress trophy, Rachael has the opportunity to participate in the fifth annual National High School Musical Theater Awards in New York City on July 1, 2013. This was Rachael’s second Gene Kelly Award nomination. Last year she was nominated for Best Actress for the role of Sarah in “Guys and Dolls.” 

In addition to Best Actress, the Quaker Valley production received the following nominations:

• Best Musical
• Best Supporting Actor: Peter Heres, sophomore; for the role of Lord Evelyn Oakleigh
• Best Supporting Actress: Katie Manuel, junior; for the role of Erma
• Best Scenic Design
• Best Crew/Technical Execution
• Best Choreography
• Best Direction

The Pittsburgh CLO’s 23rd Annual Gene Kelly Awards were held Saturday, May 25, 2013, at the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts.  Twenty-nine Allegheny County high schools competed in this year’s awards program. Nominees were judged by a panel of judges comprised of performing arts educators, arts administrators, entertainment professionals and performers. 



According to the Pittsburgh CLO website, “the Gene Kelly Awards were launched in 1991 as a means to recognize and encourage student achievement and to focus the attention of the community and school districts on the importance of musical theater and arts education.”

Quaker Valley School District awarded its annual School Board Graduating Senior Award and four Superintendent’s Citizenship Awards during the May 28, 2013, school board meeting.

Senior Burke Moser was honored with the School Board Graduating Senior Award. Burke is a student-athlete who has excelled both on and off the field. A member of National Honor Society, he has consistently been on the Distinguished Honor Roll. During his senior year, he served as captain of both the varsity football and basketball teams. In addition, he has served as a mentor for freshmen and as a camp counselor for youth sports.

The School Board Graduating Senior Award is given annually to the student who best exemplifies the district’s mission. The recipient is selected based upon recommendation of the high school principal and faculty. 

The following students, representing each of the district’s four schools, were honored with the Superintendent’s Citizenship Award:

• Rebecca Graham, Edgeworth Elementary School
• Isaac Lang, Osborne Elementary School
• Ryan Torbic, Quaker Valley Middle School
• Sarah Francis, Quaker Valley High School

The Superintendent’s Citizenship Award is presented annually to the student in each school – in grades five, eight and 12 – who best exemplifies a commitment and dedication to public service, community spirit and pursuit of educational excellence. The award is given upon recommendation of each school’s student council and principal. 

Rebecca is new to Edgeworth Elementary this year, but has become involved in many ways. In addition to being a straight A student, she participates in the band, drama club, Girl Scouts and the leadership council. Her principal, Mrs. Susan Gentile, describes her as very responsible and a good role model for her peers.

Osborne Elementary Principal Dr. Barbara Mellett commended Isaac for his strong work ethic and his compassion for others. He is an active member of Osborne’s school leadership council and completes community service work through his church.

Ryan has maintained over a 4.0 grade point average throughout his entire middle school career while being actively involved in his school community. In addition to being a student-athlete, he has been involved with student council and is a middle school cadet. Mr. Sean Aiken, middle school principal, states that Ryan has a great attitude and is respectful, helpful, thoughtful and highly regarded by teachers, administrators and students.

Sarah is an outstanding student-athlete. She earned a National Merit Commendation and the distinction of being an AP Scholar. She is the captain of the swim team and also serves as a swim coach and lifeguard. In addition, Sarah volunteers at her church as well as at a local food bank.

view more photos of students receiveing their awards

ImPACT Testing for 9th through 12th grade student athletes for the 2013-14 school year has been scheduled for Tuesday, June 4th and Wednesday, June 5th as follows:

Please click here for additional information and sign up instructions.

ImPACT testing for concussion is a mandatory requirement for the following Quaker Valley High School sports:

• Baseball
• Boys Basketball
• Boys Lacrosse
• Boys Soccer
• Diving
• Football
• Girls Basketball
• Girls Lacrosse
• Girls Soccer
• High Jump / Pole Vault
• Hockey
• Softball
• Volleyball

Quaker Valley High School student athletes are not permitted to participate in the above-mentioned sports until they have completed the ImPACT test.  Please click here for additional information and sign up instructions.

The May 2013 edition of the Quaker Quill – the award-winning student newspaper of Quaker Valley High School – is available online. Click here

Quaker Quill is a quarterly newspaper prepared by students in grades 9-12 and edited by senior editors Rachael Skolnekovich, Lea Giotto, Kelsey Kirby, and Luke Torrance. Issues typically appear in October, December, February or March, and May.

Quill has achieved first place awards from the American Scholastic Press Association for several years consecutively. English teacher Rita Hoepp serves as the newspaper’s advisor.

A team of seven Quaker Valley third graders recently placed 36th in the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals at Michigan State University.

Coached by Mr. Jeff Christensen, the team includes Osborne Elementary students Isabella Bock, Lilly Capezzuto, Stella Christensen, Ilijana Hasak, Jhon Freddy Krebs, Owen Petronick and Taylor Retzlaff. This is the youngest Quaker Valley team to ever qualify for OM World Finals.

“We have a team of 3rd graders competing against 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders from all over the country and all over the world,” Mr. Christensen said. “All of these competitors are the best of the best, and each have previously won championships.”

The Osborne students completed the problem titled, “Pet Project,” which required the team to build three vehicles, each of which must use a different method of propulsion. Each vehicle must successfully run their course three times, bringing with it a piece of a pet to an assembly area. Once all nine parts arrive, the pet is assembled, and the completed pet must perform a trick. The Osborne team's vehicles used concentrated air, spring tension, and a slingshot as its propulsion mechanisms.

“Like the pros they are, they nailed every aspect of their performance. Every vehicle worked perfectly, and they didn’t miss a beat,” Mr. Christensen said. “They performed well beyond their years, and were a picture of grace under pressure.”

The top five finishers were teams from Poland, Michigan, Singapore, China, and Virginia. The Quaker Valley team out-scored champion-caliber teams from Delaware, Mexico, Kansas, Maryland, Utah, Oklahoma, Texas, Connecticut, Maine, Arizona, Massachusetts, Vermont, Missouri, and South Carolina.

To earn the opportunity to compete at World Finals, the Quaker Valley team placed first in the Western Pennsylvania Regional Odyssey of the Mind competition in March and second in the Pennsylvania Odyssey of the Mind competition in April.

More than 825 teams from around the world participated in the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals. According to its website, “Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college. Team members apply their creativity to solve problems that range from building mechanical devices to presenting their own interpretation of literary classics.”

visit the team's website

The InSewickley Area magazine features 10 pages of Quaker Valley School District news and information. The partnership with the magazine offers a cost effective solution for continuing a direct-mail component of the district’s communication plan.

“Nearly 80 percent of our residents do not have children in our schools,” Dr. Joseph H. Clapper, superintendent, said. “It is vital that we continue to communicate with our community members who may not be receiving our electronic communications.”

Click here to view the district’s 10 pages of news and information.

The 57th annual commencement of Quaker Valley High School is set for this Monday, June 10, 2013. Commencement will begin at 7 p.m. at the Charles L. Sewall Center on the campus of Robert Morris University. Seniors should arrive at the university’s Preparation Room, upper level of the Sewall Center no later than 6 p.m.

Quaker Valley’s Class of 2013 is comprised of 138 students and includes a National Merit Finalist and six Commended students, AP Scholars, PMEA honors music students, WPIAL champions, PIAA state champions, and several Gene Kelly Award winners.

More than 90 percent of the graduating seniors will pursue higher education. In total, they have been accepted at nearly 200 different colleges and universities throughout the nation. (view the list)

Post-Graduation Plans  

Scholarships & Senior Awards listing

Photos from Senior Scholarship Night

View the list of college and universities where QV seniors were accepted

Photos from the Senior Awards Assembly

Download the graduation DVD order form