The Quaker Valley Quarterback Club is hosting a spaghetti dinner from 3 – 8 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013, at the Leetsdale VFW, 515 Beaver St. in Leetsdale. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for children ages 3-12.
In addition to dinner, the event will feature silent auctions, raffles and a bake sale. All proceeds benefit the Quaker Valley football program and the Leetsdale VFW.
The FRIENDS OF QUAKER VALLEY SCHOOLS Education Foundation recently award 10 $4,000 scholarship awards to graduating seniors. The 2013 scholarship awardees include the following 2013 Quaker Valley High School graduates:
Scholarship recipients will receive the annual award for up to four years, provided the student remains enrolled in a two or four-year college or vocational/technical school.
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.
In addition to scholarships and awards, the Education Foundation has provided support to initiatives including the district’s Art & Technology After-School Programs; the community youth worker, Floyd Faulkner; and the wellness center in the newly renovated Quaker Valley Middle School.
For more information, including donation opportunities, please contact QVSD Education Foundation President Dorothy Pollon at 412-389-2655 or email qvsdfriends@aol.com.
Several students from the Quaker Valley School District participated in the Calcu-Solve math competition on Thursday, Nov. 21 and Friday, Nov. 22, 2013, at Duquesne University.
Sponsored by, the Allegheny Intermediate Unit, the event drew more than 650 students from over 80 schools in Allegheny County. CalcuSolve is a competition that tests students' problem-solving skills related to mathematics. Students compete individually and as part of a group.
“Although our students did not earn any of the top prizes, they should be commended for qualifying to compete among the top ‘mathletes’ in the county,” Argy Darakos, academic specialist, said.
The following Quaker Valley students participated in the Calcu-Solve math competition
Quaker Valley Middle School
Osborne Elementary
Edgeworth Elementary
Six Quaker Valley High School students have been selected through competitive audition to participate in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District One Chorus Festival. Seniors Joseph Daval, KJ Devlin, Axel Gross and Nicholas Medich; as well as juniors Chase Lenz and Hannah Stater were selected from among students throughout Allegheny, Fayette, Greene, Washington, and Westmoreland counties.
The PMEA District One Chorus Festival will be held Jan. 8 – 10, 2014, at Shaler Area High School.
PMEA is an affiliate of the 65,000-member National Association for Music Education (NAfME). Membership includes those engaged in music instruction at all levels, from preschool through college and university, retired educators, as well as those in the music industry.
Members of the Quaker Valley School Board unanimously elected Sarah Heres as president and Rob Riker as vice-president during its annual reorganization meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013. Both offices are one-year appointments.
Mrs. Heres, who previously served as vice president, has served as a member of the school board for the last six years and was recently elected to another four-year term. Mr. Riker is beginning his seventh year on the school board.
The Quaker Valley School Board welcomed three newly elected members to the board. Daniela Helkowski, Jonathan Kuzma and Marianne Wagner begin four-year terms on the nine-member board. District solicitor Patrick J. Clair administered the oath of office to Ms. Helkowski, Mr. Kuzma, Mrs. Wagner as well as Mrs. Heres.
In other board action, the school board approved meeting dates for 2014. A complete listing is available on the district’s website: www.qvsd.org. Meetings will continue to take place at 7 p.m. at Edgeworth Elementary School. The school board typically meets the second, third and fourth Tuesdays of the month. No additional meetings are scheduled for December.
Quaker Valley Middle School students will be sending 40 care packages to 2007 Quaker Valley High School graduate Chris Vish and his fellow Marines who are currently stationed in Afghanistan.
Students carried the boxes from the middle school to the Sewickley Post Office on Friday, Dec. 6, 2013. (view photos)
“I really want to keep the kids at the heart of this – as they have been throughout the entire process,” R.J. Long, student council adviser, said. “I don't want to be the delivery person all by myself – it loses all of its meaning that way.”
The care packages contain a variety of items including toiletries, snacks, magazines, books and other comfort items that were donated by students and staff during a school-wide Soldier Supply Drive.
This year Quaker Valley Middle School introduced Apps for Life, which highlights a specific characteristic from Habits of Mind each month.
“Our app for the month of December is teamwork, and this is a great demonstration of just that,” Sean Aiken, principal, said.
Mr. Long anticipates that thee boxes will take about three weeks to arrive overseas – hopefully, arriving between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
view photos of students preparing to deliver packages to the post office
FRIENDS OF QUAKER VALLEY SCHOOLS is a 501c3 Education Foundation that has grown to support the students in the Quaker Valley School District in helping them to learn and develop into well educated, healthy, productive, and socially conscious adults with a life-long commitment to learning.
With the most recent budget cuts at the state level, now more than ever, our school district needs your help. Your donation is used productively to underwrite programs such as:
These are just a few of the wonderful opportunities that FRIENDS has committed to providing for your children. Please help us help your children accomplish their goals. Together, we can make a difference.
A $100 donation can provide a summer camp experience for a child. A $50 donation provides much needed supplies for our programs. A $20.00 donation provides a healthy after-school dinner during a school-sponsored program or activity for those kids that have none.
Donations can be made online or can be sent to:
FRIENDS OF QUAKER VALLEY SCHOOLS
Education Foundation
PO Box 29
Sewickley, PA 15143
Because FRIENDS is a 501c3 organization your donation is 100% tax deductible. We are an all-volunteer board committed to helping children be the best that they can be. Please give generously.
Every dollar invested helps one program at a time, one child at a time, one future at a time...
Questions may be directed to Dorothy Pollon, president, at 412.389.2655 or qvsdfriends@aol.com. We also welcome corporate sponsors with advertising needs. If interested, please contact Dorothy Pollon.
Trustees:
* Scholarship award amounts are subject to change annually
Note: FRIENDS OF QUAKER VALLEY SCHOOLS has on file a current Certificate of Registration. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Charitable Organizations, by calling toll free: 1.800.732.0999. Registration does not imply endorsement. The financial information previously mentioned may also be obtained directly from FRIENDS OF QUAKER VALLEY SCHOOLS.
The Quaker Valley High School Math League team currently ranks first in the Western Pennsylvania Math League standings following a first place finish at the November competition at Freedom Area High School.
Coached by Matt Littell, a high school physics and biology teacher, the Quaker Valley team is comprised of students in grades 9-12. To date, more than 35 students have participated this year.
Individual top scorers from Quaker Valley include:
The Senior High Math League, sponsored by the Mathematical Council of Western Pennsylvania, includes more than 60 high school teams from throughout the region. Public, parochial and private schools of all sizes compete in the same division. Students compete each month – answering problems in both individual and team rounds.
The Western Pennsylvania Math League playoffs are set for April 2014.
“Congratulations to all team members and good luck as they look to continue their winning ways toward the playoffs in April,” Mr. Littell said.
Two Quaker Valley High School students were recently recognized for their exemplary volunteer service. Siblings Guillaume Shippee, a junior, and Tzarina Shippee, a sophomore, earned the President’s Volunteer Service Award, which recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of their time to serve their communities and their country.
Throughout the last 12 months, Guillaume and Tzarina each volunteered more than 100 hours at the Sewickley Public Library of the Quaker Valley School District.
According to its website, “the President’s Volunteer Service Award program is a great way to thank and honor those who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service.”
The President’s Volunteer Service Award is an initiative of the Corporation for National and Community Service and is administered by the Points of Light Institute. The Award is given to individuals, families and groups that have demonstrated outstanding volunteer service and civic participation over the course of a 12-month period.
By: Jocelyn O’Kane, QVHS senior, for the Quaker Quill
The QVHS student section proved to be strong all throughout the football season, and Friday’s basketball game against Carlynton proved that the basketball season would be no different. Friday’s student section theme was holiday-based, with students coming out in Christmas sweaters, reindeer costumes, and one even donning a complete Santa Claus costume and passing out candy canes from his bag.
The Quakers quickly dominated in the game, leading by 45-15 by halftime. The game ended in a win for the Quakers with an 83-40 win over Carlynton, making the team’s record 4-0, and 1-0 in their section. Fourteen out of the 17 players who dressed scored, the leading scores being juniors Tre’won Marshall (14 points) and Clayton Noyes (14 points).
The QVHS student section plans to continue its theme nights for the rest of the basketball season, getting the word out through its Twitter account (@QVHSStudents) run by senior Jimmy Perkins.
Edgeworth Elementary fifth grader Thomas Pangburn and Quaker Valley Middle School eighth grader Annika Christensen were recently named their respective School Champion in the 26th annual National Geographic Bee. Thomas and Annika will now complete a written exam, which is used as the qualifier for the state-level competition.
Twenty-six Edgeworth fifth graders participated in the 10-round competition. The second place finalist was Alexander Clifford and Zofia Luther earned third place.
This is the Annika’s third time winning the school-level Geographic Bee – having previously won as a fourth grader and a fifth grader.
Osborne Elementary will hold its school-wide event on Friday, Jan. 10, 2014.
Up to 100 of the top scorers in Pennsylvania will compete in the state-level competition on April 4, 2014. State winners are invited to National Geographic headquarters in Washington, D.C. to compete in the national finals for scholarships in the amount of $25,000, $15,000 and $10,000. The national finals will be held May 21, 2014.
The National Geographic Bee, an educational program of the National Geographic Society, is a nationwide geography competition for U.S. schools with any grades four through eight. The contest is designed to encourage teachers to include geography in their classrooms, spark student interest in the subject, and increase public awareness about geography.
For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com/geobee/.
A Quaker Valley Midde School student finished 10th at the USA Track & Field National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships this past weekend in San Antonio. Eighth grader Lucie Kubinski ran the 4K race in 14:55 besting her time at regionals by 55 seconds.
Lucie competed against 377 eighth and ninth graders from throughout the United States. The top 25 – including Lucie – earned All-American status.
Also competing in the national championships was Daniel Ford, a Quaker Valley sixth grader. He placed 181 out of 391 total middle school runners. Among sixth graders, he placed 44th – improving his time by 38 seconds over regionals.
Eighth grader Miriam Levesque had also qualified to compete at the nationals but was not able to make the trip to San Antonio.
The middle school cross country runners qualified to compete in the USA Track & Field National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships by earning top finishes at the regional qualifier in November.
Quaker Valley Middle School will present "Bugsy Malone, Jr.," a comical take on 1920's gangster movies, at 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 10, and at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 11, in school's auditorium.
Tickets are $5 for students and $8 for adults/seniors, payable by cash or check to QVMS Musical. Tickets can be purchased by e-mailing qvmsboxoffice@gmail.com, at the Salud Juicery, or, for middle school students, tickets will be available for purchase at lunchtime outside of the school cafeteria on Dec. 13 and Jan. 7-9. Tickets can also be purchased at the middle school auditorium one hour prior to show time.
All tickets are open seating. Doors open one hour prior to show time. more info
The annual Kindergarten Round Up for incoming Quaker Valley kindergarten students and their families will be held Feb. 17 – 20, 2014, at Edgeworth Elementary School. Families will complete the registration process and meet with several school community members including a teacher, librarian, assistant school nurse and parent association representative.
To schedule a Kindergarten Round Up appointment contact Diane Hess, student information specialist, at 412-749-5095. Appointments, which last approximately 30 minutes, are scheduled between 8 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Parents are encouraged to attend an orientation meeting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at Osborne Elementary School to learn more information regarding Quaker Valley’s kindergarten program. Attendees will receive a registration packet to complete in advance of the Kindergarten Round Up appointment. The evening orientation is an adult-only event.
Quaker Valley School District operates its kindergarten program from 8:40 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Edgeworth and Osborne Elementary schools. Both schools were renovated within the last 10 years and offer the same curriculum, taught by highly qualified teachers.
Students registering for kindergarten must be 5 years of age before Sept. 1, 2014, to be enrolled for the 2014-15 school year. Proof of residency within the Quaker Valley School District is required for enrollment.
Quaker Valley School District accepts tuition students from outside its boundaries. Those interested should contact Dr. Heidi Ondek, assistant superintendent, 412-749-3616.
For more information about Quaker Valley’s kindergarten program, contact Andrea Croft, kindergarten teacher and kindergarten coordinator, at crofta@qvsd.org.
Quaker Valley music department shirts and sweatshirts are available for purchase through Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2014. Shirts are charcoal gray and feature artwork designed by Quaker Valley senior Jack Stater. Four types of shirts are available:
If enough shirts are sold, a portion of each purchase will benefit a local nonprofit.
Completed order forms and payment should be forwarded to Mr. Matt Boice, Quaker Valley High School choral teacher, no later than Jan. 15, 2014. Please make checks payable to Quaker Valley Choral Parents Association.
Attn. Matt Boice
Quaker Valley High School
625 Beaver Street
Leetsdale, PA 15056
For more information, contact Mr. Boice at boicem@qvsd.org or 412-749-6040.
The Quaker Valley Band Parents Association is hosting its annual pasta dinner from 5 – 9 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 31, at St. Stephen’s Church, 405 Frederick Ave. in Sewickley. In addition to dinner, the event will feature student performances throughout the evening.
Tickets are $8/adults and $6/seniors and children ages 2-12. Checks should be made payable to “QV Band Parents Association.” Proceeds support ongoing band activities.
Click here to purchase tickets online. For questions or to reserve tickets via phone, contact Cathy Beatty at 412-780-2021 or cathybeatty@verizon.net or Rhonda Schuldt at 412-551-4408 or rhonda.l.schuldt@gmail.com.
Back row from left: John Sheline, Jeffrey Watters, Gianni Floro, David Pusateri, Jonathan Kuzma, Mark Rodgers, Patrick Clair and Dr. Heidi Ondek
Front row from left: Marianne Wagner, Dr. Joseph H. Clapper, Sarah Heres, Rob Riker and Daniela Helkowski
Members of the Quaker Valley School Board were recognized on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014, for the generous time and energy each member contributes in order to make Quaker Valley an outstanding school district.
The Pennsylvania School Boards Association declared January as School Director Recognition Month – a time to spotlight the contributions of public school board members. The theme for this year is “Celebrating Our Everyday Heroes.”
“Quaker Valley is incredibly fortunate to have a school board that is comprised of community leaders who are true advocates for high quality public schools,” Dr. Joseph H. Clapper, superintendent, said. “They perform a valuable public service by contributing their time, talent and intellect to ensure that Quaker Valley School District remains a premier district.”
Quaker Valley Middle School students, under the direction of art teacher Jeff Evancho, created artwork for each board member as a token of appreciation.
According to PSBA, the typical Pennsylvania school director voluntarily devotes 16-20 hours per month to school board business. In 2013, 22 percent of Pennsylvania board members had more than 10 years of experience.
The artificial turf at Quaker Valley’s Chuck Knox Stadium will be replaced following the spring athletic season. The Quaker Valley School Board approved the $439,539 contract with Shaw Turf during its legislative meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014.
Installation will begin immediately following the upcoming boys’ and girls’ lacrosse season. The new turf will be ready in time for the start of the football and soccer seasons in August.
The current turf was installed in 2004 and is in disrepair. The playing surface is uneven, the fibers are coming out and many of the seams have torn.
“The lifespan of artificial turf is typically seven to 10 years,” Dr. Joseph H. Clapper, superintendent, said. “We are pleased that we were able to attain maximum use of the field for an entire decade.”
Chuck Knox Stadium is used for practice and games by several Quaker Valley High School athletic teams including girls’ soccer, boys’ soccer, football, girls’ lacrosse, boys’ lacrosse as well as the marching band and cheerleaders. In addition, the field hosts events for middle school athletics as well as community sports and recreation teams.
“Our stadium and athletic field is the center of activity for so many school and community teams,” Dr. Clapper said. “It’s an important community asset that we must maintain in order to ensure its continued volume of activity.”
Since the turf was installed in 2004, the district has garnered nearly $40,000 in stadium rental fees from a variety of non-district groups and organizations. Prior to 2004, the stadium had natural grass playing surface.
“Maintaining a grass field with this level of usage is just not feasible,” Dr. Clapper said. “Artificial turf provides a safer surface for our student athletes, maximum facility use, and is much less costly than maintaining a grass field.”
Members of the Quaker Valley School Board approved the retirement of Dr. Joseph H. Clapper, superintendent, during its Jan. 28, 2014, legislative meeting. Dr. Clapper will continue to lead the district through at least Sept. 1, 2014.
“It has been an honor to serve the Quaker Valley community for nearly 20 years,” Dr. Clapper said. “Quaker Valley is a very special place and I take great pride in having been a part of it for so many years.”
The school board praised Dr. Clapper for his leadership and service to the district.
“The board respects Dr. Clapper’s decision to retire and is grateful for his time and dedication to Quaker Valley,” Sarah Heres, school board president, said. “Under his leadership the district has seen the advancements in technology and e-learning, the complete renovation and improvements to our middle school, and, most importantly, providing our students with the best education under changing fiscal conditions.”
Dr. Clapper joined the Quaker Valley staff as Edgeworth Elementary principal in 1993 and was promoted to assistant superintendent in 2000. He briefly left Quaker Valley for 18 months to serve as superintendent of North Hills School District before returning to Quaker Valley in March 2007 to serve as superintendent of schools.
Student achievement and creating opportunities for students have been focal points throughout his tenure. Programs including eLearning, the Regional Opportunity Initiative, Global Scholars, Mandarin Chinese and a district-wide career education focus have expanded learning opportunities for Quaker Valley students.
Quaker Valley has been widely recognized for its student achievement – earning numerous national and state accolades during Dr. Clapper’s tenure as superintendent.
In 2012, the district was presented the Exemplary Practices in Teacher Supervision and Evaluation Award from PASCD. Quaker Valley is one of only six public school districts in Pennsylvania to have earned this distinction.
“Ensuring that Quaker Valley provides the highest quality teachers is the best we can offer our students and our community,” Dr. Clapper said. “This recognition validates and rewards those efforts.”
In 2013, Quaker Valley High School was one of 28 schools in Pennsylvania and only six in Allegheny County to be listed among America’s Most Challenging High Schools by the Washington Post. U.S. News and World Report, ranking the best public high schools in America, placed Quaker Valley High School at 14th among Pennsylvania's 687 high schools and 645th out of more than 21,000 public high schools nationwide. The National Music Makers Foundation named Quaker Valley as one of the Best Communities for Music Education for a ninth consecutive year.
Locally, the 2013 Pittsburgh Business Times Guide to Western Pennsylvania Schools ranks Quaker Valley School District eighth out of 105 public school districts in western Pennsylvania and 27th out of 500 school districts in Pennsylvania.
In January 2013, Quaker Valley completed its $26.5 million renovation of Quaker Valley Middle School. In addition to a major overhaul of the heating, plumbing and electrical systems, the project included three additions to accommodate a new auditorium, wellness center and an integrated arts wing that encompasses instrumental and vocal music, art, technology as well as family and consumer sciences.
“The renovation of the middle school posed many challenges – including the temporary relocation of students and staff,” Dr. Clapper said. “However, the educational benefits have made it all worth it. Quaker Valley Middle School is a simply a phenomenal facility for teaching and learning.”
In 2013, Dr. Clapper was honored with two statewide profession commendations. The Pennsylvania School Study Council recognized him with the William E. Caldwell Award for Excellence in Administration and Supervision. In addition he was honored with the Award for Service to the Profession from the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators.
“We are grateful for the leadership and expertise that Dr. Clapper has demonstrated throughout the last several years,” Mrs. Heres said. “We certainly wish him continued success in retirement.”
Dr. Clapper completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Shippensburg University and his doctorate in curriculum and instruction at The Pennsylvania State University. He previously served as an undergraduate instructor at Penn State as an adjunct graduate professor at Penn State Beaver campus.
The advance notice of Dr. Clapper’s retirement provides the Quaker Valley School Board with ample time to thoroughly analyze the district’s needs while making decisions regarding its future leadership.
Quaker Valley School District recently welcomed a new assistant director of finance. Jennifer Tressler joined the administrative staff on Dec. 5, 2013.
Mrs. Tressler previously served as a senior internal auditor for West Penn Allegheny Health System and as an accountant at TriState Capital Bank. She began her career in finance as an auditor with the Reznick Group in Washington, DC.
Mrs. Tressler is a Certified Public Accountant. She earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from The Pennsylvania State University with a minor in economics.
“Jennifer’s previous experience combined with her skills and knowledge as a CPA make her an excellence choice for this position,” John Sheline, director of finance and operations, said. “We are thrilled to welcome her to Quaker Valley.”
A resident of Seven Fields, Mrs. Tressler and her husband, Steve, have a one-year-old son, Colton.
Mrs. Tressler replaces Kim Eaton who accepted the position of director of business services with the Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV in Grove City in the fall.