BACK TO SCHOOL

August 23, 2006 Last Updated: August 23, 2006 01:20 PM Education

First day of school: Aug. 29

Number of students enrolled: 8,326Lunch prices

Elementary: $1.40

Secondary: $1.50

New ProgramsElementary• An intensified early intervention program for reading to move students toward the goal of achieving "on-grade-level" success• A new elementary social studies curriculum that includes content and instructional approaches aligned with state standards and support research-based best practices• New programs and materials designed to help identify and remediate students' math and reading deficiencies

Junior high• Stand Tall drug and alcohol prevention program• Possible development of an after-school tutorial program for students who had not achieved proficiency on the PSSA math/readingIntermediate high• Sight Assessment Program to complement the three-year-old PSSA Prep Program and curricular and instructional changes to improve student achievement• The Edline online grading system to provide parents with continuous access to student progress

Senior high• Golden Tornado Marching Band heads for Rose Bowl

Technology• All secondary teachers are being trained to use Edline to produce information about their courses on the Internet for parent and student access. During the school year, student grade reports will be posted to the Edline Web sites. Elementary teachers in grades four, five, and six are being trained to do electronic grading and will begin piloting the use of Edline at some buildings during the spring. The district is developing a standards and skills based report card for the primary grades in conjunction with the Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV.Building projects

Intermediate high• Sixteen-month building renovation completed, including new electrical and mechanical systems; new windows and skylights; updated science and computer labs; new ceilings, floors and lights in all classrooms; additions to physical education and industrial arts areas.Senior high• New marque at entrance

Technology• Replacement of all computers at Center Avenue and Meridian elementary schools; new math computer lab at intermediate high school; replacement of computers in the library; first floor computer room and computer-assisted drafting room at intermediate high school; addition of 30 laptop computers to the junior high school wireless network; replacement of computers in the junior high school computer applications labs; and upgrades to the district's wide area network.New policies

Junior high• New procedure for gathering homework assignments when students are absentNew administratorsName: Brian Slamecka

Grade/building assigned: new assistant principal at the intermediateNew teachers

Name:

Rachel Alexander

Grade/building assigned: general science, junior high

Name: Melissa Antesberger

Grade/building assigned: grade 1, Oakland

Name: Melissa Bauer

Grade/building assigned: social studies, intermediate

Name: Lindsay Beard

Grade/building assigned: kindergarten, Meridian/McQuistion

Name: Kristina Bellich

Grade/building assigned: math, senior high

Name: Ryan J. Benedetti

Grade/building assigned: elementary art

Name: Sarah Campbell

Grade/building assigned: grade 3, Broad Street Elementary

Name: Matthew Clyde

Grade/building: math, intermediate high

Name: Allair DeVanney

Grade/building: art, junior high

Name: Julie Evenoski

Grade/building: grade 1, Summit Township

Name: Laura Farabee

Grade/building: family/consumer science, intermediate high

Name: Brian Hilderbrand

Grade/building: grade 2, Summit Township

Name: Nicole Hilderbrand

Grade/building: business education, senior high

Name: Courtney Hoover

Grade/building: social studies, junior high

Name: Helen Hughes

Grade/building: special education/language support, McQuistion

Name: Christina Kelly

Grade/building assigned: grade 5, Meridian

Name: Marguerite Kellner

Grade/building: special education/emotional support, Center Township

Name: Heather Lark

Grade/building: grade 2, McQuistion

Name: Toniann Laurenza

Grade/building: kindergarten, Northwest

Name: John Lesjack

Grade/building: social studies, intermediate high

Name: Lindsey Maloskey

Grade/building: family/consumer science, junior high

Name: Lindsay Moll

Grade/building: physics, senior high

Name: Sara Moran

Grade/building: grade 5, Center Avenue

Name: Michael Morrow

Grade/building: social studies, PAR program

Name: Alecia Mowery

Grade/building: guidance counselor, intermediate high

Name: Heather Naleppa

Grade/building: grade 1, Center Avenue

Name: Matthew Nocera

Grade/building: chemistry, intermediate high

Name: Bethany Pholar

Grade/building: grade 6, Meridian

Name: Rebeckah Puskarich

Grade/building: learning support, Center Township

Name: Janet Rocchi

Grade/building: social studies, junior high

Name: Alecia Romano

Grade/building: reading specialist, Oakland Township

Name: Jean Rowles

Grade/building: elementary vocal music

Name: Leslie Sexton

Grade/building: math, junior high

Name: Gayle Specht

Grade/building: math, intermediate high

Name:Shelly Stevenson

Grade/building: English, intermediate

Name:Kelly Studds

Grade/building: grade 1, Summit Township

Name: Kimberly Succop

Grade/building: home/school visitor

Name: Michele Troupe

Grade/building: grade 2, Oakland Township

Name: Jared Vance

Grade/building: chemistry, senior high

Name: Stephanie Vicari

Grade/building: biology/general science, intermediate

Name: Juliane Werner

Grade/building: chemistry, intermediate highContact Information

724-287-8721

First Day of School: TuesdayNumber of students: 2,850Lunch PriceElementary $1.50Secondary $1.75Building Projects• New all-weather track surface and natural grass turf installed over the summer• New Hank Paul outdoor basketball courtsNew Policies• Student searches• Locker searches• Motor Vehicle searchesNew Programs• Ed-Line and Gradequick Programs are being unveiled, giving parents and students the ability to check grade and attendance status online. Every teacher and building will now have a website to post classroom information as part of the initiative.• Elementary Technology Upgrade providing one new teacher computer and three new student computers for each classroom to be used as literacy centers for the elementary students.• New textbooks for math and social studies for Knoch Middle School and Knoch High School• New High School Remedial Classes for math and EnglishContact Information724-352-1700New TeachersKnoch High SchoolName: Amy BaxterAssigned: school nurseHometown: GibsoniaExperience: substitute nurse at Pine-Richland, charge nurse at St. Barnabas, ambulatory surgery nurse at Armstrong Co. Memorial HospitalName: Alma GumboskyAssigned: mathematicsHometown: CabotExperience: math/physics/chemistry teacher at Schenley High School, Praxis I & II, Butler County Community College and Midwestern Intermediate Unit IVName:Vanessa MorrisonAssigned: EnglishHometown:SarverExperience: student teacher at Butler High School and Butler Junior High SchoolKnoch Middle SchoolName: George LengyelAssigned: scienceHometown:Natrona HeightsExperience: Long-term chemistry substitute at East Allegheny High School, long term chemistry and day-to-day substitute at Burrell High SchoolName: Denee WhiteAssigned: family and consumer scienceHometown: PittsburghExperience: Long-term family and consumer science substitute at Pine-Richland School District, long-term family and consumer science substitute at Shaler School District, group supervisor and room representative at The Children's Center of PittsburghSouth Butler Primary SchoolName:Anna DaughertyAssigned: school nurseHometown: Slippery RockExperience: nurse coordinator, health coordinator and staff nurse at Allegheny Valley School, nurse at Jameson Hospital in New CastleName:Annette SirioAssigned: librarianHometown: PittsburghExperience: elementary librarian at Linden Academy, Pittsburgh Public Schools, long-term librarian substitute at William Penn Elementary in the Bethel Park School District

Continue Reading with One of the Options Below

Become a Butler Eagle Subscriber Today
Subscribe to read the full article and support our local, independent news organization.

Already a subscriber?

You can cancel any time.

Share this article: Order Photo Reprints:

More in Education

Coval, Riley advocate for state funding increases for higher education

Butler and Clarion families awarded scholarships through Bridge Educational Foundation

Teacher Kathy Norante leaves her mark on Knoch

Mars marching band boosters ask for box truck

Knoch looks for balanced budget in 2026-27

SRU students gain tax preparation experience while serving the community