West Allegheny to Host Gold Card Club Holiday Breakfast

Students Learn from Choices
Sponsored by the Pittsburgh
Airport Area Chamber of Commerce,
the CHOICES program was
presented to seventh grade social
studies students in the West
Allegheny District on October 2
and 3, 2012.
The program offered students the
opportunity to listen to professionals
from a variety of careers and
vocations, and to participate in
activities that reinforce how the
choices they make today will
impact their opportunities in the
Students Rachel Zeigler,
Sebastjan Ricketts, and Tommy
Markish learn to make good
choices from program director
Susan Hovanec.
Girls’ Varsity Tennis Team
Serves Up Time for Elton John Fundraiser
On October 16, 2012, the West Allegheny
girls’ varsity tennis team volunteered
their time at the WTT Smash Hits Tennis
Tournament to benefit the Elton John
AIDS Foundation and the Pittsburgh
AIDS Taskforce.
The tournament was held at The
Petersen Events Center, Oakland, and
featured Elton John, Andy Roddick, and
Martina Navratilova. West Allegheny
Head Coach Rita Wilson, assistant coach
Julie Dennis, and parent John Walls also
Girls’ varsity tennis team and coaches Rita Wilson and Julie Dennis are among the
volunteers at the WTT Smash Hits Tennis Tournament. Celebrity players included
Martina Navratilova, Andy Roddick and Elton John (front row center).
McKee Families
Enjoy Tunes
& Tales
Slippers and pajamas were donned
November 15, 2012, as McKee families
enjoyed a night of Tunes and Tales.
The story time event has become a
favorite tradition for parents and
children alike as they participated in
book readings, activities, raffles, and a
book fair. This event promoted the
benefits of reading as families interacted
with many storytellers.
The evening’s activities were
sponsored by the McKee PTA and the
North Fayette Youth Police Program
and organized by the McKee Elementary
staff.
future. Some of the activities
included a mock interview, as well
as exercises in time and money
management.
The director of the program,
Susan Hovanec, coordinated the
professionals from around the
western Pennsylvania region to
make the presentation a success.
Pasta for Pennies
Throughout October, 2012, Donaldson
Elementary students raised a record total of
$3,206 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
with their Pasta for Pennies collection. The
money donated helps provide financial help for
people with these life-threatening diseases.
Weekly activities were planned for the
collection and rewards were given to the
classes with the most funds raised. The first
week, students were challenged to fill their
classroom buckets with donations. The class
with the most collected won the chance to
“pie” a teacher of their choice. Mr. DeMario’s
third grade class won the challenge and
students Jonathan Dragisich, Caroline
Bachowski, and Brian Hanna were chosen to
throw a pie at Mr. DeMario.
Other fundraising rewards included choosing
a song to be played during lunch and a pasta
volunteered.
Students Jonathan Dragisich, Brian
Hanna, and Caroline Bachowski
enjoyed throwing a pie at their
teacher, Mr. DeMario.
party provided by the Olive Garden
Restaurant in Robinson Township.
Elementary school social worker
Kristen Tracy, elementary school
social work intern Sharon Shorak, and
ESL teacher Erin Dierker coordinated
the project.