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Aug. 20, 2019
Seven staff members honored for 25 years of service
Seven staff members were honored for their 25-years of service to the Upper St. Clair School District on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. Each staff member will receive a 25-year pin in recognition of the silver anniversary.
Honorees include:- Bernice Andrews – Streams Elementary Technical Aide
- Nancy Dunn – Upper St. Clair High School Secretary
- Clare Froehlich-Walk – Upper St. Clair High School Teacher Aide
- Denise Galloway – Boyce Middle School Spanish Teacher
- Charles Podrasky – Bus Driver
- Michelle Stack – Eisenhower Elementary Teacher
- Dawn Yoder – Boyce Middle School Teacher
The 25-year recognition was part of the district’s Opening Day, the teachers’ first day back from summer recess. The morning event also included welcoming remarks from Amy Billerbeck, school board president; Batool Nulwala, Parent Teacher Council president; Bill Gehrlein, teachers’ union president; and Dr. John Rozzo, superintendent of schools.
In his comments, Dr. Rozzo urged staff members to never underestimate the extent of their influence on students, families and others.“During an interview with the Pittsburgh Business Times reporter, he asked, ‘What is it about Upper St. Clair that makes it the region’s top school district?’ While I think he was hoping for me to share that we had some secret program or initiative that was vastly different than other districts, I simply responded that it is all about our people,” Dr. Rozzo said. “Our success is attributed to the PEOPLE. It’s the collective efforts of students, parents, community members, school board, and all of YOU… for your commitment to excellence. YOU are the secret ingredient that is what makes the difference between being a great district and being an extraordinary one.”
Each year during Opening Day the school district also welcomes its new and recent additions to the Upper St. Clair family. The following new staff members were introduced on Opening Day:Administration
Judi Stemmler, Human Resources RepresentativeUpper St. Clair High School
Kathryn Poniatowski, Special Education Teacher
Catherine Shuey, Social Studies Teacher, Long-term SubstituteFort Couch Middle School
Joye Karidis, Math Resource Teacher, Long-term Substitute
Alexandra Neely, Special Education Teacher
Jessica Robinson, School Counselor
Brett Slider, Math TeacherBoyce Middle School
Nicole Kelly, Elementary Teacher, Long-term Substitute
Erin Kyle, Teacher AideStreams Elementary School
Brooke Strawn, Elementary Teacher, Long-term SubstituteEisenhower Elementary School
Katie Cansick, Elementary Teacher
Amy Garces, Elementary Teacher, Long-term Substitute
Anne Lazarova, School Nurse
Carly Marnik, Elementary TeacherBaker Elementary School
Kelsey O’Leary, Elementary Teacher, Long-Term Substitute
Carly Feduska, Speech Therapist from CrossroadsThroughout the remainder of the week teachers and other staff members will participate in professional development that includes curriculum development, safety and security, and professional learning communities.
The first day of school for students in grades 1-12 is Monday, Aug. 26. For kindergarten, this day serves as an orientation day (for students and caregivers) with the first regular kindergarten school day beginning Tuesday, Aug. 27.