• Aug. 20, 2019

    Seven staff members honored for 25 years of service

    25 year awardees 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.

    Dr. Rozzo “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 Representative 

    Upper St. Clair High School
    Kathryn Poniatowski, Special Education Teacher
    Catherine Shuey, Social Studies Teacher, Long-term Substitute           

    Fort Couch Middle School
    Joye Karidis, Math Resource Teacher, Long-term Substitute
    Alexandra Neely, Special Education Teacher
    Jessica Robinson, School Counselor
    Brett Slider, Math Teacher           

    Boyce Middle School
    Nicole Kelly, Elementary Teacher, Long-term Substitute
    Erin Kyle, Teacher Aide 

    Streams Elementary School
    Brooke Strawn, Elementary Teacher, Long-term Substitute           

    Eisenhower Elementary School
    Katie Cansick, Elementary Teacher
    Amy Garces, Elementary Teacher, Long-term Substitute
    Anne Lazarova, School Nurse
    Carly Marnik, Elementary Teacher           

    Baker Elementary School
    Kelsey O’Leary, Elementary Teacher, Long-Term Substitute
    Carly Feduska, Speech Therapist from Crossroads

    Throughout 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.