Library book borrowing begins September 20th! In preparation, third and fourth grade students have reviewed the online catalog with Mrs. Takos and then worked on a scavenger hunt to practice the skills needed for locating books in the library (see photos). Younger students have been learning book care and demonstrating their use of shelf markers in preparation for borrowing. Everyone is excited to check out books!

Second graders had some fun using manipulatives to figure out whether numbers are odd or even.  They had no idea that, at the same time, they were developing an intuitive understanding of numbers that will help them be more successful mathematicians for years to come!

Researchers consider Number Sense to be essential for children.  According to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, this is something educational programs should focus on.  

These kids are ahead of the curve for sure!  Stupendous work second grade!

Students in Mrs. Callahan's third grade ELA classes celebrated the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I have a dream" speech last week.  They reviewed key vocabulary words and especially enjoyed a read aloud entitled "Martin's Big Words."  Martin Luther King was a great man who helped make the world a better place.  His "I have a dream" speech ranks among the greatest speeches of all time in the English language.

Please welcome Mrs. Marina Donovan to Park Elementary School!  Mrs. Donovan comes to us most recently from Steel Valley High School, where she served as a paraprofessional.  She previously worked at Easterseals in West Mifflin, served as an assistant with St. Peters Child Development Center, worked for the DePaul Institute as a physical and occupational therapist assistant and classroom assistant, and supported the superintendent and business manager in the Duquesne City Schools.  She especially enjoyed her time as a research assistant in the neuroscience department at Carnegie Mellon.  

Mrs. Donovan enjoys working out at the gym and playing pickleball with her husband.  She is very proud of her 16 year old daughter, who is a junior at Cornerstone Christian School.

Mrs. Donovan loves working with young children and knows that working as a paraprofessional at Park Elementary School is where she belongs!

We are incredibly pleased to welcome Mrs. Christy Ruffing to Park Elementary!  Mrs. Ruffing is starting her 23rd year as a Steel Valley teacher.  She has spent the majority of that time working with kindergarteners, and she is really excited to start a new chapter as a second grade teacher at Park!

In her spare time, Mrs. Ruffing loves spending time with her family.  She is the proud mother of two boys, and she really enjoys watching them play soccer.  Mrs. Ruffing loves to travel, and she has fond memories of the time she spent student teaching in Ireland.  Mrs. Ruffing is a licensed Zumba and Zumba-Kids instructor, and is a certified fitness instructor, as well.  She attended Slippery Rock University and earned a Masters Degree from Penn State.

Please take a second to welcome Mrs. Ruffing to Park Elementary and wish her well in her new position!

The Allegheny Intermediate Unit, The Grable Foundation, and the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation honored 16 principals from Allegheny County as Penguins Most Valuable Principal (MVP).

This program, highlighting the amazing work done over this past year, recognizes principals who demonstrate an innovative approach to learning, a continuous strive for excellence and a passion for their school and students. This pilot program came into existence by recognizing the difficult and unprecedented times our local school systems had to endure amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The Penguins MVP program is a way to recognize some hard working and deserving principals.

Congratulations to Kevin Walsh, Barrett Principal, on being named to this prestigious group of educators.  Mr. Walsh was awarded with a monetary donation, courtesy of the Grable Foundation, to use for a school project of his choosing, as well and a Penguins Prize Pack consisting of Pens goodies, including a personalized jersey.

Congratulations to Barrett Elementary for completing all the requirements to be considered a “PA PBS Network Participating Site” during the 2020-2021 school year. This school year is like no other and so the network adjusted requirements to our “Recognition” system. 

Barrett Elementary School has been for 12 years, but never identified ourselves as such.

Thank you for your commitment to creating a positive school climate EVEN during these unprecedented times.

http://papbs.org