2022-2023 Annual Report for Chartiers Valley School District

CHARTIERS VALLEY Annual Report 2022-23

Our Mission

The mission of the Chartiers Valley School District, a community dedicated to shared leadership, is to graduate students who achieve personal success by providing an exceptional academic foundation in a safe, nurturing environment that inspires creativity and innovation while embracing diversity.

Our Vision

The Chartiers Valley School District Vision is to inspire excellence in instruction, learning and innovation to prepare our students to achieve personal success.

Dear Chartiers Valley,

As another school year comes to a close, I am filled with pride and joy as I reflect on the last year’s journey. I want to express my appreciation for the collective efforts of our students, staff, and family members. This has been an excellent year for our school community, and I want to celebrate our achievements and express my gratitude to all those who have contributed to our success.

Our students continue to shine with determination, resilience, and an eagerness to learn. It has been a privilege to witness their academic and personal growth. From the youngest learners taking in their first year at the Primary School to our graduating seniors embarking on new adventures, our students have displayed remarkable courage and a thirst for knowledge that will propel them to future success.

I am grateful to the faculty and staff for working to create a nurturing environment where students can grow and learn. Their commitment to helping students is the cornerstone of our success. I thank all family members who support our students and help them feel nurtured and valued. Your dedication to our students makes all of our success possible.

As I look ahead, we have so many opportunities available, and we will continue to build upon our success, enhance our learning, and provide our students with the tools they need to thrive in an everchanging world.

Our students continue to shine with determination, resilience, and an eagerness to learn.

Exciting Changes are underway at the CV Athletic Complex.

It’s one of our District’s most visible facilities; the Athletic complex welcomes guests from near and far for events and activities throughout the year. The District is embarking on renovating these facilities to keep them current and provide safe opportunities for our student-athletes and their competitors. The track and field are closed to visitors during the summer of 2023 as crews work to make updates, both cosmetic and essential, to keep the facilities safe and compliant.

Phase I:

• Removal and replacement of field turf (including new drainage system)

• New asphalt paving at the track (track surface to be installed in phase II)

• New fencing around the track

• Asphalt paving replacement around the perimeter of the track

• New stadium home and visitor entrances, including new fencing, brick pillars, ticket booths, concrete paving, signage, benches

• Painting of existing restrooms under home bleachers

• Installation of a new scoreboard and sound system

Phase II:

• Installation of new track finished surfacing

• Installation of the new press box

• Installation of new home bleacher seating, risers, fencing, stairs, handicapped ramps

• Installation of new concrete paving under and in front of home-side bleachers

Phase III:

• Pool Entry/Exit

• Athletic Lobby Area

Primary School HVAC

The Primary School HVAC System is being replaced with a new, energyefficient model. The work began under Phase I and will result in a new, state-ofthe-art heating and cooling system for our youngest learners. The current HVAC system at the Primary School is original to the building and is 30 years old.

HS Auditorium Stage Rigging

The HS Auditorium Stage is home to the award-winning Chartiers Valley Performing Arts. The stage rigging is original to the building (1972) and needed an update. The new rigging will allow us to raise and lower the stage lighting and other onstage equipment for adjustment, replacement of lamps and gels, and perform essential routine maintenance.

District Renovations

Legacy Wall

Chartiers Valley School District is celebrating the extraordinary legacy of our student-athletes. Families, friends, former athletes, coaches, community members, and supporters can buy a photo spot on the Athletic Legacy Wall. The interscholastic athletic photos will be put together to create a display on the large wall outside the CVHS gymnasium when renovations take place in 2024. Reserve your spot now at www.cvsd.net.

AHN Chill Program

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called out social media as a driving force behind the surge in children’s mental health challenges. Chartiers Valley School District is putting an emphasis on mental health and making sure students have the resources they need. This school year, each CV School Building welcomed the Allegheny Health Networks’ chill program. That means each school has a Chill Room, an interactive space dedicated to helping students and staff with emotional regulation.

Along with the space, there are two AHN staff members in each building, one behavioral health school facilitator, and one behavioral health school therapist. The Chill Project uses stressreducing tools to equip students, teachers,

and parents with a common language and universal skills to identify, discuss, and react positively to stress.

At Chartiers Valley, students in grades K-12 have access to the Chill Room, with parent permission. All of the lessons and exercises are age-appropriate.

Each Chill Room utilizes a colored thermometer to help gauge how students are feeling. The colors range from red at the top to blue at the bottom.

Some students or staff members stop by the Chill Room to take a break in a calming space.

Middle

School

Based AHN Behavioral Health Therapist Melinda Massella says she sees a variety of topics bringing students in. “Across the board, a big mix, I would say probably most frequently we’re talking about anxiety, peer relationships, or peer issues, a lot of sibling conflict, and just that general questioning of anxiety and self-confidence, things of that nature.”

While the Chill Room is open to all students, some may want more support. That’s where the School Therapists can provide one-to-one counseling, something that can be quite hard to find elsewhere. Each counselor has a full schedule, seeing 30 students a week, with parent permission.

In an effort to reach all CV students, the AHN Counselors also go into the classrooms to teach lessons to all students, helping to provide tips and tricks on how to manage emotions. Lessons they hope students will carry with them. They also offer resources to staff members—like Yoga classes after school.

Allegheny Health Network says schools that have taken part in the Chill Program have seen fewer behavioral health incidents, including absences, disruptive behavior, and dropping out. The program has also enhanced mindful awareness and resiliency across school communities.

Accolades

82 CVHS Students were named AP Scholars, with an average AP Exam score of 3.76. This distinction is awarded to students who receive scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams.

Sophomore Carly Buck won the 2022 holiday art contest, and her painting of a winter scene was selected for the District’s winter greeting card. More than a dozen entries were received from the HS art department. In a vote among staff and administrators, Carly’s art was selected and distributed during the holidays.

CVHS senior Sean Maddix and junior Gwen Horzempa, were selected for PMEA Honors Orchestra. The students were part of a concert after two days of rehearsals. Sean, who plays the violin, and Gwen, who plays the viola, performed six pieces of music that they practiced outside of school, then performed with the group.

Congrats to CVHS Boys Tennis Team members Liam Pederson and Brendon Hallisey, Chartiers Valley’s first-ever WPIAL boys’ tennis champions! The duo won the WPIAL title and competed in Hershey at the State Tennis Championships.

Mrs. Shelley Territ’s 2nd-grade class helped pen a book about the History of Chartiers Valley and held a book launch where they got to see their hard work in print. Mrs. Territ and the book’s co-author, Rand Gee, worked with the students to tell stories about the region’s history and how the Chartiers Valley School District came to be. The book can be purchased online. You can find a link at www.cvsd.net.

Two sixth-grade students, Josie Hileman, and Olivia Lim, and four fifth-grade students from CVIS, Isaiah Manzo, Cobain Morrison, Elise Ramous, and Evie Spaniol were chosen to represent Chartiers Valley at the PMEA Strings Festival. The Strings Fest was held at North Hills Middle School, where 101 students from around District 1 came together to rehearse and perform challenging music that showcased each instrument section- violin, viola, cello, and bass. The day concluded with a concert celebrating the accomplishments of these musicians all working together.

On Monday, May 22, Chartiers Valley Middle School hosted the annual 8th Grade Recognition. Each year, the 8th-grade teachers submit names for the Students of the Year. The nominees are then voted on by the entire middle school staff and recognized at the annual 8th-grade recognition. Congratulations to this year’s winners, Tatum Bucci and Jackson Maddix!

The Primary School and Intermediate School Kids of Steel program practiced each week to get ready for the Kids Marathon in May. As a thank you for leading the program, Kids of Steel families donated more than $1,000 to the GBS Foundation in recognition of Mrs. Shelley Territ.

Accolades

Congratulations to CVHS Science teacher Mrs. Jodi King, who was named this year’s Sigma Xi Outstanding Teacher Award. Sigma Xi is a Scientific Research Honors Society. Mrs. King is receiving the award from the Carnegie Mellon Chapter.

“Her excellence in teaching, innovative approach to carrying out research in Principals of Biomedical Science Class, and dedication to work with students leave no doubts that she deserves this title,” Vladyslav Kozii, Assistant Professor at CMU and Corresponding Secretary with Sigma Xi released in a statement. CVHS Assistant Principal Mr. Tim Murray nominated Mrs. King for the award.

When asked about the award, King said, “It is truly an honor when a building administrator recognizes your efforts to provide students authentic experiences in scientific research and presentation by nominating you for the Sigma Xi Award. Winning the award is just the icing on the cake.”

CVHS Senior Derek Armfield won the WPIAL title in Javelin and took 4th place in the PIAA contest with a throw of 190’5, a new school record!

CVHS Seniors Liam Pedersen and Sean Maddix were named National Merit Scholarship Finalists. Both students were named Semifinalists in the fall based on their 11th-grade PSAT scores. To be considered for a National Merit Scholarship, Semifinalists must advance to Finalist standing in the competition by meeting high academic standards and other rigorous application requirements.

CV Theatre received two Gene Kelly Award Nominations for the musical “9 to 5.” Charlotte Kinslow was nominated for Outstanding Student Artist for her role as Roz Keith and the understudy for Judy Bernly. The show was also nominated for Best Lighting.

Four students represented CV at the PMEA Elementary band festival last weekend at Shaler Elementary. Congratulations to 5th graders Felix Baverso-Koenig and Evie Spaniol, and 6th graders Carter Talotta and Eva Kladakis!

Students at the Primary School collected more than 1,700 boxes of cereal for the STEM activity, cereal dominoes. The domino chain went the length of the primary school. After the dominoes, the cereal boxes were donated to local food banks.

Two CVHS Wrestlers brought home hardware from the State Tournament in Hershey, PA. Dylan Evans his second consecutive Gold Medal, and Brady Joling earned 4th place. Dylan’s high school wrestling career includes two state titles, and four medals, becoming the 49th person in PIAA history to achieve this feat!

Accolades

In its first year, the CVHS Bocce Team earned 7th place in the state championships in Hershey, PA. Team members include Andrew Wright, Jack Sothergill, Ian Bautista, Colby Dinco, Amanda Wyandt, Marko Orbovich, Cole Jankoski, Kendal Astor, and Coach Courtney Chiurazzi

The CV Dance Troupe competed in the UDA National Dance Team Championship in Orlando, Florida. The team earned 3rd place in Hip Hop and 8th place in Small Varsity Jazz. This is the highest CV has ever placed for Jazz! Congratulations to the team!

On March 16, the Chartiers Valley Community got together for Celebrate CV. This annual event celebrates all of the wonderful, diverse opportunities in Chartiers Valley. We hope you will join us for next year’s Celebrate CV on March 20, 2024.

Financials

The Chartiers Valley School Board approved the final budget for the 2023-2024 academic year at the June 27, 2023, Board meeting. With a total of $76,501,386 allocated, the budget reflects the district’s commitment to fiscal responsibility while ensuring the delivery of high-quality education and a wide range of courses for students.

The Board continuously works to balance financial responsibility and provide an excellent learning environment for students.

While the cost of educating students continues to rise, state and federal funding has not kept up with the increases. This puts more of a burden on local taxpayers. Increases have been seen in health care costs for our employees, the cost of special education is going up, and a recent ruling by an Allegheny County Judge lowered the Common Level Ratio, dropping the District’s local revenue by nearly a half million dollars.

The District continues to provide necessary updates to the facilities, including a new roof and HVAC system in our Primary School. In addition, the athletic facilities are undergoing repairs and updates not addressed during the recent high school renovations.

Following the approval of the 2023-2024 budget, the millage rate is 20.1909. This rate is the fourth lowest among 42 other school districts in Allegheny County.

Chartiers Valley Middle School Named “School to Watch”

Chartiers Valley Middle School has been named a PA Don Eichhorn Schools: “Schools to Watch.” This designation is thanks to the Academic Excellence, Developmental Responsiveness, Social Equity, and Organizational Structures and Processes at CVMS.

“We are thrilled with this recognition for Chartiers Valley Middle School. What an honor to be recognized for our outstanding team and their commitment to helping all students at the middle school level,” says Dr. Johannah Vanatta, Ed.D., Chartiers Valley School District Superintendent.

Chartiers Valley Middle School joins nine other schools across Pennsylvania, earning this recognition. Each school has strong leadership, great teachers who work together to improve curriculum and instruction, and a commitment to assessment and accountability to bring about continuous improvement.

In October 2022, leaders from the Schools To Watch team visited Chartiers Valley Middle School and talked with building leaders, teachers, students, and parents. The team also observed classrooms and looked at achievement data, quality of lessons, and student work.

“The application process was very thorough, which makes the recognition even that much more exciting. The team from Schools To Watch looked at so many different aspects of CVMS and selected us among the ten best in PA—it’s truly an amazing honor,” adds Dr. Michele Welter, Principal of Chartiers Valley Middle School.

In addition to the visit, there is a written application where CVMS leaders demonstrated how they met the criteria.

The recognition is a program developed by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform in partnership with the Pennsylvania Association for Middle-Level Education (PAMLE), Duquesne University, Edinboro University, Kutztown University, and the Horace Mann Service Corporation.

CVMS was recognized at the Pennsylvania Association for Middle-Level Educations State Conference in February and nationally with all the other recognized schools from across the country in Washington, D.C., in June. There was also a school-wide celebration in May at the MS.

Schools are recognized for a three-year period, and at the end of three years, they must demonstrate progress on specific goals in order to be re-designated. “Schools to Watch” requires schools to not just identify strengths, but also focus on areas for continuous improvement; thus, the three-year re-designation. The re-designation process is based on the school’s continued growth since its last recognition.

CVGives

$1,000,000

More than $1 million in scholarship money earned by the CVHS Class of 2023.

CV Primary School donated 1712 boxes of cereal to local food banks after their cereal domino chain.

CV Toy Drive collected more than 800 toys to give to 200 CV students during the holidays.

The CV Dance Troupe Collected more than $300 in winter weather gear to help keep CV families warm.

CV Intermediate School collected $1,123.47 to give to the Highmark Caring Place in honor of Children’s Grief Awareness Day.

CVMS donated more than 100 pair of socks to the Cozy Purple Unicorn Project.

Kids of Steel gave $1,000 to the GBS Foundation in honor of their team leader, Mrs. Shelley Territ.

Countless food donations were collected to give to the Bridgeville Food Pantry, Meals on Wheels, Unity Food Pantry, and more! 120 Letters were written and sent to Operation Gratitude.

The Primary School collected 50, 876 pennies to start a Colt Closet.

The IS and PS raised more than $33,000 for the American Heart Association’s Kids Heart Challenge!

30 Handmade blankets were donated to Project Linus.

Graduation

Congratulations to the CVHS Class of 2023! On Wednesday, May 31, 2023, 261 students graduated from Chariters Valley High School. The class amassed more than a million dollars in scholarship money as they begin their post-high school journeys. Best of luck to all of the graduates! We wish you well in your future endeavors.

Chartiers Valley Board of School Directors

Elected by the community, the Chartiers Valley Board of School Directors serve for a term of four years. Collectively, the School Board hires and evaluates the Superintendent. The Board also votes on school matters including academics and student achievement, human capital, finance and support operations.

Front Row: Dr. Sonja Svihla, Vice President Sandy Zeleznik, Superintendent Dr. Johannah Vanatta, President Dr. Darren Mariano, Megan Sexton. Back Row: Assistant Superintendent Julie Franczyk, Jeff Choura, Robert Kearney, Lisa Trainor, Herb Ohliger, Mitchell Montani

1. Demonstrate genuine care, concern and fondness for students.

2. Adopt an education-centered focus where students come first, followed closely by the needs of their parents.

3. Develop and nurture healthy, productive and cooperative relationships with colleagues.

4. Communicate regularly and clearly with students, their families and the community.

5. Create and cultivate a district-wide Learning Community where all employees and educators are valued.

6. Encourage innovation and creativity.

7. Embrace community, regional and global partnerships.