Fall 2016

FREED M AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT “Home of the Bulldogs”

1702 School Street Freedom, PA 15042 Phone: 724.775.5464 www.freedomareaschools.org

Fall 2016

Elementary school design wins runner-up

A LOOK AHEAD

VEBH Architect-led project wins 2nd place in People’s Choice

December 7 Band/Chorus Christmas Concert Middle School Auditorium 7:00 p.m.

December 8 School Board Meeting Middle School Library 7:00 p.m.

December 15 Band/Chorus Christmas Concert High School Auditorium 7:00 p.m.

VEBH Architects

As one of the unique aspects of the elementary building, a live Ficus tree is the centerpiece of the lobby, connecting the students and faculty to the outdoors during the school day.

Through an annual online exhibit by the Pittsburgh chapter of the American

Institute of Architects (AIA), Freedom Area Elementary School placed second in the

People’s Choice Award.

The nomination See DESIGN pg. 6

December 22 - January 1 Winter Break NO SCHOOL January 7 Polar Bear Plunge Bridgewater Landing 1:00 p.m.

FASD hires MS principal, HS assistant principal High school welcomes Mott, middle school welcomes back Smith in different role Starting in midmiddle school princiJuly, there have pal. To fill the vacant been changes within assistant principal the administrative position at the high staff throughout the school, the district district. These changes reached out to Mr. include the high school Anthony Mendicino. assistant princiMendicino was the pal position and the former principal at middle school princiCentral Valley High pal position.

School. He retired As of July 27, this past summer and the school board started filling in for approved the resignaother administrative tion of former middle positions.

Sara Miller school principal While Mendicino Dr. Jeffrey Fuller congratulates Ryan Frank Hernandez. Superintendent acted as high school Smith, who was recently hired as middle school principal.

Hernandez now works assistant princias the West Allegheny After the resigna- high school assistant pal, interviews for a middle school tion was approved for principal Ryan Smith principal.

Hernandez, former took over as the interim See ADMIN pg. 6

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Freedom Area School District Newsletter

Fall 2016

High school Naturalist Club wins $3,000 grant The Pennsylvania Department of the Environmental Protection has awarded Dr. Brian M. Wargo a $3000.00 Environmental Education Grant for the engagement of naturalistic research with students at Freedom Area High School. The grant authored by Wargo, entitled Migratory Patterns of Raptors Near the Upper Ohio River Basin, stipulates that the students use optical equipment to catalog the fauna around the Freedom campus.

The grant money, which was transferred to the district in September, was used to purchase 20 binoculars, two spotting scopes, two tripods and two digiscope adaptors for the spotting scopes, and 20 field guides. The equipment arrived in October and the students in the Naturalist Club have been learning to use it. Senior Breanna Leasure, a member who specializes in wildflowers, said, “It takes a little time to get used to using the binoculars. Your brain has to adjust to looking

Photo submitted

The Naturalist Club poses for a picture with new equipment purchased through the grant.

through them.” In order to practice, Wargo and students patrol the grounds of the high school during

activity periods, searching for wildlife and noting changes with the season.

See GRANT pg. 10

Young places 3rd in state-level art contest

Student honored in Harrisburg for School Bus Safety Week poster In the spring of 2016, Freedom Elementary’s third and fourth grade students created posters in art class for the School Bus Safety Week Poster Contest, led by Mrs. Melissa Krajcovic. The theme for this year’s contest, “#StopOnRed!” emphasized the importance of vehicles obeying Pennsylvania’s School Bus Stopping Law. Freedom Elementary students were entered into Division #2 of the contest, competing against third through fifth graders across the state of Pennsylvania.

Erica Young, presently a fourth grader, was selected as the third place winner of her division.

On Oct. 19, during National School Bus Safety Week, Erica was honored for her winning poster at an award ceremony at the Governor’s Residence in Harrisburg, hosted by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. The ceremony was followed by a tour of the Governor’s Residence.

Photo submitted

Erica Young (second from left) poses with PennDOT Secretary Leslie Richards (left), Senator Elder Vogel, Jr. (second from right) and PA State Police Lieutenant Robert Krol (right).

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Fall 2016

Freedom Area School District Newsletter

Summer adventures in reading Freedom Area Elementary students remembered the importance of reading over the summer while participating in our yearly Summer Adventures in Reading Program.

Students were asked to keep track of the number of minutes spent reading this summer.

The grand total from our 99 participating students was 63,451 minutes.

That’s 1,057 hours and 31 minutes.

On Friday, October 7, those students had the opportunity to celebrate their hard work with a Bookworm Bonanza.

Participants decorated a circle with a picture of their favorite book and we combined them to make a giant bookworm stating

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Photo submitted

Participating elementary students drew pictures from their favorite summer reads, which were added to the lengthy worm that fills a hallway wall in the elementary school.

“Worming Our Way Through a Good Book.” They made 2 bookworm bookmarks, one to keep and one to give to a friend to encourage him/her to read.

The students used vanilla wafers, frosting and chocolate chips to make and eat an edible bookworm

snack.

There was also a book exchange that allowed each student to trade in a gently used book for a “new-to-you” book.

In addition, each student who participated received a free book at the book fair held in September, and an I Love Reading

necklace and a bag of “Bookworms” (gummy worms).

As always, we want to thank all the students and parents who took time out of their busy summer schedules to remember the importance of reading and do just that—read.

Middle schoolers practice first aid, CPR

Photo submitted

From left to right: Katelyn Marr, Christina Wrhen, Emily Hatt, Erin Harp, Emma Baldinger and Skyler Price display and dress their mock wounds as part of Mrs. Smithmyer’s first aid unit.

The 7th and 8th graders in Mrs. Tami Smithmyer’s health classes will have the

opportunity to be certified in First Aid and CPR from the American Red Cross

this year. The students save lives soon. have been working hard this nine weeks and will be ready to

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Freedom Area School District Newsletter

Fall 2016

8th graders research PA Native American tribes The students in 8th grade started their year in Mr. Pete Kappas’ History class with the annual Pennsylvania Native Americans project.

Each student was to select one of the eight main tribes which lived in the colony of Pennsylvania during the 18th Century.

There were two parts to the project, a PowerPoint oral presentation of the culture researched and a “Build it” project. Students built model longhouses or wigwams, musical instruments, clothing or poster collages representing the culture group. Some made authentic Native American foods using eighteenth century recipes and ingredients.

The students

Photo submitted

Mr. Pete Kappas’ 8th graders created this model village of Native American longhouses using Twinkies. Longhouses were the structures of choice for local Seneca and Shawnee tribes.

enjoyed the experi- historically accurate on history ence and construct- projects—a fine students. ed very creative and example of hands

by

our

Trebuchet Day: High school physics goes to 6th grade

This year’s Trebuchet Day is something everyone was excited about, especially the sixth grade class. Every year since 2013, the high school Physics Club, run by Dr. Brian M. Wargo, has hosted Trebuchet Day in order to teach kids how physics can be fun and exciting.

This two-day event coincides with the sixth grade fall festival that lasts for a week at the middle school. After the week of activities that the teachers arranged,

unfamiliar with the school’s physics club hears the words Trebuchet Day, it leads to confusion and questions like, “what’s a trebuchet?” The term “trebuchet” (treh-byooshay) is defined as “a machine used in medieval siege warfare for hurling large stones or other missiles.” No worries, the only thing this trebuchet hurls Chance Jerry/FHS Press are pumpkins and two Patrick Streb (center) sets a miniature trebuchet for liter bottles of soda. launch while Zoe Tooch (left) looks on.

That’s right, every Trebuchet Day takes took place on Nov. 3 year the Physics Club place on Thursday and and Nov. 4. builds a massive Friday of that week.

Often, when This year, the event someone who is See PHYSICS pg. 9

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Fall 2016

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Freedom Area School District Newsletter

1st grade is falling for fall

Students use pumpkins to learn math, science, langauge arts skills First graders in Mrs. Kris McCowin’s class spent the day elbow deep in pumpkin guts. Miss Ashley Reba, a student teacher from Slippery Rock University designed a day full of math, science and language arts, revolving around pumpkins.

Learning Activities included grouping pumpkin seeds by 10s and 100s, measuring pumpkins with cubes, Photo submitted measuring students Kelsey Simons, Chloey Boyer and Joshua Schoedel sort pumpkin seeds by 10s and 100s with pumpkins, to find the number of seeds in their pumpkin. describing pumpkins McCowin’s “Little pumpkins. using senses and The day concluded sequencing the with pumpkin bread Pumpkins” had a great time learning about Pumpkin Life Cycle. and seed tasting.

Acing the AP Calculus exam Freedom Area High School offers four Advanced Placement courses: Chemistry, Biology, U.S. History,and Calculus.

In previous years, Freedom students have succeeded on these tests with more 3s, 4s and 5s than 1s and 2s.

Every spring, approximately 450,000 students around the world take the AP Calculus exam, as was the case in 2016. Seven of these students were from Freedom. The AP exam is graded on a 1-5 point basis, with one being the worst and five being the best score attainable.

The class itself is split into two different

courses including a College Board class and a slower calculus course that teaches more concepts. The AB Calculus includes topics like introductions to derivatives, limits and integral calculus, whereas the BC Calculus covers these topics and others such as parametric equations and polar coordinate functions.

In the Calculus 2 class offered, also the class with the BC course approach, all three students took the AP exam in spring of 2016, scoring two 5s and one 3. In the Calculus 1 class, also the class with the AB course approach, all four students within

the class took the exam with outcomes of a 2, 3, 4 and one 5.

To place these numbers in perspective, out of the seven students that took the AP U.S. History exam, four students scored a 3 or higher in spring of 2016. In 2014, one student scored a 5 on the AP Biology exam.

Mrs. KC Hastings described the reason for her students successes

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as being, “[By] being a table leader at the AP reading [the grading center for AP exams], I know how to write answers and avoid losing points due to presentation.”

As advice for any students planning to take the AP Calculus exam in the future, Hastings explains, “Do all homework, listen to my tips and do lots of practice problems.”

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Freedom Area School District Newsletter

FHS hosts musical holiday showcase

Fall 2016

DESIGN (from pg. 1)

was placed under the County band, chorus join forces for first concert of its kind “Architectural Detail On Nov. 22, FHS and Craftmanship” hosted the first Beaver cateogory in the AIA County Holiday Pittsburgh 2016 Showcase, a concert Online Exhibit. People that combined the voted from Sept. 23 middle school band and through Oct. 20 for high school chorus and their favorite project band ensembles. Over by visiting the AIA 300 students from Pittsburgh website.

Aliquippa, Ambridge, After votes were Blackhawk, Beaver tallied, Freedom County Christian, Elementary received Beaver, Beaver over 440 votes.

Falls, Central Valley, Freedom, Hopewell, ADMIN (from pg. 1) Lincoln, New permanent position Brighton, New Castle, started.

Riverside, Rochester, On Sept. 1, the South Side Beaver and school board approved Quigley participated Smith as middle in the showcase. school principal.

This To prepare for the position took effect performance, students immediately following rehearsed at the the approval.

FASD campus on the On Oct. 11, the evenings of Nov. 7 and school board approved Nov. 21 and during Mr. Steven Mott as the school day on Nov. high school assistant 22. Before the perforprincipal.

Mott mance that evening, previously worked as a banquet was held in a special education the FHS cafeteria. teacher as George Prior to performers, Junior Republic, which community members is part of the Grove enjoyed listening to and “On City School District. the Steel Drums from middle school band, ovation, Ambridge outside high school chorus With The Snow!”, the of the high school and high school band audience sing-along, conclude the and a string quartet performing three songs to group and chamber each, all of which were performance. choir from Beaver in conducted by a band the lobby, which was or chorus director decorated with fake from a participating snow, snowflakes and school district; from Jennifer a sleigh to add to the Freedom, “winter wonderland” Newman and Keith scene. The auditorium Kovalic both conductWould you like to contribute was decorated with ed chorus pieces. After to the district newsletter? ornaments, Christmas the high school band trees and paper finished its final piece, house silhouettes to the chorus returned represent each partici- to the stage, and both ensembles performed pating school which At 7 p.m., the “Hallelujah,” concert began with the was given a standing

r newsletter @freedomarea.org

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Fall 2016

Real men wear pink!

Fuller, others raise money for ACS

ATHLETICS SPOTLIGHT GIRLS’ SOCCER The girls’ soccer team finished the regular season undefeated in its first season in Class AA, earning its first WPIAL champtionship and second consecutive section title.

“Real Men Wear Pink” is an organization created where distinguished leaders around the community join to help fight against breast cancer.

This organization is a branch-off association of the American Cancer Society. On Oct. 14, 2016, a fashion show was held at Room 16 in the Strip District. This

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Freedom Area School District Newsletter

event was hosted by David Allen Menswear to launch his men’s fashion line. The emcee for the night was ESPN’s Jonathon “The Coach” Coachmen.

Many Steelers members and other celebrities such as wrestlers from the WWE. The night started off with a silent auction alSee PINK pg. 12

FOOTBALL Senior Nick Henderson set a school record for most receiving yards in one game (187) on Aug. 26 vs.

Hopewell

Henderson also broke the record for most receptions BOYS’ SOCCER in a career and most yards Junior Carson Gilarno set a receiving in a career on Oct. school record by scoring six 1 vs. Riverside. goals in a game on Oct. 4 vs.

Mohawk.

Sophomore Zach Rosa tied a school record for TD passes CROSS COUNTRY in one game (5) on Oct. 7 vs Senior Jarrett Boyd finished South Side.

20th and freshman Adam Hessler finished 39th in the On Sept. 9, Freedom Retired PIAA cross country finals. #12 from its football program in honor of JD Hessler was the fourth Haglan, class of 1974. fastest freshman finisher.

Boyd signed a letter of intent to run track and field at Duquesne University.

Freedom Fortune 500 helps teacher battle cancer

High school organization donates ‘Pink Out’ proceeds to help one of our own The FF500 students chose to donate the Pink Out money to Mrs. Erica Davids because she is battling breast cancer for the second time.

Students presented her with $335 and a T-shirt that she is weaing. They wrote her a note that state how she impacted them as an elementary teacher and how they wanted to help her. Additionally, 100 percent of the elementary teacher Pink Out T-shirt money went to Davids along with $1 from the sale of every Freedom Fortune 500 students pose for a picture with Mrs. Erica Davids. other shirt.

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Photo submitted

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Freedom Area School District Newsletter

Fall 2016

Five band members audition for honors band On Nov. 15, freshmen Mason Hedge and Cole Skuse and seniors Kameron Mayhue, Hannah Shumsky and Nicole Kammer traveled to Westminster College to audition into the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) District 5 Honors Band Festival.

Hedge, Skuse, Mayhue, Shumsky and Kammer are members of the high school band’s percussion, trombone, trumpet, clarinet and flute sections.

Prior to the event, students were given a solo piece of music to prepare. During the audition, students play two to three excerpts chosen by the judges,

Photo submitted

Freshman Cole Skuse, senior Kameron Mayhue, freshman Mason Hedge, senior Hannah Shumsky and senior Nicole Kammer traveled to Westminster College on Nov. 15 to audition into the PMEA District 5 Honors Band ensemble.

whose backs are turned to the students while they play. After the students play the excerpts, they “sight read” a page of music.

At the end of the evening, it was announced that

Mayhue, Shumsky and Kammer earned first, fifth and ninth chairs, respectively in their sections, meaning that they had the first, fifth and ninth highest scores out of all those who

auditioned. Between 30-40 students from District 5, which includes Beaver, Butler, Lawrence and Mercer counties, auditioned for the trumpet, clarinet and flute sections.

Mayhue, Shumsky and Kammer travel to Westminster College to rehearse for the PMEA District 5 Honors Band at 2 p.m. on Dec. 3. While at Westminster, the students will have the opportunity to reaudition to move onto the District 5 Band to be held at Butler Intermediate High School in February 2017.

Students take on faculty to benefit the arts

Students organize 2nd annual Folmar Fall Classic faculty vs. student softball game On Oct. 25, high school students took on their teachers in the second annual Folmar Fall Classic faculty vs. student softball game on the FASD softball field.

While the softball game is in its sixth year, it was rebranded as the Folmar Fall Classic in 2015 in memory of the late district administrative assistant, Anna Maria Folmar.

This year’s event Hannah Shumsky/FHS Press was organized by ju- Members of the faculty and student teams pose for a photo following the game on Oct. niors Austin Schroeder 25. and Haley Velemirovich, and all proceeds related charitable surge by the students again served as umwere donated to Free- organizations. to win the game 12- pire. dom Cares, one of FolThe faculty team 7, and head softball mar’s favorite school- outlasted a late-inning coach, Bill Boggs, once

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Fall 2016

Freedom Area School District Newsletter

Freedom students participate in ‘Citizen Science’ Seniors Peyton Zankel and Kayla Carpenter visited the Allegheny Front Hawk Watch to participate in citizen science.

The goal was to help collect data on both diurnal (daytime) and nocturnal (nighttime) birds of prey. Both young ladies are members of Freedom’s Naturalist Club, but Zankel serves as the president. After much planning, Zankel decided that it was time for a trial run for the club. She convinced her mother to drive her and Carpenter to the Allegheny Front, which is located on the Somerset/Bedford county line. Upon arrival, the girls were greeted by a loud cry of, “There’s a Golden Eagle directly overhead.” The voice they heard was a familiar one, one that they hear every day at Freedom Area High School, that of their teacher and club sponsor, Dr. Brian M. Wargo. Wargo is the president of the Allegheny Plateau Audubon Society and is the official Saturday counter at the hawkwatch.

PHYSICS (from pg. 4)

machine to hurl pumpkins for the enjoyment of the sixth grade class and even to serve a bit of educational value to the kids.

On Nov. 3, the

Photo submitted

Seniors Kayla Carpenter and Peyton Zankel and Ms. Amy Ray pose for a picture at the Allegheny Hawk Watch.

On the Saturday of their visit, a total of four Bald Eagles and fourteen Golden Eagles were spotted, some of them by Kayla and Zankel. By the end of the day, the total Bald Eagle count had tied the Allegheny Front’s previous record of 133 Bald Eagles for the season. When the sunlight began to fade and the skies darken, the ladies left the hawk site, but they would return later, for the owls were about to take the night shift.

When the girls returned at 7:30 p.m., the hawk site was transformed into an owl banding station.

Unlike their arrival earlier in the day, a

bird was not waiting for them. They needed to endure two hours of ice-cold wind before they would get an up close encounter with a Saw-whet Owl. Once captured, Zankel and Kayla saw first-hand how to process owls, including taking their weight, determining sex and age, as well as how to assess their overall health. A band was then attached to the owl’s leg and it was time to release the bird. The owl bander asked if anyone would like to release to release the bird. Ms. Amy Ray, Zankel’s mother and cheauffer, quickly stated that, “If no one else is going to volunteer, I going

Physics Club ventured down to the middle school to teach the kids how using science can be fun. They accomplished this by using mini trebuchets and let the kids use them themselves. They also gave the kids an

opportunity to make predictions about the launch itself.

On the second day, the launch took place engaging the attention of all the middle school students as pumpkins and two liter bottles of soda hurled across the

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to!” With that, Ray received her payback devoting her weekend to her favorite girls.

With big smiles and very tired bodies, the ladies headed back to town where they stayed overnight.

On Monday, back at Freedom Area High School, Zankel said, “It was a very cold, but awesome experience.” She also stated that she hopes to plan another trip for the entire Naturalist Club.

fields behind the high school.

The giant catapult isn’t all that happens on this day: there are also pumpkin-car races and a scarecrowdressing relay race.

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Freedom Area School District Newsletter

Fall 2016

Student journalists qualify for state finals

Five members of the FHS Press, Shawnee Yearbook staffs compete for PSPA honors Nine veteran members of the FHS Press and Shawnee Yearbook staff competed in the Nov. 4 Pennsylvania School Press Association (PSPA) regional high school journalism competition at Point Park University, and of those nine, five will be advancing to the state finals at Penn State University in March.

Senior Editors-inChief, Joey Pail (Shawnee) and Hannah Shumsky Park’s Media Day course, and students compete at the state (FHS Press) along event, where partici- returning for their level, one of whom, with juniors Jessica pants learn about second or third years Devin Daley, a junior Palakovich, Kayla nuances in the field of are eligible to compete at the time, won the Eaton, and Morgan journalism from Point in the regional state title for sports Stewart will be Park faculty, staff, competition. writing, representing Freedom and esteemed special This is just the With two additionin State College after guests. second year FHS’s al competitors in earning top marks The FHS Press and student journalists 2017, Fitzpatrick in their respective Shawnee Yearbook have competed in and participants are competition categories. are both produced the PSPA competi- hopeful about the state The PSPA competi- by students in Mr. tion. Last year, three competition and the tion is held each fall in Aaron Fitzpatrick’s Freedom students future of the program. conjunction with Point Print Media Workshop earned the right to types.” The Naturalist Club now also enjoys Aaron James, identifying the diversithe secretary of the ty of flora around us.

Naturalist Club, said, According to “Yah, it’s pretty cool Wargo, “We are open to see what is out to new members and there. Now, when I am hope to get others outside, I look at bird engaged in learning and bugs and stuff.” about the natural The impulse to see world.” He states that what is out there is interested individucontagious. Mr. Chris als should attend the Bennett, the high Monday meetings to school counselor, led find out more about the club on a tree walk/ Freedom’s Naturalist talk around campus. Club.

In his words, “I grew up learning about trees and have always enjoyed the different GRANT (from pg. 2)

ATTENTION FREEDOM ALUMNI: The Shawnee Yearbook staff is cleaning out its archives! The staff of the Shawnee regularly receives many requests for archived yearbooks and has decided, after taking its most recent inventory, to list many of its extra copies for sale for just $50 each. Only select years are available for purchase, as the Shawnee staff will continue to preserve archived books that are no longer in abundance. Please see below for a complete listing of available books. Cash or checks made payable to FHS Shawnee are accepted. If interested, contact the Shawnee staff by calling 724-775-7400 (ext. 581) or emailing yearbook@freedomarea.org. Sales will be made on a first come, first-served basis.

1962 1963 1964 1966 1967 1968

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1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974

1975 1976 1981 1990 1992 1994

1996 1997 1998 1999 2002 2005

2006 2010 2011 2012 2014 2016

Fall 2016

Freedom Area School District Newsletter

New mural welcomes visitors at FHS

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Jessica Palakovich/FHS Press

The new mural in the high school lobby represents the different events, sports and extracurricular activities the school offers students.

Each morning, the students of FHS are greeted with the latest changes to the lobby mural. The mural stands completed to welcome whomever may enter.

Artists from Advanced Art have spent approximately 35 hours working on the mural project. But before the paint was splashed on the walls, lots of planning needed to be undertaken. Art teacher Mrs. Kaylee Haggerty asked fellow teachers and administration to give their input on what the mural’s main theme

should be. According to her, most replied with “school spirit.”

The letters that spell out “Welcome from Freedom Bulldogs” represent that together the high school accepts the differences of our students and non-students.

The next step was to figure out exactly how to capture the theme in a way that the mural would unite the student body.

Design ideas came from the students as they sketched in pairs to create the plans for the mural outline.

Once an outline

was voted on by the class, the drafts of the individual letters followed. Each letter has a topic or subject that the majority of the student body can relate to, including sports, clubs and classes.

Some of these include drama, art, science, band, mathematics, football, cheer and so much more. The train depicted on the left side of the mural is a nod to the numerous trains inhabit the tracks by the Ohio River. On the right, the Pittsburgh skyline represents the connection Freedom

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has with the city.

Each of the students designed their own letter, creating theirs with original ideas. The students picked activities that they themselves are involved in, and wanted to showcase their appreciation for them through their design. Once a design was drafted, they talked with some of the teachers in charge of the activities in questions, getting opinions of what could also be included in the mural See MURALS pg. 13

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Freedom Area School District Newsletter

‘Haunted High School’ returns

Popular Drama Club fundraiser a thrill for fans of Halloween fun Freedom Area Haunted High School is back from the dead after a being inactive since 2012. The idea came about that it would be a perfect fundraiser for the Freedom Drama Club and would contribute to their upcoming spring musical Grease.

The Haunted High School was opened to the public on Oct. 21 from 10:00-12:30pm, and on Oct. 22 from 6:30-11:00pm.

The cost was $5 for students and $7 for nonstudents.

Past themes have Daniel White/FHS Press included bloody Mary, Junior Hannah Kosela in character as a victim of the werewolves, and cir- electric chair was one of many ghoulish features of the cus. If you took a walk re-established Haunted High School event on Oct. 22 and through this year, you 23. would have seen the hallway of darkness, decent distance away produce. circus, and the walk- from Freedom. Draing dead. There was an ma Club sees this as eerie feeling when you a good way to bring a were escorted through legit haunted house to the halls by a grim those who have not exreaper with a lantern perience one yet. This in complete silence. was also a great way There are several for the community to haunted houses in the connect to the drama Western Pennsylva- club and appreciate nia area, but they are the work that they

Fall 2016

PINK (from pg. 7)

lowing the the guests to vote on a variety of items which led to the organization raising $14,000. Superintendent Jeffrey Fuller got involved this year as he participated in a fashion show. So far, Fuller has raised $7,003.26 for this charity. The whole Pittsburgh branch of the organization has raised $96, 182.

“My hope is that we will one day live in a world in which early diagnosis and advanced treatment options will make breast cancer, and indeed all forms of cancer, a much less daunting battle for the men and women who face that fight. This will only be possible through increased awareness and funding. We all have to do our part, “ Fuller said.

To donate to Fuller to help raise money for cancer, go the the Real Men Wear Pink website and click on Fuller’s link.

Freezin’ for a reason

District, community organizing team for Beaver County Polar Bear Plunge on Jan. 7

It is that time of year again—to plunge into the icy cold Beaver River to raise money for the Beaver County

Special Olympics. Do you love helping kids?

Do you like having fun? If so, then join our team, the Slush

Puppies! For more in- to our team website at formation, please con- https://goo.gl/cc52iW. tact Misty Slavic at mslavic@freedom.k12. pa.us, or go directly

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Fall 2016

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Freedom Area School District Newsletter

High school faculty members present at conferences Wargo presents at national historic scientific conference

Fitzpatrick presents broadcast program at regional conference

The North A m e r i c a n Ornithological Conference (NAOC), held in in Washington, D.C. last August, brought together the largest gathering of ornithologists in history. Thousands of scientists from around the world were present and shared research ranging from genomics to ecological demarcation. Birding societies, ornithological organization, university scientists, presidents of ecological groups and many more participated in the weeklong scientific bash.

Freedom’s own Dr. Brian M. Wargo was both a participant and a presenter.

His research entitled, “Using Inscriptions to Bridge Birders and Scientists: A Detailed Analysis of Two Competing Methodologies to Delineate Raptor Populations in the Eastern Flyway,” was well-received by the attendants.

Wargo, who is not an ornithologist but who is a certified biology teacher, holds

High School English and journalism teacher, Aaron Fitzpatrick, alongisde Cornell School District Director of Technology & Instructional Innovation, Kris Hupp, presented a seminar on managing high school broadcast media programs at the Three Rivers Educational Technology Conference (TRETC), held at Montour High School on Nov. 8.

The well-received presentation detailed the basics of how to start and manage a high school broadcast media program on a limited budget and included topics such as staff organization and management, equipment options, troubleshooting and assessment.

FHS’s broadcast program, DogTV, transitioned from a cable set-up to a YouTube channel last winter after contacting Hupp and modeling its program after Cornell’s with the help of Hupp and the support from FASD administration and technology team.

Wargo presents his research at NOAC 2016.

Photo submitted

a Master’s degree in physics, and a Ph.D. in Science Education, argued that ornithologists are not giving back to the citizenscientists that collect much of the data scientists use in their analysis.

Wargo, who is the president of the Allegheny Plateau Audubon Society, was also invited to the National Audubon Society’s ball, which was held in one of the spectacular ballrooms at the conference on Friday Night.

The reception/social brought together birders and scientists for an interactive meeting that promoted discussions on climate

change, habitat destruction, as well as helping local chapters plan for the future.

Aside from the late night socializing, Wargo also attended several round-table meetings pertaining to hawk migration, including wind turbine siting, electric power design and tower placement.

Wargo stated the conference was invigorating, despite the exhausting schedule, the historic heat wave in D.C. and travel lag. “By the end of the conference, I was spent, mentally and physically.” Asked if he would do it again, “In a heartbeat!”

Wargo said.

transparencies were made of the drawings that would benefit the to project onto the wall final product. The final where the mural was drafts were eventually soon to be. Nimble approved by Haggerty. hands went to work When the sketch- as the mural was es were completed, sketched piece by

piece.

After much diligence from the students, the final portion was to paint the mural using acrylic paint.

Due to the great

MURALS (from pg. 11)

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amount of effort and time that the art department has brought forth, the school displays “school spirit” in a visual way.