2022 Report to the Quaker Valley Community

2022 Report to the Quaker Valley Community

The Quaker Valley School District is proud to serve 11 municipalities which come together to create a district of distinction. As a small district with a reputation for quality educational experiences, we offer an individualized approach to instruction and programming. The innovative practices we implement not only prepare our students to be future ready, but also set our District apart from the rest. We invite you to learn more about what it means to be a part of this amazing community and experience the Quaker Valley difference.

MISSION VISION

Mission: Educate and empower all learners to design their best future.

Shared Vision: Provide an unparalleled educational experience that ignites a passion for learning in the pursuit of personal success.

Shared Values:

• We put students first.

VALUES

• We invest in our youth.

• We support safe and caring environments.

• We value all differences.

• We seek growth and innovation.

• We promote personalized learning for all.

• We embrace talents to realize potential.

• We do great work together.

Edgeworth Elementary

Principal: Dr. Carol Sprinker

200 Meadow Ln., Edgeworth, PA 15143 (412) 749-3000

Osborne Elementary

Principal: Mr. Ben Canan

1414 Beaver St., Sewickley, PA 15143 (412) 749-4000

Middle School

Principal: Dr. Anthony Mooney

Interim Assistant Principal: Mrs. Katrina Chapman

618 Harbaugh St., Sewickley, PA 15143 (412) 749-5000

High School

Principal: Dr. Deborah Riccobelli

Assistant Principal: Mrs. Dawn Hardman

625 Beaver St., Leetsdale, PA 15056 (412) 749-6000

Quaker Valley School Board

Geoff Barnes

Region: II

Term: 2019-2023

Email: barnesg@qvsd.org

Marna Blackmer, Vice-President

Region: III

Term: 2019-2023

Email: blackmerm@qvsd.org

Kati Doebler

Region: III

Term: 2021-2025

Email: doeblerk@qvsd.org

Gianni Floro Region: I

Term: 2019-2023

Email: florog@qvsd.org

Daniela Helkowski

Region: I

Term: 2021-2025

Email: helkowskid@qvsd.org

Jonathan Kuzma, President

Region: I

Term: 2021-2025

Email: kuzmaj2@qvsd.org

District Office

100 Leetsdale Industrial Dr., Suite B Leetsdale, PA 15056

(412) 749-3600

Executive Leadership Team:

Dr. Tammy A. Andreyko, Superintendent

Dr. Andrew Surloff, Assistant Superintendent

Mr. Scott Antoline, Director of Finance and Operations

Mrs. Michelle Dietz, Director of Communications

Mrs. Karyn Dobda, Director of Innovation and Strategic Initiatives

Mr. Charlie Gauthier, Director of Facilities and Administrative Services

Dr. Susan Gentile, Director of Instruction and Learning

Mr. Mike Lewis, Director of Student Services

Mrs. Stefanie McKissic, Director of Human Resources

Stratton Nash

Region: II

Term: 2021-2025

Email: nashs@qvsd.org

Chesney Soderstrom

Region: II

Term: 2019-2023

Email: soderstromc@qvsd.org

Jeffrey Watters, Treasurer

Region III

Term: 2019-2023

Email: wattersj@qvsd.org

Christina DeAngelis

Board Secretary

Email: deangelisc@qvsd.org

Dear Quaker Valley,

As I begin my fifth year as your superintendent, it is a tremendous honor for me to write this letter and reflect upon the ways our District has grown and changed during my tenure. We know that the last few school years have presented unprecedented challenges for many, and we are finally seeing that our District is back to business and better than ever. We have emerged from the pandemic with renewed vision and focus on making sure that students are given every opportunity to grow and thrive.

This fall, I had the privilege of attending the League of Innovative Schools annual meeting during which Quaker Valley was formally inducted into the League. The League of Innovative Schools is organized by the Digital Promise, a global nonprofit organization, which was founded under President George W. Bush, and launched by President Barack Obama in 2011. There are only about 150 school districts in the country invited to join this amazing group of educators.

This unique recognition sets Quaker Valley apart from other districts because of our continued dedication to providing educational opportunities that ensure our students are future ready. We will be able to learn from other League schools, and schools across the country will look to Quaker Valley as an example of what they can become. Our acceptance into the League affirms that Quaker Valley can “Be the Light” as an exemplary leader. The world is changing rapidly, and it is vitally important that schools meet the needs of today’s learners. This honor demonstrates our investment in our students and community.

Our year-long commitment to “Be the Light” in every component of our school is further demonstration of our desire to create a school community where students are valued and connected, welcomed and included, and they feel cared for and taught by talented professionals. There is no question that our students are receiving an unparalleled educational experience.

Our District’s mission is to Educate and empower all students to design their best future. Not only do we strive for this, but we also seek to foster curiosity, exploration, and passion in our students as they prepare for life after school. This belief is a driving force as we eagerly continue the work to design our new high school and imagine the future of Quaker Valley. Teachers, administrators, designers, and architects are coming together to envision a new school that will take us into the next hundred years and define the spaces within it to meet the needs of our current and future learners. There is no better time to be a Quaker!

Thank you for your continued support of Quaker Valley. You are an important part of what we do every day for young people.

Very truly yours,

Tammy A. Andreyko, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools

Dear Quaker Valley,

Serving the Quaker Valley School District as School Board President for the past two years has been rewarding in many ways. As a Board, we work tirelessly to ensure that we are affording our students every opportunity to succeed and receive an unparalleled educational experience. I would like to thank our community for their support, whose backing enabled us to reach the achievements you will read about in our annual report.

Our District’s shared values clearly state that we put students first, we invest in our youth, and we seek growth and innovation. As a Board, we put those values into practice each time we come together. We are proud of all that our students and staff have accomplished.

Prior to the pandemic and since, we have examined our curriculum, technology integration, and programing, and our focus has been on redefining instruction to allow opportunities for students to develop their creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. This work has not gone unnoticed; in tandem with the League of Innovative Schools recognition the District received this fall, the Board also received recognition for the innovative practices we have championed. The Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA) recently presented the Quaker Valley School Board with the 2022 Innovative School Board Award at the annual Pennsylvania Education Innovation Awards event. We are a district recognized for setting high standards for others in the region, state, and nation.

Ultimately, we know that our teaching staff, students, families, and community members are the heart of our District. The Board sees our role as equipping the staff and students with the resources they need to thrive. It is because of the work and time they each invest in our schools that we are frequently

recognized as one of the best school districts in the Greater Pittsburgh region. We were recently named the #6 Best High School in the Pittsburgh Area and the #5 Best High School for College Prep Programs in the Pittsburgh Area by Niche. The US News and World Report named Quaker Valley #9 among the Best High Schools in the Pittsburgh Metro Area for 2022.

Quaker Valley is committed to being forward-thinking and ensuring that our students are prepared for whatever their futures bring. This mindset also applies to our commitment to construct a new high school. This year we have worked with community members, teachers, administrators, architects, and others to create and share what our new high school will look like. Our future-ready design will allow us to leverage the innovative practices engaged in by our District. As we continue working and refining these plans, we are unwavering in our desire to make continuous improvements.

We recognize that a positive partnership between the District and the community at large is essential for us to maintain respect and trust, to work together to improve the educational experiences of our students, and to make fiscally responsible decisions. We can best represent our community when our

members are actively engaged with supporting our mission, sharing feedback, and asking questions. We welcome and encourage everyone to learn more about the District, participate in school board meetings, attend events, and engage in all that Quaker Valley has to offer.

When I talk about all the wonderful things Quaker Valley is doing and has done in the past, I speak with first-hand experience. I and four other members of the Board are graduates and life-long Quakers. Eight out of our nine board members have had or currently have children in the District. Our investment in the District and its future is personal. We are committed to serving this community.

I invite everyone to read through our report and take a closer look at our District and the wonderful things we have to share.

Jonathan Kuzma,  President

PSSA

proficient or advanced on tests taken in the 2021-2022 school year)

tests taken in the 2021-2022 School Year

AP Exams Student Achievement

162 students took 339 AP exams in 23 subject areas.  Scores of three (3) or better on these exams constitutes a “passing score.”

In 2022, 86% of the exams taken by QVSD students received a score of 3 or above.

Also in 2022, 73% of the exams taken by QVSD students received a score of 4 or above.

AP Scholar with Distinction: This award is granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken, and scores of three (3) or higher on five or more AP exams.  In 2022, 23 Quaker Valley students received this honor.

AP Scholar with Honor: This award is granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken, and scores of three (3) or higher on four or more AP exams.  In 2022, 17 Quaker Valley students received this honor.

AP Scholar: This award is granted to students who receive scores of three (3) or higher on three or more AP exams.  In 2022, 30 Quaker Valley students received this honor.

AP Excellence and Equity: Excellence and Equity is the percentage of students in the graduating class who passed (score of 3, 4 or 5) at least one AP exam at some point in their high school career. The AP Excellence and Equity score for QVSD in 2022 was 51.7% (up 5.4% from 2021).

NOCTI Statistics

NOCTI Exam is the National Occupational Competency Testing Institute Exam. Students who attend the Parkway West Career and Technology Center during high school take the exam at the end of their program of study to demonstrate competency in the skills needed to perform at a high level in their chosen career.

100% Passed 87.5% Scored Advanced 8 QV students took the exam

2022-2023 BUDGET

Revenue

Local Total: $45,456,809 (81.7%)

Real Estate: $37,320,153

Earned Income: $4,777,589

State Total: $9,121,710 (16.4%)

Basic Educational Subsidy: $2,019,973

Special Education Subsidy: $881,691

Property Tax Reduction: $845,429

Ready to Learn: $66,366

Federal and Other Total: $1,057,643 (1.9%)

ESSER: $500,000

ACCESS: $295,000

Title I: $195,377

Total Revenue

$55,636,162

8th Lowest Millage Rate among 42 school districts in Allegheny County

What is a millage rate? The millage rate is the tax rate used to calculate property taxes. One mill is equal to $1 per every $1,000 of property value. Quaker Valley’s millage rate is 20.0367 mills. If your home is assessed at $200,000 in 2023, your property taxes will be just over $4,000 per year.

Total Expenses

$55,638,679

Expenses

Salaries and Benefits: $37,216,336 (66.97%)

Debt Service: $6,473,544 (11.63%)

Transportation: $2,273,568 (4.09%)

Facilities (including utilities), Safety and Security Services: $1,887,990 (3.39%)

Technology: $1,206,633 (2.17%)

Fund Transfers: $950,000 (1.71%)

Cyber/Charter Schools: $751,066 (1.35%)

Investing in Our Students

ESSER I, II, and III funds were used to enhance the teaching and learning experience for all students in grades K-12. These funds supported the District’s implementation of iPads across all grade levels, provided additional teachers to support online learning with smaller class sizes, and allowed for the purchase of instructional support programs to identify learning gaps and accelerate learning for those in need. ESSER funding also allowed the District to update HVAC and air purification systems while adding additional sanitization stations, hands-free faucets, and personal protection equipment (PPE) such as masks, desk dividers, and cleaning supplies.

CLASS OF 2022

Grant Huddleston

Each year, the Quaker Valley School Board gives an award to an outstanding senior. This year Grant Huddleston received the award for his dedication to learning, commitment to responsible citizenship, and personifying the value of a Quaker Valley education.

During his time at Quaker Valley, he founded Peters Project, a company that uses virtual reality to alleviate isolation in nursing homes. He had an apprenticeship with Carnegie Mellon University Entertainment Technology Center, started the first investment business club at Quaker Valley to facilitate financial literacy, designed a logo and website to promote “anyone can create art” with a following of 20K on Almost Artists LLC, volunteered at Masonic Village, participated in Performing Arts Camp for seven years in over 14 shows, played both Junior Varsity and Club Soccer, reached 30 million people to promote hard work and fitness goals by establishing Fitness Media Brand on Instagram, was a member of the Math League, and represented Quaker Valley on Hometown HighQ Grant currently attends Emory University.

Class of 2022 Average GPA

Nineteen members of the QVHS Class of 2022 committed to advancing their academic and athletic careers after high school.

Ellie Bates

Track & Field @ Geneva College

Blaise Burns

Soccer @ Geneva College

Keller Chamovitz

Soccer @ Lycoming College

Anna Cohen

Track & Field and Cross Country @ University of Pittsburgh

Patrick Cutchember

Wrestling @ Clarion University

Nathan Dicks

Football @ Marietta College

Mason Diemert

Wrestling @ UNC Pembroke

Wil Dunda

Soccer @ Geneva College

Ryan Edwards

Soccer @ Florida Gulf Coast University

Tommaso Floro

Baseball @ Allegheny College

Markus Frank

Basketball @ Shippensburg University

Jack Gardinier

Basketball @ Susquehanna University

Ruby Hale Lacrosse @ Gannon University

Zeke Hendricks

Baseball @ California University of PA

Kadin Johnson

Track & Field @ Slippery Rock University

Rowan Kriebel

Soccer @ Ohio Wesleyan University

Justin Richey

Wrestling @ Gettysburg College

Jamir Steffey

Football @ Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology

Adou Thiero

Basketball @ University of Kentucky

Post High School Plans

Congratulations to the following recipients recognized at the senior recognition assembly.

Richard Kriever Award Band Bob Carey

Richard Kriever Award Orchestra

Sousa/Griffith Award Band

Bedison Award for Band

Bedison Award for Orchestra

Bittersweet

Grace Stampfel

Woody Blaine

Ethan Albright

Zea Juarez-Safran

Annie Comerci, Ella Franks

Quaker Quill.............................................................................................................. Ellie Bates

Quaker Quotes ............................................... Ainsley Commens, Ellie Bates, Lilly Capezzuto

Maddie Amato, Anna Licastro

WPIAL Nominees .................................................................. Amelia Herrmann, Adam Tanabe

Superintendent’s Citizenship Award ..................................................................... Rachael Finke

School Board Graduating Senior Award ........................................................... Grant Huddleston

School Board Representatives .................................................................... Alex Fox, Sara Ruhl

Society of Women Engineers ............................................................................... Maddie Amato

HSA Representatives .............................................................................. Ellie Bates, Wil Dunda

Marine Distinguished Athlete Male ........................................................................ Justin Richey

Marine Distinguished Athlete Female........................................................................ Anna Cohen

Marine Scholastic Excellence Award .....................................................................

Semper Fidelis Award ..........................................................................................

Patrick Munn

Charlie Crane

Hometown HighQ Patrick Munn, Grant Huddleston, Hayden Earlewine

Math League

Global Scholar Recognition

Mary Pangburn, Jacob Boone, Michael Lipton, Wyatt Riker

Wyatt Riker, Adam Boone

Eleanor Schlick

Physical Education Department Award Wil Dunda

Parkway CTC Recognition

Logan Bell, Jordan Bosh, Reiley Cronin

Esten Dugan, Dahlia Klauck, Ronnie Maccaglia

Bella Mikita, Max Pelloni, Stephen Ritchey, Gabriella Savka

English Communication Award .......................... Bella Benge, Sophie Gledhill, Eleanor Schlick

Members of the QVHS Class of 2022 were awarded scholarships during a celebration on Tuesday, May 31. Congratulations to the following winners who were honored at Senior Scholarship Night.

QVEA Scholarships ..............................................Miriam Whitacre, Rachael Finke, Sara Ruhl

Spencer Crane Scholarship Jack Peduzzi

Dominic Roppa Scholarship Henry Wagner

Robert Hartley Scholarship Ellie Bates

Robby Hague Scholarships Spencer Clifford, Sara Ruhl, Markus Frank, Hayden Earlewine

Masonic Lodge Scholarships Emma Hamm, Kyle Rice

Union Aid Scholarships Maddie Amato, Vanessa Bosh, Christina Romanyuk

Flaherty Fardo Wrestling Scholarships Patrick Cutchember, Justin Richey

FRIENDS of QV Scholarships

Maddie Amato, Amanda Chau, Alex Fox, Andrew Glas, Amelia Herrmann, Wyatt Riker, Christina Romanyuk

QVEF Scholarships ......... Zeke Hendricks, Amelia Herrmann, Wesley Minard, Jack Peduzzi, Wyatt Riker, Christina Romanyuk, Tim Smith, Miriam Whitacre, Constance P. Bogan

Theatre Arts Scholarships ............................. Stella Christensen, Ilijana Hasak, Lily Marcotte

Susan Harger-Hartford Scholarship ....................................................................... Charlie Crane

Live Like Jordan Scholarship ................................................................................ Dahlia Klauck

Masonic Village Scholarship ........................................................................... Grant Huddleston

F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Charities Scholarship ............................................................ Christina Romanyuk

Kellie Hankinson Scholarship .......................................................................... Amelia Herrmann

Edgeworth Garden Club Scholarships ............................................ Thia Ferderbar, Declan Haas

2021-2022 HIGHLIGHTS

August 2021

August 25, First Day of School

September 2021

September 3, QVSD hires BSHM and Bohlin Cywinski Jackson to design a new Quaker Valley High School.

October 2021

The QVSD 2021 Homecoming King MAC Giles and Queen Ellie Bates were announced during half-time of the Homecoming Game on October 8. The Homecoming Dance was held on October 16 at the high school football field.

QVHS Drama Club presented THE VISIT by Friedrich Dürrenmatt on November 5 and 6.

November 2021

Quaker Valley Middle School Fall Musical, Matilda Jr., hit the Middle School stage November 11-13 and November 18 and 19 to the delight of soldout crowds.

The Quaker Valley Boys Soccer team captured its 9th PIAA State Championship with the game ending in penalty kicks and a 5-4 victory!

5th grade teams from Osborne and Edgeworth Elementary Schools and 6th grade teams from the Middle School participated in the annual CalcuSolve math event on November 18th. Luke Monyok and Rachel Johnson both earned individual recognition and 3rd place honors.

Bassist Milo Hasak was selected through competitive audition to the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) District 1 Honors Orchestra festival held at Fox Chapel Area High School November 21-22.

December 2021

Quaker Valley High School was named the 6th Best Public High School and 5th best College Prep Public High School in the Pittsburgh area and the 8th Best School District in the Pittsburgh Area by Niche ratings, with an overall grade of an A+.

The Office of Collegiate Affairs hosted an assistant professor of American Sign Language, Frank Sankey from Mount Aloysius College and interpreter Lori Hutchinson on December 7. Students learned about American Sign Language and the various opportunities in the field.

Eight Quaker Valley teams competed in the annual History Bowl at the Senator John Heinz History Center on December 15. Team members Margaret Burns, Lauren Happe, Emmanuel Romano-Toppetta, and Maren Webb from the Middle School were awarded 1st Place in their division!

January 2022

Bassist Milo Hasak, chellist Bob Carey, and violinist Charlie Crane each earned a seat at the PMEA District 1 Orchestra Festival held January 15-16. While at Districts, Charlie successfully auditioned for the top of his section and earned a place in the PMEA Western Region State Orchestra Festival in February.

The Western Allegheny County Area (WACA) Honors Band festival was held on January 24 and included Stella Christensen (senior; flute, and piccolo), Reann McCracken, and Shawna Smith (juniors; clarinet), Shahzayb Ahmed (sophomore; contrabass clarinet), Gordon Merriman (senior; trumpet), Marie Nastasi (sophomore; trumpet), Patrick Munn (senior; baritone saxophone), Woody Blaine (senior; euphonium), Ethan Albright (senior; percussion), and Jake Milletary (junior; percussion).

Gordon Merriman competed to earn a spot at Regionals at the PMEA District 1 West Band Festival on January 28-29. Senior Bob Carey

February 2022

Quaker Valley’s Isabella Murano was honored as one of the Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania’s “18 Under Eighteen.” Her work to reduce waste and improve sustainability at school led to her own startup, Eco-Assemble, which provides kits to inspire kids to learn and create.

QVMS and QVHS had another successful year at the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) regional competition. Students who earned a 1st place award were invited to the state competition.

QVMS 1st place awards:

Emma Currier “Effect of Air Pressure of a Soccer Ball on Height of Bounce”

Olivia Galluzzo “Analyzing the Effect of Scented Toys on Dog Interest Time”

Annalise Happe “Analyzing the Effect of Font Color on the Score of Reading Test”

Charlotte Liao “Can Music Make Us More Creative?”

Liam Miller “Rate of Ice Melting When in Contact with Different Materials”

Ella Palmer “Analyzing the Effect of Font Sizes on Test Scores”

Dominic Pogue “The Effect of Different Germination Methods on Growth Rate”

QVMS 2nd place awards:

Margaret Burns “Analyzing the Effect of Multitasking on Short Term Memory”

Kendra Hines “The Effect of Egg Substitutes on Circumference of Cookies”

Katherine Linge “Heart Rate and Swimming”

Laila Pasko “Analyzing the Effects of BPM on Human Heart Rate”

Jonah Schollaert “Effect of Time Practicing Golf on Accuracy of the Shots”

QVHS 1st place awards:

Hope Linge “The Effect of Constant UV Exposure on Sunscreen’s Efficacy”

Emma Smith “Bring the Heat: Effect of Temperature on the Freshwater Plants”

QVHS 2nd place award:

Amelia Herrmann “Putting Trash Into Your Streets”

The Quaker Valley Wrestling Team won their first ever WPIAL Class 2A Championship. The team beat Burrell on February 5 at Chartiers-Houston High School. Burrell had won the title 15 years in a row. QV’s team was originally started in 2017.

The Quaker Valley Middle School Music Department presented For the Love of Music on February 8 at 5 p.m. at St. Stephen’s Church in Sewickley. The evening included performances from QV musicians, a concert from “The Bella Tones,” an evening of desserts, and a silent auction and raffle.

Quaker Valley High School students celebrated Black History Month by reading stories to students in grades K-3. The QVHS Black Student Union organized the high school students’ visit to Osborne and Edgeworth Elementary Schools on February 17 where they read some of their favorite children’s books to the classes.

Freshman cellist Louisa Webster represented QV at the PMEA Junior High District 1 Orchestra which was held at North Hills Middle School February 18-19.

QVHS Sophomore Brahm Gianiodis, competed in the Western Pennsylvania Division of the International Academic Competitions. Western Pennsylvania Political Science Bee, JV Division – 2nd place (Qualified for Nationals); Western Pennsylvania Geography Bee, Varsity Division –3rd place (Qualified for National and International Geography Championships); Western Pennsylvania History Bee (Qualified for National and International History Olympiad)

Matt Dado, technology and engineering teacher at QVHS, was named one of 19 ambassadors in the Pennsylvania STEM Ambassador Program.

Karyn Dobda, Director of Innovation & Strategic Initiatives, was named the 2022 Technology Administrator of the Year by the PA Association for Educational Communications and Technology (PAECT).

March 2022

To celebrate Read Across America Day, 5th grade students visited younger classrooms, sharing some of their favorite stories on March 2.

The Strings North Area Honors Orchestra was held in March and included freshman cellist Louisa Webster, and the following violinists: Mia Strelec (sophomore), Grace Kenny (freshman), Kathryn Main (sophomore), Keira Cowher (freshman), Sanai Horne (freshman), Serena Hutchens (freshman), Spencer Clifford (senior), and Reann McCracken (junior).

Members of both the Middle and High School Science Olympiad teams earned spots in the state competition. The QVMS team (grades 6-9) earned 4th place and the HS team earned 5th place.

QVHS Event Medalists:

1st – WiFi Lab – Oliver Graham, Hope Linge

2nd – Bridge – Sienna Albano, Oliver Graham

2nd – It’s About Time – Wyatt Riker, Loren Barnes

2nd – Trajectory – Mia Strelec, Oliver Graham

3rd – Chemistry Lab – Mary Pangburn, Wyatt Riker

3rd – Dynamic Planet – Patrick Munn, Hope Linge

3rd – Remote Sensing – Spencer Clifford, Meera Kumar

4th – Environmental Chemistry – Emma Smith, Mary Pangburn

4th – Experimental Design – Hope Linge, Emma Smith, Meera Kumar

2021-2022 HIGHLIGHTS

QVMS students earned medals in 15 of the 23 events at the Science Olympiad. The team attended the state competition in April. Congratulations to: Maggie Watson, Charlie Pyle, Colin York, Luca Albano, Max Brackney, Max Soderstrom, Xander Vescio, Freya Gordon, Rachel Bartels, Ruth Whitacre, Kieran Cain, Henry Zupanc, Sasha Zupanc, Lea Mauer, and Joyce Olawaiye

Five Quaker Valley Odyssey of the Mind teams representing Edgeworth and Osborne Elementary Schools competed in the Western PA Odyssey of the Mind Regional Tournament on March 5 at Keystone Oaks Middle and High Schools. Three of the five teams advanced to state-level competition. At the state level, the 5th grade team placed 6th, the 4th grade team placed 7th, and the 3rd grade team placed 7th.

QVHS Swimmers competed in March and several qualified for WPIALS: Emily Connors, Ella Fuener, Thomas Fuener, Mia Fusco, Margaret Getty, Rena Gilligan, Paige Juliano, Kwilai Karto, Ryan Steinfurth, Alex Wagner, and Spencer Wiehe

Boys Basketball won the WPIAL title by beating Montour. This was the first WPIAL Boys Basketball Title for QV since 1997.

The HS Musical cast and crew invited local seniors to join them “under the sea” to preview the spring musical production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid. The musical took place March 10-12.

Quaker Valley’s Hometown HighQ Team won their first-round matchup. Hometown HighQ is an academic challenge hosted by KDKA meteorologist Ray Petelin. The team was comprised of seniors Patrick Munn, Grant Huddleston, Hayden Earlewine, Mary Pangburn, Jacob Boone, Michael Lipton, and Wyatt Riker.

PIAA Swimming Championships at Bucknell: Quaker Valley’s Emily Connors placed 6th in the 100 freestyle and the relay team of Ella Fuener, Margaret Getty, Paige Juliano, and Emily Connors placed 10th in the 400 freestyle relay. The girls team ended the state meet with a 10th place overall finish. Congratulations to QV Diver Ruby Olliffe who medaled and made it to the podium by placing 6th at PIAA Championships!

Patrick Cutchember was selected to represent the 189-pound weight class for the WPIAL AllStar team in the Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic. In addition, QV Head Coach Mike Heinl was selected as the all-star team’s head coach.

Four wrestlers brought home PIAA AA individual state medals, a school record! Patrick Cutchember (senior, 189#) 4th place, Justin Richey (senior, 160#) 6th place, Logan Richey (junior, 120#) 8th place,and Jack Kazalas (sophomore 113#) 8th place

QV Student-Athlete Markus Frank now owns the school record for most points in a single basketball season. His 29 points against Fairview gave him a season total of 703 points. This surpassed Rich Woznicki’s 41-year-old record of 691 points in a single season.

Each year the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards are given out to students who excel in art and writing. Five Quaker Valley High School students have been recognized: Elizabeth Belcastro, Spencer Clifford, Ella Franks, Erin Walker, and Elise Wilson

April 2022

On April 1 the Quaker Valley Middle School 8th Grade Orchestra under the direction of Mrs. Corrie Nye, and the Quaker Valley High School Orchestra under the direction of Mr. Cory Neville participated in an adjudication that found both the QVMS 8th Grade Orchestra and the QVHS Orchestra were deserving of earning “Superior/Outstanding/A+” ratings in all aspects of their performances.

Dr. Carol Sprinker was named a Most Valuable Principal by the Pittsburgh Penguins! This program recognizes principals who demonstrate an innovative approach to learning, a continuous strive for excellence, and a passion for their school and students. Dr. Sprinker was one of 15 principals selected for this honor.

Congratulations to Quaker Valley’s Paige Frank, who was named a finalist for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America Youth of the Year award! Paige will represent Western Pennsylvania at the state level of the competition.

Senior Charlie Crane was selected to participate in the PMEA All-State Orchestra. Charlie’s audition video earned him a spot in the All-State viola section, placing 7th out of 21 selected violists.

Paige Frank and Sanai Horne, participated in the first annual ACT-SO (Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics) competition sponsored by the Coraopolis NAACP. Sanai earned a gold medal in the classical instrumental category, and Paige earned silver medals in engineering and computer science.

5th grade teams from Osborne and Edgeworth Elementary Schools participated in the annual STEM Design Challenge event. Students from school districts throughout the region competed in this virtual event on April 12, sponsored by the Allegheny Intermediate Unit. Each team had to submit the following project components: a prototype blueprint, a design notebook, pictures of their prototype, and a two-minute presentation.

QV’s Adou Thiero was named Pittsburgh PostGazette Player of the Year for basketball!

QV’s Boys Basketball Coach and Athletic Director

Mike Mastroianni was named Pittsburgh PostGazette Coach of the year!

On April 22, ten QV string musicians visited East Allegheny Junior/Senior High School to participate in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) Elementary Strings Festival.

Edgeworth:

Gracie Johnson, Viola

Evan Donaldson, Cello

Emilia Lezama, Violin 2

Claire Weinberg, Violin 2

Osborne:

William Webster, Violin 2

Oliver Zutter, Cello

QVMS:

Connor Sheridan, Cello

Zoe Hermenau, Bass

Vito Pogue, Bass

Rachel Johnson, Violin I

Paige Frank was named PA’s Youth of the Year by the Boys and Girls Club of Western

May 2022

The Girls Track and Field Team won the first WPIAL Class 2A track and field championship since 2007.

The Boys Tennis Team won its second straight WPIAL Class 2A team title.

There was a mock crash at QVHS to serve as a reminder of the dangers of distracted driving.

Stella Christensen was nominated for a 2022 Gene Kelly Award for Outstanding Student Artist — Costume Designer.

Edgeworth Elementary School 5th grade students hosted “Carnival for a Cure” on May 20. The money from this event benefitted the American Cancer Society.

The Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) State Competition took place May 16 at Penn State University in State College, PA.

QVMS:

Emma Currier won a 1st place award for her experiment “Effect of Air Pressure of a Soccer Ball on Height of Bounce.”

Olivia Galluzzo won a 1st place award for her experiment “Analyzing the Effect of Scented Toys on Dog Interest Time.” Olivia also won the $100 PJAS Regional Directors Award for best zoology experiment in her age group at the regional competition.

Annalise Happe won a 1st place award for her experiment “Analyzing the Effect of Font Color on the Score of Reading Test.”

Charlotte Liao won a 2nd place award for her experiment “Can Music Make Us More Creative?”

Ella Palmer won a 2nd place award for her experiment “Analyzing the Effect of Font Sizes on Test Scores.”

QVHS:

Hope Linge won a 1st place award for her experiment “The Effect of Constant UV Exposure on Sunscreen’s Efficacy.” Hope also won the $150 prize from The Society of Analytic Chemists of Pittsburgh in her age group.

2021-2022 HIGHLIGHTS

Four students were awarded the Superintendent Citizenship Award. The awards are presented each year to students in grades 5, 8, and 12 and are nominated by each school’s principal and/or student council. Congratulations to: Madison Ruddle of Osborne Elementary School, Hattie Soderstrom of Edgeworth Elementary School, Olivia Galluzzo of Quaker Valley Middle School, and Rachael Finke of Quaker Valley High School.

Quaker Valley’s 2022 Prom, “An Enchanted Garden,” took place on May 20. Students gathered at the High School for the annual Grand March Promenade before heading to the Pittsburgh North Marriott for dinner and dancing. Declan Haas and Thia Ferderbar were named prom royalty.

The Girls on the Run team from Osborne Elementary School ran their first 5K at the Waterfront in Homestead. The team was made up of 20 girls in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades who trained for 10 weeks while also learning lessons throughout the season about kindness, friendships, and handling challenges.

Several QV musicians were recognized for being selected to play in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) festivals this spring. Thank you to the music teachers for helping coordinate this honor for our students.

PMEA Elementary Band Fest 6th Graders:

Caden Hanna, alto saxophone

Hannah Olawaiye, clarinet

Lena Rothbauer, flute

Michael Semonik, trumpet

PMEA Jr. High District Band:

Evan James, 7th grade, baritone

Charlotte Liao, 8th grade, French horn

Asher Muretisch, 8th grade, oboe

Joey Nastasi, 8th grade, trombone

Bradley Semonik, 8th grade, alto saxophone

PMEA Jr. High District Chorus:

Charlotte Liao, 8th grade, alto

Rose Pocasangre, 7th grade, alto

Edgeworth Elementary School:

Ava Franus, trombone

Ellie Ravenstahl, clarinet

Osborne Elementary School:

Summer 2022

Quaker Valley High School Students worked with QV Chief of School Police Aaron Vanatta and HS English Teacher Marc Duchin to create a public service announcement for JustDrive. The team received a $1,000 grant from the Child Health Association of Sewickley and used Bit Sized productions as an educational experience for students.

Quaker Valley’s Director of Facilities Mr. Charlie Gauthier offered three summer tours of the new high school property off Camp Meeting Road.

Technology in the Classroom at QV

Quaker Valley is a 1:1 school district! Each student in grades K -12 is issued an iPad to use as part of their instructional program. Here are some of the apps and tools students and teachers use daily in the classroom:

• Schoology to post assignments, documents, and resources and submit online assignments.

• Destiny Follett to search for digital and print books in all four school libraries.

• Notability to create a dynamic digital notebook for each class which may include handwritten or typed notes, text, drawings, and photos.

• Google Docs and Slides and Apple’s Keynote and Pages to collaborate and complete written assignments and presentations.

• iMovies and Clips to create multi-media projects and presentations.

• BookCreator to tell a story or document a process.

• Sketches School to sketch, draw, and create types of visual art.

• GarageBand to create audio recordings and original music.

• Nearpod to actively participate in classroom instruction designed by the teacher.

• POWER Library, Gale, EBSC, and other online databases to conduct research.

Quaker Valley Computer Science Offerings:

• All students in grades K -8 are enrolled in a computer science course as part of their instructional program. These courses provide opportunities for student to engage in coding and robotics and in lessons about digital citizenship.

• Pre-engineering courses are offered to students at the MS and HS where students learn about project design and engage in problem-solving activities.

– Students in grades 9-12 can earn five microcertifications in Introduction to Robotics and Advanced Robotics through Carnegie Robotics Academy: Fabrication Foundations, Electrical Foundations, Software Foundations, Mechanical Foundations, and Robotics Integrator

– High School students can select from several computer science and IT electives. These electives include: Introduction to Python, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Computer Science A (Java), Introduction to Java Programming, Web Design, and Networking Essentials. Each of these courses builds a foundation which students learn how to build a computer, how information travels between computers and within a network, computer programming, and web site design.

THE HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT

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