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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2012
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SUNDAY DISPATCH
PITTSTON AREA NEWS
Parent/teacher conferences this week The PA School District will be closed Nov. 22, 23 and 26 for the Thanksgiving Holiday. Classes will resume on Tuesday, Nov. 27. Parent/Teacher Conferences: The Primary & Kindergarten Center will have conferences Monday, Nov. 19, Tuesday, Nov. 20 and Wednesday, Nov. 21. The students will be dismissed at 12:50 p.m. on those days. The Intermediate Center will have conferences Monday, Nov. 19, Tuesday, Nov. 20 and Wednesday, Nov. 21. The students will be dismissed at 12:50 p.m. on those days. The Middle School will have conferences Monday, Nov. 19, and Tuesday, Nov. 20. The students will be dismissed at 12:30 p.m. on those days. High School
• Anti Bullying On Monday, Oct. 1, Pittston Area hosted an anti-bullying day in honor of October being bully prevention month. Students paid $5 to dress down and wear a blue shirt and show their support against bullying. "I think the things the students are doing are amazing," said Kaitlyn Simyan, a junior. "It really shows how our school is here for one another and how we stick together." According to the National Center of Education, almost one third of high school students reported being bullied in the year 2007. Almost 160,000 students stay home on any given day because they’re afraid of being bullied. Up to 43% of kids have been cyber bullied. The high school also held a door decorating contest. Each homeroom was asked to decorate their door with an anti-bullying theme. The doors were judged on Oct. 12. The winner was Mr. Joe Caprari’s senior homeroom. "All the doors decorated look so nice,” said Brielle Culp, a junior. "I’m so glad to see the whole school taking a part." Haleigh Zurek • Key Club honors vets The Pittston Area Key Club and their Advisor, Mrs. Judy Greenwald, along with members and advisors from the Pittston Area Middle School Builder’s Club and the Pittston Kiwanis, replaced American Flags on the graves of veterans at St. John’s cemetery in Pittston on Saturday, Nov.10 in honor of Veterans Day. The students removed the old, worn flags and replaced them with 576 flags provided by the Veterans Services Office in Wilkes-Barre. Club members were very moved to be able to provide this service and they were concerned that they were still short about 50 flags when they ran out of them. The Key Club replaces flags in this cemetery every year, usually on Memorial Day, but this year chose to do Veterans Day. The cemetery looked very spruced up after the project was complete and the worn flags were sent to the local Boy Scouts for the proper disposal of the flags. • Dress Down Day Staff and students at the Pittston Area high school recently came together to help a graduate. On October 27, the school had a dress down day for 2012 graduate David Dragon, a 19 year old from Jenkins Township who was severely hurt in a car accident in early September. All together, $1,420 dollars was raised, and the fundraiser turned into a huge success. The money will be used to benefit Dave and the requirements needed for him to recover as quickly as possible. His sister, Lauren Dragon, is a sophomore at Pittston and helped put together the event. -Jenny Meck • Annual Red Cup Project: No Txts: No Rex Recently, the PA high school driver’s ed class completed their red cup project. The students decorated the high school fence with the phrase “No Txts: No Rex” to remind everyone not to text and drive. On average it takes 26 seconds to send a text, and that is 26 seconds when
someone is concentrating on something other than the road. It takes the most skilled driver at least 3 seconds to realize and respond to a problem and it takes at least 9 times that amount of time to send a text. Don’t be one of the thousands of people to lose their lives to a text message. Don’t be a part of the problem, be the solution. Don’t text and drive. - Samantha Piazza • Yearbooks Yearbooks may be picked up at the High School on Tuesday November 20 and Wednesday November 21 between the hours of 9-11 a.m. and 1- 2 p.m. only. Books will only be handed out when accounts are paid in full. If you cannot arrange for pick-up during these times please contact Mrs. Tara Craig at craigtar@pittstonarea.com or by calling the high school at 654-2415. • Leo’s Club installs members The Pittston Area Leo’s Club recently held installation of new members at the High School Library. Each member received a Leo Polo shirt and Leo pins compliments of their sponsor the Dupont Lions Club. • Senior Interviews Marina Sell, the daughter of Melissa Zambetti and Michael Sell, was born on July 26, 1995. She currently lives in Pittston. Marina is involved in the ICE club, the KEY club, Art club, Student Council, soccer, chorus, and concert band. Marina’s favorite teachers are Ms. Kotula and Mrs. Miller. Her most memorable high school moment was when her soccer coach asked her to be a starter on varsity as a sophomore. If she was able to start high-school over again, she wouldn’t do a thing differently. Marina’s very confident with the choices she made and feels they are what made her the person she is today. The most challenging part of high-school for her would have been her entire junior year because it was very tough for her. As an adult, she is looking forward to being independent and successful. After graduation,Marina plans to attend college and major in the science field. If she had to describe her highschool experience in one word, she would describe it as unforgettable. Aaron Black, of Duryea, was born on June 25, 1995. He is the son of Tony and Ann Marie Black. His favorite teachers are Mrs. Miller, Mr. (Sean) Walsh, and Mr.Amitia. Aaron is involved in both the National Honor Society and the KEY club. If he could start high-school over again and do something differently,he would have played football and basketball. His favorite movie is The Dark Knight Rises while his favorite band is the Zac Brown Band. Aaron’s personal catchphrase is "shake ’n bake". The most challenging part of high-school was learning his way around the halls. After graduation, Aaron’s plans are to find a good job and to attend college. If he could describe his highschool experience in one word,he would describe it as memorable. Bryan Russo, son of Brian and Janet Russo, was born on February 4, 1995. He is currently lives in Avoca. Bryan is the best friend of Aaron Black. If he could start high-school over again, Bryan would choose to not procrastinate Intermediate Center
• Fundraiser Pick-Up The Gertrude Hawk fundraiser can be picked up at the next PTO meeting, which is Tuesday, Nov. 27 at 7 p.m. in the Middle School. • Thanksgiving in a Box The Middle School is conducting a “Thanksgiving in a Box” fundraiser in conjunction with the Pittston Area Federation of Teachers and the Greater Pittston Food Pantry. The collection will run until Tuesday, Nov. 20. Please bring in items to help a family in need for the holiday. • A Letter of Appreciation A letter was recently sent on behalf of Mrs. O’Hop, a fourth
On Monday, October 1, Pittston Area hosted an anti-bullying day in honor of October being bully prevention month. Students paid $5 to dress down and wear a blue shirt and show their support against bullying
Pictured, left to right; First row: Lizz Scialpi, Key Club Bulletin Editor, Ashleigh Rose,Taylor Baloga, Alana Platukus, Paige Danko, Marissa Morreale, Julia Stella, Rachel Naylor, Key Club members. Second row: Suraj Pursnani, Key Club Vice-President, Shannon Turner, Key Club Secretary, Matt Shamnoski, Key Club Treasurer, Kelly Mitchell, Kristen Fereck, Key Club President, Nick Bolka, Key Club Senior Representative, Don Sheerer, Pittston Kiwanis, Mackenzie Carroll, Key Club member, Sal Bernardi, Pittston Kiwanis, and Mrs. Greenwald , Key Club Advisor.
Left to right: Mr. Jim Blaskiewicz, Rhonda Miller, Christian Charney, Jamie Rosencrans, Trevor Smith, Nia Lombardo (center), Patrick Joyce, Jake Kaminski, Gurjot Sidhu, Caycee Karpinski, and Katie Stonikinis.
Left to right, Sarah Donahue, Builder's Club Advisor, Hunter Booth, Vito Quaglia, Dominique Quaglia, Michael Basta, Mia Barbieri, Katie Martin,, Builder's Club Advisor and Patrick Mitchell is in the background. Pictured with the club mascot Leonardo are 2012/2013 members of the Leo's Club: Ist row seated: Antoinette Antonacci,Haleigh Zurek, Cl ub Secretary, Irene Magdon, Club Vice-Presidnet; Megan Dougherty, Club President, Lea Garbaldi, Club Treasurer; Dominique DelPriore and Nina Timonte. 2nd row: Kylie Pinto, Mikala Borine, Ashleigh Rose, Matthew Ramos, Brittany Hypolite, Brandon Ferrance, Steven Lee, Christine Briggs, Paula Goss and Cristian Hansen. 3rd Row: Maria Garibaldi, Jessika Timinski, Abagail Sheer, Katie Jobson, Alia Gestl, Anthony D"elieso, Chris Cashmere and Marie Terese Fox.
grade teacher at the school. This letter acknowledges Mrs. O’Hop for her hard work and dedication. The letter went on to state that, “I could not let another day go by without letting you know the exceptional fourth grade teacher you have at the Intermediate Center.” The school values Mrs. O’Hop’s dedication and commitment. Middle School
• Builder’s Club The Builder’s Club will have an “Adopt an Angel” tree stationed in the 7th grade hallway throughout the middle school’s Parent/Teacher Conferences for anyone who would like to participate. The next meeting of the Builder’s Club will be Tuesday, Dec. 4 from 3 until 3:30 p.m. in room 206 with Ms. Donahue and Mrs. Martin. Students are responsible for their own transportation home, and rides must be in front of the Middle School no later than 3:25 p.m. • Middle School Talent Show The middle school talent show was held this past Thursday. • Spelling Bee Practice The next practice for the spelling bee will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 27 in Mrs. Brady’s room. Students are responsible for their own transportation home. The in school spelling bee will be held on Monday, Jan. 28. • Wilkes-Barre CTC Tour Interested members of the 8th grade class will have the opportunity to attend a tour of the Wilkes-Barre Career and Technical Center on Tuesday, Dec. 4.Permission slips must be returned in order to attend the tour which will allow students to experience the career and technical programs offered to our high school students. • Veterans’ Giving Tree The Martin L. Mattei Middle School Spelling Bee Club and the 6th grade teachers ask for
Suraj Pursnani and Ashleigh Rose with the flags that they removed from the graves.
your assistance in supporting Veterans during the Holiday Season by participating in a Veteran’s Giving Tree drive. In order to participate, you are asked to bring one or more of the items listed below to school. Donated items will be given to Veteran’s at the VA Medical Center, Wilkes-Barre. Your donations will be used for the comfort and welfare of the Veterans and to offer some Holiday cheer to the men and women who have served our country. Please help us make this community event a success. Items needed are body wash (no bar soap), denture adhesive and denture cleaner, deodorant, hair brushes and combs, lip balm, shampoo and conditioner (plastic containers), tissues (small individual size), sunglasses and sunscreen, books (large print), colored pencils for drawing, deck of cards (large print), postage stamps, puzzle books (large print), current issues of magazines, new hats, robes, t-shirts, and wheelchair bags, telephone cards, travelsize shaving cream, cards (birthday, get well, thinking of you, sympathy) Bring un-wrapped donations to one of the following rooms by December 7th: Mrs. Brady, Mr.Deangelo, Mrs. Noone, Mrs. Brogan, or Ms. Quinn
Left to right, Mike Bunney, Nicole Walters, Lauren Dragon, Ashley Armitage, Trina Davila, and Michael "Bucky" Schwab.
Standing: Mr. Joseph Caprari, Jenna Leiva, Raeann Loftus, Jerome Kudrako, Mike McGlynn, Jamie Lombardo, Kaitlyn McGuire, Nick Maruska, Stephanie Martinez, Justin Martinelli, Sam Marsola, Jamie Matyjevich, Paula Loftus. Kneeling: Angelo Lussi, Felix Mascelli, Cody McLean, Kris Littleton, James Lizza, CJ Lynch. Sitting: Katrina Lutecki, Catherine Lombardo, Kristen Lombardo, Olivia Lanza, Kaitlynn Kutchta, Robert Lynch