in-fox-chapel-area-fall

FALL 2012 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE ox Chapel Area

Fox Chapel Area School District

2011-2012 State of the Schools

safety-driven

safety-driven

FCAHS Hosts Western PA Summer

STEMM Academy

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COMMUNITY INTEREST

Aspinwall Joins Allegheny Together | 5

Fox Chapel Area School District2011-2012 State of the Schools | 9

Fox Chapel Area School District Inclement Weather Notice | 28

Fox Chapel Area School District’s Gala | 29

Great Idea Grants Fund Great Projects | 32

UPMC Today | Health and Wellness News You Can Use | 37

26-Year-Old Fox Chapel Native Runs for Office | 55

FEATURES

Back to School | 62

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

Northwest Savings Bank | 7

Beleza Plastic Surgery | 31

Perman Funeral Home | 36

Eartique | 49

Fox Chapel Advanced Dental Care | 51

BPU Investments, Inc. | 53

bFit Studio | 54

Circulatory Centers | 56

Hartwood Chiropractic | 60

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Supercuts | 69

32 55

UPMC TODAYHealth and Wellness News You Can Use | Fall 2012

What’s Inside2 Fit To Play

3 Give Your Back a Break

Using Your Blood for Natural Healing

4 A Partnership of Hope and Transformation

6 Magee’s Newest Baby Is Two Stories Tall — and Ready for Guests

7 Exam Room Jitters

What’s Happening at UPMC St. Margaret

Get Ready for FallSoon the leaves will change color and fall to the ground — a welcome mat for cooler days, chilly nights, football games, hayrides, warm sweaters, and everything else that makes fall special.

© 2012 UPMC

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INSIDEIN Fox Chapel Area | FALL 2012 |

IN Fox Chapel Area is a community magazine dedicated to representing, encouraging and promoting the people of Fox Chapel Area School District and its comprising municipalities by focusing on the talents and gifts of the people who live and work here. Our goal is to provide readers with the most informative and professional regional publication in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

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ON THE COVER | Fox Chapel Area High School hosted the first-ever Western Pennsylvania Summer STEMM Academy July 9-August 2, 2012. The four-week program included field experiences, keynote speakers, and round-table discussions – all related to the STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine) fields. Students from six area school districts participated.

Winter content deadline: 11/14/12

Welcome to the fall issue of Fox Chapel Area magazine.I hope that the slow descent into cooler temperatures and the start of the

changing leaf colors bring a smile to your face, as they do mine. Fall is one of my favorite times of year. It marks the start of ski

season, a sport I share with my whole family. It also means warm cider on chilly nights, the return of some amazing stargazing as the skies darken

earlier, and lower electric bills as the air conditioners can finally be removed from the windows. We also have Halloween, of course, which allows us to

share some fun with the kids either through haunted hayrides and houses, or just making the rounds from door to door, filling that pillowcase to the brim with sugary delights.

Halloween kicks off the holiday season, and it seems that every year the last three months on the calendar flip faster than the previous nine.

Thanksgiving gives way to Christmas and Hanukkah, followed by New Year’s. It will be over before you know it, so take some time to have that extra cup of cider, make a few extra wishes on those stars, spend a few more runs down the slopes, and take the time to walk door-to-door with the kids this Halloween. This time is something we can never get back, which makes it one of the most valuable things we have.

Enjoy your fall with the ones you love.

Wayne Dollard Publisher

S ome of the best stories we hear are how two people happened to get together. Some met in bars, some in

supermarkets, others met in more unique circumstances. Send us your story of how you met your spouse. We’ll run the best ones in the next issue. Also include a photo of you and your spouse, how many years you’ve been married and when your anniversary is. Send your story to [email protected] or mail to IN Community Magazines, 603 East McMurray Road, McMurray, PA 15317. You can also fax us at 724.942.0968.

WE WANT TO KNOWHow did you meet your spouse?



For generations, the near-constant development of new

suburban malls and the exodus of people to less developed areas have hurt many of western Pennsylvania’s small towns. But as those who patronize the traditional “Main Street” areas of the region know, small-town business districts are the lifeblood of the region’s economy. These older towns are also, ironically, the hubs of eco-friendly walkable communities, with a comfortable look and feel that many new malls have tried to replicate.

Supporting these small towns—through business building and redevelopment efforts—is the goal of Allegheny Together. The program is run by Allegheny County and pairs business development consultants with merchants, residents and volunteers from the community to revitalize small-town business districts. Towns have to apply for the program, which provides most of the funding for the consultants and redevelopment initiatives, with some matching funds from towns benefiting from the five-year program. This year, Aspinwall was chosen to be a part of it.

“I’ve been applying for this for seven years,” said Ed Warchol, borough manager of Aspinwall.

On June 25, dozens of local leaders and Allegheny Together officials had a kickoff meeting for the program at Aspinwall Borough Hall. The meeting was an introductory get-together, which will be followed by volunteers forming committees as part of the program. Each of the four committees will have at least one council member, in keeping with council’s desire to have all council members involved in the program. The

committees are Code Enforcement, Business

Development, Community Life, and Architecture and Design.

“I think the perspective of council is that this will be a chance to bring businesses

together with the borough officials, and also involve the residents…to get this all coordinated to benefit the entire community,” Warchol said. “The focus of Allegheny Together has turned more toward promoting walking business districts.”

Aspinwall’s participation begins this year, during which the borough won’t have to contribute any matching funds to the program. In 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016, the borough will have to contribute $5,000, $7,500, $10,000, and $10,000 respectively. In return for those funds and a lot of community members volunteering in the program, the borough will receive expert guidance in redeveloping the town during the program years. The borough also will benefit from county funding for business district storefront renovations and other initiatives.

Allegheny Together will focus on the town’s business district along Brilliant Avenue, as well

as the one along Commercial Avenue. One goal of the borough’s involvement in the program is to bring together those two business districts, Warchol noted.

Volunteers will be recruited to help with the Allegheny Together effort in several ways, including through fliers, open community workshop meetings, Aspinwall’s web site (and the upcoming Aspinwall Allegheny Together website), as well as by word of mouth. Residents and business owners are encouraged to get involved, says Warchol.

AspinwallJoins Allegheny Together

“Supporting these small towns—

through business building and

redevelopment efforts—is the

goal of Allegheny Together.”

by Jonathan Barnes


Fox Chapel native Casey Taylor signed on with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre as an apprentice for the

2012 -2013 season. She has been dancing for 15 years and has danced professionally since the 2011-2012 season.

Casey has performed Swan Lake with the

Dresden Semperoper Ballet and The Nutcracker with Pennsylvania Ballet. A fan of legendary choreographer George Balanchine, she hopes to one day be a principal ballerina and perform in Giselle in the title role.

Her advice for young dancers is to “Keep believing in yourself...if you stay strong and persevere, your dreams will come true. Mine did.”

Casey Taylor is Living the Dreamwith Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre

Casey Taylor, far left as she performs in Pas de Six

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by Matthew J. Fascetti

During the summer break, Parent Advocates for Learning Support (PALS) hosted a Teacher Recognition Tea at Longue Vue Club to thank several teachers, nominated by

parents, for the special care and support they have provided to the children. Administrators, principals, teachers and teachers’ aides were in attendance.

PALS is a nonprofit organization that supports parents of children with disabilities in the Fox Chapel Area School District. It has been

in place since 2002 and received nonprofit status in 2003. The group was originally formed by a few parents who recognized the important need to share information and resources but had found no such mechanism or organization in the school district serving that purpose. PALS’ mission is to educate parents, giving them the tools to help their children succeed in the classroom. It promotes the coordination of parents, teachers and school administrators working together to give children with learning difficulties the best possible opportunities for success in school and in life.

This was the sixth year PALS awarded a grant of $250 to educators in the Fox Chapel Area School District. The winners were Rose Cipplione, elementary teacher recipient, and Crystal Eastly, middle school teacher recipient. There were over 70 total nominees. The award application specifically indicates how the award will be used to further the education of children with learning differences. It is designed to help these teachers who frequently have to dip into their own pockets to augment the supplies and resources for use in the classroom. The teachers in the Fox Chapel Area School District are extremely dedicated, creative and supportive. They freely give their time and their own resources.

Sarah Nickel, president of PALS, is happy to be part of such an important group. “I wanted to get involved because my son has special needs and has needed support services since he was two years old,” she said. “When you are new to this, you don’t have any resources, or any knowledge of what is available or what your rights are. This organization provides those things to parents.”

During the school year, PALS holds meetings and usually invites a guest speaker. Past topics have included: understanding the law as it applies to special education, organization tools, technology advancements available in the classroom, assistive technology resources, reading support, available outside resources, the importance of social skills education, individualized education process, measurable goals, and many more.

Nickel adds, “We all want our children to be independent, happy and to participate. Having a support group, as well as access to tremendous information and resources, will make it easier for children with special needs to achieve these things.”

Details about upcoming meetings can be found on the PALS website, www.palsinfo.org. For more information contact Sarah Nickel at 412.977.9690 or [email protected].

From left to right: Lori Breen (parent member of PALS), Rose Cipplione, Elementary Teacher, Recipient of the PALS Grant, Tara Lang, PALS Board Member (Email and Website Coordinator), Sarah Nickel, President PALS, Crystal Eastly, Middle School Teacher Recipient of the PALS Grant, and Chris Baldwin, founding member of PALS (12+ years).

PALS Hosts Teacher Recognition Tea


2011-2012 fox chapel area school district state of the schools

Message from the Superintendent

Dear Residents of the Fox Chapel Area School District,

This edition of IN Fox Chapel Area magazine contains the district State of the Schools report for the 2011-2012 school year. We know that our students are amazing with talents still to be discovered. This report outlines the many accomplishments of the district, individual buildings, and the students that make all of the successes happen throughout a year. The 2011-2012 school year was one of continued high achievement and opportunities for all students at all levels.

Highlights of the 2011-2012 school year include:

– Continuous improvement of student achievement on the PSSAs.– PSAT, SAT, and ACT scores above the state and national averages.– A new life skills program housed at O’Hara Elementary School.– Expanded virtual classes at Fox Chapel Area High School.– Completion of a science study to prepare for an expanded STEMM (Science,

Technology, Engineering, Math, and Medicine) initiative.– Creation of the Western Pennsylvania Summer STEMM Academy.– Creation of a Freshman Summer Seminar.– Use of student data to create lessons that address individual differences in

learning and achievement.– Building strong leadership teams of teachers and administrators.– Strong sports programs that build character and sportsmanship.– A successful Gala, “The Arts and all that Jazz” that raised more than $250,000

in support of the arts and PTA/PTO projects in all of our schools.– A donation by a wonderful philanthropist that allowed the district to create

exciting sports areas for our athletes.

The Fox Chapel Area School District strives to create programs and practices that allow all students to maximize achievement and develop skills that lead to success later in life. The district was again recognized in The Pittsburgh Business Times foroutstanding achievement for all students. Fox Chapel Area High School received a third Silver Medal recognition by U.S.News & World Report and was also recognized as one of the top performing high schools in the nation by Newsweek magazine.

Thank you parents, students, and residents for your continued support of education in the Fox Chapel Area School District.pel Area School District.

Anne E. Stephens, Ph.D.

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10 Fox Chapel Area


Improvement of Student Achievement2011-2012 Accomplishments

• Based on PSSA scores, the Pittsburgh Business Times’ 2012 Guide to Western Pennsylvania Schools ranked Fairview Elementary School first in achievement in western Pennsylvania in grade four and second in grade five. This is the fifth consecutive year that Fairview has been named a top-ranking elementary school. Overall, the school district had a ranking of 12 in the state in 2012 and maintained a ranking of six for academic performance in western Pennsylvania. The district was ranked number seven in western Pennsylvania as an overachieving school district.

• The kindergarten-12th grade teachers continued to grow in their ability to analyze data and use data to construct lessons to maximize student achievement. The goal of 90 percent proficiency or above in reading and math at each grade level continues to be what teachers and administrators are striving to reach.

• In order to meet specific academic goals for each student, teachers maintain a focus on developing the whole child and using differentiated instruction. In addition, teachers outside of the core subject areas select skills from the state standards in the core curricula to “adopt” and incorporate within their area of focus.

• The alumni study surveyed the class of 2009. Overall, alumni rated the quality of instruction at the high school as extremely favorable and there were no subject areas considered as needing improvement. Computer/technology, reading skill development, and listening skills were ranked the highest among learning skills at the high school.

A total of 87 percent of those responding to the survey felt the block schedule assisted them in preparing for the pace of college courses.

• Among the Fox Chapel Area High School Class of 2012 graduates, 69 graduated with a 4.0 or higher QPA.

Percent Scoring Proficient or Above on the 2012 PSSA

School Math Reading Writing

Fox Chapel Area High School (Grade 11) 85% 89% 96%Dorseyville Middle School (Grade 8) 91% 94% 89%Fairview Elementary School (Grade 5) 95% 91% 95%Hartwood Elementary School (Grade 5) 95% 91% 97%Kerr Elementary School (Grade 5) 84% 78% 79%O’Hara Elementary School (Grade 5) 93% 87% 89%

In 2012 the Fox Chapel Area School District, as a whole, made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) based on the scores from the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA). This is the ninth consecutive year that the district has exceeded AYP. Targets for 2012 (set by the national No Child Left Behind Act) were 78 percent in mathematics and 81 percent in reading.

Additionally, the school district was named to the Pittsburgh Business Times’ list of the Top Ten high achieving school districts in western Pennsylvania in 2012. The district was also on the Overachiever top ten list based on the number of economically disadvantaged students who reach high levels of achievement.



2012 SAT/ACT/PSAT MEAN SCORES

2012 SENIOR YEAR SAT MEAN SCORESFox Chapel Area Pennsylvania Nation

Critical Reading 554 491 496 Math 573 501 514Writing 549 480 488

2012 SENIOR YEAR ACT RESULTSFox Chapel Area Pennsylvania Nation

English 24.8 22.0 20.5Math 25.5 22.7 21.1Reading 24.7 22.7 21.3Science 24.3 21.9 20.9Composite Score 25.0 22.4 21.1

Fox Chapel Area High School students continue to outscore the state and nation on both the SAT and ACT in all subject areas.

2012 Grade 10 PSAT mean scoresFox Chapel Area Pennsylvania Nation

Critical Reading 49.4 44.6 42.3 Math 49.9 44.2 42.3Writing 46.2 42.1 40.3The district administered the PSAT to all students in grade 10 during the 2011-2012 school year. The results of this assessment are being used to improve outcomes for students on the SAT and to increase college and career readiness.

• The high school offered 21 Advanced Placement (AP) courses during the 2011-2012 school year with a total enrollment of 1,067 (many students take multiple courses). A total of 257 students completed 445 AP exams representing 42 percent of the AP course enrollment; this compares to 31 percent in 2009. Approximately 90 percent of the tests taken in 2012 resulted in scores of 3 or higher.

• A grades six-twelve science study was conducted by a panel of experts. This study, similar to the math study conducted a few years ago, has given teachers and administrators information to consider as the science curriculum is refined to prepare for the Keystone Exams and STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine) programs and courses.

STEMM programs take root

With the fastest-growing and highest-paying jobs requiring a strong foundation in science and math, the district has established goals to bolster academic achievement and increase enrichment experiences in the Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics,

and Medicine (STEMM) pathways. The first-ever Western Pennsylvania Summer STEMM Academy, sponsored by Fox Chapel Area High School, was designed to provide a project-based learning environment emphasizing STEMM careers and opportunities.

According to the Tri-State Area School Study Council at the University of Pittsburgh, Fox Chapel Area School District is one of only a few districts with a kindergarten-12th grade focus on creating a STEMM initiative and Fox Chapel Area is the only district that has added a second M for Medicine.

• The Fox Chapel Area School District was named among the 2012 “Best Communities for Music Education.” The district is one of five in southwestern Pennsylvania, one of 25 in Pennsylvania, and one of only 166 districts in the nation selected for this prestigious designation. The districts and schools were selected for their commitment and support for music education as part of the core curriculum.

• Fox Chapel Area High School was ranked among the best high schools in the country. The school received a Silver Medal for the third time from U.S.News & World Report. Schools were ranked based on state proficiency standards, how well they prepare students for college, and other factors.

(Continued on next page)

AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

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12 Fox Chapel Area

Academic Safety Nets for Students at all Levels2011-2012 Accomplishments

• The new 2012 Freshmen Summer Seminar was held over a four-week period. A total of 75 students who were entering high school in the fall participated in the workshop. Based on results of a sophomore class survey on the transition to high school, the program was designed to help students grasp the principles of note-taking, studying efficiently, test-taking, and organization.

• At the elementary level, teachers continued to use the Response to Instruction and Intervention (RtII) system to identify and support students who were not moving through the curriculum as expected. The district has found that the RtII system is an efficient method of identifying students who truly need extra support.

• Academy of Math, a research-based mathematics intervention program, was used at all elementary schools. Research-based reading interventions included Reading Recovery, Leveled Literacy, SRA, and SpellRead. Additionally, approximately 120 elementary students participated in the after-school homework helper program during the year and 230 students participated in the summer school program.

• Safety net programs to meet student needs at the middle school included: the Back on Track academic support program (1,306 student visits); the 11th Period program for students who were failing during a nine-week period or in danger of failing a core class for the year, and the DMS Summer Intervention Program as a follow up to the 11th Period program; study hall tutorials for students who scored basic or below basic on the PSSA; the Apangea Math intervention program; and Rosetta Stone language software as a support for students struggling in their selected world language.

• Data analysis impacts instructional decisions and is used to identify a range of interventions to meet student needs at the high school. These programs included special education help centers in English and math; a math help center; extended library hours, both in the morning and in the afternoon; the Back on Track academic tutoring program; as well as the Student Support Team (SST). The administration continues to evaluate each program and makes adjustments as needed based on student input and performance data.

• Additional counseling and online courses were offered to the 29 Fox Chapel Area High School students in the FOCUS (alternative education) program. Ten of the 18 students in the morning program improved their overall grade point average with the greatest gains going from a 1.40 to a 3.34. Eight students in the afternoon program improved their grade point average with the greatest gains going from a 1.89 to a 3.07 and from a 1.67 to a 3.01.

• Fox Chapel Area High School was ranked among the best high schools in the United States, according to Newsweek and The Daily Beast. The school was ranked number 12 in Pennsylvania and number 488 in the nation. Only 36 schools from across Pennsylvania made the list and the annual rankings highlight the 1,000 public high schools nationwide that have proven to be the most effective at turning out college-ready graduates.

• Nine high school seniors were designated as National Merit Finalists and 15 were named Commended Students in the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program. The Finalists include Ishan Chatterjee, Molly Eckman, Steven Ho, Charles Laymon, Zhi Zhong Lou, Jack Millard, Angelia Wang, Robert Whipple, and Zhihong Xu.

• High school seniors Rohan Meringenti and Angelia Wang were honored as candidates in the 2012 Presidential Scholars program. Additionally, Angelia was selected as a national semifinalist. Only 74 students from Pennsylvania were candidates in this year’s program.

• High school senior Sarah Ogren was selected as a national semifinalist for the 2012 Class of the Coca-Cola Scholars Program. She was one of only 67 from Pennsylvania to be named a semifinalist.


2011-2012 fox chapel area school district state of the schoolsAWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS(Continued from previous page)



The high school completes yearlong Middle States accreditation process

The Middle States accreditation process, which began in the spring of 2011, included the development of a building-level strategic plan for the upcoming seven-year accreditation cycle. A four-day site visit by a team of educators then provided the opportunity to showcase all that the high school has to offer. According to Brad Ferko, Ed.D., chairperson of the site visit team, the evaluators were impressed with the caring educators and the collaboration they witnessed at the high school. “We see how the teachers work together in all phases of curriculum development in order to improve student achievement… There’s plenty the staff, students, and community can be proud of here.” The final report from the evaluating team will be released later this fall.

• A total of 96 high school students were named Advanced Placement (AP) Scholars by the College Board in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the college-level AP exams taken in May 2012. Seniors Thomas Vielott and Angelia Wang and juniors Manu Goyal, Gavriel Hirsch, and Zihan Su qualified for the National AP Scholar Award by earning an average score of 4 or higher on all AP exams taken, and scores of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams.

• A team of 27 Fairview Elementary School students placed first in the state and seventh overall in the 47th annual 5th and 6th Grade Knowledge Master Open academic competition. Students from nearly every state and several countries competed in the contest.


AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS(Continued from previous page)

• The district continued to study “what’s in a grade” to determine what materials should be counted as a grade and how to determine if the grade reflects the learning.

• A life skills program was implemented at O’Hara Elementary School for students in kindergarten-grade three. The program, led by Fox Chapel Area teachers, allows students with special needs to stay in their home school district while still receiving all of the educational services they need.

• More than 166 families and 467 children participated in Fox Chapel Area School District Family Literacy Center activities. The objective of the center is to work with and support parents and caregivers as they transition young children into the regular school program. The center researches and utilizes best practices in early learning.


14 Fox Chapel Area

)

• Three high school students were named national winners in The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards of 2012. Junior Lauren Valley and sophomore Tess Lalor both received Silver Medals for their artwork and freshman Rishi Mirchandani received a Silver Medal for his written story. All three students and their teachers were invited to attend a ceremony at Carnegie Hall in New York City. A total of 13 high school students won Gold Keys (first places) as part of the regional awards and had their work submitted to the National Scholastic Art & Writing Awards competition in New York.

• A team of high school students won first place in the 2012 Pittsburgh Brain Bee and, as the first place individual winner, senior Angelia Wang qualified for the 2012 National Brain Bee held in Baltimore.

• High school senior Adam Bisnowaty was one of 100 football players from across the nation chosen to participate in the inaugural Semper Fidelis

All-American Bowl held in Arizona and televised live on the CBS Sports Network January 3.


Social and Emotional Development to Ensure Successful Integration within the District

2011-2012 Accomplishments

• The Core Values were used to help children understand how their actions should reflect Respect, Responsibility, and Integrity. Additionally, the elementary program focused on diversity and individual differences in cultures. Third graders completed a research project on immigration and cultural heritage.

• The middle school stressed the Core Values and used the “Character Chronicles” and the “Get Set” and “Go” programs to address bullying, conflict resolution, understanding differences, organization, prioritizing, and planning for the future. The student council was given the task of reviewing new anti-bullying videos for use throughout the school. The administration also explored new ways to communicate respect through the appreciation of different cultures within the school and society.

• The organizational structure of the high school student government continues to be successful in getting students involved and in making decisions concerning school activities and changes that will benefit students from all district communities. Additionally, events were scheduled throughout the year at the high school to raise awareness of the many cultures represented in the district.

• New middle school students participated in team-building activities and attended a reading program on “Macaroni Boy,” the opening reading assignment for all sixth grade students. Additionally, fifth grade teachers held meetings with middle school teachers to discuss the transitioning process and to make changes at each level to ensure a smooth transition from grade five to grade six.





(Continued from previous page)

• Four high school seniors had their artwork qualify for exhibition in the 2012 National Juried High School Metals Exhibition held in Greenville, South Carolina. The students are Matthew Boring, Haley Durr, Alexandra Konopasek, and Seul Yi. Only 79 pieces of artwork were chosen to be a part of the exhibit.

• Two high school students placed at the North American International Model UN Conference held in Washington, D.C. Seniors Johnny Lou and Jack Millard won Best Delegate, equivalent to first place. With nearly 3,000 students in attendance, participants came from 20 different countries. Additionally, 10 Fox Chapel Area students received first place awards at the Rutgers Model UN and two received first place awards at the the University of Pittsburgh Model UN.

• High school seniors Anthony Brooks and Alexandra Vogel were among the 225 students chosen as national winners in the 2012 Stossel in the Classroom essay contest.



Grand Salon a masterwork of arts and academics

A cast of hundreds of Fox Chapel Area High School students exhibited their talents in Le Grand Salon III – taking participants and guests back in time in an immersion of art, music, history, literature, and the culture of the

Gilded Age in America. The evening presentation, held at the Syria Shrine Temple in Cheswick last fall, culminated in a masterwork performed by the high school orchestra and combined choirs, of Dvorak’s “Largo” from the “New World Symphony” and Gershwin’s “Suite from Porgy and Bess.”

• The technology department teamed with the Cooper-Siegel Library to host a series of workshops on Internet safety for the community. The workshops provided insights into the technical world, psychological impacts, and advice for engaging youth in critical dialogue related to Internet safety.

• The high school implemented a “real world” workday for seniors where each student had the opportunity to complete a field experience in the career of his/her choice. This experience then became part of the student’s career portfolio.

• The secondary administrative team met with and interviewed 342 seniors. The superintendent also held senior interviews with more than 60 students during the school year.

• The high school guidance department sponsored a presentation series for parents and students interested in college planning, including sessions on financial aid, applications, and interviews.

• The high school continued various orientation programs for ninth grade students and parents and also offered opportunities for non-public school eighth graders to learn about the high school. Additionally, the Student Ambassador Program connects upper classmen to new high school students.


16 Fox Chapel Area


• High school seniors Johnny Lou and Jack Millard, juniors Manu Goyal and Susheel Khetarpal, sophomores Juliet Millard and Amogha Vijayvargiya, and freshmen Rama Godse and Frank Lou placed in the top five in their events and qualified to compete in the Catholic Forensic League Grand National Championship Tournament held in Baltimore.

• Four high school students,

seniors Rohan Meringenti and John McKaveney and sophomores Christopher Tran and Krishna Vallabhaneni, qualified and placed in the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) National Leadership Conference held in San Antonio. Additionally, a total of 55 high school students qualified for the FBLA state competition.

• High school juniors Colleen Hamilton and Lisa Liu were among 60 winners from across the U.S. in The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America Essay Contest.

• The high school’s 2011-2012 literary magazine “Tapestry” was named a first place winner in the magazine portion of the American Scholastic Press Association’s annual national contest.



Learning Environment


• FC Virtual expanded in both courses and interest. Virtual options included: advanced engineering/drawing/CAD technology, astronomy, business and computer

information technology, business essentials, creative composition, drawing and painting, entrepreneurship, introduction to philosophy, Physics I – Mechanics, and SAT prep. A total of 44 students were enrolled in virtual classes during the school year, with the most popular class being SAT prep with 29 students participating. The high school also continued to utilize virtual opportunities to allow students to make up classes during the summer.

• Three teams of middle school teachers began work on project-based learning STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine) experiences. Outside experts are playing a role in enriching these real-life initiatives for all students.

• The gifted curriculum moved to a districtwide STEMM focus during the 2011-2012 school year.




• High school freshman Simran Parwani was named a first place winner in the 2011-2012 Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh High School and Middle School Essay Contest. The contest was open to students from schools in the tri-state area. Additionally, Simran was named a Grand Award Essayist (the top prize) in the Pennsylvania Society for Biomedical Research Essay Contest.

• O’Hara Elementary School music teacher Shawn Funk was awarded the 2012 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) District 1 Citation of Excellence. The PMEA annually grants the award to one member in each of the 12 PMEA districts to recognize and reward excellence in music education.

• Senior Ishan Chatterjee was named the 2010 Ambassador Volunteer of the Year in the fall of 2011 by the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) PA-West.

• High school art teacher and long-time wrestling coach Ron Frank was inducted into the Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Association (PWCA) Hall of Fame.



• Technology upgrades continued to impact teaching and learning throughout the district. iPads were utilized at all of the schools for mobile computing and engaging students in learning. Districtwide there are 1,281 desktop computers; 2,135 laptop computers; and more than 600 iPads. Additionally, a total of 137 elementary classrooms are equipped with presentation stations and there are 82 document cameras available for use in the elementary schools.

• At the high school level, all core classrooms are equipped with interactive whiteboards and LCD projectors. There are several computer labs throughout the building and laptop carts are readily available to use in classroom instruction. The goal at the high school is for technology to be used as a tool for learning.

• All middle school teachers have access to the iPad2. The technology committee facilitated three professional development sessions for the staff on iPads and other instructional uses of technology.

• Teachers are using EdInsight to access the math, social studies, science, health, and physical education curricula. The EdInsight Instructional Management System is an integrated suite of software products that enables the school district to implement a comprehensive approach to data-informed instruction.

• The district continued to track the results of changes implemented as a result of the math study completed in 2008. Forty-one percent of high school freshman were enrolled in molecular biology in 2011-2012 compared to 30 percent in 2007-2008; 32 percent of middle school students completed pre-algebra in seventh grade in 2011-2012 compared to 28 percent in 2008-2009; and 63 percent of middle school students took Algebra I or a more advanced math course in 2011-2012 compared to 32 percent in 2008-2009.

• Curriculum development and refinement are ongoing. This past year, studies of the English/language arts curriculum and health curriculum were completed and refinements were made to the sixth and eighth grade reading/language arts curriculum. Additionally, the science department held meetings to discuss the results of the science study and possible changes to the middle school curriculum.

• A middle school literacy committee was formed. The objective was to create a “culture of literacy” that would be evident throughout the curriculum. Additionally, the SOAR to Success reading curriculum was realigned to increase rigor for students.


DMS Parent Night takes mystery out of technology

iPads, iPods, and other innovative technological tools recently added to the middle school haven’t completely replaced traditional pen and paper, but they make learning more fun while enhancing student achievement. Parents were invited to Dorseyville Middle School last April to learn about the technology that has become a part of everyday life for their children. More than 20 sessions were offered by school staff so that parents could participate in hands-on, problem-based learning and experience differentiated instructional techniques used in the middle school classroom. Approximately 200 parents of middle school and fifth grade students attended the event.


18 Fox Chapel Area


• High school art teacher Joan Marangoni was one of 32 teachers chosen from 23 states to attend the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation Power of Art Day, a national workshop that celebrates excellence in art education and recognizes innovative teaching methods for special needs students.

• High school social studies teacher David Prevost was one of only 26 high school teachers from across the U.S. chosen to participate in the Bill of Rights Institute’s Founders Fellowship.

• Senior Remy Niman, juniors Rachel Clapper and Murong Li, sophomore Elizabeth Bianchini, and freshman Sonia Appasamy were part of the Girls of Steel Robotics Team that won a spot to the FIRST Robotics National Competition in St. Louis.

• High school senior Morgan Tucker received a 2012 Mid-Atlantic Student Television Award for Excellence in Writing given by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Mid-Atlantic Chapter.


Learning Environment (Continued)• All freshmen and sophomore special education students had the opportunity to

participate in the high school inclusion model. Students received their core subject area instruction in the regular classroom while receiving assistance within the classroom from educational support staff. Juniors will have this opportunity beginning with the 2012-2013 school year.

• The school district utilized the high bandwidth Allegheny Connect network to host and participate in 13 conferences, field trips, and educational experiences. Highlights included: an international global water conference, a live knee surgery, a live autopsy, a European briefing, a behind-the-scenes with a poet laureate, a live tour around the world, and Skyping with students and adults in other countries.

• Teachers are reporting that the addition of accelerated courses for grades nine and ten in U.S. history and English have better prepared students for entering AP courses.

• Flexible grouping in both math and reading continued in the elementary schools for the second year.

• A recent survey of district teachers showed that 99 percent of the staff use their computer during each school day. More than 53 percent of the faculty integrates technology into their class lessons on a regular basis, nearly 18 percent use technology

to support traditional instruction and activities, and nearly 18 percent

develop new approaches to teaching and learning on a regular basis.





• Three high school sophomores were selected to receive the distinguished Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) Award and attended the Pennsylvania HOBY Leadership Seminar in June.

• Nineteen high school and middle school students won first place awards at the 78th Annual State Meeting of the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS).

• Eleven high school students placed at the Pennsylvania Technology Student Association (TSA) Leadership Conference and advanced to the national competition.

• Five high school students were selected by audition to perform with the 2012 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) All-State Orchestra, five performed with the PMEA 2012 Western Region State Orchestra, and seven were chosen to perform with the PMEA

District 1 Orchestra.




20 Fox Chapel Area


• Edline served as a basic communications tool between the school district and parents, as well as students. Nearly 100 percent of the high school and middle school students activated their individual accounts and 1,293 elementary families used their accounts during the 2011-2012 school year.

• The district continued to contract with IN Fox Chapel Area Community Magazine which is produced four times each year and mailed to all district residents. The district also continued to publish Fox Facts, an online communication from the superintendent.

• Four District Forum meetings were held throughout the school year. The meeting format provides for two-way communication between district administration and the school community.

• The superintendent continued the teacher “meet and discuss” dialogue series. Discussions were held at each school concerning the financial crisis in public education and plans to “right size” district staffing to meet the needs of students, while keeping the district financially sound.

• School district publications received awards in the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) 2012 Publications and Electronic Media Contest, in the 2012 Annual Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA) Educational Publications Contest, and in the 2011 Pennsylvania School Public Relations Association (PenSPRA) Excellence in Education Communications Contest.

• The guidance department Web site was upgraded with several support videos, informational handouts, and monthly updates to keep all families and students informed.


• Three students were selected by audition to perform with the 2012 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) All-State Band, and six were selected to perform with the PMEA District 1 Band and the PMEA Region 1 Band.

• Two Fox Chapel Area High School students qualified to participate in the 2012 Pennsylvania BioGENEius Challenge and freshman Kanika Sarma placed in the competition.

• High school senior Theresa McGrath received the Silver Medal Congressional Award from U.S. Congressman Jason Altmire. The Congressional Award is the highest award for youth legislated by the U.S. Congress. Additionally, the team of students who worked on the Veterans History Project, an initiative created by the Library of Congress, was also honored by Representative Altmire.




Communications



• Four school district students won first place awards at the 73rd Annual Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair and Dorseyville Middle School was recognized for being the intermediate division school with the most winning entries. Additionally, based on their science fair projects, seventh graders Mihir Garimella and Suvir Mirchandani were selected as Broadcom MASTERS 2012 Semifinalists. They were among a select group of 300 semifinalists named from more than 6,000 nominees throughout the U.S.



Gala’s success helps ensure vitality of music and arts programs

Marvin Hamlisch, in one of the final performances before his passing, was the star attraction of “The Arts and All That Jazz” held at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium on May 19. A capacity crowd of more than 700 guests experienced the brilliance of Mr. Hamlisch, who also contributed a signed, original music score for the evening’s live auction. Other featured auction items included an original painting by Emmy-award winning actress and artist Jane Seymour; two pieces of art, including an original fox and a lithograph numbered and signed by post-pop artist Burton Morris; as well as themed garden foxes that were created and hand-painted by students and teachers from each of the district’s schools. WTAE-TV personality Sally Wiggin was the Gala’s emcee, and Gala committee co-chairs included parents Ann Battistel, Nan Cohen, Bonnie Markowitz, and Elaine Mitsch, assisted by school district art and music teachers. The Gala was the culminating event of “A Year of Celebrating the Arts.” The more than $250,000 raised will benefit the arts and music programs as well as various PTA/PTO activities.


• Two high school students qualified for the Pennsylvania High School Speech League’s State Tournament.

• Two seniors won first place in the community project category at the Pittsburgh Civics Fair 2011. Their project involved running a write-in campaign for Indiana Township supervisor in the November 2011 election.

• High school gifted education and social studies teacher Jen Klein was one of 12 local educators selected to travel on the Study Tour for Educators to Europe during the summer of 2011. The trip, organized by the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh, enabled teachers to travel to Brussels and Vienna to learn more about Europe and the European Union.

• Four Dorseyville Middle School Honors Band members were chosen to play with the PMEA District Band.

• Three long-time members retired from the Fox Chapel Area Board of School Directors. They are Joanne Gaus (13 ½ years of service), Frederick Leech (14 years of service), and Karen Mitesser (12 years of service).

• Hartwood Elementary School fifth grader Sanjana Harish was

named a winner in the 2012 Let’s Clear the Air Poster Challenge. Her poster was displayed in various public venues across southwestern Pennsylvania.

• Two O’Hara Elementary School second graders were honored as “Youth Allies” for their ongoing work related to their Home Lost project. Griffin Kerstetter and Annie Yonas organized a project that involved collecting old T-shirts from their classmates that were then sewn into quilts for the homeless.



Building Human Capacity2011-2012 Accomplishments

• Differentiated Instruction (DI) was the focus for the major professional development activities at all levels and a nationally-known consultant worked with teachers and administrators. The kindergarten-12th grade DI leadership teams developed further expertise in identifying KUeD’s (Know, Understand, Essential Questions, and Do), using data to determine instructional content and strategies for delivery, flexible grouping, and use of technology to enhance instruction.

• More than 1,500 teacher observations in kindergarten-12th grade classrooms were completed. Evaluators looked for evidence of data-driven instruction and if the teacher knows the learners, engages students through differentiated instruction, and poses essential questions for reflection.

• The district used best practices in screening and hiring staff at all levels. Additionally, the district continues to use attrition to “right size” the staff in order to achieve a balanced budget. Over the past two years, 15 district teaching positions have not been replaced.

(Continued on page 24)



22 Fox Chapel Area

• High school physical education teacher and girls’ basketball coach Meghan Meabon was inducted into the Edinboro University Athletic Hall of Fame as one of the school’s all-time great women’s basketball players.

• Senior Rory McManus was named a gold medalist in the Trib Total Media’s 2012 Outstanding Young Citizen Awards program.

• Fox Chapel Area students held their 22nd annual telethon and raised $49,177. This year’s telethon brings the total raised by Fox Chapel Area students to more than $505,000. All schools participated and the money supported Habitat for Humanity.

• The Dorseyville Middle School Girls Chamber Chorus, the DMS FoxTones, and the mixed DMS Honor Choir (combined girls and boys) won first places in their divisions at the Music in the Parks Festival in Hershey. Both the Girls Chamber Chorus and the mixed Honor Choir earned “Superior” ratings, the highest rating possible.

• The Dorseyville Middle School Honors Band earned a second place award at the Music in the Parks Festival in Sandusky, Ohio. The band received a rating of “Superior” which is the highest rating possible.

• The high school marching band, performing its 2011 program, “Steel City,” brought home the Class AA first place trophy from the Pennsylvania Interscholastic

Marching Band Association (PIMBA) competition at Penn-Trafford High School. Additionally, the band was chosen to march in the Macy’s New Year’s Eve Parade at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida.





24 Fox Chapel Area

• The Dorseyville Middle School Sinfonia Orchestra participated in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) Music Performance Assessment and earned a rating of “Superior.” The DMS Sinfonia was the only middle school orchestra to earn a rating of “Superior” while performing at the highest difficulty level of any orchestra at the event.

• School district staff members continue to earn national, state, and regional recognitions and be elected and appointed to both state and national positions. They were also invited to share their knowledge by making presentations at conferences and workshops. Additionally, some staff members were asked to serve on national and state textbook and curriculum review teams.



Building Human Capacity (Continued)

• The district administrative team continued to work on revisions to the supervisory model for teacher evaluation and improvement. The new teacher and principal evaluation requirements from the state go into effect in 2013-2014 and the district’s model will reflect those new mandates.

• The district curriculum and staff development coordinators oversaw sessions on Response to Instruction and Intervention (RtII), first aid and CPR training, Nonviolent Crisis Intervention, ASSET science notebooking, scoring and analyzing student writing, the use of Edline, vertical alignment of the math curriculum, a study of the reading curriculum, early learning forums in the spring and fall, Common Core State Standards Initiative, the Keystone Exams, effective use of iPads, and pre-/post-assessments.

• Superintendent Anne E. Stephens, Ph.D., was appointed to the executive board of the University of Pittsburgh Western Pennsylvania Superintendents’ Forum and was elected vice president of the University of Pittsburgh Tri-State Area School Study Council.

• Building principals and central office administrators are evaluated twice each year based on goal setting and a portfolio of information aligned with the Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP). Additionally, each administrator presents a final report of results for the year to the superintendent in June.

• Monthly administrative meetings were held to review CIP progress, work on strategic planning, and share information concerning best practices, state and federal mandates, and emerging trends and concerns in education.

Elementary choir sings the story of Pittsburgh

Before a crowd of more than 600 American Orff-Schulwerk Association (AOSA) members, fifth graders from all four Fox Chapel Area elementary schools, along with students from five other area schools, presented “Sing a Song of Pittsburgh.” The musical presentation, led by O’Hara Elementary music teacher Shawn Funk, demonstrated the use of the active teaching-learning process known as Orff

Schulwerk as the 140-voice student choir told the story of the history of Pittsburgh at the opening ceremony of the conference held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. Aspinwall resident and retired music teacher Linda Ahlstedt used folk songs that she arranged for children’s voices to sing to tell the story of Pittsburgh.



• Fifteen of 24 high school interscholastic athletic teams qualified for the WPIAL playoffs or individual championships. Teams that participated in WPIAL playoffs included girls’ field hockey, football, boys’ golf, girls’ golf, boys’ soccer, girls’ soccer, boys’ tennis, girls’ tennis, boys’ track, boys’ volleyball, and girls’ volleyball.

• Sixteen high school student athletes qualified to participate in the PIAA (state) individual championships. They are:

seniors Emilie Lawson and Katerina Luttner (girls’ golf); senior Connor Whelan, junior Karthik Narayanan, and sophomores Colin Martin and Ethan Martin (cross country); senior Dylan McCullough and junior Benjamin Short (boys’ tennis); senior Carly Jones, juniors Anna Mucci,

Madeleine Souza, Scott Sterrett, and Zihan Su, and sophomore Sia Beasley (swimming); and senior Katerina Luttner and sophomores Ethan Martin and Brandon Mitchell (track).


Improving Athletics2011-2012 Accomplishments

• The athletic director continued to stay current on the new requirements for concussions and cardiac arrest and made recommendations to the superintendent for policy and regulation changes.

• Handbooks for coaches and student-athletes were updated and distributed. Handbook sign-off sheets were collected and documented that each parent/athlete had received and reviewed the handbook.

• The athletic director evaluated each head coach at the close of each season and midseason evaluations were completed when appropriate.

• In addition to the new artificial turf fields (see page 26), the following improvements were made to athletic facilities at the high school: batting cages and a warning track were installed at the baseball field, all dugouts were painted, a new backstop was installed at the softball field, landscaping was completed around the sports complex, the pool ventilation system was upgraded and a new pool liner was installed, fans were added to the field house to improve air flow and air conditioning was added to the training room, wireless access was also added in the field house training room, and the batting cage in the auxiliary gym was upgraded.

• A new flat screen was installed in the hallway by the new gym and kept up-to-date with team and individual athletic accomplishments.

• At the middle school, a new mound was installed at the baseball field, an indoor batting cage was installed in the auxiliary gym, improvements were made to the infields of the baseball and softball fields, and the gym floor was repainted.

• The athletic director interviewed senior athletes, attended all District Forum meetings, attended move-up day at the middle school to talk to students about participating in athletics, held beginning-of-the-season meetings with coaches, and attended various booster meetings. Additionally, the athletic Web site was continually updated and the athletic department provided support to the Fox Chapel Area Schools Sports Hall of Fame.

• The following high school students were awarded major scholarships to continue to play their sport at the collegiate level: Adam Bisnowaty (football) University of Pittsburgh, Megan Kirk (track) Bucknell University, Katerina Luttner (golf) University of Mississippi, and JT Terwilliger (baseball) University of Indianapolis.

• A total of 803 students participated in varsity sports and 466 students participated in

athletics at the middle school level.




26 Fox Chapel Area

Teams play ball on new artificial turf field made possible by private donations

A major highlight in athletics was the addition of turf fields for baseball and softball, plus a 90-foot turf multisport practice field. The new weather-resistant baseball field was completed in time for the varsity baseball team to play four home games last spring. Long on the athletic department’s wish list, the project was made possible by an anonymous $800,000 contribution, plus a group of donors (Frank Fuhrer Sr., the Fox Chapel Area Schools Sports Hall of Fame, the Fox Chapel Baseball Boosters, the Fox Chapel Quarterback Club, and a second

anonymous donor) who pitched in an additional $35,000. The new fields will be used not only by the baseball team, but other sports teams as well as the marching band and for high school physical education classes.

• Seniors Emilie Lawson and Katerina Luttner qualified for the 2011 PIAA West Region Golf Championships. Additionally, Emilie was named the WPIAL Division I Section III Individual Champion.

• The Fox Chapel Area High School Ultimate Frisbee Team won first place in the 2012 USA Ultimate Pennsylvania High School Championship. The team also won the Pittsburgh High School Ultimate League (PHUL)

Division I Championship.

• The high school girls’ varsity volleyball team was named the WPIAL Class AAA Section 4 Co-Champions.

• Thirteen members of the high school girls’ field hockey team were named to the 2011 Gladiator by SGI/National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) High School National Academic Squad.

• Nine members of the Fox Chapel Crew Club won bronze medals at the 2012 Midwest Scholastic Rowing Championships and qualified for the Scholastic

Rowing Association of America National Regatta.

• The high school girls’ foil fencing team won the Pittsburgh Interscholastic Fencing Association (PIFA) League Championship. The girls completed the season with an undefeated record. Additionally, the high school co-ed epeé fencing team won first place in the PIFA League and were undefeated.

• High school athletes continued to be named to special all-star teams and all-conference teams.




Roadmap for the future…

The Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP) is the roadmap for all activities within the Fox Chapel Area School District. This kindergarten-12th grade thread has united our schools to progress in a defined direction that has led to districtwide improvements. During the 2011-2012 school year, the Board of School Directors determined the goals they would like to see reached over the next six years. The site-based building teams have reviewed the goals and the administrative team is in the process of determining the activities and programs needed to accomplish the goals and a new strategic plan is being developed. The document will be ready for Board review in November 2012.

Fox Chapel Area High School Class of 2012

On June 10, a total of 369 seniors became the 51st class to graduate from Fox Chapel Area High School. More than 90 percent of those graduates are continuing their education. Of those students, nearly half are enrolled in colleges or universities outside of Pennsylvania. The graduates continued the tradition of being accepted to the top colleges and universities across the nation, including: Harvard University, Princeton University, Brown University, Dartmouth College, Cornell University, University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University, MIT, Boston University, Johns Hopkins University, Georgetown University, Duke University, Northwestern University, Emory University, Purdue University, Vanderbilt University, and the University of Chicago.

611 Field Club RoadPittsburgh, PA 15238412/963-9600www.fcasd.edu


28 Fox Chapel Area

INCLEMENT WEATHER NOTICE TO PARENTS/GUARDIANS

We take the responsibility of delaying or canceling school very seriously. We recognize that delays and cancellations create inconveniences for parents/guardians who work outside of the home and that schedule changes take away from the continuity of teaching and learning. Please know that we will not interrupt the educational process unless we feel it is absolutely necessary. Ournumberoneconcernisthesafetyof children.We depend upon the experience of our bus contractor to keep us informed concerning the ability of buses to travel the roads. The process of checking road conditions begins very early in the morning. From that information, a judgment is made to delay or cancel school. If we receive advance warning of a severe storm, and have sound information that it will arrive, we may cancel classes so that children do not arrive at school and become stranded. Parents/guardiansshoulddiscusswhattheirchildrenshoulddoincaseof anearlydismissal. If there is an early dismissal, children will be sent home on the buses. The high school students will be dismissed first, followed by the middle school and Hartwood Elementary students, and then the remainder of the elementary students. This order of dismissal is utilized so that older children can be at home when their younger brothers and sisters arrive. Parents/guardians should plan with their children how they wish to handle an early dismissal. Busesmaybeunabletomakeittotheregulardrop-off point.If that should occur, the driver will radio the bus garage and inform the school. If the driver is able to see the bus stop and observe the children walk to the bus stop, the driver will allow the children to disembark from the bus to walk to their normal drop-off point. Parents should encourage their children to stand away from the side of the snow-covered roads and to use extreme caution at all times. If the driver cannot make it to the drop-off point, he/she will radio the bus garage and inform the school. School personnel will then attempt to contact the parents/guardians. If the parents/guardians cannot be notified, the children will be taken back to school. In the event that buses do not arrive at school on schedule at dismissal time, the children will be kept in the school. There are emergency provisions in each of the buildings and the students will be fed if they are stranded at school. Parents/guardiansof elementarychildrenmusthavealreadycompletedandturnedintothebuildingprincipal,anemergencycard.This information will help the school personnel know who to contact in the event of an emergency or weather-related early dismissal. The card should include the parents’/guardians’ emergency telephone numbers where someone can always be contacted. Pleasebesurethatyourchildrenaredressedfortheweather.When there is a threat of snow and the wind chill is low, children should have hats, coats, boots, and gloves to wear. Pleaserememberthatwearemakingadecisionbasedonwhatisbestfortheentireschooldistrict. That decision may not always seem like the best decision for your section of the school district but may be appropriate for another area. Theschool district covers an area of approximately 36 square miles, so there are times when roads will be clear in one section and very bad in other areas. All roads are not treated or cleared at the same time, which can result in bus delays. When there is a school delay, cancellation, or early dismissal, every parent/guardian in the district will receive a phone call from the district’s school messaging system. Additionally, an announcement will still be placed on the district’s information line at 412/967-2500 and on the district’s Web site at www.fcasd.edu. Please note that during a power outage it may not be possible to place an announcement on the district’s Web site and on the telephone information line. Delay, cancellation, and/or early dismissal announcements will also be placed on the following radio and television stations: KDKA (1020 AM), KQV (1410 AM), KDKA-TV, WPXI-TV, and WTAE-TV. The YMCA-sponsored before- and after-school programs will still be available for children who are enrolled. If school is delayed, cancelled, or is dismissed early, the YMCA programs will still be held as scheduled. Only in an extreme emergency will these programs be cancelled. In the event that any of the YMCA programs are cancelled, there will be notification on the radio and television stations listed above, on the district’s telephone information line, and/or someone from the YMCA will personally contact parents/guardians who have children enrolled in the programs. It is also important to note that if school is cancelled and student makeup days are necessary, they will be held in the following order: June 6, June 7, June 10, and June 11, 2013.



The Fox Chapel Area School District community leaders, representatives and teachers are all stars in supporting their local fine arts programs that

the community has come to expect and love, despite educational funding for the arts being tighter than ever. The district groups have been collaborating and created a special initiative called “A Year of Celebrating the Arts” which culminated this past spring with their 2nd fundraising Gala, “The Arts and All That Jazz.”

A celebration of the Arts it was, as the late Marvin Hamlisch, highly acclaimed conductor/composer, graced the stage for what would later become one of his final performances. Hamlisch was an award-winning composer and earned nearly every major award: Oscars, Grammys, Golden Globes, a Tony and a Pulitzer. Our local community had the honor and pleasure of his grand talents, as he was a part of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and Gala guests had the special privilege of experiencing Hamlisch’s art before he passed unexpectedly in August. More than 650 guests attended the event at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium the evening of May 19th to benefit K-12 art, music and performing arts education.

Early evening festivities at the Gala’s patron party, where guests socialized outside over light hors d’oeuvres and drinks, included no shortage of fun and modern innovation. With a preview of 17 live auction items on flat screens and iPads, guests could place their bids with the glitzy bid takers from Donna Belajak’s acting studio, as they circulated through the crowd. Inside the aquarium, plenty of tables adorned with silent auction items kept guests mingling before Hamlisch’s anticipated performance.

Hamlisch delighted the crowd with a solo performance of an Oscar-nominated James Bond song, followed by numbers such as “Nobody

does it Better,” written for Carly Simon and short clips of “Happy Birthday” Mozart and Beethoven style. Demonstrating his talent and witty humor, “The Entertainer” created a jingle on the spot after asking the audience to shout out title ideas… “Newfoundland Dogs Are Great” is now a Hamlisch Fox Chapel Area Gala original! The crowd enjoyed the enthusiastic performance of Broadway singer Anne Runolfsson, whose talent has taken her to theaters, studios and performance halls all around the world.

Going once, going twice, sold for $3,000 was the first page of the score from a Chorus Line, signed by Hamlisch himself. Among the other items auctioned were autographed sports paraphernalia, themed garden foxes created by district students and art pieces, such as an “Absolut” lithograph by internationally-

acclaimed post-pop artist Burton Morris that sold for $2,500. Live with WTAE-TV personality and emcee, Sally Wiggin, the auction was a glorious success.

The intention of the evening was to have fun, as Hamlisch pointed out during his performance, to celebrate and enjoy arts and entertainment. The night was a hit, as was the money raised in order to maintain the high-caliber programs in the district. In addition to revenue, many in-kind donations were made, including the Steinway Piano played by Hamlisch and donated by Patricia Neeper, President of the Steinway Piano Gallery in Pittsburgh. Overall, the event brought in more than $250,000 that will go toward a fund that district fine arts teachers will have access to for their programs. The fund will be managed through The Pittsburgh Foundation.

For more information about the Fox Chapel Area School District visit their web site at www.fcasd.edu.

INCLEMENT WEATHER NOTICE TO PARENTS/GUARDIANS

We take the responsibility of delaying or canceling school very seriously. We recognize that delays and cancellations create inconveniences for parents/guardians who work outside of the home and that schedule changes take away from the continuity of teaching and learning. Please know that we will not interrupt the educational process unless we feel it is absolutely necessary. Ournumberoneconcernisthesafetyof children.We depend upon the experience of our bus contractor to keep us informed concerning the ability of buses to travel the roads. The process of checking road conditions begins very early in the morning. From that information, a judgment is made to delay or cancel school. If we receive advance warning of a severe storm, and have sound information that it will arrive, we may cancel classes so that children do not arrive at school and become stranded. Parents/guardiansshoulddiscusswhattheirchildrenshoulddoincaseof anearlydismissal. If there is an early dismissal, children will be sent home on the buses. The high school students will be dismissed first, followed by the middle school and Hartwood Elementary students, and then the remainder of the elementary students. This order of dismissal is utilized so that older children can be at home when their younger brothers and sisters arrive. Parents/guardians should plan with their children how they wish to handle an early dismissal. Busesmaybeunabletomakeittotheregulardrop-off point.If that should occur, the driver will radio the bus garage and inform the school. If the driver is able to see the bus stop and observe the children walk to the bus stop, the driver will allow the children to disembark from the bus to walk to their normal drop-off point. Parents should encourage their children to stand away from the side of the snow-covered roads and to use extreme caution at all times. If the driver cannot make it to the drop-off point, he/she will radio the bus garage and inform the school. School personnel will then attempt to contact the parents/guardians. If the parents/guardians cannot be notified, the children will be taken back to school. In the event that buses do not arrive at school on schedule at dismissal time, the children will be kept in the school. There are emergency provisions in each of the buildings and the students will be fed if they are stranded at school. Parents/guardiansof elementarychildrenmusthavealreadycompletedandturnedintothebuildingprincipal,anemergencycard.This information will help the school personnel know who to contact in the event of an emergency or weather-related early dismissal. The card should include the parents’/guardians’ emergency telephone numbers where someone can always be contacted. Pleasebesurethatyourchildrenaredressedfortheweather.When there is a threat of snow and the wind chill is low, children should have hats, coats, boots, and gloves to wear. Pleaserememberthatwearemakingadecisionbasedonwhatisbestfortheentireschooldistrict. That decision may not always seem like the best decision for your section of the school district but may be appropriate for another area. Theschool district covers an area of approximately 36 square miles, so there are times when roads will be clear in one section and very bad in other areas. All roads are not treated or cleared at the same time, which can result in bus delays. When there is a school delay, cancellation, or early dismissal, every parent/guardian in the district will receive a phone call from the district’s school messaging system. Additionally, an announcement will still be placed on the district’s information line at 412/967-2500 and on the district’s Web site at www.fcasd.edu. Please note that during a power outage it may not be possible to place an announcement on the district’s Web site and on the telephone information line. Delay, cancellation, and/or early dismissal announcements will also be placed on the following radio and television stations: KDKA (1020 AM), KQV (1410 AM), KDKA-TV, WPXI-TV, and WTAE-TV. The YMCA-sponsored before- and after-school programs will still be available for children who are enrolled. If school is delayed, cancelled, or is dismissed early, the YMCA programs will still be held as scheduled. Only in an extreme emergency will these programs be cancelled. In the event that any of the YMCA programs are cancelled, there will be notification on the radio and television stations listed above, on the district’s telephone information line, and/or someone from the YMCA will personally contact parents/guardians who have children enrolled in the programs. It is also important to note that if school is cancelled and student makeup days are necessary, they will be held in the following order: June 6, June 7, June 10, and June 11, 2013.


Photos above, left to right: Featured in the photo, from left to right, are: Gala Committee Chair Ann Battistel; Gala Committee Chair Nan Cohen; featured entertainer Marvin Hamlisch; Fox Chapel Area School District Superintendent Anne E. Stephens, Ph.D.; and Gala Committee Chair

Bonnie Markowitz. Gala Committee Chair Elaine Mitsch is not pictured. Prospective bidders reviewed items with an auction bid taker; The late Marvin Hamlisch; Broadway singer Anne Runolfsson

Center: Pittsburgh native Burton Morris, a world-renowned post-pop artist, created a sketch of the district’s fox logo in commemoration of the special “A Year of Celebrating the Arts” initiative. This original Burton Morris sketch was framed and auctioned off that night for $1,800.

Fox Chapel Area School District’s Gala Fundraiser was

“One Singular Sensation!”

Adam Bisnowaty didn’t care much for football as a kid. He enjoyed listening to U2, Paul McCartney and The Who

rock during the Super Bowl halftime show, but he didn’t watch the big game. He played pickup games in the backyard with friends, but never had the urge to put on pads.

That changed five years ago. And this fall, Bisnowaty is playing in front of a slightly larger crowd – up to 65,000 at Heinz Field – as a prized recruit for the University of Pittsburgh Panthers.

A 6-foot-6, 275-pound offensive lineman ranked as a four-star player by ESPN.com and Rivals.com,

Bisnowaty was courted by Penn State, West Virginia and Florida, among a dozen other schools. But Pitt offered the best blend of family time, friendship and a first-rate education.

“When I went to other schools, I saw that after the games the local kids got to see their parents and the kids who weren’t from the area would just go home,” Bisnowaty says. “For me, it was important for my mom and my sister to see me. That’s a huge part of my life.”

Current Pitt players also made Bisnowaty feel at home in Oakland, especially senior offensive lineman Chris Jacobson.

“I felt like we had a connection right away,” Bisnowaty says. “From day one when I was a sophomore visiting unofficially to today, we hang out. He really showed an interest.”

“When I go there now I think, ‘This is my school,’” Bisnowaty says. “I walk around and see the Cathedral, go over to Peterson Events Center. It’s great. The people really made my decision. On top of great academics and being close to home, that helped a lot.”

Bisnowaty’s commitment didn’t waver even after the coach who recruited him, Todd Graham, left for a job at Arizona State.

“I was with Pitt 100 percent,” Bisnowaty says. “When [the school] hired coach Paul Chryst [formerly Wisconsin’s offensive coordinator], it made my choice so much easier because he’s a great guy.”

While his size, strength and aggressive style will pay for school, Bisnowaty only started playing organized football as an eighth grader. Dorseyville Middle School coach Josh Duso coaxed the then-250-pound Bisnowaty onto the field.

“He always said how big I was and that I should play,” Bisnowaty says. “I started wrestling in seventh grade. That was fun and I loved being on a team, so I thought, ‘Why not try out for football?’”

Opposing teams soon wished he had stuck to wrestling. Bisnowaty sprouted up and got leaner, catching the eye of top college programs. He also watched teammate and fellow offensive lineman Miles Dieffenbach become one of the top players in the class of 2010, earning a full ride from the Nittany Lions.

“Coaches were coming in and I got to see how Miles handled everything,” Bisnowaty says. “My size was there. I realized that as long as I gave effort in the weight room and on the field, I had the chance to go to the next level.”

Bisnowaty loves Saturdays at Heinz Field. “It’s great going out there playing in front of my hometown and having my own fans,” Bisnowaty says.

Sundays are special, too. “All of the Pitt seniors are down at the NFL [scouting] combine and pro days,” Bisnowaty says. “It’s the chance of a lifetime. You never know – walking next door and being with the Steelers would be pretty cool.”

Fox Chapel’s Bisnowaty Sticks with Pittby David Golebiewski


Mt. Lebanon | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 81

hat can change your skin from blah to beautiful with a 20-30

minute treatment? The VI Peel can! This is a freshening facial peel,

rejuvenating your skin and giving you the boostyou need. This chemical peel can clear up acne,blemishes and pigmented skin in as little as oneweek. It helps to remove discoloration,pigmented patches of skin and increase cellularturnover and collagen production. It can also helpwith precancerous cells, but we must rememberanyone with a history of skin cancer shouldalways see their doctor on a regular basis for acheck-up.

Let’s begin by talking about the acne patient.This peel is excellent for both adult andadolescent acne sufferers. The results are quickand quite impressive. Combined with a daily skinregimen, most acne cases can be safely managed.Another plus is that often patients who suffer withcold sores are told not to get chemical peels.Although these patients may be asked to pre-medicate prior to their peel, they can certainlyreceive the peel—which is a big step forwardfrom the chemical peels of the past.

This skin treatment can also be used toimprove the appearance of the skin not only onthe face, but the chest and hands, as well. It canimprove the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles,sagging skin, age spots and enlarged pores.Another way it bestows a more youthful glow isby brightening the overall appearance of the skinand improving cellular turnover.

This is all accomplished by using a chemicalsolution to remove the upper layers of skinallowing the growth of fresh new skin that issmoother and more youthful in appearance.

The advantages of this type of rejuvenationare that it is basically pain free, little to nodowntime, and you may return to normalactivities almost immediately. It is safe andeffective on all skin types, where the chemicalpeels of the past were not able to be done on

darker skin tones, such as Asian, Latino orAfrican-Americans.

The actual peel takes about 30 minutes tocomplete in the office and then needs to be left onfor 5 hours and washed off by the patient at home.You may feel slight stinging when it is applied, butit quickly subsides. You can receive them every 2weeks, until desired results are achieved, however,most patients need only 1 initial treatment and tofollow up with 3 to 4 times per year for continualskin renewal and luminosity.

The peeling usually begins 3 days after theoffice treatment and can last up to one week. Youshould avoid sun exposure as much as possible atthis time. Moisturizer may be used during thistime to mask the appearance of the featherypeeling.

For those who need help refining their skin orthose who have problem skin, the VI Peel is youranswer. Let this new and innovative skin peel helpto deliver the radiant luminosity that you havealways wanted.

FromBLAH

W

to

Beautiful

InMtLebanon-Fall2012_09McKeesport_winter 8/8/12 7:58 AM Page 81


By Dana Black McGrath

There are many great ideas popping up throughout the Fox Chapel Area School District, and each year several of those ideas are funded by Great Ideas Grants.

The Great Ideas Grants are offered through the Fox Chapel Area Education Fund, which is an independent, nonprofit community organization.

Established in 1990, the initiative was organized to enrich the learning experiences available to students within the Fox Chapel Area School District, explains Kim Johnson, who has served on the grants committee for the group for two years and now is serving as chairperson.

“When it was founded in 1990, the goals were to fund projects that were designed to enhance student learning,” says Johnson. Over the years, the program has evolved, she added.

Fox Chapel Area Education Fund is managed by a committee of nine people. The committee consists of representatives from each of the district elementary schools, as well as the middle school and high school. This year a district community member was added to the panel.

The stated vision of the Great Ideas Grants is “to fund ‘great ideas’ that enrich, supplement and initiate educational projects for the direct benefit and enjoyment of Fox Chapel Area School District students.”

Any teacher, student, parent, or community member may apply for a Great Ideas Grant. In reviewing the applications, Johnson says a big part of the committee’s consideration is whether or not the proposal truly is a “great idea.” Also, proposed projects should not be provided for at some other level in the district.

Grant awards, which are offered annually, are made in amounts not to exceed $1,500. The number of grants awarded each year varies, explains Johnson, depending on amounts requested and other considerations. Typically, the awards total somewhere between $7,000 and $8,000 annually. In previous years, that amount has funded anywhere from three to 10 grants.

“We like to see things that are not being done anywhere else in the curriculum,” Johnson says, “and we ask, ‘Are they great ideas?’”

One of the more successful projects funded by a

Great Ideas Grant is a traveling art gallery, a project that has been sustained

for several years. It serves as a basic art history class for kindergarten through fifth grade

in tandem with the elementary school curriculum.

“Parents came forward and requested money to purchase prints and easels,” Johnson explains. “Now the program is

sustained by the PTO organization and is staffed by parent volunteers. Different works

are studied at each grade level.”Another success story is the bird sanctuary at O’Hara

Elementary School. The request was made for funds to purchase bird feeders, equipment, and bird-friendly plants to establish a sanctuary and outdoor classroom in the school’s courtyard. Feeders were attached near the library windows so students can observe the birds eating. The project also enlisted the help of Beechwood Farms in selecting appropriate bird-friendly plantings along the walkways in the area.

At the middle school, the “Reducing Hunger Through the Arts” program utilized Great Ideas Grant funds to purchase a pottery wheel, clay and glaze for the students to make soup bowls that were donated to the Empty Bowls Hunger Awareness Event, a program held in partnership with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

“Grandbuddies: An Intergenerational Program,” also at O’Hara Elementary, brings residents of a local nursing home to the third grade classroom for a monthly social with students. Grant funds supported the purchase of games, craft project materials and other activities for all to enjoy.

For more information about the Great Ideas Grants, including application information, visit the website at www.fcasd.edu.

Great Ideas Grants Fund

Great ProjectsBy Dana Black McGrath



By Dana Black McGrath

Safety iS our number one priority

Peoples Natural Gas has launched an extensive program to modernize our infrastructure. More

than $100 million has been invested to replace pipelines throughout our 16 county service territory.

This means replacing over 40 miles of old cast-iron pipes and hiring additional pipeline workers

and local contractors to do it. Last year, we brought back 200 family-sustaining jobs to the region.

This pipeline replacement program is the first major construction initiative of Peoples Natural Gas and it

has been made for your safety and the need to modernize our infrastructure for the future.

Safety is the number one priority of Peoples Natural Gas. Every day

we strive to keep our customers, our employees and our communities safe.

Peoples Natural Gas would like to remind you to help us keep your community

safe. Know what’s below. Call 811 before you dig. State law requires you

to call 811 at least three days before you dig.

A lot of people talk about keeping our communities safe, we’re actually doing it.

We’re PeoPles Natural Gas. Your Hometown natural Gas CompanY.

DaVe BertoNI / F Itter leaDer


Peoples Natural Gas has launched an extensive program to modernize our infrastructure. More than $100 millionhas been invested to replace pipelines throughout our 16 county service territory.

This means replacing over 40 miles of old cast-ironpipes and hiring additional pipeline workers and local contractors to do it. Last year, we brought 200 jobs back to our region. These are not temporary jobs, but family sustaining jobs – the type of jobs that generations build on.

Through the end of 2012, you will see Peoples Natural Gas employees hard at work on this project to improve the infrastructure of our communities. We will replace allthe cast iron pipe in our entire system and continue tomodernize our infrastructure in the years ahead. This is an extensive project and we appreciate your patience andunderstanding as we work to complete it.

Peoples Natural Gas is once again a Western Pennsylvania managed company. All our management lives in the region. Our sole priority is serving our localcommunities. Our new company has refocused its total efforts right here. This pipeline replacement program is thefirst major construction initiative of Peoples Natural Gasand it has been made for your safety, and the need to modernize our infrastructure for the future.

Safety is the number one priority of Peoples Natural Gas.Every day, we strive to keep our customers, our employeesand our communities safe. Here are 3 Sensible Wordsabout Natural Gas to help keep you and your family safe.

Natural gas leaks are rare. But they can happen. Yoursenses will alert you if a leak occurs.

SIGHT - Escaping gas affects the nutrients in soil, so discolored soil or dead vegetation near a pipeline may indicate a leak. Dirt or water blowing up from the group may indicate a natural gas leak.

SOUND - Natural gas leaks may make a hissing or a high-pitched whistling noise. Noises will vary based on the line pressure.

SMELL - A strong odor of natural gas can indicate unburned fuel in the air. Because the gas is odorless, a sulfur based odorant is added to give it a rotten-egg smell that warns of its presence. Be alert for this odorant or any petroleum smell.

Peoples Natural Gas emergency personnel are on duty to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you smell a natural gas odor, suspect a leak, or there is a fire, leave the area immediately and call the Peoples Natural Gasemergency service line at 1-800-400-4271.

WE’RE PEOPLES NATURAL GAS. YOUR HOMETOWN NATURAL GAS COMPANY.

ARUTANNWOTEMOHRUOYLARUTANSELPOEPER’EW

.YNAPMOCSAGL.SAGL

Project2_Layout 1 8/3/12 2:36 PM Page 3


A number of years ago, I was meeting with a family to make funeral arrangements for their mother. They told me she was a WWII Army Air Corps veteran. She was a navigator for a bomber crew. And she was

awarded the Bronze Star. Bronze stars are awarded for battlefield honors. During WWII, women air crews flew newly built bombers to Europe. Near the end of the war, these crews were used to ferry prisoners of war from mainland Europe to England for interrogation. During a flight from France, a German fighter plane shot down her bomber. With a broken back, she single-handedly held a group of German officers at bay with a machine gun until help arrived. Simply…wow.

According to the 2010 census, over 21.3 million Americans are military veterans. Their service has been invaluable to defending and securing our freedom. Because our country values their service, there are benefits that are available for deceased veterans. These benefits can be from the federal, state or county governments.

Before any benefits are received, a veteran needs to secure his/her military discharge. The discharge can be war time or peace time issued under conditions other than dishonorable. These papers can include a DD214, General Discharge or a Separation Report from the Armed Services. In Allegheny County, any veteran can register their discharge at the Department of Real Estate, 101 County Office Building, Pittsburgh PA 15219, 412.350.4226 or FAX 412.350.3787. Copies can then be obtained at a later date from the Department of Real Estate. Keep a copy of your separation papers in a convenient location. Military discharges, replacement medals and awards may be available from: National Personnel Records Center at 1.866.272.6272 or at www.archives.gov.

We can acquire a U.S. flag for a veteran’s funeral. Veterans with a military discharge other than dishonorable are entitled to receive one US flag to drape on the casket or be with an urn.

A basic Military Funeral Honor Ceremony consists of two members of the Armed Forces with at least one member of the Honors Detail from the branch of the Armed Forces which the deceased veteran served. The Funeral Honors Detail will fold and present the flag to the designated next-of-kin and “Taps” will be played. The discharge or separation papers need to be provided for this honor. The Military Funeral Honors Detail may be complemented by a local Veteran Services Organization. We try to get local veterans organizations to assist. Their dedication and professionalism helps make a veteran funeral meaningful and honorable.

At a funeral for an Air Force veteran at Allegheny Cemetery in Lawrenceville, we were just finishing the veteran’s service with a version of “Taps” being played by a bagpiper when a C-147 Air Force Cargo plane flew directly over the casket and mourners. The plane was about 400-500 feet off the ground. Low, loud and big, the flyover brought a gasp to all who were there. While I would like to take credit for setting that up, sometimes great timing and unexpected circumstances make for a memorable moment.

The National Cemetery of the Alleghenies just outside of Bridgeville opened in 2006. I have been there many times for burials of veterans. Most honorably discharged veterans are eligible for burial in the National Cemetery. The honorable discharge paperwork needs to be presented at the time of death in order to apply for burial. If approved, the grave space, outer burial container, opening/closing fees and marker are provided free of charge for the veteran, spouse and dependent children. This is subject to approval by the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies. Pre-approval for National Cemetery burial can be made by calling the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies at 724.746.4363. Cremated remains can be buried or entombed. Grave spaces are not reserved in advance. There are no holiday or weekend burials.

I recommended the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies to a family shortly after it opened. The family was leery due to the distance from our area. I suggested that they just go to see the cemetery. When the family went to check the cemetery out, it was Veterans Day. There were honor guard groups, the head of the VA, a helicopter flyover, bands, a 21-gun salute and “Taps.” The family was impressed by the remembrance and honor given to those who served. They buried their father there.

Honorably discharged war time or peace time veterans, Active Duty members, retired Reservists and National Guard members are eligible for an

inscribed headstone or marker to mark their grave at any cemetery in the world. Most cemeteries charge for the foundation and installation of the headstone or marker.

The PA Department of Vital Records can provide certified copies at no charge for Pennsylvania residents who are military veterans.For more information about veterans benefits, call

me at 412.486.3600 or email me at [email protected] for a free copy of “Essential Information About Funeral

& Burial Benefits For Veterans.”

To all our veterans, thank you.

Veterans

Medals courtesy of the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum Trust, Inc.

This Industry Insight was provided by Frank Perman, licensed funeral director and owner of Perman Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc, 923 Saxonburg Blvd. at Rt 8 in Shaler Township. Mr. Perman believes that an educated consumer makes the best decisions. Questions can be made to Mr. Perman at 412.486.3600 or email at [email protected].

UPMC TODAYHealth and Wellness News You Can Use | Fall 2012

What’s Inside2 Fit To Play

3 Give Your Back a Break

Using Your Blood for Natural Healing

4 A Partnership of Hope and Transformation

6 Magee’s Newest Baby Is Two Stories Tall — and Ready for Guests

7 Exam Room Jitters

What’s Happening at UPMC St. Margaret

Get Ready for FallSoon the leaves will change color and fall to the ground — a welcome mat for cooler days, chilly nights, football games, hayrides, warm sweaters, and everything else that makes fall special.

© 2012 UPMC


1-800-533-UPMC 3

Give Your Back a Break Tips that can help you avoid back pain.Amazingly complex, remarkably strong, and incredibly flexible, your back is one of the most important parts of your body. Without it, you couldn’t stand up straight, walk on the beach, chase after the kids, or dance the night away.

Like most people, you probably take your back for granted — until it starts to hurt. “Eight out of 10 Americans will have back pain at some point in their lives,” says M. Melissa Moon, DO, a physician in the UPMC Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

So what’s causing all those achy backs? “Everyday habits like hunching over your computer, toting a heavy purse or backpack, or picking up a toddler are often to blame for the pain,” says Dr. Moon.

“And studies show that smokers have more back problems than non-smokers, which is another good reason to quit,” she adds.

To help keep your back healthy and strong, Dr. Moon also recommends the following:

Sit up straight. Use good posture when sitting or standing. That improves muscle tone and makes breathing easier.

Work out. Back and abdominal exercises strengthen the core muscles that support your back, while low-impact aerobics strengthens bones and improves blood flow to muscles.

Lose it. Being overweight puts added strain on your back muscles. Carrying weight around your midsection isn’t good for your heart either.

Think before lifting. Remember to keep your back straight and bend at the knees or hips when lifting something. Ask for help with a heavy load.

Pay attention. If you feel back pain during any activity, stop and rest. Your body may be trying to keep you from getting hurt.

Call the doctor. Most back pain can be relieved with self-care. However, Dr. Moon recommends that you see a doctor if:

• You have pain after a fall or injury. • You have weakness, pain, or numbness in one or both legs. • The pain is severe and doesn’t improve with medication and rest. • The pain is accompanied by trouble urinating, fever, or unintentional weight loss.

Learn more about building a healthy back at UPMC.com/Today.

Source: National Institutes of Health

Using Your Blood for Natural Healing Even after having surgery for a sports-related groin injury, recovery was slow for Megan Cortazzo, MD, a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist with UPMC. A fellow physician suggested platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy — and her results were so positive that she now offers the service to patients at UPMC.

What is PRP therapy?

PRP therapy is a type of regenerative injection therapy (RIT) that promotes the healing of injured or deteriorated tissue. “Platelets are rich in growth factors that stimulate healing,” explains Dr. Cortazzo. “We draw a small quantity of the patient’s blood and spin it in a special centrifuge machine. The process extracts platelets, which we then inject at the point of injury or inflammation,” says Dr. Cortazzo.

Who should use PRP therapy?

“PRP therapy’s use by professional athletes has generated tremendous interest in the procedure,” says Dr. Cortazzo.

It also can be an effective alternative to surgery for patients with a wide range of conditions, she says, including:

• Chronic tennis elbow (tendinosis) • Mild to moderate rotator cuff tears • Chronic ankle sprains • Mild arthritis of the knee

For best results, Dr. Cortazzo recommends combining PRP therapy with physical therapy.

Is PRP therapy covered by insurance?

Because it is still in its infancy, medical insurance does not cover PRP therapy. “Although it’s a self-pay procedure, many patients feel it’s worthwhile because it can eliminate lost work time and the cost of a deductible for surgery,” explains Dr. Cortazzo. “Most of all, they want the relief from pain it offers.”

For more information about PRP, call UPMC Rehabilitation Institute at 412-692-4400, or go to UPMC.com/prp.

Health Tips from UPMC Health Plan


2 UPMC.com/Today

Whatever sports your children play, chances are they’ll need a pre-participation sports physical. “It’s a great opportunity to track your child’s health and identify problems before some-thing serious happens,” says Matthew Fisher, MD, a family physician at UPMC St. Margaret.

During sports physicals, doctors look for medical or musculo-skeletal conditions that could make playing particular sports unsafe. They also screen for any undetected health problems and injuries that have not healed.

“Our goal is to identify kids at risk of serious injury or death before it happens,” explains Dr. Fisher. Most patients are cleared immediately, but about 10 percent need extra testing before being allowed to play. Sometimes young athletes just need more time to recover from an injury. While it’s rare for a child to be permanently excluded from a sport, it’s usually due to a congenital heart disorder such as hypertrophic cardio-myopathy, which can lead to sudden death, he says.

A sports physical is often the only exam some adolescents receive, says Dr. Fisher. That’s why he urges parents to have it done by their family physician during an annual exam. “It gives their regular doctor the opportunity to assess social and emotional development, discuss issues such as sex, drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes, and advocate for healthy choices,” he says.

About sports physicals

• Young athletes need a sports physical before starting a new sport or beginning a new competitive season — usually once a year.

• The physical includes a review of the child’s personal and family medical history, and an exam focusing on the child’s well-being for playing a sport.

• Sports physicals should not replace comprehensive annual exams by the child’s pediatrician or family physician — although they can be incorporated into the yearly checkup.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our family practice physicians, visit UPMC.com/ FindADoctor or call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762).

Fit to PlayIs your child ready for sports this fall?

Hydration Tips for KidsKids have an increased risk of dehydration and heat-related illness — one of the most dangerous and preventable sports injuries.

Dr. Fisher says kids don’t sweat as efficiently as adults and become dehydrated faster. That’s particularly dangerous during early fall when kids are not yet conditioned for sports. Many young athletes arrive at after-school practice already dehydrated because they haven’t been drinking fluids during the day.

“Kids just can’t absorb water fast enough,” he explains. “Proper hydration is as important as wearing protective equipment. Parents and coaches need to ensure kids drink fluids before, during, and after exercise.” He recommends the following guidelines:

• Before: Drink 16 ounces of water one to two hours before sports. • During: Drink at least 8 ounces of water or sports drink every 20 minutes. • After: Drink at least 24 ounces of water or sports drink for every pound of weight lost.


1-800-533-UPMC 3

Give Your Back a Break Tips that can help you avoid back pain.Amazingly complex, remarkably strong, and incredibly flexible, your back is one of the most important parts of your body. Without it, you couldn’t stand up straight, walk on the beach, chase after the kids, or dance the night away.

Like most people, you probably take your back for granted — until it starts to hurt. “Eight out of 10 Americans will have back pain at some point in their lives,” says M. Melissa Moon, DO, a physician in the UPMC Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

So what’s causing all those achy backs? “Everyday habits like hunching over your computer, toting a heavy purse or backpack, or picking up a toddler are often to blame for the pain,” says Dr. Moon.

“And studies show that smokers have more back problems than non-smokers, which is another good reason to quit,” she adds.

To help keep your back healthy and strong, Dr. Moon also recommends the following:

Sit up straight. Use good posture when sitting or standing. That improves muscle tone and makes breathing easier.

Work out. Back and abdominal exercises strengthen the core muscles that support your back, while low-impact aerobics strengthens bones and improves blood flow to muscles.

Lose it. Being overweight puts added strain on your back muscles. Carrying weight around your midsection isn’t good for your heart either.

Think before lifting. Remember to keep your back straight and bend at the knees or hips when lifting something. Ask for help with a heavy load.

Pay attention. If you feel back pain during any activity, stop and rest. Your body may be trying to keep you from getting hurt.

Call the doctor. Most back pain can be relieved with self-care. However, Dr. Moon recommends that you see a doctor if:

• You have pain after a fall or injury. • You have weakness, pain, or numbness in one or both legs. • The pain is severe and doesn’t improve with medication and rest. • The pain is accompanied by trouble urinating, fever, or unintentional weight loss.

Learn more about building a healthy back at UPMC.com/Today.

Source: National Institutes of Health

Using Your Blood for Natural Healing Even after having surgery for a sports-related groin injury, recovery was slow for Megan Cortazzo, MD, a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist with UPMC. A fellow physician suggested platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy — and her results were so positive that she now offers the service to patients at UPMC.

What is PRP therapy?

PRP therapy is a type of regenerative injection therapy (RIT) that promotes the healing of injured or deteriorated tissue. “Platelets are rich in growth factors that stimulate healing,” explains Dr. Cortazzo. “We draw a small quantity of the patient’s blood and spin it in a special centrifuge machine. The process extracts platelets, which we then inject at the point of injury or inflammation,” says Dr. Cortazzo.

Who should use PRP therapy?

“PRP therapy’s use by professional athletes has generated tremendous interest in the procedure,” says Dr. Cortazzo.

It also can be an effective alternative to surgery for patients with a wide range of conditions, she says, including:

• Chronic tennis elbow (tendinosis) • Mild to moderate rotator cuff tears • Chronic ankle sprains • Mild arthritis of the knee

For best results, Dr. Cortazzo recommends combining PRP therapy with physical therapy.

Is PRP therapy covered by insurance?

Because it is still in its infancy, medical insurance does not cover PRP therapy. “Although it’s a self-pay procedure, many patients feel it’s worthwhile because it can eliminate lost work time and the cost of a deductible for surgery,” explains Dr. Cortazzo. “Most of all, they want the relief from pain it offers.”

For more information about PRP, call UPMC Rehabilitation Institute at 412-692-4400, or go to UPMC.com/prp.

Health Tips from UPMC Health Plan


1-800-533-UPMC 5

p Mark Sosinski, MD, a nationally recognized lung cancer specialist who joined the UPMC CancerCenter and UPCI team in 2011, says “This was a good fit for me and my research, but the strong leadership really stood out.”

The UPMC CancerCenter radiation oncology network includes 16 community-based radiation oncology centers and 10 dual radiation and medical oncology centers. Many of these sites offer innovative, advanced technology that allows for more precise tumor imaging and radiation treatment.

The surgical oncology network specializes in the surgical treatment of a wide variety of cancers, including many rare and difficult tumors. Its multidisciplinary team of physicians has attracted national attention for work in areas such as minimally invasive surgery, including robotic surgery; specialized procedures, such as the pancreatic Whipple; and regional perfusion therapy, which directs high concentrations of chemotherapy to the tumor site.

Pillar II: Specialized Care

For patients with challenging or late-stage cancers, UPMC’s Hillman Cancer Center is a beacon of hope and innovation. It is home to internationally regarded surgical, medical, and radiation oncology specialists who perform treatments and procedures unavailable elsewhere in the region. Hillman also has the area’s most advanced imaging technologies to detect cancer and monitor treatment.

Nationally ranked Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC features dedicated and comprehensive women’s cancer care, including breast, ovarian, uterine, and cervical cancers.

For patients with hard-to-treat cancers, UPCI and UPMC CancerCenter offer disease-specific multidisciplinary clinics called Specialty Care Centers (SCC) designed to provide quick access to leading specialists. Many SCC reviews are done over the Internet, eliminating the need for long-distance travel.

Care for children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer is provided at the highly-ranked Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC.

Pillar III: Research

UPCI physicians and scientists are recognized leaders in molecular and medical oncology research. Their primary goal is to discover new ways to prevent, treat, and cure all types of cancer, particularly those with the lowest survival rates. Working hand-in-hand with UPMC CancerCenter, UPCI’s investigators strive to translate their research into actual treat-ment. More than 300 clinical trials now underway at UPCI give patients access to cutting-edge therapies long before they are broadly available.

The National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) 12th most-funded cancer research institution, UPCI received more than $174 million in support in 2011. UPCI is also western Pennsylvania’s only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.

To learn more about UPMC CancerCenter, Partner with University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, visit UPMCCancerCenter.com.

Hillman Cancer Center Celebrates 10-Year AnniversaryWhen the Hillman Cancer Center opened its doors in 2002, it was hailed as an architectural gem — its spectacular, glass-block walled atrium serving as a symbolic link between research and patient care.

Today, Hillman Cancer Center is the treatment and research flagship of the growing UPMC CancerCenter network. A 350,000-square-foot comprehensive cancer center, Hillman is home to UPMC CancerCenter’s pre-eminent clinical care for patients and UPCI’s internationally recognized academic and research programs. Here, patients and their families have access to specialized cancer diagnosis, prevention, care, and treatment, including multidisciplinary outpatient stem cell transplant services.

Opening in January 2013, the new Mario Lemieux Center for Blood Cancers will offer comprehensive diagnostic services, individually designed treatment plans, and long-term follow-up services to patients with leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and other blood malig-nancies.

For more information, visit UPMCCancerCenter.com.

Architectural rendering of the patient waiting area of the Mario Lemieux Center for Blood Cancers, currently under construction at Hillman Cancer Center. u


4 UPMC.com/Today

A Partnership of Hope and TransformationEvery year, the lives of 74,000 cancer patients and their families are transformed by the care, specialized services, and research of UPMC CancerCenter, Partner with University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute.

Applying good science, investing in smart technology, and putting patients first. That’s the philosophy driving the cutting-edge research and lifesaving care offered through UPMC CancerCenter, Partner with University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI).

p UPMC is consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as having one of the best cancer programs in the nation.

“We’re committed to being a leader in the fight against cancer today and tomorrow, with the patient always at the center of all we do,” says Nancy Davidson, MD, director of UPMC CancerCenter.

“From the groundbreaking research that takes place in our laboratories to our delivery of the latest cancer therapies in locations throughout the region, we’re at the frontline of cancer prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment,” she says. “We also play a key role in inspiring and educating the next generation of bright young scientists and cancer specialists.”

A network like no other

UPMC CancerCenter is one of the nation’s largest integrated community networks of cancer physicians and health care specialists. Its more than 30 locations throughout western Pennsylvania and Ohio — including UPMC St. Margaret — bring outstanding cancer care close to home for many patients.

“One of the main strengths of the UPMC CancerCenter network is its ability to obtain virtually identical results wherever patients are treated,” says Peter Ellis, MD, director of the medical oncology network. “Our Clinical Pathways are evidence-based care standards that provide uniformity across the network.”

Three powerful pillars supported by 1,700 experts

“Through our quarter-century-long partnership, UPCI and UPMC CancerCenter have identified three pillars that enable us to achieve our common goals: clinical care, specialized care, and research,” says Stanley Marks, MD, chairman of UPMC CancerCenter.

“It’s not always easy to see the ‘behind the scenes’ story of who we are and what we do. With these three pillars, we marshal the resources of nearly 250 medical, radiation, and surgical oncology physicians; more than 1,160 nurses, technicians, and staff; and 350 research and clinical faculty,” he explains. “Few organizations in the country can match the level of scientific and medical expertise, state-of-the-art technology, and physical locations found here.”

Pillar I: Clinical Care

From the moment of diagnosis, UPMC CancerCenter’s network of nearly 100 medical oncologists links patients to a full range of treatments and services that include:

• Conventional chemotherapy • Targeted therapies • Stem cell transplants • Hormone therapy • Biological therapy • Perfusion therapy


1-800-533-UPMC 5

p Mark Sosinski, MD, a nationally recognized lung cancer specialist who joined the UPMC CancerCenter and UPCI team in 2011, says “This was a good fit for me and my research, but the strong leadership really stood out.”

The UPMC CancerCenter radiation oncology network includes 16 community-based radiation oncology centers and 10 dual radiation and medical oncology centers. Many of these sites offer innovative, advanced technology that allows for more precise tumor imaging and radiation treatment.

The surgical oncology network specializes in the surgical treatment of a wide variety of cancers, including many rare and difficult tumors. Its multidisciplinary team of physicians has attracted national attention for work in areas such as minimally invasive surgery, including robotic surgery; specialized procedures, such as the pancreatic Whipple; and regional perfusion therapy, which directs high concentrations of chemotherapy to the tumor site.

Pillar II: Specialized Care

For patients with challenging or late-stage cancers, UPMC’s Hillman Cancer Center is a beacon of hope and innovation. It is home to internationally regarded surgical, medical, and radiation oncology specialists who perform treatments and procedures unavailable elsewhere in the region. Hillman also has the area’s most advanced imaging technologies to detect cancer and monitor treatment.

Nationally ranked Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC features dedicated and comprehensive women’s cancer care, including breast, ovarian, uterine, and cervical cancers.

For patients with hard-to-treat cancers, UPCI and UPMC CancerCenter offer disease-specific multidisciplinary clinics called Specialty Care Centers (SCC) designed to provide quick access to leading specialists. Many SCC reviews are done over the Internet, eliminating the need for long-distance travel.

Care for children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer is provided at the highly-ranked Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC.

Pillar III: Research

UPCI physicians and scientists are recognized leaders in molecular and medical oncology research. Their primary goal is to discover new ways to prevent, treat, and cure all types of cancer, particularly those with the lowest survival rates. Working hand-in-hand with UPMC CancerCenter, UPCI’s investigators strive to translate their research into actual treat-ment. More than 300 clinical trials now underway at UPCI give patients access to cutting-edge therapies long before they are broadly available.

The National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) 12th most-funded cancer research institution, UPCI received more than $174 million in support in 2011. UPCI is also western Pennsylvania’s only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.

To learn more about UPMC CancerCenter, Partner with University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, visit UPMCCancerCenter.com.

Hillman Cancer Center Celebrates 10-Year AnniversaryWhen the Hillman Cancer Center opened its doors in 2002, it was hailed as an architectural gem — its spectacular, glass-block walled atrium serving as a symbolic link between research and patient care.

Today, Hillman Cancer Center is the treatment and research flagship of the growing UPMC CancerCenter network. A 350,000-square-foot comprehensive cancer center, Hillman is home to UPMC CancerCenter’s pre-eminent clinical care for patients and UPCI’s internationally recognized academic and research programs. Here, patients and their families have access to specialized cancer diagnosis, prevention, care, and treatment, including multidisciplinary outpatient stem cell transplant services.

Opening in January 2013, the new Mario Lemieux Center for Blood Cancers will offer comprehensive diagnostic services, individually designed treatment plans, and long-term follow-up services to patients with leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and other blood malig-nancies.

For more information, visit UPMCCancerCenter.com.

Architectural rendering of the patient waiting area of the Mario Lemieux Center for Blood Cancers, currently under construction at Hillman Cancer Center. u


42 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE Fox Chapel Area6 UPMC.com/Today

It’s no coincidence that the words hospital and hospitality share the same Latin root, hospes, which means to treat guests with kindness and care.

That spirit of welcome is immediately evident in the thoughtful design of two newly opened patient care units at Magee- Womens Hospital of UPMC — one of Magee’s major expansion projects during a century of providing medical service.

p The patient rooms are warm and spacious, with a comfortable sleep sofa to encourage overnight stays by a family member or close friend.

“We wanted Magee’s latest major construction to focus on our patients with the greatest medical needs: those requiring intensive care and women undergoing cancer treatment,” says Leslie C. Davis, hospital president. “We’re still among the leading deliverers of babies in the nation, but we also care for men and children, from infants to centenarians. The additional beds also allow us to expand our core obstetrical (OB) services to the units that relocated. Adding space for our OB patients was a primary reason for this expansion.”

Two floors were added to a three-story section of the hospital to create the new 14-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and 28-bed Cancer Care Unit, more than doubling the number of critical care beds. Completed in record time, the new units increased the hospital’s overall bed capacity by 13 percent.

“Before starting the project, we sought the advice of former patients, as well as our doctors, nurses, and staff,” says Joseph Kelley, MD, director of both the Division of Gynecologic Oncology and the Gynecologic Cancer Program at Magee.

“Their ideas and suggestions helped us create a quiet, calming, and safe environment for patients and caregivers. Each patient room is filled with natural light and decorated in soothing earth tones, blending comfort with technology. That kind of setting is very important to healing.”

Emphasizing patient and family-centered care

Because studies confirm that the presence of loved ones promotes recovery, each patient room in the new unit features a comfortable sleeper sofa to encourage overnight stays. Family members also can order in-room meals for a modest fee, and all patient rooms have free Internet access and cable television.

“Every room has separate zoned areas for families and caregivers, minimizing disruption and reducing infection,” explains David Muigai, MD, medical director of Magee’s ICU. “Visitors comment on how quiet it is here, thanks to acoustical features to minimize sound. And the ICU rooms are designed to accommodate changes in a patient’s condition, eliminating the need to transfer patients as they continue to recover.”

Each floor also has a family lounge and a meditation room. They offer privacy when needed, and company when desired. Both floors also incorporate the latest technology and best practices in green building solutions to minimize environmental impact.

“We couldn’t be prouder of our newest addition,” says Dr. Kelley. “It reflects the kind of signature care and compassion Magee has delivered for more than 100 years.”

Several of Magee’s programs, including cancer care, are again ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News and World Report (2012-13). Learn more about Magee’s services for women and men at UPMC.com/Magee.

The meditation room on each floor provides patients and families with a private space that is peaceful and soothing. q

Magee’s Newest Baby Is Two Stories Tall — and Ready for GuestsNew state-of-the-art intensive care and cancer care units blend the latest in medical technology with the best in patient comfort.


1-800-533-UPMC 7

Does your blood pressure soar every time you see a doctor? You could have what many health care specialists call “white coat hypertension.”

Blood pressure greater than 140/90 is considered to be hypertension, but anxiety can cause a temporary rise in blood pressure during an office visit in about one out of every five patients, says Peter Counihan, MD, a cardiologist at UPMC St. Margaret.

“The danger is you might be prescribed medicine you don’t need,” says Dr. Counihan. “Conversely, you might assume you have white coat hypertension and ignore potential problems. Sometimes it can be a precursor of true hypertension.”

If you think you have white coat hyper-tension, take readings in a more relaxed setting, such as at a drugstore that has a blood pressure monitor or at home. And don’t ignore several high readings — left untreated, hypertension can lead to stroke, kidney failure, and heart attack.

What you can do

• Avoid stress before your doctor visit.

• Arrive early so you can sit quietly for at least five minutes.

• Have a nurse take your blood pressure. Dr. Counihan says blood pressure can rise 20 points when a doctor walks into the room.

• Get tested at the end of your visit when you’re more relaxed.

• Invest in a home blood pressure monitor. A cuff monitor is highly accurate and inexpensive.

• Take your home monitor to your doctor’s office to be tested for accuracy.

• If you continue to have abnormally high readings, your doctor may recommend an ambulatory device that tracks blood pressure over a 24-hour period.

Exam Room Jitters

What’s Happening at UPMC St. MargaretClasses:

COPD Education and Support 412-784-5764

Insulin Pump Class 1-866-334-5227

Look Good ... Feel Better 1-800-227-2345

Managing Your Diabetes 1-866-334-5227

Support Groups:

Alzheimer’s Support Group 412-784-5054

Bariatric Support Group 412-784-5900

Diabetes Support Group 412-784-4194

Events:

Alive & Well Presentations UPMC St. Margaret physicians and health professionals speak on a variety of health-related topics at community libraries. For upcoming dates, locations, and topics, visit UPMCStMargaret.com.

Bariatric Information Sessions Mondays, Sept. 10 and 24, Oct. 8 and 22, Nov. 5 and 19 6 to 8 p.m. UPMC St. Margaret Conf. Rooms A, B, and C For more information or to register, call 412-784-5900.

Community Flu Shots Saturday, Oct. 6 9 a.m. to noon For more information, call 412-784-5185 or visit UPMCStMargaret.com.

Smoking Cessation Program UPMC St. Margaret Conference Center Eight-week program for those who are serious about quitting. For more information or to register, call 412-784-5043.

UPMC St. Margaret Blood Drives Monday, Sept. 10 Thursday, Nov. 8 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. UPMC St. Margaret Dining Rooms A and B For more information, call 412-784-4077.

Volunteer Opportunities:

For information about volunteer opportunities at UPMC St. Margaret, call Volunteer Services at 412-784-4081.

For more information about any of these classes or support groups, call the number indicated, call Community Relations at 412-784-5160, or go to UPMCStMargaret.com.

Is that white coat boosting your blood pressure?


6 UPMC.com/Today

It’s no coincidence that the words hospital and hospitality share the same Latin root, hospes, which means to treat guests with kindness and care.

That spirit of welcome is immediately evident in the thoughtful design of two newly opened patient care units at Magee- Womens Hospital of UPMC — one of Magee’s major expansion projects during a century of providing medical service.

p The patient rooms are warm and spacious, with a comfortable sleep sofa to encourage overnight stays by a family member or close friend.

“We wanted Magee’s latest major construction to focus on our patients with the greatest medical needs: those requiring intensive care and women undergoing cancer treatment,” says Leslie C. Davis, hospital president. “We’re still among the leading deliverers of babies in the nation, but we also care for men and children, from infants to centenarians. The additional beds also allow us to expand our core obstetrical (OB) services to the units that relocated. Adding space for our OB patients was a primary reason for this expansion.”

Two floors were added to a three-story section of the hospital to create the new 14-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and 28-bed Cancer Care Unit, more than doubling the number of critical care beds. Completed in record time, the new units increased the hospital’s overall bed capacity by 13 percent.

“Before starting the project, we sought the advice of former patients, as well as our doctors, nurses, and staff,” says Joseph Kelley, MD, director of both the Division of Gynecologic Oncology and the Gynecologic Cancer Program at Magee.

“Their ideas and suggestions helped us create a quiet, calming, and safe environment for patients and caregivers. Each patient room is filled with natural light and decorated in soothing earth tones, blending comfort with technology. That kind of setting is very important to healing.”

Emphasizing patient and family-centered care

Because studies confirm that the presence of loved ones promotes recovery, each patient room in the new unit features a comfortable sleeper sofa to encourage overnight stays. Family members also can order in-room meals for a modest fee, and all patient rooms have free Internet access and cable television.

“Every room has separate zoned areas for families and caregivers, minimizing disruption and reducing infection,” explains David Muigai, MD, medical director of Magee’s ICU. “Visitors comment on how quiet it is here, thanks to acoustical features to minimize sound. And the ICU rooms are designed to accommodate changes in a patient’s condition, eliminating the need to transfer patients as they continue to recover.”

Each floor also has a family lounge and a meditation room. They offer privacy when needed, and company when desired. Both floors also incorporate the latest technology and best practices in green building solutions to minimize environmental impact.

“We couldn’t be prouder of our newest addition,” says Dr. Kelley. “It reflects the kind of signature care and compassion Magee has delivered for more than 100 years.”

Several of Magee’s programs, including cancer care, are again ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News and World Report (2012-13). Learn more about Magee’s services for women and men at UPMC.com/Magee.

The meditation room on each floor provides patients and families with a private space that is peaceful and soothing. q

Magee’s Newest Baby Is Two Stories Tall — and Ready for GuestsNew state-of-the-art intensive care and cancer care units blend the latest in medical technology with the best in patient comfort.


UPMC St. Margaret815 Freeport RoadPittsburgh, PA 15215

UPMC Today is published quarterly to provide you with health and wellness information and classes and events available at UPMC.

This publication is for information purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice or replace a physician’s medical assessment.Always consult first with your physician about anything related to your personal health.

To receive additional copies of this publication, call 412-784-5160.

Follow UPMC on Facebook.

Replace hurt with happiness.

UPMCStMargaret.com/Ortho

Affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC is ranked among the nation’s best hospitals by U.S. News & World Report.

Orthopaedic surgery services at

Orthopaedic surgeons at UPMC St. Margaret are dedicatedto putting the pain of our patients behind them. With state-of-the-art facilities and surgical expertise, including minimally invasive surgeries, we offer a wide range of specialty services for bone, muscle, and joint pain.So no matter what kind of pain you’re experiencing,the region’s leading and convenient choice fororthopaedic care is easily in your reach. VisitUPMCStMargaret.com/Ortho to learn more.

1889_gh_upmc_ortho_bike_ad_c_Layout 1 7/23/12 4:49 PM Page 1



UPMC St. Margaret815 Freeport RoadPittsburgh, PA 15215

UPMC Today is published quarterly to provide you with health and wellness information and classes and events available at UPMC.

This publication is for information purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice or replace a physician’s medical assessment.Always consult first with your physician about anything related to your personal health.

To receive additional copies of this publication, call 412-784-5160.

Follow UPMC on Facebook.

Replace hurt with happiness.

UPMCStMargaret.com/Ortho

Affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC is ranked among the nation’s best hospitals by U.S. News & World Report.

Orthopaedic surgery services at

Orthopaedic surgeons at UPMC St. Margaret are dedicatedto putting the pain of our patients behind them. With state-of-the-art facilities and surgical expertise, including minimally invasive surgeries, we offer a wide range of specialty services for bone, muscle, and joint pain.So no matter what kind of pain you’re experiencing,the region’s leading and convenient choice fororthopaedic care is easily in your reach. VisitUPMCStMargaret.com/Ortho to learn more.

1889_gh_upmc_ortho_bike_ad_c_Layout 1 7/23/12 4:49 PM Page 1


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Twelve Fox Chapel Area High School seniors were honored in recent months by the Rotary Club of Fox

Chapel Area at a luncheon at the Pittsburgh Field Club. The students, representing all academic departments at the high school, were chosen not only for their academic achievement but also for exemplifying the Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self,” according to Verne Koch, program chairman.

Although the Rotary Club designed the criteria for the awards, the students were actually selected by teachers at the high school in the 12 different academic departments. Jennifer Klein, an Advanced Placement U.S. government and politics teacher at the high school, as well as a gifted support teacher, coordinated the selection process and introduced each of the students at the luncheon.

This is the 15th consecutive year that the local Rotary Club has given out the awards, which include a certificate and a monetary gift.

“The Fox Chapel Area Rotary Club has been amazingly generous with its support of programs involving our students,” Klein said. “This annual recognition luncheon is just one of the many ways the Rotary is involved in our schools. It is greatly appreciated by the students and the staff at the high school.”

Honorees were:Ishan Catterjee, Bioengineering at Harvard.Tom Coyne, Writing for Film and Television at Emerson College. Molly Eckman, Engineering at Pennsylvania State University’s Scheyer

Honors College.Bennett Gould, Environmental Science at Allegheny College.Megan Kirk, Bucknell University.Da Y Kwon, Interior Design at the Pratt Institute.Maheen Nadeem, a dual Pre-Medicine and Sociology major at Emory

College.Sarah Ogren, Dartmouth.Laura Powers, Nursing at La Roche College.Jonny Wallisch, Business Management at Lynn University. Angelia Wang, Science at Brown University. Laura Rotondo, Education at Community College of Allegheny County.

FCAHS Seniors Honored by Rotary Club. Front row (L to R): Molly Eckman, Laura Powers, Da Y Kwon, Tom

Coyne, Angelia Wang, Maheen Nadeem. Back row: Rotary Club President Barry Leonard, High School AP Teacher Jennifer Klein,

Bennett Gould, Ishan Chatterjee, Jonny Wallish, Meg Kirk, Sarah Ogren and Rotary Club Program Chair Verne Koch. (Photo by Tom Benic)

Rotary Club of Fox Chapel Area Honors 12 Area Seniors


Situated on Rt. 910 in Indiana Twp., just minutes from Rt. 28 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Concordia of Fox Chapel offers the best of both worlds: amazing caregivers who become extended family to our residents

and a peaceful setting to support safety and enhance quality of life. The goal for our residents is not to just stay idle – we want those in our care to thrive.

Amidst the personal care programming options, designed specifically to enhance memory care, residents enjoy nutritious, chef-prepared meals, laundry and housekeeping services and personalized assistance with daily activities from some of the best caregivers around.

Many of those in our care have special needs and we’re happy to cater to those. Additionally, this secure building offers a number of features to ensure the safest environment possible for those who call it home. But don’t take our word for it. Schedule a free, personalized tour today.

For more information on Concordia of Fox Chapel or to schedule a visit to this superb Personal Care, Memory Care facility, please call the facility director at 412.767.5808.

Concordia also provides memory care at our Concordia of the South Hills facility, 1300 Bower Hill Road in Mt. Lebanon and at Adult Day Services in our Lund Care Center on Concordia’s Cabot campus, 134 Marwood Road. To learn more visit us online at www.concordialm.org.

Concordia of Fox Chapel

Ask the DentistIs it really necessary to wear a

mouthguard when I play sports?

This Industry Insight was written by Dr. Kevin Pawlowicz.Dr. Kevin Pawlowicz practices at Fox Chapel Advanced Dental Care on Old Freeport Road in Fox Chapel. Dr. Pawlowicz has trained at the Las Vegas and Seattle Institutes. He is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and the Academy of Laser Dentistry. You can learn more about Dr. Pawlowicz on his website www.foxchapeldentistry.com.


Follow us on Twitterhttps://twitter.com/foxchapeldental

"Like" us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/FoxChapelAdvancedDentalCare

Dr. Kevin Pawlowicz is a member of the Academy for Sports Dentistry

Answer:This is a great question, and one we hear frequently. I’m not sure

what sport you play, but regardless, mouth guards are an essential piece of equipment for anyone participating in any sport or physical activity, starting at a young age. Mouth guards offer protection by absorbing high-impact energy from traumatic blows, which otherwise would make direct contact with the teeth below. Because of this protection benefit, many athletes have the preconceived notion that they can only benefit from the use of a mouth guard in high contact sports, however this is not the case. The Journal of the American Dental Association reports that although dental injuries are typically associated with collision and contact sports such as football or ice hockey, oral trauma is just as common, if not more so, in basketball and soccer. Concussion prevention also plays a large role in mouth guard use. Because athletes put themselves at risk each time they are competing, a cushioning between the upper and lower teeth will significantly reduce their danger.

With so many types of mouth guards on the market, it’s hard to choose just which one is right for you.

Mouthguard is a fairly universal term used to represent many different products, all offering various levels of comfort and protection. The most basic type of mouth guard to purchase is called a stock mouth guard. It comes in sizes small to large and offers the least amount of protection and retention. The most personalized mouth guard available is the custom fitted type which can only be made professionally by your dentist. While this is a more expensive option, it will provide the most comfort and protection. Your dentist will also be able to address other important issues such as history of previous dental issues, and the sport being played.

Some dentists are certified to provide performance enhancement mouth guards. This type of mouth guard is custom fitted as well and not only provides protective benefits but also performance benefits such as increased strength, endurance, and stability.

Your certified dentist will take even more precise records, such as the position where your jaw is ideally aligned. A performance enhancement mouth guard can make all the difference in your capabilities.

For more information you can log into our website or as always, be sure to check with your dentist in regards to any other questions or concerns you have about getting fitted for an athletic mouth guard! Thank you for the question and good luck!


In the Shadow of the Sun King is the tumultuous love story of a soldier and courtesan in 17th century France. What could this story possibly have to do with Fox Chapel? It was written by lifelong resident Leila Jamison.

Having a book published at any age is amazing in the somewhat unstable world of publishing, but Jamison’s accomplishment is particularly unique in that she sold her first book at the age of 90!

Born in Aspinwall, Jamison’s love affair with 17th century France first began at the tender age of 10, with the discovery of Alexandre Dumas’ Three Musketeers.

“I just thought it sounded like such a romantic and exciting period,” explains Jamison. This devout Francophile has traveled extensively throughout the country. Her favorite region is decidedly Bordeaux, the beautiful wine region nestled in the southwest of France. Her writing marries her two loves: France and reading.

Remarkably, her book almost didn’t happen. She began writing it about eight years ago and when she was almost finished, she lost her entire manuscript. Fortunately she had her notes, which were a very rough draft, and began again. Her drive to persevere was rewarded with the publishing of the book by Abbott Press in February 2012.

Jamison holds a degree in library science from Pitt, where she had also worked for years in the Hillman Library among books that others had written. Although she had written some articles for the library, she had never undertaken the challenge of a novel until age 82.

The historical fiction captures the drama of war, poverty, power struggles, romance, betrayal and religious conflict. Reviewers have praised the setting and storyline of the novel.

“I like a lot of description,” says Jamison, who particularly enjoys the work of Dorothy Dunnett, another historical fiction writer who spins her stories in lavish detail.

A widow since 1999, she is not content to rest on the laurels of her inaugural foray into the world of writing. She hopes to complete another book set in France, but this time the period will be late 19th century Paris. Asked if her book will contain any references to the famous phantom of the opera, Jamison replies, “No, but I probably will talk a lot about the building [Palace de Garnier].” She is a big fan

of architect Baron Georges-Eugene Haussmann, who, under the commission of Napoleon III, developed an extensive plan for the renovation of Paris that began in the mid-19th century and continued well into La Belle Epoque.

In the meantime, Jamison will probably have to take a barge trip or two in France as research for her newest book venture. “It’s a wonderful way to see the country,” she says.

Her advice to writers of any age is to read a lot. “Reading makes you a better writer.”

Jamison’s book is available through amazon.com.

Leila Jamison

In the Shadow

of the Sun King

Blinding Road to Versailles

by Pamela Palongue

bFit Studio offers the community a unique way to burn calories and have fun working out! Through the distinct classes offered only at bFit, you get a workout unlike any other. After learning about the exciting opportunities offered at bFit, visit www.mybfitstudio.com to register for a FREE bFitCommunity class that will give you a chance to try a class and see what a difference group exercise can make!BOSU Power, Balance & Toning – In this action packed class, you will use a BOSU balance trainer to perform cardio blasts that will increase your strength and balance. Cardio will be combined with toning segments to challenge your muscles to perform at their max.Indo-Row – Indo-Row is an indoor rowing workout that will truly change the way you think about group exercise. In this 45 minute workout, you will be working in teams, partners, and as one crew. Indo-

Row provides a transforming total body workout that challenges the body and focuses the mind. Kangoo Bounce – Kangoo Bounce is a highly motivating, interval-training program that is choreographed to the most current, upbeat music. The class is performed in Kangoo Jumps that are safe, low-impact rebound shoes that provide many great health benefits. Kangoos are so much fun you’ll forget you’re exercising. TRX Boot Camp – The TRX is a suspension workout system that leverages gravity and your bodyweight to perform each exercise. You’re in control of how much you want to challenge yourself on each exercise - because you can simply adjust your body position to increase or decrease resistance. During this class, you will move from one exercise to the next quickly, in order to improve strength and cardiovascular fitness. This can be a very challenging class, but the moves can be modified to suit your needs. willPower & grace ® – A formatted fusion of postures and drills,willPower & grace® is a workout that is as philosophical is it is physical; a full-body functional workout meets sports psychology. willPower & grace integrates the smartest and safest barefoot training methods to strengthen your feet while progressively correcting imbalances in your ankles, knees, and hips.

bFitCommunitybFit Studio is hosting bFitCommunity, sessions for nonmembers to

try out the studio. You will have a chance to get to see all that bFit can do to help you bFit and bHealthy year-round! bFitCommunity will be held on the first Sunday of every month at 9:30 a.m. and will offer different classes during each session. Space is limited, so be sure to visit www.mybfitstudio.com to register! Bring a friend, bring a family member, bring them all! We can’t wait to show you how fun working out can be.

To learn more about bFit Studio or to register for a class, visit www.mybfitstudio.com or “like” us on Facebook! If you have additional questions, you can also contact us via phone at 412-282-8120.

RORY LAZEAR, NASM, CPT Co-Owner, bFit StudioBS in Nutrition Children’s Fitness Specialist willPower & grace Phase II Instructor Indo-Row TRX Specialist Kangoo Power/ Boot Camp

LORI ELIAS, NPTI, CPTCo-Owner, bFit Studio Kangoo Power/ Boot Camp Indo-Row Kickboxing Outdoor Fitness Boot Camp Youth Programs

bFitCommunity Gives

Community Free

Workouts


26-Year-Old

Fox Chapel Native Runs for Office

26-Year-Old

Fox Chapel Native Runs for Office

A political life doesn’t appeal to most people

in their 20s, but one Fox Chapel native is jumping into the arena with great gusto. David Tusick will be running as the Democratic candidate for State Representative of the 30th District this November.

According to Tusick’s mother, Susan, her son showed signs of being an over-achiever from an early age. “There was just something different

about him from the other kids; he just had an aura...” she says. Born and raised in Fox Chapel, Tusick always had an unwavering

determination. If he set out to accomplish something he accomplished it and more. At the tender age of nine, he swam a mile just because he wanted to challenge himself. He had never done it before, but he pulled off the feat effortlessly.

Tusick’s desire to succeed never wavered as he excelled academically throughout his childhood, and he was an active Eagle Scout and high school lacrosse MVP. One of the turning points in his life was when his grandfather became ill and Tusick helped take care of him for four years. His mother believes it was at this point that he developed a great compassion for the elderly and the disabled.

After graduating from Fox Chapel High School, he attended Robert Morris University where he completed bachelor’s degrees in economics and marketing.

Tusick was constantly thinking of ideas for business ventures. In his junior year of college he found an idea he was passionate about and began the marketing company Optimal, along with his cousin William Ernsberger. The company is a unique advertising agency that specializes in digital campaigns, social media and brand development. Through hard work and determination the company has become a force in the marketing industry, working with major companies throughout the area.

Marketing is not the only endeavor in which Tusick has an interest. In 2009 he helped his aunt, Barbara Ernsberger, run for the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania. He put his own life on hold and traveled all over Pennsylvania for her campaign…and a passion for politics developed. So when he became aware that the race for State Representative for the 30th District had only one candidate, he eagerly threw his hat into the ring and decided to run as the Democratic candidate.

Tusick hopes to use his knowledge about the area to become a new kind of representative. His campaign has three main platforms. First, he wants to help small businesses in the area as much as possible through tax cuts, education and raising awareness of state programs available to them.

Secondly, Tusick is concerned about drastic cuts in the education budget. Many programs have been cut, class sizes have increased and property taxes are rising across the state.

Lastly, Tusick is concerned about the elderly and disabled, who had benefits cut by 10% this year. He doesn’t believe it is fiscally responsible to cut their budget because care is very expensive and causes great stress, not only to the individual but also to the families. Tusick explains, “Caring for an elderly or disabled family member is a leading cause for bankruptcy.”

An ambitious and determined young man, Tusick has big plans for the 30th district!


by Matthew J. Fascetti

David Tusick

56 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE Fox Chapel Area Bedford County| Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 1

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1. Spider veins are the same as varicose veins.Spider veins and varicose veins are caused by dysfunctional valves within the vein. Spider veins appear as a nest of veins just below the surface of the skin. They typically do not bulge above the surface. Varicose veins, however, are a sign of more significant venous disease and should be diagnosed and treated by a physician.2. Prolonged standing does not play a role in varicose vein development.Regularly spending a large part of a workday on your feet, puts you at higher risk for developing varicose veins. In an attempt to reduce the strain standing causes, individuals with careers that require prolonged standing should make a point to walk regularly and perform isolated calf exercises by contracting and relaxing the calf muscles to assist the veins in “pumping” blood through the leg veins.3. Varicose veins are a cosmetic issue and do not need treatment.Varicose veins were previously thought of as a cosmetic condition. However, contemporary understanding of the actual disease process indicates varicose veins can ultimately progress to a more serious condition called chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). If left untreated, CVI is a progressively

deteriorating disease that can result in increasingly serious signs and symptoms. Leg pain, swelling, restlessness, skin damage and ulcers are all potential symptoms of untreated venous insufficiency. As a treatable condition, varicose veins should be evaluated by a physician and various minimally-invasive treatments can be explored before the varicose veins progress.4. Excessive weight does not contribute to varicose veins and CVI.Being overweight is directly associated with the formation of varicose veins. Added pressure on the legs and ankles causes the veins to bulge and the resulting valve stress can lead to failure and CVI. Maintaining a healthy weight through healthy eating and regular exercise is recommended. By exercising and strengthening the calf muscles, improved venous flow by calf muscle augmentation is achieved.5. Men do not develop varicose veins and CVI.Men and women are both at risk to develop varicose veins and CVI. More than 40% of men develop venous disease before the age of 60. Unfortunately, the majority of men do not seek treatment until the condition worsens. While this is still able to be treated, early recognition and timely treatment are the best way to treat varicose veins and CVI.6. Compression stockings and elevating your feet are curesfor varicose veins.Compression stockings provide external compression on the leg and this helps to reduce aching and swelling. This is a way to manage symptoms but does not affect the long term management of the disease in any positive way. People with varicose veins, who choose to manage their symptoms with only compression stockings, will need to continue to wear stockings for as long as they live. Similarly, elevating the feet above the level of the heart when lying down will relieve some pressure and swelling, but is also temporary. As soon as the patient resumes an upright posture, the benefit of elevation is lost.7. Genetics and age do not play a role in the developmentof varicose veins and CVI.Women older than 50 are most likely to develop venous disease. However, men and women of all ages can develop varicose veins and experience venous insufficiency. If you have a family member with varicose veins or CVI, you are more likely to develop varicose veins in your lifetime. Therefore, genetics and age play a significant role in the development of varicose veins.8. Varicose veins do not develop after trauma.Trauma to the legs has been shown to lead to the developmentof signs and symptoms of CVI and varicose veins. Injuries wheresignificant swelling or bruising is produced are at times associatedwith varicose vein development.9. Pregnancy does not cause varicose veins.Pregnancy increases blood volume, hormones cause the veins to bemore pliable and external compression to the pelvic veins duringpregnancy causes increased pressure inside the leg veins. Thesefactors may contribute to the creation of varicose veins in the legs.

This INsight has been provided by Circulatory Centers. For further information, please visit www.VeinHealth.com or call 1.800.426.9601.


Houses of Worship

Adat Shalom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.820.7000

All Saints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.781.0530

Aspinwall Presbyterian . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.781.2884

Chabad of Fox Chapel . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.781.1800

Catholic Community Sharpsburg . . . . . .412.784.8700

Christ The Divine Teacher

Catholic Academy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.781.7927

Community United

Methodist Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.781.6951

Dorseyville Alliance Church . . . . . . . . .412.767.4600

Emmanuel Lutheran Church . . . . . . . .412.781.2764

Faith United Methodist Church . . . . . .412.963.8155

First English Lutheran Church . . . . . . .412.782.1623

Fox Chapel Episcopal Church . . . . . . . .412.963.8938

Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church . . . . .412.963.8243

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church . . . .412.963.9494

Grace United Methodist Church . . . . .412.782.3396

Harmarville United Methodist . . . . . . .412.828.0292

Harmarville United Presbyterian . . . . .412.828.8232

Hoboken Presbyterian Church . . . . . . 412.828.2611

Holy Spirit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.821.4424

Immanuel Lutheran Church . . . . . . . . .412.271.1995

Mt. Olive Baptist Church . . . . . . . . . . . .412.781.5554

Pine Creek Presbyterian Church . . . . .412.963.7868

Sharpsburg Family Worship Center . .412.799.0701

St. Joseph O’Hara . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.963.8885

St. Mary of Assumption . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.486.4100

St. Mary’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.781.2866

St. Nicholas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.821.3438

St. Scholastica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.781.0186

St. Edward Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.828.4066

St. Francis of Assisi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.828.4066

St. Juan Diego . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.784.8700

Trinity United Church of Christ . . . . . . .412.767.4794

If your place of worship was not on our list, please e-mail the information to p.palongue@

incommunitymagazines.com.

Places of Worship in your area:


Fox Chapel Office • 412-963-6300

Looking for Fox Chapel’s Finest

Please call for a Free Market Analysis — 412-963-6300

$1,650,000 326 Olde Chapel Trail Barbara Pfendler 412-916-2005

$949,000 1090 Fox Chapel Road Donna Reif 412-855-1859

$1,065,000 103 DogwoodTrudy Ward 412-849-5767

$2,850,000 1 Miller Lane Sharon Wallace-Platt 412-889-4528

$748,000 825 Dorseyville RoadEileen Lusk/Laura Sauereisen 412-848-5844/412-720-1112

$1,875,000 900 W Waldheim Stephanie Veenis 412-551-9117

$1,175,000 313 Old Chapel Trail Trudy Ward 412-849-5767

$549,000 110 RichmondAudrey Ifft 412-298-8313

$285,000 17 Oak Spring Drive Patsy Welsh-Ford 412-334-6670

$625,000 107 Shannon Drive Charlotte Gibbons 412-491-9020

$349,000 120 St Charles Court Janet McKay 412-303-1408

$1,299,995 5016 Silent Meadow Ct. Sharon Wallace-Platt 412-889-4528

$959,000 521 Farndale Barbara Bolls 412-496-5361

$1,150,000 134 Riding Trail Charlotte Gibbons 412-491-9020

$279,500 106 Church Lane Patti McCaffrey 412-606-6059

$995,000 809 W Waldheim RoadSabrina Geraci 412-855-1853

$900,000 207 Hunt Road Chris McCarthy 724-882-3342

$468,000 623 Arbor CourtMolly Finley 412-427-9668

$1,995,000 401 Hartwood TrailSharon Stahlsmith 412-600-4161

$859,000 522 Fairview Road Kelly Hager 412-877-7658

$1,640,000 143 North Drive Maggsie Sliger 412-551-6884

$1,395,000 590 Squaw Run Rd. EastWendie Zimmerman 412-298-9348

$625,000 115 Tree Farm Road Ella Serrato 412-606-0969

$525,000 350 Hunt Road Marion Feeney 412-427-1198


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Contact us at724.942.0940

We get you noticed.Reaching your target audience has never been easier... or less expensive.Let IN Community Magazines set up a plan for your business to reach every home in your area.


Reaching your target audience has never been easier... or less expensive.Let IN Community Magazines set up a plan for your business to reach every home in your area.


Project6_Layout 1 7/27/12 1:17 PM Page 1

Fox Chapel Office • 412-963-6300

Looking for Fox Chapel’s Finest

Please call for a Free Market Analysis — 412-963-6300

$1,650,000 326 Olde Chapel Trail Barbara Pfendler 412-916-2005

$949,000 1090 Fox Chapel Road Donna Reif 412-855-1859

$1,065,000 103 DogwoodTrudy Ward 412-849-5767

$2,850,000 1 Miller Lane Sharon Wallace-Platt 412-889-4528

$748,000 825 Dorseyville RoadEileen Lusk/Laura Sauereisen 412-848-5844/412-720-1112

$1,875,000 900 W Waldheim Stephanie Veenis 412-551-9117

$1,175,000 313 Old Chapel Trail Trudy Ward 412-849-5767

$549,000 110 RichmondAudrey Ifft 412-298-8313

$285,000 17 Oak Spring Drive Patsy Welsh-Ford 412-334-6670

$625,000 107 Shannon Drive Charlotte Gibbons 412-491-9020

$349,000 120 St Charles Court Janet McKay 412-303-1408

$1,299,995 5016 Silent Meadow Ct. Sharon Wallace-Platt 412-889-4528

$959,000 521 Farndale Barbara Bolls 412-496-5361

$1,150,000 134 Riding Trail Charlotte Gibbons 412-491-9020

$279,500 106 Church Lane Patti McCaffrey 412-606-6059

$995,000 809 W Waldheim RoadSabrina Geraci 412-855-1853

$900,000 207 Hunt Road Chris McCarthy 724-882-3342

$468,000 623 Arbor CourtMolly Finley 412-427-9668

$1,995,000 401 Hartwood TrailSharon Stahlsmith 412-600-4161

$859,000 522 Fairview Road Kelly Hager 412-877-7658

$1,640,000 143 North Drive Maggsie Sliger 412-551-6884

$1,395,000 590 Squaw Run Rd. EastWendie Zimmerman 412-298-9348

$625,000 115 Tree Farm Road Ella Serrato 412-606-0969

$525,000 350 Hunt Road Marion Feeney 412-427-1198

K-Laser Therapyfor pain relief

and healing

This Industry Insight was written by Dr. Frank LeDonne.Dr. LeDonne is a local, graduating both from Fox Chapel Area High School and the University of Pittsburgh. He attained his Doctor of Chiropractic at Life University in Atlanta, Georgia. He is a firm believer in natural healing, and has been involved in physical fitness for most of his life. Dr. LeDonne opened up Hartwood Chiropractic eight years ago in the wonderful shopping center Hartwood Town Center located at the corner of Saxonburg Blvd. and Harts Run Road and has been practicing for 10 years.

Hartwood Chiropractic • 3390 Saxonburg Blvd. • Glenshaw, PA. 15116412-767-0200 • hartwoodchiropractic.com

Hartwood Chiropractic is proud to announce a new, safe, painless, non surgical, drug free treatment option for muscle and joint injuries called K-Laser™ Therapy. This is one of the most

advanced pain relief treatment options available on the market. The FDA approved Laser technology is proven to biostimulate tissue repair and growth.

The Laser accelerates the healing process and decreases inflammation, pain, and scar tissue formation. On the management of chronic pain, Class IV Laser Therapy can provide dramatic results, is non-addictive and virtually free of side effects. Numerous studies show that Laser Therapy can help with a long list of clinical conditions such as back pain, neck pain, headaches, disc injuries, sprain/strains, osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel, sports injuries and many more.

K- Laser™ TherapyThe K- Laser is the most advanced form of Class IV Laser Therapy

on the market today. This powerful, cutting edge, FDA approved advanced technology is changing the way octors treat muscle and joint

injuries. Laser therapy, or “photobiomodulation”, is the use of specific wavelengths of light (red and nearinfrared) to create therapeutic effects. These effects include improved healing time, pain reduction, increased circulation and decreased swelling. Laser therapy has been widely utilized in Europe by physical therapists, nurses and doctors as far back as the 1970’s. Now after FDA clearance in 2002, Laser Therapy is being used extensively in the United States.

Benefits of K- Laser™ TherapyDuring each painless treatment, laser energy increases circulation,

drawing water, oxygen, and nutrients to the damaged area. This creates an optimal healing environment that reduces inflammation, swelling, muscle spasms, stiffness, and pain. The photons of the Infrared laser light interact with the tissues at the cellular level and metabolic activity increases within the cell, improving transport of nutrients across the cell membrane. This initiates the increased production of cellular energy (ATP) that leads to a cascade of beneficial effects, increasing cellular function, health and pain relief.

• Improved Healing and Tissue Repair• Advanced Reduction in Pain and Spasm• Increased Joint Flexibility and Range of Motion• Reduced Symptoms of Osteoarthritis• Improved Peripheral Microcirculation• Detoxification and Elimination of Trigger Points• Reduced Inflammation• Faster Recovery Time• Increased Circulation• Immune Stimulation• Muscle Relaxation• Improved Vascular Activity• Accelerated Cell Reproduction and Growth• Stimulation of Nerve Regeneration• Increased Metabolic Activity• Faster Recovery from Nerve Injury• Reduced Pain in Post-Herpetic Neuralgia• Regeneration is Faster with Improved Quality (Stronger Tissues)


The fall is not just a time of changing leaves and cooler temperatures, it’s a time when the dormant diesel engines of the school buses fire up, SAT applications and college inquiry

letters are sent, and students return to college campuses across the nation.

In the United States, education is a $900 billion a year business, and that investment, by federal and state government along with parents and students often via loans, is a testament as to how important learning is to making a name for yourself in the world.

Fortunately, for individuals and the economy as a whole, everyone is different and educational opportunities abound for people no matter what their interests or aptitudes.

HCollege: College remains one of the most traditional avenues for high school grad-uates to pursue. With a high percentage of Fox Chapel area graduates continuing on to college, choosing the right institu-tion of higher learning is a must. Colleges can be public or private and offer two-year or four-year degrees. While post-secondary education is not a requirement for secur-ing work, those who obtain a college degree can expect estimated lifetime earnings of $2.1 million, according to the US Census Bureau. A master’s degree boosts that to $2.5 million, a professional de-gree averages $4.4 million, and a doctoral degree $3.4 million. High school graduates are estimated to earn just $1.2 million over the course of their lifetime, according to the same report.

HTrade Schools and Vocational Careers: While vocational training can start in high school, thanks to regional vocational/technical centers that serve school districts, post-high school programs can take graduates from apprentices to masters of their field. What’s more, vocational programs aren’t like they used to be in the latter half of the 20th century. Today’s vocational schools still cover trades such as carpentry, plumbing and stonemasonry, but they also excel in specialty fields such as computer networking, HVAC, and robotics.

HOnline Learning: Online learning is a relatively new form of degree program using the power of the Internet to bring students and

schools together. Also known as E-learning or distance educa-tion, online programs have brought some big names into the

fold as Harvard and MIT recently joined forces, offering a variety of free, online courses. Online education typically costs less than bricks-and-mortar schools.

H Financing Education: No matter where you end up after high school, chances are you’re going to need to

take out a few loans to make your goals attain-able. Student loans come in a variety of forms ranging from federal to private. Scholarships

often are attainable for eligible students, and are nice to have, but realistic students shouldn’t expect

to garner enough scholarship money to cover their entire academic career. Programs such as the Federal Stafford

Loan can offset up to $23,000 of tuition, which can be increased to $46,000 if parents do not qualify for the Parent PLUS program. The downside to student loans is that you will be graduating with substantial debt to pay down. The upside, however, is that student

IN FOX CHAPEL AREA


Our Back to School PARTNERSloan interest rates are generally low, tax deductible, and the loans

themselves can be deferred until you are in a position to make payments on them, such as the time necessary for you to find a job.

HBenefits of Tutoring Services: One of the keys to acquiring scholarships is good grades. While that’s totally on the student to achieve, there are many services available that can help that student put in the extra effort to make the grade. From SAT preparation centers to study centers that cover a broader range of curricula, these investments are well worth the cost if the result is several thousand dollars coming off your tuition bill because you got a 4.0 versus a 3.8 GPA.

HPrivate Schools: If a student needs more attention or one-on-one help from teachers, private schools might be a good option. Ac-cording to the National Association of Independent Schools, the average cost of private school tuition tends to be around $17,441.

HBenefits of Preschools: When it comes to early cognitive devel-opment, researchers have found that that children who attend preschool tend to show higher intelligence quotients than those who do not, according to Early Childhood Research and Practice (ECRP). Although sending your child to preschool can help academically, it also improves early social skills. Preschool is the time when children become aware of sharing and learning how to interact with one another. The classroom gives the young stu-dents a friendly, safe environment that allows them to grow and prepare for the later education in kindergarten and grade school. Children who attend preschool are usually between 3-5 years old.

HSpecial Needs Education: Technology has opened many educa-tional doors to children with disabilities. Alternative solutions from the world of technology are accommodating physical, sensory, communication or cognitive impairments in many ways.

Assistive technology is technology used by individuals with dis-abilities in order to perform functions that might otherwise be difficult or impossible. It can include mobility devices (walkers and wheelchairs), as well as both low- and high-tech solutions that assist people with disabilities in accessing computers or gen-eral education materials. For example, children with limited hand function may use a pencil grip for handwriting or an adapted keyboard to use a computer. Children with a speech/language impairment may use a high-tech solution such as a speech gener-ating device to communicate.

An Assistive Technology Team consists of specialists with back-

grounds in occupational therapy, physical therapy, education and speech-language pathology. They strive to provide best practice to support the success of special education students in the areas of assistive technology (AT) and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Services may include training and sup-port for AT and AAC systems and strategies, as well as for the adaptation and modification of curriculum. The AT team works in partnership with the educational team which includes families.

No matter what your path in life may be, being prepared academically for that path is the key to future success.

Starlight Dance Academy has been offering excellent dance instruction since 1997. Our professionally-trained teachers are committed to creating exciting, age-appropriate lessons which focus on proper technique and injury prevention. We offer a safe, non-competitive environment for all students. Our positive, nurturing atmosphere allows every child to shine. Classes are offered for ages 2 through adult. Our school year runs September through June. We also offer a 6-week summer program.

Starlight Dance Academy

412.767.0400

Prudential Preferred Realty, a full service real estate business, prides ourselves on having the most highly educated and pro-fessional real estate agents in the industry. With a focus on client service and satisfac-tion, we reach out to third party evaluators to constantly monitor the level of our con-sumer’s satisfaction with their real estate experience, and find without fail, high levels of service ratings. You too will not be disap-pointed.

Prudential Preferred

412.782.3700


“Dr. David is a Pittsburgh native that is excited to have recently returned to his hometown to serve the community with Chiropractic Care. He graduated with honors from Palmer College, where he met his wife Patty who is a licensed massage therapist that is also now on staff at the office. Their goal is to help you live an active, healthy lifestyle.Newman

Chiropractic412.781.5040

Family owned and operated since 1968. Voted best music store in Pittsburgh and one of the top 20 in the country. Large selection of guitars, amps, keyboards, drums, and music gear. Rentals available for everything from guitars and keyboards to sound systems and lights. Private one-on-one music lessons with Pittsburgh’s best teachers. Pianos N’ Stuff is one of our area’s hidden treasures with unmatched customer service and a friendly, knowl-edgeable staff.

Pianos N’ Stuff Music

412.828.1003

by Pamela Palongue

Children everywhere are dreading the sound of those three little words that mean that summer vacation time is

over : “back to school.” Though they may be a bit resistant to returning to the daily grind of rising early, most kids love school after they get over the initial shock of being awake before 8 a.m. But the difference in routine is not just about kids, it’s about everyone who will be out on the roadways when children are scattered around the Fox Chapel Area School District.

Driving in areas where children will be walking and playing brings special considerations. Take a look at the following tips to have a safe school year.

0 According to SafeKids.org, many children will linger on the curb of the street, dangerously close to traffic. Be sure to give them a wide berth.

0 It goes without saying that drivers should be especially alert in school zones, but kids will fan out in every direction for several blocks, so it’s important to watch for one or two children who may be easily missed because they are a good distance from the

school. It’s important to keep an eye on the time, and if it’s earlier than 9 a.m. or later than 2:30 p.m., there’s a good chance that children may be out on the streets.

0 Exit driveways slowly, since many times sidewalks cross the driveway. Although many children are excellent at looking both ways before crossing a street, they frequently forget to watch for cars backing out of driveways when on the sidewalk.

0 A great tip for anyone of any age is to avoid cell phone usage altogether while driving.

0 No talking or texting while the car is in motion. While a person drinking is five times more likely to have an accident, a person texting is 23 times more likely to have an accident, according to TheNoPhoneZone.org. In fact, even talking on the cell phone is

dangerous because the driver is likely so engrossed in the conversation his/her level of alertness is

greatly diminished. If you must use your cell phone, pull over in a convenient parking lot.

0 Parents can help prevent accidents from happening by walking the route that children will be taking from school.

By actually walking the same path with them, parents can make children aware of

possible dangers and also familiarize them with the safest route possible. SafeKids.org

recommends that children be accompanied by an adult when crossing the street until they

are 10 years old.

0 Children should only cross the street at corners and use the traffic signals. They should NEVER

run out into the street or enter the roadway from between parked cars. When exiting the school bus, they should always walk in front of the bus so that the driver is aware that they are there.

0 Drivers should ALWAYS stop when the school bus stops, whether you are behind the bus or meeting the bus on the roadway. This is a state law which carries hefty fines for violation of it.

With a little effort on our part, these safety precautions will very quickly become routine and make the streets a little safer for everyone.

Back to School Safety in

Fox Chapel Area

STOP



The Aspinwall Volunteer Fire Dept., Ladies Auxiliary and the Borough of Aspinwall will sponsor their annual Halloween celebration at the municipal building on Commercial Avenue. on Wednesday, October 31 at 7:30 p.m.

Prizes will be awarded to children and adults wit the Most Original, Prettiest and Funniest Costumes.

Spooky Scary Halloween


Mobile phones, laptops, tablets, game consoles, cameras – electronic devices are a big part of American life. In fact, Americans own an average of 24 electronic products per household, according to the Consumer Electronics Association. With technology changing so rapidly and new “it” devices hitting the market every few months, a lot of those devices get discarded quickly. That adds up to a lot of potential e-waste.

In fact, a recent survey found:• More than 90 million American adults

18 and over have unused technology products lying around the house.

• As part of that pile of retired tech, a third of mobile phone users report owning unused phones — and more than half of those with unused phones own two or more.

Some unused electronics just collect

dust, but many get thrown away. The Environmental Protection Agency’s most recent report showed that

nearly 1.8 million tons of e-waste was vsimply trashed.

Fortunately, it’s easier than ever to keep old electronics out of

the waste stream. DONATE. Donations give schools,

nonprofits and lower-income families access to equipment they might not

otherwise afford. Before donating, check with the organization to see what they need.

TRADE UP. If you are ready to upgrade to something new, ask your local electronics retailer if they have a program that lets you swap retired technology for store credit toward your purchase.

RECYCLE. Electronics in nonworking condition should be recycled. Check www.Earth911.com or www.e-stewards.org to find a recycling center near you. Many states have regulations about disposing and recycling electronics. Learn more about your state’s laws at www.electronicstakeback.com.

DON’T FORGET THE BATTERIES. Recycling your rechargeable batteries is another easy step you can take. Retailers also recycle rechargeable batteries. Find out more at www.Call2Recycle.org.

What to do with your old electronics


The Comcast Foundation, founded in 1999 to provide charitable support to its local communities and to empower and enrich lives, is awarding 163 Pennsylvania high school seniors $1,000

scholarships through its annual Leaders and Achievers® Scholarship Program. The program, one of the Comcast Foundation’s signature community investment programs, recognizes students’ leadership skills, academic achievement and commitment to community service.

Comcast officials were joined by Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett and state legislators in recognizing the students at a special event held at the State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg.

“I commend the students honored by Comcast today for their hard work and dedication to academics,” said Governor Corbett. “Not only have they excelled in the classroom, but they have shown a commitment to making their communities a better place to live. Each one of them makes Pennsylvania proud.”

The Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Program provides one-time, $1,000 scholarships to students who strive to achieve their potential, who are catalysts for positive change in their communities, who are involved in their schools, and who serve as models for their fellow students. The philosophy behind the program is to give young people every opportunity to be prepared for the future, to engage youth in their communities, and to demonstrate the importance of civic involvement and its value to the business community.

Each year, Comcast works with high school principals, guidance counselors and school administrators to select the scholarship recipients. Since the program’s inception there have been over 17,000 scholarship winners totaling more than $17.2 million.

“Comcast is proud of its Leaders & Achievers scholarship recipients. They represent some of the best and brightest high school seniors who also demonstrate civic involvement in the communities we serve across the country,” said Charisse Lillie, Vice President, Community Investment, Comcast Corporation and President of the Comcast Foundation. “We are thrilled to support their educational efforts with these scholarships.”

Comcast Awards $173,000 in Scholarships to Pennsylvania

High School Seniors

From left: Governor Tom Corbett; Camara Copeland of Shady Side Academy; Shealyn Williamson of Allderdice High School; Farrah Cornick of Northside Urban

Pathways School; Jordan Gaston of Plum Senior High School; Rebecca Wytiaz of Thomas Jefferson High School; Isabella Egloff of Fox Chapel Area High School; Sarah

Espy of Baldwin High School; Alicia Carson of Penn Hills High School; Ms. Barb Mowery of Rep. Harry Readshaw’s office; Shannon Evans of North Hills High School;

and Dave Breidinger, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for Comcast.

SERVING YOU AND YOUR COMMUNITY

Cutting hair isn’t just a business for Supercuts stylists, it’s also a way to give back to the customers they love and the community they call home.

Guests know that they can always count on superb service and a welcome smile when they visit the Fox Chapel Supercuts. Our expertly trained stylists offer a multitude of services including haircuts, waxing, blow-outs, color and more.

As the owner of the Supercuts franchise in Southwestern Pennsylvania, Laurel Breuner has not only added over 350 jobs to the region through her stores, but she and her employees have also been supporting local schools, sports teams, civil services and charities in those communities for more than 20 years.

“We support the communities we serve,” Breuner said. “Giving back is important to us because the communities have given us so much.”

Supercuts also invests in its employees through extensive training programs and prides itself on hiring aspiring stylists graduating from local trade schools. “Pittsburgh is filled with talented people and we are thrilled to be able to hire vibrant employees, many of whom have recently graduated and are entering the work force for the first time,” Breuner said.

Supercuts hires only licensed stylists and mandates extensive education with two weeks of in-store training before stylists are sent to Supercuts’ own Hair Stylist Academy. Stylists attend an advanced training course

conducted by the Supercuts Certified Trainer/Artistic Director. New stylists must pass the five-day, 40-hour course before they are able to actively work on the floor of the salon. After mastering this level, stylists will continue to undergo regular training to enable them to keep up with the latest styles and trends.

“We take what they’ve learned at school, provide additional and ongoing education, and look to retain these employees for many years,” Breuner said. This strategy is apparently working because Supercuts was just rated one of the top places to work in 2012 by a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette survey.

“It’s an honor to be recognized as a great place to work,” Breuner said. “Our employees are happy and that attitude is passed on to our guests. We not only offer a superior salon experience at an affordable

price, but our locations are full of people who love and take pride in what they do and the community they serve.”

If you haven’t already experienced the full services Supercuts offers, please visit us soon. Supercuts has 30 Pittsburgh area locations; the nearest one is located at 1154 Freeport Road in Fox Chapel and is open 7 days a week, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. For more information on all of Supercuts locations and services visit www.supercuts.com , or to call ahead for faster service, call 412.963.7727. Walk-ins are always welcome!

Fox Chapel stylists Cynthia, Stevie, Kim, Marisa, Tedilee and Vanessa are ready to help you with your new look today!


The second annual benefit for the Aspinwall Riverfront Park – rocked the Fox Chapel Golf Club on Friday, May 25, where 700 guests ate, drank and jammed to cover band Bon Journey.

Aspinwall resident Susan Crookston started the grassroots campaign to acquire the Aspinwall Marina property and her vision to develop the land into a public riverfront park is moving forward. “The community came together to purchase this beautiful piece of land. But now we have to transform it into the community treasure we all imagined it could be,” says Crookston, who is now part of the park’s management team. The land was purchased through the nonprofit Friends of the Riverfront on behalf of residents, and will be transformed into a community park while maintaining marina operations. “It will take several million dollars more to build and endow the park.”

The project is well on its way. In addition to the $2.3 million that was raised to build the park, almost a million dollars more has been raised and allocated toward the build-out and endowment. The sold-out River ROCKS! party netted $70,000 to be put toward the project, more than double what the party brought in its first year. “We had just a tremendously talented group of women leading this event. We are so grateful to the many corporate and patron sponsors who supported us so generously,” added Crookston.

The rock stars behind this year’s event were co-chairs Lark Champion, Heather Delaney, Wendy Todd, and Sarah Tuthill, who got the party off to a start mingling at the VIP champagne reception with guests and members of the Allegheny Development Partners Board of Directors including Davitt Woodwell, Chip Burke, Trish Klatt, Kevin Gordon, Tim Inglis, Tim McLaughlin and Ed Seifert. The main event really started rockin’ when the band churned out tunes by Bon Jovi and Journey while Robert Palmer-esque dancers with neon green wigs danced on stage. The “Groupies Only” VIP bar and lounge, an airbrush tattoo artist, and concert concession-themed food rounded out the rock-n-roll atmosphere. The River ROCKS! event was one of many efforts to raise money for the cause.

The community recognizes that there is much work to be done. “We’ve heard it takes most communities 10 years to build a park like this. We don’t want to wait that long,” says Tuthill, who is a lifelong Aspinwall resident. “My daughters sold lemonade to raise money for the park. Like many other children in the community, they were very engaged in the project, so I want them to enjoy the fruits of their efforts before they leave for college!”

Updates on the project and details about how to make a donation can be found at www.AspinwallRiverFrontPark.org.

by Allison Pochapin


Aspinwall Riverfront Park is Halfway There

“The River ROCKS!”

Co-chairs Heather Delaney, Wendy Todd, Lark Champion, and Sarah Tuthill

Currie and Susan Crookston


“The River ROCKS!”


IN Community Magazines (ICM) is seeking nominations for its Community Awards for Service Excellence (C.A.S.E.).

We know that what makes communities great are the spe-cial people who volunteer their time, talent and effort to help others. ICM would like to honor those special people, but we need your help.

IN Community Magazines’ C.A.S.E. Dinner will recognize volunteers from each of ICM’s 36 magazines. Awardees will be selected in the following categories:

Volunteer of the Year; Youth Volunteer of the Year (21 years and younger); Small Nonprofit of the Year (staff of 10 or less); Large Nonprofit of the Year (staff of 11 or more).

Awardees and those who nominated them will be honored at the awards dinner in Spring 2013. During the dinner an awardee from the Volunteer of the Year and Youth Volun-teer of the Year categories will be selected to receive a donation for his or her chosen charity.

Name of nominee: _______________________________________________________________________

Address: _______________________________________________________________________________

Phone: ____________________________________Email: ______________________________________

Category (circle one): Volunteer of the Year, Youth Volunteer of the Year (21 years and younger); Small Nonprofit (staff of 10 or less); Large Nonprofit (staff of 11 or more)

Which IN Community Magazine is this nomination for? ________________________________________

Name of person submitting nomination: _____________________________________________________

Address: _______________________________________________________________________________

Phone: ___________________________________Email: ______________________________________

Why are you nominating this person or nonprofit organization? (Please submit a typewritten statement of no more than 600 words.)Send nomination form and statement to: Monica Haynes, IN Community Magazines, 603 E. McMurray Road, McMurray, PA 15317, or email [email protected]. Deadline for nominations is 11/26/12.

COMMUNITY MAGAZINES


Business Directory

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