Students Experience Civil War Artifacts at Ramsey Elementary

As part of a Civil War unit, Ramsey 4th grade teacher, Brian Werner, and Penn State student teacher, Sarah Crider, inspired students to create a Civil War Museum. Compliments of Crider’s father-in-law, students were able to see and touch items from the Civil War era including shells, uniforms, canon balls, a newspaper, canteens, lanterns, and currency. All 4th grade classes were given a chance to tour the museum to enhance their learning process and experience the Civil War up close.

More Colleges Visit GHS Juniors

Attention Juniors, there will be representatives from West Virginia University and the Art Institute of Pittsburgh visiting within the next two weeks to discuss their various programs. If your student is interested in attending, please have him/her sign up in the Guidance Office.

There will be student representatives from the University of Pittsburgh at Gateway High School on Friday, April 4th at 9:00 am to discuss student life at Pitt. Any Senior planning on attending the University of Pittsburgh next year should plan to attend. If your student is interested in attending, please have him/her sign up in the Guidance Office.

MMS Students Discover Importance of Individual in Society

Sixth graders at Moss Side Middle School know what it's like to be stranded on a deserted island. Used as an interdisciplinary unit to help develop students' problem solving skills through various activities, the faux island community of Terra was created. Students were shown a video demonstrating what it is like to be stranded on an uninhabited island with no conventional way of gathering food, getting water, or finding shelter.Students were given a series of activities that allowed them to create the environment in which they wished to live in, create laws to govern their community by, select appropriate housing units, etc. The goal of Terra is to strengthen students' critical thinking skills so they can learn to become productive citizens. Students reported that they learned the importance of every member of a society can make a difference.As a culminating activity, various guest speakers were invited to Moss Side Middle School to speak about various real-life elements that impact communities like Terra. Speakers, and their area of expertise, included: Monroeville Police Chief George Polnar (law enforcement), Cheryl Richards (engineering), Jay Winter (geology and wet lands), Jim Lazor (information technology), School Director Joseph Wightkin (bee keeping), Pitcairn Mayor Betsy Stevick (local government), Monroeville Chamber President Chad Amond (economic development), Debbie Balcik (nursing), Rabbi Ron Symons (worship), School Director Tom Wilson (community volunteering), Pam Washington (flight attendant), School Director James Rosipal (law enforcement), School Director William Bailey (math education), Senator Sean Logan (government), and Christy Fusco (information retention, organization and retrieval). Moss Side Middle School FTO (Faculty Teacher Organization) provided financial support for the Terra program. Coordinating teacher for the event was Rebecca Smillie with assistance from the 6th grade teaching team including Jermaine Bracy, Susan Emery, Caryn Fleming, Carmelita Gigliotti, Lisa Kuster, Joy Mattis, Carla Moio, Jamie Molitierno, Maria Ripper-Dulemba, Susan Seigh, , and Kerry Yacamelli.

Pittsburgh Symphony benefits Gateway Foundation

The Gateway Foundation is proud to announce its new Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO) Community Partnership. This exceptional pairing links our Foundation with one of Pittsburgh's premier performing arts organizations, and opens the door to helping our Foundation raise funds that will ultimately benefit the students in the Gateway school system. Through several Gateway Foundation initiatives, including the very successful mini-grant program, teachers and students are able to receive funding for many worthwhile educational projects that help expand our students' minds and abilities.

On Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 8 p.m., the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra will host its 5th Annual Community Partners Concert. This year, the PSO will perform, under the direction of Associate Conductor, Lawrence Loh a mini concert featuring the 2008 Sphinx Competition winner, violinist extraodrinare, Danielle Belen Nesmith. The second half of this exciting evening will feature Grammy Award winning entertainer, Issac Hayes, who will perform with the PSO. To purchase tickets on behalf of The Gateway Foundation, call the Heinz Hall box office at 1-800-742-8560 or order tickets online at www.pittsburghsymphony.org. When making your ticket purchase, please indicate you would like the proceeds to benefit The Gateway Foundation partner #6654

GHS Teacher Receives Apple Award from NSTOY

Shawn Whelan, a social studies teacher at Gateway High School, has received the Apple Award from the National State Teachers of the Year Pennsylvania Chapter (NSTOY-PA).** *The NSTOY-PA Apple Award program is intended to recognize teachers outside of the NSTOY-PA organization for their teaching excellence.
"Shawn is a great teacher who challenges his students with engaging lessons," said Gateway colleague Mark Wallace. "In addition, he sponsors a very active Interact Club that plans and conducts many service projects. These projects range from feeding the homeless in Pittsburgh to benefit concerts to a huge "Walk for Autism" research."

Gateway Band Members Selected For Honors

At the PMEA (Pennsylvania Music Educators Association) Region Band event, held at Belle Vernon High School on February 20 - 22, the following Gateway High School music students auditioned and finished at the top of their section to be selected for the PMEA STATE BAND: Michael Murray, Alto Saxophone; Ethan Wightkin, Trumpet; Daniel Romagno, French Horn. Guest Conductor for the Region Band was Dr. Dennis Fisher from the University of North Texas.
The following Gateway High School music students participated in the PMEA District Band: Erika Eichenmiller, Flute; Ashley Owoc, Clarinet; Averie Shaughnessy, Clarinet; Karen Drombosky, Oboe; Michael Murray, Alto Saxophone; Bernie Metro, Bass Clarinet; Ethan Wightkin, Trumpet; Daniel Romagno, French Horn; Mark Solomon, Euphonium; Chris Hartnett, Euphonium; Jordan Rininger, Trombone.
At District Band, the following students auditioned and finished at the top of their section to be selected to participate in Region Band: Karyn Drombosky, Oboe; Michael Murray, Alto Saxophone; Ethan Wightkin, Trumpet; Daniel Romagno, French Horn; Jordan Rininger, Trombone; Chris Hartnett, Euphonium.
PMEA JUNIOR BAND. The following students participated in the PMEA Junior High District Band held at Plum High School: Nicole Marrow, Bassoon; Allison Brown, Bassoon; Lauren Abel, Flute; and Emily Kinnunen, French Horn.
PMEA HONORS JAZZ BAND. The following students will be participating in the PMEA Honors Jazz Band: Ethan Wightkin, Trumpet; Sean McMasters, Guitar; Nick Diana, Bass; and Jordan Rininger, Trombone.