GHS Students Host Fashion Showcase For Charity 10/26

This Sunday, Oct. 26th is "National Make a Difference Day" . Student leaders from Gateway are hosting "Walk On. . . a Hollywood Fashion Showcase". The event will be held at 1:30 p.m. this Sunday at Teen Oasis. Tickets are on sale for $5 general admission and $20 VIP. Come and see our models walk the runway for a great cause! The event will also include student performances, a Chinese auction, t-shirt sale and more! All proceeds will benefit Healthy Teens Inc. and Autism Speaks. Tickets can be purchased during lunches or stop by to see Mrs. Weiss in room 234 or buy your ticket at Teen Oasis. You do not want to miss this event!

Gateway Foundation Donates Money for District Enhancement

Unknown to many, the Gateway School District Foundation raised money to help support district activities and needs which might otherwise not be addressed by the school budget. Some of its funds are given to individual teachers who present interesting or unique projects for their classes which require funding, up to $500.00. Other money is provided for a dummer program to aid pre-kindergarten children get ready to start school, and to provide extra after-school tutoring. These types of activities might be difficult to justify in ordinary school district budgeting, and the Gateway Foundation provides flexibility to meet these needs. I just thought you should know it existed !

Ramsey Elementary Families Raise Money To Fight Autism

Throught the efforts of the Spirit Committeee at Ramsey Elementary, students and families are contributing to raise money to support Austim Speaks. (I note that Mark Wallace, PA Teacher of the Year in the area of History, is very active in this organization too). Under leadership of members of the school's PTO, the Spirit Committee has re-energized Red Ribbon Week, including anti-drug themes, and a charitable focus. This year, the group Autism Speaks was selected as the targeted charity, and the school has already raised over $1,700 dollars with a basket raffel during the school's Open House, with more fundraising events planned though the comming school year. Anna Majocha and Linda Botti, along with the rest of the Spirit Committee and PTO are to be applauded for these efforts.

Ramsey Elementary Families Raise Money To Fight Autism

Throught the efforts of the Spirit Committeee at Ramsey Elementary

Edline.net Usage For School-related Communication Explodes

Edline.net, an online resource for communication about all-things-school related, seems to really be blossoming this year. Students and their parents district wide have been provided with access passwords and information about the site. Assignments, up-to-date grades, lesson plans, school calenders, classroom notes, attendance information and more is all available 24 hours a day. While Edline.net has been available at Gateway for several years, the 08-09 academic year is the first time its use has been mandatory for faculty, which has greatly expanded its usage. To be honest, I've mostly just checked my kids grades, but I see them using it for much more. Between this and Moodle, the level of communication available between the district and the home seems to be moving now at a rate befitting he 21st century. I congratulate Gateway School District for being at the forefront in adopting this internet technology.

Gateway Teachers Training in State-of-the-Art Methods

The administration at Gateway School District has, is, and will spend substantial time and financial resources to bring its teachers all up to speed on the best teaching practices, as the district moves forward with implementation of its differentiated instruction models. Sarah Lampe, with the Association for Supervision and Curriculum has been helping the teachers all learn how to best reach all of the students individually, whether the students are behind, at grade level, or advanced in each subject. Ms. Lampe notes that what sets Gateway apart from other districts is the investment is is willing to make in its teachers, which she finds the most important link. I have witnessed how this process has sharpened the curriculum and teaching practices in many of the grades and classes already, and look forwards to the district reaching its goal of reaching all of the students and teacher. See further at : http://www.yourmonroeville.com/timesexpress/article/history-teacher-honored-best-state

GHS Quasics Robot Team Again Tackles The Challenge

As a follow up to a prior post here, I note that the Quasics Robotics Team is again entering the national FIRST Robotics Competion. In their last project, they finished in first place in the rookie division, and 10th in the overall competition. Mathew Kohler, a chemistry and physics teacher at GHS who mentors the team, said the last team was only assembled about a month before the competition. Ed Sentor, another chemistry and physics teacher mentoring the GHS team, noted that last years expenses were largely borne by the team members. It is hoped that the District will provide the modest funding necessary for this great project in the years ahead. For more, check out their web site, http://www.quasics.com/. Also, see: http://www.yourmonroeville.com/timesexpress/article/high-school-robotics-team-seeking-10-000-district-funds-board

GHS Students Stitch Dignity Robes for Cancer Patients

Under the tutelege of Tracy Ricciardi and Mary Lou Van Orden, who teach clothing construction at Gateway High School, dozens of students are working to make 'dignity robes' which will be presented to breast cancer parients at Forbes Regional Hospital. The specially designed robes have velcro seams for 'ease of access' without undue exposure, and provide privacy and comfort to women undergoing radiation or chemotherapy treatments at the hospital. Notes Ricciardi, "it's our philosophy to teach the kids that it's important to be a part of your community and give back!" Instead of wearing a re-used, thin hospital gown, the women now receive their own, custom designs, lush robe. Grant money from the local Gateway Foundation is helping this project to continue helping local women. Read more at: http://www.yourmonroeville.com/timesexpress/article/students-sewing-skills-bring-comfort-breast-cancer-patients

GHS Marching Band Takes 1st Place in Contest

The Gateway High School Marching Band, under the direction of Robert Read, played a happy tune when it took 1st Place at the recent Norwin High School Band Contest. Gateway also won top awards in the categories of High Music, High Visual, and High General Effect in Class "AAAA". The band earned a score of 84.90.

GHS Marching Band Excels in Competition Again

The Gateway High School Marching Band is on a roll. After two first-place finishes in competitions in western Pennsylvania, Gateway traveled to theBands of America (BOA) Regional Championships in Massillon, Ohio, onSaturday, September 27, 2008 where it captured sixth-place overall. Held in the historic Paul Brown Tiger Stadium, the contest attracted 22 marchingbands from eight states. In addition to winning sixth-place overall, Gatewayreceived the Highest Achievement Award for Outstanding Music Performance forClass AA bands and was the Second-Place Award winner in Class AA. "This outstanding showing is the culmination of months of hard work andpreparation," said Robert A. Read, director of the Gateway High School Marching Band. "BOA attracts the best in marching band talent. This is our highest placement todate at BOA and the first time Gateway has received honors in Class AAcompetition." Gateway plans to build on the success it achieved in Massillon. "Weconstantly strive to improve, and that philosophy will help us prepare forour remaining contests in the season," noted Mr. Read. The upcoming events include the 2008 Pennsylvania Interscholastic MarchingBand Association (PIMBA) Championships on Saturday, October 25, 2008 at the Antimarino Stadium in Monroeville. Twenty-four marching bands from throughout western Pennsylvania will compete in five divisions at the PIMBA Championships. On Nov. 12-16, Gateway will compete at the BOA Grand National Championships in Indianapolis.

Multicultural Festival 11/18

November 18, 2008
Multicultural Festival
November, 18, 2008, Gateway High School Auditorium, 7-10 pm

Tickets: $5 students; $6 adults; children under 10 are FREE. Money raised will benefit Pennies for Peace. Bring a new or gently used book to donate to For the Love of Books and receive $1 off admission. Group discounts are available. Call 412-858-1054 for tickets.

Each year, this event promotes cultural awareness and tolerance in the Gateway community by allowing students the opportunity to share their cultural heritage with others. Colorful, ornate costumes, delicious delicacies, and energetic student performances bring people of all races, shapes, sizes, and abilities together for an evening of fun cultural exploration.

7th Annual Gateway Band Craft Show 11/1

November 1, 2008
7th Annual Gateway Band Craft Show
Saturday, November 1, 2008, Gateway High School Cafeteria, 10 am - 3 pm
More than 60 crafters and vendors will participate. This is a great opportunity to shop for the holidays. Admission is FREE. Raffles, concessions, and a bake sale will also be offered. Hand crafted items include pillows, pet accessories, lighted bottles, glassware, holiday items, wood products, flora wreaths, ceramics, dip mixes, cookbooks, jams and jellies, purses, and many other selections.

GHS's Mark Wallace Wins Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year Award

The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History in New York City and the White House's Preserve America initiative selected GHS's own Mark Wallace as Pennsylvania's History Teacher of the Year ! Jeff Zeiders, of the PA Department of Education is reported as saying that "We looked for a personal connection with the students...That connection is what yields a response and turns out a good grasp on history." Wallace is also a committee member of the group Autism Speaks. His own son, Matthew, 16 years old, is autistic. This award is an incredible achievement which speaks volumes about a wonderful teacher. One of my son's had Mr. Wallace several years ago, and he awoke a love of history and world affairs in my son which I had never seen before. Congratulations Mr. Wallace! For more, see : http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/east/s_588509.html http://www.yourmonroeville.com/timesexpress/article/history-teacher-honored-best-state

Watch Gateway High School Compete on KDKA Hometown High Q this Saturday

The AIM Department (for gifted and talented students) at Gateway High School asks you to tune into KDKA TV this weekend to watch Gateway High School compete against Baldwin and McGuffy High Schools on the KDKA Hometown High Q Show. The team will appear on KDKA (Channel 2) on Saturday, October 18, 2008 at 11 a.m.

Moodle Interactive Program Use Widens in Gateway Classrooms

The http://www.yourmonroeville.com/timesexpress/article/more-students-teachers-moodling

October 14-18 TEEN READ WEEK BOOK FAIR

October 14-18
TEEN READ WEEK BOOK FAIR
Oct. 14-18, Gateway High School Library, 7:30 a.m - 4 p.m.

Besides favorite fiction and non-fiction, students will have the opportunity to purchase graphic novels, college guides, and SAT, ACT, and AP exam study guides.

Evergreen Elementary Library : It's a Jungle !

Librarian Janet Niethamer has transformed the library at Evergreen Elementary into an inviting tropical jungle. Just to get in, the children have to duck under hanging snakes, walk past jungle cats, and wade through a 'swamp' of sorts. She created a jungle them to excite the kids about the library experience, and from what we hear, it is working! Read more: http://www.yourmonroeville.com/timesexpress/article/evergreen-elementary-library-its-jungle-there