June 2013 - Allegheny West Magazine

High School Students Inducted into NTHS
Three West Allegheny High School students were inducted into the
National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) for their outstanding achievements
at Parkway West Career and Technology Center (PWCTC). New
members Jordan Atkinson and Amanda Markish are enrolled in the
Cosmetology program and Damian Godfrey is enrolled in the Automotive
Technology program. The ceremony was held on April 29 at Montour
High School.
To be inducted into the NTHS, candidates must be nominated by an
instructor, maintain an A average in their chosen program of study and a
3.0 in core academic subjects, not miss more than five days of course
instruction, and be approved through an interview.
Tracy Marschik serves as the PWCTC student advisor.
NTHS inductees include Jordan Atkinson, Damian Godfrey and Amanda
Markish.
Middle School Teachers Present
Creative Yet Thrilling Approach to PSSA Testing
Spring is the time of year when PSSA tests
generate anxiety for students and teachers alike.
West Allegheny Middle School teachers eased
that stress with a creative yet thrilling approach.
For the second year, middle school teacher
Jessica Henry created a PSSA-themed video
extolling the virtues of test preparation. With the
help of middle school administration, teachers
and students, this year’s video was based on
Michael Jackson’s hit “Thriller” and contained
rescripted verses that included, “It’s close to test
time; the testing books arrive here every spring;
you feel your pulse climb; but you don’t have to
worry ‘bout a thing; you try to scream, but
knowledge takes the sound before you make it;
our strategies will cause your PSSA scores to
rise; they’re gonna climb.”
“The purpose of creating the video was to
motivate our students for the PSSA tests in a
creative, engaging, and unconventional way,”
states Henry. “Our students worked very hard
this year and we wanted to encourage them to do
their best.”
Video planning and production took over six
months and included rewriting lyrics, choreographing
dance moves for both teachers and
students, practicing, filming and editing. Eighth
grader Austin Schoppe made a special appearance
with his choreographed dance. The production
even included a cameo appearance by
superintendent Dr. John DiSanti.
All middle school students viewed the finished
Middle school teachers recreate Jackson’s “Thriller” video.
piece prior to taking the PSSAs in hopes of reinforcing the helpful messages the
video promoted.