2008 Annual Report.indd - Moon Area School District

MOON AREA SCHOOL DISTRICTCommunity Report2007 - 2008Moon Area’s mission is to educate every student in a respectful, safe, enriching environmentthrough comprehensive programs that inspire excellence, lifelong learning and responsibility.

ADMINISTRATIONDear Moon Area Community:It is with extreme pleasure and pride that I present to Moon Area familiesand community members our district’s 2007-08 Community Report. Thisrevamped report showcases facility improvements, details this schoolyear’s fi nancial plan and, most importantly, celebrates achievements by ourtalented students.At Moon Area, teachers, staff and administrators consistently striveto prepare students for future endeavors and that effort is evidencedin evolving technology initiatives, new curriculum adoptions andstudent successes.Academically, our students are excelling. All seven district buildingsattained Adequate Yearly Progress as set forth by No ChildLeft Behind (NCLB) guidelines and numerous grades exhibitedimpressive improvements over previous performances on thePennsylvania System of School Assessment exams, a major NCLBcomponent. High school SAT scores are climbing and students aretaking advantage of artistic, academic and athletic opportunities offeredby Moon Area as the district realizes its role as a leader in the educationalcommunity.This report contains just a portion of the wonderful and exciting educationalwork we are doing in Moon Area. We remain focused on continuing ourtradition of excellence as this is simply the beginning of a successful futurefor our district.Sincerely yours,Donna K. Milanovich, Ed.D.Superintendent of SchoolsMoon Area School District Board of EducationThe 2007-08 school directors were(front row, left) Jeffrey C. Bussard,Nicholas R. Pollack - Treasurer,Carol S. Cellini, Mark E. Ulven -Vice president (back row, left) MarkE. Limbruner, Lisa A. Wolowicz- Secretary, Mark E. Scappe -President, Rosemarie L. Varsanikand Benjamin G. Bonham.Moon Area2Community Report

Moon Area administrators fi nalized aspects ofthe high school construction project throughoutthe 2007-08 school year. Their preparationwill culminate in a groundbreaking ceremonyfor the new high school in early spring. EcklesArchitecture has created a collegiate design forthe 186,011-square foot building to convey astunning facility from every angle. The athleticentrance (above), administrative entry (topright) and main entrance (right) will incorporatetan and crimson accents that also will beintegrated into the middle school renovations. Toaccommodate construction, the former CarnotElementary was demolished, new traffi c lightswere installed on University Boulevard andBeaver Grade Road and an athletic fi eld wasconstructed at McCormick Elementary.CONSTRUCTIONSecondary Schools CampusRenovations and ConstructionMaster Site PlanMoon Area3Community Report

Expenditures - $56,552,0802008-09 Operating BudgetOther Uses - 15.8%Maintenance - 9.1%Administration - 7.1%Student Transportation/Activities - 6.6%Instructional Support Services- 6.5%Local Services - 2.2%Instruction- 52.9%Revenues - $55,279,117Federal and Other Sources - 2.7%State Sources - 21.9%Local Sources - 75.4%Moon Area School District strives each year to deliver high-caliber education for students while adhering to fi scallyresponsible ideals. Those efforts continued this year with the 2008-09 budget that levied 20.47 mills in real estatetaxes. Moon Area’s real estate tax millage rate ranks as the 13th lowest out of 42 Allegheny County suburbanschool districts. The budget, approved in June, includes nearly $1.3 million in non-recurring expenses andprovides for crucial educational inclusions and vital facility improvements for MASD.Budgeted enhancements include:Districtwide social studies curriculum adoption with new textbooks and related materials.Replacement and upgrade of 200 computers and 14 interactive whiteboards among many other items aspart of the Technology Refresh Program.Allotments for a Director of Operations to oversee all district facilities and a Public Relations Offi cer tocoordinate internal and external MASD communications.Asphalt repairs at all district buildings.New physical education equipment including mountain bikes and in-line skates.Computer network upgrades to facilitate high-speed communication capabilities for video conferencingand distance learning opportunities.A $700,000 transfer to the capital reserve fund, the district’s saving account, for capital improvements.A $400,000 budgetary reserve deposit for unforeseen expenses and $325,000 in extra energy costs.Moon Area4Community Report

Technology InitiativesKeep MASD on theEducational ForefrontIn step with Moon Area’s fi ve-year, cyclicalTechnology Refresh Program, the districtacquired and replaced numerous computers,printers, interactive whiteboards and othertechnological equipment, in addition tolaunching many new software applicationsservicing all district departments.In 2007-08, the district:Upgraded the computer network to provide formore collaboration opportunities.Replaced 200 desktop and laptop computersand all printers in each district classroom.Participated in the advancement of the RegionalWide Area Network connecting all AlleghenyCounty school districts.Designated a full-time employee as aTechnology Support Specialist.Upgraded 400 teacher workstations.Increased software and application database toinclude more than 500 items for a total amountof programs 10 times greater than utilized in2000.Updated high school video editing lab with newhardware and software.Enlarged network protection efforts with moreSPAM and anti-virus programs and Web sitecontrolsoftware.Installed interactive whiteboards in every highschool core subject classroom.TECHNOLOGY & FINANCESExpanded MASD’s technological base to 1,180laptop computers, 1,620 desktop computers, 275printers, 105 LCD projectors and 75 interactivewhiteboards.Provided ten online research-based applicationsin district libraries.Provided all nine middle school teams with adedicated laptop, LCD projector and interactivewhiteboard.Partnered with Carnegie Mellon University andstate Attorney General Tom Corbett to pilotelementary-level Internet safety video game.Classrooms For the Future - Year TwoMASD was awarded $300,000 from thePennsylvania Department of Education for thesecond year of the Classrooms for the Futureinitiative in 2007-08. Since the program’s inceptionin 2006-07, Moon Area has received $732,000 toimprove high school instruction through updatedtechnology in core subject areas of languagearts, math, social studies and science. From thehigh school, the same technology endeavors willbe utilized in the district’s middle school and allfi ve elementary schools ensuring students areaccustomed to the technology at all points of theireducational careers.Moon Area5Community Report

ASSESSMENTSGrade 11 Grade 8 Grade 7 Grade 6 Grade 5 Grade 4 Grade 32007-2008PSSAReading ResultsMoon AreaPA Average2007-2008PSSAMath ResultsMoon AreaPA AverageGrade 11 Grade 8 Grade 7 Grade 6 Grade 5 Grade 4 Grade 3Grade 11 Grade 8 Grade 52007-2008 PSSAWriting ResultsMoon AreaPA AverageMoon Area attained Adequate YearlyProgress (AYP) in all seven districtbuildings as determined by the federaleducation act No Child Left Behind (NCLB)guidelines. On the Pennsylvania Systemof School Assessment exams, studentsachieving advanced and profi cient readingrequirements improved 3.1 percent andadvanced and profi cient math requirementsclimbed 2.1 percent districtwide. In all, nearly86 percent of Moon Area students scoredprofi cient or higher in reading, and nearly 84percent achieved profi cient or higher in math.Under NCLB benchmarks for 2007-08, 63percent of students were required to beon grade level in reading and 56 percentin math. Middle school students returnedthe highest gains with a 4.1 percent gainin math and a 3.8 percent jump in reading.McCormick Elementary School fi fth-gradersscored 100 percent profi cient on themath portion. AYP also is determined byparticipation, graduation and attendance.Moon Area6Community Report

Class of 2008 - Top Ten GraduatesStephanie Jackson - Case Western Reserve UniversityAaron Hassett - University of Pittsburgh Honors CollegeAshley Herbert - Cedarville UniversityKathleen Mulvaney - Penn State UniversityKevin Tomb - Westminister CollegeSophia Bender - University of PIttsburghStephanie Dombrowski - Penn State UniversityAmy Lutz - Penn State UniversityElizabeth Frick - Allegheny CollegeVincent Pronesti - University of PIttsburgh Honors CollegeKate Kovach and Nikki RippleACADEMICSOf the 302 graduates in the Class of 2008, 84 percentplanned to further their education at 78 different colleges,universities and technical schools including theUnited States Military Academy at West Point, AmericanUniversity and the University of Pittsburgh.Graduates earned more than 175 academic and athleticscholarships from various educational institutions.Moon Area students exceeded their state peers in allaspects of the 2008 College Board SAT exam. On thestandardized test, students averaged a reading portionscore of 512 versus the state average of 494. Mathscores were 526 topping the 501 state average anda 492 average writing score put Moon Area studentsabove the state average 483 point score.2008 SAT Average ScoresMoon Area State NationReading Math WritingPreparations for the FutureMoon Area offered College in High School courses that allowed high school students to earn collegecredits while still enrolled in MAHS. Courses coordinated through the University of Pittsburghincluded physics, applied calculus and statistics.Moon Area provided eight Advanced Placement (AP) courses that offered college-level educationwithout leaving MAHS. A total of 216 high school students enrolled in English literature, calculusAB, calculus BC, U.S. history, European history, U.S. government and economics, chemistry andbiology in 2007-08. At the end of each course, students may elect to take an AP exam. Scores of 3or above award students college credit.The Dual Enrollment Program is in its second year in Moon Area with a total of nine MAHS studentsparticipating. Students attended classes at the high school in the morning or afternoon and traveledto a local higher education institution for a portion of the day making the most of their educationaltime. Participating schools included Robert Morris University and Community College of AlleghenyCounty.High school students learned about building healthy relationships in new Expressing Change WithHealthy Outcomes classes. Moon Area was one of only four area schools chosen to host the freeprogram provided by Twogether Pittsburgh. Volunteers attended weekly, two-hour lessons for sevenweeks.Moon Area7Community Report

2008 graduate Sophia Bender was named aNational Merit Scholarship winner in the 2007-08 program. Only 700 students nationwide wereawarded a $2,500 scholarship out of 1.4 millionstudents who entered the 2008 competitionby taking the Preliminary SAT exam. 2008graduates Aaron Hassett and Amy Lutzwere designated National Merit Scholarshipcommended students and were among the topfi ve percent of entrants.MAHS students were accepted to shadowprofessionals in possible career fi elds throughthe Allegheny Intermediate Unit’s 2007-08Apprenticeship Program. Participating studentsincluded: Leah Bubeck (Art Careers), AlexColarossi (Civil and Environmental Engineering),Melanie Fonner (Architecture), Anne Maines(Journalistic Writing/Reporting), Ankit Medhekar(Biotechnology), Kayla Miller (Photography),Maddison Paule (International Affairs), MichaelSaylor (Civil and Environmental Engineering),Anita Shriver (Musical Theater) and JoshuaSlaby (Animation).Parkway West Career and Technology studentsgained workplace experience through thecenter’s Co-op Program. Students included:Renee Daniocek (Cosmetology), ScottKruman (Drafting and Design), David Lanigan(Machine Tool Technology), Andria Morrison(Cosmetology), Ben Neumann (Food StoreOperations), Breanna Razete (Cosmetology),Zachery Ross (Auto Body Technology) andBrandon Sealock (Machine Tool Technology).Sarah Michelbrink was second runner-up in the NorthernAlliance Against Highly Addictive Drugs poster contest.Ankit Medhekar, Ling-Ling Lee and Abe Stucky represented MoonArea in December on KDKA-TV’s Hometown High Q competition,hosted by KDKA anchor Ken Rice.The College Board named Aaron Hassett, StephanieJackson, Melissa Opsal and Vincent Pronesti2008 AP Scholars with Distinction following theirperformance on the college-level Advanced Placementexams. Elizabeth Donahoe, Ling-Ling Lee, AnkitMedhekar, Kevin Tomb and Kaitlyn Wauthier werenamed AP Scholars with Honor. Sophia Bender,Lauren Deem, Stephanie Dombrowski, TravisDuncan, Siddarth Govindarajan, Elizabeth Hatton,David Homol, Aradhana Purker and Anita Shriverwere named AP Scholars. Only 18 percent of the 1.6million high school test-takers performed at a level tomerit recognition.MAHS student David Korotky won $3,000 and twotrophies for Moon Area by claiming a communicatingscience award with his fi lm “Silent Cities” and anAbstract Award for “We Have The Sun” in the2008 C.A.U.S.E. Challenge Film Festival. TheC.A.U.S.E. festival, short for Creating Awarenessand Understanding of our Surrounding Environment,promotes environmentalism in young adults throughfi lm and utilizes a partnership between Bayer Corp.,Carnegie Science Center’s SciTech Initiative andPittsburgh Filmmakers.High school students Kaitlyn Wauthier, Kayla Miller,Dan Murray, Zac Liskay and April Peng and middleschoolstudents Pietari Sulkava, Nora Kupiec,Selin Sirinterlikci, Sarah Henderson, Sarah Kellyand Jenna Murray attended the 2008 AcademicGames Leagues of America National Tournament inKissimmee, Fla., on April 25 - 28. Kaitlyn placed fi rst inthe senior division and Dan and April placed third in thejunior division in the presidents category competition.The students qualifi ed to compete by winning theregional competition in the presidents category atRobert Morris University in September. This wasKaitlyn’s third year of national qualifi cation.Moon Area8Community Report

April Peng and Dan Murray placed third in presidentscategory competition in the 2008 Academic Games Leaguesof America National Tournament’s junior division in April.High School DECA members competed at theInternational DECA Conference in Atlanta onApril 25 - 30. Jeff Snaman, Joshua Payton,Jason Clary, Marco Bartoletta and DarrenBurns qualifi ed for the conference by fi nishingfi rst and second in the Retail MerchandisingServices, Tourism Management Team andBuying & Merchandising Management Teamstate DECA competition at Hershey in February.Pennsylvania Governor’s School of Excellenceselected Ling-Ling Lee to attend the program’sHealth Care School at the University ofPittsburgh in summer 2008. Lee was chosen onthe academic merits of her application. She wasone of 3,736 applicants who competed for 788positions in eight different schools.Jim Palamara, Vash Patel, Abe Stuckey,Aman Saleh and Nikole Warn designed anddeveloped a radio-controlled and autonomous,hybrid robot for First Tech Challenge RobotCompetition. Held at Weatherly Area SchoolDistrict, the competition drew teams from asfar away as Singapore. The robotics teamrepresents a partnership between MAHSand Robert Morris University’s EngineeringDepartment. Students are mentored by RMUEngineering Department Associate ProfessorArif Sirinterlikci.MAMS student Allison Murphy was chosento represent the entire district in the DowntownVibrancy Project at Point Park University heldon June 23 - 27. She helped determine a planto create a healthier downtown Pittsburghduring the fi ve-day program after meeting withlocal leaders.Madeline Scanlon was Moon Area’s fi rstNational History Days state-level participantat Millersville University in May. She qualifi edby placing in National History Day Pittsburghcompetition with her project “Confl ict andCompromise at the Constitutional Convention.”MAHS students Sophia Bender, SiddarthGovindarajan and David Defucciaparticipated in the National VocabularyChampionships qualifi er held at KeystoneOaks High School in January. Qualifi ersscored top marks on an exam taken by morethan 300 MAHS students.MAMS students Chad Trice and VidishaSharma placed in the Top 20 out of 150students at MATHCOUNTS RegionalCompetition at Robert Morris University.ACHIEVEMENTSFaculty RecognitionJoe Martonik, middle school science teacher, was named a 2008 Teacher of Excellence Award fi nalist.The award recognizes and honors outstanding teachers and is distributed by the Teacher ExcellenceCenter, which represents 19,687 teachers in 83 southwestern Pennsylvania school districts.Nancy Burgunder, middle school keyboarding and computer science teacher, attended the Governor’sInstitute on Financial Education at Elizabethtown College in July to learn how to include ageappropriatefi nancial concepts into lesson plans. She is preparing for a story-time session that teachesthe ideals of saving money at the Moon Township Public Library.Warren Kooi, high school chemistry teacher and Oracle Academy instructor, was chosen as GlobalLead Adjunct for the Oracle Academy PL/SQL programming course. He provides support for academyinstructors around the world. Mr. Kooi also taught at the Oracle Academy Institute, helped judge the2008 Academy International Data Modeling competition and developed a global support forum.Moon Area9Community Report

MAHS Marching Band completed theorganization’s fi rst full year in the PennsylvaniaInterscholastic Marching Band Association(PIMBA) competition circuit. Band membersrepresented Moon Area in four competitionsnotching two fi rst-place wins and two secondplacefi nishes in the AAAA division includinga runner-up award in the band’s fi rst PIMBAChampionships at Elizabeth Forward HighSchool.MAHS Marching Band received runner-up honors at their fi rst Pa.Interscholastic Marching Band Association Championships.MAMS students Neil Frick (Baritone), ChrisNan (Trumpet), Abbey Bartus (Violin) andSarah Finnegan (Violin) participated in thePMEA District Band and Orchestra Festivals atCarlynton and Upper St. Clair high schools inFebruary and April.MAHS Symphonic Band was selected to perform atthe 13th Annual Arts in Education Day at the StateCapitol Building in Harrisburg in May. The ensemblewas selected out of 150 groups by a resume ofperformance experience and a recording sample.Moon Area fi fth and sixth-grade singers NicoleBojanovic, Sam Gregory, Dana Murray, RoccoMaue, Ryan Otto, Megan Schoeneweis, GarrettThomas and Tiffany Turbish participated in thePennsylvania Music Educators Association DistrictI Elementary Sing Fest in March at WinchesterThurston School in Pittsburgh. Each student submittedan application for the honors ensemble and waschosen on the basis of their vocal talent.Elementary students combined for the fi rst Moon AreaFestival Chorus and performed at the sixth-gradechoral concert. The 45-member chorus was createdas part of teacher Jaime Frye’s Leadership Academyin the Arts project.Sara Farwell, Colin Farley, Ryan Butya, KevinTomb and Elizabeth Hatton qualifi ed for the PMEADistrict I Chorus at Derry Area High School. Sara,Colin, Kevin and Elizabeth advanced to PMEA RegionI State Chorus and Sara and Colin were selectedfor PMEA All-State Chorus held in Hershey. Thepair also was presented with 2008 state House ofRepresenatives Citations of Excellence.Michael Saylor (Cello), Ling-Ling Lee (Violin) andGeordie Smith (Violin) were selected for the PMEASenior High District Orchestra Festival held at EastAllegheny in January.2008 Honors Choir traveled to Chicago to participatein a choral clinic conducted by VanderCook College ofMusic.The music department held its inaugural All-MASDconcert that involved over 500 students in March. The2008-09 concert is planned for Feb. 28.Nick Antonucci (Bass Trombone), Shane Emrich(Tuba) and Keith Petersen (Baritone Sax) earnedspots at the PMEA Senior High District I Band Festivalheld at Trinity High School in January.Middle School singers Samantha Hough, JamieGreene and Eric Lewis participated in PMEA Jr. HighDistrict Chorus Festival at Pittsburgh’s Creative andPerforming Arts School in April.Bon Meade Singing Tigers sang at the 75th Pennsylvania MusicEducators Association conference in Hershey in April. The thenfifth-grade ensemble was selected from an audition samplerecorded by this year’s seventh-grade students.Moon Area10Community Report

Cole Porter’s “Anything Goes”More than 60 middle and highschool thespians and dancersperformed “Anything Goes” forthe fi rst time in Moon Area in April.Lead roles in the High SchoolDrama Club spring musical wereheld by Sara Farwell, ColinFarley, E.J. Doychak, ElizabethHatton, Michael Goffus andLauren Corcoran. The show alsowas Debby Kennedy’s fi nal turnat the Moon Area theater helmafter 14 years in the director’schair.ARTSHigh School Drama Club presentedtheir annual fall play “Aladdin” on Nov.20 - 23. The show featured more than85 cast and crew members. While someactors were new faces, while manywere old favorites to Moon Area theaterfans. Actors included Lauren Corcoran,Colleen Keeney, Megan Ogden, EthenOmer, Ryan Butya, Sebastian Clark,Alex Belohlavek and Ryan Suchy.Laura Mitchell served as director aftermany years of helping former directorDebby Kennedy.Aladdin2008 graduateStephanie Wirtzwon the ViewersChoice Awardat PittsburghTechnicalInstitute’s HighSchool StudentArt Show for heracrylic on canvaswork (left).Allard Elementary students created a “Riverof Words” by combining art and science in anew initiative undertaken by art teacher KristinHartman and science teacher ChristineDuschack. Approximately 40 fourth-gradersresearched the Ohio River’s water washealthy enough to sustain microscopic life andtranslated the scientifi c process into a stainedglass window inspired by research and a fi eldtrip to Robin Hill Park.2008 graduates Brittney Story and EmilyKuklish held “The Awesome Art Show” aspart of their senior projects in March at AllardElementary. The show featured more than130 pieces of numerous artistic mediums byMoon Area High School students.Sarah Michelbrink received second runneruphonors in the Allegheny County NorthernArea Alliance Against Highly Addictive DrugsPoster Contest. The MAMS student washonored at a luncheon attended by PittsburghSteelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.Hyde Elementary student Jennifer Ferronewon fi rst place in the third through fi fth-gradecategory of the 2008 American ChemicalSociety’s Chemists Celebrate Earth DayIllustrated Haiku Contest - Pittsburgh Division.Each Brooks and McCormick elementarystudent chose their favorite piece from theyear to exhibit in schoolwide spring shows.Approximately 700 pieces were displayed.Moon Area11Community Report

Moon Area School District8535 University BoulevardMoon Township, PA 15108www.masd.k12.pa.us412-264-9440NONPROFIT ORG.ECRWSSUS POSTAGEPAIDMOON TOWNSHIP, PAPERMIT NO. 27Photo Credits: Todd Gagle, Jerry Long and Cryster’s Focused Memories2007-2008 AchievementsATHLETICSBoys Basketball team were section champs, WPIAL fi nalistsand fi nished as PIAA State Semifi nalists. Graduating seniorBrian Walsh (left) was named First Team All-State and GatoradePennsylvania Player of the Year.Gymnastics team won a WPIAL Championship and werenamed PA Classic Champions (bottom right).Girls Cross Country team secured All-Section championshipsand competed in the WPIAL playoffs.Girls Volleyball team advanced to the WPIAL playoffs.Boys Baseball team fi nished as WPIAL semifi nalists aftercompeting in the WPIAL playoffs (bottom left).Girls Soccer team advanced to the WPIAL playoffs.Girls Track team secured an All-Section Championship andcompeted in the WPIAL playoffs.Girls Basketball team qualifi ed for the WPIAL playoffs.