in woodland hills

oodland Hills

FALL 2010 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

T h e F ac e of t h e P arentV olunt eer T oday

I ntroducing a heal th pl an option f or smal l business designed to sav e green.

E nj oy a discount and the ease of 2 4 / 7 on- l ine access f or al l of y our heal th pl an needs. H as thereev er been an easier business decision? A t U P M C H eal th P l an, w e w ant to mak e it that simpl e. T hat’ s w hy w e’ v e introduced the region’ s most comprehensiv e al l - el ectronic option. I t’ s cal l edand it’ s an easy - to- use, paperl ess option that compl ements any of our S mal l B usiness A dv antageheal th pl ans. W ith , al l enrol l ment, bil l ing, cl aims, and pay ments are conducted onl ine – prov idingy ou and y our empl oy ees w ith greater conv enience. Y our empl oy ees al so enj oy easy access to al l theirheal th inf ormation, w el l ness tool s, and heal th support. A nd, as al w ay s, y ou and y our empl oy ees hav e access to our netw ork of more than 8 0 hospital s and 7 , 0 0 0 phy sicians, and the aw ard- w inningmember serv ice y ou ex pect f rom U P M C H eal th P l an. I n other w ords y ou get more f or l ess. T o l earn more about how y ou can sav e, go to upmchealthplan.com.

asy to use, conomical and

Environmentallyfriendly.

11:05 AM Page 1

This managed care plan may not cover all your health care expenses. Read your contract carefully to determine which health care services are covered. If you have questions, call Member Services at 1-888-876-2756.

Shouldn’t the people who insure your health understand it?

IN Woodland Hills | Summer 2010 | i nc om m u ni ty m a ga z i nes .c om 1

2/5/10 11:05 AM Page 1

, al l enrol l ment, bil l ing, cl aims, and pay ments are conducted onl ine – prov idingy

Page 1

Publisher’s Message | 4

C O M M U N I T Y I N T E R E S T | Franklin Regional School District |Superintendent’s Message | 3 0Strategic Plan and Changes in the Elementary School | 3 2Introducing Franklin Regional’s New Special Education Director | 3 3Senior High Schedule Changes | 3 4

Murrysville Public Library | 3 8

UPMC Today |Health and Wellness News You Can Use | 2 1

F E A T U R E S | Automated Hell |Forever on Hold | 5

Education Update |

Planning Your Way to College | 6Moms Returning to School | 8Secrets of a Successful Middle School Student | 9Alternatives to College | 3 6

Older Adults in Murrysville |

Good Tidings for the Greatest Generation | 1 0

I N D U S T R Y I N S I G H T S | Arden Courts |

What is Alzheimer’s Disease? | 1 6

Allegheny Hearing |

Take the Hearing Health Quick Test | 2 0

CCP Pediatrics |Out of the Pool... And into School | 4 6

O N T H E C O V E R | Back Row: (L to R): Kathy Deuel, Nancy Teper, Lora Murray, Midge Shigle, Bob Duffy, Julie Babal, Ian Fielder,Jim Passarelli, Domenic Colangelo, Ron Suvak, Jeff Poole

4th Row: Brandi Lux, Jennifer Difulvio, Lynn Skoff, Catherine Repucci, Julie Shank, Carol Schneider, Brett Thompson, Tina Burns, Joan Mellon, Jennifer Landsberg, Jennifer See, Karen Sinning, Marie Romanelli

3rd Row: Pam Seymour, Karen Connors, Kim Orr, Errin Kilbury, Lori Whitesel, Brandon Aganad

2nd Row: Sam King, Tina Gillen, Judy Morrison, Tina Sauers, Kristi Loyal, Camille MacRae, Chris Kelly, Todd Binnig

Front Row: Richard Regelski; Shelley Shaneyfelt; Herb Yingling, School Board President; Dr. D’Arcangelo,Superintendent; Paul Scheinert, School Board Vice-President; Charles Koren

10 33

Woodland Hills | FALL 2010 |

Contents

6

Please recycle this magazine when you are through enjoying it.

F A L L 2 0 1 0

H ealth and W ellness N ews Y ou Can Use

© 2010 UPMC

What’s Insidepage 2 U P M C E y e C e n t e r M o n r o e v i l l e Of f e r s

a C l e a r C h o i c e i n R e f r a c t i v e Su r g e r yT i p s f o r C h o o s i n g a n E y e Su r g e o n

page 3 P l a y It Sa f e U P M C E y e C e n t e r M o n r o e v i l l e Is G r o w i n g

page 4 Ar e Y o u C o n c u s s i o n - Sa v v y ?Sc h o o l Lu n c h e s T h a t M a k e t h e G r a d e

page 5 Wh o K n e w R e h a b C o u l d B e So M u c h F u n ?

page 6 A Ne w E r a o f T r e a t m e n t f o r Hi g h - R i s k P r e g n a n c i e s

page 7 F o r t h e P e r f e c t In s i d e V i e w : Hi g h - T e c h Im a g i n g i n M o n r o e v i l l e

For residents of eastern communities

Play I t S afeKick off the fall sports season and keep your kids in the game with this guide to help prevent sports injuries. (page 3)21

2 7 2 4 .9 4 2 .0 9 4 0 to a d v er ti s e | IN Woodland Hills

Welcome to the fall issue of Woodland Hills. As summer windsdown, I hope that you and your family had some time to get away andenjoy yourselves—even if it was for the day at some local hidden treasure spot. Those are the places we love to highlight in these pages.

I met one of our readers while I was finishing up some business withone of the municipalities we serve. He was sitting at a picnic table near aveterans’ monument under a pristine blue sky on a quiet and hot July day. The man recognized my photo from the magazine and said his dad used to enjoy reading about local things.

He explained that his father had passed away several years ago. Hepointed to the monument and said his father never spoke about the war,but always talked about some close friends he served with that didn’tcome home.

“ I come by here about once a week or so to enjoy a cup of coffee andlisten to the birds,” he said. “We miss him, but here I know that he’scatching up with some old friends.”

To say that I was touched would be an understatement, but you cansee how this one little area can mean so much to someone. Tell us aboutplaces that are special to you – places with history and a story behindthem. Send your story to [email protected] ormail them to Community Magazines, 603 East McMurray Road, McMurray, PA 15317.

Wayne DollardPublisher

In this fall edition of Woodland Hills you’ll find interesting topics related to education.

We thought it was appropriate to address this issue as all of us cansomehow relate to the “back to school” idea. The notion of continuallylearning something new whether in middle school or as an older adultin the Woodland Hills community, is not a new concept, just one weshould consider as the seasons change. A new feature we have begun in this edition is entitled Older Adults in Woodland Hills. We addressthe subject of scams how older adults can learn to protect themselves. I heard of a couple who was scammed on the phone not too long ago - I was so disturbed by the fact that there are dishonest people who can find personal information about your family via the social networking sites and use it to your take your identity, money and other possessions. Please be careful when speaking to anyone by phonewho calls you. Even if you think you know them, verify the informationbefore disclosing anything! Hope you enjoy this new feature and am looking for other interesting topics that are important to OlderAdults. If you would kindly email me with your suggestions to me at [email protected] I would so grateful!

Marybeth JeffriesManaging Editor

I N M urrysville is a non-partisan community publicationdedicated to representing, encouraging and promoting

the Franklin Regional School District and itsmunicipalities by focusing on the talents and gifts ofthe people who live and work here. Our goal is toprovide readers with the most informative and

professional regional publication in theCommonwealth of Pennsylvania.

PUBLISHER

Wayne Dollard

ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLISHER

Mark Berton [email protected]

MANAGING EDITOR

Marybeth [email protected]

OFFICE MANAGER

Leo [email protected]

WRITERS

Jonathan BarnesKelli McElhinnyPamela PalongueSandy TrozzoJosh Wetmore

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Cassie Brkich Jan McEvoyAmante D’Albora Joe Milne

Susie Doak Tamara TylendaPati Ingold Tracey Wasilco

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Garyyonphotography.com

ADVERTISING SALES

Nicholas Buzzell David MitchellBrian Daley Linda Mitchell

Gina D’Alicandro Tamara MyersLiz Dodson Gabriel NegriTina Dollard Annette PetroneRose Estes Tara Reis

Jason Huffman Vincent SabatiniJessie Jones Michael Silvert

Connie McDaniel RJ VighettiBrian McKee

This magazine is carrier route mailed to all district households and businesses.

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Copyright 2010.

C O R R E S P O N D E N C EAll inquiries, comments and press releases

should be directed to:I N C om m unit y M ag az ines

Attn: Editorial603 East McMurray RoadMcMurray, PA 15317Ph: 724.942.0940 Fax: 724.942.0968

Winter content deadline:10/21

www.incommunitymagazines.com

F A L L 2 0 1 0

urrysville

By Pamela PalongueAutomated voices seem to have pervaded

every area of our lives. Recently I was taken abackwhen I called my doctor’s office for lab resultsafter my yearly check-up and was told to callanother number where an automated operatorcoldly gave me the lab numbers with noexplanation of what they meant. It is entirelypossible that I have Feldspar Disease or cataractsbecause I don’t have a clue. What’s next, beinginformed you have a serious disease via anautomated operator? For diabetes, press 1. For an insulin prescription, press 2. To freak out that you have diabetes,press 3. For more information onmanaging your diabetes, trythe internet, watch Oprah,ask your next doorneighbor, the guy onthe bus or justanyone so we don’thave to talk to you.We hate people. Thankyou for calling.Goodbye.

What has happened to us?Why do we hate talking to eachother? Someone, somewhere hasto make a stand by taking that firstphone call. What if everyone in theentire nation just agreed to startanswering their phones tomorrow?When that phone rings, just pick it upand bravely say, “Hello.” Sure the otherperson may hang up on us or evenscream at us, but be strong. They can’treach through that phone line and ringyour neck no matter how threatening they sound. And the world will be a better place that you stood up tothat phone and showed it who’sboss. And while we’re on thesubject of improving ourworld, can’t we all just agreeto start the workday at 10a.m.? Would anyone reallymind getting a couple ofextra hours sleep everymorning? We could allhave ice cream forbreakfast. I was justthinking…

A

s a catholic, I firmly believe that if you areforced to deal with an automated operatorfor more than 10 minutes, it should

automatically be credited towards time inpurgatory. And if you can accomplish this withoutthrowing the phone against the wall, you shouldat least be considered for canonization.

The strange thing is, if I am calling to subscribeto their services or upgrade my account, there are346 cheerful operators eagerly standing by to take my call. But if I have a problem with billing, a technical question or need repairs, I hear, “Pleasehold and the next available representative will bewith you shortly,” while I wait for one of the threecustomer service agents in North America toanswer my question. Next I am asked to enter myaccount number, the last four digits of my socialsecurity number and my zip code, only to havePhyllis eventually answer my call and ask for myaccount number, the last four digits of my socialsecurity number and my zip code. Do they do that just to keep you busy? I’m not sure. Then asfurther protection, I am asked for my mother’smaiden name, my aunt’s street address and theexact measurement of my third molar. All of this precaution is in case there are evil forces whomight want to find out if I have call waiting or how many channels I receive.

But while I wait for Phyllis, I am treated to 15thcentury Bulgarian chamber music, interruptedevery 20 seconds by a voice saying, “Did youknow that you can check your account onlineat www.Don’tBotherUs.com?” Strangely, I wouldrather just listen to the Bulgarian chamber musicwithout the interruptions. Or just stick forks intomy eyes repeatedly.

And instead of an annoying woman’s voice,can’t I at least listen to Gerard Butler’s sexyScottish accent? Or perhaps Antonio Banderas’liquid Latino purr? Why must this annoyingwoman answer the phone no matter where I call?And how much is she getting paid? Is it more orless than $40,000 a year? Could I perhaps be thenew automated woman voice? Do I have what ittakes? Why don’t tornadoes happen in the winter?

Could ice cream be considered a breakfastfood? It does have milk in it… These are

the things that I think about while I am on the phone waiting…


ow important is involvement in extracurricular activities? Is doing volunteerwork important? How do GPA and SAT scores factor into acceptance?

These are the questions many teens and their parents are pondering as they lookinto the next phase within the education process – college. By Karen Ferrieri


While all of the information out there is readily available, if youdo have questions or run into stumbling blocks along the way, your high school guidance counselor is there to assist you throughout the process as well.

Make sure you have a target list of schools thatcontains three tiers that you go after.Your first tier is your safety schools,

those that you feel strongly you will getaccepted to. The second tier on the listcontains your target schools, thoseschools that you really would like to go to, however you have to be reallycertain to meet the grade requirements,etc. to make sure that you stand outagainst applicants to get accepted. And,finally, the third tier is your reach schools,those schools that really are a far stretch foryou, but that you’d like to at least try to get accepted to. Having this tiered list of schools

that you are applying to will ensure acceptance to a school that youare interested in.

Once you have a career path in mind and a few colleges/universi-ties that you are considering, do your research and do not be afraidto consult with your guidance counselor, college admission staffand others who currently work within the profession that you are interested in. You’ll be amazed at how much information and assistance is out there to help you prepare for college entrance.

There are a ton of resources out there to guide you through theprocess of ‘getting ready for college,’ but this process can be veryoverwhelming. Many people search online for answers and you candefinitely find a number of websites online such as www.ehow.comto help guide you through the process. Ehow.com reads like a ‘howto get into college’ instruction manual.

Work with your school guidance counselor to plan your classes.

Plan out your classes carefully. Take the most challenging course work you can because

college admission counselors would rather see you tackle harder courses than to settle for easier courses just to get higher grades. They look for overall grade trends and class rank. Be careful though not to take toomany or to set yourself up for failure.

Nail your PSATs, SATs and ACT exams. Get involved in extracurricular activities in your school

and community. Stay committed to following through for a few months or years with that activity.

Develop a theme that runs through your high school years with the classes and activities that you participate in. For instance, if you love to paint, take art classes atschool, volunteer with organizations that promote artawareness, etc.

Plan your summer with college in mind. Stay active and consider what your theme is and stay involved with things that are in line with the theme.

Get to know key people at the college that you want toattend.

Following these steps will enable you to have a college application worthy of acceptance.

Mr. Bob Atkins, Director ofAdmissions for Washington andJefferson College summed it up prettysimply. “Most colleges are looking for the best fit for the college.” Forinstance, he said, “While academicsare important, extracurricular involvement, being able to show leadership ability, employment history and progression of grades are also equally as important.”

Atkins recommended, “If possible,find out how to get a face-to-face interview with someonewithin the college. Consider when you apply for any college programthat the majority of applicants are all 4.0 high school students withthe SAT scores necessary to get them into a great college. So, what will make you stand out against them? Then, go out and do what it takes to prove that you have the necessary means to show motivation to succeed and the ability to continue to grow within any program. And, while colleges are seeing more ‘Gap Year’ admission students [those who have chosen to take a year off after high school before entering college] they look at those applicants to see what they’ve done during the ‘off’ year that shows productivity.”

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A survey conducted by the InvestorProtection Trust in May 2010 revealed thatover 7.3 million senior citizens in the U.S. have“been taken advantage of financially in terms ofan inappropriate investment, unreasonably highfees for financial services, or outright fraud.”That equates to about one in five senior citizenswho have been scammed.

Mary Bach, a member of AARP’sPennsylvania executive counsel, said that fraudagainst senior citizens can come in just aboutany form. Some of the more popular scamsinclude lottery scams, sweepstake scams, emailscams, charity scams, and even jury duty scams.

“Caution and moving slowly are paramountin any of these situations. And not allowingyourself to be pressured into giving eitherpersonal information or any amount of moneywithout doing your own personal due diligenceor homework on the issue,” Bach said abouthow to generally avoid scams.

Here are some other tips Bach gives to helpsenior citizens better avoid scams and fraud:• Don’t give money to a charity over thephone. Ask them to mail you something. Thisgives time to research the charity. Chances are,if the charity is just a scam they won’t send youanything anyway.• Always be wary of any letter, email, orphone call that requires an immediate or quick response. If there isn’t enough time to carefully consider a proposition beforecommitting to it, there is probably a reason.• Remember the adage “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

• When dealing with a financial planner or retirement advisor, make sure that both they and what they are selling are registeredwith the state of Pennsylvania. To check on the registration and history of a salesperson,financial plan, or product call either thePennsylvania Insurance Commission at1.877.881.6388 or the Pennsylvania SecuritiesCommission at 1.800.600.0007. • Discuss what you are thinking of doingwith a trusted friend or family member beforemaking any final decisions. Two heads arebetter than one and someone might recognize a red flag that you didn’t see.• Sign up for both the state and national ‘do not call’ lists. These will weed out mostlegitimate solicitors so if a soliciting call getsthrough, there is already a warning sign.

Retirement; it’s a stage oflife that many people look forward to. It’s achance to relax, and finally accomplish lifelonggoals. It can also be an opportunity to make upfor lost time with family and friends. For many,however, retirement can mean having so muchtime with so little to do, and often no longerhaving a job can lead to no longer have a senseof accomplishment or self worth.

There is a solution to the problem though.Volunteering can not only give retired seniorcitizens a new sense of purpose but it can alsohelp the community, the economy, and thefuture of the country.

Good Tidings for the Greatest GenerationOlder Adults in Woodland Hills

“There is just talk about, as the economycontinues to be on a bit of a downslide, howimportant volunteers are,” said Mary Bach, amember of AARP’s Pennsylvania executivecounsel. “Lots of older consumers have reallywonderful skills and backgrounds that can be ofbenefit.”

Volunteer opportunities for senior citizens inthe Pittsburgh area can range from helping delivermail at a hospital to working with high schoolstudents in a classroom environment through the University of Pittsburgh’s “GenerationsTogether” program.

“Volunteering makes people feel good, but it not only is self serving to that degree thatyou’re happy about doing something that youenjoy personally, but the beneficiaries of thatvolunteerism gain so much,” Bach, a senior citizen herself, said.

Some other ways for senior citizens to getinvolved are through senior citizen organizationssuch as AARP and The Senior Source. Many local libraries also offer volunteer positions.

AARP’s “Create the Good” program is focused on helping senior citizens find volunteeropportunities that will fit their schedule, meettheir personal interests, and help their community.To get involved with “Create the Good,” go towww.createthegood.org or call 1.800.556.0242.

by Josh Wetmore


Senior AgenciesJeannette Senior Center c/o Holy Trinity Lutheran ChurchGaskill & Third StreetsJeannette, PA 15644 Phone: 724.527.3200

T ransp ort at ion F or O lder A dult sThere are several agencies that offer free or reduced ratetransportation services to individuals who qualify.

M edic al A ssist anc e T ransp ort at ion P rog ram ( M A T P )1.888.547.6287Provides non-emergency medical transportation to residents ofAllegheny County who have a valid Pennsylvania Department ofPublic Welfare Medical Assistance Card.

F ree B us P ass f or S enior C it iz ensThe Port Authority allows Allegheny County residents, 65 years ofage and older, to ride free on local public transportation (buses,trolleys and rapid-transit lines). Participants must obtainidentification cards, which are available free of charge, fromparticipating transportation providers. Call 412.442.2000 for thelocation nearest to you.

O lder P ersons T ransp ort at ion Transportation for medical appointments, grocery shopping,senior center activities and other needs throughout AlleghenyCounty is available to adults 60 years of age and older who live inAllegheny County. Call SeniorLine at 412.350.5460.

A C C E S S 6 5 P lus and A C C E S S A D A P rog ram 4 1 2 . 5 6 2 . 5 3 5 3 or T D D 1 . 8 0 0 . 6 5 4 . 5 9 8 4ACCESS is door-to-door, advance reservation, shared-ridetransportation provided throughout Port Authority’s service area. It serves primarily senior citizens and persons with disabilities. There are no restrictions on the purpose or number of trips which may be taken by riders, except that riders are required to share their vehicle with others traveling in the samedirection and at the same time.Are you a nonprofit Senior Center serving the needs of our community’solder adults?We would be happy to post your contact information. ContactMarybeth@incommunity magazines.com with your center’s name and phone number.


Seville Square Apartments

Truly ExceptionalCall Today

(412) 680-0000

www.andrews-management.com

4297 Greensburg Pike

1922 Murray Avenue

4 1 2 - 5 2 1 - 8 2 2 2gulliftys.us

O r d e r Y o u r Wh o l e D e s s e r t sF o r A n y O c c a s i o n !

SUBMIT YOUR EVENT!Please submit your information, including a phone number and e-mail information to: [email protected]

or call 724.942.0940

CHURCHES SERVING WOODLAND HILLS

Faith Christian SchoolWilkins Twp.412.825.7455

Good ShepherdBraddock 412.271.2492

St. MauriceForest Hills 412.351.5403

St. BernadetteMonroeville 412.372.7255

North American MartyrsMonroeville 412.373.0889

St. IrenaeusOakmont 412.828.8444

St. BartholomewPenn Hills 412.242.2511

Word of GodSwissvale 412.371.8587

St. John the BaptistPlum 412.793.0555

St. JosephVerona 412.828.7213

St. JamesWilkinsburg 412.242.3515

We are interested in highlighting your church! If you are a member of the Clergy from this area and would like to contribute aninspirational message that all of our readers might enjoy, please contact Marybeth Jeffries, Managing Editor at [email protected].

PAROCHIAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

All Saints AnglicanEpiscopal Church412.793.0270

Beulah PresbyterianChurch412.242.4570

Christ Lutheran Church and School412.271.7173

Emmanuel Lutheran Church412.824.4525

Epiphany Lutheran Church412.241.1313

Faith Bible Baptist Church412.825.7450

First Presbyterian Church of Edgewood412.241.4613

Forest Hills Presbyterian Church 412.241.1647

Good Shepherd Catholic Parish412.271.1515

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church412.793.1394

Hebron United Presbyterian Church412.371.2307

Hope Lutheran Church of Forest Hills412.242.4476

Immanuel EvangelicalLutheran Church412.271.1995

Laketon Heights United Methodist412.241.9170

Living Spirit Ministry412.351.1802

Lutheran Church of Forest Hills412.242.4476

Madonna del CastelloChurch412.271.5666

McMasters UnitedMethodist Church412.823.1988

Mount Hope Community Church412.793.0227

Mount Olive Baptist Church412.271.0303

Mount Olive Churchof God in Christ412.361.0503

Muhleman MemorialMethodist Church 412.823.5170

New Hope Baptist Church412.271.8998

New Vision Community Church412.241.6160

Parkway Jewish Center412.823.4338

Penn Hills Baptist Church412.793.6640

Penn Hills Free MethodistChurch412.793.7263

Presbyterian Church of America412.793.7117

Presentation of Christ Greek Orthodox Church412.824.9188

Protestant ReformedFellowship412.371.2299

Resurrection Baptist Church412.271.7355

Sri Venkateswara Temple412.373.3380

SS. Peter & Paul ByzantineChurch412.466.3578

St. Bartholomew CatholicChurch412.242.3374

St. Colman Catholic Church412.283.2564

St. James Episcopal Church412.242.2300

St. John the BaptistOrthodox Church412.824.0246

St. John Fisher412.241.4722

St. Maurice Roman Catholic Church412.271.0809

St. Paul's EvangelicalLutheran Church412.271.9300

Trinity Tower United Methodist412.793.9000

Universal UnitedPresbyterian Church412.793.1355

Word of God Catholic Church412.241.1372

Word & Worship Church 412.824.1616

Zion Lutheran Church412.242.2626


IN Woodland Hills | Fall 2010 | i nc om m u ni ty m a ga z i nes .c om 9

Each year towns across America put out flags and host parades in honor of Veteran’s Day. Along with the traditional ceremonies, we at JuniperVillage would like to honor all of the local service men and women who served in the armed forces, by sharing information about the Aid & Attendance Federal Pension Program. A federal financial assistance program that can help Veteran’s afford medical care costs in their senior years.

What Is The Aid & Attendance Program?The Aid and Attendance (A&A) Federal Pension program is a littleknown federal pension benefit that provides financial assistance for veterans, veteran’s spouses and surviving spouses who require the assistance of another person for their daily care needs.

Who Is Eligible?Any Veteran, spouse, or surviving spouse who meets the below financialcriteria and needs assistance with daily activities such as dressing, bathing,eating, toileting and medication management is eligible. The applicantmust be home bound, in an assisted living community or skilled nursingfacility to receive these benefits. To qualify for the A&A program, it needsto be established by your physician that you cannot function completelyon your own and that you require daily assistance from others.

What Amount of Compensation Does The Program Provide?Compensation amounts vary and are dependent upon each applicant’sfinancial situation. However, the Veteran’s Aid & Attendance Pension program can provide up to $1,632 per month for a veteran,$1,055 per month to a surviving spouse, $1,949 per month to a married couple filing jointly, and up to $2582.00 a month for two Veterans married to one another.

What Are the Eligibility Requirements?Benefits are available for any War-Time Veteran, spouse, or survivingspouse of a Veteran who served 90 days of active military service, one day of which was during a period of wartime. Divorces are not recog-nized, and the marriage must have ended due to the death of the veteranin order to be considered a surviving spouse of a War-Time Veteran.Periods of War include: WWI April 6, 1917 to November 11, 1918WWII December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946Korean Conflict August 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955Vietnam Conflict August 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975Persian Gulf War August 2, 1990 to a date yet to be determined.

Medically, there must be a need or necessity for daily assistance of another person for eligibility. A doctor’s letter by the Primary CarePhysician along with a completed VA application and the Aid &Attendance form must support the reasons for medically necessary needsand areas of assistance. Most individuals who reside in a personal carehome, assisted living community or skilled nursing home meet the VA’s criteria for this medical necessity. Financially; the applicant must have less than $80,000 in personal assets,excluding the value of their home and vehicles, and have a financial needfor the benefits. The total monthly income includes all sources of Stocks,Social Security, Pensions…and factors in the monthly out-of-pocket medical and financial expenses for the individual.

How Do I Apply For The Aid & Attendance Program?An application can be obtained by contacting your local Veteran’sAdministration office at 1-800-827-1000 or by visiting the FederalVeterans Administration’s web site at www.veteranaid.org . Local volun-teers with the American Legion and Disabled American Veterans centerscan also assist with the process. Processing of the application normallytakes between 4-6 months; and once approved, the monthly incomeamount will be retro-dated back to the date the application was submitted.Some of the items needed for the application process include:Discharge/Separation Papers (DD-214), Military Records, a copy of theMarriage Certificate and all marital information, a copy of the DeathCertificate for surviving spouses, copies of current Social Security awards,along with bank accounts, CDs, Trusts, Stocks, Bonds, Annuities, andproof of all pension, retirement, investment and annuity incomes.To help Veteran’s understand these benefits, Juniper Village at ForestHills will be hosting a Veterans Aid & Attendance Informational presenta-tion on Tuesday, October 19 at 6:30 pm. The event will feature AttorneyJim Colletta, an Elder Law Attorney accredited with the Veteran’sAdministration and currently serving on the Veterans Board of Appeals.For more information about the Aid & Attendance Program or to RSVPto attend Juniper Village’s Aid & Attendance presentation, contact JuniperVillage at 412-244-9901. Juniper Village is a senior living, assisted livingand specialized memory care community located at 107 Fall Run Road inForest Hills, just off of Ardmore Boulevard.

I ndep endent L iving , A ssist ed L iving and Wellspring M em ory I m p airm ent C are

Spacious studios, suites and one-bedroom apartments availableOn-site nursing staff and 24 hour assistance

with daily care needs Structured activities and programs seven days a week

Delicious meals and snacks dailyHousekeeping and laundry servicesConveniently located in Forest Hills

For more information or toschedule your personal tour,

contact Juniper Village at (412) 244-9901 today! Or visit us on the web at

www.junipercommunities.com

IN Woodland Hills | I N D U S T R Y I N S I G H T

In Honor Of Those Who Have Served...

orking as a fraud investigator for Mellon Bank, Ann Flasck wasfollowing the career path she had chosen when she had decidedyears before to study Criminology at Indiana University of

Pennsylvania. But Flasck, of Peters, through no fault of her own, lost her job and was given severance pay several years ago.

The change opened her eyes to other potential opportunities. Flasck used her time on severance pay to take a welding class. “I wantedto learn how to weld to make furniture and artwork,” she said. “Then Ifound out about the trade unions and in 2005 I took the steamfitters’[apprenticeship] test.”

Flasck, 44, a South Park High School graduate, has had steadywork with the union ever since she joined the group. The pay is high--$30 per hour—and a Steamfitters union member can get asmuch work as she wants, Flasck said, noting that she has becomecertified as a welder and obtained other skills to increase her abilityto be hired for jobs.

As many in Western Pennsylvania are learning through the hardshipsof the recent recession, work in the trades can be a high-paying career

bereft of work stoppages. Trade work providessteady employment that is fulfilling to

people who don’t enjoy work in anoffice setting. College is not for

everyone and the cost of such aneducation is becoming more and

more difficult for many familiesto bear. Newspapers andmagazines are full of stories of students who took on theburdensome college debt that

they are struggling to pay off.But for those with a strong

work ethic, some mechanicalaptitude and a desire to be a part

of building something, becoming amember of a union could be an ideal career

choice. Fortunately for those in the Pittsburgh area,the chance to work with the insulators, electricians, laborers, carpentersor other unions is greater than ever, due to the state-of-the-art trainingprograms these and other local unions provide.

“It’s neat tobuild things—to seesomething you’ve worked on turn intosomething,” Flasck said.

The time commitment to becoming afull member of a union might not be foreveryone, though. Steamfitters Local #499takes in anywhere from 12 to 30 newmembers each year, a group that is winnowedfrom about 300 who take the initial test andinterview for a slot with the union, said KenBroadbent, business manager for SteamfittersLocal #449, located along WoodruffStreet in the South Hills. Unlikesome jobs, there is no agediscrimination in the unionapprentice selection process—twenty-somethings and olderfolks starting a second career havean equal shot at union membership.

The Steamfitters apprenticeshipprogram requires 1,000 hours ofschooling at night for each apprentice, as well as 2,000 hours per year ofguaranteed employment over the five-yearapprenticeship. Those man-hours are paid,along with full benefits. Apprentices start at $12 per hour and eventually make $30 per hour as steamfitters, but you have to be fit.

“You have to be physically able to perform thework because there’s lifting and climbing, andworking in the cold and in the heat,” Broadbent said.“For every hour a journeyman works, we take 50 centsout of his pay to put towards the training program.”

The average age of an apprentice is actually 27 yearsold, said Jason Fincke, executive director of the builder’sGuild of Western Pennsylvania, a labor/managementorganization that includes both contractors and unions.

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1 0 7 2 4 .9 4 2 .0 9 4 0 to a d v er ti s e | IN Woodland Hills

Apprentices earn between $10 and $15per hour their first year, receiving averageyearly raises of $3.50 annually during their training. The average building tradesworker earns $45,000 per year, Finckenoted. Western Pennsylvania has 17 union apprenticeship schools and all are tuition-free, he said.

Studies have shown that a collegeeducation might actually be a waste ofmoney for many of those who attend,Fincke said, and so union membership is anincreasingly smart career choice. “Onlyabout 5 percent of college graduates makemore money than people in the buildingtrades,” he said.

While work in construction is hard andphysically demanding, the industry isn’taffected in the same way by economicconditions as other industries areimpacted, Fincke added. “You can’toutsource construction,” he said.

With union workers averaging wages of$25 to $35 per hour, unions are many smartworkers’ choice for gainful employment,Fincke said. “There’s a myth out there thatto be successful you have to go to college…Building trade work can provide a verygood living and a very good wage,” he said.

For more information onapprenticeships in the trades in thePittsburgh area, visit the Builder’s Guild ofWestern Pennsylvania’s web site, atwww.buildersguild.org.

IN Woodland Hills | Spring 2010 | i nc om m u ni ty m a ga z i nes .c om 1 1

Grief Shared isGrief Diminished.

Our Grief Support Group meets on the 1st Wednesdayof each month in St. Maurice Parish Center at 7 p.m.

412-824-8800700 Linden Ave. at Cable

East Pittsburgh, PA 15112PATRICK T. LANIGAN Supervisor

412-823-9350Turtle Creek/Monroeville Chapel

Turtle Creek, PA 15145STEPHANIE L. DORIGUZZI Supervisor

www.laniganfuneralhome.com

It is professionally facilitated by Dr. Barbara Coyne and is open and free to anyone who grieves.

• Competitive programs for swimmers age 6 years and older

• Pre-competitive programs for swimmers 4 – 6 years

• Swim lesson programs for all ages, infantthrough adult (small group and private)

• All programs take place at the WoodlandHills High School/Woodland Hills JuniorHigh School.

• Swimmers may join our groups at any timethroughout the year.

• Group descriptions, fees and practice andlesson schedules can be found on the web-site, www.whatswimming.org.

W h at I sS w im m ing ?

C all T ori Z ido at 4 1 2 - 4 1 7 - 1 3 7 8 or em ail h er at t ori@ w h at sw im m ing . org .

IN Woodland Hills | Fall 2010 | i nc om m u ni ty m a ga z i nes .c om 1 3

• HEAD START Program & PA CertifiedTeachers On Site

• NAFCC ACCREDITED• KEYSTONE STARS – 3 STAR Facility• State Licensed & DPW Approved• Child Care Partnerships and TANF Accepted• Pre-School Computer Program• Trained & Certified Staff• 3 FREE MEALS• Large fully equipped Outdoor Play Area

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT (412) 271-4727E-Mail: [email protected]

Rankin, PA • Ages 1 through 5 years • 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.B L E S S E D A S S U R A N C E

Do you want the “Assurance” of a secure and loving childcare environment?Do you want the “Assurance” that your child will have a Christ-Centered learning experience?Do you want the “Assurance” that your child will be prepared socially, and academically for grade school?

By Pamela Palongue

With the high rate of unemployment, it willnot come as a shock that many mothers arereturning to school for more education in order to be more employable and to be able to provide better benefits for their families.What might surprise you is that more than ever, universities, trade and specialty schools are offering extremely flexible schedules andpayment plans for the special challenges thatmoms face in furthering their education.

One of the major drawbacks to attending college is the loss of income while in school.Although night classes have been available at mostuniversities for years now, Saturday classes arenow becoming more common and many of the schedules include meeting every otherweekend. This gives working moms the abilityto hold down a day job for 40 hours duringthe we ek, while still retaining the all-importanthealth insurance benefits for their family whileattending college on the weekends. Moreclasses than ever are being offered onSaturdays. And, of course, night classes offergreater flexibility for employed mothers as well.

Another challenge for moms attempting toadvance their education is finding care for theirchild while they are in school. The high cost of daycare can be prohibitive for those alreadyon a tight budget. Many mothers have the advantage of family members close by to pitchin with child care duties, but this may not bepractical for some mothers whose parents orin-laws live hours away. One great way toresolve this issue is to trade babysitting time.When mothers coordinate their class schedules,they can attend classes at opposite times so the other mother can babysit both mothers’children. Another great way to overcome thehigh cost of daycare is to trade services. An

individual may be willing to provide child carein exchange for house cleaning or havingerrands performed. Retired individuals who have the most flexible hours are a great solution in this arrangement.

For some, completing a four year college may not be practical either for timeconsiderations or financial reasons. There are many careers available with educationalprograms that are less than two years.

Education and the medical field consistently rank highest for career fields experiencing the most growth. For individuals who already have a four-yeardegree, universities offer a teaching programthat can be completed in one year.

Although a bachelor of science in nursin g is a four year degree program, some local hospitals offer two year nursing programssans the degree. Some of these facilities offerfree education in exchange for two years ofdevoted service at their facility. For even shorterprograms in the medical field, medical assistants and emergency medical techniciansoffer alternatives. Local EMT programs lastapproximately four months and the tuition is under $200. In addition to the above-mentioned career fields, information technology,massage therapists, barbers, cosmetologists andmedical insurance billing all offer programs with shorter duration for busy moms and mostoffer payment options so that upfront payment of full tuition is not required.

Each woman’s path to educational advance-ment is different, but perseverance is the common denominator. With dedication andhard work, every woman can accomplish hergoals. And now more than ever, there aremany avenues to achieving your dream.


FALL HAPPENINGS

IN YOUR WOODLAND HILLS LIBRARIES

Main Library EdgewoodC om p ut er C lasses - R eg ist er in advanc eBasic Internet, Tuesday, September 14 @11 a.m.Basic E-mail, Tuesday, September 28 @11 a.m.Getting Started on Facebook, Tuesday, October 12 @11 a.m.Getting Started in Word, Tuesday, October 19 @11 a.m.Basic E-mail, Tuesday, November 9 @11 a.m.Basic Internet, Tuesday, November 16 @11 a.m.

D rop D ead B ook C lubMeets second Wednesday of the month @ 7 p.m. to discuss mysteries.

T oast m ast ersMeets every Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m.

B ac k room Q uilt ersMeets every Thursday @ noon.

W isew alkHour-long walk around the neighborhoodWednesdays, September 15 - November 17 @ 9 a.m.

A nnual A rt s and C raf t s F airSaturday, December 4, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Ballroom, Edgewood Community House, 1 Pennwood Avenue. A great holiday show with plenty of unique items for gifts.

Branch Library - Forest HillsP A L S B ook C lubMeets Tuesdays, August 24, October 26, andDecember 28 @ 1:00 p.m.

W isew alkHour-long walk around the neighborhood Fridays,September 17 - November 19 @ 9 a.m.Paperback exchanges are located in the MunicipalBuildings in Braddock Hills, Churchill, Forest Hillsand Wilkins. Bring a book and exchange for something new.

Please Consider a Gift to CC Mellor LibraryIn mid-October, residents will be receiving ourAnnual Appeal in their mailboxes. This is our major funding effort, and we rely on the generosityof people like you to be able to provide the materials and services that our users need andwant. Our goal this year is $30,000.

It’s easy to give to the library. You can mail a checkin when the Annual Appeal letter arrives or youcan go to the library webpage at www.ccmellorli-brary.org and make an on-line gift. Or you can givethrough The Pittsburgh Foundations Day of Givingon October 13 when gifts will be matched. Morethan ever your gift is important to C. C. Mellor andthe community it serves.

IN Woodland Hills | Summer 2010 | i nc om m u ni ty m a ga z i nes .c om 1 5

Getting StartedHearing aid batteries are activated when you pull off the sticker on

the back of the battery. Under the sticker is one or several holes thatfill with air to activate the battery. To optimize how much air gets in,and therefore the performance and longevity of the battery, keep yourfingers away from the holes so that your skin oil won’t clog them. Italso helps to wait about 2 minutes before inserting a new battery intoyour hearing aid. This will allow plenty of time for the air to activatethe ingredients inside the battery. Once the sticker is peeled off, thebattery will slowly use energy even if not put in your hearing aid, sodon’t peel it off until you are ready to use it. Putting the sticker back onwill not prevent the battery from draining.

StorageHearing aid batteries perform best when stored at room tempera-

ture. So, don’t store them in your hot car or in your refrigerator. Keepthe batteries in their packaging or a battery holder. This helps to keepthe battery from touching other batteries or other metal objects, whichcan short-circuit the battery.

DO NOT EAT! Batteries should be kept out of the reach of children and pets.

They can be harmful if swallowed. If a battery is swallowed call theNational Button Battery Hotline at 202-625-3333 and see a doctor right away.

Forgot your size?No problem. Packaging for hearing aid batteries is color coded by

size. Size 675 is blue, 13 is orange, 312 is brown, and 10 is yellow.

Bad Pack? If you get some duds, bring the pack back into your audiologist so

that you can get some replacements and the battery manufacturercan look into why the pack was bad.

Having a hard time handling the small batteries? Ask your audiologist for a magnet tool that will hold the battery. You

can also consider using rechargeable hearing aid batteries.

Battery LifeBattery life will depend on many things including how much you

are wearing the hearing aid, what situations you use your hearing aidsin (noisy places require more processing), and the battery size. Onaverage, you can expect to get about 5 days from a size 10 battery, 9days from a size 312 battery, 2 weeks from a size 13 battery, and 3weeks from a size 675 battery. To save on your battery life you canopen your battery door at night since it removes the battery from thebattery contacts. I have my patients put their hearing aid stickers ontheir calendars when they change their batteries so they can track theaverage amount of days before having to change a battery.

Many of my patients ask me if they should change both of theirhearing aid batteries at the same time. I tell them that if it were me, I would just change them one at a time as they run out, but I am the kind of person who squeezes the last bit out of the toothpastetube. But if it makes life easier, go ahead and change them at the same time.

Disposing of your BatteriesThe short answer is to just throw your batteries away in your trash.

But, standard hearing aid batteries contain mercury so some peoplefeel that it is best to recycle them. Batteries Plus in Monroeville (412-380-1388) will dispose of hearing aid batteries for $1 for amountssmaller than a shoebox full. Don’t keep a huge stockpile of dead batteries around, however, since they can be a fire hazard.Some battery manufacturers, such as Rayovac, are starting to

make mercury free hearing aid batteries. Just look on the packagingfor a mercury free brand.

Stay tuned for my article in the next issue where I will discussrechargeable hearing aid batteries.

Battery Tips for Hearing Aid UsersDr. Debra Comte, Owner of Community Hearing and Doctor of Audiology

Hearing aids are great, but they are not much use without a battery. Here are some tips for how to care for your batteries and how to get the longest life out of them.

Dr. Debra Comte, Audiologist and Owner

50 packs FREE

1789 S. Braddock Ave. Suite 575

Pittsburgh, PA 15218

412-499-3215

50 packs of free batteries with any hearing aid purchase.

Call by 10/31/10 for this offerA $200 value.

Try the

longest lasting mercury free hearing aid batteries from Rayovac.

F A L L 2 0 1 0o

n th

e g

o...

When you meet T-Bone, hewill offer you a Beagle smileand shyly, by surely, try toclimb into your lap. Thisgentle fellow is brimmingwith affection and simplyneeds someone to give it to. A couple months ago,

T-Bone probably felt like theluckiest, most beloved dog in theworld. But then, sadly, his owner passedaway. T-Bone came to Animal Friends, 10 years old and hoping to find a secondchance and a fresh start. T-Bone is calm, lovable, and simply

wants to share your company. He iscurious and friendly around other dogs and

enjoys peaceful rides in the car.He is crate trained and alwayspolite. But most of all, T-Boneis lovable. He adores peopleand constantly wants tocuddle. While it’s obviousthat he loves all women,we’ve noticed that he is

particularly drawn to men.Perhaps they remind him of his Dad,

who he misses so much. If you are lookingfor a companion who’s more interested incuddling and relaxing than playing, T-Bonecould be the one for you. T-Bone is currently in foster care. If you

can help a loving and deserving dog, callAnimal Friends at 412.847.7002.

Back to School JokesQ: What's the worst thing you're likely tofind in the school cafeteria?A: The food!

Q: Why did nose not want to go to school?A: He was tired of getting picked on!

Q: How do you get straight A's?A: By using a ruler!

Q: What did the pen say tothe pencil?A: "So, what's yourpoint?"

Q: What did you learn inschool today?A: "Not enough, I have to goback tomorrow!"

Adopt a Pet: T-Bone


F A L L 2 0 1 0

H ealth and W ellness N ews Y ou Can Use

© 2010 UPMC

What’s Insidepage 2 Wh y G o Wi t h t h e F l o w ?

I n c on t i n e n c e I s Tr e at ab l e

page 3 P l a y It Sa f e M i n i m a l l y In v a s i v e Su r g e r y Av a i l a b l e C l o s e t o Ho m e

page 4 Ar e Y o u C o n c u s s i o n - Sa v v y ?Sc h o o l Lu n c h e s T h a t M a k e t h e G r a d e

page 5 Wh o K n e w R e h a b C o u l d B e So M u c h F u n ?

page 6 A Ne w E r a o f T r e a t m e n t f o r Hi g h - R i s k P r e g n a n c i e s

page 7 Wh a t ’ s Ha p p e n i n g a t U P M C M c K e e s p o r t

Play I t S afeKick off the fall sports season and keep your kids in the game with this guide to help prevent sports injuries. (page 3)

2 www.UPMC.com/ Today

W hy G o W ith the Flow?If you’re experiencing the embarrassment and discomfortthat accompany urinary incontinence, you’re not alone.More than 25 million Americans have some form of urinaryincontinence or overactive bladder.

Urinary incontinence is the loss of voluntary bladder control causing leakage of urine. Symptoms can range from mild urine leakage to uncontrollable wetting.

“There are lots of people with this problem,” says J ay A. L utins, MD, a urologist at UPMC McKeesport. But many people are ashamed to discuss bladder issues with their doctor.

T y p e s o f In c o n t i n e n c eIncontinence can occur for a number of reasons, and each cause has its own form of diagnosis and treatment. Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing these commontypes of incontinence: S tress incontinence — loss of urine when you exert pressure on the bladder by coughing, sneezing, laughing, or lifting something heavy.Urge incontinence — a sudden, intense urge to urinate followed by an involuntary loss of urine.O verflow incontinence — frequent or constant dribblingof urine, indicating an inability to empty the bladder.Mix ed incontinence — symptoms of more than one type of incontinence.

G e t t h e He l p Y o u Ne e d“No one has to live with urinary incontinence,” says Dr. L utins. “While incontinence is frequently associatedwith aging, it can happen to anyone. With the medications and surgical techniques we now have available, this problemis definitely treatable.”

One of the latest treatments Dr. L utins utilizes is sacralnerve stimulation (SNS), a procedure that involves the electrical stimulation of the nerves that control the bladder.

The outpatient procedure involves implanting a tiny neurotransmitter under the skin. The device is connected to the sacral nerve by a lead that also is positioned under theskin. Mild electrical impulses travel through the lead to themuscles of the bladder, sphincter, and pelvic floor, helpingto reduce or eliminate bladder control problems.

“SNS has been successful in about u5 percent of patientswith overactive bladders for whom medications just didn’twork,” says Dr. L utins.

R e c l a i m Y o u r So c i a l Li f eMany people who experience bladder problems become isolated and withdrawn, avoiding social situations for fear of embarrassment. That’s why Dr. L utins and the otherUPMC McKeesport urologists view the diagnosis and treatment of urinary incontinence is an important service.

“R educing a patient’s urine leakage by just 50 percent significantly reduces their stress level, and helps to keepthem active and engaged. The quality of life changes theyexperience are just amazing,” adds Dr. L utins.

U rinary inc o ntinenc e af f ec ts w o m en and m en o f al l ages — b ut m o s t p eo p l e d o n’ t tal k ab o ut it w ith th eir d o c to r.T h e go o d new s : I t is treatab l e.

Di d Y o u K n o w ?• Urinary incontinence is

common, but it is not normal.• W omen represent 7 5 percent

of people who have urinary incontinence. Kegel ex ercisescan help women decrease theirrisk of stress incontinence.

• Anyone can ex perience urinary incontinence, not j ust older adults.

• Urinary incontinence is often the symptom of another condition.

1- 8 00- 533- UPMC 3

D uring a recent visit, your doctor recommended surgery and suggested minimally invasive surgery orMI S ( also known as laparoscopic surgery) . W hen youasked for details, you were surprised to learn thatMI S is becoming more and more common in hospitals and is available at UPMC McKeesport.

“ The technology has evolved to the point wherethe maj ority of general surgical procedures that have been performed with the traditional open approach ( larger incisions) can now, in appropriate patients, be done laparoscopically,” ex plains S teven G ribar, MD , a general surgeon at UPMC McKeesport who is trained in MI S procedures.

I n MI S or “ keyhole surgery,” the operation is done with specializ ed instruments through severalsmall incisions in the body, ex plains D r. G ribar.

The benefits of MI S over traditional open surgerymay include reduced blood loss, less scarring, reduced pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery times. And because less tissue is involved,MI S patients have less chance of infection.

G allbladder removal was one of the first surgicalprocedures to be done using minimally invasive procedures. Today, MI S is widely used in many areasof emergency and elective general surgery, includingintestinal and colon surgery, and hernia repair. MI Stechniques also are routinely applied to other surgicaldisciplines, including lung and chest surgery, andspine and brain surgery.

W hile the number of MI S procedures being performed is increasing, not all patients are goodcandidates for minimally invasive surgery. B e sure to talk with your doctor to find out which surgical options are best for you.

M any y o uth s p o rts inj uries c an b e p rev ented b y f o l l o w ing th es e p rac tic al s ugges tio ns

Sports and exercise offer undeniable benefits. But for millions of young athletes, they also bring risks. Accordingto the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sports injuriesamong high school athletes alone are on the rise, accounting for nearly twomillion injuries, 500,000 doctor visits,and 30,000 hospitalizations every year.Injuries range from strains, sprains, and fractures to concussions and heat stroke.

Experts attribute the high rate of youth sports injuries to:

• overuse• trauma • lack of preventive measures

(including proper equipment, training, and conditioning)

The CDC estimates that more than half of all sports injuries involving children and teens are preventable.

Freddie H. Fu, MD, chairman of theUPMC Department of OrthopaedicSurgery and renowned sports medicineexpert, blames much of the increase in injuries on today’s trend of kids focusing year-round on one sport.

“Kids are doing too much. Now, there’s no off-season. When they’re not playing, they are practicing and at a very intense level,” he says.

K e e p Y o u r K i d s i n t h e G a m eDr. Fu says it’s important for parents and coaches alike to understand the dangers and take steps to keep childrensafe. He recommends the following:1) Cross-train and avoid specializingin one sport to create balance and avoid breakdowns in muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones. 2) Take time off from competitionto allow muscles and joints time to rest and recover.

3) Use the right gear and make sure it’s in good condition and fits properly.Insist your child uses the recommendedsafety gear. 4) Ensure proper techniques are usedfor throwing, running, and swinging.5) Take time to stretch before a workout/game and cool down after. 6) Maintain good hydration when playing to avoid fatigue and keep thebody cool.R e m e m b e r , p l a y i n g s p o r t s s h o u l d b e f u n . C h e c k o u t o u r w e b s i t e a tw w w . U P M C. c o m / T o d a y f o r d e t a i l s o n t h e t o p f o u r i n j u r i e s t h a t o c c u ra m o n g y o u n g a t h l e t e s .

P l a y It Sa f e

Minimally I nvasive S urgery N ow Available Close to H ome


Most of us think of a concussion primarily as a sports-related inj ury — and statistics show that one out of every five reported concussions is sports- related. B ut any violentshaking or blow to the head can lead to a concussion.

“ A suspected concussion should be taken seriously — whether it happens on the playing field, in your home, or on the j ob,” says Michael ( Micky) Collins, PhD , assistant director of the UPMC S ports Medicine Concussion Program. A nationally recogniz ed ex pert in sports- related concussions,D r. Collins co- created — along with Mark R . L ovell, PhD , director of the UPMC S ports Medicine Concussion Programand J oseph C. Maroon, MD , vice chairman of N eurosurgery at UPMC Presbyterian and neurosurgeon for the PittsburghS teelers — the Center for D isease Control’s ( CD C) “ Concussion Tool Kit for Physicians.”

Ho w m u c h d o y o u r e a l l y k n o w a b o u t c o n c u s s i o n s ? Take this true- false quiz to test your understanding of thiscommon but potentially life- threatening inj ury:

1. A concussion is a brain inj ury. T rue o r Fal s e2. S igns and symptoms of concussion can develop right after

the inj ury or even hours or days later. T rue o r Fal s e3. Concussions occur even if the person has not been

knocked unconscious. T rue o r Fal s e4 . A repeat concussion that occurs before the brain recovers

from the first can slow recovery or increase the likelihood of long- term problems. T rue o r Fal s e

5. Concussions can have a more serious effect on a young, developing brain. T rue o r Fal s e

I f you answered “ true” to all five questions, you’re ahead of the game — but there’s more you should know. G et the facts about concussion symptoms and treatment at www.UPMC.com/ Today.

S c h o o l L unc h es T h at M ak e th e G rad e

M ain d is h es� Sandwich made with whole-

grain bread, lean meat, andlow-fat cheese; or peanutbutter and all-fruit jelly on whole-grain bread

� Pita pocket stuffed withshredded turkey, chicken, or light roast beef; or gratedvegetables, low-fat cheese,and light salad dressing

� Mini pizza, whole-grainEnglish muffin, or bageltopped with turkey pepperoni, mozzarellacheese, and garlic herbcream cheese

� Low-fat tuna or chickensalad on a mini bagel

Fruits and v egetab l es� Red pepper strips, carrots,

celery, sugar snap peas, or green beans with salsa or light ranch dressing

� F resh fruit� F ruit cups� Applesauce

H eal th y s nac k s� Low-fat yogurt, either

in a cup or a tube� Wheat crackers with peanut

butter or low-fat cheese� Cottage cheese, with or

without fruit� Pudding made with

skim milk� String cheese� Salsa with baked chips� Peanuts� Small bag of light popcorn

O c c as io nal treats� Baked or low-fat

potato chips� F un-size candy bars� Low-fat cookies

Fo o d s to l im it� Regular snack chips

(potato, tortilla, etc.)� F ull-size candy bars� Regular cookies� Canned fruits in

sweetened syrup

St u m p e d f o r i d e a s o n w h a t t o p a c k ?T r y t h e s e h e a l t h y o p t i o n s :

K ids need more than pens, pencils, and notebooks to successfully get through a day at school. They also needhealthy lunches. Here are some tips on how to make sure your child eats healthy foods while at schoolz

• Get your child involved with the planning and packing of lunches.

• Acknowledge his or her likes and dislikes.• Assemble lunch the night before to avoid

morning delays and’or hurried choices.• If your child buys lunch at the school

cafeteria, make sure he or she knows the difference between healthy and unhealthy foods.

• Teach your child about portions and portion control.

• Think healthy and think light.• Teach your child to eat until

no longer hungry, not until “stuffed.”

D id Y ou Know?I mPACTTM, the concussion evaluation system most widely in use worldwide by professional, college, and high schoolsports teams, was developed at UPMC by D r. L ovell, D r. Collins, and D r. Maroon.

Ar e Y o u C o n c u s s i o n -Sa v v y ?M e a s u r e y o u r u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f c o n c u s s i o n s w i t h t h e s e f i v e q u e s t i o n s .

H ealth Tips from UPMC H ealth Plan

1- 8 00- 533- UPMC 5

W h o K new R eh ab C o ul d B e S o M uc h Fun?I nnovation at UPMC

Last November, John Rizzi,* 50, noticed numbness and tingling in his feet. A few weeks later he suddenly fell whilehunting. By January, he was paralyzed from the chest down —only able to move his head and shrug his shoulders.

Eventually diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that damaged the protective covering of the nerves (myelin sheath)and interfered with the signaling process, John arrived inMarch at the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute and its Gaming and Robotics Center for intensive therapy.

“When I saw the advanced equipment, I was amazed. It inspired me to do whatever I could to walk again,” John says.

Playing computer games and doing simulated tasks using robotic devices such as the Armeo Boom enabled John tomove his arms and regain fine motor skills. A robotic treadmill called the Lokomat made it possible for him to walk.

“I started seeing gains right away. That made me want to work even harder,” he says.

F u n a n d G a m e s f o r E f f e c t i v e R e h a b i l i t a t i o nThe ArmeoBoom — available for clinical use at UPMC andnowhere else in the nation — is one of several cutting-edge devices used in rehabilitation at the center. To use it, patientsstrap their arm into a sling attached to an overhead boom. Robotic supports allow patients to move their arm while playing reach-and-retrieval computer games, such as solitaireand placing apples in a shopping cart, along with simulatedtasks such as cooking or cleaning.

“Rehabilitation can be very tedious and painful. A lot of repetition is needed to teach the body to move again,” says Michael Boninger, MD, director of the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute. “Using this technology is kind of sneaky. It’s great to see patients enjoy playing a game when you know they are actually working hard at rehabilitation.”

* M r. R iz z i’ s treatm ent and res ul ts m ay no t b e rep res entativ e o f al l s im il ar c as es .

John, who has regained most of his abilities, agrees. “It was more like playing a game. You’re working, the sweat is running down your face, but it’s fun. You’re gettingthe movement and the repetition you need, but you’re laughing,” he says.

Dr. Boninger says patients benefit from using the very latest technology. UPMC researchers have developed theirown designs, and companies often send their prototypes here for evaluation.

Other innovative devices used at the Center include theGameCycle , a machine invented at the University of Pittsburgh that combines a stationary hand cycle with a commercial video game; the Armeo Spring — a companion to the ArmeoBoom; and several Nintendo Wii systems.

“Technology is very important in rehabilitation. Having a therapist move a patient’s arm repeatedly works, but notnearly as well as having the patient move his own arm while it is supported by a robot and while he is playing a game,” says Dr. Boninger. “Computer games also provide quick feedback and measure improvement, which adds to the sense of accomplishment.”

V i r t u a l T h e r a p y a t Ho m eThe Nintendo Wii can be a useful tool for patients as they maintain their physical rehabilitation program at home. It’s relatively inexpensive, and many of the games

incorporate the repetitive motion required in ongoingtherapeutic exercises.

“We can tell patients to do an exercise 500 times in the next week,” said Dr. Boninger. “But many people just won’t do it. Tell them toplay Wii Tennis and they’ll do it and have fun.”

D r. Michael B oninger shows how the Armeo B oom’s games and simulated tasks allow rehab patients to work hard and have fun.


A P i o n e e r i n g F o r c e i n M a t e r n a l - F e t a l M e d i c i n e

A N ew E ra o f T reatm ent f o r H igh - R is k P regnanc iesHaving a baby is one of the most naturalthings in the world, but it’s not risk free. For some women and their unborn children, the risks can be especially great,with potential for the development of life-threatening complications.

Transforming their treatment and medicaloutlook is the Division of Maternal-FetalMedicine (MFM) at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC. The program has long been recognized as a leader in MFM,an obstetric subspecialty focusing on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of expectant mothers and their fetuses who may be at high risk before, during, and after pregnancy.

Many conditions can potentially putwomen at higher risk during pregnancy, including: • Preterm labor• Becoming pregnant after age 35• Multiple birth pregnancies

(twins or triplets)• Family history of birth defects

or genetic disorders • Medical conditions such as diabetes,

heart disease, high blood pressure, thyroid or kidney diseases, and pre-eclampsia

Wo r k i n g T o g e t h e r f o r M o t h e r a n d C h i l d

“Many MFM programs nationwide are available only at children’s hospitals. At UPMC, our comprehensive program of caring for mother and fetus is offeredthrough Magee,” explains Stephen P.Emery, MD, director of the division’s Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Center. “The maternal component is central to our mission; it’s a natural extension of our hospital’s historic focus on women’s health.”

The center’s MFM physicians are supported by a multidisciplinary team of medical professionals with expertise in high-risk pregnancies, including anesthesiologists, geneticists, radiologists,and bioethicists. “We work together and apply our collective knowledge to find solutions for each patient’s needs,”says Dr. Emery.

The goal is to give women and their families the information they need to make informed decisions about their pregnancies. The center then provides critical counseling and planning support, and state-of-the-art diagnostic,therapeutic, and surgical services.

Magee’s close partnership with Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh ofUPMC also links newborns with congenital abnormalities to neonatologists,pediatric surgeons, and other specialists for ongoing care after birth.

“Thanks to the tremendous technologicaladvancements in MFM in recent years, we get to know an unborn child inside and out during a high-riskpregnancy — from his or her chromosomal makeup to cardiac anatomy. We’re prepared to quickly address any health care needs immediately after birth — or even in utero if needed, ” says Dr. Emery. “Just as importantly, we’re also able to ensure that the mother’s continuinghealth needs are met.”

Typically, an obstetrician, gynecologist, or midwife will refer a woman to Magee’s MFM team for initial evaluation.However, women can contact Magee directly at 412-641-3382.

Learn more about Magee’s Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and its Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Centerat www.UPMC.com/Magee.

D id Y ou Know?M aternal - f etal m ed ic ine s erv ic es are av ail ab l e at U P M C M erc y ( 4 1 2 - 2 3 2 - 8 1 1 1 ) and U P M C H o riz o n ( 4 1 2 - 6 4 1 - 6 3 6 1 ) .

A d v anc ing th e Q ual ity o f C are T h ro ugh R es earc hDespite major medical advancements in recent years, the causes of many fetal complications remain a mystery. That’s why research is so critical to the efforts ofMagee’s Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Center. “Through our research, the quality of our care extends far beyond what patientssee,” says Hyagriv Simhan, MD, chief of the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and an experienced investigator at theMagee-Women’s Research Institute(MWRI). “Magee is recognized for its pioneering research and medical advancements in MFM,” adds Dr. Simhan.The first research center devoted exclusivelyto the health concerns of women and infants, the institute’s current MFM researchinitiatives include preterm birth, genetics,placental function, and pre-eclampsia.

Harvest of Health FestivalUPMC McKeesport, the McKeesport H ospital Foundation, the Mon R iver Fleet S tate H ealth I mprovement Partnerships( McKeesport S H I P, D uquesne S H I P, Clairton S H I P, and B raddock S H I P) , and a wide array of service agencies and community organiz ations proudly present:

H ar v e s t of H e al t h F e s t i v alS at u r day, N ov . 69 a. m . t o 2 p . m .UPMC Mc K e e s p or t Cam p u s

Featuring:Free health screeningsV aluable health information and education boothsH ealth presentationsFitness demonstrationsH ospital toursG ames and priz esE ntertainmentR efreshmentsD oor priz e drawingsG iveaways

J oin us for a festival of good health, family fun, and community pride as we celebrate the bounty of the season. For more information about the H arvest ofH ealth Festival, contact B etty J ean Marconi, manager, Community O utreach, at 4 12- 6 6 4 - 2114 or marconibj @ upmc.edu. Parking is free.

1- 8 00- 533- UPMC 71- 8 00- 533- UPMC 7

Meet Ou r P h y s i c i a n sPlease visit www.UPMC.com/FindADoctor or call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762) for more information about any of our physicians.To contact the UPMC McKeesport physicians listed below, please use the office phone number provided.

G E NE R AL SU R G E ONS

Un i v e r s i t y of Pi t t s b u r g h Ph ys i c i an s , D e p ar t m e n t of S u r g e r yR i c h a r d B o n d i , M DSt u a r t C h e t l i n , M DSt e v e n G r i b a r , M D

O f f i c e Ph on e : 4 1 2 - 6 7 2 - 3 4 2 2

M u m t a z Al v i , M D

O f f i c e Ph on e : 4 1 2 - 6 7 2 - 3 4 2 2

E d g a r C o r d e r o , M D, P C

O f f i c e Ph on e : 4 1 2 - 6 7 2 - 3 4 2 2

Ar t h u r F i n e , M D

O f f i c e Ph on e : 4 1 2 - 6 7 2 - 3 4 2 2

K r i s h n a J e t t i , M D

O f f i c e Ph on e : 4 1 2 - 6 7 2 - 3 4 2 2

Da v i d Li a n g , M D, P C

O f f i c e Ph on e : 4 1 2 - 6 7 2 - 3 4 2 2

Pal e p u S u r g i c al A s s oc i at e sSh o w r i P a l e p u , M D

O f f i c e Ph on e : 4 1 2 - 6 7 2 - 3 4 2 2

Pr e m i e r Me di c al A s s oc i at e s – G e n e r al an d V as c u l ar S u r g e r yAn t h o n y T a n , M DP e t e r Na m a n , M D

O f f i c e Ph on e : 4 1 2 - 6 7 2 - 3 4 2 2

U R OLOG IST S

K y r i a k o s Da v i d e s , M D

O f f i c e Ph on e : 4 1 2 - 6 7 2 - 3 4 2 2

Da v i d J a c o b s , M D

O f f i c e Ph on e : 4 1 2 - 6 7 2 - 3 4 2 2

R o n g C h u n g Li n , M D

O f f i c e Ph on e : 4 1 2 - 6 7 2 - 3 4 2 2

Th e Ce n t e r f or Ur ol og i c Car e J a y Lu t i n s , M DAl l a n Sc h a c h t e r , M DAr t h u r T h o m a s , M DDa v i d He p p s , M D

O f f i c e Ph on e : 4 1 2 - 6 7 2 - 3 4 2 2

Wh a t ’ s Ha p p e n i n g at UPMC McKeesport

U P M C M c K e e s p o r t1500 Fifth Ave.McKeesport, PA 15132

Even the smallest discovery is important. Doctors rely on quality images to make accurate diagnoses and treatment decisions fortheir patients. UPMC is a leader in creating and adopting cutting-edge technologiesto enhance medical imaging and improve patient care. In fact, some of the most innovative advances in the field of radiology have happened in our hospitals. And ourstate-of-the-art computer system allows imaging scans to be quickly accessed and viewed by physicians across our network with just the click of a mouse. Ouradvanced technology and expert radiologists can make a real difference in your care.Whether you need an x-ray or advanced radiology testing, trust Imaging Services at UPMC McKeesport. For more information or to schedule an appointment,call 412-664-CARE (2273) or visit UPMC.com/Imaging.

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

This publication is for informational 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.

Follow UPMC on Facebook.

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SUPERINTENDENT’S MESSAGE


Dear Members of the Woodland Hills SchoolDistrict Community,

Fall is my favorite season. The nip in the airis a welcome relief from the record heat we allendured this summer. And the start of anotherschool year, with all the promise that holds, isexciting and challenging.

When I welcomed back our teachers andstaff on August 20, I told them the goal for thiscoming school year is ZERO.

The most important number for our schooldistrict this year is ZERO -- as in ZEROAchievement Gap.

What do I mean by that?I mean we will close the achievement gap

among all students – a gap that has been get-ting wider year by year across this country.

How do I know we will be able to achievethis in the Woodland Hills School District?

I know because the Woodland HillsAcademy has already proved it can be done.They did it last year.

Their PSSA results were 69% proficiency inreading and 86% proficiency in math. Not onlydid the Academy make AYP (adequate yearlyprogress), so did Shaffer and WilkinsElementary Schools.

More importantly, the Academy was able toclose the achievement gap among all groups ofstudents in Math and narrow it significantly inReading. Significant gains in Math testing weremade across the District.

What happened last year at the Academyreally proved what I have long believed. There is one truism in education… any education…public or private…and it is this:there is simply no substitute for qualitytime on task.

That’s why we worked hard in our first yearto eliminate as many distractions from ourclassrooms as we possibly could.

That’s why we secured our buildings.That’s why we enforced a reasonable

zero-tolerance policy.That’s why we cut back on conferences and

meetings that took our teachers and principalsaway from the most important place for themto be: the classroom and the school.

It’s also why last year we opened theAcademy, despite many who thought it couldn’t be done in time.

Or, when it opened, some thought it couldnot produce the results it did.

It’s also why we extended hours at the highschool.

It’s why we doubled math periods at the junior and senior high schools.

And why we created a pathway to a FREEcollege education at Point Park.

Quality Time On Task.It’s what we have focused on from

Day One.And it’s what we’re going to continue

working on this year.We have more integrated technology in

more classrooms.We worked hard at cross-training many of

our District staff from other schools at theAcademy last year.

And we’re going to continue that this year.We’re also going to do a better job of

staying on top of programs for kids who arefalling behind. We saw what “Response ToIntervention” did at the Academy. So we’regoing to extend those practices across theDistrict.

In short, we’re going to continue to accelerate the drive to excellence that wepromised our kids and our parents.

Our goal in the Woodland Hills SchoolDistrict this year is Zero.

High achievement.In every school.With zero gaps.

Zero.

Sincerely yours,

Walter M. Calinger, Ph.D.Superintendent

2 4 3 0 G reensb urg P ik e, P it t sb urg h , P ennsylvania 1 5 2 2 1 | 4 1 2 . 7 3 1 . 1 3 0 0 | w w w . w h sd. k 1 2 . p a. us2430 Greensburg Pike, Pittsburgh, PA 15221 · 412.731.1300

2010 WHSD BOARD DIRECTORS:

(Back Row) R. Clanagan, R. Rinsma,Vice-President R. Driscoll, F. Kuhn

(Front Row) President M. Messina, B. Estocin, R. Tomasic, C. Filiak

Need Title

All material has been prepared and written by Maria McCool,Director of Communicationsfor the WHSD.

WOODLAND HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT

Single parents, dual wage-earner families, stay-at-home dads, foster and step families and guardians – all of these individuals are parent volunteers in our schools today. Why do parents try so hard to juggle work, parenting, extra-curricular activities and volunteering at their child’s school?

The answer is simple, even if scheduling volunteer time is not. Study after study has proven that the more personally involved andinvested parents are in their child’s education, the more successful thechild is in school.

Each school in the Woodland Hills School District has committedparent volunteers, especially at the elementary level in PTO organiza-tions and as chaperones for field trips and school activities. At the sec-ondary level, parents put in countless hours in athletic booster clubs,with the marching band and helping with theater productions.

We feature two of our parent volunteers on this issue’s cover. Bothare parents of children at the Woodland Hills Academy; Mrs. LisaBaldwin, president of the Academy PIE (Parents Involved in Education) organization and Mr. Ted Hammer, the District’s repre-sentative to the Parent Leadership Academy. Mr. Hammer volunteers atthe Woodland Hills Academy where his sons are in attendance andMr. Reginald Hickman is principal (also pictured on cover).

Often time, the time-consuming work of volunteering goes withoutthanks, but it is not un-noticed. And parents do have the satisfaction thattheir child is benefiting from their commitment. Schools, public and pri-vate, need the budget-extending resources provided by volunteers.

Grant makers, both governmental and private foundations, usuallyrequire demonstration of parental participation for funding. At the fed-eral level, Title I grants require that school districts have active parentalinvolvement. Now the state of Pennsylvania is helping school districts“train” parents to become more effective volunteers. The PennsylvaniaDepartment of Education (PDE) is providing funds for a parent volun-teer coordinator from each school district to be trained and mentored ina new program called the Parent Leadership Academy.

Academy volunteer Ted Hammer applied to be our parent volun-teer coordinator and he attended the inaugural training session this sum-mer. His training will continue throughout the school year. Mr.Hammer will share his training with parents, faculty, staff, and schooladministrators at each elementary school. He is exploring different waysto increase parental involvement in our schools, and looking for ways forparents to engage in more school activities.

He can be reached at the Academy at 412-824-2450,ext. 4125 or via email at [email protected]. He is inter-

ested in hearing from parents and teachers about vol-unteering in the WHSD.

The Parent Learning Academy is a pilot initiativefor the state and our District sees a real benefit to

this program. Woodland Hills CurriculumCoordinator Norm Catalano agrees that,

“having strong parental involvement is keyto our students’ success. The extent to

which a student’s family is able to create a home

environment that encourages learning,and has high, yet reasonable, expectations

really boosts academic achievement.”Working with Mr. Hammer as his

mentor and advisor is Mrs. Bonita Allen, thePLA consultant for volunteer coordina-

tors in western Pennsylvania. Sheis also a PIE consultant for the

Title I State Parent AdvisoryCouncil, so she serves as aresource for the AcademyPIE President Mrs.Baldwin. Mrs. Allen pro-

vides parent and com-munity engagementtraining and technicalassistance to districtsand schools acrossPennsylvania.

T h e F ac e of t h e P arent V olunt eer



T odayTwenty-five years of research have proven that effec-

tive parent and community involvement can help sup-port schools and increase student achievement. “Inalmost every case where there are schools with effectiveand engaging parents and community support, there is a

parent liaison coordinating theefforts,” added Mrs. Allen.“Research has proven the greatbenefit of investing in a positionto fulfill the role of parent andcommunity communicator, sup-porter and advocate,” she con-tinued, “And Ted is an excellentcandidate for this role in theWoodland Hills School District.I am delighted to be workingwith him.”

The PA Department ofEducation Division of FederalPrograms and the Title I StateParent Advisory Council createdthe Parent Leadership Academyto train and support parent vol-unteers to become coordinatorsand volunteer advocates in theirhome districts.

Mr. Hammer says he decidedto apply to be the first DistrictPLA representative when heheard a presentation given byDistrict administrator Dr.Anthony Robins at a Title I par-ent meeting. “I have found vol-unteering at my sons’ schoolextremely rewarding, butbecause of my involvement inthe PLA, I have been workingwith Lisa as President of PIE,

and the staff and parents of the Academy to increasevolunteerism at our school and across the District.”

“I appreciate being given the opportunity throughthe PLA to deliver the message about the many waysparents can volunteer in the schools and how thisinvolvement promotes higher academic achievementsby our students,” concluded Mr. Hammer. “You neverknow what surprises and benefits come your way whenyou raise your hand to say, ‘I’ll do it.’”

W HS D F ood S ervic eWith national attention currently focused on children’s health and wellnessissues, the Woodland Hills School District's Food Service Department is excitedto provide parents/guardians with a convenient, easy and secure online prepayment service to deposit money into their child's school meal account at any time. This service also provides parents the ability to view their child’s account

balance through a web site called MyNutrikids.com. By placing money in eachchild’s account prior to entering the cafeteria, the lunch lines move along muchfaster and students find they have more time to eat and socialize with friends. Also, parents/guardians have the ability to print out a report of their child’s

meal purchase history. This history report shows the dates and times of all food purchases within the past thirty days. These services became available on May 1, 2010.Parents/ guardians can now add money to student meal accounts using

MyNutriKids.com. When using a credit/debit card to add money to a student’saccount, the transaction may take as long as 24 hours to appear in the student’saccount. If paying with an E-Check, the transaction may take between 4-7 days to appear. For an introduction to using MyNutriKids.com, parents/guardians

can download a Parent Quick Reference Guide at http://whsd.web1.school-pointe.com/userfiles/990/download.pdf. If you experience any problems or have any questions, please call the

Woodland Hills Food Service Dept. at 412-731-1300., ext. 0187 or email the Food Services administrator at [email protected] set up a student account, follow these directions. Go to MyNutrikids.com.From this site parents/guardians can create a student account or add money

to an existing child's school meal account. All you need is your child’s name, student ID number and school ZIP code. Important things to know: • If you have more than one child in the District you can handle all online prepayments from the same online account.

• Payments may be made through an existing PayPal account or with a majorcredit or debit card only.

• In order to use the online prepayment service, a small convenience fee foreach transaction will be assessed to cover the associated bank fees.Woodland Hills School District does not profit from the use of this site.The District is very excited to offer this new service as a convenience to our

families. However, if parents/guardians choose not to take advantage of theonline prepayment service, they may continue to make advance payments viacheck. Checks should be made payable to the Woodland Hills School District.Please print the child’s full name on the check. If you have any questions about the new service, please contact WHSD Food

Services at: 412-731-1300, ext.01867 or email [email protected].

2 8 IN Woodland Hills

Registering your child is often the first step in a successful academic experience. TheWoodland Hills School District would like tomake the process go as smoothly as possible.Parents and legal guardians are asked to bringall of the necessary documents with them at thetime of registration. Parents/guardians may register their child

or children at our Central Registration Office at the Administration Building, Monday-Friday 8 a.m.- 3:30 p.m., or they may contact their local neighborhood school for registration hoursand information.Kindergarten registration and screenings are

done in the spring on – site at the elementaryschools. Children must be 5 years of age bySeptember 1st of the year they plan to startschool. There are a number of documents that

parents/guardians must bring with them toestablish District residency, as well as require-ments that children must meet before enteringschool. They are highlighted below:Documents required by the WHSD School Boardfor student registration:The following documents can be used as proofof residency. �Deed or Current Rental Agreement (Lease)and

� Valid PA Dept of Transportation identificationor PA driver’s license with current Districtaddress, and

� Current utility bill (Gas, Electric, Cable, Water)(within 30 days) with coinciding WHSDaddress, OR

� Copy of State/Federal Program enrollment,OR

� Copy of current paycheck stub (within 30days) with name and address ofparent/guardian, OR

�Mail of an official nature

In addition, Parent/Guardians must also presentthe following:

�Birth Certificate or Baptismal Certificate withChild’s D.O.B. (Required)

� Immunization Records (Required)

Students must have all updated shots, includingHepatitis B, two doses of MMR, and a dose ofthe varicella (chickenpox) vaccine. Pleaseremember that Immunization records will bereviewed by the school nurse for requiredupdates prior to child(ren) starting school.*Faxed documents are not accepted.

C ent ral R eg ist rat ion O f f ic eHours: 8:00 am-3:30 pm Monday through FridayLocation: Woodland Hills AdministrationBuilding, 2430 Greensburg Pike, Churchill, PA15221If you have any questions regarding registrationprocedures, please contact the CentralRegistration Office at 412-731-1300 ext. 0130.You may also contact your local neighborhoodschool for information.

WHSDTransportationThe Woodland Hills School District provides

transportation for all students that reside in theDistrict, including those that attend private,parochial and special education facilities. The District provides transportation in line withour approved Board policies as well as thePennsylvania Department of Education’sguidelines for pupil transportation.All of our District bus suppliers have

equipped their vehicles with audio and videomonitoring and they are being used for the2001-11 school year.Request for transportation services to

charter, private and parochial schools If students are transferring schools,

even if they are not moving from their currentin-district address, a parent/ guardian mustcome to the Central Registration office at 2430 Greensburg Pike and provide the following information:� Deed or Current Rental Agreement (lease),and

� Valid PA Dept of Transportation ID card, or PA Drivers License with current districtaddress, and

� Current utility bill (within 30 days) withcoinciding WHSD address, or

� Copy of federal/state program enrollment,or

� Copy of current pay stub (within 30 days)with name and address ofparent/guardian.

The Woodland Hills School District makes thesafe transportation of all the students in ourcare our first and foremost priority.

Student Registration

V A R S I T Y F O O T B A L L (BOYS)Head Coach - George Novak

Sept. 10 North Hills H 7:00 p.m.Sept. 17 Plum H 7:00 p.m.Sept. 24 Central Catholic A/H 7:00 p.m.Oct. 1 Altoona H 7:00 p.m.

(Homecoming)Oct. 8 Fox Chapel A 7:00 p.m.Oct. 15 Kiski H 7:00 p.m.Oct. 22 Pine-Richland A 7:00 p.m.Oct. 29 Penn Hills A 7:00 p.m.Nov. 5 WPIAL Playoffs TBA 7:00 p.m.

J . V . F O O T B A L L (BOYS)Sept. 11 North Hills HSept. 18 Plum A 8:00 p.m.Sept. 25 Central Catholic HOct. 2 Altoona A 7:30 p.m.Oct. 9 Fox Chapel HOct. 16 Kiski A 12:00 a.m.Oct. 23 Pine-Richland HOct. 30 Penn Hills H

S O P HM O R E F O O T B A L L (BOYS)Sept. 13 McKeesport HSept. 20 Mt. Lebanon A 8:00 p.m.Sept. 27 Belle Vernon HOct. 4 Altoona A 7:30 p.m.Oct. 11 Bethel Park HOct. 18 Seneca Valley A 12:00 p.m.Oct. 25 Open HNov. 1 Penn Hills H

The Woodland Hills High SchoolWolverine Football Team hosted a “Rally at the Wolvarena” in Turtle Creekon September 4, 2010.The Rally will featured national

marquee matches between theWolverines and three other WPIALteams playing against two powerhouseteams from Florida and two perenniallytop ranked schools from Ohio.The 8:00 PM marquee game matched

Woodland Hills against national rankedManatee High School of Bradenton, FL.Manatee, the 2009 Florida 5A runner-upand is ranked in the top 25 in some preseason national polls. TheWolverines lost by the score of 39 – 16, but they played tough.Manatee’s running back Mike Blakely

said after the game when talking aboutplaying Woodland Hills: “It was a veryphysical game. Every play [WoodlandHills] hit us, hit us and hit us. We weren’tused to that. But we had to show thatwe had a little toughness in us. On top of that, we had the speed.”

McKeesport lost to Steubenville High School 7 – 0, and ThomasJefferson High School, the reigningstate champion, lost its match-upagainst Cocoa, Florida, 43 -7. The onlyWPIAL team to emerge victorious wasCentral Catholic who beat AkronBuchtel by a score of 35 – 6. Ken Halloy, president of Halloy Boy

Sports Marketing in New Albany, Ohio is produced the event and creditsWoodland Hills Head Coach GeorgeNovak with helping to make the “Rally”such a high caliber event.“George (Novak) wanted me to go

get the best high school teams I couldfind,” said Halloy, “and the teams wewere able to attract were all top notch.” “Of course we would have liked to

win, but it was a fine day for football inWestern Pennsylvania, summed upWolverine Head Coach George Novak.Playing against such high caliber teamsonly brings out the best in your players.It’s the best preparation we can have to get us ready for our season.”

W P I A L C oac h es p art ic ip at ing in t h e R ally in t h e V alley:

J im W ard T erry T ot t en B ill C h erp ak G eorg e N ovak (McKeesport) (Central Catholic) (Thomas Jefferson) (Woodland Hills)



The WH Foundation is sponsoring the Tour du District, a bike ride aroundthe District, on October 2, 2010. The bike course will weave its waythrough each of the twelve communities that make up the Woodland HillsSchool District with a brief stop at every District school. The first launchwill be from Woodland Hills High School at 7:30 a.m. The second launch(5 mile ride) will leave the high school at 9:00 a.m.

The WH Foundation will use the registration fees and sponsorships toraise funds to support their Mini Grant and Scholarship programs in theschools. There will be three different distance rides: • a 5 mile ride, a comfortable family ride;• a 25 mile ride, that will pass each school in the District;• a 30 mile ride, a challenging course for expert riders.

Registration costs are $5 for the 5 mile run and $25 for the 25 and 30 mile runs.The Foundation is still recruiting sponsors, rider participants,

and volunteers. To pre-register or volunteer, contact the WH Foundation at

1.888.281.3241 or email them at [email protected]. You can alsostop by the Administration Building to pick up a registration form. Feescan be paid at the High School the morning of the Tour.The WH Foundation intends for the Tour de District to become an

annual event and its premiere fundraiser for the District. The Woodland Hills Foundation is an independent, non-profit 501(c) 3

organization dedicated to enhancing opportunities for students, facultyand administration in the Woodland Hills School District by encouragingcommunity-wide participation and philanthropy.

Some of the Foundation’s accomplishments over the last ten years are: • Coordinated a partnership with the Framing Hope national prod-

uct donation program to accept and distribute to the needy.Approximately $480,000 worth of items have been distributedsince September 2009.

• Awarded 90 Mini-Grants totaling $45,000 to teachers in theDistrict since 2002. Mini-Grants are modest cash awards thatencourage and facilitate great teaching ideas.

• Awarded Scholarships totaling $11,500 to 16 graduating seniorspursuing post-secondary education at non-four year institutions.

• Established with the McCool Family the Julia Anne McCoolMemorial Scholarship for the Arts and Humanities.

• Sponsored the All District Art Show since 2006.• Sponsored the Annual Alumni Cabaret for the past five years.

The Cabaret showcases Woodland Hills prestigious alumni fromthe district’s award winning musicals.

Upcoming events for the 2010-2011 school year:

• Tour du District: October 2, 2010• Diamonds & Chocolate: February 12, 2011• Red Carpet Gala: May 5, 2011• All District Art Show: May 13–15, 19-21, 2011• Alumni Cabaret: May 21, 2011

To learn more about the Foundation and our programs, please visit ourweb site www.woodlandhillsfoundation.org.

5 mile Easy - 9:00 AM start

25 mile District Tour - 7:30 AM start

30 mile Hill Climber ride - 7:30 AM start

Packet pick up at 6:30 AM - Pre Registration is encouraged

Start/Finish at Woodland Hills High School

http://tourdudistrict.blogspot.com/

Tour du DistrictOctober 2, 2010

W oodland Hills F oundat ion Host s T our A round D ist ric t



W oodland Hills Hig h S c h oolGrades 9-122550 Greensburg PikePittsburgh, PA 15221-3683

Phone: 412.244.1100Fax: 412.242.2344

Principal:Daniel StephensAssistant Principals:Nikola Drobac, Dawn GoldLicia Lentz

W oodland Hills S c h ool I nf orm at ion



D ic k son E lem ent aryGrades K-67301 Schoyer AvenueSwissvale, PA 15218

Phone: 412.731.5816Fax: 412.731.5818

Principal:Allison Kline

F airless E lem ent aryGrades K-6531 Jones AvenueNorth Braddock, PA 15104

Phone: 412.271.1317Fax: 412.271.6857

Principal:Jean LivingstonAssistant Principal:Kelly Berthold

W ilk ins E lem ent aryGrades K-6362 Churchill RoadWilkins Township, PA 15235

Phone: 412.824.3231Fax: 412.824.3244

Principal:Karen Bloch

E dg ew ood E lem ent ary S c h oolGrades K-6241 Maple AvenueEdgewood, PA 15218

Phone: 412.731.2238Fax: 412.731.2256

Principal:Janet Wilson-Carter

Assistant Principal:Charmayne Gather

W oodland Hills J unior Hig h S c h oolGrades 7-87600 Evans St.Pittsburgh, PA 15218

Phone: 412.351.0698Fax: 412.351.4064

Principal:Dawn Golden

S h af f er E lem ent ary S c h oolGrades K-637 Garden TerraceChurchill, PA 15221

Phone: 412.371.4535Fax: 412.371.4571

Principal:Dr. Deborah Vereen

W oodland HillsA c adem yGrades K-6126 Monroeville AvenueTurtle Creek, PA 15145

Phone: 412.824.2450Fax: 412.824.2597

Principal:Reginald Hickman



MONTH DAY

A ug ust 23 Clerical Day (Teachers Only)24 First Day for Students

S ep t em b er 6 Labor Day (NO SCHOOL)24 Clerical

O c t ob er 11 Inservice/Teachers Only

N ovem b er 11 Parent Teacher Conference (Pre K-12) (Act 80)*

25-29 Thanksgiving Holiday

D ec em b er 20-31 Winter Break

J anuary 17 Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday

F eb ruary 18 Inservice/Teachers Only21 President’s Day21* Snow Day

M arc h 3 Parent TeacherConference (Act 80)*

4 Inservice/Teachers Only

A p ril 21-25 Spring Break

M ay 30 Memorial Day

J une 3 Last Day for Students/Graduation6 Clerical (Teachers Only)7 Inservice (8 a.m. - 1 p.m.) Wellness Day28 Kennywood PicnicGraduation is scheduled for June 3, 2011 at the High School. Graduation will take place on the 180th student day.

* February 21, 2011 is a designated Snow Day. Additional Snow Days will be made up at the end of the school year.

P arent T eac h er

C onf erenc e

N ovem b er 1 1

P re K - 1 2

8 a. m . - 3 : 3 0 p . m .

P arent T eac h er

C onf erenc eM arc h 3P re K - 1 2

W oodland Hills S c h ool D ist ric t 2 0 1 0 - 1 1 C alendar

O p en House

S ep t em b er 2 1

J unior Hig h 7 - 9 p . m .O p en House

S ep t em b er 2 2

E lem ent ary 7 - 9 p . m .O p en House

S ep t em b er 2 3

Hig h S c h ool 7 - 9 p . m .

1 2 3 4 5 6 78 9 10 11 12 13 1415 16 17 18 19 20 2122 23 24 25 26 27 2829 30 31

1 2 3 45 6 7 8 9 10 1112 13 14 15 16 17 1819 20 21 22 23 24 2526 27 28 29 30

1 23 4 5 6 7 8 910 11 12 13 14 15 1617 18 19 20 21 22 2324 25 26 27 28 29 3031

1 2 3 4 5 67 8 9 10 11 12 1314 15 16 17 18 19 2021 22 23 24 25 26 2728 29 30

1 2 3 45 6 7 8 9 10 1112 13 14 15 16 17 1819 20 21 22 23 24 2526 27 28 29 30 31

12 3 4 5 6 7 89 10 11 12 13 14 1516 17 18 19 20 21 2223 24 25 26 27 28 2930 31

1 2 3 4 56 7 8 9 10 11 1213 14 15 16 17 18 1920 21 22 23 24 25 2627 28

1 2 3 4 56 7 8 9 10 11 1213 14 15 15 17 18 1920 21 22 23 24 25 2627 28 29 30 31

1 23 4 5 6 7 8 910 11 12 13 14 15 1617 18 19 20 21 22 2324 25 26 27 28 29 30

1 2 3 4 5 6 78 9 10 11 12 13 1415 16 17 18 19 20 2122 23 24 25 26 27 2829 30 31

1 2 3 45 6 7 8 9 10 1112 13 14 15 16 17 1819 20 21 22 23 24 2526 27 28 29 30

* Act 80 Days are counted as student days. Students do not report

* Act 80 Days are counted as student days. Students do not report


W oodland Hills S c h ool D ist ric t C om m unit y S w im P rog ramFALL 2010

WHSD Recreational Swim POOL passes now on sale at the Junior High Pool or the Academy Pool duringscheduled Recreation swim pool hours. See lifeguard for details. The prices are:

Family Pass $35;

Individual Pass $15. Passes good through May, 2011

ADULT STROKE CLINIC -- Beginning September 15th

Wednesdays, 7:00-8:00-pm at the Junior High Pool

This clinic is for swimmers 18 and older who want to refine their strokes whileswimming at their own pace. Focus is on technique not on fast swimming. All fourstrokes will be reviewed and if time allows, so will the various turns. A coach fromWoodland Hills Aquatic Team (WHAT) will be on hand to help participants work onstroke development. The ability to easily swim the length of the pool (any stroke)and a willingness to learn is required.

Cost: $4 per session or $25 for 8 weeks.

J unior Hig h S c h ool P ool A c adem y P ool

Monday 6:45-8:30 pm OPEN SWIMAll ages welcomeA lane will be set up for lap swimmers

Tuesday

Wednesday 7:00-8:00 pm ADULT STROKE CLINIC 5:30-7:30 pm OPEN SWIMA coach will provide instruction to assist All ages welcomeparticipants in stroke techniquedevelopment. A separate fee will becharged for this clinic.

Thursday

Friday

Saturday 10:00 – 11:00 am ADULT SWIM 10:00 am – noon OPEN SWIMPool set up for lap swimming All ages welcome.(ages 18 andover)11:00 – 12:30 pm OPEN SWIMAll ages welcome. A lane will be set asidefor lap swimmers. Some weeks will be setaside for group lessons. Advance noticewill be given.

1. This schedule is effective August 30th with the exception of the Adult Stroke Clinic which will begin later in September.2. Pool passes may be purchased at either pool during scheduled hours. An individual pass (good through May, 2011) is $15. Afamily pass (good through May, 2011) is $35. Patrons also have the option of paying $1 per swim session.3. The fee for the Adult Stroke Clinic is $4 per session or $25 for eight weeks.




MONTH DAY

A ug ust 2 Clerical Day (Teachers Only)3 First Day for Students

S ep t em b er 6 Labor Day (NO SCHOOL)24 Clerical/Teachers Only

O c t ob er 11 Inservice/Teachers Only

N ovem b er 5 Parent Teacher Conference (Act 80)

25-29 Thanksgiving Holiday

D ec em b er 20-31 Winter Break

J anuary 17 Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday

F eb ruary 18 Inservice/Teachers Only21 President’s Day21* Snow Day

M arc h 4 Inservice/Teachers Only9 Parent Teacher

Conference (Act 80)

A p ril 21-25 Spring Break

M ay 30 Memorial Day

J une 7 Inservice/Teachers Only (8 a.m. - 1 p.m.)13 Last Day for Students14 Clerical (Teachers Only)28 Kennywood Picnic

W oodland Hills A c adem y 2 0 1 0 - 1 1 C alendar

O p en House

S ep t em b er 2 3

The final Inservice Day (6/7/11) and the final Clerical Day (6/14/11) for staff will be held after all snow dayshave been served.

* February 21, 2011 is a designated Snow Day. Additional Snow Days will be made up at the end of the school year.

1 2 3 4 5 6 78 9 10 11 12 13 1415 16 17 18 19 20 2122 23 24 25 26 27 2829 30 31

1 2 3 45 6 7 8 9 10 1112 13 14 15 16 17 1819 20 21 22 23 24 2526 27 28 29 30

1 23 4 5 6 7 8 910 11 12 13 14 15 1617 18 19 20 21 22 2324 25 26 27 28 29 3031

1 2 3 4 5 67 8 9 10 11 12 1314 15 16 17 18 19 2021 22 23 24 25 26 2728 29 30

1 2 3 45 6 7 8 9 10 1112 13 14 15 16 17 1819 20 21 22 23 24 2526 27 28 29 30 31

12 3 4 5 6 7 89 10 11 12 13 14 1516 17 18 19 20 21 2223 24 25 26 27 28 2930 31

1 2 3 4 56 7 8 9 10 11 1213 14 15 16 17 18 1920 21 22 23 24 25 2627 28

1 2 3 4 56 7 8 9 10 11 1213 14 15 15 17 18 1920 21 22 23 24 25 2627 28 29 30 31

1 23 4 5 6 7 8 910 11 12 13 14 15 1617 18 19 20 21 22 2324 25 26 27 28 29 30

1 2 3 4 5 6 78 9 10 11 12 13 1415 16 17 18 19 20 2122 23 24 25 26 27 2829 30 31

1 2 3 45 6 7 8 9 10 1112 13 14 15 16 17 1819 20 21 22 23 24 2526 27 28 29 30

P arent T eac h er

C onf erenc e

N ovem b er 5

A ll L evels 1 2 : 3 0 - 8 p . m .

P arent T eac h er

C onf erenc eM arc h 9G rades 4 - 7

8 a. m . - 3 : 3 0 p . m .


I nt ernet A c c ep t ab le U se P olic y and I nt ernet S af et y C onsent F ormThis is a new form for the 2010-11 school year. (see form A)Parents and guardians must complete, sign, and return this formto their child’s school, in order for a student to have access anduse the internet at school. Without this permission, students will not be able to engage in any computer work either in theclassroom or on any school computer they may use for study or extra-curriculum activities.

S t udent P h ot o & I dent if ic at ion R elease F orm This is the annual form (see form B) that parents must sign inorder for the School District to use their child’s image in WHSDpromotional and educational materials. The CommunicationsDepartment routinely issues news releases, updates the webnews stories and creates brochures and publications, such asthe community magazine, In Woodland Hills. We sometimes use photos and identify students who have earned awards,scholarships, competitions, or have specific achievements orathletic records

Parents are to complete, sign, and return this form to theirchild’s school.

P arent al A c t ion R eq uired - Emergency Contact Cards

Student�s Name (Please Print): _____________________________________________ Student�s School: __________________________________________________ Parent (Guardian) phone number: _______________________________________________ Parent (Guardian) email address: __________________________________________________ Student Signature: __________________________________________________ Parent (Guardian) Signature: __________________________________________________

Student Photo & Identification Release Form

I HEREBY GRANT PERMISSION TO THE WOODLAND HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT TO ALLOW MY SON/DAUGHTER TO BE ( VIDEORECORDED/

PHOTOGRAPHED/INTERVIEWED) FOR PUBLICATION ON THE DISTRICT

WEBSITE, IN A DISTRICT PUBLICATION, OR IN A MEDIA NEWS RELEASE. I UNDERSTAND THAT MY SON/DAUGHTER MAY BE IDENTIFIED BY NAME IF HE/SHE IS BEING PUBLICIZED FOR A SCHOOL AWARD, ACADEMIC OR ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENT, OR COMMUNITY RECOGNITION. PLEASE RETURN THIS FORM TO YOUR CHILD�S HOMEROOM TEACHER BY AUGUST 30, 2010.

STUDENT NAME _______________________________________ PARENT SIGNATURE _______________________________________ STUDENT SIGNATURE _______________________________________ DATE _______________________________________ SCHOOL _______________________________________ WOODLAND HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT

1. Photos of individual students and student work will be permitted on the website and in District publications and media news releases with parent permission. Individual students will be identified by name for promotion of student achievements with parent permission.

2. Group pictures without names will be allowed on the website.

3. Documents may not include a student�s email address, phone number, mailing

address, names of other family members, or names of friends.

At the beginning of each new school year,parents and guardians are asked to updatethe information on their child’s emergencycontact card. It is of the utmost importancefor our schools to be able to contact fami-lies quickly in case of an emergency. Thesecards are to be returned to the school yourchild attends.

A

B



Student�s Name (Please Print): _____________________________________________ Student�s School: __________________________________________________ Parent (Guardian) phone number: _______________________________________________ Parent (Guardian) email address: __________________________________________________ Student Signature: __________________________________________________

A




Student Photo & Identification Release Form

I HEREBY GRANT PERMISSION TO THE WOODLAND HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT TO ALLOW MY SON/DAUGHTER TO BE ( VIDEORECORDED/

PHOTOGRAPHED/INTERVIEWED) FOR PUBLICATION ON THE DISTRICT

WEBSITE, IN A DISTRICT PUBLICATION, OR IN A MEDIA NEWS RELEASE. I UNDERSTAND THAT MY SON/DAUGHTER MAY BE IDENTIFIED BY NAME IF HE/SHE IS BEING PUBLICIZED FOR A SCHOOL AWARD, ACADEMIC OR ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENT, OR COMMUNITY RECOGNITION. PLEASE RETURN THIS FORM TO YOUR CHILD�S HOMEROOM TEACHER BY AUGUST 30, 2010.

STUDENT NAME _______________________________________ PARENT SIGNATURE _______________________________________ STUDENT SIGNATURE _______________________________________ DATE _______________________________________ SCHOOL _______________________________________ WOODLAND HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT

1. Photos of individual students and student work will be permitted on the website and in District publications and media news releases with parent permission. Individual students will be identified by name for promotion of student achievements with parent permission.

2. Group pictures without names will be allowed on the website.

3. Documents may not include a student�s email address, phone number, mailing

address, names of other family members, or names of friends.

B



The Woodland Hills School District recently connected with the Verizon FiOS cable supplier and District events, such as the monthly Board Meetings can now be viewed on Verizon FiOS Channel 37.This channel is an addition to our other Community Accesschannels:

C om c ast C h annel 1 3 : covers Churchill - Braddock Hills - East Pittsburgh - Turtle Creek - WilkinsC om c ast C h annel 9 8 : Braddock - Chalfont - Edgewood - Forest Hills - Rankin - Swissvale

If viewers are not able to get Channel 98, you may need to "rescan" your TV. Verizon FiOS Channel 37 covers WHSD, Penn Hills &Monroeville

W oodland Hills F oot b all on t h e A irFor the seventh straight season, A.W. Gusky Productions will broadcast Woodland Hills Football games. Radio broadcasts of the games are carried live on the radio and on TV, as well as live and archived on two websites. Radio coverage is on WLFP AM-1550 in Pittsburgh. The “Radio on TV”simulcasts are on Monroeville Area Comcast channel 4 & 13,Penn Hills Area Comcast channel 98 and Eastern SuburbanVerizon Fios channel 37. Internet coverage is live on1550wlfp.com, as well as live and archived on msasports.net.

There are also tape delayed telecasts of every game shortlyafter the conclusion of each game. The telecasts are alsoreplayed throughout each week of the season. The telecastscan be seen on Monroeville Area Comcast channel 4 & 13,Penn Hills Area Comcast channel 98 and Eastern SuburbanVerizon Fios channel 37.Adam Gusky, (WHHS ’97) calls the play by play. Adam played

on the Wolverine Football teams from 1994-1996, including the1996 WPIAL Championship Team. Matt Kirk, (WHHS ’96) han-dles the color commentary. Russ Reamer, another WoodlandHills alumnus, is the studio producer and announces scoresfrom around the WPIAL. Russ also hosts a College and Profootball preview during each halftime.

COMMUNITY ACCESS TELEVISION

V A R S I T Y F O O T B A L L (BOYS)Day Date Opponent H/A KICKOFF ON-AIR

SAT Sept. 10 North Hills H 7:00 p.m. 6:40 p.m.FRI Sept. 17 Plum H 7:00 p.m. 6:40 p.m.FRI Sept. 24 Central Catholic A/H 7:00 p.m. 6:40 p.m.FRI Oct. 1 Altoona H 7:00 p.m. 6:40 p.m.

(Homecoming)FRI Oct. 8 Fox Chapel A 7:00 p.m. 6:40 p.m.FRI Oct. 15 Kiski H 7:00 p.m. 6:40 p.m.

(Senior Recognition)FRI Oct. 22 Pine-Richland A 7:30 p.m. 7:10 p.m.FRI Oct. 29 Penn Hills A 7:30 p.m. 7:10 p.m.

Norwin | Fall 2010 | i nc om m u ni ty m a ga z i nes .c om 3 9

2 0 1 0 - 1 1 C R O S S C O U N T R YHead Coach - Daniel Collier

Sept. 11 Red White A 8:00 a.m. 7:00 a.m. & Blue Classic

Sept. 18 Altoona Invitational A 9:30 a.m. 7:00 a.m.Sept. 21 Highlands/Plum A 3:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m.Sept. 28 Kiski/McKeesport A 4:00 p.m. 2:30 p.m.Oct. 2 Central Catholic A 9:30 a.m. 7:00 a.m.

InvitationalOct. 5 Fox Chapel/Central/ H 3:30 p.m.

Oakland CatholicOct. 12 Gateway/Penn Hills A 4:00 p.m. 2:30 p.m.Oct. 21 Tri-State A 3:30 p.m. TBAOct. 28 WPIAL A TBA TBA

ChampionshipsNov. 6 PIAA Championships A TBA TBA

All Home meets are played at Woodland Hills High School, 2550 Greensburg Pike,Pittsburgh, PA 15221.

2 0 1 0 - 1 1 B O Y ’ S S O C C E RHead Coach - Delroy “Lucky” Russell

Sept. 14 *Fox Chapel H 3:30 p.m.Sept. 16 *Franklin Regional A JV 6:30 p.m. 5:15 p.m.

V 8:00 p.m.Sept. 21 *Central Catholic H 3:30 p.m.Sept. 23 *Gateway A JV 6:15 p.m. 5:15 p.m.

V 8:00 p.m.Sept. 25 *Penn Hills H 10:00 a.m.Sept. 30 *Plum H 3:30 p.m.Oct. 5 *Fox Chapel A JV 5:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m.

V 7:00 p.m.Oct. 7 *Franklin Regional H 3:30 p.m.Oct. 12 *Central Catholic A 6:00 p.m. 4:45 p.m. Oct. 14 *Gateway H 3:30 p.m.Oct. 19 *Penn Hills A JV 6:00 p.m. 4:45 p.m.

V 7:30 p.m.

All Home matches are played at Woodland Hills High School, 2550 GreensburgPike, Pittsburgh, PA 15221.

2 0 1 0 - 1 1 G I R L ’ S T E N N I SHead Coach - Dan Schuller

Sept. 16 Section Singles A TBA TBASept. 16 Section Singles A TBA TBASept. 20 *McKeesport H 3:30 p.m.Sept. 22 *Shadyside Academy A 3:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m.Sept. 23 Section Singles A TBA TBASept. 24 Section Singles A TBA TBASept. 27 *Plum H 3:30 p.m.Sept. 29 *Fox Chapel H 3:30 p.m.Sept. 30 Section Doubles A TBA TBAOct. 1 Section Doubles A TBA TBAOct. 4 *Penn Hills A 3:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m.Oct. 6 *Shaler H 3:30 p.m.Oct. 7 WPIAL Section A TBA TBA

DoublesOct. 8 WPIAL Section A TBA TBA

Doubles* Denotes Section Games

All Home matches are played at Woodland Hills High School, 2550 GreensburgPike, Pittsburgh, PA 15221.

2 0 1 0 - 1 1 J U N I O R HI G H S W I M M I N GHead Coach - Brad Nepa

Sept. 21 Franklin Regional A 4:30 p.m. 3:00 p.m. Sept. 28 Somerset H 4:30 p.m.Sept. 30 McKeesport H 4:30 p.m.Oct. 5 Hempfield H 4:30 p.m.Oct. 7 Relay Meet A 4:30 p.m. 3:00 p.m.Oct. 12 Penn Hills H 4:30 p.m.Oct. 19 Derry A 4:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m.Oct. 21 Laurel Highlands A 4:30 p.m. 2:15 p.m.Oct. 23 Invitational A 10:00 a.m. 8:00 a.m.

All Home meets are played at Woodland Hills Junior High School, 7600 EvansAvenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15218.

2 0 1 0 - 1 1 7 t h and 8 t h G R A D E G I R L ’ S B A S K E T B A L LHead Coach - Patrick Donley

Sept. 16 *Pine-Richland A 3:30 p.m. 2:00 p.m.Sept. 21 *Franklin Regional A 4:00 p.m. 2:15 p.m. Sept. 23 *O’ Block (Plum) H 3:45 p.m.Sept. 27 North Hills A 3:45 p.m. 2:15 p.m.Sept. 29 *McKeesport A 4:00 p.m. 2:15 p.m.Sept. 30 *Norwin (Gold) H 3:45 p.m.Oct. 5 *Gateway A 3:45 p.m. 2:15 p.m. Oct. 7 *Penn Hills H 3:45 p.m.Oct. 11 *Franklin Regional H 3:45 p.m.Oct. 13 *O’ Block (Plum) A 3:45 p.m. 2:15 p.m.Oct. 15 North Hills H 3:45 p.m.Oct. 19 *McKeesport H 3:45 p.m.Oct. 21 *Norwin A 4:00 p.m. 2:15 p.m.Oct. 25 *Gateway H 3:45 p.m.Oct. 27 *Penn Hills A 4:00 p.m. 2:15 p.m.

* Denotes Section Games

All Home meets are played at Woodland Hills Junior High School, 7600 EvansAvenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15218.

2 0 1 0 - 1 1 7 t h and 8 t h G R A D E G I R L ’ S S O C C E RHead Coach - Michelle Ginia

Sept. 17 Ellis H 3:45 p.m.Sept. 21 *Fox Chapel H 3:45 p.m.Sept. 23 *Plum A 4:00 p.m. 2:15 p.m. Sept. 27 *Franklin Regional H 3:45 p.m.Sept. 29 *Penn Hills H 3:45 p.m.Oct. 1 *Gateway A 3:45 p.m. 2:15 p.m. Oct. 5 *Kiski A 3:45 p.m. 2:00 p.m. Oct. 7 *McKeesport H 3:45 p.m.Oct. 8 Ellis A 4:00 p.m. 2:15 p.m.Oct. 11 *Fox Chapel A 3:45 p.m. 2:15 p.m. Oct. 13 *Plum H 3:45 p.m.Oct. 15 *Franklin Regional A 4:00 p.m. 2:15 p.m.Oct. 19 *Penn Hills A 4:00 p.m. 2:15 p.m. Oct. 21 *Gateway H 3:45 p.m.Oct. 25 *Kiski H 3:45 p.m.Oct. 28 *McKeesport A 4:00 p.m. 2:15 p.m.

* Denotes Section Games

All Home matches are played at Wilkins Primary on CHurchill Road, Churchill.

More Sports...

40 IN Woodland Hills


School Administrator Bikes 250Miles Around High SchoolElementary Assistant Principal Jerry Chessman Spent part of his Labor Day weekend saying “Thank You” tothe Students of the District for their Hard Work.Mr. Chessman, an assistant principal at Shaffer and Wilkins

Elementary Schools, is helping the Woodland Hills Foundationto organize its Tour Du District fundraiser on Oct 2. In order topromote this event and to draw attention to the many wonder-ful students in the WHSD, he decided to bike non-stop furtherand longer than he ever has."I decided to start cycling around the Woodland Hills High

School after schoolon Friday,September 3 and notstop until I reached250 miles. I wantedto do this to showmy appreciation forall of the hard workthat Woodland Hillsstudents have donein the last year,"explained Mr.Chessman. "I alsohoped to raiseawareness for theTour Du Districtfundraiser that isbeing sponsored bythe WH Foundation

on Oct. 2. I want to encourage riders to sign up for the Tour."When he is not working as an administrator in the District,

Mr. Chessman can be found riding his bike around Forest Hills,where he lives, and throughout the District’s municipalities. Hehas also biked in many different states and countries.Many of Mr. Chessman’s students, their families, his fellow

teachers and administrators, and his neighbors and friendsturned out on Friday afternoon and throughout the evening tocheer him on his marathon ride. Some supporters even cycleda few loops around the high school with him and some skated,walked, or ran.In the middle of the night, WH Foundation President Steve

Gough joined Mr. Chessman on his journey and they werejoined later by Forest Hills Councilman Steve Karas. On Saturday morning, after 18 hours of non-stop cycling

and covering a distance of 253 miles, (3 miles over his target),Mr. Chessman completed the final laps with two of his formerstudents. It was a fitting end to what started as an improbablemission to do something totally positive to promote the District,our students and the work of the Woodland Hills Foundation.He certainly achieved all of his goals. Thank you, Mr. Chessman. You are a true champion!

WHSD Profile: Agatha Leonard, Director of Special Education

Meet the new Director of Special Education for the Woodland HillsSchool District, Mrs. Agatha Leonard. Although Mrs. Leonardassumed this new position on July 1, 2010, she is definitely not newto our District.

Mrs. Leonard came to Woodland Hills in 2008 as an assistantprincipal for Woodland Hills High School. She was then appointedas Principal at Shaffer Elementary School in 2009.

Her different positions in the District are an indication of herstrong administrative capabilities, varied educational experiences,and her genuine willingness to help the District wherever she is

most needed.Now that Mrs.

Leonard has takenover her new leader-ship position, she isputting her 29 yearsof experience in areaof Special Educationto good use. In hercareer as an educator,she has served in 18schools, 6 school dis-tricts, 5 states, andhas positively affectedthe lives of 68,000students before sherelocated toPittsburgh.

Her first teaching position was as a special education resourceroom teacher in an elementary school in Gueydan, Louisiana whichis her hometown. So it appears that she has now come full circle.

“Becoming the Director of Special Education gives me an oppor-tunity to ensure that every student within our school district isafforded a quality, exemplary education experience, “ explainedMrs. Leonard. “All means all.”

“I subscribe to the belief that was expressed in one of our Districtleadership seminars by ELI educator Bob Christie,” said Mrs.Leonard. “He quoted African leader, Kwame Nkrumah, of Ghana,West Africa who described his vision of education:

‘Education consists not only in the sum of what man knows, orthe skill with which he can put this to his own advantage. In myview, a man’s education must be measured in terms of the sound-ness of his judgment of people and things, and his powers to under-stand and appreciate the needs of his fellowmen, and be of serviceto them. The educated man should be so sensitive to the conditionsaround him that he makes it his chief endeavor to improve thoseconditions for the good of all.’ “

“This is a good summary,” Mrs. Leonard stressed, “of my philos-ophy concerning Special Education’s role in ensuring that all of thechildren in our care are given the opportunity to dream andachieve.”

Uterine fibroids are a common condition, affecting approximately three out offour women. Although noncancerous, fibroids can sometimes cause symptomsthat include unusual periods and pelvic and back pain. If you have these symptoms,consult your doctor. If you’ve been diagnosed with uterine fibroids, the Fibroid Treatment Center at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC will help youunderstand all the alternatives available. We were the first in the region to em-ploy a multidisciplinary approach that brings a number of experts together to de-termine the best treatment plan, including minimally invasive techniques. Ourboard-certified gynecologists, along with surgeons and radiologists, work withyour primary care physician to provide seamless care – as well as peace of mind.

Fibroids are common.Our approach to treating them is not.

To learn more, visit UPMCMagee.com or call 412-641-4435.

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