INTRODUCTION
Message from Dr. Vitale
The 2019-20 school year proved to be a tale of two worlds; one very much unlike the other.
We started off strong under the standards of which we were accustomed and how we function as a top school district in the Commonwealth. As you will see in the content of this annual report, we were experiencing a promising year with student success in the classrooms, on the playing fields and within the extracurricular activities that make up this great school district.
We know what happened in March 2020 brought change unlike anything we have ever experienced. The words “pivot” and “unprecedented” became familiar terms in many of our communications to staff, students and families. But what we also discovered is that we continued to be strong under the tremendous weight of a national pandemic. We found within us a strength we did not realize we possessed when faced with incredible hardships and unknowns. Many in our school staff and community rolled up their sleeves and found ways to help one another, whether it was through food, financial donations or emotional support.
We also stretched our imaginations and found innovative ways to engage and connect with one another at a time when physical distancing became the mantra for which we lived. This time shined a bright light on the need to change how we envision and imagine the future for our children. I am pleased to be a part of these changes as we continue to grow and move forward.
Most importantly, in this time of reflection, I want to share that I am proud of every one of our students—and certainly our staff—for being resilient and standing together through 2020. I know we will continue to see change and even challenges in the time ahead, but I strongly believe our school community will continue Imagining the Future with great promise and success.
Dr. Tracy Vitale
SENECA VALLEY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
2020 School Board
Mr. James Nickel
Board President, Cranberry Township West I and West II, Region 2
Mr. Eric DiTullio
Board Vice President, Lancaster and Forward Townships, Region 8
Ms. Leslie Bredl
Cranberry Township East I and II,
Region 1
Ms. Susan Harrison
Cranberry Township West III,
Region 3
Mr. Timothy Hester
Cranberry Township East III and
West V, Region 5
Mr. Mike Jacobs
Zelienople Borough, Region 6
Mr. Frederick Peterson Jr.
Cranberry Township West IV and VI,
Region 4
Ms. Kathy Whittle
Evans City and Seven Fields Boroughs, Region 7
Mr. Jeff Widdowson
Callery and Harmony Boroughs
and Jackson Township, Region 9
School board meeting information, agendas and minutes can be found on the school district website at svsd.net/school_board.
Our Mission
In collaboration with family and community, the mission of the Seneca Valley School District is to provide a nurturing and safe environment with academically challenging opportunities, emphasizing digital citizenship, innovation, and global awareness in order to prepare our students to be productive and contributing citizens.
INSPIRE
The Seneca Valley School District’s Special Education Department is committed to meeting the needs of students with disabilities and helping them reach their potential. The Seneca Valley School District offers a continuum of services and placement options to meet the needs of each student. Services include but are not limited to:
- Autistic Support
- Blind-Visually Impaired Support
- Deaf and Hard of Hearing Support
- Emotional Support
- Learning Support
- Life Skills Support
- Multiple Disabilities Support
- Speech and Language Support
In addition, services for eligible students may also be provided by Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV (MIU-IV). Services provided by MIU-IV may be provided in the district by itinerant MIU-IV staff or in multi-district programs.
Gifted Education
If a student demonstrates a potential need for gifted services, a multidisciplinary evaluation is conducted to determine if the child is in need of special programming. The evaluation process may be initiated by school staff or by a child’s parent, who may do so by contacting the building principal.
The amount and type of gifted support to be received by a student is determined on an individual basis annually by the child’s Gifted Individualized Education Program (GIEP) team, of which the parent is a very important member.
2020 Special Education Programs included the following:
- Community based vocational training
- On-campus vocational training:
- Raider Roast coffee shop
- Raider Gear spirit wear kiosk
- Seneca Square smoothie shop
- Shopping
- Banking
- Community based travel instruction
- Independent living room
- Best Buddies
All inclusive
A new, inclusive sensory room/maker space is at Seneca Valley Senior High School—completely designed and created by SV students!
Exceptional students in special education were introduced to the new interactive learning classroom for the first time on Jan. 21, 2020.
The idea began in 2018 when Seneca Valley Senior High School Applied Engineering and Technology Teacher Steve Fortunato pitched the idea to the special education department about opening a hands-on learning class for life skills students.
They piloted the class in 2019, and the following year Mr. Fortunato opened up the space to the Seneca Valley Architecture, Construction and Engineering (SV ACE) Externship students for a complete renovation.
Through the research of SV ACE students and donations from the Seneca Valley Foundation and Fun Fore All, the room is a fully functional sensory room/maker space equipped with kinesthetic learning projects, sensory boards, aromatherapy, alternative lighting and alternative seating.
“I am extremely proud of what the ACE students have done with the new space,” stated Mr. Fortunato. “Not only did they design both a meaningful and useful maker space, but they built a relationship with students who they may otherwise have never gotten the chance to know. Although I am truly excited for what they have done, I am more excited to see how this space will continue to grow and morph into a learning hub for our life skills students.”
ENRICH
Total number of athletic programs (male and female combined)
Extracurricular clubs/activities for grades 7-12
Students who participate in athletics (1,032 boys, 789 girls; grades 7-12)
Total percentage of students who participate in athletics (grades 7-12)
Total number of students who participate in extracurricular clubs/activities (grades 7-12)
%
Total percentage of students who participate in extracurricular clubs/activities (grades 7-12)
Honor Roll Athletes (22.13%)
High Honor Roll Athletes (14.77%)
Highest Honor Roll Athletes (55.19%)
Total number of honors students (92.09%)
Estimated hours athletes invest in sports weekly
Students who are part of a club that serves our communities
Staff members who serve as advisors for these extracurricular activities
Making a splash with the Seneca Valley Aquatic Center!
This new facility replaces the 56-year-old Seneca Valley Natatorium on the secondary campus and features a larger pool deck and greater seating capacity. The design was specifically made to accommodate training and competition for swimming, diving, water polo and a host of other water sports. It will also be able to accommodate several simultaneous activities as it has eight lanes and two one-meter springboards.
To learn more about the Aquatic Center visit svsd.net/AquaticCenter.
SV PROUD
Nationally recognized
Seneca Valley Band students Kate Scanlan (trombone, SV ‘20) and Sean Scott (baritone saxophone, SV ‘20) were selected to participate in the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) All-National Honor Ensembles in Orlando, Fl., Nov. 7-10, 2019.
Over 500 students from 49 states and territories were selected to perform in the National Music Ensembles. Miss Scanlan was selected as the only student from Pennsylvania to perform in the National Jazz Ensemble and Mr. Scott was selected as one of only eight students from Pennsylvania to perform in the National Concert Band.
High honors
The Seneca Valley Junior Reserved Officers’ Training Corps was named a 2019-20 “Honor Unit with Distinction” by the U.S. Department of the Army.
The Department of the Army presented this award to JROTC units that maintained an exceptionally high standard of performance during the 2018-19 school year.
In order to receive the award, a JROTC unit must undergo a two-part evaluation process: a formal inspection and a unit report. The Department of the Army announced that the Seneca Valley JROTC is part of an elite group that achieved this status out of over 1,700 Army JROTC programs across the nation.
Top scorers
David Choi (SV ’21) earned the highest possible ACT composite score of 36.
Only around two-tenths of 1% of students who take the ACT earn a top score. In the U.S. high school graduating class of 2018, only 3,741 out of more than 1.9 million graduates who took the ACT earned a top composite score of 36.
Albert Pimenov (SV ’27) was honored as one of the brightest students in the world at a recent international Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) awards ceremony.
Albert was honored for his exceptional performance on the SAT, ACT, or similar assessment taken as part of the CTY Talent Search. CTY uses above-grade-level testing to identify advanced students from around the world and provide a clear picture of their true academic abilities.
Bringing home gold
Keely Lisco (SV ’20) was announced as a national gold medal and a national American Visions Award winner in the 2020 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards Competition.
Miss Lisco won for her mixed media piece titled “Over the Mountains.”
Music to our ears
Seneca Valley School District has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education.
The Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students.
Aspiring students
Kaitlyn Moore (SV ’21), and Rachel Spear (SV ’22) and Veronica Pimenova (SV ’22), were recognized by the National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT).
Miss Moore and Miss Spear were selected as 2020 Central and Western Pennsylvania Affiliate Honorable Mention recipients of the NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing.
Miss Pimenova was named a 2020 Central and Western Pennsylvania Affiliate Rising Star recipient of the NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing.
They were recognized for their computing-related aspirations and for their demonstrated, outstanding aptitude and interest in information technology and computing; solid leadership ability; good academic history; and their plans for post-secondary education.
The importance of health
The Highmark Foundation announced Seneca Valley Acting Nurse Administrator Liz Williams as one of five winners of its sixth annual Advancing Excellence in School Nursing Awards, created to honor and recognize the important role that school nurses play in keeping children healthy. The award includes $1,500 to use for professional development or health-related programs at their respective schools.
GROWTH AND MASTERY
Student Enrollment
Staff Population
Haine Elementary Teacher named finalist for PA Teacher of the Year
Paolo Tolomeo, a fourth-grade teacher at Haine Elementary School, was named a finalist in the 2020 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year competition as hosted by the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National State Teacher of the Year Organization. Mr. Tolomeo was one of only a dozen teachers chosen for finalist recognition and ultimately represented the more 122,000 teachers from across the Commonwealth.
Student Assessment
FINANCIALS
To view the budget in its entirety, visit svsd.net/1920FinalBudget.
2019-20 Seneca Valley Budget
The Board of School Directors unanimously passed the 2019-20 general operating budget for the Seneca Valley School District in June 2019.
The board has and will continue to focus on reducing spending and finding new revenue streams while pursuing cost avoidance efforts. The budget helps, in part, to support ongoing technology, curriculum improvements and updates to our district facilities.
The development and final adoption of the budget is a very detailed and complex process for which the board of school directors is responsible by state law per Section 679 of the Pennsylvania Public School Code of 1949.
The final document is a product that was developed with the cooperation and effort of the board, administration and staff. The process and final budget provides for the best education possible for our students as well as sensitivity to the burden of expense on the local taxpayer.
2019-20 Final Budget General Information, June 2019
ESTIMATED REVENUE: $134,257,845
- Increase of $5,727,683 over 2018-19 (4.59%)
- Real estate millage increased by 1.89 mills to 127.89 (1.5%)
- Value of a mill collected increased to $607,563 a 2.52% increase over 2018-19
- Other local revenue lines adjusted to reflect current trends
- Basic Ed and Special Ed subsidies adjusted to reflect current information provided by the state, increase of $375,000
- Subsidy for Ward of the State education eliminated, loss of $80,000
- No change to transportation subsidy due to impact of increased local property values on subsidy formula
- Slight increase to rental subsidy (state share of debt) to reflect existing state commitment
- State subsidy for social security and PSERS increased to reflect 50% of budgeted expenses
- New state safety grant included (guaranteed portion only)
BUDGETED EXPENDITURES: $136,354,419
- Increase of $4,797,395 over 2018-19 (3.65%)
- PSERS increase from 33.43% to 34.29%-rate increase of 2.57%, accounts for approx. $1.5M
- Decrease to health care of $242,000 to reflect lower rates
- Overall benefits increase 4.02%
- Wage increases include anticipated additional positions to accommodate growing enrollment, and additional programming in cyber and special support services
- Contracted services and educational services lines adjusted to reflect current and anticipated needs including addition of therapy services approved during 2018-19
- Tuition to charter schools increased to reflect formula change, no enrollment increase expected
- Interest and principal payments adjusted to reflect current debt schedule: principal increased, interest decreased, net $0
- Contingency decreased by $500,000 to $1M
- Planned transfer to Capital Reserve fund in the amount of $4M (not included in amount above)
Governor Wolf awards SV with $25,000
On Jan. 6, 2020, Governor Tom Wolf announced Seneca Valley was the recipient of a $25,000 Teacher in the Workplace grant to enable teachers to visit local employers and learn the skills and industry trends to enhance their classroom instruction, student learning, and career readiness. The grant was awarded through the Department of Education (PDE).
Second consecutive win for SV
Building on his commitment to prepare students with the computer and technology skills for in-demand jobs, Governor Tom Wolf announced that the Seneca Valley School District would receive $35,000 in grant money as part of the PAsmart Targeted grants, a state-wide effort to expand computer science (CS) classes and teacher training.
Seneca Valley was one of only a select number of Western Pennsylvania schools to receive the grant and the only one from Butler County.
SEASON OF CHANGE
Seneca Valley responds to the COVID-19 crisis with compassion, vision and unity
JAN. 2020
The Superintendent of Schools builds a Seneca Valley Planning Team to begin developing a districtwide health and safety plan to address the Coronavirus should it be needed (this same approach was taken with other major outbreaks, including H1N1 (Swine Flu) and the Avian Influenza).
FEB. 13, 2020
Seneca Valley sends information out to families regarding the proactive measures made via the district’s planning team. This team works to develop comprehensive COVID-19 procedures and tentative protocols (frequent hand washing/sanitizing, social distancing, not touching the face) that will help to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. Steps are also developed for notification procedures.
MAR. 4, 2020
A letter drafted jointly by the Butler County Superintendents and the Butler County Area Vocational Technical School is emailed to all staff and families. This letter highlights their commitment to working together on safety measures, communication protocols, and process of monitoring the burgeoning virus.
MAR. 5, 2020
The district disseminates more communications on what is known of the virus locally, regionally and across the country.
MAR. 6, 2020
After two cases of Coronavirus are confirmed in Pennsylvania, Seneca Valley provides more details on the district’s efforts for mitigation in our schools.
MAR. 11, 2020
The COVID-19 outbreak is officially declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO).
MAR. 13, 2020
A National Emergency is issued across the United States and Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf closes all Pennsylvania schools through the end of March. As a result, Seneca Valley moves to remote learning March 17-20 and March 23-27. All facilities are closed for all school activities, events, athletics and public use. Additionally, student trips through the month are canceled for band, chorus and orchestra.
MAR. 16, 2020
A task force group of administrators begin to plan the weeks ahead. This group reviews the detailed needs of all department, including academics, food services, technology, buildings and grounds, communications and much more.
MAR. 17, 2020
SV begins offering free “Grab ‘n Go” meals for families during the closure and continues to do so through mid-June (and again when school opens for the 2020-21 school year).
MAR. 20, 2020
The District receives numerous calls and emails from staff, families and local businesses with offers of financial support, product donations and food assistance for our families in need. The District organizes and facilitates such help through the Seneca Valley Foundation.
MAR. 22, 2020
Dozens of administrators spend a Sunday afternoon hand-delivering laptops to more than 500 kindergarten students across the District. All other students are already in possession of laptops as part of the district’s one-to-one program, which has been providing such equipment to students for several years. Members of the Information Technology Department spend countless hours over the next weeks and months working to ensure all students have working technology and access.
APR. 9, 2020
Governor Wolf announces that all Pennsylvania schools are to remain physically closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year. All remaining school trips and in-person activities/events are canceled. Students and staff impress us with their creative at-home learning spaces and activities.
APR. 14, 2020
Seneca Valley releases a revised K-12 grading process for the remainder of the school year. This allows for greater flexibility during this time, which is filled with tremendous uncertainty for many families regarding financial, emotional and physical concerns.
APR. 14, 2020
Seneca Valley donates various supplies to local first responders and hospitals to assist in their response to the increasing numbers of COVID-19 individuals. In addition to supplies, donations include full face shields made by teachers using the district’s 3D printers.
APR. 22, 2020
Launched by members of the community, funded by the Seneca Valley Foundation and completed with the help of staff, senior signs are made and hand-delivered to the 575 members of the Class of 2020.
APR. 27 - MAY 4, 2020
Car parades, organized and conducted by staff at various grade levels/buildings, take place across the district and connect students and staff in brief but beautiful displays of mutual appreciation for each other.
MAY 4, 2020
The Seneca Valley School Board authorizes the formation of a Return-to-School Steering Committee to plan for the reopening of schools in the 2020-21 school year.
MAY 18-22, 2020
All Seneca Valley schools take part in a material collection day that encourages students to pick up material left in the buildings on March 13. Leading up to this, the amazing paraprofessionals at SV clean out each locker and classroom, bagging the items individually and marking them with student names. This allows for a safe and efficient collection distribution week.
MAY 20, 2020
Members of the Seneca Valley staff hand-deliver caps and gowns (along with gifts, greeting cards and balloons) to the members of the Class of 2020.
MAY 26-27, 2020
Seneca Valley hosts a two-day technology and resource collection day for graduating seniors for the return of laptops, library books, textbooks, etc.
MAY 28-29, 2020
Seneca Valley hosts a two-day graduation ceremony that is socially distanced and individually recognizes each graduating senior in NexTier Stadium.
JUNE 3-5, 2020
All Seneca Valley schools take part in a three-day technology and resource return event to collect K-11 student laptops, library books, textbooks, etc.
JUNE 10, 2020
The Seneca Valley Return-to-School Steering Committee holds their first of many meetings as the district plans for the 2020-21 academic year. The group first reviews the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Preliminary Reopening Plan, which was released June 9.
JUNE 23, 2020
Seneca Valley’s planning and organization during the first three months of the pandemic caught the attention of experts in the education field. The District was invited to participate in a nationally published white paper by the National Center on Education and The Economy (NCEE). In the detailed document, eight school districts from across the country are interviewed and share their stories. You can find “The Mother of Reinvention: How System Leaders Respond in a Crisis” on the NCEE website at http://ncee.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Mother-of-Reinvention-Whitepaper-6.pdf
JUNE 25, 2020
The Seneca Valley School Board approves a Health and Safety Plan for Return to Sport/Activity for the district. Limited activity is set to begin June 29 with strict guidelines and protocols for student and staff safety.
JUNE 30, 2020
Seneca Valley sends out a parent/guardian survey about the potential teaching and learning options for the fall. The input was used to develop instruction plans as well as a health and safety plan for the 2020-21 school year reopening.
JULY 20, 2020
The Seneca Valley School Board approves the first edition of the Seneca Valley Health and Safety Plan for Return to School. Information on learning models is also released for the fall. The first days of the 2020-21 school year are ultimately planned in August for staff and early September for students. The school year begins virtually and takes various forms of remote and in-person learning throughout the first semester and beyond.
Facts and Figures during the school closure, March 17 – June 5
Remote learning days
Meals served during FIDs and remote learning
Approximate number of gallons of milk delivered
Lockers cleaned out on the secondary campus
Masks made for district staff and students
Staff volunteers who helped distribute food
Average miles driven by volunteers to distribute food to SV families in need
Emails facilitated through the general communications email account
Personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies donated to local hospitals
Laptops delivered to kindergarten students prior to first day of remote learning
SV TOGETHER
Even while apart during the school closure, Seneca Valley continued to connect our students, staff and schools. There were various #SVTogether posts and the SV Together playlist on our YouTube channel at youtube.com/SenecaValleySD to help spread the SV love. Here are a few of the responses from our supportive school community:
ALL of our kids teachers have been amazing. Not one teacher has dropped the ball or been unavailable to our kids or us when we have had questions or concerns. There is just so much negative in our world, my husband and I thought we would let you know that you are all doing great.
My intent with this email is to offer some positive feedback and take the opportunity to reach out and say thank you to all the staff at SVSD. I am so ‘wow-Ed’ by all of you and want you to know how much we appreciate you. You guys are truly the best!
In this time of unknown I want to say I’m super impressed with how the schools have responded to continue to give our students a great education.
It is so obvious that your teachers and staff are the most caring people who truly miss their students. You are all to be commended for your dedication.
We really appreciate all the efforts of the administration and teachers in these very challenging times.
Gotta love these creative teachers!
So proud of all of our team at Seneca Valley and the love they show for our children. Thank you all!
I am so proud of my friends and colleagues and how they have handled this situation!
I can’t say enough about the efforts from the SV teachers these past couple weeks. Many faced so many challenges as well as taking care of their own families. So thankful to be a part of SV.
Nothing but praise for the teachers who are handling this situation and creating excitement for continued learning. The excitement settled my daughter’s nerves.
Thank you for setting up FID days next week to help keep them engaged, occupied and educated. We really appreciate all the efforts of the administration and teachers in these very challenging times.
We ❤️ SVSD and are so grateful for all you are doing….Now and always. We believe in the leaders of this district and are confident that the best decisions are being made. That peace of mind is priceless right now. These emails are informative, well written and have a positive momentum. Thank you and keep up the great work.
Great teachers, great kids!
Thank you so much for all the efforts to help answer questions in this uncertain time. I know you all are doing your best!
SUPPORT
The Seneca Valley Foundation (SVF) is in its ninth year as a private 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Throughout the years, the SVF’s fundraising efforts have gone above and beyond to assist students and staff, however, this year presented many challenges which caused the Foundation to shift its priorities.
The shift went from things like classroom improvements and international learning tours to funding our cafeteria balance and assisting our most vulnerable families during the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the overwhelming amount of generosity from our community, we will continue supporting the district and entire community as we get through these unprecedented times together. #SVTogether
Donations to COVID-19 Response
Dr. Eric Mosso
Ms. Peggy Lonett
Ms. Debbie Combes
Mr. and Mrs. Bethany and Drew Fogle
Ms. Leslie Bredl
Ms. Kate Wilson
Ms. Rebecca Stellar
Ms. Cynthia Logsdon
Mr. Jeffrey Plut – In honor of SVSD Teachers
Ms. Kristen Pologruto
Ms. Candace Kantz
Ms. Nicole Eaton
Ms. Annie Mersing
Mr. Bruce Clark
Ms. Katie McAfee
Mr. Dean Walker
Ms. Jeannie Orend
Ms. Alexis Colonello
Ms. Sara Kamarchik
Ms. Kim McPhilomy and Girl Scout Troop 26762
Ms. Billie Jo Peffer
Mr. and Mrs. Katie and Michael Sciulli
Ms. MaryAnn Graziano
Mr. and Mrs. Bryan and Sarah Mullen
Mr. Mike Jacobs
Mr. Fred Peterson
Ms. Christine Cooper
Ms. Kristi Vandergrift
Ms. Rachel Schulte
Mr. and Mrs. Steven and Elena Geil
Ms. Dana Nicklas
Mr. and Mrs. John and Jodie Perry
Mr. Raymond Peaco
Mr. and Mrs. Courtney and Travis Williams
Mr. and Mrs. Richard and Joanne Meredith
Ms. Mychele Holby
Ms. Nancy Lindsay
The Cinker Family
Ms. Beverly Behm
Mr. and Mrs. George and Linda Starosta
Mr. and Mrs. Douglas and Kimberly Matthews
Mr. and Mrs. Jeff and Nicole Ansell
Ms. Lily Mae Ansell
Mr. and Mrs. Kristopher and Dana Devyver
Ms. David Devyver
Mr. and Mrs. Miguel Guerrero
Ms. Christine Guerrero
Mr. and Mrs. Kristy and Joseph Helmsen
Mr. Christopher Helmsen
Mr. and Mrs. Lisa and William Klenoshek
Ms. Zoey Klenoshek
Mr. and Mrs. Martin Kohler
Ms. Natalie Kohler
Mr. Jason Logue
Mr. Parker Logue
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Mortier
Mr. Alex Mortier
Mr. Mike Murtagh
Ms. Natalie Murtagh
Drs. Diane and Harry Myers
Mr. Luke Myers
Mr. and Mrs. Shoba and Ramesh Nelikil
Mr. Abheek Nelikil
Mr. Tanush Nelikil
Mr. Michael Rozic
Mr. Daniel Spears
Ms. Karsyn Spears
Mr. and Mrs. Jennifer and Philip Thomas
Mr. Gavin Thomas
Mr. and Mrs. Jamie Thomas
Ms. Natalie Thomas
Dr. Lynn Kiselica
Ms. Anastacia Zalnasky
Mr. and Mrs. Rachael and Chris Zoelle
Mr. Gavin Zoelle
Mr. Paul Zurrico of Bella Construction
Shop N Save (Cranberry)
Aldi (Cranberry)
Lowe’s (Cranberry)
Dairy Queen Grill and Chill (Cranberry)
Fun Fore All (Cranberry)
Sysco Pittsburgh
St. Esprit Subways
100 Women Who Care, Cranberry Township
Thank you to the following
at-large donors for their support
in the 2019-20 school year:
Founding Members ($1,000+)
Mr. David Cashdollar
Ms. Amanda Kile
Ms. Heather Lewis
Mr. Jim Pearson
Dr. Tracy Vitale
Foundation Fellow Level ($500 – $999)
Ms. Kyra Bobak
Ms. Lynn Burtner
Ms. Denise Manganello – In honor of the Class of ‘95
Mr. Randy Miller – In Memory of Marcia Peaco
Mr. & Mrs. Jack and Debra McDermott
Ms. Lauri Pendred
Penguin Random House – In Honor of Ms. Katie Rengers
Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC
Mr. David Silvester
Ms. Linda Starosta
Foundation Patron Level ($100 – $499)
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous – In honor of SV Band Directors
Ms. Bobi-Jean Alexander
Ms. Elizabeth Allen-Boyle
Mr. Tony Babusci
Mr. Dan Bailey
Ms. Mary Boburczak
Ms. Carolyn Bromberg
Mr. and Mrs. Ron and Trisha Butschle
Ms. Darlene Carmack
Ms. Elizabeth Cavicchia
Mr. and Mrs. Bob and Erin Ceh
Mr. Bruce Clark
Dr. Matthew Delp
Ms. Nicole Eaton
Dr. Mallory Eyles
Ms. Nannette Farmar
Ms. Lisa Fornadel
Mr. Steve Fortunato
Ms. Jana Greco
Mr. Richard Grupp
Ms. Hannah Hamilton
Mr. Jeff James
Ms. Erin Kerr
Ms. Kasey Kraus
Ms. Holly Lingenfelter
Ms. Megan Lizewski
Mr. Joseph Logsdon
Ms. Amanda Mallin
Mr. Mike Manipole
Ms. Christine McCormick
Ms. Annie Mersing
Ms. Tammy Micco
Ms. Bridget Miller
Ms. Deb Mitro – In Memory of Karen McClain
Dr. Marie Palano
Mr. Michael Pelloni
Ms. Janice Plutnicki
Ms. Lilia Pries
Ms. Darla Ramirez-Lightner
Ms. Joan Rinaman
Dr. Jeffrey Roberts
Ms. Christine Roe – In Memory of Ashley Roe-Snyder
Ms. Michele Russo
Mr. Russell Sarver
Ms. Rhonda Schwartz
Ms. Amy Seelbaugh
Staff of Rowan Elementary School – In Memory of Fannie Zafferopoulos
Dr. Andrew Teti
Ms. Margaret Tkatch
Ms. Leah Vogel
Ms. Kelly Weston
Ms. Kristen White
Ms. Joan Widdowson
Ms. Elizabeth Williams
Ms. Nikki Williams
Ms. Stephen Wolfe
Ms. Jeremy Womer
Ms. Shannon Zolkowski
Ms. Claire Zovko
Foundation Friend Level (Up to $74)
Anonymous
Ms. Corrin DoVidio
Mr. and Mrs. Michael and Kristen Henry
Ms. Lindsey Kisucky
Ms. Elana Kriess
Ms. Margaret Lockovich
Ms. Jaclyn Macioce
Mr. Zack Magill
Ms. Jenifer McMurray
Ms. Patricia Smith
Ms. Sara Snyder
Ms. Erin Wilcher
EITC Donors
In 2019-20, the Seneca Valley Foundation (SVF) received generous donations from these local businesses totaling $39,000 through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program:
Farmers National Bank – $4,000
NexTier Bank – $25,000
The Buncher Company – $5,000
Waste Management – $5,000
These donations will benefit Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) classes at Seneca Valley. EITC is a statewide initiative enacted by the PA Department of Community and Economic Development in 2001. EITC enables eligible businesses to apply credits against their tax liability for the tax year in which they make a contribution to support education in Pennsylvania.
If your business – or a business you know – participates in EITC, please encourage them to dedicate EITC funds to the Seneca Valley Foundation. For more information or if you have questions about the application process, please call Ms. Annie Mersing at 724.452.6040 or by email at mersingam@svsd.net.
Board of Trustees
Officers
Dr. Tracy Vitale, President and
Executive Director
Ms. Annie Mersing, Vice President and Development Director
Ms. Lynn Burtner, Treasurer and SV Business Manager
Ms. Lisa Mislan, Secretary and
SV School Board Secretary
Trustees
Ms. Linda Andreassi – Seneca Valley Communications Director
Mr. J. Victor Conrad – Independent Financial Advisor, Founder of PINNACLE Financial Strategies
Ms. Jana Greco – Kindergarten Teacher at Haine Elementary School
Ms. Amanda Kile – Gift Officer for Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
Mr. Douglas Matthews – Senior Vice President for Tubular Operations, US. Steel
Mr. Sean O’Shea – Director at AstraZeneca
Dr. Marie Palano – SV Analytics and Federal Programs Supervisor
Mr. David Silvester – Managing Director of Technology for BNY Mellon
Mr. Terry Shulsky – Attorney at Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney
Mr. Paul Snyder – Vice President for PNC Asset Management Group
Mr. Dean Walker – Physics Teacher (Department Chair) at SV Senior High School
Mr. Jason Wehrle – Attorney at Mintzer Sarowitz Zeris Ledva & Meyers (Mr. Wehrle sadly passed away in December 2020; we deeply appreciate his support and service to SVF and the District)
UP AND COMING
Members of the Seneca Valley Class of 2020 entered their senior year never imagining the abrupt end that would follow. Despite this unimagined altered course, all of us at Seneca Valley are proud of the incredible strength and resiliency shown by this group of outstanding young men and women. Graduation celebrations were held May 28-29, 2020, at NexTier Stadium and featured a stage walk on the field, individual recognition, a campus filled with teacher signs and culminated with a virtual ceremony complete with a tassel turn and speeches from several students and members of the administration. “The congratulatory remarks from your friends and family during this time, and the encouragement given by the Seneca Valley staff over the past few months have never been more poignant or powerful; never more needed and never more true,” said Dr. Tracy Vitale, Superintendent of Schools, during her commencement remarks. “The challenges you face are great, but so, too, are the opportunities that now stand before you.” These students—as individuals and as a group—are special and unique. We encourage all graduates to move forward as tomorrow’s leaders with great purpose, solid convictions and high standards. We encourage the SV Class of 2020 to embrace these qualities and let them serve as a guide now and into the future.
Nishant Jayachandran, Olivia Schultheis and Sean Scott (all SV ’20) were named semifinalists and then finalists in the 65th Annual National Merit Scholarship Program held by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC).
Additionally, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced over 3,500 winners of National Merit Scholarships, including:
Sean Scott was named a National Merit Miami University of Ohio Scholarship winner.
Seneca Valley School District had four students who were named 2020 Carson Scholars, one a graduate and three who are students today:
Nicholas Nedzesky (SV ’22) and Faith Condrick (SV ’21) were two of 477 students across the nation who received a $1,000 college scholarship award and the coveted honor of being named a Carson Scholar.
Kate Lipscomb (SV’22) and Coryn Ferguson (SV ’20) renewed their Carson Scholar status.
A sampling of colleges and universities chosen by our 2020 Graduates
American University
Boston University
Butler County Community College
Carnegie Mellon University
Culinary Institute of America
Duquesne University
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
James Madison University
Kent State University
New York University
Ohio University
Penn State University
Pittsburgh Technical College
Purdue University
Robert Morris University
San Francisco State University
Slippery Rock University
Syracuse University
Temple University
Universidad de Navarra/Spain
University of Pittsburgh
Virginia Tech University
Vet-Tech Institute
Villanova University
MORE
Seneca Valley School District Building Directory
124 Seneca School Rd., Harmony, PA 16037
Phone: 724.452.6040
Connoquenessing Valley Elementary School
(Grades K-4)
300 South Pittsburgh St., Zelienople, PA 16063
Ext. 6000
(Grades K-4)
345 West Main St., Rear, Evans City, PA 16033
Ext. 7000
(Grades 5 & 6)
345A West Main St., Evans City, PA 16033
Ext. 7500
(Grades K-4)
1516 Haine School Rd., Cranberry Twp., PA 16066
Ext. 4000
(Grades 5 & 6)
1516A Haine School Rd., Cranberry Twp., PA 16066
Ext. 4500
(Grades K-4)
8051 Rowan Rd. Cranberry Twp., PA 16066
Ext. 5000
2019-20 PA Don Eichhorn Schools: “Schools to Watch” (PA STW)
(Grades 7 & 8)
122 Seneca School Rd., Harmony, PA 16037-9134
Ext. 3000
Seneca Valley Academy of Choice
(Grades K-12)
128 Seneca School Rd., Harmony, PA 16037
Ext. 1015
Seneca Valley Intermediate High School
Accredited by the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools
(Grades 9 & 10)
126 Seneca School Rd., Harmony, PA 16037-9134
Ext. 2000
Seneca Valley Senior High School
Accredited by the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools
(Grades 11 & 12)
128 Seneca School Rd., Harmony, PA 16037
Ext. 1000
Our Vision
Seneca Valley School District will continue to foster academic integrity, offer advanced educational opportunities and serve as an innovative leader in education while preparing all students to be productive members of society.
PREVIOUS ANNUAL REPORTS
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
Photo credit: Bill Paterson with additional photos submitted to the SV Communications Department