Photo Courtesy of Alan Freed
The Ambridge Steel Drum Band will celebrate 30 fabulous years on stage with world-class professional musicians from The River City Brass Band and Liam Teague during an anniversary concert at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 5 at Ambridge Senior High School, 909 Duss Ave., Ambridge. Doors open at 1:30 p.m.
Tickets for the event are $8 for adults and $5 for children 17 and under when purchased in advance between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays at the High School. Tickets are for general admission only and may be purchased via cash or check. If purchasing via check, please make payable to Ambridge Area Band Boosters. Tickets purchased at the door on the day of the event are $10 for adults and $7 for ages 17 and under.
The River City Brass Band is America’s only full-time brass band. It was founded in Pittsburgh in 1981 by Robert Bernat, with a mission of entertaining, educating and engaging citizens locally and globally.
Liam Teague is a professor of music and head of steelpan studies at Northern Illinois University, where he also directs the prominent NIU Steelband. He is hailed as the “Paganini of the Steelpan” and is world renowned for his musical acumen. Mr. Teague is the recipient of an NIU Presidential Research, Scholarship and Artistry Professor Award, and has received many awards from his homeland of Trinidad and Tobago, including the Humming Bird National Award and the Ansa McAl Caribbean Award for Excellence. Among his many accomplishments, he has appeared in concert with Grammy Award-winning musicians Paquito D’Rivera, Dave Samuels, Zakir Hussain and Dame Evelyn Glennie.
The 30th anniversary celebration culminates a year of special events for the Ambridge Steel Band. In November, the band appeared for the first time in the WPXI Holiday Parade, and performed two nights at Heinz Hall with the revitalized B.E. Taylor Christmas Show in December. The Ambridge Steel Band also was honored to be one of 35 ensembles from 13 states to be selected by audition to perform at the 2019 NAfME/PMEA Eastern Division Conference on April 4 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.
For more information about the concert, or for ticketing questions, call 724-266-2833, Ext 2520.
By Dinah Bailey
AAHS Sophomore
Five Ambridge High School students, along with Mr. Roos and Mrs. Green, attended the “Seeds of Change” event, held at the Chatham University Eden Hall Campus, on Monday, March 4th, 2019.
The focus of this conference expressed ideas of sustainability, and similar environmental issues. For the first part of the conference, the students observed other Pittsburgh area school’s projects. The projects all focused on how their school was introducing the practice of sustainability. One group discussed the benefits of using metal utensils in the cafeteria, rather than plastic and another school discussed how their garden is impacting their school and community. All of these projects allowed the Ambridge attendees to grow in their knowledge about the environment at a community level and to see the contribution to reducing environmental impact that other schools are promoting.
In the second part of the conference, the students had the opportunity to take part in circle discussions led by adult guests. Guests consisted of state legislators, council members, leaders of non-profit environmental groups, and more. This allowed discussions to be diverse and individualized. The youth in attendance were encouraged to express their opinions and ideas, while the adults took time to listen. Overall, at this conference, the students gained useful knowledge that can help them to explore career opportunities, as well as to allow them to add perspective to the current aquaponics project they are working on as this year's Ecology Club initiative.
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION FACT SHEET
2019-2020
School District: Ambridge Area School District
Contact Person for Kindergarten Registration: Cathy Hopkins
Phone Number: 724-266-2833 x 1273 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
District Website: www.ambridge.k12.pa.us
Dates and Location of Registration:
Tuesday, February 5th: 8:00am – 2:30pm State St. Elementary
Wednesday, February 6th: 8:00am – 2:30pm Economy Elementary
Thursday, February 7th: 8:00am – 2:30pm Highland Elementary
Tuesday, February 12th: 4:00pm – 8:00pm – High School Media Center
Tuesday, February 19th: 4:00pm – 8:00pm – High School Media Center
Please call Cathy Hopkins to schedule an appointment – See Above
Age Requirement: A child is eligible for admission to kindergarten if she/he has attained the age of five (5) years on/or before September 1st of the school year.
Documents that are REQUIRED to be presented the day of registration:
§2 Proofs of residence
§Child’s birth certificate
§Immunization records
The Pennsylvania State Health Law requires each child entering school for the first time to have the following immunizations before school begins:
- 4 doses of tetanus (usually given as DTP or DTaP or DT or Td) (1dose on or after the 4th birthday)
- 4 doses of diphtheria (usually given as DTP or DTaP or DT or Td) (1 dose on or after the 4th birthday)
- 4 doses of polio (4th dose on or after 4th birthday and at least 6 months after previous dose given)
- 2 doses of measles (Usually given as MMR)
- 2 doses of mumps (Usually given as MMR)
- 1 dose of rubella (German Measles) (Usually given as MMR)
- 3 doses of hepatitis B
- 2 doses of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine or history of disease
The immunization requirements are a condition of attendance at any public, private, or parochial school in Pennsylvania. Parents will be expected to produce evidence of the immunizations or their child will be denied entrance to school until the requirements are met.
What to expect when you and your child go to Kindergarten Registration: Parents bring their child to registration and the secretary will check required documents. The nurse checks over immunization record with parent. The child is separated from parent and given the screening tests. They consist of vision screening, hearing screening, visual matching, writing skills (hand dominance), cutting skills, counting skills, numeral recognition, shape recognition, identifying upper and lower case letters, and verbal skills (can the child say their full name, address, phone number)
Orientation activities from the district include: Parents will be notified of the date of orientation. Parents and children go to the Kindergarten classroom and are introduced to the teacher. After ½ hour, the children ride the bus route that they will be taking while the Kindergarten teacher discusses the Kindergarten curriculum with the parents. When the children get back refreshments are served.
PLEASE CHECK THE WEBSITE FOR KINDERGARTEN ACTIVITIES THIS SUMMER!
AASD Registration Form 19-20.pdf
KINDERGARTEN HANDBOOK 2019-2020.pdf
Photo Courtesy of Alan Freed
Now in its 30th year at Ambridge, the Ambridge Steel Drum Band is celebrating the milestone with a few unique opportunities to shine this year. First on the agenda is the upcoming performance in the 38th Annual WPXI Holiday Parade. The steel band was invited to march in this prestigious local parade, which will be held on Saturday, Nov. 24 starting at 9 a.m. The parade will be aired live on WPXI Channel 11. The theme for this year’s parade is “Neighborhoods,” and will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood.
It was the first time in the parade’s 38-year history that a steel band performed in the parade and was the first time Ambridge's Steel Drum Band appeared in the WPXI Holiday Parade, said Steel Band director Mr. Todd Hartman. “Much like the heartbeat of the once-booming steel town, the Ambridge Steel Drum Band has established a culture of excellence, hard work and pride for our students and the Ambridge community."
Tune into WPXI on Saturday to catch the band in action!
The Meet and Discuss session of the Ambridge Area School Board will be held on Wednesday, November 14 at 7:00 p.m. with the Board meeting immediately following. This is a change in date for the meetings as previously scheduled. The meeting will be conducted in the Ambridge High School Media Center.
Do you want to keep up with the latest athletic news and reminders? Now it's as easy as clicking on a link and signing up! Visit the Ambridge Athletic website and click on the link at the top righthand corner of the home page that says "Sign Up For Alerts."
Direct links to practice and game schedules can be found on the Ambridge Athletic website under "Facility Calendar" also can be found here. By signing up for alerts, Bridger fans will be able to learn about cancellations or time and location changes when necessary.
Take any great photos at Bridger athletic events? We'd love to have them! Please send any photos to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or tag us on Instgram @Ambridgebriders.
* Art shows begin at 6pm and band/choral concerts begin at 7pm
Tuesday, April 24 – HS Chorus Concert
Tuesday, May 1 - Jr. High Art Show and Band Concert
Wednesday, May 2 – HS Art Show and Band Concert
Thursday, May 3 – Jr. High Art Show and Chorus Concert
Tuesday, May 8 – HS Steel Band Concert
Thursday, May 10 – State St. Elementary Chorus & Recorder Concert
Monday, May 14 – Highland Elementary Art Show and Band Concert
Thursday, May 17 – Highland Elementary Chorus & Recorder Concert @ HS Auditorium
Tuesday, May 22 – Economy Elementary Band Concert
Wednesday, May 23 – State St. Elementary Art Show and Band Concert
Thursday, May 24 – Economy Elementary Art Show and Chorus & Recorder Concert
Monday, May 28 – Jr. High Band in Baden Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 28 – HS Band and Chorus at Ambridge Memorial Day Service