This season in track & field, Isaac Elliott plans to win a WPIAL title in his sprinting event. In previous years, Elliott has unfortunately pulled his hamstring and been unable to compete. This year he has been doing very well so far with no injuries, so he hopes to be able to compete and qualify for states. Congratulations to him so far, and good luck for the rest of the season!
To read the article on the Times Online, click on the link below.
Anna Galiardi and Skye Galiardi both won first place in the Women’s Club District Competition. Their photos will now move on to compete at the state level. Click here to vote for the Kieth Rothfus Congressional Art Contest. Voting is available through April 4th.
On Thursday, November 19, the district participated in Grief Awareness Day. Most buildings participated in a "blue out" to acknowledge grieving children. Donations were collected and will be given to the Caring Place. The photos below were taken at the High School and Highland Elementary. Thanks to all of the buildings that participated. Photos by Karen Moser. For more about the Caring Place, please visit their website: https://www.highmarkcaringplace.com/cp2/index.shtml. For more about Grief Awareness Day, please visit their website: http://www.childrensgriefawarenessday.org/cgad2/index.shtml
About 700 people turned out for the Ambridge Middle School orientation on Thursday, Aug. 23. Attendees had the opportunity to learn about new offerings at the school, find their classrooms and check out their brand new lockers. The first day of school is Wednesday, Aug. 29.
Coming soon! The 2018-2019 Activities Calendar. AASD families will receive the calendar via the USPS before the start of the school year. Families who do not receive a calendar by the start of the school year should contact their school office.
Ambridge Area Middle School will have a familiar face at the helm when doors are opened for the 2018-2019 School Year.
Ambridge Area School Board of Directors approved the transfer of Mr. Thomas McKelvey to the position of Middle School Principal at the June 13 meeting. He currently serves in the position of State Street Elementary Principal. He will begin his new role as Middle School Principal on July 1.
Mr. McKelvey holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, Special Education and Middle School Level Science from Slippery Rock University, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. He received his Master of Science in Education, K-12 Principal Certification from California University and most recently has been accepted into the Doctoral Program at Point Park University.
He began his professional career in the Beaver Area School District as a special education and general educator, and also served as a Behavior Consultant for the Watson Institute. He also has served as an Assistant Principal at Woodland Hills Academy (K-8). Mr. McKelvey is certified in Crisis Prevention Intervention.
His awards and honors include but are not limited to: Discovery Educator’s Network Star Educator, PTA Extra Care for Kids Award Recipient, Distinguished Service and Scholastic Excellence Award, Community Service Recognition Award and Golden Key International Honor Society.
“We are pleased to have Mr. McKelvey continue to serve the Ambridge Area School District,” said Dr. Jo Welter, Superintendent. “He is a caring and committed educator. He is a person of great integrity. He will serve the students, teachers and community of our new middle school with enthusiasm and dedication.”
Mrs. Jo Ann Hoover, current principal at Highland Elementary School, was approved for a transfer to fill the position being vacated by Mr. McKelvey at State Street Elementary. Her starting date is yet to be determined.
Mrs. Hoover is a graduate of Slippery Rock University, with Bachelor degrees in Elementary and Special Education. She also holds a Master of Special Education degree from Duquesne University and Principal Certification from Slippery Rock University. She previously served in the Pittsburgh Public School System for 24 years. She is a certified trainer for Therapeutic Crisis Intervention. During her tenure at Highland Elementary, she implemented a schoolwide positive behavior support program, which reduced the number of discipline referrals and suspensions. “She will provide stability and continuity for State Street as Mr. McKelvey transitions to the Middle School,” said Dr. Welter. “We are very fortunate to have her expertise.”
The Board also approved the hiring of Dr. Laura Burns to fill the position being vacated by Mrs. Hoover at Highland Elementary School. Her starting date is yet to be determined.
Dr. Burns earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Master of Arts degree in Teaching from the University of Pittsburgh. She received a Master of Public Management with a concentration in Educational Leadership from Carnegie Mellon University. Most recently, she received her Doctor of Education and Superintendent Letter of Eligibility from the University of Pittsburgh. She previously served as a Social Studies teacher in the Baldwin Whitehall School District and as an Assistant Principal at both the Carlynton Junior-Senior High School and the Pine-Richland High School.
Dr. Burns’ professional honors include: memberships on the Pennsylvania State Social Studies Curriculum Committee and the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh Study Tour. Also, Dr. Burns was a recipient of the National Consortium for Teaching about Asia Grant.
“Dr. Burns is committed to improving teaching and learning in the Ambridge Area School District,” said Dr. Welter. “We are pleased to have her as a part of our team.”
Congratulations to our Ambridge Area School District students who were finalists in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Oratorical Contest. Our 4th and 5th graders swept their divisions! They were presented their plaques and monetary awards at the Dr. King Banquet in Rochester on Sunday, January 15th. Entertainment for the evening was provided by the Ambridge Steel Drum Band.
In the fourth grade division, the winners were Madelyn Palmer of Economy Elementary in first place and Ja...red Astorino of Highland Elementary in second place.
In the fifth grade division, the winners were Mackenzie Sutton from State Street Elementary in first place and Madison Holcomb, also from State Street, in second place.
We are extremely proud of your knowledge of Dr. King and the oratorical skills you are developing at such a young age!
In STEAM, students in 3rd Grade have been using Little Bits, electronic building blocks that snap together with magnets, to learn about creating circuits! The power source blocks, input blocks and output blocks are all color coded, and they have been learning about how the input affects the output by tying in the Reading skill, "cause and effect!"