Blog
Geibel Catholic Students come together in song on stage
CONNELLSVILLE — Students at Geibel Catholic Junior-Senior High School are preparing for one of the biggest events of the academic year, the annual musical performance, which this year is “Mamma Mia!” This will be the 20th production in the directing career of music and performing arts teacher Nick Bell. “It is crazy to me that I have done this for 20 years already,” he said. Nearly 80 percent of the students are involved in the musical, Bell said, whether it be performing or helping behind the scenes with costuming, set design or stage crew. “Musicals bring students together in a
Robotics technology helps student learn to work with each other
CONNELLSVILLE Conn-Area Catholic School had a robotics program as part of the curriculum for sixth-graders, but starting this year, that program has been expanded to all grades at the school. In an effort to expose students to the latest and greatest technology, the program enables students to build robots, work with LEGOS as a learning activity and use 30 new iPads to code commands for their robots to execute. “I think it’s just another avenue of a gift or talent that a child might have or be drawn to that God will have a purpose for, and someday they will
St. Sebastian Catholic School, Belle Vernon, begins academic year with new principal
GREENSBURG Carole Aiello, who has nearly 25 years of teaching and administrative experience, most of it in Catholic schools, is the new principal of St. Sebastian Catholic School, Belle Vernon. Aiello, a Bethel Park resident, previously served as principal of St. John Bosco Academy in Pittsburgh and as an administrator and teacher at St. Katharine Drexel School in Bethel Park, where she earned a Golden Apple Award from the Diocese of Pittsburgh for excellence in teaching in 2010. She also served at John F. Kennedy Catholic Elementary School in Washington, Pa. “Mrs. Aiello has extensive experience in Catholic elementary education,”
St. Sebastian Regional Catholic School make mats to be given to the homeless through STREAM project
BELLE VERNON — St. Sebastian Regional Catholic School is in tune with innovation as well as society and its needs. As the school year progresses, students participate in project after project to help meet the needs of those around them while advancing their own education. STREAM (science, technology, religion, engineering, arts and mathematics) education allows students to explore many different avenues, which Nina Zetty, principal, believes will help them in their careers and lives. “This program teaches children to think, problem solve and collaborate. Through the STREAM program, students in different grades work together for a common goal — to
Golden Apple Winner Lisa Thackrah
Christ the Divine Teacher School, Latrobe Last year, Lisa Thackrah and music students from Christ the Divine Teacher School, Latrobe, shined as they sang and played instruments at the A Celebration of Catholic Schools Breakfast. This year, Thackrah will be one of the three Golden Apple Award recipients. “It’s a huge honor. There are many great educators throughout our diocese, and I am very humbled to be selected this year. Truly humbled,” Thackrah said. “I feel like the Golden Apple goes to my students; they’re the ones who shine. It’s a celebration of our school and what we have at
Music crosses curriculum at Christ the Divine Teacher School
LATROBE – Music fills the air most days at Christ the Divine Teacher School, where 70 percent of the students in grades 3-7 choose to participate in extra choral and instrumental music instruction. “Music plays a vital role in the education of our students,” said Lisa Thackrah, director of the music program. “Not only do students develop an appreciation for music in their daily lives, but they apply and hone the musical skills that they learn in a variety of disciplines.” Students were invited to perform at the diocesan Celebration of Catholic Schools Breakfast; at St. John Parish, Latrobe, for
Former teacher’s dream comes true in return to classroom
By Melissa Williams Brown Contributing Writer GREENSBURG — Anna Brecht was all smiles when her longtime wish to get back into a first-grade classroom came true. Brecht, 86, was a first-grade teacher at the former Sacred Heart School, Jeannette, for 40 years. More than once in casual conversation she would say, “If I could only go back into the classroom and be with the kids,” according to Mary Dreliszak, director of development and marketing at St. Anne Home, Greensburg, where Brecht lives. Brecht’s dream came true Oct. 7, when she visited the first-grade classrooms of Annette Ustazewski and Terri Matthews
Aquinas Academy Preschool program offers flexible schedule for students and parents
GREENSBURG — At Aquinas Academy, the preschool program for 3- to 5-year-olds features flexible scheduling along with activities, classes and faith formation that make the young children part of the school’s overall program, according to Joe Rice, principal. “They feel like they are part of the school-age program because they are part of it,” he said, and that encourages transition to the school’s full-day kindergarten program when the parents and staff see they are ready. About 90 percent of the preschool students stay at Aquinas for kindergarten, Rice said. There are half-day and full-day schedules in preschool, which add to