November 15, 2024

Dear Shaler Area Families,

With November in full swing, I am inspired by the momentum and dedication that unite us across Shaler Area. This month is filled with opportunities to gather as a community, reflect on our progress, and celebrate the meaningful work happening in our schools. Here are some of the recent highlights and upcoming events across our district:

• National School Psychology Week – We celebrated our school psychologists and their essential role in supporting students’ academic, social, and emotional well-being. Their expertise helps create a safe, nurturing environment that empowers students to grow and succeed. Thank you to our school psychologists for their dedication!
• World Kindness Day and a Special Week of Kindness at Shaler Area Middle School – In celebration of World Kindness Day, our schools embraced kindness and community by encouraging students and staff to wear cardigans in honor of Pittsburgh icon Mr. Fred Rogers. At Shaler Area Middle School, students extended this spirit with a dedicated Week of Kindness, filled with activities and initiatives that emphasized empathy, compassion, and making others feel valued. We are proud of our students for embodying these values and spreading kindness throughout our school community. Thank you to everyone who participated!
• Thanksgiving Food Drives and Community Giving – Across the district, students, staff, and families are joining efforts to support those in need through food drives and community outreach. These acts of kindness reflect our district’s compassionate spirit and provide meaningful learning experiences for our students. A special shout out to 9th-grader Brady Watkins, who donated 240 items to the Bread of Life Food Bank for our SGA drive! After a week focused on the importance of community support, it’s inspiring to see students like Brady stepping up to help.
• Shaler Area Elementary 6th-Grade Fall Play – Jack & The Beanstalk – Our 6th-graders at Shaler Area Elementary will perform Jack & The Beanstalk on November 15 at 6:00 p.m. in the auditorium. It’s a wonderful chance to support our young performers as they bring this classic tale to life. We hope to see many of you there!
• Shaler Area Fall Play – Puffs – Join us for Puffs, the story of the other students at a certain wizarding school! Performances will take place on November 22 at 7 p.m. and November 23 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are available online and at the door, and advance purchase is recommended due to high demand.
• 2024–2025 Winter Concert Schedule Released – Our 2024–2025 Winter Concert schedule is now available! These performances showcase the hard work and talent of our students across all grade levels, bringing the holiday spirit to our community. For concert dates, times, and locations, please visit shalerarea.org/2024/11/05/holiday-performances2024/.
• Honoring Veterans with the Shaler Area Titan Marching Band – It was an honor for the Shaler Area Titan Marching Band to perform in the historic Pittsburgh Veterans Day Parade. We are incredibly proud of our talented students for paying tribute to our nation’s heroes through music. Thank you to our band members and directors for representing Shaler Area with such pride and dedication!
• Student-Led Cultural Workshop at Shaler North Hills Library (SNHL) – This past Saturday, three of our language societies and the Art Society hosted a unique, student-led event at SNHL. Children attended mini workshops introducing them to various cultural aspects studied in Japanese, French, and Spanish classes. The Art Society also began a collaborative “mobile mural” project to be displayed in the language hallways, which is still a work in progress. The event was entirely organized by Japanese Honors President Bella Minyo, with strong support from the French and Spanish Honors Society Presidents. SNHL was thrilled with the success of the event and looks forward to future partnerships.
• Celebrating Our Titan Athletes on National Signing Day – November 13th marked the NCAA start date for National Letter of Intent signings, and we’re thrilled to celebrate two Titan athletes committed to playing and learning at the next level!
  • Maggie Boggs will play lacrosse for the Fighting Scots at PennWest University Edinboro, majoring in Environmental Science.
  • Colby Weber, standout pitcher, signed with the East Carolina Pirates, where he’ll major in Sports Management.

Congratulations to Maggie and Colby on this exciting next step in their athletic and academic journeys!

• Shaler Area Showcase Launches This Week – We are excited to announce the launch of the Shaler Area Showcase, a district-wide e-newsletter that will share stories, updates, and highlights from across our schools. This new publication is designed to keep our entire Shaler Area community informed and engaged. District families received the first edition via email to the registered email address. If you did not receive it, please ensure your email address is updated in Infinite Campus or contact your child’s school office or click here to view the November issue.

Thank you for your continued dedication and support. Together, we create an environment where our students, staff, and families can thrive and celebrate learning. It is a privilege to work alongside such inspiring individuals who truly embody our values of kindness, growth, and service.

Stay Connected!
Follow us on social media to stay up-to-date with the latest news, events, and stories from the Shaler Area School District. Connect with us on:

• Twitter: @ShalerArea
• Facebook: facebook.com/ShalerAreaSD
• Instagram: @shalerareaschooldistrict

Sincerely,

Bryan E. O’Black, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools