Dear Shaler Area Community,
As we welcome the arrival of spring, I want to take a moment to thank our students, staff, and families for their continued dedication, resilience, and partnership in making Shaler Area a place of learning, growth, and opportunity. With spring break scheduled for April 14–18, I hope this time provides everyone with a chance to rest, recharge, and enjoy time with loved ones.
As part of our Strategic Planning Process for 2025–2030, we’ve engaged in meaningful conversations with students, staff, families, and community members to shape the future of our district. Through this work, we are implementing updated mission, vision, and core value statements that reflect our commitment to providing high-quality education and fostering an inclusive, supportive learning environment.
You can learn more about our strategic direction and district updates in this video message.
Our mission is to create welcoming learning environments that foster academic growth, provide enhanced learning opportunities, and support career readiness, while educating the whole child for future success. Our vision remains clear—we strive to engage all students in meaningful learning, empower them to reach their full potential, and inspire them to excel.
We are proud to introduce our newly revised “Portrait of a Titan,” a shared vision for the characteristics we seek to develop in all Shaler Area students. This updated framework replaces the former Portrait of a Graduate and emphasizes the essential skills, mindsets, and values necessary for lifelong success.
The Portrait of a Titan highlights the importance of being resourceful, flexible, compassionate, resilient, curious, and socially responsible. These characteristics will be embedded in our instructional practices, student experiences, and school culture to ensure all students are prepared to lead, contribute, and thrive.
Additionally, we have identified four key priority areas that will guide our district’s efforts over the next five years:
- Career Readiness & Workforce Development
- Enhanced Learning Opportunities
- Educating the Whole Child
- Welcoming Learning Environments.
This school year has been filled with incredible student accomplishments and staff recognitions. From championship titles in athletics to award-winning performances in our music and theater programs, our students continue to demonstrate excellence across academics, the arts, and extracurricular activities. Career and technical education students have earned industry certifications, and our academic teams have excelled in regional and state competitions. We’ve also celebrated the achievements of teachers, counselors, and administrators who have been recognized for their innovation, leadership, and commitment to student success.
We remain focused on ensuring a safe and secure learning environment for all. Our district continues to work in close partnership with local law enforcement and safety professionals across the state to enhance security measures. Most recently, our Board of School Directors approved the implementation of the OpenGate weapons detection solution at Shaler Area Middle School and Shaler Area High School beginning with the 2025–2026 school year.
As we move forward, I encourage all members of our school community to stay engaged, share their ideas, and remain active partners in our work. Together, we will continue building a strong foundation for every student’s success and ensure that Shaler Area remains a leader in public education.
Thank you for your ongoing support of our schools. I wish you a safe, restful, and enjoyable spring break!
Warm regards,
Bryan E. O’Black, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
