August 22, 2025

Dear Shaler Area Families,

We are thrilled to celebrate the successful start of the 2024–25 school year! Over the past week, it has been inspiring to see our students return to classrooms filled with energy, curiosity, and excitement. Watching them reconnect with friends, engage in learning, and begin new experiences has been a reminder of what makes our school community so special. Thank you for the support and preparation that made this transition smooth and positive for our students.

School Transportation:
As we settle into routines, we know that some transportation concerns remain, and we want to assure you that our Transportation Department is working diligently to address them.

Ensure your child is at their assigned bus stop 15 minutes prior to the scheduled pick-up time. Parents should also plan to arrive 10 minutes early for drop-off. This will help avoid any delays and ensure a smooth start and end to their day.

Ensuring students arrive at school safely and on time is a top priority, and we appreciate your patience as routes and schedules continue to be fine-tuned. If you have questions or need assistance, please reach out to our team at businfo@shalerarea.org or call 412-492-1200 ext. 2824.

Infinite Campus Information:
We also encourage all families to update contact information and complete any outstanding paperwork in Infinite Campus. Accurate information ensures you receive timely updates and helps us provide the best possible support for your child. If you need assistance, our team can be reached at infinite@shalerarea.org.

Visitor Management:
As a reminder, all visitors entering our schools are required to check in through our Raptor Visitor Management System. Please be prepared to present a valid photo ID upon arrival. Once cleared, visitors will receive a printed badge to wear during their time in the building. This process is an important part of ensuring the safety and security of our students and staff.

If you wish to meet with a principal or counselor, we kindly ask that you call ahead to schedule an appointment. Doing so allows us to provide you with the time and attention you deserve while minimizing disruptions to the school day.

New High School Assistant Principal:
We are pleased to introduce Mr. Ryan Duane as our new Assistant Principal at Shaler Area High School, officially joining our team on Monday, August 18.

Mr. Duane brings extensive experience in both instruction and administration, most recently serving as Dean of Students and Assistant Athletic Director at Eastern View High School in Virginia, where he also taught chemistry and led initiatives in curriculum development, student discipline, and athletics.

Please join me in welcoming Mr. Duane to the Titan community—he is eager to connect with our staff, students, and families, and his leadership will be a valuable addition to our school.

Free Breakfast
In Pennsylvania, all public school students can get a free breakfast at school, regardless of their family’s income, as part of Governor Shapiro’s Universal Free Breakfast Program. This state-funded initiative ensures that every child has a nutritious meal to start their day, which improves their focus, academic performance, and overall well-being.

Back-to-School Events:
In addition, we invite you to attend back-to-school events in your child’s school. These events are a wonderful opportunity to connect with teachers, meet staff, and learn more about the exciting year ahead. Dates and details can be found at shalerarea.org.

High School Curriculum Night (9-12)
SAHS Curriculum Night is scheduled for Tuesday, August 26 from 6:00-8:30 PM.  This is a valuable opportunity for parents and guardians to walk through their student’s Day 1 schedule and spend approximately 10 minutes in each classroom. You’ll meet teachers, hear about course expectations, and learn how we’re supporting your child’s success this school year.  We hope you’ll join us for this special evening to connect with our educators and learn more about your student’s schedule.

Primary School Curriculum Nights (K–3)

Curriculum Nights for our primary schools—Burchfield, Marzolf, Reserve, and Scott—will be held on Thursday, August 28. Individual schools will share start times and building-specific details. We encourage families to attend to meet teachers, learn about classroom routines, and hear how we’ll partner with you throughout the year.

Coffee & Conversation Launches September 3:
We also hope you will join us for our first Coffee & Conversation of the year on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at 7:30 a.m. at Shaler Area Elementary School. This informal gathering is a great way to meet district leadership, share your thoughts, and engage in conversations about the year ahead.

School Supports:
Finally, we want to remind you that our teachers, counselors, and principals are here for your family. Adjusting to a new school year can sometimes bring challenges, and we encourage you to connect with us—no matter how big or small the concern may feel. Together, we can ensure every student feels supported, connected, and ready to succeed.

Stay Connected
Follow us on social media to celebrate all that’s happening in Shaler Area:

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

Thank you again for your partnership as we embark on this new school year. We look forward to the growth, accomplishments, and celebrations ahead as we continue to Engage, Empower, and Excel together.

Warm regards,

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