September 19, 2025
Dear Shaler Area Families,
Each week in Shaler Area brings new reasons to be proud of our students, staff, and community. As we reflect on the past several days, I am excited to share five stories that illustrate the creativity, hard work, and Titan pride that define our district.
One of the most rewarding parts of my role has been the opportunity to meet with our incredible students and learn more about their experiences in our schools. Hearing first hand about their passions, challenges, and aspirations reminds me daily of why we are all here – to support and uplift our students in every way possible. Their insights, creativity, and perspectives continue to shape our efforts to create an enriching and inclusive environment for all
These moments are reminders of how, together, we continue to build opportunities that Engage, Empower, and Excel for every learner.
Be My Neighbor Day
Join me on September 20th for “Be My Neighbor Day!” We’ll have live music and performers, bouncy houses, free snow cones, a wiffleball park, crafts and activities, and you can even meet Daniel Tiger! Meet our first responders and learn what they do from 1-5 pm at the Etna Borough Building Community Care Fair, and visit the Garden of Etna for even more fun! Click here for more information.
Student Spotlight: Andrew Purucker
I am pleased to share that Shaler Area High School student Andrew Purucker has been named a Commended Student in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. Andrew earned this recognition by placing among the top 50,000 scores of all students who took the test across the nation. Congratulations to Andrew on this outstanding academic achievement!
Homecoming 2025
I am thrilled to invite you to join us for this year’s Homecoming festivities, where we will celebrate our Titan pride with a day full of events and activities for all ages. The tradition of homecoming is a special one in the Shaler Area community and we hope you’ll consider it an opportunity to bring generations together and form some new traditions of your own in doing so.
Mark your calendars for Shaler Area Homecoming Saturday, September 27th, 2025!
- Homecoming Parade: See the creativity of our students and the enthusiasm of our community in the Homecoming Parade, kicking off at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 27th, 2025. The parade will process down Mt. Royal Boulevard, starting at St. Matthew Parish, St. Bonaventure Campus, and concluding at the Central Office.
- Community Picnic: Immediately following the parade, join us for a picnic on the front lawn of the Central Office and Middle School starting at noon. Titans past and present will enjoy a variety of fun activities, including food booths operated by SASD boosters, inflatables, pony rides, Shaler Area clothing sales, and more!
- Football Game: The day will culminate with our Homecoming football game against Penn Hills at 1:30 p.m. at Titan Stadium. Come cheer on our team as they showcase their hard work and dedication on the field!
Middle School Vendor Fair
Shaler Area Middle School will host its 18th annual Vendor & Craft Fair on Saturday, October 4, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the school, located at 1810 Mt. Royal Blvd. Admission is free, and attendees can enjoy browsing more than 60 crafters and vendors, along with raffles and refreshments available throughout the event.
Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow
September is Attendance Awareness Month. Strong, consistent attendance directly translates to positive academic achievements for students. This month, I invite each of you to consider what obstacles might cause absences and plan ahead now so they won’t get in the way. We’ve prepared a list of helpful tips here. As always, our school counselors stand ready to assist if you would benefit from additional support.
With Titan Pride,
