October 18, 2024

Dear Shaler Area Families,

As we move through the school year, it has been exciting for me to see so many families at our fall school and community events. We continue to celebrate the accomplishments of our students, staff, and community. This week has been filled with notable achievements, important transitions, and future planning that will help ensure continued success throughout the district. Here’s a look at some key highlights from the past week.

• Shaler Area Athletic Hall of Fame Induction: This past weekend we celebrated the induction of four individuals and one team into the Shaler Area Athletic Hall of Fame. The honorees include Leah Herman (Volleyball, Class of 2009), John Paul Holtz (Football/Basketball, Class of 2012), Elizabeth Kline Reinheimer (Volleyball/Basketball/Track, Class of 2015), Jeff Tissue (Soccer, Class of 1975), and the 1982 Varsity Softball Team. These athletes embody the spirit of Titan excellence with accolades ranging from WPIAL titles to careers in the NFL.
• Interim Principal Appointment: Ms. Heather Berney, currently Assistant Principal at Shaler Area Elementary School, has been appointed Interim Principal at Reserve Primary School. She will serve in this role until Mr. Pelkofer returns from his leave of absence. Ms. Berney has been a dedicated member of our district since 2006, and we are thrilled to have her in this interim leadership role.
• Mt. Royal Boulevard Road Work: PennDOT will continue paving on Mt. Royal Boulevard near Shaler Area Middle School from Monday, October 21, through Wednesday, October 23. Work will begin Monday starting at Glenshaw Ave and heading northbound. Tuesday, work begins around Woodland Ave and continue north to Dehaven St. Once all northbound work is completed, crews will turn around and southbound lanes will be paved, beginning at Dehaven St. On Wednesday, southbound work will continue, staring near Woodland Ave. All work is weather dependent. Please plan accordingly, as single-lane traffic restrictions may impact transportation schedules.
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• Congratulations to the Girls Soccer Team: Congratulations to the Shaler Area Girls Soccer team on their 3-0 victory over Gateway, clinching a WPIAL Playoff spot for the first time in 33 years! Incredible achievement, Titans!
• Support for Breast Cancer Awareness: A big shout out to all Shaler Area, students, staff and athletes who participated in the “Pink Out” in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This meaningful event raised awareness and showed support for a great cause, highlighting the spirit of compassion and unity in our Titan community.
• Strategic Planning: The Shaler Area School District is entering into a strategic planning process to thoughtfully prepare for the future. The voice of residents of each of the four communities in our district is essential for this process. We will be holding a series of community forums starting on October 22nd to enable all stakeholders—parents, students, educators, and community members—to share feedback, ideas, and perspectives that will shape the future of the Shaler Area School District. Visit bit.ly/SASDforum for more information and to register for our upcoming forums.
• Flexible Instructional Day (FID) Modification: Shaler Area will continue to utilize FIDs for unexpected school closures, such as inclement weather, to eliminate the need for make-up days. This year, we have adjusted FID operations to a two-hour delay schedule to allow for a smoother transition to remote learning. If necessary, the day will begin with a two-hour delay, and should weather conditions warrant, transition to a full FID day.Class Start Times on FID (Two-Hour Delay Schedule):
  • High School: 9:18 a.m.
  • Middle School: 9:40 a.m.
  • Elementary School: 10:12 a.m.
  • Primary Schools: 11:00 a.m.
    Additional information on FID day expectations will be released in the coming weeks.
• Winter Sports Physicals: A reminder to student-athletes that winter sports physicals are scheduled for November 5, 2024. Visit our Athletics website for more details and to ensure you are ready for the upcoming winter sports season.

Looking ahead, there will be no school on November 5 due to Election Day.

This week has been marked by exciting achievements, meaningful transitions, and proactive steps toward the future. Let’s continue to Engage, Empower, and Excel as we move forward through the school year!

Yours in education,

Bryan E. O’Black, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Shaler Area School District