“🎉 Huge congratulations to Grace Arrigo and Rhiannon Bowman for representing Mount Pleasant at the Seton Hill Women in STEM event! 🌟 Both students have been awarded a $26,000 per year scholarship to attend Seton Hill University. 🏆 Your hard work and dedication to STEM are inspiring, and we couldn’t be prouder! 🚀 #WomenInSTEM #ScholarshipSuccess #MPPride”
🎶 A New MPA Holiday Tradition! 🎶
We’ve officially started an annual tradition here at MPA: staff caroling in the rotunda on the last day before break! This year’s performance was extra special for a few reasons:
1️⃣ It was our biggest staff band ever!
2️⃣ Mr. Gary Gray and Mr. Matt Hladio came out of band retirement to join on trombone and percussion (welcome back, legends!).
3️⃣ Thanks to Bethany Rose, the percussion book for David Newell’s “Classic Christmas Carols for Band" was discovered. Adding timpani, bass drum, and other percussion made the ensemble sound fuller and more festive than ever!
What a way to ring in the holiday season! Christmas break, here we come! 🎄🎅
#HappyHolidays #MPTraditions #RotundaCaroling
🔬 Anatomy in Action! 🩺
Today, Mrs. Yackovich’s Anatomy class had an unforgettable experience with special guest speaker Dr. Bisignani, an esteemed orthopedic surgeon! Students had the unique opportunity to perform a knee replacement simulation using the actual surgical tools utilized in real operations.
But the excitement doesn’t end there! Our students have been invited to:
➡️ Observe a live surgery in the operating room at Westmoreland Hospital.
➡️ Work on cadavers at St. Vincent, diving deeper into their studies of the human body.
Dr. Bisignani was incredibly impressed with our students’ knowledge, attentiveness, and enthusiasm, calling them a standout group. What an incredible opportunity to bridge classroom learning with hands-on experiences in the medical field!
We’re so proud of our students for their dedication and grateful to Dr. Bisignani for inspiring the next generation of medical professionals. 👏💉
#AnatomyInAction #MPStudentsShine #FutureMedicalLeaders #HandsOnLearning
🎁 A Season of Giving at MPASD!!🎄
We are so proud of our incredible Student Council for their heartfelt efforts this holiday season! 💖 This year, they wrapped 452 presents for little Vikes here in our district. Each child received gifts valued at over $150, with many receiving up to $200 worth of toys.
This was truly a banner year! Parents were overjoyed, and many shared that these gifts would be lovingly placed under the tree until Christmas morning, making the season extra magical for their families.
But the generosity didn’t stop there. Our Student Council transformed the school café into a winter wonderland of fun! From face painting and arts & crafts to games, coloring, and block building, there was something for everyone. It was heartwarming to see so many families stay and enjoy the activities after picking up their gifts. And, of course, the kids loved the cookies and drinks provided!
We’re so proud of our MPA students for their dedication, kindness, and commitment to making a difference. Their hard work and holiday spirit remind us all of the true meaning of this season. 🌟
Let’s celebrate our amazing students and their generosity! 🙌🎅
#MPStudentCouncil #SeasonOfGiving #ProudCommunity
❄️ Snow much fun in Mrs. Wilson’s Child Development class! ❄️
Our preschoolers got hands-on with a cool science activity—making their own snow! ⛄ Through this fun and engaging experiment, they explored textures, temperatures, and teamwork while discovering how science and creativity go hand-in-hand. #BabyVikes #LetitSnow
Chief Grabiak and his daughter Isabella represented the MPASD Police Department and School District at the SHOP with a COP event held at the Mount Pleasant Walmart. They, with numerous other Law Enforcement Agencies and Walmart employees, were able to make Christmas more special for many students.
🚔 Officer Brehun recently visited Mr. Fazekas’s and Mrs. Hause’s classes to discuss important topics like vaping and social media. The students learned about the risks associated with vaping and how to navigate the digital world responsibly.
Thanks to Officer Brehun for sharing valuable insights and helping our students make informed decisions! #VapingAwareness #SocialMediaSafety
🌟Join us in celebrating the incredible work of school psychologists like Christopher Holtzman, whose dedication and expertise make a lasting impact on students, educators, and the entire community. As a school psychologist at Mount Pleasant Area School District, Chris goes above and beyond to ensure every student’s emotional, mental, and academic needs are met.
His unwavering commitment to fostering a positive, supportive environment is shaping the future of our schools, one child at a time. Thank you, Chris, for your compassion, hard work, and passion for empowering students to succeed!
#SchoolPsychologist #StudentSuccess #MentalHealthMatters #SupportingStudents
🎖️🇺🇸 Honoring Our Veterans 🇺🇸🎖️
The Donegal, Norvelt and Ramsay Elementary School communities gathered this week to honor and celebrate the brave men and women who have served our country. The Veterans Day programs were beautiful gatherings filled with heartfelt student performances, patriotic songs, and meaningful tributes to our local heroes. Students shared their gratitude and respect, while veterans in attendance shared stories and words of wisdom.
A big thank you to all the veterans and families who joined us this past week. Your courage and dedication are an inspiration to our entire school community. Happy Veterans Day! 🌟❤️💙
#VeteransDay #ThankYouVeterans #HeroesAmongUs #Patriotic
🌟💼 Building Tomorrow's Leaders! 💼🌟
Our 9th graders took a big step in their leadership journey this week with an inspiring workshop from the University of Pittsburgh! They explored their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT analysis) and took the 16 Personalities test to dive deep into their unique leadership styles and competencies. 🧠✨ These experiences are helping them develop self-awareness, team-building skills, and the confidence to lead with impact!
Huge thanks to @Pitt for guiding our students in this exciting session! 💙💛 #FutureLeaders #LeadershipSkills #SWOTAnalysis #SelfDiscovery #UniversityOfPittsburgh
💪🩺 Learning Lifesaving Skills! 🩺💪
Today, our students had the invaluable experience of learning CPR! 🚑 They practiced hands-on techniques that could make a real difference in emergencies. Thank you, Mrs. Yackovich, for teaching this vital skill! 🙌❤️ #CPRTraining #FutureHeroes
Our talented students showcased their skills and strategy at the Penn-Trafford Invitational Chess Tournament! 🎓♟️ With focus, patience, and hours of practice behind each move, they truly represented our school with pride and sportsmanship. 🌟♟️💪 #ChessTournament #GoVikes
🎉 Portals Project Students at CMU’s Entertainment Technology Center
Our Portals Project students had an amazing experience visiting Carnegie Mellon University’s Entertainment Technology Center, where they got to stand at the intersection where technology and entertainment meet to explore the innovative advancements of CMU graduate students!! From beta testing an Apple Watch game designed to monitor heart rate and assess truthfulness to trying out a digital third-person game inspired by a popular tabletop RPG, our students were immersed in groundbreaking projects.
This behind-the-scenes experience gave them firsthand insight into the creativity, rigor, and innovation that drive technology and entertainment forward, inspiring their own ideas and future ambitions. Huge thanks to the CMU team for this unforgettable learning opportunity! 🚀🌟 #PortalsProject #CMUETC #InnovationInEducation #FutureCreators
📸 Training in Action: MPASD Police Department Prepares for Critical Response
On Saturday, November 2nd, 2024, the MPASD Police Department participated in an intensive Active Shooter/Assailant Law Enforcement Response training. Conducted by the RHL Group—a local team of seasoned law enforcement professionals—this six-hour session was packed with realistic, hands-on scenarios designed to sharpen our officers’ skills in rapid threat assessment, situational awareness, and tactical response.
Through search and contact drills, rapid entry, and room-clearing techniques in solo, two-person, and four-person teams, our officers practiced essential procedures to effectively contain and neutralize threats. Officers were also presented with challenging scenarios that required critical decision-making under pressure, strengthening their readiness to respond swiftly and decisively.
Thank you to RHL Group for this invaluable training opportunity as we continue our commitment to the safety and security of our community. 💪👮 #MPASDPolice #CommunitySafety #LawEnforcementTraining
Students at Norvelt Elementary spent the past week learning about the election process. Today, they voted for president. They completed a voter registration card; voted electronically using a Google form; and received an "I Voted" sticker. Tomorrow, students will color an Electoral College map to track the winner of the election. #FutureVoters #Election2024 #CivicsEducation
🍕 Fractions in Action! ! 🍕 In Mrs. Jaworski's classroom, students took on the roles of chefs and guests to learn fractions in a deliciously hands-on way! 👩🍳👨🍳 Each "chef" received an order from their "guest," practicing social skills while taking orders and creating custom pizzas. Using topping portions as fractions, students learned to: 1️⃣ Take pizza orders and understand fractions 2️⃣ Use social skills in a restaurant setting 3️⃣ Build pizzas with precise fraction toppings 4️⃣ Reflect on their work by reviewing the orders The pizza boxes were generously donated by Alexander's Pizza and added a real touch to their creations. This was definitely a slice of learning they’ll never forget! 🍕🎉 Thank you, Alexander's Pizza!! #FractionFun #HandsOnLearning #MathSkills
AP history students attending the UN Sustainability Conference in Pittsburgh , where they explored global environmental issues and sustainable development goals alongside the leaders and experts in their respective fields.
Bubbles make a great stand in for cell membranes. They’re fluid, flexible, and can self-repair. Bubbles and cell membranes are alike because their parts are so similar. Here you can see our AP Biology seniors having the time of their lives exploring these similarities.
In conjunction with the unit Heroes: From Beowulf to 9/11, Ms. Krider’s English 12 students visited the Flight 93 Memorial today. Time was spent reflecting on the legacy of courage and sacrifice shown by the heroic actions of the Flight 93 passengers.❤️💙
