Dr. Reljac Awarded Pitt’s
School of Education’s 2017
PreK-12 Award
Dr. Mary Catherine Reljac, Assistant Superintendent, was this
year’s recipient of the School of Education’s 2017 PreK-12 Award
given by the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Education. She
accepted the award at the School of Education’s Alumni Awards
Reception on March 24, 2017.
The award focuses on Pitt’s School of Education Alumni
with more than 10 years of professional experience in preK-12
education. The award recognized Dr. Reljac for her outstanding
accomplishments in the classroom and administration.
Criteria for the award included professional accomplishments,
professional and public service, and service and support to the
School of Education and the University of Pittsburgh.
In addition to her role as
Assistant Superintendent, where
she is responsible for curriculum,
instruction, assessment,
professional development, and
supervision of the educational
leadership team, Dr. Reljac serves
as a facilitator for the Pennsylvania
Inspired Leadership Program,
specifically working with district
administrators using the National
Institute for School Leadership curriculum.
Dr. Reljac earned her Bachelor of Science in Music Education
from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a Letter of Eligibility
from California University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Science
in Educational Leadership from Carlow College, and a Doctor of
Educational Leadership from the University of Pittsburgh.
120 FRMS
Students Earn
CPR Certification
By the end of the 2016-17 school
year, an additional 120 Franklin Regional
Middle School students will be CPR
and First Aid Pediatric certified by
the American Red Cross. The picture
represents the hands of some of the
6th grade students who earned their
certification through hands-on practice
and studying during their 6th grade
Family and Consumer Science course (FACS).
Holly Nickolas, FACS teacher at FRMS, said
students learned personal development,
leadership, professionalism, personal safety,
child development, basic child care, how to
recognize an emergency, how to handle
a variety of first aid emergencies along
with basic life-saving skills.
“If you do the math, this is my 10th
year of teaching FACS so that adds up to
a lot of trained young people out there in
our community,” said Ms. Nickolas. “The
program was in place years prior to me
assuming the class, so I can only imagine
how many youngsters have been trained
in CPR and first aid at FR. I think that’s
really exciting and impressive.”
Students receive their certification
cards at the close of each semester
during the school year.
FR School Board Honored with D. Richard Wynn Award
The Franklin Regional Board of School Directors received the
D. Richard Wynn Award from Tri-State Study Council through the
University of Pittsburgh at a banquet on March 9, 2017 at the
Edgewood Country Club.
Before a crowd of approximately 200 educators including
members of the Franklin Regional administrative team, the FR
Board accepted the award recognizing exemplary practices during
the 2014-2016 school years. The Franklin Regional School Board
won the Wynn Award for being a dedicated group of individuals
with a coherent vision and purpose to impact education. The Board
is credited with operating with integrity, civility, and in an ethical
and responsible manner. The Board was recognized for consistently
42 Murrysville
honoring the needs of students, staff and the community to
improve schooling for the students in the district.
“After a difficult situation occurred in the district, the Franklin
Regional Board has become a stronger group, always serving
as effective stewards of the district,” said Dr. Diane L. Kirk,
Director of Tri-State Study Council, who presented the Board and
Superintendent Dr. Gennaro R. Piraino, Jr. with the award plaque.
Board members recognized at the banquet were Dr. Lawrence
Borland, Herbert Yingling, Roberta Cook, George Harding, Susan
Ilgenfritz, John Koury, Gregg Neavin, Sr., Dennis Pavlik, Jeremy
Samek, and Jane Tower.
The D. Richard Wynn Award was commissioned by the Tri-
State Study Council’s Executive Committee during the 1988-1989
school year to symbolize the contributions of Dr. D. Richard Wynn.
Dr. Wynn was the Executive Secretary of Tri-State from 1974 to
1980, and during his tenure, he promoted the idea that decision
making by the School Board and administrators should move from
conflict to compromise. His idea was frequently referred to as the
“win-win” process as he believed that students would be the true
beneficiaries of this tactic.
In order to be considered for the award, school organizations
must demonstrate exemplary practices by school boards and
school district personnel in addressing important issues—issues
that reflect directly on improved schooling for students—over at
least a two-year period.