and assessment strategies . As part of the Pittsburgh fellows cohort , Kelm ’ s work at the primary level will be integral to this research .
Kelm will be presenting her work at the Project Zero Perspectives conference May 12 and 13 in Pittsburgh . The conference ’ s theme Making-Innovating-Learning will explore the attributes of effective learning environments , with a special focus on creativity , the arts and the maker movement .
Two Shaler Area Schools Named Title I Distinguished Schools
Shaler Area is proud to announce two of its primary schools were named Title I Distinguished Schools by the Pennsylvania Department of Education , Division of Federal Programs .
Jeffery Primary School and Marzolf Primary School are two of only 168 Title I schools in Pennsylvania to be named a Title I Distinguished School for the 2016-2017 school year . Title I Distinguished Schools are selected based upon the highest 5 percent of Title I schools ’ aggregate math and reading PSSA data .
“ We are extremely proud to have two of our schools recognized with the Title I Distinguished Schools distinction ,” says Superintendent Sean Aiken . “ This honor reflects the hard work and dedication of our staff and students at these schools and our commitment to the education of all students .”
The Pennsylvania Department of Education , Division of Federal Programs , honored Jeffery and Marzolf Primary Schools at the 2017 Title I Improving Schools ’ Performance Conference during the Distinguished Schools ’ Award Ceremony on Monday , Jan . 30 , at the Sheraton Station Square in Pittsburgh .
Shaler Area Middle School Science Department Receives Two PPG Grants
Shaler Area Middle School science department is the recipient of two PPG Innovative Classroom Grants that will benefit students by introducing additional resources into the classroom .
One $ 1,000 PPG Innovative Classroom Grant will fund the purchase of six dual-range force sensors , and a second $ 1,000 PPG Innovative Classroom Grant will fund the purchase laboratory sets of Happy Atoms modeling kits .
The dual-range force sensors will be used in the eighth-grade science friction , forces , and simple machines unit . The dual-range force sensors will be used to monitor and measure force and graph the force through the motion of an object moving with the aid of a simple machine . The six sensors will allow each of the three eighth-grade science teachers to have two per classroom .
“ The dual-range sensors in the classroom will highly engage and greatly enhance the experience and understanding of how forces change the motion of an object ,” says Sondra Jodkin , science teacher .
The Happy Atoms kits allow students to create model molecules using elements in the periodic table . Student can then scan the created molecule using an app on their iPads to further explore how molecules interact with each other through chemical reactions .
Dennis Reagle , middle school science teacher , said chemistry can be a very abstract subject and the Happy Atoms kits will help students visualize the structural differences of atoms .
“ It is our hope that using these manipulatives will give the students a concrete foundation to their understanding of chemistry ,” Reagle says .
SAHS Class of 1994 Grad Named Distinguished Alumnus
Shaler Area proudly announced Dr . Ryan Soose , Class of 1994 , as the 2016 Distinguished Alumnus .
Dr . Soose was recognized during the National Honor Society Induction Ceremony in November for his accomplishments following high school graduation and his contributions to the medical field .
“ It ’ s a tremendous honor to even be considered for this award with so many talented and successful people to come out of Shaler Area over the years ,” says Dr . Soose .
Dr . Soose is a respected otolaryngologist , and the Director of the UPMC Division of Sleep Surgery in the Department of Otolaryngology . As the region ’ s only otolaryngologist who is both fellowship-trained and board-certified in sleep medicine , Dr . Soose has established one of the nation ’ s premier comprehensive sleep medicine and sleep surgery clinical practices .
Dr . Soose graduated summa cum laude from the University of Notre Dame in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science degree in pre-professional studies . He was accepted early admission to the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine where he graduated in 2002 . While at the University of Pittsburgh , Dr . Soose was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society and was also awarded the Kenneth Hinderer Award for the most outstanding student in Otolaryngology in 2001-2002 . He completed his medical and surgical training at UPMC with an internship in the General Surgery , a residency in Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery , and fellowship training in Sleep Medicine . He currently practices at UPMC Mercy and trains residents , medical students , and international visiting scholars as a faculty member of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine .
Dr . Soose ’ s research interests center on the development of novel therapeutic approaches for obstructive sleep apnea . He is an active investigator on multiple clinical trials including the leading site in the multicenter Stimulation Therapy for Apnea Reduction ( STAR ) trial - an FDA-approved phase III trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of an implantable neurostimulation device for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea . He has published original research and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in major medical journals . His primary publication from the STAR trial earned the Clinical Research Forum Top 10 Clinical Research Achievement Award in the U . S . in 2014 . He is an appointed member of the national Sleep Disorders Committee of the American Academy of Otolaryngology as well as an active member of the International Surgical Sleep Society and American Academy of Sleep Medicine . Dr . Soose presents regularly to medical , surgical , and dental professionals on local , regional , national and international levels .
haler Area SHALER AREA SCHOOL NEWS
Shaler | Spring 2017 | icmags . com 55