MESSAGE FROM
Mr. Matthew
Patterson
Assistant
Superintendent
of Elementary
Education
P
eter Senge defines a learning organization as one “that facilitates the
learning of its members and continuously transforms itself.” The West
Jefferson Hills School District can, without a doubt, be considered an
organization that is continually learning and growing. I am very proud
of the incredibly hard work of our educators, paraeducators, administrators,
support personnel and most of all, our students and their parents/guardians.
Change is hard and something most people wish to avoid. However, the greatest
of the world’s athletes, scholars, musicians, and school districts rose to greatness
through change. As the District continues to transform itself into one of the
premier districts in Pennsylvania, we will learn and continue to adjust until we
accomplish our goals.
These first months of the new school year have taught us a great deal. They
have shown us areas in which we can continue to improve and have also
generated viable ideas by many people in our schools and at home. The major
curriculum initiatives of the District have shown us what children can do and
that they can rise to the level of rigor that today’s academic standards require. In
Math, children are developing deeper understandings of ‘why’ Math is needed
and not just ‘how’ to do it. Our writers are publishing well-written pieces that are
truly their own and conferring with other children to help them flourish. When
children grow as writers, they become better readers. Children now receive
consistent science programming at each of the grade levels and are constantly
making exciting discoveries. The opportunity for small-group Math and Reading
Instruction, with a continual focus on personalized learning, gives our students a
tremendous advantage to reach their fullest potential.
As a learning organization, we are learning more effective methods for
grading to provide parents/guardians with meaningful information about what a
child knows and can do. Our Math curriculum is challenging, and we are learning
the best ways to share resources with parents/guardians so that they may be
more of a partner. We are learning and investigating methods for improving our
transportation system to reduce wait and ride times. We are learning new ways
to celebrate learning and special occasions in our schools which help to develop
a sense of pride, inclusiveness, and joy.
I want to acknowledge the enormity of change that has been introduced
with the start of this school year. I will continue to ask for everyone’s patience
and understanding as we travel along the road of reaching our goals. Not a day
passes that we are not reminded of this community’s hopes and dreams which
were identified through the various stakeholder sessions and surveys Dr. Ghilani
led nearly two years ago. If we are to be the very best and ensure that every child
grows in our school system, we must remain persistent and determined through
the change process. As has been said by others, “nothing worthwhile comes
easy.” The transformation of the West Jefferson Hills School District will be some
of the most challenging and time-consuming work that we may ever do. When
we reach our goals, we will look back with pride in knowing that it was “all about
the kids.”
42 WEST JEFFERSON HILLS
First Impressions of Thomas
Jefferson High School
T
he first semester of the 2018-2019
school year is quickly coming to a
close, so I felt it was a good time to
reflect upon my first 4 ½ months
at Thomas Jefferson High School. From my
first official day on the job, July 30, 2018,
I have been thoroughly impressed by the
students, faculty, community involvement, and
traditions associated with Thomas Jefferson
High School. TJ, the unofficial name for the
high school, is a place filled with tremendous
talent that presents itself in a variety of ways.
The teaching faculty is filled with dynamic
and committed educators who are truly
invested in providing the best learning
environment for our students. They care
about the students they instruct and work
to creatively engage students in the learning
experience. Many teachers are creating
authentic classroom opportunities that
result in increased knowledge, sustained and
elevated academic performance, and future
marketplace competitiveness.
As a newly-inducted member of the
community, I am encouraged by and so
appreciative of the tremendous support
offered and provided to our students by
parents, booster organizations, and the
community at large. These contributions,
along with the involvement of parents/
guardians and countless other individuals
(many of whom have children that have
already graduated from TJ), ensure that our
students have the necessary resources to be
competitive and successful in the classroom,
athletics, academic competitions, and extra-
curricular activities. The communities of
West Elizabeth, Pleasant Hills, and Jefferson
Hills come together and support TJ student
activities unconditionally and enthusiastically.
This is what makes TJ well-rounded, and a very
special place to live, learn, and work.
The students that walk the halls of TJ
have also impressed me in many ways.
Generally, the individuals that make up
our student body are hardworking, polite,
and dedicated individuals who effectively
balance academics, extracurricular activities,
and social commitments on a daily basis. I
have had the pleasure of quickly discovering
the many talents the individuals who walk
these halls possess. Each day, our Steel
Center students passionately learn trades
and acquire skills that are in great demand
in today’s society; they will become the
next generation of skilled individuals our