- Hempfield Area School District
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Hempfield Area School District Spartan.png Type and location Type Public Grades K - 12 Country United States Location Greensburg, Pennsylvania District Info Superintendent Dr. Terry Foriska Students and staff Students 6348 in 2009-10 Staff Approx. 440 District Mascot Spartan Colors Royal blue and Silver
Other information Website District Website Hempfield Area School District is a large school district in western PA. It is the largest in Westmoreland County with a resident population of over 50,000, and covers approximately 70 square miles (180 km2) and lies 25 miles (40 km) southeast of Pittsburgh. The school district was formed in a merger of The School District of Hempfield Township, Adamsburg School District, Hunker School District, Manor School District and Youngwood School District on July 3, 1961. The school district population comes from Hempfield Township and the boroughs of Adamsburg, Hunker, Manor, New Stanton and Youngwood. It completely surrounds the city of Greensburg. The community is a mix of Pittsburgh suburbia and rural areas.
The school system includes six elementary buildings, three middle schools, a high school, an alternative education school and an after-school alternative education program. The Central Westmoreland Career and Technology Center serves Hempfield students in the high school. Hempfield Area School District is made up of approximately 6,600 students in grades K-12 and is served by a professional staff of 445, a support staff of nearly 300 and an educational administrative staff of 20.Contents
Administration
- Andrew Leopold (Superintendent)
- Dr. Barbara Marin (Assistant Superintendent)
- David Johnston (Director of Pupil Services)
- George DeCaro (Human Resources Director)
- Jude Abraham (Business Manager)
- Julio Velasquez (Technology Director)
- Greg Meisner (Athletic Director)
- Alene Mancini (Supervisor of Special Education)
- Paul Williamson (Director of Buildings and Grounds)
- Lee Mizwa (Assistant Director of Buildings and Grounds)
- Len Coniglio (Transportation Director)
- Peter Bond (Director of Dining Services)
School Board (term of 4 years) [1]
- Randy Stoner (President) - Elected 2007
- Gordon Scherff (Vice President) - Elected 2007
- John Henry - Elected 2007
- Diane Ciabattoni - Elected 2009
- William Shay - Elected 2007
- Sonya Brajdic - Elected 2009
- Robert McDonald - Elected 2009
- Joe Lutz - Elected 2009
- Jeffrey Weber - Appointed 2009 (politically appointed)
- Linda Zundel (Secretary)
- Dennis Slyman (Solicitor)
Elementary schools
- Bovard Elementary School is located in the northeastern section of Hempfield Township, Pennsylvania. Bovard serves approximately 240 students in grades Kindergarten through fifth. The school was opened in 1975, making it the last school built in the district.
Principal: Robert Buffone
- Fort Allen Elementary School was opened in 1952 and completely renovated in 2000-2001. It is located in central Hempfield Township, Pennsylvania. Upgraded school facilities include an enlarged library with internet access and computerized library catalogue, a 32-station computer lab, full size gym with a stage, well equipped art and music rooms, remolded cafeteria, a nurse's suite, conference room, and modern office space as well as 28 full size classrooms and a number of smaller rooms for specialized instruction. The building has complete climate control. Outside is a large playground.
Principal: Marty Rovedatti-Jackson
- Maxwell Elementary School is nestled on 10 acres (40,000 m2) in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. It was opened in 1952 and was renovated in 2000. Maxwell serves approximately 455 students in kindergarten through fifth grade.
Principal: Debra Schoming
- Stanwood Elementary School is located eight miles (13 km) southwest of Greensburg, Pennsylvania and five miles (8 km) due south of Hempfield High School in New Stanton Borough. The school was originally opened in 1970 as a junior high school. Due to declining enrollment, Hempfield did not have a need for four junior high schools. In 1984, New Stanton Elementary and Youngwood Elementary were closed and Stanwood was turned into an elementary school. Stanwood serves approximately 575 students in grades Kindergarten through fifth. The school's cadre of teachers and support staff numbers approximately 60. It will be renovated after the 2007-2008 school year. (The school district postponed this and started the school year of 2009-2010...It will be finished before the end of the school year)
Principal: Raymond Burk
- West Hempfield Elementary School is located in Irwin, Pennsylvania. West Hempfield Elementary School was opened in 1962 and completely renovated in 2002-2003. This school serves approximately 615 students in grades Kindergarten through fifth.
Principal: Randall Sarnelli
- West Point Elementary School is located off of Route 130 in eastern Hempfield Township, Pennsylvania. West Point Elementary School, which was opened in 1964 and renovated in 2001. West Point serves approximately 250 students from eastern Hempfield Township in grades Kindergarten through fifth. Starting in the 2007-08 school year, students that attended East Hempfield Elementary will now attend here.
Principal: Audrey Dell
Middle schools
Harrold Middle School is located directly across from the Hempfield Area High School in the central part of Hempfield Township, Pennsylvania. It is the largest of the three Hempfield Area Middle Schools. It is also the oldest school in the district. It was opened in 1929 and has been renovated extensively in 1985 and in 2000.
Principal: Jason Lochner- In 2009, the 8th grade was ranked 36th out of 141 western Pennsylvania middle schools based on three years of student academic achievement in PSSAs in: reading, math writing and one year of science.[2] (Includes schools in: Allegheny County, Beaver County, Butler County, Fayette County, Westmoreland County, and Washington County
Wendover Middle School is located in the eastern part of Hempfield Township, Pennsylvania. The school was opened in 1970 and is due to be renovated in the next few years. Students participate in a variety of district, regional, state, and national academic and athletic competitions. The students win numerous awards and championships annually.
Principal: Deanna Mikesic- In 2009, the 8th grade was ranked 20th out of 141 western Pennsylvania middle schools based on three years of student academic achievement in PSSAs in: reading, math writing and one year of science.[3] (Includes schools in: Allegheny County, Beaver County, Butler County, Fayette County, Westmoreland County, and Washington County
West Hempfield Middle School is located in Irwin, Pennsylvania. It was opened in 1964 and was completely renovated and updated for the start of the 2003-2004 school year. Students participate in a variety of district, regional, state, and national academic and athletic competitions. The students win numerous awards and championships annually. West Hempfield Middle serves students in the western and now southern part of Hempfield Township.
Principal: Aaron Steinly- In 2009, the 8th grade was ranked 45th out of 141 western Pennsylvania middle schools based on three years of student academic achievement in PSSAs in: reading, math writing and one year of science.[4] (Includes schools in: Allegheny County, Beaver County, Butler County, Fayette County, Westmoreland County, and Washington County
High school
Vocational Technical Services
HAHS uses the services of Central Westmoreland Career and Technology Center in New Stanton for the students there who wish to chose a vocational or technical program.
Alternative Education School
Crossroads School is an alternative education school that is jointly operated by the Hempfield Area School District and the Mount Pleasant Area School District. Each school district has students who are removed from their home school because of either parent request, discipline infractions or truancy violations. Historically these students were placed at privately operated schools that specialized in educating disruptive youths.
Both school districts heard concerns from parents about the privately operated schools. One concern was the amount of time the students traveled on the school bus to these schools which were located outside either district or outside Westmoreland County. They expressed concerns for their children as well as how difficult it was for them as parents to attend parent conferences at those schools. The second issue was that our students were not being afforded the same quality of education that they received at their home school district. The private schools had to offer a general type of curriculum that would enable the student to blend back into a variety of school districts throughout Allegheny and Westmoreland County.
Both school districts decided that the best way to address these concerns was to provide a district operated alternative education program. The travel time is reduced by having the program located at the former East Hempfield Elementary School. The two districts can assure a qualified staff, instruction and curriculum by providing district staff and curriculum.
Director:
Former Schools
- East Hempfield Elementary School (1958-2007) was a primary school located in eastern Hempfield Township, Pennsylvania. East Hempfield served approximately 200 students in grades Kindergarten through second. After students finished second grade, they would attend West Point Elementary School. The school was built in 1958.
- Bovard Elementary School (1)
- St. Clair Elementary School (1)
- St. Clair Elementary School (2)
- Youngwood Elementary School
- Youngwood Junior High School
- New Stanton Elementary School
- Thomas Elementary School ( -1983)
- Manor Elementary School (1901-1990)
- Manor Junior High School
- Lincoln Heights Elementary School
- Luxor Elementary School
- Mt. Odin Elementary School
- Todd Elementary School
- Diamond Elementary School
- Pleasant Valley Elementary School
- Brush Creek Elementary School
- Grapeville Elementary School
- Washington Elementary School
- Hannastown Elementary School
- Liberty Elementary School
- Kamerer Elementary School
- Weavers Old Stand Elementary School
- Kennedy Elementary School
- Armburst Elementary School
- Hillview Elementary School
- Blank Elementary School
- High Park Elementary School
- Oak Grove Elementary School
- Swede Hill Elementary School
- Stanton Elementary School
- Wendel Elementary School
- Paintersville Elementary School
- Hunker Elementary School
- Harrold #8 (1881-1928) - Restored and now used by the district as an educational tool.
Former Superintendents
- Dr. Terry Foriska (2007-2011)
- Dr. Wayne Doyle (2000-2007)
- Dr. Erv Weischedel (1999-2000)
- Dr. Barbara Ferrier (1998-1999) (Acting)
- Dr. Cheryl Troglio (1997-1998) (Acting)
- Dr. C. Richard Nichols (1991-1997)
- Dr. Silvio Mincucci (1991) (Acting)
- Dr. Margaret Smith (1986-1991)
- William Roscher (1986) (Acting)
- Dr. Elliott LeFaiver (1983-1986)
- Kenneth Ruoff (1969-1982)
- Theo Fullerton (1952-1969)
Extracurriculars
The district offers a variety of clubs, activities and sports.
By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students in the district, including those who attend a private nonpublic school, cyber charter school, charter school and those homeschooled, are eligible to participate in the extracurricular programs including all athletics. They must meet the same eligibility rules as the students enrolled in the district's schools. [6]
Athletics
-Hempfield Area Spartans Baseball
-Hempfield Area Spartans Basketball - 6-16
-Hempfield Area Spartans Bowling
-Hempfield Area Spartans Cross Country
-Hempfield Area Spartans Field Hockey
-Hempfield Area Spartans Football -1-8
-Hempfield Area Spartans Golf
-Hempfield Area Spartans Rifle
-Hempfield Area Spartans Soccer
-Hempfield Area Spartans Softball
-Hempfield Area Spartans Swimming
-Hempfield Area Spartans Tennis Section champions 2003, 2004, 2005, 2010, 2011 Head coach: Jerry Way
-Hempfield Area Spartans Track
-Hempfield Area Spartans Volleyball - Logan Karanovich (captain)
-Hempfield Area Spartans Wrestling
2006 Strike
After their contract ran out over the summer, the Hempfield Area teachers went on strike on September 21, 2006, after the school board rejected the new contract by a 5 to 4 vote.[7]
Hempfield teachers were planning to strike on February 23, 2007 if a contract was not agreed upon but this is no longer the case.[8]
References
- ^ Hempfield Area School Board gets 4 newcomers - Tribune-Review
- ^ The Rankings: Eighth grade, Pittsburgh Business Times, May 15th, 2009.
- ^ The Rankings: Eighth grade, Pittsburgh Business Times, May 15th, 2009.
- ^ The Rankings: Eighth grade, Pittsburgh Business Times, May 15th, 2009.
- ^ http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=epNWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=iUENAAAAIBAJ&pg=1870,6066791&dq=mt+odin+school+hempfield+school+district&hl=en
- ^ Home-Schooled, Charter School Children Can Participate in School District Extracurricular Activities, Pennsylvania Office of the Governor Press Release, November 10, 2005
- ^ Striking Hempfield teachers get support on first day out
- ^ Hempfield Area teachers reject contract proposal
External links
- http://www.hempfieldarea.k12.pa.us/ - HASD Main Page
- http://www.hempfieldareaband.org/ - The Hempfield Spartan Marching Band
- http://www.hempfieldspartansfootball.com/ - The Hempfield Spartan Football Page
- "Hempfield High School Daze 1976" video, A look back at the class of 1976 at Hempfield Area High School in Greensburg, Pennsylvania.
Categories:- School districts established in 1961
- School districts in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania
- Education in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area
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