Evans City and Seneca Valley middle schools were recently recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) as having demonstrated the highest level of academic growth during the 2007-08 school year. Based on testing data from the Pennsylvania Value-Added Assessment System (PVAAS), Evans City, grades 5-6, and Seneca Valley, grades 7-8, middle schools earned high positions for estimated mean gain and achievement, placing them in the top 20% of Pennsylvania's schools demonstrating great improvement. PVAAS is a relatively new type of data that offers an objective and more precise way to measure student progress and the value schools and districts add to students' educational experiences. Pennsylvania is one of only three states providing this information statewide to all school districts. PVAAS is one of the tools in the cadre of tools provided to districts from PDE. Districts and schools are using PVAAS (progress data), in conjunction with achievement data, to make sure all students are on the trajectory to proficiency. "Excellence is our goal and here is more data that we are on our way," said Thomas Hallman, Evans City Middle School principal.

Camp Invention
Seneca Valley School District is pleased to host the Camp Invention program, an exciting weeklong summer day experience for children entering grades one through six! The program is designed to inspire creativity and inventive thinking through loads of hands-on activities and F-U-N!  Children will participate in five inventive modules each day from the Discover Program, which include: the Viking Treasure Trek: The Quest Begins™ module, where children will become the first to find the hidden treasure of the Vikings, the Land Sled X-Treme™ module, where they will engineer and build the next great land vehicle, and finally the Comic Book Science: FlyJack and Jill™ module, where they learn how superheroes fly and then create their ideal comic book star. The Camp Invention program integrates science, mathematics, history, and the arts in an exciting environment conducive to learning disguised as fun! Angela Cardillo will direct the program and Judi Williams will assist.  Rowan teachers Elaine Mings and Michelle Follett, Haine Elementary teacher Mellissa Evanson, and CVE teacher Scott Rupik will teach the five modules this year at Rowan Elementary the week of June 15-19, 2009.  Enthusiastic high school and college students will serve as counselors.  The program features a low staff to child ratio, with one staff member for every eight children. The registration fee includes snacks and a Camp Invention T-shirt.  Register before March 31st or bring a friend to receive $20 off the base registration price of $205; online registrants receive an additional $5 savings!  Call 800.968.4332 today to inquire about savings opportunities for your family.  Registration is limited to 110 children and spaces are limited.  Don’t let your child miss all the fun!  For more information or to register, visit www.campinvention.org or call 800.968.4332.

Drug Prevention
Evans City Middle School has always promoted drug prevention. For many years, our students have participated in the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program. This year we are proud to announce that we have also added the Reality Tour Drug Prevention Program. Through school, home, and community cooperation and involvement, we hope to educate our students about the dangers of drug use and abuse.