Orientation day for students in K, 4, 7, 9 is Wednesday, Aug. 24. For students in grades 4, 7 and 9, this is a required ½ day program and attendance will be taken. 

 

 

Each year, Shaler Area looks for ways to strengthen our curriculum and provide resources to address students’ academic needs. This continual reassessment has resulted in a number of curricular changes to be implemented at the start of the school year. 

 

Primary School – Students in grade 3 will receive additional phonics instruction through the expansion of Fundations. Shaler Area has always emphasized the importance of literacy in early grades. Our district data showed a need for phonics instruction for most students entering grade 3, and we believe adding Fundations will address this skill deficit. Fundations is used in grades K-2 to instruct literacy skills, so it is a natural fit for grade 3.

 

Middle School - The middle school English language arts (ELA) teachers will pilot the myPerspectives resource this year to develop literacy skills in 7th and 8th grade. The myPerspectives program is used in grade 6 as the core ELA resource. Students will receive both a consumable book (a workbook) as well as access to the online site. All print materials are accessible online to students and their families. The middle school also will use new resources in their math classes. Students in grade 7 math will use Illustrative Mathematics (IM). The curriculum is used in the elementary building and is a natural fit for students transitioning to middle school. It is a problem-based core curriculum designed to address content and practice standards to foster learning for all. Students in grade 8 and all algebra students will use Big Ideas Math. Like IM, students learn math via problem solving with scaffolded hands-on activities that replicate situations in the world around them. Students will receive a textbook as well as online access for both programs.

 

High School - As we focus on additional opportunities to provide college and career readiness for our students, we are excited to announce a new partnership with CCAC and our high school business department. Freshman and sophomore students will have a unique opportunity to learn various aspects of business via BNY Mellon. Then, as juniors and seniors these students become eligible to earn 18 credits of accounting, business management, or computer information technology courses at CCAC at no cost. This program is funded through a grant in partnership with BNY Mellon and CCAC.

 

Bus assignments for the 2022-23 school year will be posted on Infinite Campus by Friday, August 19. To access your student’s bus information, log in to your Infinite Campus account, click “More” on the left-hand side menu, and then click “Transportation.” If you have a concern that your student’s bus schedule may be incorrect, please contact our district Transportation Department at [email protected]

 

Please note that there are several road projects taking place in the district that will have a significant impact on our bus stops, bus routes, and transportation times. Geyer Road is closed for a drainage improvement project, and a portion of Vilsack Road is closed for a bridge replacement project. We anticipate buses traveling in and around these closures as well as the posted detours will experience delays due to increased traffic. Please be patient as our transportation department navigates these road closures. 

 

Shaler Area will resume its breakfast and lunch service for the 2022-23 school year in all school cafeterias. While federal funds are no longer available to provide free meals to all students, meal prices will not increase for this school year. Menus can be found on SchoolCafé - a FREE tool to manage your students' meal accounts. SchoolCafé is available online and as an app from the AppStore and Google Play. For more information, visit the district's Food Service webpage. 

We encourage all families to apply for free and reduced-price breakfast and lunch meals. Even if you did not qualify in the past, the requirements have changed and you may qualify now. For the fastest way to apply or see if you qualify, visit: www.compass.state.pa.us. As a reminder, families must reapply each year even if they qualified in the previous year. Students who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals may also qualify for other discounted or free benefits. If you need additional information or need assistance with the online application please contact Sue McElhinny at [email protected] or your building’s social worker.

 

We will continue our commitment to enhanced cleaning efforts throughout our schools and facilities through the 2022-23 school year. We encourage all of our families to monitor your students for symptoms of illness and to stay home if you feel sick. If you have specific questions or concerns, please contact your student’s school nurse. 

We anticipate additional guidance will be released by the Allegheny County Health Department, state Department of Health, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in early August. We will provide additional updates to families accordingly.

 

In an effort to continue our commitment to maintaining and upgrading our facilities to create a safe and effective learning environment for all students, several capital improvement projects occurred throughout the district over the summer. Staff continued our districtwide project to install projectors in all classrooms. The district also moved forward with projects to enhance the HVAC systems and air quality in the high school athletic areas, replace security cameras in the high school, middle school, and Reserve Primary, replace flooring in the middle school cafeteria, repair the middle school elevator, repair a drainage pipe and retaining wall at Reserve Primary, and repair concrete at the middle school and Reserve Primary.

 

Bus assignments for the 2022-23 school year will be posted on Infinite Campus by Friday, August 19. 

Primary/Elementary:             

Breakfast — $1.20

Lunch — $2.15

Secondary (MS & HS):

Breakfast — $1.35

Lunch — $2.40

412-492-1200 ext. 2824

412-492-1200 ext. 1582

412-492-1200 ext. 1550

412-492-1200 ext. 2813

Shaler Area High School

7:18 a.m. to 2:25 p.m.

Shaler Area Middle School

7:40 a.m. to 2:50 p.m.

Shaler Area Elementary School

8:12 a.m. to 3:08 p.m.

Primary schools 

9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.