Blackhawk Welcomes Mrs. Mowad

Blackhawk is proud to welcome Andrea Mowad to our administrative team. Mrs. Mowad is serving as the Assistant Principal at both Blackhawk Intermediate School and Patterson Primary School. She has extensive experience working with elementary school students as she has worked as a teacher in the Aliquippa School District for the last 28 years. When asked about her goals here at Blackhawk, Mrs. Mowad states “As the Assistant Principal, I will work diligently with our faculty, staff and students to carry out the vision and mission of the Blackhawk School District.” In her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling and the theater.    

Mrs. Borroni, the Principal, and Mrs. Mowad will be working together to provide an administrative presence in both of our elementary schools each day.

Patterson Primary School

Sweets for Soldiers

Patterson Primary School has been partnering with BWell Nation for the last two years to collect extra Halloween candy for the Yellow Ribbon Girls. The Yellow Ribbon Girls, from Ellwood City, use the candy to stuff Christmas stockings and send them to soldiers around the world. Mrs. Haight, a second-grade teacher, made the connection with the owners of BWell Nation and thought it would be a great way to teach our kids about kindness and giving back. It is a small way for our students to support those who are protecting us. As an added bonus, it helps families rid their homes of those tempting treats from Halloween. The first year Patterson helped BWell, the two collected 1,000 pounds together. This year they collected 1,060 pounds together.

Blackhawk Intermediate School

BIS Honors Vets

BIS students were busy in November honoring our country’s veterans. On November 7th, the school celebrated it’s 3rd annual Veteran’s Breakfast. Over 70 Veterans were in attendance including one who served during World War 2. At the event, area Veterans were invited to breakfast at the school and were entertained by our third grade students. These students, under the direction of Mrs. Neeley, presented a concert of patriotic favorites for our guests. Students in all grade levels created red, white and blue decorations for the event.

In addition to the Veteran’s Breakfast, thirty third graders performed the patriotic concert at Rochester Manor and Beaver Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Also, students in kindergarten and third grade wrote thank you letters to Veterans that they know. Blackhawk Intermediate School considers it a great privilege to honor these heroes.

 

Highland Middle School

During this Holiday Season, HMS is dedicated to ensuring our students work on empathy and think about others. HMS held a Food Drive run by Mrs. Haddox. Mrs. Andrews and the Family and Consumer Science classes sorted the canned goods. All food will be given to families in our community. We are so thankful for our students and families who participated in the Food Drive!

Every year we have a Give a Christmas campaign, organized by Mrs. DeSanzo and supported by the staff. Students participate in events like Pajama Day and Hot Chocolate Day. All money collected will be presented to the Salvation Army on December 20th.

This year we are also participating in the Ben Banks’ Toy Car Foundation for Children’s Hospital. We will be collecting toy cars the month of December in honor of Ben and his love for cars.

Additionally, we know that the Holiday Season can be stressful for students. Mrs. Engle has led conversations with students about how to be a good friend to students who are struggling.  HMS participated in National Grief Awareness Day on November 22, using the butterfly as a symbol of hope. Students could take butterfly tattoos, get a butterfly stamp, or decorate and hang a paper butterfly.

However, not all of our events are organized by teachers! Our HMS students are also taking the lead to create activities for others. Mrs. Engle placed a wishing well, created and donated by one of our parents, in our office so that students can put their charitable idea in it! This relates to our building-wide theme this year of “You Matter”.

One of the first ideas chosen was organized by three HMS 5th Grade Students, Shelby, Mara, and Sophia. They planned, organized, and implemented a Pink Out Day at HMS where all proceeds went to Breast Cancer Awareness. Our HMS students raised $464 in donations!

Additionally, six 6th Grade Students, Aubree, Addison, Grace, Ava, Kylie, and Maryssa organized a theme week, where all proceeds went to our local Humane Society! These students raised $472 in donations!

We are so proud of our HMS students, families, and staff for their charity, empathy, and dedication to others!