(News)
By Jennifer Sopko
Special to Tube City Almanac
The staff of George Washington Elementary School has received an award for "outstanding support of children receiving special education services."
The Scott E. Folmer Memorial STEPP Award is sponsored by Allegheny County's Local Task Force on the Right to Education. GW staff was nominated for the award because of their outstanding efforts with the inclusion of disabled students in regular classrooms.
At last week's school board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Tim Gabauer presented a certificate to several staff members present at the meeting, including principal Paul Sweda, kindergarten teacher Melissa Hale, guidance counselor Cory Kunicky, special education supervisor Menas Zannikos and special education director Patricia Tkacik.
"The STEPP award is a powerful example of our staff's dedication in educating all children and our commitment to educating each child socially, emotionally, physically and academically," said Gabauer, who pointed out that this is second such award that the district has received in the past three years.
The superintendent also commended the McKeesport Area High School & Technology Center's robotics team for securing $8,000 from sponsors within a 48-hour period in order to fund their trip to Cleveland State University for a regional robotics competition earlier this month, where they finished in seventh place overall.
Also last week, the school board approved the following agenda items: