Community Connection

Dear Families,

I hope you can find time to rest, recharge, and relax during the holiday season. Thank you for all that you do to make Indiana a special place. Your kindness, grace, and compassion are greatly appreciated. I look forward to our continued efforts in working together to get beyond the daily struggles and issues brought forth by the pandemic. Looking for a great New Year!

Thanks,

Mike

Congrats to the teachers, administration, students, staff, and Board of Directors for continuously seeking ways to improve and strengthen our programming. There is more work to be done, but this is a solid foundation to build upon. We have implemented a vast amount of changes over the past several years in the area of literacy, mathematics, and social-emotional learning and we are seeing positive returns on the work being conducted by so many.

I am grateful for all of the hard work by so many wonderful educators as well as the support of our families. We will continue to strive to improve and grow each and every day.

– The Indiana Area Senior High School was recently awarded a High School Program Excellence Award by the Technology & Engineering Education Association of Pennsylvania (TEEAP). This award is one of the highest honors given to technology and engineering education programs and is awarded at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.

TEEAP recognizes outstanding contributions to technology and engineering education: high quality instruction that is both student-centered and relevant to the study and application of technological literacy. The Program Excellence Award provides public recognition on a local and state level through TEEAP. If the IHS program meets the criteria to be forwarded to the International Technology & Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA), their program will also receive recognition on a national and international level.

The TEEAP believes “...technology education is a vital aspect of education for all students at all levels in Pennsylvania. It promotes improvements in the quality of instruction in technology education by assisting educators and students in keeping instructional content, methods and facilities current with the rapid changes in technology.” (Mission Statement)

Mr. Mark Rend and Mr. Keaton Stands are the Technology Education teachers at the Indiana Area Senior High School who have facilitated this high-quality, award-winning learning environment. Congratulations to them and to their students!

The GIANT Company (Martin's) is once again partnering with our school district’s food service department to help support children in our school district facing food insecurity.

From January 1 and through February 28, 2022, everyone who shops at GIANT, MARTIN’S, and GIANT Heirloom Market stores will be invited to “ROUND UP AT THE REGISTER” their grocery purchase and donate the round up amount to the program fund. The GIANT Company will also include CHOICE Rewards points that are converted to grocery dollars. The money raised will be provided directly to our district food service department to address food insecurity in our school communities.

The spirit of giving should not end after the holidays. Please consider shopping at Martin's and "ROUNDING UP AT THE REGISTER" during January and February.

The IUP Athletic Department is inviting the campus and local community and offering free admission as part of "Indiana Day" for the newly added men's basketball game on New Year's Eve. The Crimson Hawks will take on Pitt-Greensburg at 2 p.m. in the Kovalchick Complex.

All Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Indiana Area School District students and staff will receive one free ticket when they present their valid school ID card at the First Commonwealth Bank Box Office inside the Kovalchick Complex. All tickets can be secured on game day or prior to December 31 during box office hours.

As this pandemic drags on, people’s frustrations continue to increase as our capacity for tolerance decreases. Stress is at an all time high for everyone.

For many, the holidays can also be stressful at times. It is so important that as parents, educators, and members of a community responsible for fostering student success, that we do our very best to take care of ourselves over the break so we can be in a better place to help them. Greater Good Science Center (GGSC) at the University of California, Berkeley have provided some tips for making the holiday season as relaxing, fulfilling, and stress-free as possible:

1. Set your intention to enjoy the holidays as much as you can.

By consciously focusing on enjoying the time with family and friends, you will be in the right frame of mind to recognize the meaningful moments. It’s simple, focus on the fun, not the stress.

2. Savor any moments of well-being when they’re here.

Neuroscience demonstrates that when we allow ourselves to “take in the good,” our brains enjoy it more.

3. Take a break, regain your focus.

Shopping, cooking, traveling, or getting ready to host company - everything we have to do over the holidays can be overwhelming. Be sure to take some time for yourself. Relax. Give yourself permission to take some time just for you.

4. Consciously reflect on all the blessings in your life each day.

The emerging field of positive psychology shows that people who consciously reflect on what is good in their life can stimulate endorphins in the brain and significantly reduce depression.

5. Practice generosity.

Neuroscience research shows that doing nice things for others actually stimulates the centers of the brain that are responsible for happiness. So give a little. Spread some joy, and you will be more joyous yourself.

6. Play and have fun.

Sing, dance, laugh, spend time playing with children. Research shows that play is a key element in the physical and mental well being for people of all ages.

Practicing one or all of these self-care tips this holiday season will help release toxic stress, recharge our batteries, and will help make the season a little brighter for us, our families, and most of all, our children, who are learning how to deal with their own stress by watching us. Let’s make their season merry and bright and have the best holiday ever!

Be a part of the IASD team! The Indiana Area School District is accepting applications for a number of vacancies:

• Administrative Assistant ($13.00/hour), 210-day position

• LPN ($15.00/hour), 180-day position

• Full-time Custodians ($12.00/hour), year-round position

• Full-time Para Educators ($12.00/hour), 180-day position

• Substitute Custodians ($10.00/hour), flexible schedule and primarily evening shifts

We are asking for your help in sharing this information with anyone you might know who would be a great fit. Working in a system helping students succeed is important, rewarding work!

Go to www.iasd.cc/apps/pages/jobs for more information.

Website: www.iasd.cc
Location: 501 East Pike Road, Indiana, PA, USA
Phone: (724) 463-8713
Facebook: facebook.com/IndianaAreaSchoolDistrict
Twitter: @IndianaAreaSD