SHOW TOPIC
Return to School Overview and Preparation

SPECIAL GUEST
Dr. Tracy Vitale, Seneca Valley Superintendent of Schools

Dr. Tracy Vitale proudly serves as the Superintendent of Schools for Seneca Valley, which is one of the largest public school districts in Western Pennsylvania. Prior to becoming Superintendent in 2011, she was an Assistant Superintendent, Principal and Teacher in urban, rural and suburban environments in Pennsylvania and North Carolina. She has a strong understanding and experience in community relations, public education advocacy, business partnerships and workforce development. She also has an extensive background in personnel selection, training & supervision.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE WILL REVIEW
• COVID-19 Phases – Then vs. Now
• Systemic Issues – Small Pebble, Big Ripples
• Economic Drivers – Schools as Childcare
• Language Barriers – Terms and Information Overload
• School Environments Today – Staying Engaged

USEFUL INFORMATION
www.svsd.net/ReturntoSchool
www.svsd.net/LearningModels

SHOW TOPIC
Return to School Seneca Valley Academy of Choice

SPECIAL GUEST
Ms. Denise Manganello, Seneca Valley Academy of Choice Principal

Ms. Denise Manganello has been an integral part of the Seneca Valley Academy of Choice (SVAOC) program since its inception in 2007 first serving as an assistant principal and then becoming principal in 2013. She is currently working on her doctorate through American College of Education with a focus on Online Education. Prior to that, she served as Assistant Principal of the Senior High School and has been with the district since 2006.   

IN THIS EPISODE, WE WILL REVIEW
• Live sessions and student interaction
• Grade level courses and time for peer interaction
• Daily login and communication from Microsoft TEAMS
• Remote Learning and how it differs from the SVAOC full-time cyber program

USEFUL INFORMATION
www.svsd.net/ReturntoSchool
www.svsd.net/LearningModels
https://www.svsd.net/Page/16416
https://www.svsd.net/Page/16417
https://svtube.svsd.net/play/?id=uf9xdfn4zm
www.svsd.net/Cyber

SHOW TOPIC
Return to School Secondary Student Information

SPECIAL GUEST
Dr. Matt McKinley, Seneca Valley Assistant Superintendent for 7-12 Instruction

Dr. Matthew McKinley serves as Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Instruction, grades 7-12. Prior to his assistant role, he served for six years as principal of the Seneca Valley Senior High School. He also served as assistant principal of the Seneca Valley Senior High School and as a mathematics teacher at the same building for six years. Prior to coming to Seneca Valley, Dr. McKinley taught as a mathematics teacher at Mercer Area Junior/Senior High School.
Dr. McKinley earned his bachelor of art’s degree in mathematics from Grove City College and obtained his Master of Education degree and his Doctor of Education from the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. McKinley developed the Academy of Choice Program in the district, which includes a growing cyber program and a one-of-a kind performing arts department. He is also author of the Seneca Valley Random Drug Testing Policy, which has been lauded locally as well as nationally and was cited as a model program by the White House Drug Policy Council.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE WILL REVIEW
• Learning Models and Phases
• 2020-21 student schedules
• A typical day in the life for a  secondary student in our schools
• Differences in Remote Learning
• Supporting students and parents through resources

USEFUL INFORMATION
www.svsd.net/ReturntoSchool
www.svsd.net/LearningModels

SHOW TOPIC
Return to School Elementary Student Information

SPECIAL GUEST
Dr. Sean McCarty, Seneca Valley Assistant Superintendent for K-6 Instruction

Dr. Sean McCarty has held the position of assistant superintendent of elementary education, grades K-6, since 2012.
In his role he has expanded the elementary curriculum and added unique courses for the K-6 student. Dr. McCarty has overseen the development and expansion of an elementary foreign language program and is also credited for introducing and initiating the District's Creativity, Innovation & Research Center (CIRC), which serves as a model program for K-6 schools all across the State.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE WILL REVIEW
• Learning Models and Phases
• A typical day in the life for an elementary student in our schools
• Increased connectivity with their teacher
• Supporting students and parents through resources

USEFUL INFORMATION
www.svsd.net/ReturntoSchool
www.svsd.net/LearningModels

SHOW TOPIC
Return to School Special Education

SPECIAL GUEST
Mr. Jerry Miller, Seneca Valley Special Education Director

Mr. Jerry Miller came to Seneca Valley School District as Director of Special Education in 2008. Mr. Miller earned his bachelor’s degree in Education at Slippery Rock University where his area of focus was elementary education and special education. He then attended Duquesne University receiving a master’s degree in Administration and Supervision.
He currently serves on the board of directors for the Gaiser Center in Butler. Previously, Mr. Miller served as adjunct professor at Slippery Rock University and spent four years in the United States Marine Corps. Semper Fi.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE WILL REVIEW
• Providing special education services and support to students in the yellow phase
• Providing special education services and support for our students who are full time cyber
• Special education individualized education plans
• Role of the school psychologists
• Providing contact information for questions regarding special education services

USEFUL INFORMATION
www.svsd.net/ReturntoSchool
https://www.svsd.net/page/295
https://www.svsd.net/Page/26100

SHOW TOPIC
Return to School Education Resources

SPECIAL GUEST
Dr. Marie Palano, Seneca Valley Analytics and Federal Programs Director

Dr. Marie Palano has been an administrator in the Seneca Valley School District since 2011, serving as assistant principal and principal before moving to her current role of Director of Analytics and Federal Programs. Dr. Palano uses meaningful data to develop and implement initiatives connected to the district's goals. In addition, Dr. Palano oversees federal programming (Title I, Title II, Title III and Title IV) for the district.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE WILL REVIEW
• How administrators and teachers are prioritizing learning goals to ensure students are meeting grade-level expectations
• How assessment can help to get to know students better, even in a virtual environment
• How - and which - resources for teachers will address gaps in student learning, specifically the younger students who are learning to read

USEFUL INFORMATION
www.svsd.net/ReturntoSchool
www.svsd.net/LearningModels

SHOW TOPIC
Return to School Facilities Preparation

SPECIAL GUEST
Mr. Randy Miller, Seneca Valley Buildings and Grounds Director

Mr. Randy Miller comes to Seneca Valley from the corporate sector where he worked for three and a half years as a project manager for FedEx Ground Corp. in Moon Township. During his time there, he was responsible for managing the development and design of facilities, sites, buildings and material handling systems for expansions and new hubs/stations for the entire gulf region. His additional experience includes 25 combined years with Architectural Innovations, Eckles Architecture; and Richard N. Manns, Architect P.C.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE WILL REVIEW
• Measures to ensure the building is clean and safe to welcome staff and students
• Protocols to clean, sanitize and disinfect buildings - and ventilation protocols/procedures to maintain staff and student safety
• Processes to procure adequate disinfection supplies meeting Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requirements for COVID-19
• Plans for how and when staff will train on cleaning, sanitizing, disinfecting, and ventilation protocols
• Methods for measuring the results of cleaning and disinfecting

USEFUL INFORMATION
www.svsd.net/ReturntoSchool
www.svsd.net/FacilitiesRTS
www.svsd.net/SchoolEnvironmentRTS

SHOW TOPIC
Return to School Human Resources Planning

SPECIAL GUEST
Ms. Kyra Bobak, Seneca Valley Human Resources Director

Ms. Kyra Bobak has over 20 years of experience in education and has been an administrator in Seneca Valley School District since 2006.
During her work as principal at Haine Elementary, the school received the Olweus Quality Assurance designation in 2011. The school was one of the three schools in the nation to be recognized. During her tenure in this role, she was also elected and served as the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP) West II Regional Representative for the State.
Ms. Bobak is a member of numerous professional associations, and as the Director of Human Resources, she is currently serving as a founding advisory board member for Sprigeo, an online national organization for an anti-bullying system. Her position on the board allows her to share her passion for education and commitment to positive change in schools.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE WILL REVIEW
• Background and numbers of staff
• Challenges presented from risk of exposure
• Financial incentive for substitutes
• Training on Health and Safety Guidelines

USEFUL INFORMATION
www.svsd.net/ReturntoSchool
www.svsd.net/HealthMonitoringRTS
www.svsd.net/HygienePracticesRTS
www.svsd.net/SchoolEnvironmentRTS

SHOW TOPIC
Return to School Transportation Procedures

SPECIAL GUEST
Mr. Jim Pearson, Seneca Valley Transportation Director

Mr. Jim Pearson has been with Seneca Valley since 2011.
He trained and received his Commercial Drivers License (CDL) with school bus and passenger endorsements and is a member of the National Association for Pupil Transportation, Pupil Transportation Association of Pennsylvania and the Midwestern Pupil Transportation Association.
Mr. Pearson will oversee the cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting all buses with products approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

IN THIS EPISODE, WE WILL REVIEW
• Safety measures for students on the bus
• Protocols to clean, sanitize and disinfect buses
• Plans for parents who decide to transport their child to and from school
• Number of students on bus and seating protocols

USEFUL INFORMATION
www.svsd.net/ReturntoSchool
www.svsd.net/TransportationRTS

SHOW TOPIC
Return to School Cafeteria Procedures

SPECIAL GUEST
Ms. Darlene Carmack, Seneca Valley Food Services Director

Ms. Darlene Carmack joined the Seneca Valley School District in June of 2010.
Ms. Carmack has more than 30 years of customer focused leadership experiences across a broad spectrum of the food service industry.
As a School Nutrition Specialist, she directed at Hampton Township School District and additionally, the Dining Services of Gannon University. Ms. Carmack also assisted in North Allegheny’s School Food Service Division.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE WILL REVIEW
• Line cleanliness and mitigation efforts
• Preferred lunch payment method
• Evidence on food and COVID-19
• Feeding all students

USEFUL INFORMATION
www.svsd.net/ReturntoSchool
www.svsd.net/CafeteriaRTS
www.svsd.net/HealthSafetyPlan