Quaker Valley School District

Have you checked your mailbox? Quaker Valley recently shared a mailing with all households within the District's boundaries that outlines our progress on the new high school and highlights our next steps. Many homes received these mailings on Friday or over the weekend. If you haven't received yours yet, click on the letter below to download a copy as a PDF.

• Letter to the editor: It's time to build Quaker Valley High School
• More details of proposed Quaker Valley High School released by architects, full site plans yet to be submitted
• Quaker Valley officials boost mental health services for elementary students
• Sewickley's Penguin Bookshop to host local author Jessica Whipple

• Before buzzer-beating finish, Quaker Valley girls basketball season filled with highlights
• Freshmen provide spark for growth of Quaker Valley softball
• Quaker Valley girls wrestlers making statewide splash in youth competition

QVHS Varsity Cheer sign-ups for the 2023/24 season are underway! All current 8^th – 11^th graders interested in cheering for fall and winter sports next school year are encouraged to sign up by April 28th. Practices begin in May! Please register here: Cheer Sign-Up Form - Google Forms

2023 Quaker Valley Cross Country Summer Camp

Students entering grades 3-9 in the fall are invited to the QV Cross Country summer camp run by QV Varsity Coach, Ryan Kelly and members of the QV coaching staff and team. The camp will occur Tuesday, June 6, 2023-Friday, June 9, 2023 (Tuesday, June 6, 2023, and Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in the afternoon from 3 PM- 6PM while Thursday, June 8, 2023, and Friday, June 9, 2023, in the morning from 8 AM- 11 AM) at the QVMS track. The cost is $90 and includes a t-shirt (camp application must be received by Monday, May 15, 2023, to receive a t-shirt), simulated meets, running-based contests and games, detailed instruction with videos, teaching of fundamentals, guest speakers (Q.V. coaches and student athletes) and more! Click here to register. 

2023 Quaker Valley Track and Field Summer Camp

Students entering grades 3-9 in the fall are invited to the QV Cross Country summer camp run by QVMS Head Coach, Ryan Kelly and members of the QVHS and QVMS coaching staff and team. The camp will occur on Monday, June 19th, 2023, Wednesday, June 21^st, 2023, Thursday, June 22nd, 2023, and Friday, June 23, 2023, from 8-11AM each day at the QVHS stadium. The cost is $90 and includes a t-shirt (camp application must be received by Monday, May 15, 2023, to receive a t-shirt), simulated meets, track-based contests in the areas of throwing, jumping, sprinting, and distance running), detailed instruction with videos, teaching of fundamentals, guest speakers (Q.V. coaches and student athletes) and more! Click here to register. 

Graduation announcements are now available for purchase. Order yours today!

Interested in spending some time with our students? QVSD is hiring!

• Bus Drivers
• Cafeteria Workers
• Substitute Teachers
• Substitute Nurses
• Paraprofessionals

The events and programs included in this section are operating independently of the Quaker Valley School District. The distribution of this information does not indicate endorsement or sponsorship by the District.

Barclay Etiquette and Ballroom Dancing Classes in Sewickley 

Boys and Girls in grades 3 - 8 use dancing, fun and games to learn table manners, party and dancing etiquette, manners for personal electronics, and kind and respectful behavior in social situations. Classes meet one Thursday every month through May at the Edgeworth Club, 511 East Drive Sewickley, PA. Class dates: 4/27, 5/4, 5/18. Class Times: 3^rd - 4^th grade meets 4:15pm – 5:15pm. 5^th – 8^th grade meets 5:45pm – 6:45pm. For more information www.thebarclayclasses.com   FOR ENROLLMENT INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: enroll@thebarclayclasses.com or 908-232-8370

Bonkers for Bats - Friday, April 14th from 6 - 9pm for children ages 5 to 10. Get bonkers for bats during this Friday night program at Fern Hollow Nature Center. We will learn about bats, act like bats with fun activities, and go on a night hike to see where our local bats reside in the meadow. Registration required.  

Lunch & Learn - The Lost Gardens of Sewickley - Tuesday, April 18th for adults. Fern Hollow Nature Center is partnering with The Sewickley Heights History Center to provide a unique nature-related learning experience. The film will be shown at the History Center followed by lunch from The Bridgeside Market. Registration required.  

Trout Stocking - Wednesday, April 19th at 4:00pm. A FREE event for the whole family near the middle shelter at Walker Park. The Sewickley Valley Conservation Association will help you place the trout in a bucket and then release them into Little Sewickley Creek! You must bring your own clean 5 gallon bucket! 

Go Fishing on EARTH DAY! Mentored Youth Trout Fishing - Sat, April 22nd. 8am - 3:30pm. Fern Hollow Nature Center and The Sewickley Valley Conservation Association are sponsoring a free Learn-To-Fish Day for youth at King’s Lake. The lake will be stocked with rainbow trout. Equipment, lures, bait and instruction will be provided. This event is open to all families in the Sewickley Valley Region. Beat the crowds on opening day and bring the family to this guided and fun event! See fhnc.org for more details on parking and shuttle services. Registration appreciated.  

Attention Middle School Students: Do you love science? Join educators from Fern Hollow Nature Center twice a month as we explore the world of watersheds and environmental science through hands-on experiments and research-based exploration. This after-school program is free and open to sixth to eighth-grade students. The program allows students to create connections between ecological impacts and data collection in the classroom. The program is offered at the middle school from 3:05-4:30 on April 19th, April 26th, May 3rd, and May 17th. Pre Registration is required. For more information or to register, please email info@fhnc.org, subject MS Creekers.

Nature Night Out Spring 2023 dates released! NNO is a Friday night drop-off event for children ages 5 to 10. Participants will take hikes, do some crafts and have a fun evening of exploration. Fridays, April 28th, and May 12th from 6 to 9pm for children ages 5 to 10. Enjoy a night out on the town while we entertain the kids! We will take hikes, do some crafts and have a fun evening of exploration. Bring a peanut free snack and enjoy some outdoor time with friends! Registration required.

Fern Hollow Nature Center is gearing up for our 2023 summer camps and clubs. We are currently seeking teen volunteers to assist environmental educators this summer as camp counselors. Camp counselors help out with games, activities, crafts, and outdoor adventures. This is a great way to volunteer for community service and have fun while doing it! To apply, please click this link: https://tinyurl.com/2mkthjvb

Due to a generous grant from the Union Aid Society, financial aid and scholarships are available for Summer Camps at Fern Hollow to those receiving free and reduced lunches. Email sam@fhnc.org for details.  

Laughlin Children's Center is pleased to welcome Emily Weingartner, Ph.D. as manager of its Occupational Therapy Department. Emily earned her degrees from Duquesne University and is Laughlin’s first full time manger of Occupational Therapy. Emily and her staff, Andrea Stauffer, M.S. OTR/L and Catherine Colpoys, M.S. OTR/L are prepared to meet the increased demand for children’s occupational therapy in the region.

OT helps kids play, improves their school performance, and aids their daily activities. It also boosts their self-esteem and sense of accomplishment.

Laughlin Children's Center Now Offering Early Language and Literacy Evaluations- Register now to screen your child!

An Early Language and Literacy Evaluation (ELLE) helps to identify children 5-7 years of age who are at risk for dyslexia and would benefit from early identification and treatment. The testing includes speech sound skills, receptive and expressive language skills, and pre-reading skills.

We can prevent or reduce reading struggles in later grades by providing early, evidence-based intervention at the pre-K, Kindergarten, and 1st-grade levels.

Child-Adult Relationship Enhancement (CARE) Workshops

Please register for one of our popular and informative Care Workshops presented by Dr. Gail Mangan, a highly acclaimed Adolescent Psychologist.

CARE Workshops utilize the 3 P's – Praise, Paraphrase, and Point out to connect with children and promote positive child-adult relationships. CARE training also contains techniques for giving children effective commands and selective ignoring techniques to redirect problematic behaviors. Here is the upcoming schedule:

Thursday, April 13, 2023, 9:00 a.m. & 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, May 18, 2023, 9:00 a.m. & 6:00 p.m.

Preschool Registration is Underway

Registration is underway for the 2023-24 Academic year for the pre-kindergarten class (4&5-year-olds)

Calling all Laughlin Parents and Alumni

At Laughlin Children's Center, we feel all parents and students who received services and treatment, regardless of time, are alumni and an essential part of our history. 

As we prepare to celebrate our 70th anniversary in 2026 would like to hear from you on how you and your family are doing and invite you to the anniversary activities we are planning.

Please consider what Laughlin Children's Center has meant to you and your family and email us with your address and any other information you would like to provide. For additional information, visit www.laughlincenter.org, call 412-741-4087 or email info@laughlincenter.org

Little Sewickley Creek Watershed Association - Day Camp

Summer Discovery is a day camp with an emphasis on nature. Campers will explore the creek and the woods, do creative activities, and play games. The camp, for students presently in grades 3, 4, 5 and 6, is accepting registrations for the week of June 19 or June 26. The camp runs from 8 AM till noon at Walker Park but on Friday we go to Kings Lake. The tuition is $40 for one camper, $60 for two campers or $75 for three campers in the same family. (If cost is an issue, scholarships are available). For registration info, visit our website www.lscwatershed.org or contact Chriss O’Lare at colare@outlook.com.

Quaker Valley Football and Cheer will host a flag football and spring clinic for all those in kindergarten through sixth grade. To register, visit www.qvyfc.org. 

Sweetwater Center for the Arts

View All Summer Camp Listings

Spotlight on our Summer Classes 

Sensory Art Camp (Ages 4-6) with Rachel Herman 

July 5th - July 7^th 

This summer camp will combine art, play, and even a bit of mindfulness! Students will experiment with sensory materials like textured paint and clay. Sensory art is a great way to build motor skills, build nerve connections in the brain, encourage language development, and more. Each day will end with students bringing home an awesome new project! 

How Does My Garden Grow? (Ages 4-6) with Sally Oberdick 

June 12^th- June 16^th 

We will be little scientists and examine seeds, soil, and plants while learning about the germination process. You will read literature relating to flowers, fruits, and vegetables, and even do an insect study! You will also create hand-painted birdhouses and mosaic garden tiles to decorate your outside space.  

Childhood Culinary (Ages 7-10) with Jena Miller 

July 31^st- August 4^th 

This camp will teach young kids independence through cooking! You will learn basic knife skills, measuring skills, how to read a recipe and core healthy eating, as well as learning safety in the kitchen. 

Fairy Gardens! (Ages 7-10) with Alex Watrous  

July 24^th- July 28^th 

Do you believe in fairies? Join us in the ceramics studio to create your own fairy garden! Together we will hand-build the pottery base for your plants, along with whimsical accessories to fill your garden with magic and wonder such as: Ceramic cottages, bridges, toadstools, and more. Your finished product can be filled with plants for you to enjoy and will be a home that any fairy would love. 

Metals and Jewelry for Teens (Ages 11-14) with Meredith Bigatel 

Aug.14- Aug. 18 

Learn the basics of metalsmithing and jewelry in this one-week camp! Try your hand at the jeweler's saw, filing, and soldering with the acetylene torch to create beautiful, hand-crafted pieces of wearable art from start to finish. 

Crafting through Culture (Ages 11-14) with Joanna Conti 

July 24^th- July 28^th 

Travel the world creating a variety of artwork that embodies the history and culture from various civilizations around the globe. In this camp we will explore the meaning of the artwork created across these cultures while reimagining our own artwork based on the particular style. Each day we will explore a new place and theme, so join us as we explore Tibetan mandalas, African mask making, Navajo weaving, metal tooling from Mexico and Australian Aboriginal painting. 

Since 1898, the Union Aid Society has been assisting our QVSD neighbors in need. For more information on our seasonal programs, apply for a scholarship (non-traditional students welcomed!) or learn about our financial aid policies, please contact us at 412.741.9240 or info@unionaidsociety.org.