Franklin Focus
Week of January 4-8, 2021
Message from Mr. A
Welcome 2021 and welcome back to all students, staff, and families! I hope you all found time to rest, relax, and unplug over the Winter Break. As I stated in December, 2020 may not have been the year in which we got everything we wanted, but it was the year in which we came to appreciate everything we have. Here’s to hoping that 2021 finds us in more settled, safe, and “normal” times.

Each new year, I try to select/identify my “one word” that will provide me with clarity and direction for the coming year. For 2021, I am selecting the word “discipline” with the goal of leading a more disciplined lifestyle. This word choice was born out of my love for the book Discipline Equals Freedom by former Navy SEAL Jocko Willink. Jocko implores us to take extreme ownership over all aspects of our lives that are within our control; taking extreme ownership requires tremendous discipline of mind and body. I encourage all of you to consider choosing your “one word” to guide your path through 2021. Together, let’s “get after it” in 2021!
Remote Learning Environment
This is just a reminder: We will continue in the REMOTE learning environment through Monday, January 18. Students will return to full in-person instruction effective Tuesday, January 19, 2021.
Counselor's Corner
Important Dates
January 4 - School resumes
January 18 - No School (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day)
January 28 - Elementary Report Period Ends
January 29 - In-Service Half Day (Classes held in the morning)
February 1 - No School (Act 80 Day)
District Updates
Kindergarten Registration Opens January 4

Registration for students who will attend kindergarten in the 2021-2022 school year will open on January 4, 2021. Continue checking our website over the next week for updated details!
NASD Offers Free Meals for All Students Every Day
Updated December 16

NASD continues to be approved to provide free breakfast and lunch for all students. The procedures to sign up for and pick up meals can be found on our website.
Social and Emotional Wellness

North Allegheny is committed to the social and emotional wellness of our students and staff. Below are ways in which we are addressing these needs this school year. For more information about any of these services, please contact your student’s school counselor.

Trauma-Informed Care
During the fall of 2020, staff members began training in Trauma Informed-Care. Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) is an approach in the human service field that assumes that an individual is more likely than not to have a history of trauma. Trauma-Informed Care recognizes the presence of trauma symptoms and acknowledges the role trauma may play in an individual’s life, including service staff.

Student Assistance Program
The Pennsylvania Student Assistance Program (SAP) is a systematic team process used to mobilize school resources to remove barriers to learning. SAP is designed to assist in identifying issues including alcohol, tobacco, other drugs, and mental health issues that pose a barrier to a student's success.

School-Based Mental Health
Through a partnership with Glade Run, students in grades K-12 can be provided with outpatient mental health services both in the school setting and through teletherapy. This partnership will work to effectively diminish barriers that historically have prohibited some families from accessing supportive mental health services.

School-Based Social and Emotional Wellness Committees
Led by a School Counselor and supported by the District’s Positive Behavior Support Specialists, each building will have a multidisciplinary committee that will work on addressing student and staff social and emotional wellness as we work to reopen and renew our school community.

Individual Student Supports
Students at all levels are afforded opportunities to address specific social and emotional concerns through individual school counseling sessions.

Consultative Support for School Staff
Classroom teachers have access to consultative support from Social Workers and Positive Behavior Support Specialists’ to handle student concerns.
Communication of New Positive COVID-19 Cases During Winter Break

During Winter Break, NASD will communicate new positive COVID-19 cases on the following dates:
  • Saturday, January 2
  • Sunday, January 3
Continue to Report Positive COVID-19 Cases During Winter Break

While the District may not be reporting cases every day during Winter Break, please report a positive test result (details below) to help the District monitor the spread of COVID-19. Cases that become known during the break may have an impact on a student’s return to instruction, activities, and athletics.
If a staff member or student receives positive COVID-19 test results between Wednesday, December 23 at 3:00 p.m. through Sunday, January 3, please contact:
  • Dr. Joseph Sciullo, Director of Student Services at 412-215-4151 or
  • Mrs. Bridgett Bilenski, Health Services Department Chair at 412-312-0948 
Resources
Missed a Newsletter?

All building newsletters are archived weekly on the North Allegheny website. This designated webpage will be updated with links to the previous week’s newsletters at the beginning of each school week by 11:30 a.m. A link to the archive is accessible on the District’s homepage and on each building’s homepage.
Community Flyers
The North Allegheny School District often receives requests for the distribution of athletics and approved non-profit community organization digital flyers. All requests for community flyers to be included in this newsletter must be submitted via email only at flyers@northallegheny.org. Flyers will only be posted and removed from the District website on Friday. Visit our website for details on how to submit flyers.
Building Contacts
Main Office - 412-366-9663
Nurse's Office - 412-366-9663
Counseling Office - 412-366-9663