Coming into the 2014-2015 school year, I am again extremely proud of our staff, students, parents and school community for their attention and efforts to the successful start to the year.
An excitement for the start of the year is already evident in the halls and the classrooms with teachers returning early to prepare, students involved in fall activities, and the induction and orientation programs for our incoming 9 th grade class.
Though there are constant changes to the practices and procedures at the high school, the focus of the high school staff will be to continue to find ways to improve upon our classroom instruction and students’ achievements. Attention will be dedicated to increasing the frequency of instructional activities which truly engage students in their learning through inquiry, experimentation, cooperative activities, collaboration, and connecting content to reallife, meaningful contexts. Engaged instructional activities help students to take greater ownership of their learning, individualize instruction, and teach content to higher, long-lasting competency levels.
Among some of the changes to high school practices will be the new student information system (Sapphire), upgrades to the cafeteria, updated emergency procedures, five new staff members in different content areas, and the implementation of the new state-wide teacher evaluation process.
The many activities, resources, and services provided by the PTSA, make this organization an extremely valuable member of our school community. This partnership will continue to assist with the improvements that we aspire to make for the academic achievement and general welfare of our students. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the PTSA and encourage parents and students to take an active role in the many wonderful services that have been provided to the students of Plum Senior High by our PTSA.
Have a great school year!!!
Mr. Ryan Kociela, Principal

Welcome back to another school year. I am sure that everyone is well rested and ready to begin. It is sure to be a memorable year for all of us. Let me introduce our PTSA officers for this school year: Linda Rusnak, President; Maria Matthews, Treasurer; and
Dede Kenny, Secretary. I want to begin by thanking everyone who helps our students throughout the year. We made some great improvements last year and want to continue with them and add more this year. You are personally invited to participate in your students experience at the high school by participating in the PTSA. The PTSA is about improving our students ’ school year experience along with helping our teachers. We meet once a month on the third Wednesday of the month. Our first PTSA meeting will be on
Wednesday, September 17, 2014 at 7 pm in the high school library . Our vice principal,
Mrs. Gattuso, will be available at this meeting to let us know what is going on at the high school and will be able to answer any questions. Please plan on attending and bring any ideas, comments or suggestions with you.
This is the only newsletter that will be mailed to you. To receive any further information, please complete the attached membership form. We will comprise an email list to keep members informed. If you want to keep current on what is happening at the high school, please check out the Plum High School Website. On the left side of the high school page, there is a PTSA link and we will update it with any current information along with the monthly minutes there. You can join at Open House or drop off your membership in the office
Every year the PTSA sponsors different activities to help our students have a better experience. Some of the activities we are involved with during the school year include:
“Kick Butts Day” which is a national PTA sponsored event to stop smoking and smokeless tobacco . We really see the difference that this can make in each student’s life. We had students fill out pledges last year along with pertinent tobacco information. The students completed a form and answered questions. If they answered the form correctly, they were entered into a drawing. We had a raffle and gave out gift cards during the lunch periods. We also host a teacher appreciation luncheon near the end of the year. PTSA sponsors the creative program called Reflections, which allows the students to express their creative side. This year the theme is “The world would be a better place if ...”
Encourage your students to participate in this program. We will have more information posted under our link as it becomes available. The PTSA also plans and arranges the
PSAT and SAT workshops in the fall and spring. It is always helpful to review before the
SAT exam. Our teachers for this year will be Mrs. Pickard for English and Mr. Betta for math. Obviously, we award scholarships towards the end of the year to the seniors who submit an application. We also try to find pertinent speakers/activities that benefit the

students. I hope this explains where some of the membership money goes and I hope you feel that it is a worthwhile cause. We are always looking and listening to ideas and suggestions.
Did you know that as a PTSA member, you get special savings and discounts at different companies? Some examples are T-Mobile, Sharp, Metlife and Hertz. Also to keep up with the latest information, please go to our PTSA heading on the left side of the senior high page. We try to keep this updated throughout the school year.
Please plan on joining your PTSA at Open House on October 2nd. We will have a table set up so you can sign up and get your membership card. All student members will receive a complimentary 4 GB USB Mustang bracelet. Any additional 4 GB bracelets can be purchased for $4 payable to the PTSA. Membership is $14 for a parent and student.
To be eligible for the PTSA high school scholarship, a student ALONG WITH parent/guardian must join the PTSA to be eligible for the high school scholarship. After all it is the P arent T eacher S tudent A ssociation. If only the student joins without the parent/guardian, they will not be eligible for the scholarship.
The PTSA is a great way for you to be part of your student’s high school experience. We welcome you to be an active member and attend our meetings. Also, please sign up to volunteer to help your PTSA. Any amount of time is appreciated. Not only should you become a member, but become an active member. Changes only happen when people get involved. Please contact me with any questions throughout the school year.
Sincerely,
Linda Rusnak
PTSA President

Please Join Us!
Your PTSA membership helped to fund:
PSAT and SAT classes
Kick Butts Day
Reflections
D.J. for the spring dance
Library books
Teacher research books
Donations for grieving families
Freshman orientation picnic
Teacher appreciation luncheon
School board appreciation evening
Scholarships
PSAT/NMSQT will be administered this year on
Wed. October 15, 2014. All juniors will take the
PSAT. Sophomores interested in taking the test should register through the guidance office and is independent of the prep class. Details upcoming at school!
Monthly meetings are held at 7 pm on the third
Wednesday of each month in the High School
Library on the following dates:
September 17, October 15, November 19,
December 17, January 21, February 18, March
18, April 15.
Sponsored by the PTSA. This year the workshop will run two weeks on:
Wenesdays and Thursdays: September 24
&25 and October 8 & 9 after school. There is an activity bus available following the class for students’ convenience
See registration form in this newsletter.
Registration deadline Friday September 19,
2014

2014-
2015
This year’s theme is:
"The world would be a better place if…”
President: Linda Rusnak shinae420@yahoo.ocm
Treasurer: Maria Matthews mmatthews456@gmail.com
Secretary: Dede Kenny md-kenny@hotmaiil.com
PSAT WORKSHOP
The PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) will be administered by the Plum Senior High Guidance Department on either Wednesday , October 15, 2014 . This test is the first step necessary to enter the scholarship programs administered by the National Merit
Scholarship Corp. This year, the school district will cover the cost of all juniors taking the test . Details, including cost and application forms for sophomores will be provided through their English classes and the
Guidance Department.
The actual scores from the PSAT only affect this year’s junior class however, the Guidance Office strongly advises college bound sophomores to take the PSAT Test so they may become familiar with the required college entrance testing.
To help our Plum High students prepare for the test the PTSA has again made arrangements for the PSAT
Preparation Workshop. The workshop will be held in four sessions : Wednesdays and Thursdays
September 24 & 25 and October 8 &9 from 2:30-4:00 p.m.
Students must attend all four sessions in order to be well prepared for the PSAT. There is an after school activity bus available for students.
Class size will be limited and registration will be on a first come, first served basis according to postmarks on the mailed registration form. It is strongly recommended that the students who register for the class have at least one year of algebra. The PSAT workshop fee is non-refundable and cannot be used toward another

PTSA workshop or seminar. Any student disrupting the workshop will be told to leave and may not return nor will any payment be refunded.
To register your son or daughter for the workshop, please complete the PSAT Workshop Registration Form below and return it with your check for $40.00 made payable to: “Plum Senior High PTSA, Inc.”

Mail to: Ann Bednar
110 South Duane Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15239
This form must be mailed by Friday September 19, 2014. If late, there is a $15.00 fee and the whole cost must be paid in cash.
No Student may register on the day of the workshop. Additional information will be emailed to all registered students prior to the start of the workshop. If you have any questions or would like more information concerning the PSAT Workshop, please contact Ann Bednar @ 724-733-4628
Please note: the fee and registration form the PSAT for non-juniors must be handled through the Guidance Department .
PSAT PREPARATION WORKSHOP REGISTRATION FORM
STUDENT’S NAME___________________________________________ HOMEROOM_____________
ADDRESS_________________________________________________________GRADE_____________
_____________________________________________PHONE NUMBER________________
PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE_______________________________________________________
To receive confirmation via email, please provide your email address.
Email:__________________________________________________________________________
Make checks payable to: PLUM SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL PTSA
PLUM SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL PTSA
2014 – 2015 Membership Application
It’s time for our annual PTSA membership drive. What an excellent way to stay involved with your child’s school experience. Students are also encouraged to join and be part of the meetings. Students who join the PTSA (along with one parent or guardian) for a minimum of 2 of the 4 years of high school are eligible to apply for the PTSA scholarships. Please return the form to the high school front office .
All Plum parents and students are invited to be part of the PTSA. Membership is $7.00 per person and here are some of the benefits from being a member:

Informative programs for students

Opportunity to apply for PTSA and Plum Council Scholarships

PSAT and SAT prep classes

Opportunity to participate in Reflections, a national competition for arts and literature

Kick Butts Day, a non-smoking awareness program
 Teacher Appreciation Day
 Aiding teachers and our high school library in needed supplies, etc.

Please come to our monthly meetings: Sept. 17, Oct. 15, Nov.19, Dec. 17, Jan. 21, Feb 18, Mar. 18 and
April 15. They are at 7 pm in the high school library. Come and be part of your student’s education.
In addition the PTSA represents parents in schools before lawmakers to make a difference in policies, and laws that affect our children. The PTSA offers parents the opportunity to make positive changes in our school.
Please help serve the needs of all students, parents, teachers and others who care about the education of our children by volunteering. Any help is appreciated. Please check any area below that you would be interested in helping. A PTSA member will contact you by email on how you can help.
Reflections ___________ Concession Stand __________
Newsletter ___________
Scholarship (May) )________
Powder Puff Game (Oct.) _____________
Teacher Appreciation Day (May) ___________
General Volunteer ________________
MEMBERSHIP IS $14.00 PER STUDENT AND PARENT or $7.00 for each member
Please make checks payable to Plum Senior High PTSA
Parent/Guardian’s Name_________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian’s Name __________________________________________________________
Student’s Name ________________________________________________________________
Student’s Name ________________________________________________________________
Email Address: ______________________________ @ ____________________ . __________
Address
___________________________________________________________________________
If you have any questions, please email Linda Rusnak: shinae420@yahoo.com