This is what USC is doing.UPDATED

We live in a school district where the superintendent laughed when he heard about swastikas drawn in Washington Elementary playground mulch. This is what Upper St. Clair is doing.

From: Upper St. Clair School District <tvojtko@uscsd.k12.pa.us>
Date: Sun, Oct 28, 2018, 4:06 PM
Subject: USCSD: School counselors available
To: Upper St. Clair Families

Dear Upper St. Clair Families:

Our region, our nation, and the world are stunned by the horrific event that occurred Saturday morning at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Squirrel Hill. For our families that have been affected directly or indirectly, please know we are here for you.

As adults, it is challenging to find the right words in the face of such adversity. Imagine how difficult it can be for our children. Below please find several resources for talking with children about tragic events.

• Talking with Children about Tragic Events, The National Center for Grieving Children & Families
• Talking to Children About Tragedies & Other News Events, American Academy of Pediatrics
• How to talk to children about difficult news, American Psychological Association

I hope these are helpful to you as we try to move forward together, while supporting our Jewish community and those who have been impacted by this senseless and unimaginable violence. Please know that our school counselors are here to help if your child shows any signs of distress.

Tomorrow and Tuesday are scheduled professional development days for district staff, with no school scheduled for students. However, school counselors will be in the buildings and available if your child needs them prior to returning to school on Wednesday. A full listing of the district’s school counselors, including contact information, is provided below. If you are unable to reach your child’s counselor directly, please contact the main office for assistance. 

We offer our deepest sympathy to those who have been affected by this tragic event. As always, our district staff will be there to support our students.

Sincerely yours,

Dr. John T. Rozzo
Superintendent of Schools

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School Counselors

Baker Elementary
Kristin Rose: 412-833-1600, ext. 4010  |  krose@uscsd.k12.pa.us

Eisenhower Elementary
Amy Miller: 412-833-1600, ext. 8010  | amiller@uscsd.k12.pa.us

Streams Elementary
Leslie Smirniw: 412-833-1600, ext. 6010  |  lsmirniw@uscsd.k12.pa.us

Boyce Middle School
Amy Antonio, 5th Grade Counselor:  412-833-1600, ext. 5011  |  aantonio@uscsd.k12.pa.us
Tonia Autieri, 6th Grade Counselor:  412-833-1600, ext. 5010  |  tautieri@uscsd.k12.pa.us

Fort Couch Middle School
Jace Palmer, 8th Grade Counselor:  412-833-1600, ext. 3011  |  jpalmer@uscsd.k12.pa.us
Lauren Madia, 7th Grade Counselor:  412-833-1600, ext. 3010  |  lmadia@uscsd.k12.pa.us

Upper St. Clair High School 
(click here for counselor assignments)
Jennifer Kirk: 412-833-1600, ext. 2403  |  jkirk@uscsd.k12.pa.us
Jerry Malarkey: 412-833-1600, ext. 2401  |  jmalarkey@uscsd.k12.pa.us
Thomas Marquis:  412-833-1600, ext. 2406  |  tmarquis@uscsd.k12.pa.us
Gordon Mathews:  412-833-1600, ext. 2402  |  gmathews@uscsd.k12.pa.us
Kristin Pardini:  412-833-1600, ext. 2404  |  kpardini@uscsd.k12.pa.us
William Rullo:  412-833-1600, ext. 2400  |  brullo@uscsd.k12.pa.us

Update October 29, 2018 3:40 PM

In Response to the Tree of Life Shooting: Community Resources

Letter to Parents from Dr. Timothy Steinhauer

Redoubling and the fake, fake budget

Mt. Lebanon schools seek guidance, engage students after discovery of swastika

“We have redoubled our efforts with students,” Mr. Steinhauer told school board members during their meeting Monday night.

What does Timmy mean? Are the schools doubling or quadrupling efforts? I haven't heard that term used outside of the game, Bridge. I did a quick search and found some explanations. 

Redouble is used by politicians to make it sound like they care and are working really hard on solving a problem. Thank to them, current meaning is hollow and means nothing.

Redouble is an example of malapropism. The word "malapropism" (and its earlier variant "malaprop") comes from a character named "Mrs.Malaprop" in Richard Brinsley Sheridan's 1775 play The Rivals. Mrs. Malaprop frequently misspeaks (to comic effect) by using words which don't have the meaning that she intends but which sound similar to words that do. 

Oh, tough call. It could go either way. Irregardless (get it?), it is nice to know that the school district has taken steps to educate our children and reinforce its policies of non-discrimination.

Also, at Monday's school board meeting, school board directors discussed the fake, fake budget.

The state’s Act 1 index limits the district to a tax increase of no more than 2.5 percent, or a new tax rate of 24.5282 mills.
Because the proposed budget is 0.2318 mills over that cap, the district will seek exemptions from the state Department of Education for pension and special education costs.
Board president Mary Birks reminded taxpayers that the final budget -- to be passed in June -- may not necessarily include a tax increase of that size.
“This is a preliminary, preliminary budget,” she said.

Is the final budget really going to be passed in June? Historically, the budget has been passed in mid-May, well before final numbers are available to the District.  If this is the case, another step (baby step) in the right direction.