February 2016 New Superintendent a Familiar Face to SASD by Kayla Snyder Pass Is a Reminder of Why We Do What We Do
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Volume 42 Issue 4 Student Newspaper Of Shaler Area High School February 2016 New superintendent a familiar face to SASD by Kayla Snyder pass is a reminder of why we do what we do. The compass is a metaphor, it points in the direction to- After the news broke that former superintendent wards the students. How does every decision that we Dr. Wesley Shipley accepted a position at Mars Area make affect the students?” Aiken said. School District, Shaler Area started to scramble to Aside from being the role of superintendent at find the perfect candidate to be the next superinten- Shaler Area, Aiken also plays an important role once dent. In November, the puzzle pieces were complete his business day ends. Aiken is the proud father of with the hiring of Mr. Sean Aiken. five children with ages ranging from 4 to 18. Due to Aiken is not a stranger to Shaler Area or the ad- this, Aiken feels he relates to the parents of the stu- ministrative scene. He was an assistant principal at dents at Shaler Area. Shaler Area Middle School before leaving to take a “I think that parents have always appreciated position at Quaker Valley and eventually another at that I do have kids because I think they know that West Allegheny. However, Aiken had a feeling he I’ve walked in their shoes. I know what they’re go- would end up back at Shaler Area. ing through. I think there is an understanding of what “I love the heart of this community. I feel like it means to be a parent, what the struggles of being it’s a strong community where there is so much pride a parent are, and making decisions based on what I and tradition. It felt really special when I was here would want for my own children and how that would before. This is a great place and I feel like we can ac- apply to the students of Shaler Area,” Aiken said. complish great things together,” Aiken said. One of the biggest decisions made in Shaler Area During the interviewing process, Aiken present- in the past few months was the one-to-one initiative ed a 60-day plan which he has already begun to im- in schools. Aiken was not a part of the process but plement. It focuses mainly on connecting with people deems it necessary for children to be exposed to 21st throughout the school district. Aiken wants to build Mr. Sean Aiken century technology in order to competitively advance and structure systems in an efficient way, get out into connect the community to communicate what is go- in the future. the classroom to see students, meet parents on a regu- ing on and act as that leadership figure. “Our students need to be competitive in a global lar basis, and have one-to-one discussions with the His top priorities include equal challenges for marketplace. The more experience and exposure our school board and other administrators in his first two students in Kindergarten through 12th grade, having students can have now to technology that’s available, months in the position. a continuous growth mindset, operational efficiency, puts our students in a more competitive place. Mov- Being a superintendent is a heavily scrutinized and fiscal responsibility throughout his career here. ing forward our students and teachers need to grow title that many people have misconceptions of. Aiken Aiken’s focus is always on the students of the with the use of the iPads and technology,” Aiken said. claims that being the superintendent of a school is school district. So much so, there is a metaphor he Aiken hopes that he will be able to finish his ca- similar to being a CEO and an instructional leader uses to constantly remind him of who the decisions reer and retire from Shaler Area. In the meantime, he of a school district. Not only is working with the he makes. hopes to make improvements and positive changes school board extremely important, he also tries to “I have a compass that sits on my desk. The com- for the better for the students. Stageby Antoni is Miladinovset for annual“This year’s Shalerpalooza concert Shalerpalooza is go- If you’ve never attended Shalerpalooza then; ing to be a little differ- you’ve really been missing out. This year’s Shaler- ent for me. This year palooza will feature the largest variety of acts the I’m coming out with show has ever seen. Come out to Mr. Small’s Fun my own band and I House in Millvale on February 20th for a night filled have a feeling that with music. The show starts at 7 pm and tickets are we’re going to be the only $8 from the activities office or performers and heaviest band there. $10 at the door. Last year was my first “Shalerpalooza’s a great experience for students time performing on who don’t normally get out to see the talent that stage ever. I got a lot their classmates have on stage,” Shaler Alumni Jake of compliments that Stretch said. Stretch performed in Shalerpalooza for made me feel moti- three years. vated and inspired In 2009, custodian Dale Mangold began Shaler- to continue writing palooza which was originally intended to raise mon- music. Coming back ey for a scholarship dedicated to a senior who was this year makes me killed in a car accident that year. From then on, the very happy. I’m still show has blossomed into a fundraising event for a bit nervous but I’m class funds. gonna let all my fears “Raising money for the class funds helps reduce out and vibe with the Vanessa Ehrenberger, Charles Bakaj and Zach Marker at last year’s Shalerpalooza the costs for various student activities. Whatever I music,” senior Tommy Truong said. Krenn won’t be a paying customer this time can do to help save the students money is important Alongside Truong and his band, this year’s show around, however it would be great to come out and to me. It’s a way to give back to the community” will feature performances by many DJ’s, bands, support him along with all of the other performers. Mangold said. Shaler Area Drum Line and many solo performers. The chance to watch your faculty and fellow peers Mangold’s dedication to the show and students Also in store for Shalerpalooza 2016 is Act 80’s may never come again! at the high school is what has kept Shalerpalooza Band which features Shaler Area High School’s very “I’d like to see more crossovers of students in alive. Last year, the show raised over $4,000 that own Mr. McDermott, Mr. Haberman, Mr. Krenn and attendance as well as more staff. But most of all, I’d was distributed back to each grade. Mangold has also Mr. Stivason. like to continue to promote and feature our student worked hard to gain sponsors like Hardee’s, Shop n “I’ve been going to the venue for many years and body and give them some experience in the entertain- Save and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9199. it’s one of my favorite venues to ever be at as a pay- ment industry. This will hopefully let them live and The sponsors help Shalerpalooza to be a show ing customer. I’m excited to be on stage to see what it experience some of their dreams,” Mangold said. filled with memories that will last a lifetime. looks like from that vantage point,” Krenn said. Page 2 The Oracle February 2016 OPINIONS Evaluating the Pirates’ off-season moves by Justin Jockel But if the team is hoping Jaso (Alvarez’s left-hand- ed replacement) to put up high power numbers, it The Pirates and general manager Neal Hunting- just won’t happen and Alvarez’s bat will be greatly ton have certainly been busy so far this offseason. missed. The signing of multiple players to help in the lineup Grade: C and in the pitching department defiantly gives man- ager Clint Hurdle some depth heading into the 2016 Acquiring 1B Jason Rogers from the Brewers season. However, the team has yet to make any ma- In mid December, the Pirates traded OF Keon jor acquisitions and in an offseason that has seen Broxton and a minor league pitcher in exchange for the Cubs bring in Jason Heyward, Ben Zobrist, and Jason Rogers. This move is strictly for depth at 1st John Lackey and the Cardinals sign starting pitcher base. With the departure of Alvarez, the Pirates need Mike Leake and involved in discussions with multi- some role-fillers. And Rogers supported good sea- ple top-tier free agents, it’s only a matter of time be- son stats, posting a .296 average, a .358 on-base- fore the Cardinals bring in a star player. The Pirates percentage, through 152 at-bats. So, he can prove need to make a major move before Spring Training paid 10 million. Why would the Bucs choose Neise to be a secret weapon off the bench for manager if they are looking to compete. Not saying the play- over Happ, when the Pirates have seen Happ pitch Clint Hurdle. However, he has limited major league ers they have brought in are completely useless, but specifically for them and has had success? Not good experience as last year was his first full year in the they need a proven player to compete with division thinking by Huntington.