IN Fox Chapel Area Spring 2017 | Page 20

O ’ HARA STUDENTS HONOR SCHOOL BOARD
O ’ Hara Elementary School Principal Kristy Batis and Assistant Principal Steve Edwards spoke to the fifth grade chorus members prior to their performance for the School Board .
The O ’ Hara students presented small tokens of appreciation to the Board members for all of their hard work .

O ’ HARA STUDENTS HONOR SCHOOL BOARD

January School Director Recognition Month ox Chapel Area FOX CHAPEL AREA SCHOOL NEWS

On January 9 the Fox Chapel Area Board of School Directors was recognized by O ’ Hara Elementary School students in honor of School Director Recognition Month . The 25 members of the O ’ Hara Fifth Grade Chorus , under the direction of teachers Shawn Funk and Heidi Pandolfi , sang two songs to acknowledge the Board members for their hard work .

“ We want to thank you , our Board of Directors , for working diligently to provide us with wonderful schools that are part of a community of peace and acceptance ,” student Harrison Lee said during the presentation , prior to the group singing “ Peace Round .”
Before the chorus sang “ Give Me Wings ,” student Maria Weldon said , “ Your willingness to serve our school and share your instincts and talents continue to create schools where we can grow roots as well as wings .”
The final speaker , Claudia “ CJ ” Smith , said , “ Please know that we appreciate your service . We know that with a strong education here at Fox Chapel Area , our wings will carry us far .”
The members of the chorus then handed out small tokens of their appreciation to the Board members . Additionally , several
O ’ Hara Elementary music teacher Shawn Funk directed the chorus while they sang “ Peace Round .”
18 Fox Chapel Area
books were donated to the O ’ Hara Elementary School library in honor of the Board .
According to CJ , being asked to perform was quite an honor . “ I loved performing for the School Board ,” she said . “ It was awesome to be able to represent our amazing school district !” She also said the School Board members do an “ amazing job .” “ I think it ’ s important to honor members of the School Board because they try so hard to make Fox Chapel the best it can be .”
Student Emily Torbert said it ’ s important to honor the School Board because they generously give of their time , all for the good of the community . “ They also have to make very large and hard decisions on a lot of different subjects . We don ’ t get to see them every day , but they are the ones behind the scenes who help our teachers do their best ,” she said .
School Director Recognition Month is a program of the Pennsylvania School Board ’ s Association . It was started in 1985 and is held to honor school directors for their dedication and the many hours that they voluntarily spend to help students across Pennsylvania .
The chorus , under the direction of teacher Heidi Pandolfi , performed “ Give Me Wings .”