NEW CASTLE — Cookies, cards, thoughts and prayers were sent by Neshannock teachers and students to Mike Moody while he served in Kuwait.

Now safely home, the Navy reservist this week visited Neshannock Township school directors to express his appreciation and to present the district with a flag that few over his base in their honor.

Moody’s wife, Lisa, teaches first grade in the district.

A plaque, presented with the flag, certifies that on April 27, 2012, the flag flew over the Navel Expedition Support Group Forward Camp Arifjan in Kuwait. It say it was “flown in honor of the students and teachers of the Neshannock School District during Operation New Dawn, at the request of Mike Moody USN.”

Dr. Mary Todora, superintendent, said the flag and plaque will be displayed at the school.

Board members also discussed donating $1,000 to purchase rings for the 2011-12 girls softball team who won the PIAA Class AA championship last spring — the first in school history.

Todora said fundraising efforts have been made and donations accepted but $1,000 is still needed to purchase rings for team members.

Board member Amy Na asked what accommodation was made when a boy’s team won a state championship and said the board should take identical action. Board member P.J. Copple and principal Luca Passerelli said records must have been kept and that they would look it up.

“We don’t want to see the girls short-changed,” Copple said, adding, “I have no problem providing money toward rings.”

Passerelli agreed. “A state championship is something special,” he said.

In another matter, board member Karen Houk said the policy committee had met and voted 2-1 to revisit the board’s nepotism policy. The matter will be raised to the full board, she said, at the next meeting.

In other business the board:

•Hired Christina Liverani as a speech language pathologist at $45,412 plus benefits.

•Hired Joanne Thompson as bus monitor for a special needs student.

•Hired Robert Baker as a part-time/as needed technology consultant at $25 per hour for the 2012-13 school year. He was hired by a 6-1 vote with board member Amy Na opposing. Board members Dr. Richard Papa and president Mark Hasson were absent.

•Approved student Ian L. Buckner as an independent varsity high school swimmer, and approved independent study for 10 students because the course does not fit into their schedule. This includes eight physical education, one accounting and one band student.

•Approved the resignation of Adam Held as junior high student council advisor

•Approved family leave for Angelia Anderson from Dec. 4 through Feb. 4 and for Darci Wise from Oct. 29 through August 2013.

Navy reservist thanks teachers, students

By Nancy Lowry

New Castle News



Cookies, cards, thoughts and prayers were sent by Neshannock teachers and students to Mike Moody while he served in Kuwait.

Now safely home, the Navy reservist this week visited Neshannock Township school directors to express his appreciation and to present the district with a flag that few over his base in their honor.

Moody’s wife, Lisa, teaches first grade in the district.

A plaque, presented with the flag, certifies that on April 27, 2012, the flag flew over the Navel Expedition Support Group Forward Camp Arifjan in Kuwait. It say it was “flown in honor of the students and teachers of the Neshannock School District during Operation New Dawn, at the request of Mike Moody USN.”

Dr. Mary Todora, superintendent, said the flag and plaque will be displayed at the school.

Board members also discussed donating $1,000 to purchase rings for the 2011-12 girls softball team who won the PIAA Class AA championship last spring — the first in school history.

Todora said fundraising efforts have been made and donations accepted but $1,000 is still needed to purchase rings for team members.

Board member Amy Na asked what accommodation was made when a boy’s team won a state championship and said the board should take identical action. Board member P.J. Copple and principal Luca Passerelli said records must have been kept and that they would look it up.

“We don’t want to see the girls short-changed,” Copple said, adding, “I have no problem providing money toward rings.”

Passerelli agreed. “A state championship is something special,” he said.

In another matter, board member Karen Houk said the policy committee had met and voted 2-1 to revisit the board’s nepotism policy. The matter will be raised to the full board, she said, at the next meeting.

In other business the board:

•Hired Christina Liverani as a speech language pathologist at $45,412 plus benefits.

•Hired Joanne Thompson as bus monitor for a special needs student.

•Hired Robert Baker as a part-time/as needed technology consultant at $25 per hour for the 2012-13 school year. He was hired by a 6-1 vote with board member Amy Na opposing. Board members Dr. Richard Papa and president Mark Hasson were absent.

•Approved student Ian L. Buckner as an independent varsity high school swimmer, and approved independent study for 10 students because the course does not fit into their schedule. This includes eight physical education, one accounting and one band student.

•Approved the resignation of Adam Held as junior high student council advisor

•Approved family leave for Angelia Anderson from Dec. 4 through Feb. 4 and for Darci Wise from Oct. 29 through August 2013.

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