Schools

Seneca Valley Gets $40,000 Grant from Alcoa Foundation

Seneca Valley Gets $40,000 Grant from Alcoa Foundation Superintendent Dr. Tracy Vitale said the money, which will be used for professional development, will offset taxpayer expenses.

For the second time in a little less than a year, the Seneca Valley School District is set to receive grant money from the Alcoa Foundation.

At Monday’s meeting, school board members accepted $25,000 from the foundation that will be used by elementary and middle school teachers to participate in professional development with professors from the University of Pittsburgh to improve and enhance student mathematical achievement, according to the district.

Seneca Valley also will receive $15,000 from Alcoa to be used by elementary and middle school teachers to participate in professional development with Lead to Learn consultations to increase reading and comprehension skills in students.

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Superintendent Dr. Tracy Vitale, who sits on the board’s foundation, said the money will offset taxpayer expenses because it will pay for professional development the district already had planned for this year.

This isn’t the first time the district has receive funds from the Alcoa.

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In January, the Alcoa Foundation g to support a professional development program for math teachers in each of the district’s six elementary schools as well as the Haine and Evans City middle schools.

Focusing on environment, empowerment, education and sustainable design, the Alcoa Foundation contributes millions annually to organizations and schools around the world. The company’s corporate center is located on Pittsburgh’s north shore. In 2010, it also acquired Cranberry-based Traco, a window and door making company, as part of its global building and construction systems business.

Vitale added she has talked to other Alcoa board members about internship and summer employment opportunities for Seneca Valley students.

“It’s opening up many other doors and connecting the industry in our region to our students and our graduates,” she said of working with Alcoa.


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