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Moon Area School District, in partnership with the community, is dedicated to educating every individual in a respectful, safe, enriching environment through comprehensive programs that inspire excellence, lifelong learning and responsibility.The Moon Area School District is located about 20 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. MASD is situated in a community nationally recognized for affordable suburban living 20 miles west of Pittsburgh and minutes from the Pittsburgh International Airport. Moon and Crescent townships are two of the oldest communities in Allegheny County with a documented history stretching back to 1756. Currently, the district’s communities are writing a new page of history filled with thriving residential developments, national corporate headquarters and the creation of a business district. These improvements are made possible by a solid and growing tax base that has become more diversified in recent years.It is 26 sq. miles, and it serves a portion of the West Hills/Airport Area that includes Crescent and Moon townships. The total population districtwide is 26,825. The district's administration offices are located inside the new Moon Area High School, on Tiger Trail, 8353 University Boulevard, Moon Township. Robert Morris University is located within Moon Township, and the district enjoys a rewarding partnership with the university's community. The '''Moon Area School District''' is located about 13 miles northwest of ], Pennsylvania. It serves a portion of the ] that includes ] and ] townships. The district's administration offices are located inside the new Moon Area High School, on Tiger Trail, 8353 University Boulevard, Moon Township.

'''Moon Area School District’s Values Are:'''
• Learning is a lifelong process.
• The education of our youth is the most valuable investment for our future.
• Every person is unique and has intrinsic worth.
• Recognition and appreciation instill motivation and dedication.
• Honest, open and ongoing communication promotes trust and mutual understanding.
• Relevance is an important catalyst for learning.
• Higher expectations promote greater achievement.
• A quality education provides opportunities and a basis for achieving success.
• Education is a shared responsibility of the student, school, family and community.
• Essential elements to the educational process include confidence, competence, respect and cooperation.


==Moon Area School District facilities== ==Moon Area School District facilities==
⚫ The district currently owns seven schools all through out Moon Township


⚫ The district currently owns seven schools all throughout Moon Township:
• '''Enrollment'''


o J.A. Allard Elementary School: 225 ** '''J.A. Allard Elementary School'''
⚫ ** '''J.H. Brooks Elementary School'''
⚫ ** '''R. Hyde Elementary School'''
⚫ ** '''McCormick Elementary School''' –
** '''Bon Meade Elementary School'''
⚫ ** '''Moon Area Middle School'''
⚫ ** ''']'''


''Allard, Hyde and McCormick elementary schools are 'sister schools' as the three buildings are identical.''
⚫ o J.H. Brooks Elementary School: 395


⚫ ==Academic achievement==
⚫ o R. Hyde Elementary School: 248


o McCormick Elementary School: 196 '''Senior High School'''<br>
'''PSSA Results'''<br>
'''11th Grade Reading'''<br>
2009 – 76% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 65% of 11th graders on grade level.<ref>Moon Senior High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2009</ref><br>
2008 – 83%, State – 65%<br>
2007 – 83%, State – 65%


'''11th Grade Math:'''<br>
⚫ o Bon Meade Elementary School: 531
2009 – 65% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 56% of 11th graders are on grade level.<ref>2009 PSSAs: Reading, Math, Writing and Science Results by Grade and School</ref><br>
2008 – 73%, State – 56%<br>
2007 – 76%, State – 53%


'''11th Grade Science:'''<br>
⚫ o Moon Area Middle School: 943
2009 – 54% on grade level. State: 40% of 11th graders were on grade level.<br>
2008 – 42%<ref>Pennsylvania Department of Education Report on Science PSSA 2008 August 2008.</ref>


===Middle school===
⚫ o Moon Area High School: 1,139
In 2009, the 8th grade was ranked 31st out of 141 western Pennsylvania middle schools based on three years of student academic achievement in ]s in: reading, math writing and one year of science.<ref>The Rankings: Eighth grade, Pittsburgh Business Times, May 15, 2009.</ref> (Includes schools in: ], ], ], ], ], and ]


⚫ ==In the news==
'''Teachers and administration total 312.'''
===Construction controversy===
Moon Area School Board members, in 2004, voted to undertake a massive renovation project of the school district's middle school and high school campus.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04133/314800.stm |title=Board OKs school project |accessdate=April 7, 2007 |work=post-gazette.com | first=Dan | last=Gigler | date=May 12, 2004}}</ref> The construction, set to begin after the 2005–06 school year, prompted township residents to elect a new majority of school board members opposed to the construction plans.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05314/603495.stm |title=Building project anger wins day |accessdate=April 7, 2007 |work=post-gazette.com | first=Dan | last=Gigler | date=November 10, 2005}}</ref> The plan was halted in 2006 after a 5–4 school board vote.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06117/685379-57.stm |title=Moon tosses out all contracts for high school |accessdate=April 7, 2007 |work=post-gazette.com | first=Dan | last=Gigler | date=April 27, 2006}}</ref>


The new plan calls for building a new high school and renovating the current high school, making it the new middle school.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.timesonline.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18135060&BRD=2305&PAG=461&dept_id=478569&rfi=6 |title=Moon Area moves ahead with McCormick Elementary plans |accessdate=March 28, 2007 |work=The Times |location=UK}}</ref>
⚫ ==Academic achievement==
'''MASD Meets Adequate Yearly Progress on PSSA Tests'''


The school earned a poor grade, a "D-" according to ]'s transparency checklist, for not disclosing information on the school's website.<ref></ref>
Moon Area School District (MASD) students excelled on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) tests for the 2010-2011 school year. All seven buildings made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). “Congratulations to Moon Area students and staff for their continued success on the PSSA tests,” said Dr. Donna K. Milanovich, Superintendent of Schools.


===District employee contracts===
This year the school will utilize similar strategies to help students once again excel on the PSSA tests.
In March 2007, Moon Area School Board approved a five-year contract for the district's support staff. The new contract included an increase of 2.85 percent and the support staff members must now pay part of their health care benefits.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.yourmoontownship.com/newspaper/article/76932/Board-gives-support-service-staff-contract-final-approval/ |title=Board gives support service staff contract final approval |accessdate=March 28, 2007 |work=yourmoontownship.com}}</ref>
PSSA tests are given annually to students in grades 3-8 as well as grade 11 each spring to evaluate all public schools in Pennsylvania as required by NCLB. The tests measure student achievement in the areas of reading, mathematics, science, and writing. Each year schools are evaluated by their ability to meet AYP, which serves as the minimum target level of improvement each school must meet. Factors such as participation, attendance, and graduation also factor into AYP results.
For more information, visit


===Teacher strike, eventual contract (2010–2011)===
⚫ ==In the news==
In November 2010, Moon Area School District teachers went on strike for three weeks before returning to the classroom.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_710833.html/ |title=All Moon Area students to return to classrooms Monday |accessdate=July 3, 2011 |work=triblive.com}}</ref>

In June 2011, Moon Area School Board members approved a five-year contract with the teachers union that included no raise the first year and for salary increases as follows in the next four years of the deal: 4 percent, 3.2 percent, 4.5 percent and 4.4 percent.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_744477.html/ |title=Deal for Moon teachers called compromise |accessdate=July 3, 2011 |work=triblive.com}}</ref>

===School board votes to furlough at least 20 staff members===
Without any warning, Moon Area School Board members voted, 7–2, to furlough at least 20 staff members in June 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.yourmoontownship.com/node/10823/ |title=At least 20 Moon Area staff positions eliminated |accessdate=July 3, 2011 |work=yourmoontwp.com}}</ref>

==District in the spotlight==
Given the district's location to the Pittsburgh International Airport and access to the city, many of the school's students, faculty and buildings have been thrust into the spotlight.

The school's marching band has, at times, performed at the airport for presidential visits.

Some notable spotlights include:
* Scenes from the 1979 movie '']'' were shot in the gym at the high school.
*President ] made a surprise visit to Moon a day after pardoning President ] on Sept. 9, 1974.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06362/749532-85.stm |title=In wake of Nixon pardon, Ford visited Pittsburgh |accessdate=February 18, 2007 |work=post-gazette.com | first=Dan | last=Majors | date=December 28, 2006}}</ref>
*A day after grabbing the Democrat nod for president, then-Vice President ] held a rally at the school's gym on March 16, 2000.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/headlines/20000316gore1.asp |title=Gore, in Moon, asks if Bush is qualified |accessdate=February 18, 2007 |work=post-gazette.com | first1=James | last1=O'Toole | date=March 16, 2000}}</ref>


===Construction=== ==External links==
*
Moon Area School District is in the midst of a multi-million dollar secondary schools renovation and construction project. On January 31, the new state-of-the-art Moon Area High School opened. The old high school is currently being renovated into a middle school housing fifth through eighth grades, scheduled to open in the fall of 2012.
For the first time, a two-way roadway flanked with sidewalks and referred to in plans as “Tiger Trail” will link two of Moon Township’s major roadways – University Boulevard and Beaver Grade Road. With this new traffic arrangement, traffic lights were installed at the current middle school and future high school main entrance off University Boulevard.
We are excited about these changes and the future of our district. These few years of minor inconveniences will benefit generations of students providing them with a top-notch educational environment.


==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}


{{coord missing|Pennsylvania}}
===Social Media===
'''Facebook'''
MASD welcomes alumni, parents and students to our Facebook page at to stay connected with updates on breaking news, Moon Area happenings, student achievements, calendar additions and district academic, musical and athletic events.


]
'''Twitter'''
]
Follow MASD at and Tiger Athletics at to stay connected with updates on breaking news, Moon Area happenings, student achievements, calendar additions and district academic, musical and athletic events. Band parent also may utilize to receive updates on the organization's depature and arrival times, competition results and more.

Revision as of 19:14, 10 May 2012

Moon Area School District
Location
Moon Township, Pennsylvania United States
District information
TypePublic
GradesK – 12th
Students and staff
StudentsApprox. 3,145 students
District mascotTiger
ColorsRed and White
   
Other information
WebsiteMoon Area School District

The Moon Area School District is located about 13 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It serves a portion of the West Hills/Airport Area that includes Crescent and Moon townships. The district's administration offices are located inside the new Moon Area High School, on Tiger Trail, 8353 University Boulevard, Moon Township.

Moon Area School District facilities

The district currently owns seven schools all throughout Moon Township:

    • J.A. Allard Elementary School
    • J.H. Brooks Elementary School
    • R. Hyde Elementary School
    • McCormick Elementary School –
    • Bon Meade Elementary School
    • Moon Area Middle School
    • Moon Area High School

Allard, Hyde and McCormick elementary schools are 'sister schools' as the three buildings are identical.

Academic achievement

Senior High School
PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading
2009 – 76% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 65% of 11th graders on grade level.
2008 – 83%, State – 65%
2007 – 83%, State – 65%

11th Grade Math:
2009 – 65% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 56% of 11th graders are on grade level.
2008 – 73%, State – 56%
2007 – 76%, State – 53%

11th Grade Science:
2009 – 54% on grade level. State: 40% of 11th graders were on grade level.
2008 – 42%

Middle school

In 2009, the 8th grade was ranked 31st out of 141 western Pennsylvania middle schools based on three years of student academic achievement in PSSAs in: reading, math writing and one year of science. (Includes schools in: Allegheny County, Beaver County, Butler County, Fayette County, Westmoreland County, and Washington County

In the news

Construction controversy

Moon Area School Board members, in 2004, voted to undertake a massive renovation project of the school district's middle school and high school campus. The construction, set to begin after the 2005–06 school year, prompted township residents to elect a new majority of school board members opposed to the construction plans. The plan was halted in 2006 after a 5–4 school board vote.

The new plan calls for building a new high school and renovating the current high school, making it the new middle school.

The school earned a poor grade, a "D-" according to Sunshine Review's transparency checklist, for not disclosing information on the school's website.

District employee contracts

In March 2007, Moon Area School Board approved a five-year contract for the district's support staff. The new contract included an increase of 2.85 percent and the support staff members must now pay part of their health care benefits.

Teacher strike, eventual contract (2010–2011)

In November 2010, Moon Area School District teachers went on strike for three weeks before returning to the classroom.

In June 2011, Moon Area School Board members approved a five-year contract with the teachers union that included no raise the first year and for salary increases as follows in the next four years of the deal: 4 percent, 3.2 percent, 4.5 percent and 4.4 percent.

School board votes to furlough at least 20 staff members

Without any warning, Moon Area School Board members voted, 7–2, to furlough at least 20 staff members in June 2011.

District in the spotlight

Given the district's location to the Pittsburgh International Airport and access to the city, many of the school's students, faculty and buildings have been thrust into the spotlight.

The school's marching band has, at times, performed at the airport for presidential visits.

Some notable spotlights include:

  • Scenes from the 1979 movie The Fish that Saved Pittsburgh were shot in the gym at the high school.
  • President Gerald Ford made a surprise visit to Moon a day after pardoning President Richard M. Nixon on Sept. 9, 1974.
  • A day after grabbing the Democrat nod for president, then-Vice President Al Gore held a rally at the school's gym on March 16, 2000.

External links

References

  1. Moon Senior High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2009
  2. 2009 PSSAs: Reading, Math, Writing and Science Results by Grade and School
  3. Pennsylvania Department of Education Report on Science PSSA 2008 August 2008.
  4. The Rankings: Eighth grade, Pittsburgh Business Times, May 15, 2009.
  5. Gigler, Dan (May 12, 2004). "Board OKs school project". post-gazette.com. Retrieved April 7, 2007.
  6. Gigler, Dan (November 10, 2005). "Building project anger wins day". post-gazette.com. Retrieved April 7, 2007.
  7. Gigler, Dan (April 27, 2006). "Moon tosses out all contracts for high school". post-gazette.com. Retrieved April 7, 2007.
  8. "Moon Area moves ahead with McCormick Elementary plans". The Times. UK. Retrieved March 28, 2007.
  9. Your Moon Township, MASD Board of Education gets D-, June 7, 2010
  10. "Board gives support service staff contract final approval". yourmoontownship.com. Retrieved March 28, 2007.
  11. "All Moon Area students to return to classrooms Monday". triblive.com. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  12. "Deal for Moon teachers called compromise". triblive.com. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  13. "At least 20 Moon Area staff positions eliminated". yourmoontwp.com. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  14. Majors, Dan (December 28, 2006). "In wake of Nixon pardon, Ford visited Pittsburgh". post-gazette.com. Retrieved February 18, 2007.
  15. O'Toole, James (March 16, 2000). "Gore, in Moon, asks if Bush is qualified". post-gazette.com. Retrieved February 18, 2007.

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