In brief: Plum, Oakmont area news, events for the week of Feb. 3, 2025
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Plum approves 2025-26 school year calendar
The Plum School Board has approved the district’s calendar for the 2025-26 school year.
The first day of school will be Aug. 20 and the last day will be May 29. Graduation is tentatively set for May 27.
Before classes begin, “Meet the Teacher” events will be held for secondary students on Aug. 13 and for elementary students on Aug. 14.
Sept. 26 is planned as a remote learning day.
Thanksgiving break will be Nov. 27-28; winter break will run from Dec. 24 through Jan. 2; and spring break will be April 2-6.
Kennywood Day is scheduled for June 11.
Plum School board approves departures, arrivals
The Plum School District’s first female police officer has resigned.
The school board accepted Rachel Katchmar’s resignation, effective Dec. 23, at its Jan. 28 meeting. No reason was given.
Katchmar was hired effective Oct. 23 to replace Michael DeMarco, a former borough police officer, who resigned to retire on Oct. 16.
The board also approved the resignations of Lillia Floyd, food services worker, effective Dec. 19; Michael Gigliotti, bus driver, effective Jan. 6; and Lindsay Klipa, nursing department leader, effective Jan. 27. Retirements approved were Donald Colchagie, facilities maintenance worker, effective Jan. 28; Melissa Fischer, bus driver, effective April 24; and Kristen Gestrich, Holiday Park Intermediate teacher, effective June 3.
Employees hired were Kelly Sereda, longterm substitute elementary teacher at O’Block Elementary, effective Jan. 14 with a salary of $52,500; Lindsey Adams, paraprofessional, effective Feb. 3 at $19.85 per hour; Loleata Demus, food service, effective Feb. 3 at $15.25 per hour; and Paula Thomas, bus aide, effective Feb. 3 at $17.65 per hour.
James Hanna and Stacey Stezoski were changed from van drivers to full-time bus drivers, each effective Jan. 29 at $24.27 per hour.
Souper Bowl fundraiser kicks off
People are invited to bring their canned or boxed soups to Fox’s Pizza Den in Oakmont as an annual Souper Bowl fundraiser kicks off.
Donations can be dropped off from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday through Feb. 11.
Donations will be distributed to local food pantries. For more information, contact Lori Hummel at 412-287-1739 or lhummel@howardhanna.com.
Plum AARP sets February meeting
Plum AARP’s monthly meeting is set for noon Feb.11 at Unity Community Church. Plum EMT Brian Maloney will speak on safety for seniors.
Plum AARP is a social/service club open to residents of Plum, Penn Hills, Monroeville and surrounding communities. Cake, coffee and tea are served at each meeting.
In addition to a speaker or entertainment at most meetings, the club hosts two hot dog lunches, a Christmas party, a May luncheon and an August social. Members are able to book one-day or longer trips through representatives from Thomas Tours and Louise Grassi Tours.
The organization’s dues are $15 per year.
Newcomers are welcome at regular monthly meetings, which are held on the second Tuesday of each month, except for June, at Unity Community Church, 215 Unity Trestle Road.
For more information, call Mary Lou at 724 327-8265.
Daffodil Days fundraiser underway
Riverview Relay for Life is accepting orders for its Daffodil Days fundraiser through Feb. 13 to support the American Cancer Society. The cost is $15 for a bunch of daffodils or tulips, or $20 for mini-potted daffodils.
A Gift of Hope is available for $25, and your flowers will be donated to a local cancer center, nursing home or hospice.
Orders will be delivered in the Oakmont-Verona area during the week of March 18. To place orders, visit tinyurl.com/dd25oakmontverona.
Comedy fundraiser on tap for Verona brewery
Riverside Women’s Association will sponsor a comedy night fundraiser at 7 p.m. Feb. 22 at Acclamation Brewing at 314 Arch St. in Verona.
The doors open at 6 p.m., and tickets cost $30. There will be a cash bar, raffles, 50-50 and auctions. Snacks will be available for purchase.
Those attending must be 18 or older. Sponsorship opportunities are available.
For tickets and sponsorship information, visit funny4funds.com/events. For details, call Sue Portera at 412-956-7416.
Anti-litter award program offered for kids
Environmental nonprofit Keep America Beautiful is seeking entries from children in kindergarten through sixth grade for its Litter Hawk Youth Award Program.
Children are asked to complete a project sharing their hope, optimism and concerns about litter and inspire others through art, words or video.
The theme for the contest is “Join the Greatest American Cleanup! Show us how you can keep your community litter-free for America’s 250th birthday.”
Children in kindergarten through grade 4 can create a poster; those in grade 5 are asked to write an essay; and those in grade 6 can create a video.
The deadline to participate is Jan. 31. Winners will be announced in April as part of an awards ceremony at the state Capitol building in Harrisburg.
For an entry form, go to KeepPABeautiful.org/grants-awards/awards/litter-hawk, email slarson@keeppabeautiful.org or call 724-836-4121, ext. 104.
Rotary offering need-based scholarships
The Bob Williams Rotary Memorial Scholarship Program is accepting applications from current high school seniors and GED students for 2024-25.
This year, eight need-based scholarships at $5,000 each will be awarded.
The scholarships are open to students in Allegheny and Beaver counties, as well as those attending New Kensington- Arnold, Kiski Area and Burrell Area high schools and The Kiski School in Westmoreland County. Vocational students, GED students and those attending parochial, charter and private schools also are eligible.
Students must have a 2.5 or higher grade-point average and must complete an essay highlighting their community/school service.
Complete application and criteria materials are available on the website of Rotary District 7305 at rotarydistrict7305.org/scholarships.php or from area high school counselors.
The deadline to apply is Feb. 28. Applications postmarked after that date will not be accepted.
For details, email Dr. Robert Arbuckle, chairperson of the scholarship committee, at rarbuckl@yahoo.com.
Group offers support for weight loss
All are welcome to join the men and women at Oakmont TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) who are learning how to lose weight.
With in-person meetings, rewards, support and encouragement, we gain knowledge of healthy eating and exercise.
You may visit with no obligation Tuesdays at 5:45 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1261 Pennsylvania Ave. in Oakmont. Weigh-in is private followed by a brief business meeting, sharing time, and educational program all ending by 7:15.
There is well-lit parking, wheelchair accessibility and security. For details, call 412-828-3854 or e-mail jmjkwj@gmail.com.