KPNewsletter_Winter_2019

Pace

Learning Redefined Spring 2019

Community Partners
TOASTER PETS ALCOSAN

Toaster Pets alcosan

What student wouldn’t like to be a game tester for a As a community partner, ALCOSAN continues to provide our
new app? When Pace was presented the opportunity to students with experiences that introduce them to future
partner with game developer, Toaster Pets, we knew career options. Beginning with our middle school
it would be a big hit with the kids. This new app students, ALCOSAN staff bring the WAVE program
uses collaboration among peers to achieve goals into Pace on a weekly basis. Students work on job-
in the game. Players must complete challenges readiness, teamwork and problem solving.
with partners and exhibit appropriate social skills to
be successful. This is a concept that Pace students con- Our high school students participate in a 5 week
tinue to work on, it was a perfect fit for our students. job shadowing program that pairs our students with
professionals in public relations, procurement and
The Toaster Pets team visited Pace and brought the latest ver- maintenance at ALCOSAN.
sion of their game. The kids played, found any bugs or glitches, and
let the developers know what they thought of the latest ver- From there, our seniors have the opportunity to complete
sion. A few of our students even took a field trip to their an internship. Splitting their time between Pace
Bakery Square offices to get a feel for what it would be and ALCOSAN gives them an important real-world
like to work in game development. experience.

We knew our students would enjoy the games, but we We continue to be impressed and inspired as the
didn’t expect the added benefit of real life experience professionals at ALCOSAN take our students under
in grit. Grit is the passion and perseverance toward their wings, understand their needs, and help to
your goals, with acceptance and appreciation of failures inspire them.
along the way. Our students learned that things don’t have
to be perfect the first time . . . that mistakes often teach us ALCOSAN has been the perfect community partner as Pace
the lessons that lead to success. expands programming and reaches beyond our walls to show
students what is possible for their future.
We thank the team at Toaster Pets for being so open to our students for
their opinions and thoughts. But We thank ALCOSAN for joining us on this journey and helping
even more, for helping us to teach families and students realize that Kids CAN!
kids that they CAN be suc-
cessful, even if the road
to success is bumpy!

www.paceschool.org In This Issue: • Foundations & Universities • Volunteerism • Taste for Pace

CLAUDEFWoOuRnTdHUaINNItGViEoTROnSNsITBY&EONFEUPDnIUTTiMSvBeUrRsHGitIHLiLeMsAN FAMILY

Benedum and Hillman UNIVERISITY OF PittSBURGH

What began in 2015 as an idea for improving student In 2016, when Pace began re-designing their high
outcomes, has evolved into a new model of program- school program, the need for an innovative program
ming at Pace. We believed that we could enrich design became clear. Instructional models being
learning for students with disabilities by designing used had poor outcomes for students in special
an instructional framework that intertwines positive education. Rather than replicate these models,
psychology and hands-on learning (such as STEAM) Pace realized the need to conduct research and
grounded in mental wellness and social emotional develop a program with better outcomes for their
learning. students. That model we created is PLAID, and the Pace
leadership knew that research was needed to determine the
Implementing such a change at Pace would take a lot of work, model’s effectiveness.
time, and funding. Our longstanding relationships with
some of Pittsburgh’s largest and most philanthropic Pace collaborated with the University of Pittsburgh’s
foundations allowed for candid discussions with School of Education’s Department of Psychology in
some of our biggest supporters. Education (SPECS) research team in 2017 to establish
baseline data and collect data on classrooms using
As we shared our ideas with foundation leaders, the the PLAID model. The SPECS approach enables the
excitement began to grow. Over the course of the Pace’s PLAID team to capture real-time data in the
year and through many conversations, the Hillman school setting that evaluates different elements of the
Family Foundation and the Claude Worthington Ben-
edum Foundation granted Pace two-years of funding that PLAID model. Research has focused on training teachers,
allowed the dream to become a reality. Pace has been able to effective instructional and classroom management practices,
bring the Positive Learning and Integrated Design (PLAID) lesson plans and student engagement.
model to life because of these generous organizations.
It is now being implemented in all classrooms at Pace Dr. Stephen Bagnato, lead researcher for the Pitt team
and initial research results are very promising. shares,“We are proud to be a university-community
partner with Pace in our evaluation model. In two
We thank the Hillman Family Foundation and years, PLAID has been implemented successfully
the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation and faithfully with superb results for the school.
for their belief in this project, in our students and The Pace team is a valued and expert community-
the support to make it happen. university partner who help us to stay true to the Pitt

Chancellor’s commitment on community-engagement.
Stay-tuned for more positive news about PLAID!”

We thank the SPECS research team at Pitt for joining
us on the journey of discovery, implementation and

improvement of the PLAID model.

Volunteerism

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

habitat for humanity opportunity to learn valuable life skills, they learned about
giving back and that they can make a difference in a
The benefits of volunteer work -- for anyone, of any age person’s life.
-- are virtually endless. Volunteer work expands your
understanding of other people’s lives. It gives you a new Pace’s partnership with Habitat for Humanity will
view of the world and the problems within it; it also continue into the coming years, and our students
shows you how hard people will work to solve those look forward to returning to Duquesne to start a
problems. new project this spring!

Including volunteer work into middle and high school We thank Habitat for
programming at Pace has real benefits for our students.
Studies show that volunteering improves workforce Humanity for pro-
readiness and youth who volunteer are 50% less likely to
engage in risky behaviors. viding a wonderful “We learned
opportunity that allows life skills and
When looking at volunteer opportunities for Pace students, we didn’t have our students to connect to helped people who
to look far. Habitat for Humanity is well known for their amazing work in the community in a such a didn’t have a home,
helping families to build homes and improve their lives. Pace students made meaningful way. get a home”
several trips to help build a home in Duquesne. They finished dry wall, built
sidewalks, landscaped, painted walls and more. Not only did they have the - Pace Student

I believe kids can!

President Matt Helfrich NAME
Cameil D. Williams Erin F. Holland ADDRESS
James W. Isler CITY, STATE, ZIP
Vice President Erika Kestenberg EMAIL
Brett Fulesday Shannon Koch
Christopher Millard Enclosed is my gift of $ payable to Pace School.
Secretary David J. Mosey
Jennifer Seng Lynda Petrichevich Credit card giving available at
Walter Reineman, III www.paceschool.org or at 412.342.4385
Treasurer John H. Rushford Return to: Tricia Norris, Pace School,
Jimil B. Wilson Shawntae Spencer 2432 Greensburg Pike, Pittsburgh, PA 15221
Gerri L. Sperling
Debbi Casini Klein Connect with us at:
James Earle
Robert Gold Pace School
Megan Guidi 2432 Greensburg Pike, Pittsburgh, PA 15221
Phone: 412-244-1900 Fax: 412-244-0100
E-mail: [email protected]

It is the policy of Pace School to offer admission and provide services to students, and employ staff without discrimi-
nating based on race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, ancestry or disability.

2432 Greensburg Pike Non-profit Org.
Pittsburgh, Pa 15221 U.S. Postage
www.paceschool.org PAID
Pittsburgh, PA
Electronic Service Requested
Permit No. 3097

What’s Inside:

• Foundations &
Universities

• Volunteerism

Our mission is to provide educational and therapeutic services that enable any child to thrive.

Toaster Pets ALCOSAN Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation

Habitat for Humanity Hillman Family Foundations University of Pittsburgh
Thursday, April 11, 2019

6:00 - 8:30 p.m. at The LeMont

Ticket Price: $50/person www.tasteforpace.org