2015_16 Annual Report

The Voice
of the Child

2015-2016
Annual Report

Our Mission

To provide educational and therapeutic services
that enable any child to thrive.

2015-16 Board of Directors & Advisory Committees

President Shannon Koch Marcia B. Haley
Christopher Millard Maureen Mahoney Hill
Robert Gold David J. Mosey Patricia A. Junker
David C. Nicholson Richard B. Lyon
Vice President Wilford Payne Gregory A. Morris, Ph.D.
Lynda Petrichevich Frances O. Mosle
Brian P. Fagan Walter Reineman, III James D. Williams
John H. Rushford
Secretary Jennifer Seng Pace School Advisory
Gerri L. Sperling Committee
Cameil D. Williams David Thompson
Susan Crookston
Treasurer Donna Durno, Ph.D.
Elizabeth Hobbs
Jimil B. Wilson Dona Hotopp
William Isler
Debbi Casini Klein Directors Emeritus
Steven C. Davis, Jr.
Jim Earle Ruth Z. Bachman
Brett Fulesday Joel R. Bernard
Gloria G. Hahn Patricia U. Bluestone
James W. Isler Charles R. Burke Jr.
Aims C. Coney Jr.

What better The Voice
marker of of the
success or Child
need for
improvement A message from the CEO
than what is
learned from Each school year, Pace administration asks and answers the
the “voice of questions: How did we do this year? Did our students master their
the child.” individualized achievement and behavioral goals? Did we reach
our organizational goals? Are there gaps in our services or pro-
grams that require program development or redesign to achieve
improved outcomes moving forward?

As a learning organization committed to continuous quality
improvement, Pace monitors and collects outcome data to help
answer those questions. Included in this data set, and of particular
interest is the information we derive from the “voice of the child.”
Whether this voice is literal or metaphorical, what each child tells
us is a valuable measure of whether our programs are positively
impacting their lives and the lives of their families to the greatest
extent possible.

The 2015-2016 annual report is dedicated to the “voice of the child.”
Its pages provide a small glimpse into the child’s perspective re-
garding the impact of Pace programs on their lives. These stories
inform us and drive our desire to continually adjust our services
and practices to meet our mission of enabling any child to thrive.

People use the saying “out of the mouth of babes” when a child
says something that has the wisdom of an adult. What better
marker of success or need for improvement than what is learned
from the “voice of the child.”

Karen B. Shepherd, CEO

What it is Like
toNbeetwhe Kid . . .

The Admission Story

THE VOICE OF THE CHILD: PACE LISTENS AND RESPONDS:

I have never been good at school. I remember Each year, Pace serves students from over 45
in kindergarten I would get in trouble. Things school districts. The admission process can
didn’t get any better as I got older. I would be difficult for these children and their fami-
always get kicked out of class, especially lies. They have been told that they cannot at-
math. The teacher would give me papers that I tend their home school. They have often been
thought were easy so I would make noises and to other placements. Attending Pace means
push them off my desk. leaving their home school, their friends, and
possibly a longer bus ride. Through family in-
It got so bad that sometimes I would hit other terviews, tours, student first days, and beyond,
kids. I’m in 7th grade now, but have been in 5 Pace eases the transition to a new school and
different schools. When I came to Pace this sets both the child and family up for success.
year I didn’t expect it to be any different. It’s
always hard to start a new school, but it’s been Pace continues to expand and make services
a lot better here at Pace. available to students who may not have other-
wise qualified. Recently, our license has been
I like my schedule, the Chromebooks, the expanded to include students with intellectual
shorter bus ride, and we get to go on field trips. disabilities and specific learning disabilities.
Sometimes I even get tired of hearing compli- For the first time in 50 years, Pace will include
ments from my teachers. But for the first time, 10th grade students beginning the three-
I’m ready to get on the bus each morning. year roll-out plan to expand the high school
through grade 12 or the age of 21.

“Adam is a totally different kid. He feels like he is on a team and happy all
of the time. He is finally excited about going to school!"

"This is Sean’s world. This is where he belongs. For so many years,
we were trying to fit him into our world. Now we get to see him in his."

Sean’s Progress 569 Tantrums

40% 473 519 (% of school day)

Words Learned

Start of Year 7.5% 0%

Mid Term Present Day

Finding the World that Fits

The Verbal Behavior Program

THE VOICE OF THE CHILD: PACE LISTENS AND
RESPONDS:
I’m saying this so his voice can be heard . . . . my son
now loves coming to school! Life with Sean has been The “voice of the child” means some-
challenging . Diagnosed with Autism at the age of 12 thing different for students in our
months, Sean said few words. Before Pace, Sean was Verbal Behavior Program. Sean’s mom
in an Autistic support classroom in our neighborhood tells us that actions speak louder than
school. He couldn't tell me why, but I knew it wasn’t words. For our students, these types
where he needed to be. His actions spoke louder than of behaviors were the only way they
words. Sean’s tantrums lasted for hours during which could be “heard.”
he would be explosive and destroy the classroom. A
security guard met me at the door everyday just to get Classrooms utilize the principals of
him to the classroom. This kind of behavior led to his Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to
referral for placement at Pace. Because of behaviors, increase student communication skills.
Sean wasn’t learning academics or language. I wasn’t Team members are highly trained in
sure his new school could do much, other than keep this science to increase the use of func-
him safe. tional language while decreasing be-
havior that gets in the way of learning.
What an amazing difference in my son since he has Students learn that using their words,
been at Pace! He loves getting ready for school. Sean signs or devices gets them the objects,
is actually using words at home that he learns in attention and activities they desire.
school. Pace staff have given him purpose. Our family
doesn’t have to settle for him just being safe. He is The Pace Autism program has grown
learning, has a sense of pride, and it is flowing over 500% in the last 6 years helping
into our home. children with complex needs. In these
classrooms, we are able to meet the
When we came to open house I realized that this is needs of children like Sean, and we
Sean’s world. This is where he belongs. For so many are grateful that their parents give us
years, we were trying to fit him into our world. Now the chance.
we get to see him in his.

Where We PACE LISTENS AND
Learn RESPONDS:
Best . . .
Community based learning expe-
Community Based Learning riences help students to practice
social and life skills. The middle/
THE VOICE OF THE CHILD: high school student field trips
allow students to explore possible
I wasn’t sure I wanted to go visit a nursing home. I had future career opportunities. Our
never been to one. elementary age classes enjoyed
trips to the Science Center and
The field trips to Seneca Place ended up being one of a visit from the STEAM Museum.
my favorites. When we go the residents are always so These presentations help increase
excited to see us. They always want to play the games their interest in hands-on activities
and do the crafts that we bring. while working on safety, attention
span and social skills.
I know that our visits help them to feel less lonely and
I like helping them to be happy. I don’t usually get to We know from talking with families
help in ways like that. It makes me feel good too. and students that they have often
I think I would like to work with older people when I been excluded from these types of
graduate from school. experiences in past placements.
Yet, they are important for teach-
ing life skills and exposing kids to
what is available for their futures.
Thanks to our generous donors
and grant funding, Pace offered
several field trips, assemblies and
extra-curricular activities.

"Getting in the community increased Crystal's confidence. It helped her
to make good decisions. She is now thinking of future career choices.”

Health Sciences
Science, Technology, Engineering
Arts, A/V Technology
Law, Public Safety & Security
Military

5TOP CAREERS CHOSEN BY PACE STUDENTS

“We are so relieved that Austin can stay in the place where he is
comfortable, successful, and will continue to learn and grow.”

What to do PACE LISTENS AND
RESPONDS:
When I
Graduate Historically, Pace served students only in K-9th
grade, causing many students to transition
Career Focused Middle/ into other schools for 10th grade and beyond.
High School Program This process disrupted their education and the
relationships they worked so hard to build. In
THE VOICE OF THE CHILD: response to this issue, a Strategic Planning
Action Team met throughout 2015 to review
When people asked me what I liked about Pace’s existing referral, enrollment and demo-
school, it was hard to think of an answer. graphic data. It was determined that a fully de-
I didn’t like sitting in class all day, or doing veloped high school program would fill a void
worksheets to learn math and reading. in available services for the eastern region of
I would rather work on a computer and Pittsburgh. For special education students who
think that is what I want to do for a job do not qualify for more traditional vocational
when I graduate. programs, our high school will focus on skill
development in the following areas: social,
Since we got the Chromebooks, I actually employment, prevocational and vocational
like doing my work. Each kid in my class has skills. Over the next three years, Pace will
their own and now we can work on projects expand to include 10-12th grade (up to age 21)
and participate through different apps. I have and possibly graduate students from Pace High
even emailed my teacher if I am frustrated or School as soon as 2018.
don’t understand something.
Students in the current Pace Middle/High
I hope that next year I will be able to get a School program have access to 1:1 technolo-
World of Work job at school in the Technology gy through the use of Google Chromebooks
Department. and iPads. They participate in the World of
Work program in which they are eligible for
work related jobs during the school day. Older
students take field trips to local businesses and
service providers that may provide internships,
work study programs and future employment.
Pace is building these community connections
and increasing the opportunities available to
our students so they have the best possible
chance for a successful future.

&Facts Figures
Statement of Revenues and Expenses for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016

70% Commonwealth of PA 22% 52% Salaries & Wages
Other Tuition & Fees 12% Bene ts & Payroll Taxes
Contributions & Grants Purchased Services
Other Revenues 4% Materials & Supplies
7% Depreciation
26% 3% Other Expenses

4% 0.4%

Revenue & Support Fiscal Year % of Total %Inc/(Dec)
2015/16 from prior year

Commonwealth of Pa $5,811,037 70% 1%
9%
Other Tuition & Fees 2,133,560 26% -32%
-14%
Contributions & Grants 364,481 4% 1%

Other Revenues 30,295 0.4% -1%
-3%
Total $8,339,373 100% 1%
-5%
Expenses 2%
-6%
Salaries & Wages $4,134,727 52% -1%

Benefits & Payroll Taxes 1,750,627 22%

Purchased Services 975,136 12%

Materials & Supplies 307,853 4%

Depreciation 567,627 7%

Other Expenses 203,661 3%

Total $7,939,631 100%


6 Counties & 49 School Districts Served

COUNTIES Canon-McMillan Jeannette City Penn Hills
Allegheny Chartiers-Houston Kiski Area Penn Trafford
Armstrong Deer Lakes Leechburg Area Pittsburgh
Beaver Derry Area McKeesport Area Plum Borough
Butler Duquesne City Montour Propel Schools
Washington East Allegheny Moon Area Quaker Valley
Westmoreland Elizabeth Forward Mt. Lebanon Ringgold
Environmental Charter Mt. Pleasant Area Riverview
DISTRICTS Fox Chapel Area New Kensington-Arnold Shaler Area
Ambridge Franklin Regional North Allegheny South Allegheny
Armstrong Gateway Northgate South Fayette Township
Baldwin-Whitehall Greensburg-Salem Norwin South Park
Bethel Park Highlands PA Cyber Charter School Steel Valley
Butler Area Imagine Penn Hills Charter PA Distance Learning West Mifflin Area
Wilkinsburg Borough
School of Entrepreneurship Cyber Charter

ThDaonnkoYrsou

Pace is deeply grateful to all of the donors and in-kind contributors who helped transform the lives of our students and
families through their annual giving and capital campaign gifts in the 2015-2016 fiscal year.

FOUNDATIONS Walter Reineman Alexis Baird
McCune Foundation Shirley Reineman Ira Bergman & Dalia Belinkoff
Milton G. Hulme Foundation Marlene Berncic
Burke Foundations Partnership INDIVIDUALS $500-999 Richard Brand
Pittsburgh Foundation Jim Earle N. Bruce Browne
PNC Charitable Trust Edward Gatti Jonathan & Lisa Budd
Frederick and Barbara Henninger Marilan Caito
BUSINESS & ORGANIZATIONS James and Erin Isler Debbi Casini Klein
A. Martini & Co. Ken & Linda Krynski James Colker
Bechtel Plant Machinery, Inc. Lynda Petrichevich Aims C. Coney, Jr.
BNY Mellon Wealth Management Gerri Sperling Margaret Costello
Central Maintenance & Service Co. Thomas & Stephanie Wiggers Bernice Davis
Circulatory Centers Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Denney
Community Care INDIVIDUALS $250-499   Todd & Melissa Dirling
Costanzo Financial Group Jeanne Baird Carol Dolence
Desmone Architects Diane Bradley Chris Duboy
Henderson Brothers Nancy Brownell Donna Durno, Ph.D.
Jackson Lewis, LLP Debbie Caterino Eric Finney
Lowe's Home Improvement Brian Fagan Ryan Fischbach
Maher Duessel William Fox Louise Gailliot
PNC Bank of Pittsburgh Bob & Amy Gold Heather George
PNC Charitable Trust Gloria & Daniel Hahn Elinor Gold
Primanti Bros. Ron & Meg Hannan Joseph Junker
RBS Citizens Bank Shelly & Daniel Haser Joseph Kalk
Shady Side Academy - Untucked Cheryl Levin David & Barbara Kalla
Simpson & McCrady, LLC April & Michael Meadows Joyce Leifer
Three Rivers CFC James Mele Barry Lhormer
United Parcel Service Tricia Norris Richard Lyon
United Way Karen Shepherd Mr. & Mrs. Rubin Mack
Whole Foods Joanne Starolis Megan Mahoney & James
David Thompson
INDIVIDUALS 1000 +   James & Renee Varney Thompson
Anonymous Cameil D. Williams Ronald Marnich
Chip Burke & Carole King Nicholas Wilson Lori McDermott
Stephen C. & Leslie Davis Dr. and Mrs. James Moore
David Nicholson INDIVIDUALS $100-249 Greg & Thelma Morris
Mr & Mrs. Ralph Fiore Taylor & Teri Abbett Frank Moses
Lisa Ayres Marlene Naft
Thomas & Kelly Neal

ThDaonnkoYrsou Edith Battle In Honor of Nick Caito
(continued) Edith H. Blattner Marilan Caito
Meryl Butters
Robert & Rita Parry Kimberly Cowell In Memory of Jacob Casher
Mr. & Mrs. Sidney Rosen Mary Custer Heather George
John Rushford Eleanor Dip
Jennifer Seng Judy Epstein In Honor of Kelly Carter
Jeffrey Sistek Marcia Gruver Gayle and Ton Willis
Thomas & Donna Timcho Janice Kerrigan
Tait Tomb Shannon Koch In Memory of Sandy Gold
Marc & Lynda Turko Matthew Lafko Bob & Lydia Cessna
Matthew & Jayne Vizzini Nathan Leeman
Mary Weaver Ralph Marchese In Honor of Linda Krynski
Meredith Weiss Raymond McDonough Gene & Marcia Gruver
Chris Wilson Fran McGovern
Jimil & Tiffany Wilson Christopher Millard In Honor of Linda & Ken Krynski
Bonnie Miller Mrs. James Moore
INDIVIDUALS $50-99 Joseph Moschetta
James Acrie Sylvan Norris In Honor of Cheryl Levin
Lacey Bailey Kelly Sadowski Sidney & Wilma Rosen
Deborah Conflenti Erich Scaefer
Leslie D'Antonio Joanne Schricker In Memory of Jackie Lloyd
Catherine Drago Kathleen Spechtold Lynn Butz
Michel Fircak Barbara Svoboda Raymond Eichenmuller
Brett Fulesday Igor Tseyko Mary Louise Gailliot
Marcia & James Haley Jessica Wagner Marjorie Greenberger
Frank & Mary Koger Hannah Lewis
Larry & Arlene Laurenti COMMEMORATIVE GIFTS Dana Phillips
Stephanie Lett In Honor of Dr. Robert Broggi Tricia Porter
David MacMaster Costanzo Financial Group Ronald Rabinowitz
Joy Malloy Mary Wolf
David Mosey In Memory of Bruce Browne
Frances O. Mosle Frances O. Mosle In Memory of Stephanie Mallinger
Cheryl Popatak Frank & Jean Brooks Robinson Ruth Z. Bachman
Deborah Rowe Jeanne Baird
Sarah Seman In Memory of Stephen Burke Lester Berkowitz
Nathan Smith Elizabeth Hobbs Edith H. Blattner
Elizabeth Stern Dr. Bernard Mallinger Charles & Patricia Bluestone
Jennifer Trate Leslie Brockett
Sybil Veeder In Honor of Marilan Caito Marilan Caito
Gayle Wils Elizabeth Hobbs Jeanne Caliguiri
Rick Coplan
INDIVIDUALS $1.00 - $49.00
Sheila Alexander
Lauren Barbour

Edward Gatti Carnegie Mellon School of Drama Pittsburgh Opera
Beth Grill Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Pirates
Irving Halpern Carnegie Science Center Pittsburgh Playhouse
Margaret Hampton Chamber Music Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
Barbara Hast Children's Museum of Pittsburgh Primanti Bros.
Karen Lamoureux Circulatory Centers Raymond McDonough
Ellen Last City Theatre Company RR Donnelley
Marilyn Latterman Dairy Queen Sam's Club
Brockett Leslie Dan DiNardo Shop 'n Save
Patricia Levine Debbi Casini Klein Soergel Orchards
Barry Lhormer Dennis Doyle Stacey Fedorka
Maureen Mahoney-Hill Diane Mohr Stage AE
June Malkin Eric Finney Stephanie Wiggers
Tess Mastriano Eyetique The Mattress Factory Museum
Rachel Meyers Frank Moses Thin Man Sandwich Shop
Pam Moore Freedom Farms University of Pittsburgh Dept. of
Frances Mosle Frick Art & Historical Center
Hermine Muskat Giant Eagle Athletics
Amy Nixon Gymboree Play & Music Verve Wellness, LLC
John Parran Ian Ebbitt Walter Reineman
Robert Paul Janice Kerrigan Wholey & Co.
Rose Reginella Jeffrey Sistek Wigle Whiskey
Jean Robertson Jenn's Jems
Florence Schneider Joanne Starolis Every effort has been made to
David Schreiber Kai Hoke accurately reflect gifts and services
Susan Shapera Lowe's Home Improvement received between 7/1/15 to 6/30/16.
Sybil Veeder Marilan Caito
Marlene Berncic Please give Pace the opportunity to
In Honor of Anthony Molinaro Mary Weaver address inadvertent omissions or
Joanne Starolis Massage Envy Spa errors by contacting Development
Mindy-Jonathan Moran Woodworks Manager, Tricia Norris, at 412-342-
In Honor of Walter P. Weil Moio's Italian Pastry Shop 4385 or [email protected].
Costanzo Financial Group Monster Mini Golf
National Aviary of Pittsburgh
IN-KIND GIFTS & SERVICES Nemacolin Woodlands Resort
380 Auction Outback Steakhouse
Diane Bradley Paul Leavy
Joseph Lach Phipps Conservatory &
Andy Warhol Museum
Applebee's Botanical Gardens
Big Burrito Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera
Brandon Wilson Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
Pittsburgh Irish & Classical Theatre

Pace redefines the learning experience for
students with special needs.

Pace School

2432 Greensburg Pike
Pittsburgh, PA 15221
Phone: 412-244-1900
Fax: 412-244-0100
Visit: www. paceschool.org
Email: [email protected]