A number of activities outside of the classroom are available for students in kindergarten - grade 6. Due to the age of students in Kindergarten - grade 3, a limited number of choices are available. Staff members may hold various activities after the regular school day. The Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) may also organize an After-School Activities Program over the course of the school year for these students. Students in grades 4-6 have expended options. Band, chorus, academic games, and student council programs enable these students to further explore individual talents in music, academics, and leadership. These programs also involve students in community service projects. Band and choir groups travel to many areas of the District to provide entertainment, especially around holidays. The Student Council heads many activities in the building throughout the school year and sponsors service activities for students to give back to their community. The Academic Games program offers the students a chance to test their own academic abilities in games against students from their own school and those from schools around the area, state, and nation. In addition, other activities such as scouting, sports leagues, and reading programs are offered by community groups and advertised in the school.
Academic Games
The Academic Games program allows students the opportunity to try to outthink each other in the areas of mathematics, language arts, and social
studies. Through a series of six games, students compete against each other for high score. Some games – Equations, On-Sets, and LinguiSHTIK
– require a kit in which cubes are rolled and played on a board. Other games – Presidents, World Events, and Propaganda – involve students
answering questions read by a central reader.
An on-site sponsor helps students to learn the rules of each game. Practices are held frequently and are open to all interested students. Competition teams are developed for each game and students travel to competitions around the Pittsburgh area. At these competitions, students can qualify for State and National events by gaining a high score over other competing students.
Chamber Singers
The Chamber Singers is a select group of students in grades 5 & 6 who would like to further explore vocal music. The skill level of the
group extends beyond what students learn in their general music class and grade-level chorus. At the beginning of the school year, all grade
5 & 6 students have the opportunity to audition for the Chamber Singers. Acceptance into this group is based on the following criteria:
tone quality, intonation, projection, and diction. Other District music teachers help with the selection process. Once chosen, students must
attend weekly practices outside the school day. Musical performances are scheduled throughout the school year. Students have the chance to
visit organizations and institutions around the community and the Pittsburgh area to show off their abilities.
Student Council
The goal of the Elementary Student Council is to have elementary students actively participate in a democratic elective and representative
process. Students have this opportunity to become more aware of their school and community. This objective is accomplished through participation
in activities designed to promote positive attitudes and self-worth, based on a sense of altruism or unselfish concern for the welfare of others.
Students are elected to the Council from each classroom at the school. Those individuals who are nominated are asked to give a brief speech regarding the qualities that they possess that would make them effective representatives. They must also set specific goals or ideas that they would try to promote during their term in office. The two nominees with the highest number of votes in each classroom are elected to the Student Council. These representatives, or their alternates, must attend meetings, set a positive academic and behavior example, fulfill the responsibilities of active participation, and report back to their homeroom classmates in order to remain a member in good standing and fulfill their term of office.
After-School Activities
At times, the Parent Teacher Association sponsors and organizes an After-School Activities program for students. Teachers, parents, and other
staff teach the classes in topics such as: cooking, gymnastics, karate, arts/crafts, and various sports activities. Classes are offered on
a semester basis and students select the courses in which they are interested and would like to enroll. The classes are usually held from 3:15
– 4:00 p.m. in rooms throughout the upper elementary building. Parents are responsible for transportation home for children.
YMCA Day Care
The Allegheny Valley School District offers before- and after-school child care through the YMCA of New Kensington. The group provides creative
and constructive activities to help in a student’s development. Well-trained staff provide safe, affordable, high-quality care so parents can
have peace of mind while they work. The YMCA school-age care gives children the chance to express their talents in the arts, sports, and other
areas of interest. Children find out what success is all about in an approach that says everybody plays, everybody wins. Time is set aside
for tackling homework, with adult help available. The YMCA staff know how to challenge children and how to listen to them.
DART Program
The Pennsylvania Department of Education provides services to preschool children from ages three through five. One program is housed at the
Acmetonia Elementary School. Students attend the program by placement through their home school district and/or the Allegheny Intermediate
Unit. The program is administered by the Allegheny Intermediate Unit. Additional information may be obtained by contacting Project DART, 475
E. Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA 15120 or by phone at 412-394-5700.
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