Gateway High School teacher Shawn Whelan highlighted the district’s collaboration with the United Way’s Champion School Initiative, as well as the backpack program and monthly drive-thru food distribution when she addressed the school board last week.
Many of the student volunteers for these activities are InterAct Club and National Honor Society students, she said.
“It’s been great to see the kids doing the job and getting the work done so efficiently,” Whelan said. “I’ve averaged 16 to 17 kids every time to sign up and work, even in the bitter cold.”
Whelan said it’s been wonderful to have recognition from the district, adding that none of it would be possible without University Park Elementary Principal Jennifer Hoffner and board member Valerie Warning.
Hoffner and Warning initially started the backpack program at University Park five years ago. Now, every week, volunteers pack between 170 to 190 bags for students to take home and approximately 800 families use the food distribution each month.
Sophomore Sarima Andahwai-Ogosu and senior Darren Johnson were present to discuss their volunteering experience. Andahwai-Ogosu has participated in every food pantry, except for the month she had covid.
“I really started to love it after the second time that I did it.” Andahwai-Ogosu said. “The people that come through (the distribution line) are really just grateful to see me there and it makes me feel good. I’d love to keep on doing it.”
Johnson, who is in InterAct Club and NHS, participates in the food pantry and the backpack program.
“I think it’s been really helpful for me to get involved in my community as well as do something that feels meaningful and that makes an impact in people’s lives,” he said.
Individual Donor Development Officer Kevin Platz, with the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, presented Gateway with a large banner that reads, “We’re a Proud United Way Champion School District.”
“The students, faculty and administration at Gateway School District were an absolute pleasure to work with,” Platz said. “Their dedication to uniting students, faculty and the community around a shared commitment to philanthropy was wonderful to see.”
Other business
• Allegheny Health Network, in cooperation with PennDOT, intends to reconfigure the existing intersection of Gateway Campus Boulevard, Mosside Boulevard and Haymaker Road to create a new access drive to the AHN Forbes complex.
The board voted unanimously to approve Superintendent Guy Rossi to enter into negotiations with AHN and PennDOT regarding the intersection as a right-of-way may be required.
Rossi stated PennDOT is tentatively looking to begin the project in the summer of 2026. He will report back to the school board with findings and recommendations.
• The district’s Building Grounds Committee will meet at 6 p.m. on April 24 in the board room at the administrative offices, 9000 Gateway Campus Blvd. The meeting is open to the public.