At a recent roundtable with The Hawks’ View, principals Mr. Lorigan and Mr. Toy highlighted their plans to make the 2023-2024 school year as successful as possible, which include the expansion of the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) system, the implementation of core values, the changes to the six-day schedule rotation, and the addition of the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum. Last year, the PBIS program was modified from a physical ticket-based system to a digital point-based system for grades seven, eight, and nine. This year, the principals have expanded the digital point-based PBIS system to grades ten, eleven, and twelve. Mr. Toy stressed the importance of recognizing students for good behavior and actions. Mr. Lorigan highlighted the importance of student body experiences such as pep rallies and motivational assemblies. 

“A healthier environment’s a safe environment,” said Mr. Lorigan, regarding school safety. Mr. Lorigan and Mr. Toy have stated that they want to keep trying to make AHS a healthy and safe environment in which students desire to be present every day. Both principals have also expressed the desire to highlight the SEL curriculum, which occurs during day one of the six-day schedule rotation. “Social emotional learning (SEL) is a methodology that helps students of all ages to better comprehend their emotions, to feel those emotions fully, and demonstrate empathy for others,” according to National University. The SEL program that Armstrong utilizes is known as CharacterStrong. Both principals are in support of SEL because they believe it will encourage students and staff to open up and form connections. Physical and mental health are a “top priority” this year. 

The PBIS system has been the principals’ main method of rewarding students with good behavior, grades, and actions. They hope that PBIS will encourage students to keep up their efforts and attendance. On the last day of the six-day schedule rotation, teachers have been instructed to check students’ grades and attendance. Perfect attendance and straight A’s are rewarded with six PBIS points, which qualify students for the weekly raffles. Mr. Lorigan is an advocate for student participation in the PBIS system; he believes that the chance to be rewarded for attendance and grades will encourage students to petition teachers for their points every six days. 

“Every year, we’re required to add more things to the plate,” said Mr. Lorigan, “and nothing seems to be taken away.” According to the principals, the new changes to the six-day rotation were driven by the new SEL program. The IXL program for junior high has also pressured those changes. School clubs and extracurriculars are permitted to meet during homeroom on days three and six of the rotation, which Mr. Lorigan described as a “convenience.” The option still remains open for clubs to meet before and after school hours.

Students at AHS have the option to take college-level courses in which they will be rewarded with transferable credits to universities at a discounted rate. For Advanced Placement (AP) courses, students take the AP Exam administered by College Board at the end of the school year, receive a grade between one and five, and may be eligible for college credit. For College in High School (CHS) classes, students pay to receive credit from the University of Pittsburgh, Seton Hill University, Mount Aloysius College, or Westmoreland County Community College, depending on what is offered. 

When asked about the impact of the expansion of AP CHS classes, Mr. Lorigan explained his belief that the more involved a student is in learning, the more beneficial it is to that student. When reflecting on past graduates, the principals recalled many students leaving Armstrong with fifteen to eighteen college credits in total because of the AP, CHS, and dual enrollment classes they took. The principals also said that the kids who care about learning will be “surprised” to observe that they are better prepared for higher level education than their peers in their classes when they attend college. 

U.S. News & World Report published a ranking of Pennsylvania high schools based on Keystone (standardized algebra, biology, and English test) exam scores. Armstrong Jr. Sr. High School ranked 159 out of all Pennsylvania schools, 35 out of all Pittsburgh area schools, and it received a 16.8 college readiness rating out of 100. Mr. Lorigan’s reaction to the rankings was to approach them realistically. Because every student is required to take the Keystones and every student’s postgraduate desires are different, those scores are not an accurate display of the college preparedness at AHS, he explained.

“We do not believe that every kid wants to or should go to college. There are plenty of other opportunities,” Mr. Lorigan said. Given the partnership with Lenape Technical School, Armstrong encourages students to explore the different options available to them after high school. “You are going to be prepared when you get there,” said Mr. Toy, regarding post-graduation. Both he and Mr. Lorigan emphasized their trust in the staff and students to teach, learn, and grow throughout the school year.

For more information on the PBIS system, please visit:

https://www.pbisrewards.com/ 

For more information on the SEL curriculum, please visit:

https://characterstrong.com/ 

For more information on the IXL program, please visit:

https://www.ixl.com/ 

For more information on the AP Exams, please visit:

https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/ap-exams-overview

For more information on the Keystone Exams, please visit: 

https://www.education.pa.gov/K-12/Assessment%20and%20Accountability/Keystones/Pages/default.aspxn 

For more information on the U.S. News & World Report rankings, please visit: www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/pennsylvania/districts/armstrong-school-district/armstrong-junior-senior-high-school-153590