May Highlights & Celebrations
Dear PHCSE Families, Staff, and Scholars,
As we prepare to close out an incredible school year, I want to take a moment to celebrate the tremendous accomplishments and joyful experiences we’ve shared throughout the month of May. This has truly been a season of excellence, growth, and community at Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship!
🎯 Academic Achievement
We are proud to announce 100% participation and completion in both the PSSA and Keystone Assessments—a powerful reflection of our commitment to academic excellence and collective success. Thank you to our students for showing up with focus and determination, and to our staff and families for your ongoing support!
🎒 Field Trip Adventures
This month, learning extended far beyond the classroom. Our students explored new environments and deepened their understanding through amazing field trips to:
2025 Capital Day in Harrisburg – a group of NJHS students got to engage with government and civic life thanks to Mrs. Tritt and Mrs. Collins!
Camp Guyasuta – team-building and outdoor adventure for our 1st Grade Scholars
and Fun For All (4th Grade), the Pittsburgh Zoo (Kindergarten), Storm Harbor Equestrian Center (2nd Grade), the Pirates Game (3rd Grade), and SouthSide Works (The Lab - Ms Thompson)
And most recent to our 6th Grade Scholars who experienced a memorable trip to Philadelphia!
🎉 Special Events & Milestones
May was also filled with celebration and school spirit, including:
Kindergarten Screenings welcoming our youngest entrepreneurs
Teacher Appreciation Week honoring the heart of our school
The elegant Kings & Queens Spring Fling
The Principal Honor Roll Award Pizza Luncheon and National Junior Honor Society End-of-Year Celebration
Joyful VIP Breakfast Events, the Book Fair, and our exciting annual Shark Tank Pitch Event
And a heartwarming Kindergarten Graduation to cap it all off!
👶 A Growing PHCSE Family
We are also thrilled to celebrate new additions to our school community—congratulations to the Alcorn family and the Denlinger family on the births of your babies! We are overjoyed for you and welcome your bundles of joy with love.
🗂️ Looking Ahead
As we wrap up iReady testing, complete Data Days and finalize Student Portfolio reviews, we are already building momentum for the future. The commitment to strong instruction, high expectations, and joyful learning remains at the heart ❤️of all we do.
Thank you for making PHCSE a place where students are known, challenged, and celebrated. Let’s finish strong and carry this energy into a purposeful and powerful summer🌞!
With gratitude and pride,
Cynthia A. Gilmer
Director of K-12 Curriculum & Instruction
Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship
Third Grade Science
Mrs. Padovano's 3rd grade class took a walk to the beehives. Students observed the difference between the traditional Langstroth hive and the Flow Hive, which beekeepers can get honey out of without opening the hive. Our beehives can be seen from the driveway heading away from the school. There is one located on the right side of the driveway and one located on the hill on the right side of the driveway.
Third Grade Math:
Mrs. Padovano's 3rd grade class applied their calculation skills to play the "Race to 1,000 Game." Students competed against each other by rolling dice and making three-digit numbers. Using addition, they rolled 5 times to see who could get the closest 1,000 without going over. No calculators were used while playing this game ... It was all student brainpower!