Phoenix Comes to SA

By Ashley Kennedy
On January 31, 2008 Richard Fine, Director of Secondary Education at South Allegheny School District, explained Project Phoenix as a “new beginning for students.”
According to Fine, Project Phoenix is a program designed for students who “have trouble keeping up with other students in their grade.”
“It isn’t necessarily for ‘bad’ students,” Fine said, “but more for students who have behavioral problems that are keeping them from doing their best at school.”
The normal school day at South Allegheny runs from 7:30a.m. to 2:25p.m. During this time they attend elective as well as core classes.
Students in Project Phoenix start school at 3:00p.m. and finish at 7:00p.m. Unlike students in school through the day, these students attend their core classes only. According to Fine, this allows the students to focus on the basics with limited distractions.
And while these students will not be seen in school during the day, they will not be seen at other school functions (sporting events, dances, musicals…) either. This is another expectation of the Phoenix program.
The administration at South Allegheny really hopes “that students who are involved in this program will show a change for the better and enjoy learning again.”
Guidance Counselor Chad Smith, who is also a part of the Phoenix team, said, “I can already see a difference in the kids, they are actually enjoying school.”
Other members of the Project Phoenix staff include teachers Lisa Duval, Sherry Roskov, Amy Huwalt, Tom Bauman, Kristin Jackiel, Jennifer Oesterich, and Derek Pavolvic.