Modern Moves: A School Superintendent's View

More Than Just Games: Building Our Future with an E-Games & Cybersecurity Lab By Dr. Robert Motte, Superintendent of Schools  This summer, our district is taking a bold step into the future with the launch of a new E-Games and Cybersecurity Lab, part of our ongoing renovations to modernize learning spaces and expand student opportunities. Why invest in something connected to video games? Because we’re not just talking about playing games — we’re talking about designing them, analyzing them, and protecting the systems that support them. The video game industry is no longer a niche hobby; it’s a global powerhouse, expected to surpass $40 billion in revenue this year alone in the U.S. It represents one of the fastest-growing and most innovative sectors in technology. Our lab will serve as a launchpad for students to explore careers in: Video game design and development Coding and software engineering Digital art and animation Cybersecurity and ethical hacking Streaming and co...

  Greyhound Express for Success: Driving Positive Behavior Beyond the Bus This school year, we proudly launched a new PBIS initiative on our elementary bus runs called the Greyhound Express for Success—and it’s been a game-changer for our students, staff, and drivers. We believe the school day begins the moment a student boards the bus and ends when they arrive home safely. That’s why we extended our PBIS efforts to one of the most important environments our students experience each day: the school bus. The Greyhound Express Takes Off Led by our outstanding bus drivers and our dedicated Elementary Principal, Mr. Manko, this initiative promotes safe, respectful, and responsible behavior from the moment students step onto the Greyhound Express. I would also like to thank Ms. Gina Naccarato for her help with developing this program. Our PBIS expectations for the bus include: Be Safe — Stay in your seat at all times Be Respectful — Use kind words and show respect to others; no sweari...

  Unleashing Potential: The Greyhound Learner Profile By Dr. Robert Motte At Monessen, we know that great teaching starts with truly understanding who our students are—not just academically, but behaviorally, socially, and emotionally. That’s why we’ve developed the Greyhound Learner Profile , a practical and powerful tool that gives our faculty and staff deeper insight into every student we serve. The Greyhound Learner Profile is built around three key contributors: RISAC Code The RISAC Code identifies students’ dominant learning and thinking styles. Whether a student thrives through reflection, interaction, structure, action, or creativity, this framework equips our educators to adjust instruction to match how students process information best. E-Colors  This personality tool helps us understand how students approach learning, relationships, and challenges. E-Colors (e.g., Red for action-driven, Blue for empathetic, Yellow for social, Green for structured) foster aw...

Smart Financing By Dr. Robert Motte, Superintendent of Schools    As superintendent, one of my greatest responsibilities is ensuring the long-term sustainability of our schools while providing the facilities and resources our students and staff deserve. I want to take a moment to explain the financial approach we’ve taken to fund the much-needed renovations and why this path was not only responsible—it was necessary. Our schools are in urgent need of upgrades. Years of deferred maintenance and limited funding have left us behind neighboring districts, and without action, we risk even greater consequences—including the potential need to merge with another district or close our doors altogether. That’s not an option we’re willing to accept. We recently secured funding to begin the renovations, but I want to be very clear: while we did raise taxes last year to address ongoing operational needs, this new renovation funding does not require any additional tax increase. Instead, we...

  Welcome to The Virtual Greyhound: Immersive Learning for a Modern Monessen As we continue to recreate what education can look like in Monessen, I’m excited to share a new initiative we’re exploring called The Virtual Greyhound . This immersive learning experience is designed to push the boundaries of traditional classrooms and bring students into interactive, digital environments that enhance engagement, creativity, and real-world readiness. Imagine students walking through historical landmarks, conducting science experiments in virtual labs, or collaborating on design challenges inside a simulated workspace — all without leaving school. That’s the power of immersive spaces, and it's exactly what The Virtual Greyhound aims to bring to our middle and high school students. What Is It? The Virtual Greyhound is a developing concept that will use virtual and augmented reality tools to create immersive learning spaces. These environments will allow students to step into worlds wher...

  Incorporating STEAM & Tech Spaces Into Old Buildings By Dr. Robert Motte, Superintendent of Schools, Monessen City School District At Monessen City School District, our buildings tell a powerful story. They echo with the voices of generations past, filled with memories of dedicated teachers, proud graduates, and community pride. But as we look toward the future, one reality has become clear: Monessen is behind when it comes to STEAM and technology-focused learning environments. In a world where innovation touches every industry, our students deserve spaces that prepare them not for the past—but for what lies ahead. That’s why we’re committed to reimagining and renovating our older buildings to include modern STEAM labs and tech spaces. Why a STEAM Lab? STEAM—Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics—is more than a buzzword. It’s a hands-on, future-focused approach to learning that empowers students to ask questions, solve problems, and think critically. In a STE...

Brewing Confidence & Building Skills: Expanding Real-Life Opportunities in the Hound Hub As we continue shaping the future of “ The New Modern Monessen,” one of our most important responsibilities is preparing every student—not just academically, but for life beyond the classroom. That’s why I’m excited to share two exciting initiatives we’re working on right here in the Hound Hub at the middle/high school, specifically designed to provide meaningful, real-world experiences for our life -skills students. First, we have developed a student-run coffee shop inside the Hound Hub. This space will not only serve fresh coffee and light snacks to staff and students, but more importantly, it will serve as a hands-on learning environment. Our life skills students will take on responsibilities ranging from customer service and money management to food preparation and inventory. The goal is to give students the confidence, independence, and workplace experience they need to succeed in life....

The New Modern Monessen: A New Chapter for Monessen Schools At Monessen City School District, we are dedicated to creating learning environments that spark curiosity, support innovation, and prepare students for the world beyond our walls. That commitment is coming to life through a series of exciting renovations across our schools—renovations that reflect the vision of The New Modern Monessen. Innovation Begins at Monessen Elementary We’re thrilled to announce the transformation of the former library at Monessen Elementary into a dynamic new space called the Pup Hub. This revitalized area will serve as a modern media center, designed to encourage creativity, collaboration, and exploration for our youngest learners. A key feature of the Pup Hub will be a TV Production Lab built specifically for elementary students. This space will be equipped with age-appropriate technology and tools that allow students to explore storytelling, broadcasting, and digital literacy in a fun and developmen...