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A New Reality for Learning: Introducing Prisms VR to Our Middle School

  A New Reality for Learning: Introducing Prisms VR to Our Middle Schools Greetings families and community members, As we continue to seek out the most effective and engaging educational tools for our students, I am thrilled to announce an exciting new chapter for our middle schoolers. This fall, we will be launching a pioneering virtual reality (VR) curriculum for our math and science classes called Prisms . In today's rapidly evolving world, it is our duty to provide students with learning experiences that not only build foundational knowledge but also ignite their curiosity and prepare them for the careers of tomorrow. We believe that technology, when used thoughtfully, can unlock new ways of understanding complex subjects. Prisms is a perfect example of this philosophy in action. So, what exactly is Prisms? It is an immersive, hands-on learning platform that uses virtual reality to help students grasp abstract math and science concepts in a way that traditional methods cannot. ...
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Monessen School District Receives Generous Gym Floor Donation from ABM

 The Monessen School District is pleased to announce that ABM has generously donated a complete replacement of the high school gymnasium floor. Initially, ABM worked diligently to address problem areas through repair efforts and planned to replace one-third of the floor. Following further evaluation, ABM made the extraordinary decision to replace the entire gym floor at no cost to the district. Work is scheduled to begin this week, with an anticipated completion timeline of approximately four weeks. This project will ensure that our students, athletes, and community members have access to a safe, high-quality facility in time for the upcoming basketball season and physical education programs. The Monessen School District extends its sincere gratitude to ABM for this remarkable contribution. Their generosity reflects a strong commitment to our students and the Monessen community as a whole. This gift will have a lasting impact for years to come. Dr. Robert Motte  Superintend...
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Welcome back to a new school year!

  Subject: A New Start with the New Modern Monessen Dear Faculty, Staff, and Members of the Monessen Community, As we open the doors to a new school year, I am filled with pride and excitement to officially welcome you back to Monessen City School District. This year marks more than just another first day of school—it marks the beginning of a new chapter in our story: The New Modern Monessen . The New Modern Monessen represents growth, progress, and a shared vision of what our schools can become. It is about honoring the traditions that built our foundation while embracing innovation to prepare our students for the future. Simply put, this is where innovation meets tradition . From enhanced learning spaces like the Hound Hubs and STEAM labs, to new opportunities in media, music, and e-gaming, we are investing in the tools and experiences that will help every student succeed. But the most important part of this new start is not technology, programs, or buildings—it is people. O...
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A Calming Corner of Innovation: The Revamped Sensory Room at Monessen Elementary Center

  A Calming Corner of Innovation: The Revamped Sensory Room at Monessen Elementary Center As we continue our journey toward building the New Modern Monessen , I’m thrilled to spotlight another powerful step forward in supporting our students' needs — the complete revamp of the Sensory Room at Monessen Elementary Center . This space, carefully redesigned and reimagined over the summer, is already becoming an invaluable tool for many of our students. I want to take a moment to offer my deepest thanks to Andrea Cleary and Justin Santoro , whose time, passion, and expertise brought this room to life. Their dedication to student well-being and equity in learning environments reflects the very heart of our mission in Monessen. What is a Sensory Room? A sensory room is a therapeutic space designed to support students who may be experiencing sensory processing challenges, emotional dysregulation, or stress. These rooms are equipped with calming lighting, textures, sounds, and equipm...
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Building a future, Honoring the Past

 At Monessen School District, we’re charting an exciting course for the future through our New Modern Monessen initiative — investing in innovation, infrastructure, and student support to build a brighter tomorrow. But as we rise into the future, we proudly honor the powerful legacy of those who paved the way, especially two legendary Greyhounds whose impact echoes on the biggest stage in sports: the Super Bowl. 🏈 Sam Havrilak – A Pioneer in Super Bowl History A proud Monessen graduate, Sam Havrilak carved out a place in NFL history as a versatile player for the Baltimore Colts. His role in helping the Colts to a Super Bowl V victory remains unforgettable — but it’s his unique mark on the game that sets him apart. Havrilak became the first player in Super Bowl history to complete a pass, catch a pass, and take a handoff in the same game — a feat that speaks not only to his athleticism but to the creativity and grit that started right here in Monessen. His name belongs on any...
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Innovation in Action: What Powers the New Modern Monessen

  The New Modern Monessen Dear Monessen School District Families, We're excited to share the latest updates on our transformative New Modern Monessen initiative. Project Greyhound Rising is designed to keep you updated about what is happening across our schools as we work to create an innovative, supportive, and future-ready learning environment for all students. 🏗️ Infrastructure Improvements We’re making great strides in upgrading our facilities: 🏫 Energy-efficient HVAC systems are being installed at the Middle/High School. 🏗️ Roofing improvements are underway to ensure our buildings are protected for years to come. 🏋️ High School Gymnasium repairs are progressing well. All structural damage is being repaired. 🚀 Innovative Learning Spaces Our new learning environments are taking shape: 📚 The Hound Hub (Middle/High School) and Pup Hub (Elementary Center) media centers are nearing completion. ☕ NEW! Student Coffee Shop in the Hound Hub – A real-world learning opportunity wher...
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The Power of Belonging: Building a Culture Where Students Thrive

  The Power of Belonging: Building a Culture Where Students Thrive By Robert Motte, Superintendent of Schools At Monessen, we believe that belonging isn’t a bonus — it’s the foundation of learning . In the new, modern Monessen, we’re not just focused on what students know — we’re focused on how they feel while they’re learning. Do they feel welcome? Seen? Valued? Inspired to grow? That’s the culture we’re building. We know that students thrive when they feel part of something bigger than themselves. That’s why we’ve made it a district-wide priority to foster positivity, collaboration, and school pride in every hallway, every classroom, every grade level. A Theme with a Purpose This year, we’re rallying around two themes that speak directly to the kind of mindset we want to build: “Go the Extra Mile” — because effort matters, and our students are worth that extra mile of support, encouragement, and care. “Stop saying ‘I can’t’ — and start asking ‘How can I?’” — becaus...
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