District News

Hampton Township School District recognizes National School Counseling Week, celebrated February 2–6, 2026, and extends appreciation to our school counselors for the essential role they play in supporting student success.

Aligned with this year’s national theme, School Counselors Amplify Student Success, Hampton’s school counselors support students’ academic growth, social and emotional well being, and future planning while partnering closely with families, educators, and administrators. Their work helps remove barriers to learning, strengthen connections, and ensure students feel supported as they navigate their educational journey.

We are grateful for the professionalism, care, and commitment our school counselors bring to our schools and community each day.

Hampton Middle School students are making their voices heard by tackling global challenges through an editorial project.
 
In the "Be the Change" interdisciplinary unit, 7th-grade students explored the importance of attention and empathy in addressing global issues. In Mrs. Catherine Close's and Mr. Stephen Adametz's 7th-grade English classes, students wrote editorials focused on a global challenge of their choosing. They delved into the background of these issues and conducted research during their history classes to inform their perspectives.
 
This year, 10 students had their editorials selected by their teachers for publication on the HTSD website. 

Click here to read their editorials!

 

Hampton theatre alumni,

We are excited to announce that we are beginning a program at Hampton Township High School that will honor alumni who have participated in Drama Club and/or Talbot Players during their time at Hampton. It is called the Hampton Theatre Hall of Honor.

We are seeking nominations for inductees into its inaugural 2026 year. Nominees must be a graduate of at least four years from Hampton Township High School. The Hall of Honor was created to acknowledge those individuals who have brought prestige and pride to Hampton School District's Talbot Players and/or Drama Club theatre program either as an actor, crew member, orchestra member, designer, or director.

Accepted nominees will be honored during intermission at the final performance of the 2026 Spring Musical on Saturday April 25, 2026.

The attached link will take you to the nomination form. Nominations must be accepted no later than January 8, 2026.

https://forms.gle/E7SPTvVtEfvSZ26c8

 

Talbot Grads Speak: Alumni Insights Shaping Tomorrow’s Learners

 

At Hampton Township School District, we believe the true measure of our work lies not only in student achievement today, but in the lives our graduates go on to lead. This year, we invited alumni from the Class of 2015 and beyond to share their reflections on how their time at Hampton prepared them for what came next. The results were inspiring.

More than 40 graduates responded to our first-ever Portrait of a Talbot Alumni Survey. Their feedback is shaping our efforts to prepare future graduates for college, careers, and life. Alumni affirmed the powerful impact of our teachers, the value of real-world learning, and the importance of skills like communication, empathy, and perseverance.

What We Heard:

“AP Lit prepared me to write with clarity and confidence. I still remember discussions from that class years later.”

“My coaches were incredible mentors- always available and truly cared about students.”

“Learning Photoshop and video editing in high school helped me land an internship in college.”

Our alumni shared not only praise but also powerful ideas for growth, clearer pathways to career exploration, stronger course selection support, and a greater emphasis on life skills, such as budgeting and time management.

What’s Next:

We’re using these insights to shape programs, improve supports, and deepen the Portrait of a Talbot across all grades. We’re also building stronger systems to stay connected with our alumni and bring their voices back into our classrooms, as mentors, speakers, and partners.

Your Story Matters:

If you’re a Hampton graduate, we want to hear from you. Your experience helps us grow, and your voice can light the path for future Talbots.

 

Link

Together, we’re making the Portrait of a Talbot come to life.

This past weekend, the Hampton Marching Band made history at the prestigious Bands of America Competition. For the first time ever, a Hampton band performed at a BOA event, and in a large professional stadium with 22,000 seats.

Our students impressed with their talent, dedication, and excellent character. In Prelims, Hampton placed 8th out of 23 bands and 4th in the 2A class, despite being one of the smallest schools in the division. Advancing to Finals, the band had the opportunity to perform for a second time that day. Hampton finished 9th overall and earned a Superior rating — one of only nine bands to achieve this distinction.

In addition to their exemplary results, we are so proud of how our students carried themselves. Through a long 21-hour day, they showed professionalism, sportsmanship, and maturity, earning praise from BOA officials throughout the event.

This historic achievement places Hampton among just eight bands from across Pennsylvania to participate in Bands of America this fall. We could not be prouder of our students for making history, holding their own on a national stage, and representing Hampton with pride!

Congratulations to the following Hampton High School students on their commendation in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program! 

Andrew Craig

Paul A. Dakin

Michael Petrucci

Pelah Shaltes

Rin Suyama

Sebastian Villalba

About 34,000 Commended students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2026 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered by taking the 2024 PSAT/NMSQT. 

“Those being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potentia for academic success,” commented a spokesperson for NMSC. “These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success.”

 

This school year, we are excited to launch our new 3/2 Flex Schedule at Hampton High School which will provide our students and faculty with more opportunities to learn, collaborate, and enjoy our outdoor learning spaces. These areas will be used more frequently for instruction, lunch, and a variety of programs, bringing a vibrant, open-air dimension to the school day.

To support this initiative and ensure the safety and security of our campus, we have worked closely with our security team and our School Resource Officer to implement revised campus access procedures.

Key Changes for the 2025–26 School Year:

• Pedestrian access to the high school campus will not be permitted between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. during school days.
• Several entrances and exits will remain open to vehicle traffic; however, the main entrance off Topnick Rd. will be closed to vehicles during the school day.
• Visitor parking will remain available near the front entrance of the school and can be easily accessed via the campus entrance adjacent to the Township baseball fields and the entrance off McCully Rd. 

We appreciate the cooperation and understanding of our school community as we make these adjustments. These steps will allow us to take full advantage of our beautiful campus while enhancing safety for our students and faculty.

Thank you for your continued support in making our high school a safe, engaging, and dynamic place to learn.

Effective this week, HTSD is proud to launch our new online scheduling system for all school community and public requests for facility use. This platform will replace the former paper and phone-based processes for reserving athletic fields, indoor athletic spaces, and internal school facilities.

The online system streamlines the scheduling and approval process, allowing users to view real-time availability and receive timely notifications once requests are submitted and approved. To ensure fairness and efficiency, all facility requests must now be submitted through the online system as paper forms and phone call requests will no longer be accepted. 

We encourage all users to plan ahead and become familiar with the new process and make all requests in a timely manner. Please know that last minute phone call requests are not able to be accepted and in order to prevent conflicts and efficient approvals all requests must be made at least 72 hours in advance.  The scheduling system is widely used by school districts across Pennsylvania and has received positive feedback for its user-friendly interface and reliability. Below is the link to the scheduling platform which supports an initiate step by step request and approval process. The first strep will be for all facility request users to create an account. 

Finally, please note that if you intend to request an athletic and non-athletic facility for the same event please submit separate requests as they are approved separately by the athletic and facilities department staff.

Link to new scheduling platform here.

Teachers Lead the Way Toward Deeper Learning

Today, as part of Hampton Township School District’s Leadership Retreat, over 40 educators, representing all five buildings, came together as members of seven Design Teams to plan for the 2025–2026 school year collaboratively.

These teams, composed of teachers and administrators, are at the heart of Hampton’s efforts to transform learning through the Portrait of a Talbot. Each team established building-level goals that align with Year 2 of the district’s Operational Plan and support our district’s Big Moves, ranging from student portfolios and real-world learning experiences to student voice and choice.

 

📸 Pictured above: HTSD Design Team members proudly representing their schools during the summer retreat.

This work reflects one of the most important shifts in our strategic plan: bringing teachers into the center of system-level planning. By empowering educators as co-designers, Hampton ensures that the practices we put in place reflect what students truly need, and that the path forward is led by those who know them best.

“The leadership and commitment our teachers bring to this work, especially during the summer, speaks volumes about their dedication to students and one another,” said Dr. Michael Loughead, Superintendent of Schools.

As we look ahead to the new school year, we are energized by the momentum these teams have created and grateful for the deep commitment they’ve shown to designing learning that is personal, purposeful, and aligned to the Portrait of a Talbot.

HTSD congratulates Carolyn Clutter, HHS Class of 2025, on winning a 2025 National Merit Scholarship!

Carolyn is one of over 2,900 winners of scholarships financed by U.S. colleges and universities. Each sponsor college selected its scholarship recipients from among the Finalists in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program who plan to attend their institution.

Carolyn earned the National Merit University of South Carolina Scholarship and plans to attend the university to study Biology and Economics.

The college-sponsored Merit Scholarship winners announced on June 4, 2025, are part of a distinguished group of more than 6,930 high school seniors who will receive National Merit Scholarships for undergraduate study, totaling nearly $26 million. Earlier this spring, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced the winners of corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards and National Merit $2,500 Scholarships.

Over 1.3 million juniors in approximately 21,000 high schools entered the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), which served as an initial screening of program entrants. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists — representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors — includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state.

From over 16,000 Semifinalists, more than 15,000 advanced to the Finalist level. All National Merit Scholarship winners were selected from this group of Finalists. Merit Scholar designees are chosen based on their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies.

 

The company of Hampton High School’s spring musical production of Hadestown: Teen Edition earned top honors at the 34th annual Pittsburgh CLO Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater, held on May 24 at the Benedum Center.

Hampton’s production of Hadestown: Teen Edition received nine nominations and was ultimately awarded five Gene Kelly Awards in the following categories:

• Outstanding Scenic Design
• Outstanding Lighting Design
• Outstanding Crew & Technical Execution
• Outstanding Vocal Ensemble
• Outstanding Musical

The Gene Kelly Awards recognize excellence in high school musical theater throughout Allegheny County. This year, over 30 schools participated in the program. HHS competed in Budget Level Four, the highest tier, alongside eight other schools.

HTSD congratulates all the students and faculty involved on this outstanding achievement!
 

HTSD congratulates the company of Hampton High School’s spring musical, Hadestown: Teen Edition, for receiving nine Gene Kelly Award nominations in Budget Level Four. Hampton was nominated for:

• Best Costume
• Best Scenic Design
• Best Lighting Design
• Best Crew & Technical Execution
• Best Dance Ensemble
• Best Vocal Ensemble
• Best Student Orchestra
• Best Musical
• Best Supporting Actor (Daniel Morgan, for his portrayal of Hades)

The cast will perform a number from Hadestown: Teen Edition at the Benedum Center during the 2025 Gene Kelly Awards on May 24.

 

As Hampton High School prepares to bring the acclaimed Broadway musical Hadestown: Teen Edition to the stage, we sat down with Mr. Dan Franklin, Musical Director and HHS Teacher, to explore the magic behind this unique production. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. on April 4 & 5 and 11 & 12. Tickets are available online (www.hamptoncats.org) or at the door. 

This interview was lightly edited for clarity and flow.

Can you talk about the initial reaction when the kids found out about the production? Is this the first time we’ve done Hadestown in Hampton?

Mr. Franklin: This is the first time we’ve done it. As a matter of fact, the licensing for an amateur production of Hadestown was not available until last April. So it’s not even been available outside of professional companies for even a year yet.

The original excitement was definitely there, especially among those in the cast who are really familiar with musical theater. Hadestown is still on Broadway since its premiere in 2019. I was fortunate enough, before the pandemic, to see the all-original cast performance, and during that performance, it quickly became my number one favorite musical. I thought it was so different and innovative, unlike anything else playing at the time. It really stuck with me.

The kids were all familiar with it. I think it's come through Pittsburgh at least once, if not twice, with the professional tour. So the excitement level was really high for those familiar with the show.

What sets it apart from other musicals?

Mr. Franklin: First, it's a "sing-through" musical, which means it's all music from beginning to end. There are no pauses for dialogue or traditional spoken scenes. It’s music from end to end. Several shows like Les Misérables and Hamilton are similar, but we've never attempted a sing-through production before. For us, this makes it extremely challenging because everything is staged to music. So you don’t have those breaks of dialogue.

Musically, it is non-traditional in terms of musical fare. The sound and flavor of the music has a New Orleans “second line” jazz-type feel to it. The set also echoes that. The band is on stage the entire time, usually a small six-piece ensemble. The costuming has a late 1920s, American Depression-era style, which gives it a very distinctive look.

What's the setting of the musical?

Mr. Franklin: According to the script, it's set in an unspecified time and place. But it does take inspiration from the American Depression era and consists of two worlds: the above ground and the underground, which is Hadestown. But it's not meant to be tied to a specific year or location.

Can you tell us about the leads and the cast?

Mr. Franklin: This year, as far as leads go, it's a smaller show, with a smaller orchestra, too. While we have an ensemble, there are only eight leads. The two romantic leads are based on Greek mythology characters, Orpheus and Eurydice. Their story follows their meeting, falling in love, and Eurydice being taken to the underworld by Hades.

We've double-cast three roles this year, which is the most we've ever done. We do this when more than one actor is giving a completely different interpretation of a role during auditions, but we would like to use both. One cast performs on Friday nights, the other on Saturday nights. This is challenging for the students because on nights they're not playing lead roles, they're still part of the ensemble, singing and dancing.

With the exception of two leads, everyone cast as a lead has previous experience in high school musical theater. For example, our lead playing Eurydice, Lordyn Shoemaker, had the lead in Tuck Everlasting last year playing Winnie Foster as a freshman. Nathan Connelly, playing Orpheus, is a junior and this is his first lead role, though he's been cast in supporting roles before.

How long is the musical?

Mr. Franklin: It runs between two and two and a half hours, including a 15 to 20-minute intermission.

Any final thoughts?

Mr. Franklin: I'm really excited to share this with the public because it's such a modern show. We’ve never done a show that has had such a quick turnaround from it being on Broadway to us having the ability to produce it as an amateur production. Many people are familiar with it because it’s so recent, and I’m excited to bring it to those who aren’t familiar with it, because it really is a ride that takes you down this path where you’re looking at the leads making these choices, and you’re hoping for the best for them, but you don’t know how it is going to turn out.

And I think everybody takes something different away from this show. For me, I feel that the message is fascinating. It's written based on characters from Greek mythology, so the story is ancient, but the message is more modern. There's a line that Orpheus has in Act I where he does a toast with the ensemble: "To the world we dream about and the one we live in now." 

I think that’s such an important and powerful line in this show. When he says this, it’s showing to the audience that during hard times, we can still find beauty and compassion in the world, regardless of how hard it gets. Even if we can’t see the struggle ahead of us, to find that beauty — it’s still there, as dark as times may seem to us. He’s looking at it from both sides. He’s not a successful hero of the story because he succeeds at the end, he’s successful because he attempts to find the good things in the world.

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The leads are Nathan Connelly (Orpheus); Lordyn Schomaeker (Eurydice); Logan Brady and Jordan Schafer (Hermes); Aidan Casey and Daniel Morgan (Hades); Kaitlin Howe and Clara Mauro (Persephone); Mira Cupps, Ashley Kimmell, and Alain Pursh (The Fates).

The ensemble is comprised of Evelyn Dillon, Gianna Eager, Finn Fitschen-Wilmes, Lily Haberman, Rosha Kazemi, Rachel Kirsopp, Bella Korn, Abigail Legal, Madison McCay, Miles McKinney, Sara Miller, Addison Payne, Lola Pikalo, Isabel Romul, Jinwon So, Linnea Taube, Hannah Ward, and Jasmine White.

When over 100 educational leaders from across the country visited Hampton Township School District on March 25, they experienced both the rich learning ecosystem of the Pittsburgh region and the District's innovative teaching and learning practices firsthand.

The visit was part of the Spring Convening of the Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools (March 24-27), a nationally recognized network of school districts committed to advancing innovation in education. Hampton is one of 13 member districts across the Pittsburgh region and was selected as a host site to share its work. 

Over the course of four days, more than 500 participants from over 100 school districts across the country gathered in Pittsburgh, exploring how schools can reimagine learning to better prepare students for the future. Each host district focused on a theme central to its educational philosophy. Hampton’s theme: bringing the Portrait of a Talbot competencies to life.

“Our focus was our Portrait of a Talbot competencies and how we are bringing them to life in the classroom,” said Dr. Michael Loughead, Superintendent. “We believe our approach is unique because it truly impacts students in the learning process.”

With a unique approach, Hampton intertwines these competencies —Collaboration, Empathy, Communication, Learner’s Mindset, Critical Thinking, and Perseverance — with core subjects, helping students build essential skills naturally within their coursework. This integration, guided by school design teams and guiding coalitions, was evident throughout the visit.

The morning began with an energetic welcome as the Hampton High School Marching Band and Talbot mascot welcomed visitors as they stepped off the bus. Middle school students, under the guidance of art teacher Ms. Kate Owens, designed and printed custom color-coded bandanas to help organize tour groups. The student-produced designs reflect what they believe makes the Pittsburgh region a special place.

“The student-designed and printed bandanas served as both a guide and a keepsake, a little touch of Hampton for our visitors,” Dr. Loughead noted.

The day officially began with an introduction in the Middle School Auditorium, led by Dr. Marlynn Lux, Middle School Principal, Mrs. Jill Hamlin, School Board President, and Dr. Loughead, Superintendent of Schools. From there, guests explored different learning spaces throughout the building and observed classrooms in progress, seeing how the competencies are applied in different subjects.

Visitors headed next to Hampton High School for an Exhibition of Learning, where students showcased portfolios demonstrating their mastery of key competencies. Attendees engaged In gallery walks, small group discussions, and interactive presentations, gaining insight into how students reflect on their learning and academic journey. 

Finally, visitors traveled to Central Elementary School, where visitors engaged in classroom walkthroughs and observed how the competencies are introduced at the elementary level.

Hampton partnered with Fox Chapel Area School District to co-host this event allowing guests to experience a broader perspective on learner-centered education. After time at Hampton, attendees traveled to Fox Chapel for afternoon sessions and a Unified Bocce Tournament, capping off a day filled with meaningful discussions and shared learning experiences.

The March 25 event provided a valuable opportunity to showcase Hampton's innovative work, exchange ideas with educators nationwide, and continue advancing learner-centered and innovative teaching practices.
 

HTSD congratulates and recognizes the following eight HHS students who were inducted into A.W. Beattie Career Center's chapter of National Technical Honor Society (NTHS):

• Lilly Bender (Early Childhood Education)
• Spencer Blair (Veterinary Sciences)
• Tri-An Bui (Health and Nursing Sciences)
• Kulthoom Dinani (Sports Medicine - Rehab Therapy)
• Dylan Eichas (Sports Medicine - Rehab Therapy)
• Michala Majewski (Early Childhood Education)
• Samantha Miller (Advertising Design)
• Michael Solomon (Carpentry Building Construction)

The Award Ceremony will be held on March 4, 2025. Seventy-three students will be inducted.

To be considered for NTHS, students must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale, have a grade of at least 95% in their career training program, and miss no more than five days of school.  Candidates also must have a clear disciplinary record and belong to a service organization or participate in an extracurricular activity.
 

Get ready for two incredible nights of theater as Hampton Middle School’s Drama Club proudly presents its annual Ten-Minute Play Festival! The shows begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20 and Friday, Feb. 21 in the HMS Auditorium. 

Tickets are priced at $10 and will be available for purchase at the door.

“Our talented middle school performers will take the stage to present a wide-ranging series of short plays, some hilarious, some heartwarming, and all guaranteed to entertain,” said Director Mr. Greg Shumaker. “From comedic misadventures to thought-provoking moments, this festival showcases the hard work and creativity of our students.”

The HMS Jazz Band will provide live music between performances and even accompany select plays.

Hampton High School students on Feb. 12 participated in an inclusive art project — Kaya’s Kaleidoscope — that will be part of a permanent installation at the high school.

HTSD received grant funding through the state’s Bureau of Special Education, giving Hampton High School the opportunity to participate in inclusive programming for the 2024-2025 school year as part of Mikayla’s Voice. This original programming helps build a positive school culture and aligns with our Portrait of a Talbot competencies and Pillars for Success.

As part of the programming, an art project was selected in which 24 students of all abilities worked together to create large-scale artwork promoting inclusion at Hampton.

Each student created their own individual canvas, which will fit together in an interactive, almost puzzle-like design. Symbolic of school communities, every canvas is as essential to the mural as each student is to their school. In keeping with Mikayla’s Voice’s message, mission, and style, each canvas features wheelchair tracks, tissue paper decoupage, and a yellow spot.

The canvases can be arranged and rotated in any way, creating an endless number of possibilities—each as unique and beautiful as the next. The interactive exhibits allow thousands of students to engage with the art and reflect on its many lessons: we are all individuals, each important to our school and community, connected in many ways, and definitely better together.

Once complete, all artists will help unveil their collaborative artwork and share its message with the entire school community before it is permanently installed as a reminder to celebrate diversity and promote equity and inclusion. This culminating, year-end, school-wide celebration will take place on April 11, 2025.

Mikayla’s Voice is a nonprofit organization founded to include kids of all abilities. Its mission is for all children to feel valued and welcome in their school and community.

Hampton High School’s Rotary Interact Club is hosting a children’s book drive now through Feb. 24 to benefit the Allegheny Intermediate Unit’s Head Start program. They are collecting gently used or new children's books for readers from birth through eighth grade. Donation bins are available at each of Hampton’s five schools.

Your support will make a meaningful impact on the lives of AIU's Head Start students!

HTSD congratulates Hampton High School senior Aiden Hanna on winning the 2025 WPIAL Courage Award and being inducted into the WPIAL Hall of Fame Class of 2025 as one of 15 honorees!

Hanna, who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in 2022, founded Aiden's Helping Hands, a foundation that holds fundraising events to support cancer research and assists families of children with cancer. He has been a member of Hampton's golf and baseball teams and serves on the National Honor Society and Student-Athlete Advisory Council.

The 18th annual WPIAL Hall of Fame class was announced Wednesday morning at a press conference at the Senator John Heinz History Center and Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum. Hanna and the rest of the Hall of Fame class will be honored on June 6, 2025, at the DoubleTree in Green Tree.

 

Hampton High School administrators presented at the HTSD Board of School Directors Voting Meeting on December 9, proposing a new high school schedule. 

Dr. Marguerite Imbarlina, Principal, along with Assistant Principals Dr. Josh Cable and Dr. Joe Sebestyen, presented a proposal for a new high school schedule: 3, 2, Flex. This reimagined schedule aims to provide students with better access to tutoring, enrichment, and time for deeper engagement with learning material. 

The current high school schedule has nine 41-minute periods, with one period used for lunch and one often for study hall. The high school administration’s presentation highlighted current challenges for students seeking additional support from teachers during the school day due to unaligned schedules. High School administrators began researching high school schedules during the 2019-2020 school year. Since then, they have visited Kiski Area HS, Fox Chapel HS, Quaker Valley HS, Upper St. Clair HS, McClean HS (Virginia), and Radnor HS to study their schedules. The High School also tested a modified block schedule during the 2021-2022 school year and formed a committee to discuss priorities in determining scheduling “must-haves.” 

The High School is currently recommending a 3, 2, Flex schedule beginning at the start of the 2025-2026 school year, which includes a traditional 42-minute, eight-period day, for three days a week, and an 80-minute four-period day schedule on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

The 3, 2, Flex scheduling would also allow for 75-minute Lunch and Learn periods, offering students the choice to use this time for lunch, tutoring, make up quizzes and tests, enrichment activities, club meetings, and other opportunities. The proposed schedule also supports senior release time and students attending A.W. Beattie.

Board members received various clarifications from High School administrators regarding the proposed schedule, including concerns about teacher training, student absenteeism, and potential scheduling conflicts.

The Board expressed a consensus to adopt the High School’s 2025-2026 Program of Studies in January, which will align with the proposed 3, 2, Flex schedule. 
 

Hampton Middle School students are making their voices heard by tackling global challenges through an editorial project.
 
In the "Be the Change" interdisciplinary unit, 7th-grade students explored the importance of attention and empathy in addressing global issues. In Mrs. Catherine Close's and Mr. Stephen Adametz's 7th-grade English classes, students wrote editorials focused on a global challenge of their choosing. They delved into the background of these issues and conducted research during their history classes to inform their perspectives.
 
This year, 10 students had their editorials selected by their teachers for publication on the HTSD website. 

Click Here to Read the Editorials

The Hampton Band Association will host the 13th annual Hampton Bands “Holiday Extravaganza” on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. 
 
The event is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Hampton High School cafeteria (2929 McCully Road). Get into the holiday spirit at an event which benefits all elementary, middle school, and high school bands within the District!
 
The Holiday Extravaganza features over 100 shopping vendors, band performances, a cookie walk, kids activities, Band Dads’ Cafe, raffles, and more.

Event Flyer

The Hampton Township School District is thrilled to announce that Hampton Middle School has been re-designated as a PA Don Eichhorn Schools: “Schools to Watch.”

“The Schools to Watch re-designation is a testament to how hard our teachers and staff work daily for every one of our students,” said HMS Principal Dr. Marlynn Lux. “They care deeply about our students, as they are committed to the continuous improvement of our programming and offerings at Hampton Middle School.”

Schools to Watch is part of a recognition program developed by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform. Hampton Middle School has been recognized as a School to Watch three times, having first received the prestigious Schools to Watch distinction in 2019, with re-designation in 2022 and 2025.

“Every time we have a new initiative or learning opportunity for them to consider, such as Project-Based Learning (PBL), Portrait of a Talbot, Multi-Tiered System of Support, or the hands-on learning at our HMS Learning Pavilion, the teachers are on board and embrace it if they believe it is best for the students!” Dr. Lux added. “I am blessed to work with such a creative and committed group of professionals each day.”

In addition, Dr. Lux expressed that the Hampton community is “truly one-of-a-kind.”

“The parents are always here to support us, as they are committed to their children’s education,” said Dr. Lux. “We thank them for being partners with us to ensure the students meet their potential.”

Hampton is among 14 middle schools across the state in 2024 named as Schools to Watch. Each school will be recognized at the Pennsylvania Association for Middle Level Education (PAMLE) State Conference on Feb. 22, 23, and 24 at the DoubleTree Pittsburgh-Greentree. In addition, HMS will be recognized nationally with all the other recognized Schools to Watch schools across the country in Washington, D.C., at the National Forum’s National Schools to Watch Conference on June 26-28.

Pennsylvania Schools to Watch leaders selected each school for its Academic Excellence, Developmental Responsiveness, Social Equity, and Organizational Structures and Processes. In addition, each school has strong leadership, teachers who work together to improve curriculum and instruction, and a commitment to assessment and accountability to bring about continuous improvement.

The Schools to Watch selection process is based on a written application that required schools to show how they met criteria developed by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform. Schools that appeared to meet the criteria were then visited by a state team, which observed classrooms, interviewed administrators, teachers, students, and parents, and reviewed achievement data, suspension rates, quality of lessons, and student work.

Schools are recognized for a three-year period, and at the end of three years, they need to reapply to continue to be recognized as a Schools to Watch school. They must also demonstrate progress on specific goals in order to be re-designated. Schools to Watch requires schools to not just identify strengths but also focus on areas for continuous improvement; thus, the three-year re-designation. The re-designation process is based on the school's continued growth since their last Schools to Watch recognition.

Launched in 1999, Schools to Watch began as a national program to identify middle-grades schools across the country that were meeting or exceeding 37 research-based criteria developed by the National Forum. Information about the Schools to Watch program can be found on the PAMLE website.

The Hampton Township School District Music Department proudly presents its 2024 Winter Concert Series. All concerts are free admission and open to the public. 

The full concert schedule is below:

 

HTSD congratulates HHS senior Abby Hall, who was honored with the 2024 Distinguished Student Award by the Pennsylvania Association for Gifted Education (PAGE). Hall was recognized on Nov. 8 at the PAGE conference and awards ceremony in Pittsburgh.

“We nominated Abby for her independent inquiry work in the areas of STEM, literacy, and elementary education over the past three years,” said Dr. Melissa Survinski, Enrichment Facilitator.

Hall worked with HHS enrichment facilitators Dr. Survinski and Mr. Stickney to create literature-based activity kits filled with STEAM activities for various levels of elementary students. In addition to choosing a book as the starting point and planning the activities to align with PA State Standards, Hall also created each piece of the activities and worksheets herself. She also created a child-friendly learning guide, instructional videos, and packaging for each kit. These kits have been shared with Hampton’s elementary enrichment students and Urban Impact.

“We are proud of Abby for the hard work, care, and thought that she put into these activities, outside of any of her classes, and we are excited for her to receive this recognition,” said Dr. Survinski. “Abby intends to be an elementary teacher, and so we were able to tailor her work to fit the lens of elementary education, adding a layer of career development into her enrichment.”

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The Distinguished Student Award is designed to recognize achievement in academics, the arts, innovation, leadership, and/or service for students across the Commonwealth. PAGE believes that this award inspires students to achieve their fullest potential, highlights high-ability students, and draws attention to the merit of addressing the educational needs of Pennsylvania’s gifted and talented children.

The Hampton Middle School Drama club will proudly present its 2024 fall musical, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” on Nov. 21 at 7 p.m., Nov. 22 at 7 p.m., and Nov. 23 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Tickets are available for purchase online at https://sites.google.com/ht-sd.org/hms-drama/tickets and at the door.  All shows are at the HMS auditorium, 4589 School Drive, Allison Park, PA 15101.

The cast, crew, and orchestra pit comprises roughly 90 talented middle school students. 

"We're putting on a full, high-energy musical — the first-time we’ve reprised a show,” said Director Mr. Greg Shumaker. “The students love it so far, rehearsals are going well, and everyone's having fun.”

Show Summary

The story of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is a tale that follows the journey of a dreamer. Joseph is the son of Jacob and one of twelve brothers. He is given a coat of many colors by his father, which is symbolic of his favor and an object of his brothers’ jealousy. The brothers decide to sell Joseph into slavery after initially plotting to have him killed. Convincing their father that his favorite son has died, they reveal his tattered coat and believe that they are rid of him once and for all. From his homeland of Canaan, Joseph is taken to Egypt where he becomes the slave of Egyptian millionaire Potiphar and earns his trust. Managing his household, he soon has to ward off the affections of Potiphar’s wife. Enraged and unwilling to assess the situation, Potiphar has Joseph thrown into jail where he interprets the dreams of his cellmates. The prisoners are awed by his hidden talents of interpretation and encourage Joseph to pursue dreams of his own.

Joseph’s fortunes take a turn for the better as the Pharaoh hears rumors of his talent. Having strange recurring dreams about cows and ears of corn, the Pharaoh asks Joseph what his mysterious dreams could mean. Joseph determines that they are omens of a famine that will swipe the land in seven years. This foresight allows actions to be made to prevent devastation and grants Joseph a position as the second most powerful man in Egypt. Back in Canaan, Joseph’s brothers are afflicted by starvation and regret their treatment of Joseph. Hearing of the prosperity of Egypt, they unknowingly ask for Joseph’s help. He devises a test to see if his brothers have changed their ways, and finally reveals himself donning his Technicolor dreamcoat once again.
 

The Hampton High School Drama Club will perform its entirely student-run production of "You Can't Take It with You" at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 7, 8, and 9. 

Tickets are $10 at the door. The play will be held in the HHS auditorium, 2929 McCully Road. 

One of the most popular and successful plays of modern times, “You Can't Take It with You” is a hilarious, delightful portrait of a charmingly eccentric family. Martin Vanderhof has a large and extended family of charming eccentrics. His granddaughter, Alice, is an attractive and loving girl who is embarrassed by her family’s quirks. When Alice falls for Tony, a handsome Wall Street man, she fears that their two families – so unlike in manners, politics, and finances – will never come together. But why be obsessed by money? After all, you can’t take it with you...

Hampton’s student directors are Alice Anderson and Bella Korn. Stage Manager Margeret Sager leads the team behind the scenes. The talented cast features Lucas Pfeifer, Rosha Kazemi, Sara Miller, Jasmine White, Jordan Schafer, Lily Haberman, Ashley Kimmell, Daniel Morgan, Nathan Connelly, Lordyn Schomaeker, and Rachel Kirsopp.
 

Hampton High School is offering a Virtual Financial Aid Night Presentation on Tuesday, Oct. 15 from 7-8 p.m.

The registration link is available here: Register here

If you have issues accessing the embedded link you can copy and paste this link you’re your browser: https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/8aa0b9a4-b83e-4a1b-9ef1-27218dc3464c@4fbf871e-ff12-4b1a-b977-5dbc3a75478f

Virtual Financial Aid Night Presentation

Description: Amy Sawdey, PHEAA's Higher Education Access Partner for Allegheny County, will present information on the financial aid application process, what types of aid are available for students, and strategies to start thinking about affordability before getting ready to apply for post-secondary school admission. Time will be built into the presentation to allow you to ask any questions you may have regarding the financial aid process.

The Hampton High School Marching Band is proud to present its 2024 field show, "Eclipse: Love Across The Sky."

The show is inspired by the poem, "A Letter to the Sun from the Dark Side of the Moon," by Ranata Suzuki. The HHS Marching Band performs the show prior to each home football game at 6:40 p.m., except on senior night, when it will be performed after the game.

“Our story involves the sun and moon, symbolically representing two people who love each other very much,” said HHS Band Director Chad Himmler. “These people begin the show together, are tragically separated in the middle, and then are blessed with one ‘bonus’ moment, portrayed by the eclipse, to see each other again as the show nears its conclusion.”

The sun and moon are also portrayed by a dance team soloist (the sun) and a color guard soloist (the moon) throughout the show. Finally, the sun and moon will literally take the field.

“Our prop parents were hard at work all summer designing and building our huge sun and moon props!” Mr. Himmler added.

The show is built around four distinct movements:

• Sharing The Sky Together: "Golden Hour" by J.V.K.E.

• Madness of Separation: “Eleanor Rigby" by The Beatles.

• Ballad of Despair: "Shallow" by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper.

• Hope and Eclipse: "Here Comes The Sun" by The Beatles.

The HHS Marching Band participated in the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Marching Band Association (PIMBA) competition at Deer Lakes on Sept. 14 and the Allegheny Valley Band Festival at North Hills on Sept. 21. Their schedule for the remainder of the year is as follows:

• Oct. 19: PIMBA competition at Baldwin

• Oct. 26: PIMBA Championships at Gateway

For additional information and to watch their 2024 field show production, please visit www.hamptonbands.org.

Two HTSD seniors have been named as Semifinalists in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship program. 

HTSD is proud to recognize Carolyn Clutter and Nathan Gardner who were among the more than 16,000 Semifinalists in the 70th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. 
These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 6,870 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered next spring. 

Over 1.3 million juniors in about 21,000 high schools entered the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2024 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state.

From over 16,000 Semifinalists, more than 15,000 are expected to advance to the Finalist level, and in February they will be notified of this designation. All National Merit Scholarship winners will be selected from this group of Finalists. Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies.

Congratulations, Carolyn and Nathan, on earning this impressive academic recognition!

 

The Hampton Athletic Department is proud to announce that it will be celebrating Military/Law Enforcement/First Responders Appreciation Week at all home athletic events from September 9-14.

Schedule of Events

• Monday, September 9: Girls Soccer vs. Gateway - 6/7:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, September 10: Girls Volleyball vs. Mars - 5:30/7 p.m.
• Wednesday, September 11: Middle School Football vs. NA Marshall - 6:45 p.m.
• Thursday, September 12: Varsity Football vs. Upper St. Clair - 7 p.m.
• Saturday, September 14: Boys Soccer vs. Pine Richland - 11 a.m./12:30 p.m.

All military/law enforcement/first responders will be admitted FREE with ID to all events during this week. Fans are encouraged to show their support by wearing green or camo to the games. Donations will be accepted for the It's About the Warrior Sgt. Rob Kirsopp scholarship fund.

Military Appreciation Night
On Friday, Sept. 13, the Hampton Varsity Football team will host Upper St. Clair at 7 p.m. at Fridley Field for Military Appreciation Night. This special event will recognize and honor military personnel, law enforcement, and first responders. Individuals with a valid ID will receive free admission to the game.

The District will also pay tribute to the Kirsopp Family in honor of Sgt. Rob Kirsopp, a member of the Hampton Township Police Department and former Army veteran who passed away on May 1, 2024. Several fundraising opportunities will be available to support a scholarship program funded by the "It's About the Warrior Foundation."

The HHS marching band will perform prior to kickoff around 6:40 p.m., followed by a recognition ceremony for the honored guests.
 

HTSD was recently featured by Kidsburgh in an article about how "In Hampton Township schools, a culture of inclusion is on the rise — and led by students."

Kidsburgh's AASA Learning 2025 Alliance series celebrates the work of groundbreaking school districts in the Pittsburgh region.

Below is a brief excerpt from the article:

Collaboration and empathy, which exist at the heart of these clubs’ missions, are two of the six elements that Hampton chose to include in their “Portrait of a Talbot” — a summary of the strengths and habits that all students will ideally develop by graduation.

These ideas ... are also echoed in the pillars of success described in the district’s strategic plan. The plan’s “Talbots Together” pillar is defined this way: “We celebrate our unique and collective experiences. We welcome learners, staff, and families from different backgrounds, experiences, and cultures. We treat all with dignity and respect by practicing empathy and using inclusive language and practices.”

And the kicker, which sums it up: “Everyone belongs in our schools.”

HTSD is thrilled to have been awarded a Developing Future Special Educators Grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).

The District received a $20,000 grant to grow the next generation of special educators.

“Over the next two years, we will implement three distinct experiential learning opportunities designed to ignite students’ passion for careers in special education,” said Dr. Sharon Smith, Director of Special Education. “By engaging in various projects and programs, our students will gain valuable insights and hands-on experience, ultimately fostering a new generation of dedicated and inspired educators.”

Dr. Smith added that this grant will not only enhance Hampton’s educational offerings but also strengthen the District’s commitment to nurturing future leaders in the field of special education.

PDE awarded $1.4 million to 77 school entities, including Local Education Agencies (LEAs) and Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs), interested in developing or expanding experiential learning opportunities to engage secondary and postsecondary students in learning about and/or working with students with disabilities to inspire the next generation of special educators.

Common Sense, the national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping kids and families thrive in a world of media and technology, has recognized Hampton Township School District as a Common Sense District.

HTSD has demonstrated its commitment to taking a whole-community approach to preparing its students to use the immense power of digital media to explore, create, connect, and learn, while limiting the perils that exist in the online realm, such as plagiarism, loss of privacy, and cyberbullying. The recognition acknowledges our District's commitment to creating a culture where our whole community is invested in helping kids thrive as digital learners and citizens.

"We applaud the faculty and staff of Hampton Township School District for embracing digital citizenship as an important part of their students' education," said Merve Lapus, vice president of education outreach and national partnerships at Common Sense Education. "HTSD deserves high praise for giving its students the foundational skills they need to compete and succeed in the 21st-century workplace and participate ethically in society at large." 

HTSD has been using Common Sense Education's innovative and research-based digital citizenship resources, which were created in collaboration with researchers from Project Zero, led by Howard Gardner at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. The resources teach students, educators, and parents tangible skills related to internet safety, protecting online reputations and personal privacy, media balance, managing online relationships, and media literacy. The free K–12 curriculum is used in classrooms across all 50 states, in more than 80,000 schools, by more than half a million educators.

"We're honored to be recognized as a Common Sense District," said Superintendent Dr. Michael R. Loughead. "By preparing our students to use technology safely and responsibly, we are providing them with unlimited opportunities to maximize and personalize their learning."

To learn more about the criteria that HTSD met to become recognized as a Common Sense District, visit https://www.commonsense.org/education/recognition-districts.