Welcome to the Woodland Hills School District Pupil Personnel Services Department (PPS)
All parents and guardians in the Woodland Hills School District should know that supportive services are available for children with developmental difficulties. Children who are younger than 5 years of age, but at least 3 years of age, and are having difficulties with cognitive, communicative, physical, social/emotional and/or self-help development, may be eligible for pre-school supportive services.
Questions regarding any childhood developmental difficulties should be directed to Mr. David Johnston, WHSD Director of Pupil Personnel Services at 412-731-1300, ext. 0143. The DART Program for Early Intervention Services/Evaluations at the Allegheny Intermediate Unit can also provide a range of supportive services. They can be contacted at 412-394-5904.
P.P.S. is an ancillary department that coordinates and provides support services to the students of Woodland Hills School District Staff who are responsible for their education, and families of these students wishing to access a variety of support services for their child/children.
Administration Building, Room 103, 412-731-1300
Mr. David Johnston, Director, ext. 0143 (email-johnda@whsd.net)
Mrs. Lauren Myers, Secretary, ext. 0146 (email-myerla@whsd.net)
Responsibilities and supervision include:
Psychological Services:
Certified School Psychologists who
- Administer psychoeducational evaluations to students to identify cognitive and academic strengths and weaknesses and determine a child's eligibility for special education and gifted programs.
- Active participants in building Student Assistance teams for student/staff support.
Contacts:
1. Ms. Fran Colaizzi, 412-731-1300, ext. 0148 (email-colafr@whsd.net)
2. Ms. Linda Heinauer, 412-731-1300, ext. 0140 (email-heinli@whsd.net)
3. Ms. Kate O'Connor, 412-731-1300, ext. 0149 (email-oconka@whsd.net)
Guidance Counseling Services:
Certified Guidance Counselors in each of the eight District buildings
- Provide student/teacher/family support in areas of behavioral, social, vocational, academic, personal, and group counseling
Contacts:
| Name | Building | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ms. Carolyn Brewington | High School | 412-244-1100 ext. 5133 | Grade 9 (A-L) |
| Ms. Mark Arnold | High School | 412-244-1100 ext. 5132 | Grade 9 (M-Z) |
| Ms. Stacey Rebich | High School | 412-244-1100 ext. 5136 | Grade 12 |
| Mr. Jeff Brand | High School | 412-244-1100 ext. 5135 | Grade 10 |
| Ms. Christine Smith | High School | 412-244-1100 ext. 5132 | Grade 11 |
| Ms. Erin Williams | Junior High School | 412-351-0698 ext. 4231 | Grade 8 |
| Mr. Colin O'Grady | Junior High School | 412-351-0698 ext. 4232 | Grade 7 |
| Ms. JoAnn Kurutz | Dickson Elementary | 412-731-5816 ext. 3130 | K - 6 |
| Mr. Lou Fratangelo | Fairless Elementary | 412-271-1317 ext. 3230 | K - 6 |
| Ms. Alva Nunley | Wilkins Elementary | 412-824-3231 ext. 2330 | K - 6 |
| Ms. Dina Miller | Edgewood Elementary | 412-731-2238 ext, 2130 | K - 6 |
| Ms. Jessica Cohen | Shaffer Elementary | 412-371-4535 ext. 2230 | K - 6 |
| Ms. Jami Kuhn | Woodland Hills Academy | 412-824-2450 ext. 4130 | K - 6 |
School Nursing Services:
State Certified Nurses in each of the eight District buildings
- Provide school nursing services, including medication administration, vision and hearing screenings, physical and dental exams, and healthy child/wellness tracking.
Contacts:
| Name | Building | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Ms. Andrea Kennedy | High School | 412-244-1100 ext 5150 |
| Ms. Shannon Hornick | Woodland Hills Academy | 412-824-2450 ext. 4150 |
| Ms. Judi Matelan | Junior High | 412-351-0698 ext. 4250 |
| Ms. Lianne Greve | Dickson Elementary | 412-731-5816 ext. 3150 |
| Ms. Mary Jean Lane | Fairless Elementary | 412-271-1317 ext. 3250 |
| Ms. Pat Walsh | Edgewood Elementary | 412-731-2238 ext. 2150 |
| Ms. Janice Walter | Shaffer Elementary | 412-371-4535 ext. 2250 |
| Ms. Annie Johnson | Wilkins Elementary | 412-824-3231 ext. 2350 |
Home and School Visitor:
Provides social work services, residency verification, truancy/attendance liaison, and homeless liaison.
Contact: Ms. Kellie Irwin, 412-731-1300 ext. 0190 (email-irwike@whsd.net)
English as a Second Language (ESL) Services:
Provide evaluations and subsequent English Language services to students within Woodland Hills School District who do not have English as their primary spoken language at home.
Contact: Mr. David Johnston, 412-731-1300 ext. 0143/0146
Student Assistance Programming:
Elementary Student Assistance Program (ESAP)
Secondary Student Assistance Program (SAP)
Provides in each building assistance, support and interventions for staff/families with an identified "at-risk" student.
Contact: Your child's Building Principal, Counselor, or Nurse
Chapter 15 Service Agreements:
Development of a student support service plan for regular education students with an identified medical diagnosis for implementation by regular education staff in the general mainstream classroom(s)
Contact: Mr. David Johnston, 412-731-1300 ext. 0143/0146
Homebound Instruction: (Grades 1 through 12):Coordination of instruction provided in the home by District teachers for students with acute medical conditions or expulsions as a result of Board adjudications.
Contact: Mr. David Johnston or Mrs. Myers, 412-731-1300 ext. 0143/0146
Special Education Program and Services:
Administrative Secretary - Mrs. Lee Hovanec 412-731-1300 x 0141 (email- hovabe@whsd.net)
Administrative Secretary - Mrs. Shirley Bennaugh 412-731-1300 x 0147 (email- bennsh@whsd.net)
AIU Special Education Supervisor- Ms. Stephanie Apter 412-731-1300 x 0135 (email-aptest@whsd.net)
AIU Special Education Supervisor - Ms. Debbie Hensley 412-731-1300 x 0136 (email-hensde@whsd.net)
AIU Special Education Supervisor - Ms. Lisa Kellick 412-731-1300 x 0134 (email - kellli@whsd.net)
Department Fax 412-256-4904
Additional area of responsibility/supervision:
Grant Administration:
Safe and Drug-Free Schools Grant: (This includes funding for the secondary buildings' School
Resource/Safety Officers and the Turtle Creek Valley MH/MR agency's therapists/counselors in all eight buildings.)
School Resource/Safety Officers - Woodland Hills High School - Churchill Borough
Woodland Hills Junior High School - Swissvale Borough
If you have any questions or are unsure of how to access one of the above services, please call Mr. David Johnston (412-731-1300 ext 0143/0146)