Don’t Stop Believing: SV Kicks off School Year with Memorable Message

Although she promised not to sing, did quote from the rock band Journey Thursday as she encouraged educators not to stop believing in public education.

“Public education needs us,” she said as the opening chords to Don't Stop Believing began to play in the auditorium of .

“We have been chosen. Chosen to advocate, to stand up and to not stop believing," she said. "So today, I ask you, don’t stop believing.”

Vitale’s speech was part of a service rally to welcome staff members, new and veteran, to their first day of the 2012-13 school year. for students is Tuesday, Aug. 28.

Although the district typically holds an in-service meeting for all staff members before students arrive every year, this the first time Vitale has led it.  Vitale, who was hired in September, had not yet been named superintendent in time for last year's rally.

“This is technically my first opening,” she said.

And it started off with a bang—make that a drum roll.

As a surprise, Vitale arranged for the Seneca Valley Marching Band to take the stage at the auditorium and to play a few rousing tunes for the staff.

Also new this year was a video—created by SVTV directors and other staffers—featuring Seneca Valley alumni speaking about why their education was important to them. Among the graduates were an aerospace engineer, a Yale University student, a senior vice president of a financial services group, a pilot and an intern at E! News.

In the video—which kicked off to Don’t Stop Believing— the former students thanked their teachers for believing in them.

“All the people in Seneca Valley helped shape me personally,” said filmmaker Brian Reuss, who graduated in 2011. “They also helped guide me and show me what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.”

As for her vision for this school year, Vitale kept it simple. Employees need to show up, to be nice and to work hard, she said.

“I want kids to feel loved, nurtured and safe before we start talking about content," she said. “That’s what I want.”

Other areas of focus include the district’s Olweus Bullying Prevention program, energy management, refining the curriculum and continuing to be competitive with private and cyber-charter schools, Vitale said.

“There is no doubt we can be No. 1 in the region,” she said. “We can be Top 10 in the state and ranked nationally as a district, I have no doubt. But there is much work to be done to break through those thresholds.

"It all starts with trust and it ends with respect," she said. "That’s my secret recipe.”

Sharon Bonavoglia, president of the Seneca Valley Education Association, and Bob Hill, school board president, also spoke to the crowd.

To watch the Don’t Stop Believing video, click on it above.