The 27th Annual Senior Holiday Event is right around the corner, and that’s music to our ears! Listen as Mike and Maxine Botti, esteemed former Seneca Valley educators and longtime attendees of the event share what makes this celebration so special, why it continues to draw hundreds each year, and how it captures the true spirit of the holidays.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE WILL REVIEW

• What is the Senior Holiday Event
• When and where the event takes place
• What makes the Senior Holiday Event so special and why it's important to attend
• RSVPs are required by Dec. 15. Please call 724-452-6040, ext. 0 to reserve your spot.
• See below for more information:
  • Senior Holiday 2025 flyer

SPECIAL GUESTS
Mr. Mike Botti, former principal of Evans City Elementary/Middle School and Mrs. Maxine Botti, former Seneca Valley elementary teacher

Mr. Botti graduated from Clarion State Teachers College in 1965. Prior to graduating, he was hired to teach science in the sixth-grade building in Zelienople. Over the next 35 years he taught science at Rowan and Evans City Elementary/Middle Schools. He later became assistant principal of Evans City Elementary/Middle School then finished his career as principal. "Being hired by Seneca Valley was one of the greatest blessings of my life," said Mr. Botti.

Mrs. Botti graduated from Clarion State Teachers College in 1964. She taught third grade at Cranberry Elementary. Throughout her 35 years, she taught in all of Seneca Valley's Elementary Schools as a first-grade teacher. "I feel that choosing to be a teacher was the best career I could have chosen," said Mrs. Botti. "There was never a day I regretted my decision. I loved my job, my students and their parents."

Classrooms across the Seneca Valley School District are now phone-free from the first bell to the last under “Phone-Free SV,” a new districtwide policy designed to reduce distractions, support student well-being and boost academic engagement. Listen as Ryan Gloyer Middle School Principal Ms. Trisha Butschle, Seneca Valley Intermediate High School Principal Dr. Chet Henderson and Director of Student Services Dr. Cassandra Doggrell share the positive feedback they’ve received, the increased interaction they’re seeing among students, and how everyone is adjusting to the new policy.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE WILL REVIEW

• New cell phone policy, "Phone-Free SV"
• Positive feedback from teachers and students
• How classroom engagement has improved
• An increase in peer-to-peer interaction between students
• How students, teachers and parents are adjusting to the new policy

Overview

SPECIAL GUESTS
Ryan Gloyer Middle School (RGMS) Principal Ms. Trisha Butschle, Seneca Valley Intermediate High School Principal Dr. Chet Henderson and Director of Student Services Dr. Cassandra Doggrell

Ms. Trisha Butschle is in her 28th year with the Seneca Valley School District. After 19 years teaching English at the Intermediate High School, she transitioned to the middle level to join the administrative team and now proudly serves as the middle school principal. She enjoys spending her days surrounded by the students and staff, prioritizing safety, wellness, and a supportive learning environment. Ms. Butschle feels fortunate to work alongside an amazing team and the wonderful students who make each day meaningful.

Dr. Chet Henderson is in his 4th year serving as the principal of the Seneca Valley Intermediate High School and his 19th year in education. Dr. Henderson enjoys the collaborative nature of his position and is proud of the work being done at the IHS to best support students and staff. He has taken part in the development and implementation of a peer mentoring program with students from the IHS and RGMS. In addition, Dr. Henderson has implemented building wide learning walks and personalized professional development for the staff at the IHS to strengthen the collaboration and instructional practice throughout the IHS.

Dr. Cassandra Doggrell began her career at Seneca Valley in 2010 as an Autism and Emotional Support Teacher at Rowan Elementary. She has held various administrative positions, including Principal of Haine Middle School and Assistant Principal at Evans City and Haine Middle. Before returning to Seneca Valley, she spent five years at Upper St. Clair School District as Director of Student Support Services and Special Education. Her research and practice interests include comprehensive mental health systems in schools, students with autism, students with emotional/behavioral disorders, and inclusionary service delivery models. Dr. Doggrell holds multiple degrees, including a doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Pittsburgh.

In this episode, we’re talking about online dangers that students can potentially face, including sextortion and cyberbullying. We’ll hear from school leaders and one of our School Resource Officers about how these issues impact students, ways to stay safe, the importance of understanding your digital footprint, and what steps to take if you or someone you know is targeted.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE WILL REVIEW

• Sextortion, cyberbullying and the misuse of AI-generated images
• Legal consequences of sextortion and cyberbullying
• Steps students, parents and educators can take to prevent sextortion and how to respond if it happens
• Ways students can protect themselves from online scams, predators or sextortion
• Reporting tools
  • Sprigeo
  • Takeitdown
  • National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

Overview

SPECIAL GUESTS
Ryan Gloyer Middle School (RGMS) librarian Ms. Angie Kotula, tech facilitator Dr. Lou Nagy and School Resource Officer Chris Miller

Ms. Angie Kotula is in her 18th of teaching at Seneca Valley. She has taught second grade, 7th grade English and is currently the librarian at RGMS. Ms. Kotula graduated of both Robert Morris University and Edinboro University where she received a Bachelor of Science and Master’s in Education. She holds certifications in K-6 Elementary Education, 7-9 and 7-12 English, K-12 Reading Specialist, and K-12 Library. Additionally, she has received numerous online-safety certifications from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and has taken a graduate level course in digital citizenship. She is a current member of the digital citizenship committee at Seneca Valley and has years of experience teaching middle school students about online safety alongside local law enforcement and building colleagues.

Dr. Lou Nagy is currently in his 37th year at Seneca Valley. He began his career at SV as a Biology Teacher for General Biology, Advanced Biology and AP Biology. As Seneca Valley began incorporating technology into the classroom, Dr. Nagy left teaching Biology and became one of the first technology facilitators, a role that he continues in today. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Molecular Biology from Westminster College and obtained his Master of Arts in Teaching as well as his doctorate with a concentration in Instructional Technology from the University of Pittsburgh. In addition to his tenure at Seneca Valley, Dr. Nagy has taught Biology at Highlands High School and Duquesne University in the department of Educational Technology and Leadership.

Officer Chris Miller has been a Police Officer employed by the Jackson Township Police Department for the last 17 years. He attended the University of Pittsburgh and is a graduate of the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Police Academy Class #63.

“Seneca Valley has always been home to me,” said Don Barclay, head varsity football coach. In this episode, Coach Barclay, reflects on his journey from a student-athlete at Seneca Valley to his collegiate career and eight seasons in the NFL. Now back to where it all began, Coach Barclay shares his vision for the football program, and how he’s working to build a culture of commitment, resilience and community pride, setting a foundation for long-term success.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE WILL REVIEW

• An overview of Coach Barclay's background, including his time in the NFL
• Offseason training
• Coaching staff
• Game preparation, both physically and mentally
• Overall goals for the season and organization

Overview

SPECIAL GUEST
Mr. Don Barclay, Seneca Valley's Head Varsity Football Coach

Mr. Barclay, a 2007 Seneca Valley graduate and former NFL player, brings both experience and hometown pride to his new role as head varsity football coach. After a standout collegiate career at West Virginia University and eight seasons in the NFL, he returns to his roots with a passion for developing a program that values academics, athletic growth and community involvement. Coach Barclay plans to emphasize speed, quickness, and agility on the field while fostering academic excellence and character off it. A dedicated husband and father of three, he is proud to raise his family in Seneca Valley and give back to the district that shaped him.

Seneca Valley is building for the future. In this episode, we’re talking with CannonDesign architect, Jeremy Dwyer and John Pappas from Eckles Construction Services to discuss plans for the Intermediate High School construction project which will include a three-story classroom addition and a new Performing Arts Center.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE WILL REVIEW

• An overview of the construction project
• Unique features of the new building
• How the building will reflect the future of education
• Ways the Performing Arts Center will enhance opportunities for students in music, theater and beyond
• Timeline for construction and opening

Overview

SPECIAL GUESTS
Jeremy Dwyer, AIA, Associate Vice President at CannonDesign is an architect specializing in innovative K-12 educational environments that inspire and empower students. With over two decades of experience, he brings a passion for blending design, education, and community impact, reimagining how learning spaces can foster creativity, exploration and lifelong learning.

Since 2000, Eckles Construction Services has proudly served clients across Western Pennsylvania, specializing in construction management, project representation and construction administration. Under the leadership of President John Pappas, who remains actively involved in nearly every project, the company delivers a wide range of services, including project phasing and sequencing, constructability reviews, facility planning, on-site supervision, critical path scheduling, and cost estimating.

Good sleep isn’t just rest—it’s the foundation for learning, growth and success. In this episode, we sit down with Liz Williams, nurse at Ryan Gloyer Middle School and lead nurse for the district, to discuss the importance of establishing healthy sleep routines.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE WILL REVIEW

• Why it's important to establish a consistent sleep routine before the school year begins
• Advice for parents on how to help reset their child(s) sleep schedule
• Limiting screen time before bed
• Benefits of eating a nutritional breakfast
• How good sleep habits and strong school attendance contribute to student success.

Overview

SPECIAL GUEST
Ms. Liz Williams, Ryan Gloyer Middle School nurse and lead nurse for the district

Liz Williams is a nurse at RGMS and the Department Head for district nurses, marking her 26th year of service. She is passionate about ensuring students’ medical needs are met during the school day, allowing them to fully participate in a quality education with minimal disruption. Ms. Williams believes in the remarkable resilience of students in the face of adversity and values the dedication of Seneca Valley’s staff in supporting students to remain engaged and successful.

As the new school year approaches, we’re gearing up for an exciting start. In this episode, we're introducing our new Director of Transportation & Operations, Dr. Tony Babusci and our new bus partner, First Student. Tune in as we highlight key priorities such as safety, efficiency and clear communication. First Student representatives also share updates on brand new buses, GPS technology and more—including job opportunities and generous sign-on bonuses.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE WILL REVIEW

• An introduction of SV's new Director of Transportation & Operations, Dr. Tony Babusci
• SV's new bus partner, First Student
• Job opportunities and sign-on bonuses with First Student
• How to learn more about job opportunities with First Student
  • First Student | Careers
• Best ways for parents to reach out about questions regarding transportation

Useful Information:

• https://www.svsd.net/departments/transportation/overview
• https://portal.svsd.net/
• https://firststudentinc.com/

Overview

SPECIAL GUESTS
Dr. Tony Babusci, Director of Transportation & Operations; Steven Hovis, Location Manager for First Student and Pam Osche, Assistant Location Manager for First Student

Dr. Tony Babusci became Director of Transportation and Operations in 2025 after years in educational leadership. He began his career in 2004 as a social studies teacher at Seneca Valley Intermediate High School, later teaching in the District’s cyber program at SVAOC. He moved into administration in 2014 as SVAOC’s assistant principal, then served as assistant principal and later principal at Ryan Gloyer Middle School.

Steven Hovis serves as the Location Manager for First Student Inc. in Harmony, PA, where he oversees transportation operations serving the Seneca Valley School District. With a strong commitment to safety, leadership and customer service, Steven works to ensure the seamless daily transport of hundreds of students while fostering a culture of accountability and excellence among his team. Drawing on years of experience in the transportation industry, Steven leads with a hands-on approach that prioritizes student safety and employee engagement. He collaborates closely with school district officials, drivers, and parents to maintain high operational standards and address concerns proactively.

Pam Osche is the Assistant Location Manager at First Student in Harmony, where she brings exceptional organization, reliability and care to the heart of school transportation services. With a strong background in logistics and team operations, Pam helps coordinate day-to-day scheduling, supports driver management, and ensures that safety remains the top priority for every student on board.

Coming off a milestone season that ended with the team’s first section title in 48 years, we’re catching up with Seneca Valley Girls Varsity Basketball Head Coach Dorothea Epps. The journey is not just about basketball wins, but about building culture, community, and confidence in young athletes. Coach Epps shares how her team’s success didn’t start in December — it was built in the offseason, through open gyms, tough schedules and a whole lot of belief.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE WILL REVIEW

• An overview of the Seneca Valley's Girls Basketball Team
• Most memorable moments of the season
• Vision for the program heading into next year
• Upcoming camps
• Special coaching recognition

SPECIAL GUEST
Dorothea Epps, head varsity coach of the Seneca Valley Girls Basketball Team

Ms. Epps brings 28 years of high school basketball coaching experience and is currently in her sixth year at Seneca Valley. Under her leadership, the team has earned a section title with an undefeated record and has qualified for the WPIAL playoffs in five of the last six seasons. Before joining Seneca Valley, Ms. Epps coached at Butler.