New Outlook Academy staff and students recently had the exciting opportunity to tour PNC Park, home of the Pittsburgh Pirates. During the visit, students were also able to personally thank Joe Klimchak and Jacob Bryant by presenting them with handmade gifts in appreciation of their support throughout the past year.
Through this incredible partnership, our students have participated in a variety of sponsored experiences—from attending Pirates games and taking the field to shout “Play Ball,” to joining in-game trivia and receiving team gear. The Pirates have also brought excitement directly to our campus, making special appearances at our fall and holiday festivals with the Pirate Parrot and Pirate Pierogies for our girls to meet and interact with.
To show their gratitude, students designed and created custom picture frames using our F1 laser engraver, featuring a collage of memories from these unforgettable experiences.
We are truly grateful for the Pittsburgh Pirates organization and all they do to support and inspire our students—partnerships like this create lasting memories and meaningful opportunities that go far beyond the classroom!
HANDS-ON LEARNING: SUMMIT ACADEMY STUDENTS DIVE INTO DISSECTION! Summit Academy biology students recently had the opportunity to dissect a sheep’s eye, giving them a hands-on look at the structures that make vision possible. The activity brought science to life, and students were fully engaged—asking questions, making discoveries, and diving right in. Experiences like this spark curiosity and excitement, showing that learning isn’t just in the classroom—it’s alive, interactive, and unforgettable!
New Outlook Academy’s Avah H. recently had an exciting opportunity to step behind the scenes as a Guest DJ at Y108 Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh’s Country Radio!
During her visit, Avah experienced what it’s like to spend a day in the life of a radio host, getting a behind-the-scenes look at the fast-paced world of radio and what it takes to run a live broadcast.
We captured her experience in a special video, combining footage of her visit with an interview where Avah reflected on her journey at New Outlook Academy.
Through her thoughtful answers, Avah shared how her time at New Outlook Academy has helped her trust herself and make positive decisions that keep her focused on her life goals.
Avah’s story is proof that when students believe in themselves, they can step into any spotlight and shine brightly!
Five of our students recently earned the opportunity to visit the headquarters of Beverly’s PGH in North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania! During the trip, they met with founder Megs Yunn, who also helps make our monthly birthday celebrations at New Outlook Academy so special.
Students learned how Beverly’s PGH supports families across Southwestern Pennsylvania through their Birthdays, Babies, and Basics programs. They even got a behind-the-scenes look at how the organization operates and raises funds to serve the community.
After touring the facility, our students jumped into a service project—helping assemble over 100 Easter baskets for children receiving services through Allegheny County CYS and preparing birthday favors for Beverly’s Birthday Classrooms Division. The visit wrapped up with pizza and a chance to build Beverly’s famous birthday boxes.
Our students left feeling grateful and inspired by the incredible work Beverly’s PGH does for families throughout our community. 
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The Mindfulness class explored music as a way to practice being present and connected. Mindfulness is an evidence-based therapeutic modality that helps individuals become more aware of the present moment and learn to better manage their reactions to stressful situations.
Students began with breathing exercises before learning the basics of drumming in a drum circle, including technique, rhythm, and group signals. They practiced following beats, freestyled rhythms, and even took turns creating a beat for the class to follow. Students also experimented with boomwhackers and other instruments to build harmonies and continue the group rhythm.
The session ended with reflection and a final group drumming activity focused on connection and mindfulness. Students were engaged, respectful, and exceeded behavioral expectations throughout the class. 
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🏀 SUMMIT KNIGHTS TAKE THE COURT AGAIN! 🏀
The Summit Knights wrapped up their basketball season with one final and highly anticipated matchup—taking on judges and probation officers from Westmoreland and Lycoming Counties! What started as a friendly game quickly turned into a fun, competitive showdown filled with great plays, plenty of laughs, and lots of school spirit.
A big thank you to the judges and probation officers from both counties for stepping onto the court and making this such a memorable event for our students and staff. It was a great way to celebrate the end of the season and bring everyone together.
We can’t wait to make this a highlight of the season for years to come! 🏀
Rob King—Sports Anchor for the Pittsburgh Pirates at Sportsnet Pittsburgh, radio play-by-play announcer for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and author of The Door in the Stone—recently visited New Outlook Academy and was impressed with our program and the opportunities we provide our students.
During his visit, Breackann O. and Neveah R. showcased an amazing project they completed using ChatGPT and the xTool F1 laser engraver. They created a laser‑engravable image chronicling key moments in Rob King’s life, refined the design for optimal engraving quality, and added a thoughtful “Thank You” message on the reverse side of the coasters. They also applied their technical skills to configure the laser engraver, successfully completing the project.
Rob King was thankful for his gift and expressed that he looks forward to doing more activities and projects with New Outlook Academy in the future.
This experience highlights how our students combine creativity, technology, and critical thinking to produce meaningful, hands-on work. We’re proud to see our students excelling and making the most of the opportunities at New Outlook Academy!
Beverly’s Birthdays and students at New Outlook Academy celebrated this month’s birthdays in the most exciting way — with their very own Olympic Games!
Students competed in fun, high-energy challenges, showed off their teamwork skills, and cheered each other on every step of the way. The spirit of friendly competition filled the room as everyone joined in the celebration.
It was a fantastic way to honor our birthday students — with laughter, movement, and plenty of gold-medal moments! 
Please call or email for additional information to Gina Samosky, Corporate Communications Coordinator