O'Hara Elementary School is located northeast of Pittsburgh on a campus-like setting amidst a pleasant neighborhood environment. Originally constructed as a junior high school, O'Hara Elementary is a large facility which enjoys such amenities as a separate gymnasium, auditorium, and cafeteria. We are also fortunate to have a greenhouse, two computer labs, music suite, art rooms, a sizable library of about 16,000 volumes, and uniquely designed classrooms that are technologically equipped with computers, printers, televisions and telephones. Our spacious grounds include a football field, soccer field, track, and playground. While the building itself is an impressive structure with well-manicured grounds, it is our school's inner beauty that makes it most special. Although it is large in size, it radiates the warmth and charm of a small, closely-knit neighborhood.

Children who attend O'Hara Elementary live in the town of Blawnox, the "Hometown America" of Aspinwall, the Township of O'Hara, and the Borough of Fox Chapel. Our school represents socioeconomic differences and cultural diversity. Everyone in our school works together to provide an environment in which each student feels welcome, comfortable, content, and this is the atmosphere that permeates throughout--with children from all walks of life learning, playing, living and growing together.

Our school's prime location, which is approximately 15 minutes from downtown Pittsburgh and which connects with several major roadways, offers the friendly, homelike environment of the suburbs, the cultural advantages of being near a large city (the Carnegie Science Center and Museums, the Pittsburgh Zoo, Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts, etc.), and the ease of accessibility to countless educational and recreational sites throughout the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. The resourcefulness and involvement of our community's people serve to further enhance our community of learners concept, for there are numerous after-school, weekend, and summer programs that are organized for our children and their families by our school, district, and local community organizations.

So many people work together --behind the scenes and at the forefront--to help make O'Hara the special school it is. Our professional staff, students, instructional assistants, parents, volunteers, secretaries, custodians, cooks, administration, and community have been recognized for their collective as well as individual successes. O'Hara Elementary has been honored as a National Blue Ribbon School by the United States Department of Education. Also in recent years we have been so proud to have a Pennsylvania State Elementary Teacher of the Year, a Pennsylvania State Elementary Guidance Counselor of the Year, a Robert F. Wolf Award Winner, a Pennsylvania Music Educators Citation of Excellence Award Winner, and a Best Practices award for quality arts education. Countless other staff members have been recognized for their expertise, diligence, and commitment to our students and community. Our students also receive honors for their academic excellence, exemplary citizenship, and extracurricular achievements.

Because everyone works in harmony for the benefit of our children, the tradition of excellence at O'Hara is an endless one. Our entire school and community can take pride in the fact that their combined efforts have helped to make positive and productive things happen. Nurturing our students' continued growth and development today makes the future of our tomorrows look very bright.