The high school marching band, performing its 2009 program "One Way Out," placed second in Class A at the Woodland Hills Band Competition. The Marching Foxes also received a class award for music score at the competition, held Oct.17 at Woodland Hills High School.

• Fox Chapel Area High School's speech and debate program qualified for the National Forensic League "100 Club" by having its students earn 100 degrees or more during the 2008-09 school year. The number of degrees is based on how students fare in competition and places the chapter in the top 10 percent of league chapters nationwide.

The high school chapter also received the Leading Chapter Award in the Pittsburgh District.

The school board changed its December meeting to 7 p.m. Dec. 8 because the board cannot can't swear in new members before the old terms expire.

The board originally had planned to reorganize Dec. 1. State law, however, decrees that school board members' terms begin the first Monday in December, which is Dec. 7, said solicitor Thomas King.

Four members -- one new and three incumbents -- will be sworn in during the reorganization meeting. The board's voting meeting, the only meeting in December, will follow.

Board member Marjorie Vincent did not seek re-election. At her last meeting, she went over the list of goals she wrote down when she joined the board, then listed the board's accomplishments in math and science education, technology, financial education, fiscal responsibility and community collaboration.

"Now I know why I'm so tired," quipped Superintendent William Pettigrew.

"These jobs have been much more difficult than they seem on the outside," Mrs. Vincent said, adding that she has new respect for anybody in education, from administrators to bus drivers. "Every concerned citizen should consider a term on the school board."

The school district is conducting two service projects for Thanksgiving.

The student government is holding a food drive for a local food bank. The goal is to collect 1,000 items.

The district also is hosting a turkey lunch tomorrow for local senior citizens. After the meal, the district's chorus and band will perform Christmas songs.

A free college recruiting presentation will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 2 in the Spirit Room at Pine-Richland Stadium.

The presentation, sponsored by the district's athletics and guidance departments, is open to all Pine-Richland student athletes in all sports in grades eight through 12 and their parents.

Heather Lewis, former Bucknell University head field hockey and lacrosse coach, will present the "Who, What, Where, When, Why & How of the college selection and athletic recruitment process. Former college athletes will talk about the recruiting process and their experiences.

For more information, call Jean Whalen, director of collegiate affairs, at 724-625-4444, Ext. 1651, or Clair Altemus, athletic director, at ext. 6801.

• Pine-Richland High School students will host an "Empty Bowls" sale from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, in the school atrium, at 700 Warrendale Road. This year's cost will be $10 for a bowl, handmade by students in the Interact Club and ceramic arts classes, and unlimited enjoyment of a soup/bread buffet. Children 5 and younger will be admitted free.

Proceeds will benefit the Lighthouse Foundation.

St. Alphonsus School in Pine has planned several service projects for Thanksgiving.

Third-grade pupils will make place mats and napkin holders for Meals on Wheels.

As part of the Thanksgiving party, second-graders will make door hangers to be delivered to one of the nursing homes.

The first grade is coloring a preprinted card at its Thanksgiving Party that also will go to a nursing home.

All of the students will donate assigned nonperishable foods Monday, for the North Hills Food Bank.

St. Alphonsus enrolls 528 children.

Members of the youth groups at St. Ursula Church in Hampton hope to brighten the lives of 29 military members who have connections with the parish.

Thirty middle-school and 12 high-school students put together packages for the troops containing items collected from church members, including personal care items, food, games and phone cards. The youth held fundraisers to raise money for mailing costs.

About 20 baskets containing everything needed for a Thanksgiving dinner are to be picked up today at Shady Side Academy for distribution to needy families.

Every year, freshmen students at the school bring nonperishable foods and assemble the baskets. They also collect money or hold a bake sale to raise funds to provide a $10 gift certificate in each basket toward the purchase of a turkey. In addition, the baskets include napkins, a table cloth and table decorations. The basket is reusable, as a laundry basket.

North Hills Community Outreach picks up the baskets to distribute them to those in need.

ExxonMobil Educational Alliance has given Shaler Area High School a $750 grant to support the school's math and science programs. The grant was obtained through the efforts of the McKnight Road Exxon station and was funded by Exxon Mobil Corp.

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