P.O. Box 9056
Pittsburgh, PA 15224
pghpasr2024@yahoo.com

Who We Are

Pittsburgh Association of School Retirees (PghASR) is a Chapter of the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees (PASR). Membership is available to any person receiving a pension from Pennsylvania Public School Employee Retirement System (PSERS). Associate Membership is also available to any person who is interested in the work of the Chapter, who is a retired school employee from a non-public school, who is an active school employee age 50 or older, or who is a spouse of an active member. To find out more about PASR visit their website at pasr.org.

NOTE IMPORTANT NOTICE
If you are an ANNUAL member of the PghASR your 2026/2027 membership dues are due June 2026.
Thank you for your continued support of our organization.

CLICK HERE FOR PRINTABLE FORM

Pittsburgh Association of School Retirees
2026 Calendar

APRIL
Spring/Summer Newsletter Arrives by USPS and by email from pghpasr@209715402.mailchimpapp.com

April 13th, 1:00 PM
Barnes & Noble Bookfairs Committee Meeting –
Banksville Eat N Park

April 16-19th
Pittsburgh Allderdice High School Musical – Curtains

April 10-12 & 16-19
Pittsburgh CAPA High School Musical –
Guys and Dolls

April 11-18th PASR RECREO
– Travel Opportunity – 8 Day Tour of Spain.
For details go to pasr.org

April 28th, 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
RECREO – Spring Taco Tuesday at Waterfront El Campesino. RSVP to Kathy Moran at
kmoran056@comcast.net by April 21st

MAY
Saturday, May 2nd
Barnes and Noble Book Fair Scholarship Fundraiser & PR Event at Several Barnes and Noble Locations. See Flyer and Voucher in newsletter.

Thursday, May 7th, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
RECREO – Inside Recess – Let’s Learn/Play Pickleball at Brookline Rec Center. RSVP

Tuesday, May 19th, 11:30 a.m.
RECREO – Lunch Bunch at Cheesecake Factory Southside Works – RSVP to ggetty700w@aol.com by
May 15th.

JUNE
Tuesday, June 2nd, 11:30 a.m.
PghASR General Membership Meeting and Scholarship Luncheon – at Grand Concourse/Station Square

Thursday, June 25th, at 12:35 p.m.
RECREO – Pirate Baseball Game. Tickets are $30.00 and RSVP form is due to Debbie Rucki by April 30th.

JULY
July 7th at 11:30 a.m.
RECREO – Lunch Bunch at Redfin Blues
RSVP to ggetty700w@aol.com by July 3rd.

Thursday, July 23rd 10:00 a.m.
RECREO – Outside Recess at Moraine State Park
Easyhike to the breast of the Dam, followed by picnic lunch. Meet at the bike rental at 10:00 AM, RSVP to Glory Getty at ggetty700w@aol.com by July 20th

Tuesday, July 28th – 10:00 a.m.
Executive Committee Meeting – Banksville Eat N Park

AUGUST
Fall Newsletter Production
Fall/Winter Newsletter Arrives by USPS and by email from
pghpasr@209715402.mailchimpapp.com

Thursday, August 20th, at 11:30 AM
RECREO – No Back to School Lunch Bunch at Narcisi
Winery on RSVP to Glory Getty at ggetty700w@aol.com by August 17th.

TBD
Allegheny County Chapter Community Service Batch Foundation

SEPTEMBER
Friday, September 25th, 11:00 a.m.
Annual PASR Region 12 Meeting and Luncheon Pittsburgh Chapter Hosts at the Rivers Casino.

OCTOBER
Thursday, October 22nd at 11:30 a.m.
RECREO – Lunch Bunch – Octoberfest at Hofbrauhaus
RSVP to ggetty700w@aol.com by October 19th.

NOVEMBER
Tuesday, November 10th, 3:00-5:00 p.m.
RECREO – Fall Taco Tuesday at Waterfront El Campesino, RSVP to Kathy Moran at kmoran056@comcast.net by
November 3rd.

TBD
RECREO – Inside Recess Day/Game Day II

DECEMBER
TBD
PghASR General Membership and Holiday Luncheon at Rivers Casino

December 7 – 11th
PASR RECREO – Travel Opportunity – A Biltmore
Christmas in Ashville NC, – for details go to pasr.org

TBD
Allegheny County Chapter Community Service-
Batch Foundation

SPECIAL NOTICES TO OUR MEMBERS

1. PASR COLA UPDATE – Both House and Senate Appropriations Committees are conducting budget hearings throughMarch, this is followed by months of policy discussions – which will include the COLA – that lead up to the final budgetin late June. This collaborative budget process creates an important opportunity for COLA advocates to make the caseto legislators and key staff. We need to highlight the financial challenges facing retired members and urge inclusion ofa COLA in the final budget. Copy and paste the link below to send a message to our Senators urging their support for aCOLA for pre-Act 9 retirees. https://www.pasr.org/legislative-form/?id=20
2. Register at pasr.org for PASR’s Benefits Zoom Presentation scheduled for April 16th at 4:00 p.m. to find out more aboutwhat benefits PASR has to offer its members. You can also register for the PASR Book Club Zoom Meeting scheduledfor 2:00 p.m. on May 27th. The book to be discussed is James by Percival Everett.
3. Region 12 Update – Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees Region 12/Western Region, consists of the AlleghenyCounty Chapter and the Pittsburgh Chapter. During the House of Delegates in October, Robert Marko announced thathe would be stepping down as the Region 12 Executive Director at the end of 2025. The Executive Director positionalternates between the two chapters, so it became Pittsburgh Chapter’s turn to fill the vacancy. Ellen Estomin agreed tofill the vacancy – Ellen had previously served as the regional executive director. Thank you to Ellen for assuming thisleadership position.The PASR Region 12 Annual Meeting and Luncheon hosted by the Pittsburgh Chapter is scheduled for Friday,September 25th at the Rivers Casino. Look for additional information and the RSVP form in the fall newsletter,but mark your calendars now, we would love to see you there.
4. 2026 is an Election Year for Pittsburgh Association of School Retirees Officers. The slate of candidates will be preparedand presented at the July Executive Committee meeting. The slate will then be published in the fall newsletter. Theelection and installation of the new officers will occur at the General Membership Meeting and Holiday Luncheon. If you would be interesting in a leadership position within our organization we are always seeking interested volunteers. Ifyou have any questions or concerns please contact the Nominating Committee, LaVerne Anthony and Jackie Blakey-Tate.
5. We communicate with all of our members through our two newsletters published in the spring and the fall of each year. If you have provided us with an up to date email, then periodically we communicate using an email service calledMail Chimp. Look for pghpasr@209715402.mailchimpapp.com. Those emails usually will start with “greetings fromthe Pittsburgh Association of School Retirees.” We have one other means of communicating with all of our members andit is so simple to use – just access our website at pghasr.org
6. We also have a Facebook page that you can Like and Follow just do a search for Pittsburgh Association of SchoolRetirees. Comment on the posts and share the posts, PghASR is your organization, your community, and by sharing oursocial media content you can help us grow.
7. Ernestine Reed our Social Service and Memorial Honor Fund Chairperson is always seeking information about memberswho we should be caringly contacting. See the form on page 18.
8. If you are aware of any new retirees please talk to them about joining PghASR and PASR.
9. Senior Justice and Wellness Fest presented by the Allegheny County DA’s Office, on May 13, 2026 from 9:30 AM to 2:30PM at the Pittsburgh Shrine Center in Cheswick, PA. The Fest will include a free lunch, expert speakers, health screenings,prizes and giveaways, and prescription disposal. You must call to register at 412-430-3416.
10. We operate solely by using your dues and donations – 2026/2027 Annual dues will be $25.00 and they are due to usby June 1, 2026 (our fiscal year runs June 1 to May 31). You can always switch to a Lifetime Membership by paying$250.00. A one and done so to speak! Donations are encouraged for our Memorial Honor Fund; Scholarship Fund;Newsletter Fund; Postage Fund. We also accept donations for our Community Service Partner – H.O.P.E.for Tomorrow.
11. Each year at our Holiday Meeting and Luncheon we honor a Volunteer of the Year. Perhaps you know of one of ourmembers who should be recognized for their volunteer work in our community. We would love to hear about them – sendus an email.
12. We recently made revisions to qualifications for membership in PghASR, in our chapter by laws. Membership in thechapter shall be: Active – any person retired from any educational institution in the state of Pennsylvania; Associate – anyperson interested in the work of PghASR; any active school employee and any spouse of an active member of PghASR.

Barnes and Noble Fundraiser and Public Relations Event
– We need your support!

Exciting New Fundraiser and Public Relations Event – Barnes & Noble BOOK FAIRS
– ALL DAY/ONE DAY IN STORE ONLY SCHOLARSHIP FUND FUNDRAISING EVENT

BEEN THINKING ABOUT PURCHASING SOME SUMMER READING? WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT AT OUR FIRST EVER BARNES & NOBLE BOOK FAIR SCHOLARSHIP FUND FUNDRAISING EVENT.

On Saturday, May 2nd we have scheduled a one day/all day in store only, fundraising event in cooperation with Barnes and Noble. We will be holding Book Fairs at six Pittsburgh Barnes & Noble Book Store locations: Monroeville; Settler’s Ridge; Shadyside/Meridian; South Hills Village; Waterfront; and Waterworks.

This is an All Day/One Day IN STORE ONLY Fundraiser Event with all of the proceeds going to our Scholarship Fund. A voucher will be required and will be available from PghASR volunteers set up in the stores. Vouchers will also be available at the registers in each store. Vouchers can be used at any Barnes and Noble nationwide.

The Pittsburgh Association of School Retirees funds scholarships for students in the Pittsburgh Public Schools. We are asking for your support in this new fundraising effort. It’s important that our organization be able to continue to reward those PPS students who need our support to further their education. Please mark your calendar and make it a point to stop by one of the six stores. Representatives from our organization will be at all six locations, stop by and say hello to receive your voucher from one of our members. Please remember to present our voucher at the register or mention your support of our organization.
Book Fair # 12931234 – Good for One Day Only.

CLICK HERE FOR FLYER TO EVENT
CLICK HERE FOR VOUCHERS

Please feel free to copy and share with your community groups, friends and family. WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!

Special THANK YOU to those members serving on the Barnes and Noble Book Fair Committee: Monroeville Location – Toni Kendrick, Ernestine Reed & Denyse Littles Cullens; Settler’s Ridge – Kim Granatire and Kathy Smith; Shadyside/Meridian – Ellen Estomin & Donna Vlassich; South Hills Village – Kathy Moran and Joann Losecki; Waterfront – Pam Diulus & Judith Lutz Rauch and Waterworks – Charlotte Fong and Glory Getty.

Barnes and Noble Committee Members Spotlight on Kathy Smith and Charlotte Fong.

Kathy retired in 2022 after 33 1/2 years. She first long term subbed at Philip Murray, Carmalt, and Conroy. In 1992 she began working at Westwood…first as a learning support teacher for 5 years and then 1st & 2nd grades, as well as Science. Kathy joined PghASR in 2023 after encouragement from a friend. Kathy’s retirement plan is to keep busy, see family, travel and have some fun.

Charlotte retired in 2010 after 30 years at Reizenstein Middle School, and 5 years at Arlington ALA. She taught 6th and 7th grade Communications. Charlotte also joined PghASR in 2023 hoping to meet other PPS retirees and to learn more about PASR. Charlotte’s retirement plan is to enjoy family, travel and seek opportunities to volunteer.

If you would be interested in volunteering during the book fairs at one of the Barnes & Noble stores, your help will be greatly appreciated, contact Glory Getty at ggetty700w@aol.com. Feel free to share the flyer and voucher, help us spread the word. Thank you!

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20 YEAR RECOGNITION
A. Jay Gross

Once a year, at our annual Holiday Luncheon, we take the opportunity to recognize and honor those members of the Pittsburgh Association of School Retirees who have been retired for 20 years by presenting them with a certificate to commemorate this milestone.

This year we had the privilege
of recognizing a total of eight who have achieved this
distinction, and we were honored that five of them were able
to be in attendance at the luncheon. They were Westlynn
Davis, Patricia Kelly, Thelma Lovette Morris, Ernestine
Reed and James W. White. The scroll that lists their names
also includes Raymond C. Sanders, Marilyn Barnett Waters
and Darla Del Duca Yannotti who were members that were
unable to attend.

Please Let Us Know
Ernestine Reed

If anyone is aware of any PghASR member who is ill, had a surgical procedure, or is deceased, please contact Ernestine Reed, Chairperson of the Social Services and Memorial Honor Fund. Ernestine’s contact information is in the Newsletter along with all the other officers and committee members. It is important for us as retirees to show each other that we care and that our members are remembered. Receiving a card, phone call or visitation can make all the difference when someone is ill, recovering, or being remembered when a member passes, or in some cases, when a spouse/partner of a PghASR member passes. Recognizing a family when a heartache occurs lets them know that we haven’t forgotten them or their loved one. To access Memorial Honor Fund Form, CLICK HERE.

CHECK OUT AND LIKE OUR NEW FACEBOOK PAGE –
JUST SEARCH FOR PITTSBURGH ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL RETIREES
OR CLICK ON THE LINK

PghASR Is Going Paperless and Needs your Contact Information
In order to keep PghASR financially solvent in the coming years, your Leadership Team is planning to move forward in the distribution of our Newsletter via email. Printing and postage costs have gone through the roof, and therefore sending out the newsletters requires a new distribution approach. In 2022, we will begin the process to transition to sending out the newsletters via email when possible, starting with compiling a list of all members who have email addresses. We need your assistance in this endeavor.  We request that PghASR members who have an email address click on the link below to download and print a form to complete about your contact information. Mail the form to PghASR, PO Box 9056, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, or email our Membership Secretary, Dr. A. Jay Gross, at ajaygross@msn.com, so he can add your current email address and contact information to his membership list. We also need to know which of our members don’t have access to a computer or other device. If that is the case with you, place an X on the line on the form that says, “I have no email address,” to let your Leadership Team know the only way we will be able to communicate with you is by mail or phone. We will mail newsletters to members who don’t have email addresses. If you move, let us know. Leadership Team members have their addresses and phone numbers listed on page 13 of this newsletter. Any of us can assist you. We anticipate this process will take a year to implement. PghASR Member Demographic Information Form

Please contribute to PghASR
Text: PghASR accepts contributions for the Memorial Honor Fund, Scholarship Fund, and Newsletter expenses. Click on the link below to download the contribution form. Fill it out and then send it with your contribution to PghASR, P.O. Box 9056, Pittsburgh, PA 15224. Make your check payable to PghASR. Indicate on the memo line which category the contribution is for. Note: All contributions should be sent to PghASR and not to officers of the organization. PghASR Contribution Form

PghASR needs you! Please consider volunteering to be an officer, chair, newsletter editor, or member of one of our committees. 
PghASR flourishes on partnership and collaboration. The organization depends on those who think outside the box and are not afraid to take a stand, express ideas or make suggestions. Is that you?

To volunteer or find out more about a committee, email or write a note to PghASR. Contact information is at the top of the website. You can also call one of the PghASR Officers. 

Help is especially needed to assist with computer-related tasks such as keeping the membership database current, creating and maintaining a Facebook page, and emailing members with important updates.

If you are not eligible to be a PghASR member, consider becoming an associate member
Associate members can take advantage of all the benefits and activities of PghASR except they are not eligible to vote or hold office. They can serve as or assist committee chairs and help us to continue offering activities and services that benefit our organization. Contact me, Joe Poerio, at pjpoerio@comcast.net  or 412-489-5443 if you would like to become an associate member or if you have any questions.

An associate member of PASR or PghASR can be any person who is interested in the work of PASR/PghASR, is an active school employee aged 50 or older, a teacher who is not an annuitant of a school employees’ retirement system, a former school employee who has retired from a non-public school, and/or a spouse of an active member of PASR/PghASR. If you know of anyone who fits in one or more of the above categories and is interested in our organization, encourage them to become an associate member. PASR dues are $60 Year/ $700 Lifetime and PghASR dues are $15 Year/ $150 Lifetime. 

CLICK HERE TO READ THE PGHASR BY-LAWS