Timeline

Aerial View of Clelian Heights

In 2010 the library, indoor pool area and the home-economics area were renovated to enhance their functional usage. The cottage, the first 2-room school house, was renovated to become the new home of the business offices.
From 2005 to 2010 there was a gradual increase of enrollment. Expansion of space and programs allowed Clelian Heights each year to accept the growing number of children and adults requesting services.
In 2009 classroom space was expanded allowing for a new Occupational Therapy lab, music and art rooms, Atrium, and a 4-cubicle classroom for individual testing, tutoring, and updating of records.
In 2009 the Clelian Center program expanded to include Supported Employment services.
In 2009 an additional van was added to the fleet of vans used for supported employment and transition to work into the community.
In September 2009 The Adult Training Facility Program was added to the Clelian Center services.
In 2008-2009 the Energy Efficiency Improvement Plan continued with changing over magnetic florescent lights to those with electronic ballasts. This was an energy savings move but it has been found that some children with autism are very sensitive to flickering lights which occurs with florescent bulbs that have a magnetic ballast.
In October 2008, Transitional Employment Services was added to the Clelian Center programs.
In August of 2008 a Coordinator of Special Services was added to the staff to assist families with system and funding issues. The 2008 fall term began with two new optional classes added: Character and Values Training and the Good Shepherd Program.
During the spring of 2008 an Energy Efficiency Improvement Plan was initiated. The first project of the Plan was the replacement of low performance windows with superior thermal double pane windows. Through Foundation Grants, the assistance of local businesses and organizations and the many friends of Clelian Heights, this project was completed in the winter of 2008.
In September 2007 therapy services were increased.
In the summer of 2007 a Kitchen Renovation Project Campaign was completed adding a walk-in refrigerator/freezer unit to the kitchen, expanding the kitchen prep area and kitchen staff dining space as well as enlarging food storage space. A swamp fan was installed to cool the kitchen during hot and humid days.
In the spring of 2007 a sensory room was opened.
In the spring of 2006 an expansive Commuter Safety Project Campaign was completed to make accessibility and safe ease of transport available to the growing number of day students and adult employees with disabilities from the community enrolled in our programs and being transported by bus and van daily. An enclosed entrance vestibule, a canopied bus drop-off, accessible sidewalks, and additional handicap and regular parking were added to accommodate our students, adult employees, staff, and visitors.
In 2006 Clelian Heights celebrated its 45th Anniversary.
In September 2006 an additional classrooms was opened to accommodate the increased enrollment.
In 2005-2006 the therapy pool area was refurbished adding an additional pool boiler, new PH Controller, Chlorinator and CO2 feeder, redoing the pool grout, reinsulating windows, stuccoing ramp way and repainting the pool area.
The Westmoreland Arc 2005 Educator of the Year Award was awarded to Clelian Heights’ principal, Sr. Charlene Celli, ASCJ.
In 2005 a ‘therapy group’ consisting of speech, occupational, and physical therapists was formed at Clelian Heights to offer more extensive therapy options.
In 2004-2005 air conditioning was added to the School and to Chip’s House making all the Campus facilities comfortable all year around.
In September 2004 two additional classrooms were opened to accommodate the growing school population and teaching and support staff added to accommodate the growing school age population.
Between 2001-2004 with Foundation Grants and the assistance of Friends of Clelian Heights, the school, children’s residences, and office area have undergone change with renovations, painting and carpet replacement.
The addition of The Edith L. Trees Maintenance Facility was completed in June 2002 allowing for greater inventory storage of parts to be assembled opening up new avenues of contract possibilities for the Clelian Center as well as providing for over-all maintenance needs.
In September 2000 Clelian Heights School received a Grant to expand its services to include an Inclusive Preschool Program to its existing special education program.
In the fall of 1999 an additional classroom was opened; and in December, with the assistance of several Foundation Grants an additional elevator designed to accommodate wheel chairs of all size was installed in the center of the building increasing access for both the school students and the adult employees of the Clelian Center as it is next to the Clelian Center entrance. This addition also improved efficiency for receiving and transporting large quantities of contracted work for assembly or collating by the Clelian Center workers.
In the spring of 1999 a Grant to develop and market Dog Biscuits provided the financial start-up funds to begin a new Captain and Sandy Dog Biscuit business (named after Captain, Chip’s House dog, and Sandy, the School’s dog) thus opening up additional job opportunities and experiences for the adults working in the Clelian Center.
In September 1997, Phase III was begun to secure the future of Clelian Heights. This took the form of a campaign to increase the assets in the Endowment Fund.
CPR, First Aid, and CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention) training was initiated for staff. Technology advancement through Foundation Grants and private donations enabled Clelian Heights to set up a computer room with Mac computers and access to high-speed Internet service for use by both the students and adults.
In 1997 the Pennsylvania Department of Education licensed Clelian Heights, allowing local school districts to contract with Clelian, when appropriate, to provide educational and prevocational services tailored to individual needs.
In June 1996 the Clelian Center moved its workshop activities to the main campus building increasing the size and capability of its services. The commercial laundry, ceramic room, and one small parts assembly room remained at the Chip’s House location
In 1994 construction began on Phase II – a Therapeutic Recreation Center. This special project was targeted to meet the physical and therapeutic needs of both the children and adults at Clelian Heights. And in April 1996, the Therapeutic Recreation Center Program was begun. It includes an indoor pool, whirlpool, shower and locker rooms, fitness area and gymnasium.
In 1994 the Clelian Center was restructured according to the distinct services it offered. Thus, the Clelian Center Business Services (the on-campus workshop) and the Clelian Center Employment Services (Job development and coaching for community employment) became part of the umbrella of services offered by the Clelian Center.
Phase I was the construction of two specially designed 10-unit efficiency apartment buildings. In April of 1993 the two apartment buildings were completed thus beginning a Supported Living Program where adults receive ongoing independent life skills training in a supported living environment.
In 1991 a 3-phase Capital Campaign was begun. Its goal was to improve, enhance and expand the ability of Clelian Heights to continue its services to children and young adults with developmental disabilities. Many Foundations, corporations, and families supported this undertaking.
In 1991 Clelian Heights expanding its program for hands-on learning experiences, employment opportunities and community educational and social field trips. That same year a four-bay garage was built for the school vans that would transport students and adults into the community for these programs.
In 1990 a ramp construction project was undertaken on campus making the facilities more wheel chair accessible to allow us to accommodate less mobile individuals.
In 1990 The Clelian Center began working with the Men’s Garden Club of Western Pennsylvania and the Gardening from the Heart Program was initiated.
In 1986 Clelian Heights celebrated its 25th Anniversary and the boys and girls residences were expanded to accommodate the increase in enrollment.
The Clelian Center was relocated to the lower level of Chip’s House allowing it to expand its services and to add commercial laundry operations in 1982. The expansion of the Clelian Center offered adults of all ages with disabilities an employment opportunity at which they could experience succeed and at the same time benefit the community. In 1984 a Greenhouse was added to the program to provide additional training opportunities in horticulture.
The program of socialization and vocational training for youth and adults has been changed and modified over the years and in 1981 the Clelian Center; a licensed workshop was opened in the main campus building. The Clelian Center workshop activities included: packaging, small parts assembly, mailroom operations. Its residential services were opened to young men in 1982 with the addition of Chip’s House residence for 16 men.
In 1980 through 1997 the Clelian Singers joyfully entertained for clubs, civic and social organizations, and for a variety of special social events throughout the county as well as in churches of varied denominations.
In 1979 a Human Sexuality program, reviewed by Duquesne University theology Department, was initiated into the school program.
The school’s art program blossomed from 1971-1979. In 1973 Clelian Heights won the Art Teacher of the Year award as it’s art students, competing with their typical peers won more certificates and ribbons than any of the students in the monthly Diocesan art contests! During these years they were invited to hold their own exhibits. First, a Clelian Heights’ artists exhibit at the Greensburg Art Museum and once again one at St. Vincent College, Latrobe. They also represented this region in state, national, and international art contests and exhibits winning cash prizes even on the international level!
Throughout the 1970’s Clelian Heights students found music and drama as a joyful means of expression. Their first public performance was the operetta, Amahl and the Night Visitors in 1972 followed by A Christmas Carol in 1973, performed on their own stage. This began a long tradition of Christmas plays and musicals running from 1972 to 1996, performed on campus and then taken on the road to local nursing homes, and on stage to the Palace Theatre in Greensburg. Michael Anthony, always taking a lead role in these performances is still at Clelian Heights and is a resident of Chip’s House.
In 1975 St. Vincent Seminary started a semester-long Field Work Program at Clelian Heights.
In 1974 a darkroom was built in the lower level of the White House and both school students and young women became involved in the art of developing pictures using black and white photography techniques. They became skilled in using filters and tints and were always thrilled to see a picture ‘come to life’ before their eyes.
In the 1970’s local colleges began sending students to Clelian Heights for practicum experiences and academic and prevocational opportunities were increased to include students ages 5-21
An additional rehabilitation and socialization program began in 1968 and expanded to The Personal Work and Living Adjustment Training Program in 1972, which included a residential addition to help female teens and young women in need of special rehabilitation services. The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation sponsored this residential 20-week program. The “White House” went through a second renovation and became the “home” of the Program.
As the need for services and extended training grew, so did Clelian Heights with a modern complex begun in 1965 and completed in 1968 housing a School for students ages 6-18, Independent Living Training area, and Children’s residence.
Within the first years as the numbers increased, a barn on the property was converted to a two-room schoolhouse, an outdoor pool was added, staff increased.
Clelian Heights School for Exceptional Children opened its door in 1961 with the purchase of rural property in Westmoreland County. Using the original white shingled farmhouse on the property as a residence and school it began with 4 sisters as staff and 4 children. It quickly acquired the name ‘The White House’.

In 2010 the library, indoor pool area and the home-economics area were renovated to enhance their functional usage. The cottage, the first 2-room school house, was renovated to become the new home of the business offices.
From 2005 to 2010 there was a gradual increase of enrollment. Expansion of space and programs allowed Clelian Heights each year to accept the growing number of children and adults requesting services.
In 2009 classroom space was expanded allowing for a new Occupational Therapy lab, music and art rooms, Atrium, and a 4-cubicle classroom for individual testing, tutoring, and updating of records.
In 2009 the Clelian Center program expanded to include Supported Employment services.
In 2009 an additional van was added to the fleet of vans used for supported employment and transition to work into the community.
In September 2009 The Adult Training Facility Program was added to the Clelian Center services.
In 2008-2009 the Energy Efficiency Improvement Plan continued with changing over magnetic florescent lights to those with electronic ballasts. This was an energy savings move but it has been found that some children with autism are very sensitive to flickering lights which occurs with florescent bulbs that have a magnetic ballast.
In October 2008, Transitional Employment Services was added to the Clelian Center programs.
In August of 2008 a Coordinator of Special Services was added to the staff to assist families with system and funding issues. The 2008 fall term began with two new optional classes added: Character and Values Training and the Good Shepherd Program.
During the spring of 2008 an Energy Efficiency Improvement Plan was initiated. The first project of the Plan was the replacement of low performance windows with superior thermal double pane windows. Through Foundation Grants, the assistance of local businesses and organizations and the many friends of Clelian Heights, this project was completed in the winter of 2008.
In September 2007 therapy services were increased.
In the summer of 2007 a Kitchen Renovation Project Campaign was completed adding a walk-in refrigerator/freezer unit to the kitchen, expanding the kitchen prep area and kitchen staff dining space as well as enlarging food storage space. A swamp fan was installed to cool the kitchen during hot and humid days.
In the spring of 2007 a sensory room was opened.
In the spring of 2006 an expansive Commuter Safety Project Campaign was completed to make accessibility and safe ease of transport available to the growing number of day students and adult employees with disabilities from the community enrolled in our programs and being transported by bus and van daily. An enclosed entrance vestibule, a canopied bus drop-off, accessible sidewalks, and additional handicap and regular parking were added to accommodate our students, adult employees, staff, and visitors.
In 2006 Clelian Heights celebrated its 45th Anniversary.
In September 2006 an additional classrooms was opened to accommodate the increased enrollment.
In 2005-2006 the therapy pool area was refurbished adding an additional pool boiler, new PH Controller, Chlorinator and CO2 feeder, redoing the pool grout, reinsulating windows, stuccoing ramp way and repainting the pool area.
The Westmoreland Arc 2005 Educator of the Year Award was awarded to Clelian Heights’ principal, Sr. Charlene Celli, ASCJ.
In 2005 a ‘therapy group’ consisting of speech, occupational, and physical therapists was formed at Clelian Heights to offer more extensive therapy options.
In 2004-2005 air conditioning was added to the School and to Chip’s House making all the Campus facilities comfortable all year around.
In September 2004 two additional classrooms were opened to accommodate the growing school population and teaching and support staff added to accommodate the growing school age population.
Between 2001-2004 with Foundation Grants and the assistance of Friends of Clelian Heights, the school, children’s residences, and office area have undergone change with renovations, painting and carpet replacement.
The addition of The Edith L. Trees Maintenance Facility was completed in June 2002 allowing for greater inventory storage of parts to be assembled opening up new avenues of contract possibilities for the Clelian Center as well as providing for over-all maintenance needs.
In September 2000 Clelian Heights School received a Grant to expand its services to include an Inclusive Preschool Program to its existing special education program.
In the fall of 1999 an additional classroom was opened; and in December, with the assistance of several Foundation Grants an additional elevator designed to accommodate wheel chairs of all size was installed in the center of the building increasing access for both the school students and the adult employees of the Clelian Center as it is next to the Clelian Center entrance. This addition also improved efficiency for receiving and transporting large quantities of contracted work for assembly or collating by the Clelian Center workers.
In the spring of 1999 a Grant to develop and market Dog Biscuits provided the financial start-up funds to begin a new Captain and Sandy Dog Biscuit business (named after Captain, Chip’s House dog, and Sandy, the School’s dog) thus opening up additional job opportunities and experiences for the adults working in the Clelian Center.
In September 1997, Phase III was begun to secure the future of Clelian Heights. This took the form of a campaign to increase the assets in the Endowment Fund.
CPR, First Aid, and CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention) training was initiated for staff. Technology advancement through Foundation Grants and private donations enabled Clelian Heights to set up a computer room with Mac computers and access to high-speed Internet service for use by both the students and adults.
In 1997 the Pennsylvania Department of Education licensed Clelian Heights, allowing local school districts to contract with Clelian, when appropriate, to provide educational and prevocational services tailored to individual needs.
In June 1996 the Clelian Center moved its workshop activities to the main campus building increasing the size and capability of its services. The commercial laundry, ceramic room, and one small parts assembly room remained at the Chip’s House location
In 1994 construction began on Phase II – a Therapeutic Recreation Center. This special project was targeted to meet the physical and therapeutic needs of both the children and adults at Clelian Heights. And in April 1996, the Therapeutic Recreation Center Program was begun. It includes an indoor pool, whirlpool, shower and locker rooms, fitness area and gymnasium.
In 1994 the Clelian Center was restructured according to the distinct services it offered. Thus, the Clelian Center Business Services (the on-campus workshop) and the Clelian Center Employment Services (Job development and coaching for community employment) became part of the umbrella of services offered by the Clelian Center.
Phase I was the construction of two specially designed 10-unit efficiency apartment buildings. In April of 1993 the two apartment buildings were completed thus beginning a Supported Living Program where adults receive ongoing independent life skills training in a supported living environment.
In 1991 a 3-phase Capital Campaign was begun. Its goal was to improve, enhance and expand the ability of Clelian Heights to continue its services to children and young adults with developmental disabilities. Many Foundations, corporations, and families supported this undertaking.
In 1991 Clelian Heights expanding its program for hands-on learning experiences, employment opportunities and community educational and social field trips. That same year a four-bay garage was built for the school vans that would transport students and adults into the community for these programs.
In 1990 a ramp construction project was undertaken on campus making the facilities more wheel chair accessible to allow us to accommodate less mobile individuals.
In 1990 The Clelian Center began working with the Men’s Garden Club of Western Pennsylvania and the Gardening from the Heart Program was initiated.
In 1986 Clelian Heights celebrated its 25th Anniversary and the boys and girls residences were expanded to accommodate the increase in enrollment.
The Clelian Center was relocated to the lower level of Chip’s House allowing it to expand its services and to add commercial laundry operations in 1982. The expansion of the Clelian Center offered adults of all ages with disabilities an employment opportunity at which they could experience succeed and at the same time benefit the community. In 1984 a Greenhouse was added to the program to provide additional training opportunities in horticulture.
The program of socialization and vocational training for youth and adults has been changed and modified over the years and in 1981 the Clelian Center; a licensed workshop was opened in the main campus building. The Clelian Center workshop activities included: packaging, small parts assembly, mailroom operations. Its residential services were opened to young men in 1982 with the addition of Chip’s House residence for 16 men.
In 1980 through 1997 the Clelian Singers joyfully entertained for clubs, civic and social organizations, and for a variety of special social events throughout the county as well as in churches of varied denominations.
In 1979 a Human Sexuality program, reviewed by Duquesne University theology Department, was initiated into the school program.
The school’s art program blossomed from 1971-1979. In 1973 Clelian Heights won the Art Teacher of the Year award as it’s art students, competing with their typical peers won more certificates and ribbons than any of the students in the monthly Diocesan art contests! During these years they were invited to hold their own exhibits. First, a Clelian Heights’ artists exhibit at the Greensburg Art Museum and once again one at St. Vincent College, Latrobe. They also represented this region in state, national, and international art contests and exhibits winning cash prizes even on the international level!
Throughout the 1970’s Clelian Heights students found music and drama as a joyful means of expression. Their first public performance was the operetta, Amahl and the Night Visitors in 1972 followed by A Christmas Carol in 1973, performed on their own stage. This began a long tradition of Christmas plays and musicals running from 1972 to 1996, performed on campus and then taken on the road to local nursing homes, and on stage to the Palace Theatre in Greensburg. Michael Anthony, always taking a lead role in these performances is still at Clelian Heights and is a resident of Chip’s House.
In 1975 St. Vincent Seminary started a semester-long Field Work Program at Clelian Heights.
In 1974 a darkroom was built in the lower level of the White House and both school students and young women became involved in the art of developing pictures using black and white photography techniques. They became skilled in using filters and tints and were always thrilled to see a picture ‘come to life’ before their eyes.
In the 1970’s local colleges began sending students to Clelian Heights for practicum experiences and academic and prevocational opportunities were increased to include students ages 5-21
An additional rehabilitation and socialization program began in 1968 and expanded to The Personal Work and Living Adjustment Training Program in 1972, which included a residential addition to help female teens and young women in need of special rehabilitation services. The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation sponsored this residential 20-week program. The “White House” went through a second renovation and became the “home” of the Program.
As the need for services and extended training grew, so did Clelian Heights with a modern complex begun in 1965 and completed in 1968 housing a School for students ages 6-18, Independent Living Training area, and Children’s residence.
Within the first years as the numbers increased, a barn on the property was converted to a two-room schoolhouse, an outdoor pool was added, staff increased.
Clelian Heights School for Exceptional Children opened its door in 1961 with the purchase of rural property in Westmoreland County. Using the original white shingled farmhouse on the property as a residence and school it began with 4 sisters as staff and 4 children. It quickly acquired the name ‘The White House’.