ECASD Administrators: Back to School A Smooth Transition

Ellwood City Area School District administrators said despite construction at the high school, back to school in all buildings was a smooth transition.

“I am so happy to be back in school,” high school Principal John Sovich said.

He said around mid-August, he received numerous calls from parents who feared their children would be starting school online. He said he assured them that the kids would be back in a brick-and-mortar classroom on time, and he was right.

He echoed the sentiments of many other administrators who spoke before him during Monday’s Agenda Meeting of the ECASD Board of Directors.

Paul Pishioneri, Director of Facilities Management, for the district said his staff really made a push to the finish line, but their efforts made all the difference.

“It was huge in a real short period of time,” he said, praising his staff for their upbeat spirit and great work attitude.

Frank Keally, principal, at Perry Lower Intermediate and Hartman Intermediate, said all the adults involved in the back-to-school scenario have been the heroes of the week.

“From top to bottom, it has been a great experience,” Keally said.

He said from the facilities staff, to the secretaries, to the school police, to the teachers, to the bus drivers, to the instructional aids, and to the cafeteria staff, all the adults are working to make the school year a good one and build strong relationships with the students from day one.

“And everything is done with a smile,” he added.

Dan Parson, principal at North Side Primary said it has been a great start to the school year for kindergartners, first graders, and second graders as well.

“We had 99% attendance at kindergarten orientation,” he said, citing the efforts of district-wide staff making the success possible.

Junior High Principal Michael Garvin said the 7^th graders are acclimating well to being at Lincoln High School and attributed that to the staff as well.

“It truly does take many teams to get the year rolling,” he said.

As the students and teachers continue to settle into the new school year they will do so with new tools at their disposal. Dr. Amy Anderson, director of educational programs for the district, said they will have the opportunity to use artificial intelligence in the classrooms through platforms including Magic School and Merlyn Mind.

The Board of Directors will consider the following agenda items during the Thursday, September 12 Regular meeting: