Education

Public Hearing Planned To Discuss ECASD Facilities

According to information made available by the district, a community survey has been unveiled and public hearing scheduled to discuss the possibility of transitioning from four instructional buildings to three buildings. The Ellwood City Area School District and its Board of Directors will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. to provide an opportunity for the District to share information regarding the facilities investigation and for members of the public to provide input for the Board’s consideration. Community members are encouraged to complete a survey by Friday, October 23 at the below link or stop…


New Attendance Incentives Encourage Students to Be Present and Ready to Learn at Riverside Elementary

Riverside Beaver County Elementary School is excited to introduce new attendance incentives to celebrate students who make coming to school every day a priority! At the end of each month, all elementary students who have perfect attendance will be entered into a special drawing. One lucky student will be selected to receive a pizza delivered to their home for the student and their family to enjoy together! September’s winner is kindergarten student Kristiana Kreuzer from Mr. Williams’ classroom. Congratulations, Kristiana! The school will also recognize students who demonstrate outstanding attendance throughout the school year. At the end of each nine-week grading period,…


Riverside Elementary Students Kick Off PBIS Program

Riverside Elementary students in grades K–4 participated in a PAWSing to Make the Best Choices Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support (PBIS) Assembly on Friday, September 18. The Riverside High School Band helped kick off the celebration by playing as students entered the assembly and again as they exited. During the assembly, students learned how they can PAWS to make the best choices in different areas of the school, including the classroom, hallway, restroom, playground, and cafeteria. Students are encouraged to demonstrate positive behaviors throughout the school day. When they PAWS to make good choices, they earn points that can be…


ECASD to Evaluate Three-Building Facility Configurations

Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors voted to authorize Superintendent Amy Anderson to investigate and evaluate potential three-building facility configurations for the Ellwood City Area School District, as an alternative to the district’s current four-building model. It was stated that the decision is for planning and informational purposes only and does not constitute a decision or commitment by the Board to close, consolidate, or reconfigure any district facility. The vote came following a Facilities Master Plan presentation by John Zahorchak, from EDM Consultants. During the presentation, Zahorchak said that his presentation isn’t a recommendation to close a building…


Record 15 Lawrence County students get $19K in BC3 scholarships

A New Castle resident inspired as a teen to serve in the military, as did her older sister and – and grandfathers during warfare – is among a record 15 Butler County Community College students from Lawrence County selected to receive BC3 Education Foundation scholarships for the upcoming academic year and totaling $19,475. Olivia Ehko, 37, a single mother raising a 14-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old son, has a 3.79 grade-point average while pursuing an associate degree in BC3’s human resource management and administrative support career program. She was among a record 400 BC3 students who applied for 165 BC3…


Rotary Club Hosts Youth Leadership Academy Students

On Thursday August 20th, the Rotary Club of Ellwood City hosted the Rotary Youth Leadership Academy Students (RYLA) to share their experience and this week long conference held at Westminster College in Mid June. RYLA is an international leadership program eveloped by Rotary Interanational in 1971. This program is designed to demonstrate Rotary’s respect and concern for youth; provide an effective training experience for selected youth and potential leaders, encourage leadership of youth by youth and to recognize publicly young people who are rendering service to their communities. Students who are completed their junior year are selected by the school…


Riverside School District To Host Series of Back-To-School Events

With back to school in focus this month, Riverside Beaver County School District is hosting a handful of events to help get students acquainted with their upcoming classes. Riverside High School will hold the annual Open House and 9th Grade Orientation on Tuesday, August 25th in the High School Auditorium. High school students and parent(s)/guardian(s) are encouraged to attend beginning at 5:30 p.m. Middle school ‘Meet Your Teacher’ will take place on Wednesday, August 26th in the Middle School Gymnasium GRADE 7 & 8 MEET THE TEACHER 9:00 AM – 10:20 AM GRADE 6 MEET THE TEACHER 11:00 AM –…


Ellwood City Among Eight School Districts Receiving $1.9M In School Safety Grants

Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Butler/Lawrence) announced eight school districts in the 8th Legislative District will be receiving nearly $1.9 million combined in School Safety and Mental Health Grants through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s (PCCD) School Safety and Security Committee. The funding will help local school districts strengthen physical security, address safety concerns, and provide behavioral health support for students and staff. “Our schools need the resources to address safety and security challenges while also supporting the mental health and well-being of their students and staff,” said Bernstine. “These grants give our local schools the resources they need to…


ECASD Board of Directors Denies Proposal for Charter Student Recruitment

Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors voted against a proposal from the Allegheny Intermediate Unit to assist the district with implementation of charter student recruitment. The proposal included a basic $2,995 package to assist with implementation of charter student recruitment; opposition research for production of marketing documents, phone scripts, and talking points; graphics support for design of digital and physical marketing documents (Documents included brochures, postcards, and website content, with materials not included in cost of agreement); and coordinate and assist district administration with one day of door-to-door visits. Four board directors voted “Yes,” including Jean Biehls, Jennifer…


Ellwood City Area School District Approves New Student Cell Phone Policy

In a statement release by the school district this week, the Ellwood City Area School District has approved a new student cell phone policy. Superintendent Amy Anderson provided the following statement on behalf of the district: The Ellwood City Area School District has approved a new student cell phone policy designed to create a more supportive learning environment with fewer distractions and greater opportunities for students to engage with their teachers, classmates, and school community. We recognize that technology plays an important role in students’ lives, and we believe schools have a responsibility to help students find a healthy balance…