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Education

November 2, 2020

ECASD Transitions to Full-Remote Learning

Ellwood City Area School District has transitioned to full-remote learning beginning Tuesday, November 3. In a short statement made available on the district social media account Monday afternoon, the school made the initial announcement. @ec_high will be starting full remote learning on Tuesday, November 3! Students are required to join a google meet at the beginning of every class period according to the one hour delay schedule! #EC_Proud #ec_lincoln @ecdotorg @ECLedger @NewCastleNews — EC Lincoln High (@ec_high) November 2, 2020 In an email to Ellwoodcity.org on Monday afternoon, District Superintendent Dr. Wesley Shipley said, “The county data has us in…

October 28, 2020

ECASD to Assess Community Spread of Covid-19; Schools Not Closing Doors Yet

Ellwood City Area School District will access the community spread regarding Covid-19 on November 2nd to decide whether to keep schools open or transition to full-remote learning. In a letter issued Wednesday by District Superintendent Dr. Wesley Shipley, administrators announced a plan in moving education forward during the pandemic following meetings with the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Department of Education and Lawrence County Commissioners. “This past Monday our county moved into the substantial range of community spread,” Shipley said. “The Department of Health and Department of Education both recommend that we move to full-remote learning if our county is in the…

October 15, 2020

BC3 To Begin Spring Semester With Remote, Online Formats for 3 Weeks

(Butler, PA) All Butler County Community College credit courses opening the spring 2021 semester will be delivered by remote or online instruction through Feb. 8 as a precaution with regard to possible changing transmission levels of COVID-19 during the traditional flu season. BC3’s 15-week Session 1 begins Jan. 19. After three weeks, Session 1 courses will transition to their scheduled format. Scheduled formats include face-to-face, blended and hybrid, or the continuation of remote or online instruction. The college’s spring semester also features a 10-week Session 2 and three consecutive five-week Fast Track sessions, each of which will be held fully…

October 14, 2020

Riverside Staff Member Tests Positive For COVID-19

In a letter circulated by the Riverside Beaver County School District on Monday, October 12, 2020, the district was notified that a staff member at Riverside Elementary School has tested positive for COVID-19. “It is important for students and staff to self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms every day,” said Superintendent, Bret Trotta in an email on Wednesday. “If you are symptomatic or have been in close contact with a positive case, we ask that they stay home and contact our school nurse. We sincerely appreciate the support of our school community as we continue to work to provide a safe educational…

October 13, 2020

BC3 Project Pink to Help Fight Breast Cancer

(Butler, PA) Butler County Community College, whose students, staff and guests have raised nearly $20,000 to benefit breast cancer research since 2010, is hosting the sale of pink ribbons and the collection of financial donations this month to assist a nonprofit organization that raises awareness and funds for the treatment of the disease. BC3’s social awareness club is directing BC3’s 2020 Project Pink during breast cancer awareness month. Proceeds will benefit the Side-Out Foundation, a Virginia charity that raises funds through mainly volleyball-related events. Since BC3’s volleyball program held its first Dig Pink game in 2010, members of the BC3…

October 9, 2020

ECASD Board Approves Phase Two Reopening Plan

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors voted to move ahead with a Phase Two Reopening Plan proposed by Acting Superintendent Wes Shipley. The 5-4 vote will allow administrators to limit choices for families when it comes to choosing in school learning, a hybrid model, or a full cyber option. Directors Barbara Wilson, Matt Morella, Erica Gray, Jennifer Tomon, and Gary Rozanski supported the following plan proposed by Shipley during an Oct 5 Committee of the Whole Meeting: On Nov 2 families will have three options—full five day in school instruction, three day in school instruction, and Ecava….

October 8, 2020

Electric Utility Exec Joins BC3 Board of Trustees

(Butler, PA) Robi Lombardo fosters relationships with leaders of every background in five western Pennsylvania counties, remains unflappable while officiating high school rivalry basketball games staged before impassioned standing-room-only crowds, advises nonprofit organizations as a volunteer and will help to guide Butler County Community College as its newest trustee, officials said. Butler County Commissioners Leslie Osche, Kimberly Geyer and Kevin Boozel have appointed the Cranberry Township resident to complete the term of Nancy H. Staible, a retired physician’s assistant who served nearly eight years on BC3’s 16-member board before stepping down in June. Staible’s term expires in June 2023. As…

September 25, 2020

BC3 Program To Help New Workplace Leaders in Lawrence, Mercer Counties

New Castle, PA) A Lawrence County native who earned a master’s degree in organizational leadership will help emerging workplace leaders in Lawrence and Mercer counties to develop supervisory skills through a Butler County Community College certificate program that begins in October and will be held for the first time in at least five years at BC3 @ Lawrence Crossing. John Merola, who achieved a master’s degree from Geneva College and a bachelor’s degree from Youngstown State University after his 1979 graduation from New Castle Senior High School, will instruct an eight-week BC3 leadership and supervision program whose setting responds to…

September 22, 2020

PHOTOS: EC 2020 Homecoming Court

The 64th annual Lincoln High School Homecoming football game will be played this Friday at 7:00 p.m. when the Wolverines will host the Beaver Falls Tigers. This year, Homecoming festivities will look a little different due to Covid-19. A Homecoming King will be crowned at a ceremony to take place at Helling Stadium at 4:00 p.m. on Friday afternoon. People can tune in through the Ellwood City Cheerleaders Facebook, as the cheerleaders will be live streaming the ceremony and crowning. The Homecoming Queens’ Court will be introduced at the pre-game ceremonies, slated to begin at 6:30 p.m. on Friday evening….

September 21, 2020

ECASD Board Votes to Allow 1/4 Capacity at District Events

The Ellwood City School Area School District’s Board of Directors voted to allow spectators at events at ¼ capacity, but those in attendance will be required to wear masks, to social distance, and to sign a waiver excusing the district from liability. In a 6-1 vote the board decided that Ellwood City sports will now be played with the support of the community. Director Gary Rozanski was the lone No vote, and Directors Kathy McCommons and Norman Boots were not in attendance during the vote. The vote came following a September 14 federal court ruling that deemed Governor Wolf’s state…