Recent Stories

Education

August 19, 2020

Local Firm Contracted To Work Exclusively with Pittsburgh Public Schools

Ellwood City-based marketing company Thought Process Enterprises (TPE) recently entered into a partnership with Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) that will facilitate the placement of banner advertisements on the district’s website as a means of generating revenue for the district. With school districts facing increasing financial difficulties, some districts have looked for alternative means to raise money beyond tax revenue and government funding. TPE helps districts in their search for additional income. Through their online advertising division, EDGEclick Advertising, TPE has created a network of public school districts here in the Commonwealth that earn supplemental revenue through banner advertisements on their…

August 18, 2020

ECASD Board of Directors Appoints New Solicitor

Ellwood City Area School District Board of Directors announced the appointment of Beard Legal Group and Jennifer Dambek as the new district solicitor. Dambeck is an associate in the Beard Legal Group, and focuses on labor and employment law, education law, and municipal law. The Beard Legal group is headquartered in Altoona, Pa According to the firm’s website, at its inception in 1989, the Firm represented approximately two School Districts as Solicitor and just a few more in Labor Relations matters. Today, the Firm serves as Solicitor to more than 44 School Districts and Career Centers across 16 counties in…

August 12, 2020

Lincoln High School Posts Return to School Plan Survey For Parents

Ellwood City Area School District announced on Tuesday a ‘Return to School Plan Survey’ for Lincoln High School parents via a Google Forms survey published on the district site. [The district is] asking all parents of students in grades 7-12 complete the google form survey by Sunday, August 16 at 10:00 PM. There are currently three options on the table for students in grades 7-12. Parents and students can review the options as well as a Q & A document on the district webpage. If a parent does not complete this survey, then Option 1 will be the assumed option…

August 11, 2020

ECASD Board to Consider Virtual Broadcasts for Sports Spectators

Ellwood City Area School District’s sports could be virtual for spectators come Fall. The board is set to consider a proposal that would include a $2,000 cost to stream home games. “It is a great way to get our sports out there,” said Interim Superintendent Wes Shipley. With the continuation of Covid-19, state mandated restrictions and regulations will cause a new look to the upcoming sports seasons. This plan to stream the games for spectators will enable parents to still see the kids play via video and will leave room for the most participation by students as cheerleaders and the…

August 10, 2020

Bernstine Announces School Districts, Career and Technical Schools Receive Grants

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) today announced the Continuity of Education Equity Grant (CEEG) has been awarded to school districts and Career and Technical Schools in the 10th District for the 2020-21 academic year. “These grants may be used to purchase computer equipment, such as laptops, tablets and internet hot spots, or used to provide instruction materials, such as paper lessons and coursework,” said Bernstine. “Schools with the highest percentages of students lacking access to resources were given priority in receiving these grants.” Those receiving grants in the 10th District include: Ellwood City Area School District – $8,590. Butler…

August 8, 2020

Ellwood City SD Offers District Reopening Plan Q&A

In a published document on the Ellwood City School District website, the school offers question and answer document for parents regarding the district’s reopening plans.  The reopening plan was posted on the school district website on July 31. 1. Concerns with hour delay in morning, why morning and not afternoon, please consider afternoon? Lessons will be posted and the teachers will hold office hours during this time. The morning was chosen so students would have access to their work early in the day. In addition, for students attending school, it seemed that childcare would be easier to arrange in the…

August 8, 2020

Riverside SD Reopening Parent Letter

In a letter published on the school district website this week, Riverside Beaver County School District Administration Team provided more information on its reopening plans including instructional plans and Chromebook distribution: Dear Parents/Guardians of Riverside Students, As the upcoming school year rapidly approaches, the administration and the members of the Riverside Beaver County Board of Education recognize the questions and concerns relating to the return of school and the upcoming procedures we will follow within the district. Continually, we are proactively utilizing guidance and recommendations from the CDC as well as the Pennsylvania Department of Education to formulate our plans….

July 24, 2020

ECASD New Board Director Has Determined Focus on Education

Matt Morella is back and has his sights set on education. Morella is no stranger to the Ellwood City Area School District Board of Directors as he has served on the board before. He is also invested in the community. Morella grew up in Ellwood City alongside his brother and sister before spreading his wings to earn a BA in Political Science from the University of Pittsburgh and is currently preparing for the Bar Exam after earning a Juris Doctor (JD) from Pitt’s School of Law. Morella joined the board on July 3 when he replaced former Director Leroy Cortez,…

July 23, 2020

Letter To The Editor: It Needs Fixed NOW

All one has to do is listen to some of the board meetings online to get an idea of just how toxic a few members have made the entire board. Is the public aware there are members who are voting on agenda items brought up simply because their own kids are in that particular sport/event? For months those members talked about the soccer program because that board members kids was in soccer. For months they wasted time on band lunch and band uniform cleaning services. Why?? Because the board presidents kid is in band. Gifted field trips and volleyball nets…

July 22, 2020

Letter To The Editor: Tip Of The Cap

July 13, 2020 To the editor: The following is a tip of the cap to a colleague who has been a leader in the field of education during the recent pandemic. The gentleman that we wish to recognize is Mr. Joe Mancini. Joe has been our representative to the state organization, PASA. More importantly, Joe has organized, set agendas, and led at least a dozen Google meetings between the superintendents of Lawrence County. Under his leadership we have been able to craft plans for continuity of education, discussed impacts to budgets, modes of instruction, options for feeding students and much…