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Education

August 26, 2021

New Sunshine Act Changes Take Effect, Apply to Local Government, School Board Meetings

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) today alerted Pennsylvanians to an upcoming change to the state’s Sunshine Act, which would increase transparency in government. The new provisions will take effect on Sunday, Aug. 29, and require public agencies, including municipalities and school districts, to post public meeting agendas at least 24 hours prior to the start of a meeting. The changes are a result of Act 65 of 2021, which was signed by Gov. Tom Wolf in June. Bernstine championed the measure in the House of Representatives. “With heated school board and local government meetings taking place across the state…

August 20, 2021

Riverside School District Receives Half a Million

Riverside School District was awarded $500,000.00 from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for redevelopment of the school’s natatorium. Riverside is one of the schools in Beaver County with a swimming pool that not only offers recreation to the students within the district, but to the public as well. Installed in 1976, the pool is in need of multiple repairs and redevelopment. Between inadequate regulation slope depth for diving, lane line anchors, cracks in the aluminum, and a need for a new air filtration system, the pool, while still functional, needs these repairs. “We are very pleased that the Department has awarded…

August 19, 2021

BC3 To Temporarily Require Face Coverings To Be Worn Indoors

(Butler, PA) Butler County Community College will temporarily require face coverings to be worn indoors at all BC3 locations because of an increase in community transmission levels of COVID-19 in the counties the college serves. The requirement applies to students, faculty, staff and visitors, regardless of vaccination status, and takes effect Aug. 19 at BC3 locations in Armstrong, Butler, Jefferson, Lawrence and Mercer counties. The college encourages, but will not require, a COVID-19 vaccination for students, faculty and staff. Students and faculty in BC3’s credit and noncredit health care programs who attend clinical experiences at health care facilities may be…

August 18, 2021

BC3 Education Foundation Golf Outing Raises Record $115K

(Butler, PA) A golf outing that raises funds for the Butler County Community College Education Foundation on Aug. 6 raised the most money in its 26-year history. The 2021 single-year record of $115,000 follows then-records of $100,000 in 2020 and of $95,000 in 2019. The outing attracted 29 teams representing six western Pennsylvania counties and was held for the 11th consecutive year at Olde Stonewall Golf Club near Ellwood City. The event since 1996 has raised more than $1.2 million in unrestricted funds to support scholarships and opportunities beyond the classroom at BC3, which has locations in Armstrong, Butler, Jefferson,…

August 16, 2021

NOTICE: Ellwood City School Board of Directors Special Board Meeting

In a public meeting notice announcement, the Ellwood City Area School District and its Board of Directors have scheduled a Special Board Meeting. The meeting will take place Wednesday, August 18, 2021 starting at 6:00 p.m. The meeting is scheduled for the purpose of awarding bid contracts and any other general business purposes that may come before the Board. This meeting will be held virtually and a link will be posted on the website the day of the board meeting.

August 13, 2021

ECASD Board Makes Masks in School Optional, Required on Buses

Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors voted Thursday night to leave the decision regarding wearing masks in school up to families. Masks will however be required on the buses. District Superintendent Dr. Wesley Shipley said he is encouraging families to do what they feel is best. “If you feel more comfortable wearing a mask, we encourage it,” he said. Although the school will not be mandating masks (other than on the buses), Shipley reminded the board and visitors that should a mandate come down from the state or federal government, that could change. Masks on buses is based…

August 13, 2021

McCommons Wins LHS Class of ’57 Scholarship Competition

Molly McCommons was the top winner in the Lincoln High School Class of 1957 scholarship competition. She won the $5.000 scholarship and the $500 award for writing the best essay. Molly, daughter of Kathy McCommons of Wood St., will continue her education at Grove City College where she will “follow my passion for history and political science” in preparation for law school. Her goal is to be a child advocacy lawyer and possibly run for political office. Valedictorian of her class, she used the essay competition to explain her journey as a child abuse survivor and how she overcame many…

August 12, 2021

Riverside Beaver County SD Set To Begin School August 31

The Riverside Beaver County School District is set to return to school on Tuesday, August 31st. The RBCSD District Board of Directors approved a Health and Safety plan to open school full-time for the upcoming school year. Below are excerpts from the Health and Safety Plan from the district website: Unnecessary classroom furniture and items were removed to allow for extra spacing. Student seats (classroom/cafeteria) will remain separated no less than three feet and facing the same direction to the extent possible, and outdoor spaces will be utilized whenever possible. Cleaning and sanitizing will continue, hygiene practices will be reinforced,…

August 11, 2021

Lincoln High School Preparing For Back To School

Time to break out those notebooks and pencils, school is right around the corner. Children in 7th Grade are welcome to attend Lincoln High School’s 7th Grade  Orientation on August 17th at 6:00 p.m. in the Lincoln High School Sabo Auditorium. The event will last approximately an hour and will include and introduction of 7th Grade teachers and courses, an overview of student affairs, school policies, and some insight that you may not learn anywhere else. This is an opportunity for parents to learn in the ins and outs of Lincoln and to calm the nerves of 7th Grade students and…

August 10, 2021

Fauzy Appointed to fill ECASD Board Seat

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors appointed Claire Fauzy during Thursday evening’s committee/voting meeting to fill the position left vacant after the July resignation of former Board Director Matt Morella. ECASD’s Superintendent Dr. Wesley Shipley suggested that the board appoint Fauzy because of her obvious pull with voters. Fauzy was already set to join the board after earning the most votes of any candidate in the May 2021 Primary Election. Shipley said following a discussion with the Board President Jean Biehls, he was solid in his support of Fauzy joining the board early to fill the vacancy….