Education

Lincoln High School Planning Commencement For Class of 2020

Despite the pandemic, the Ellwood City Area School District is working to give its class of 2020 graduates plenty of “pomp and circumstance.” Administrators, including High School Principal Kirk Lape, have been brainstorming and coordinating a ceremony that will be as close to the real thing as possible in a way to honor each graduating senior. “Our goal is to make commencement as close to normal as possible,” Lape said. With that goal in mind, administrators plan to coordinate 10-minute time slots for each graduate to have the opportunity to take that coveted walk across the stage to receive their…


ECASD Providing Wifi Via Buses

The Ellwood City Area School District did not want its students to go without Internet access during this challenging time, so they are providing it via school buses. “We wanted to provide as many opportunities as possible at this time for students to connect,” said District Superintendent Joseph Mancini. The free access began on Monday, May 4. Five Ellwood City Transit buses outfitted with mobile Wifi units will be parked throughout the district and will broadcast 300 feet from the bus. The Wifi will also be useful well into the future as students will be able to connect if need…


BC3 Lawrence Crossing Plans Virtual Open House

(New Castle, PA) BC3 @ Lawrence Crossing in May will hold a virtual open house intended to introduce prospective students to its 19 programs, its savings compared to Pennsylvania’s public four-year universities and BC3’s regionwide highest salary-to-cost ratio. BC3, ranked as the No. 1 community college in Pennsylvania for 2020 by BestColleges.com, will hold BC3 @ Lawrence Crossing’s virtual open house at 2 p.m. May 14. Prospective students can register for the event at bc3.edu/open-house. During the virtual open house, prospective students can ask BC3 representatives about financial aid, flexible course scheduling options, support services, student life, how 70 percent…


Damato Named A Finalist For Syed R. Ali-Zaidi Award for Academic Excellence

Slippery Rock University this week recognized students and faculty with Celebration of Achievement. Among those is Nikol Damato, a senior dual history and interdisciplinary programs major from Ellwood City. Highlighting the awards is the selection of SRU’s finalist for the Syed R. Ali-Zaidi Award for Academic Excellence, which is given to a graduating senior in Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education who exemplifies academic excellence and involvement. Damato was selected as the University’s nominee by SRU President William Behre. The winner will be selected by the board of governors later this year. Damato has already won a variety of scholarships…


Ellwood City Area Historical Society Extended Scholarship Deadline

Attention Lincoln and Riverside High School Seniors: The annual Ellwood City Area Historical Society Scholarship submission is quickly approaching. However, due to the Covid 19 pandemic, the entry deadline has been extended, and is now due Thursday May 14, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. The Ellwood City Area Historical Society will award two $1500.00 scholarships to two (2) graduating seniors. Graduating seniors from Lincoln High School and Riverside High School who have been accepted to attend a college, Trade School or Performing Arts are eligible. Applications may be received from the High School Student Guidance Counselor or from the Ellwood City…


ECASD Food Service Staff Going Above and Beyond to Feed Area Students

Keeping kids fed during a pandemic is a challenge, but it’s one that the Ellwood City Area School District’s Food Service staff and volunteers continues to conquer. John Dzurina, Food Service Director for the district, said the successful operation would not be possible without the daily determination of his staff and volunteers. Dzurina said on average 920 kids are fed per day. With a healthy and filling breakfast and lunch both being served, that adds up to about 1,840 meals per day. Currently those meals include cereals, juice, milk, sandwiches, fruit, and vegetables. Hot meals have not been on the…


Ellwood City Area School District Administrators, Staff Provide Updates

The administrators and staff of the Ellwood City Area School district gave updates of continuing education during the April 20 board of directors special meeting. School Superintendent Joseph Mancini said he is pleased with the overall transition to online learning and attributes the success of the challenging transition to the district’s staff. “I’d like to thank the teachers, administrators, staff, parents, and students,” he said. Mancini said efforts to keep the district’s students fed during this pandemic has been an impressive endeavor. He thanked Food Service Director, John Dzurina, as well as the numerous volunteers, drivers, and other staff involved…


EC School Board, Administrators Clash Regarding Grading Policy

The Ellwood City Area School Board’s Board of Directors voted Monday night to recommend the school district move forward with a modified system of grading for the last nine-week period of the 2020 school year despite administrative push to continue with the grading system that was in place before the pandemic. According to Kathy McCommons, a representative of the board’s education committee, administrators believe that using the regular grading system was the best way to proceed in the district’s continuity of education plan because that procedure keeps students motivated in continuing school work. Superintendent Joseph Mancini said that in most…


BC3 Moves Summer Courses To Remote Instruction

(Butler, PA) Butler County Community College will transition all face-to-face format summer credit courses to remote instruction and will cancel all face-to-face noncredit courses through at least June 30 with regard to COVID-19, BC3 President Dr. Nick Neupauer announced to the college’s board of trustees Wednesday. BC3’s decision follows statewide orders for residents to stay at home and for non-life-sustaining businesses to remain closed in response to COVID-19. It aligns with decisions made by the state’s other institutions of higher education for the summer of 2020. The commonwealth’s 14 state-owned universities, as well as a number of its 14 Pennsylvania…


Governor Wolf Extends School Closure for Remainder of Academic Year

Continuing his efforts to protect the health and safety of students and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Tom Wolf today announced that all schools will remain closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 academic year. The governor made the decision in consultation with Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine and Secretary of Education Pedro A. Rivera. Students and families can continue to pick up meals at designated sites. Although schools are closed, teaching and learning may continue: schools are strongly encouraged to provide continuity of education for all students in the most appropriate and accessible ways possible. PDE has…