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Education

June 22, 2020

NOTICE: Ellwood City School Board Vacancy

Effective June 9, 2020, a vacancy exists on the Board of School Directors of the Ellwood City Area School District.  The Board of School Directors intend to appoint the new director to fill the current vacancy at General Purpose Board Meeting to be conducted in July. In accordance with School Laws of Pennsylvania, the remaining members of the Board intend to fill the vacancy at a public meeting within thirty (30) days. The individual appointed will serve until the first Monday of December 2021. In addition to being a current resident of the District, Section 322 of the Public School…

June 16, 2020

Ellwood City Historical Society Scholarship Winners

On Wednesday June 3, the Ellwood City Area Historical Society awarded the Robert and Janice Barensfeld Scholarships.  Under adverse conditions due to the Covid 19, the awards had been delayed.  Two graduating students attending higher education were selected from several entries Gabrielle Louise Gretch, Riverside High School and is the daughter of Dan and Alice Gretch; essay was titled “The Selfless War Hero.”  Gabrielle will attend Shadyside School of Nursing this fall. It is a 16 month program and she will acquire a position at a UPMC hospital after graduation..   On June 22 she will start a Certified Nurse Assistant classes, then…

June 9, 2020

VIDEO: Pomp & Circumstance, LHS Class of 2020 Graduation Video

Pomp and Circumstance: Congratulations to Lincoln High School’s Class of 2020. Despite the challenges of honoring this year’s graduates, administration worked hard to provide as much of a traditional ceremony as possible including  the walk across the stage, photographs, filming, the speeches, the scholarship recognition, and family involvement along the way. According to High School Principal Kirk Lape, “It was definitely the most personable commencement ceremony we’ve ever had,” citing the attention that was paid to each individual graduate. Parents and students can download to any platform. If any parent or family member wants to purchase the video, they can…

June 1, 2020

Lincoln Class of 2020 Parade Set For Tuesday; Community Participation Encouraged

June 2 will be a big day for Lincoln’s class of 2020. Not only will the graduates be featured in a graduate parade, but they will in fact get to have one last moment together in their caps and gowns thanks to the county moving to the green phase. Lincoln Principal Kirk Lape said before the parade, seniors will gather in the auditorium for the traditional “tassle turn.” At that time the graduates will turn their tassles from right to left signifying their accomplishment. Lape said this activity will be filmed and edited into the commencement ceremony film. Senior Class…

May 29, 2020

Riverside School District’s 2020 Commencement Ceremony Details

Riverside School District commencement is scheduled for Monday, June 1 through Thursday, June 4, 2020, according to information made available on the district website. According to the district site: While this year’s ceremony may look and feel unique and different, we are proud of each student’s achievements, and we plan to celebrate this milestone with everyone who helped shape each student’s individuality, talents, and intelligence. Below will be the procedures we will follow for this program. All families will arrive at their assigned time and date.  No more than 8 members of the student’s family may attend this ceremony due to the…

May 28, 2020

Lincoln High School Top Four And Graduating Class Of 2020

The Lincoln High School graduating class of 2020 will receive their diplomas Thursday May 28th and Friday May 29th at the Sgt. Leslie H. Sabo Memorial Auditorium. Lincoln High School is graduating 78 students. William Bubb is an Honorary Lincoln Military Graduate.  The following students will serve in the military upon graduation: Alexander Sablan – United States Air Force and Jolene Smith – United States Air Force. High Honor Graduates Hannah Keally PARENTS/GUARDIAN: Katie and Frank Keally CAREER PLANS: Fashion Designer NAME OF COLLEGE/SCHOOL YOU PLAN TO ATTEND: Kent State University ACTIVITIES AT SCHOOL/CHURCH/COMMUNITY: NHS (president) Peer Leadership Art Club…

May 27, 2020

ECASD Board of Directors Passes Proposed Budget; Changes Likely

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors passed a proposed general fund budget of $30,472,335 for the fiscal year 2020-2021 in a 5-4 vote. Voting “No,” Director Barbara Wilson said she has numerous questions regarding the budget. Her main concern is how the board can possibly pass a budget that forecasts a $3 million defecit. Wilson wasn’t alone in her dissent. Directors Jean Biehls, Leroy Cortez, and Kathy McCommons joined her in rejecting the budget. Board President Renee Pitrelli and Directors Jennifer Tomon, Erica Gray, Norman Boots, and Gary Rozanski voted to pass the budget. The proposed budget…

May 20, 2020

Ellwood City Teen BC3’s Youngest Graduate In Class Of 2020

(Ellwood City, PA) A teenager from Ellwood City in 2019 became the youngest graduate in at least 20 years at Butler County Community College when 17-year-old Mikayla Beachem received a BC3 workplace certificate in entrepreneurship. A teenager from Ellwood City in 2020 has tied Beachem in age to the day. Saylee Grinnen completed the same Riv-Ell Entrepreneurship Program as did Beachem and became BC3’s youngest graduate in its Class of 2020. Both achieved certificates from BC3 on their 6,474th day in age. Like Beachem, Grinnen and her eight Lincoln or Riverside high school classmates in the Riv-Ell Entrepreneurship Program also…

May 19, 2020

ECASD Board of Directors Struggle to Balance Budget; Discussion Continues Tonight

Note: The following is a roundup of discussion items from Ellwood City Area School District Board of Directors Budget meetings held on April 28 and May 4, as well as public comments regarding the budget from the Board’s May 11 and May 14 agenda and voting meetings. As the Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors meet this evening to continue discussion on a budget, they will have to grapple with reducing a more than $2.5 million deficit. During budget discussion meetings in April and early May, board directors urged school officials to “tighten the belt.” At the initial…

May 15, 2020

Principal Gives ECASD Commencement Update; Parents Planning Parade

Discussion regarding the Ellwood City Area School District’s plan for commencement ceremonies continued during the May 14 board of directors voting meeting. Louise McKinney, mom of a 2020 graduate said the parents are expecting more for their kids. She said if the county phases to green by June 2, she wants the administration to commit to the traditional in person commencement. High School Principal, Kirk Lape, was in agreement and said he hopes that is a possibility. “If we go green before June 2, I’m all for it,” he said. “That’s a no brainer.” Although Lape said such a decision…