Recent Stories

Ellwood City Area School District

May 21, 2020

PHOTOS: ECASD Educators Parade

Decked out in signs, balloons, and creative decorations, Ellwood City Area School District staff made a trek through numerous neighborhoods Thursday evening as part of a planned parade to show their love and dedication for their students. Over 120 staff, faculty, and administrators participated. The parade route included neighborhoods in Ellwood City, Portersville, Ellport, and Wampum. ECASD Police assisted in the parade working with the local police, public safety officials, and the fire department. View previous article, www.ellwoodcity.org/2020/05/14/ecasd-educators-planning-parade-as-summer-send-off-for-students/  

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…

May 14, 2020

ECASD Educators Planning Parade As Summer Send Off For Students

The educators in the Ellwood City School District wanted one last chance to see the faces of their beloved students before the end of the school year … even if it is at a safe social distance. Their solution: A parade. Organizers and ECASD Elementary Counselors Debbie Wiech and Chrissy Mendillo said so far 120 staff, faculty, and administrators have “signed up” to participate. “We hope this shows the love and dedication we have for our students,” Wiech said. According to Wiech, the mandated closing of the ECASD was a devastating situation for the students, but it was also a…

May 12, 2020

ECASD Board of Directors Discuss Proposed Commencement Ceremony

Discussion at Monday’s Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Director’s meeting centered on a proposed Commencement ceremony to honor Lincoln High School’s Class of 2020. School administration, including high school Principal Kirk Lape, had previously announced a plan that they believe will be as close to the traditional ceremony as possible while safely staying within the legal guidelines of social distancing due to Covid-19. The proposed plan includes 10-minute time slots for each graduate to have the opportunity to take that coveted walk across the stage to receive their diploma. Graduates will be able to enter the auditorium front…

May 11, 2020

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…

May 6, 2020

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…

April 23, 2020

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…

April 22, 2020

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…

April 22, 2020

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…

April 7, 2020

Superintendent Provides Update on School’s Progress During Coronavirus Pandemic

The superintendent of Ellwood City Area School District said the last few weeks have been a challenge, but that district staff have come through in a big way. During Monday night’s online meeting of the Ellwood City Area School District Board of Director’s meeting, Joseph Mancini gave a personal thank you to the administrators, teachers, and cafeteria workers for a “continuity of education” and dedication to district students. “They have all gone above and beyond in this 180-degree pivot,” he said. Mancini said at least 978 students were fed today and 1,000 on Friday, numbers he found pride in. He…