Education Issues, and Local Schools News tracks items about area public and private schools; their administrators, teachers, staff, and students; and education-related issues we believe will interest our audience.
Boone Homestead Offers Pre-School ‘History Story Time’
Several monthly installments remain through December in the second annual series of free “Preschool History Storytime” events hosted by the Daniel Boone Homestead in Birdsboro. (May 12, 2024)
Local Schools to Get Education Safety, Mental Health Grant Money
School districts and career centers serving local portions of Montgomery, Berks, and Chester counties received almost $4.5 million in grant money Friday to improve safety and meet mental health needs. (April 28, 2024)
New Grants Aid Career Education Centers of 9 Local School Districts
Friday, Feb. 9
HARRISBURG PA – Eight career and technical schools in Montgomery, Berks, and Chester counties were awarded more than a half-million dollars Thursday (Feb. 8, 2024) in competitive grant money from the Pennsylvania Department of Education to help train students in high-demand occupations.
Among 55 career and technical centers (CTC) and school districts statewide that received grant funding were the:
- Western Montgomery CTC in Limerick, serving the Pottsgrove, Spring-Ford Area, and Upper Perkiomen districts, $85,000;
- Pottstown School District, which operates CTC programs for its own students, $61,949;
- North Montco CTC, serving the Perkiomen Valley and Methacton, as well as North Penn, Souderton Area, and Wissahickon districts, $85,000;
- Berks CTC, serving Boyertown, Daniel Boone, and Oley Valley, as well as Conrad Weiser, Exeter Township, Fleetwood, Antietam, Wyomissing Area, Twin Valley, Governor Mifflin, Tulpehocken Area, Kutztown Area, Hamburg Area, Brandywine, Schuylkill Valley, Wilson districts, $85,000;
- Eastern Center for Arts & Technology, serving Montgomery County’s Abington, Bryn Athyn, Cheltenham, Hatboro-Horsham, Jenkintown, Lower Moreland, Springfield, Upper Dublin, and Upper Moreland districts, $85,000
- Reading Muhlenberg CTC, serving Berks County’s Reading and Muhlenberg districts, $85,000; and
- Octorara Area Career and Technical Education, which operates CTC programs for Chester County’s Octorara Area district students, $85,000.
Overall, the department distributed more than $4 million; the local portion was $571,949.
The money is earmarked to buy new equipment for student training in “skills and hands-on experience (needed) to build careers in high-demand, high-paying fields throughout the Commonwealth,” department Secretary Khalid N. Mumin said in a media release.
More than 80 centers in Pennsylvania offer a combination of classes and hands-on learning in programs approved by the department. Thousands of students earn industry credentials or certifications for local jobs in high demand, graduating on what the department called “a path for success.”
Photo at the Montgomery County Career and Technical Center by Travels With The Post
Hats, Scarves, and Mittens Needed for Winter Protection
Thursday, Jan. 25 (2024)
POTTSTOWN PA – With less than a week remaining in January, the TriCounty Area Federal Credit Union is doing its best to ensure as many kids stay as warm as possible during what has so far proven to be a brutally cold winter.
The credit union has, throughout the month, collected new hats, scarves and mittens on behalf of local for children. They will be distributed to participants in the child care programs of the YWCA TriCounty Area Early Education Center, 315 King St., Pottstown; and the LifeSpan School and Day Care, 145 Main St., East Greenville.
The credit union operates from its headquarters office at 1550 Medical Dr., Pottstown, and also from a branch office at 110 Pottstown Ave., Pennsburg. Not surprisingly, that’s also where public donations of the much-needed winter items can be dropped off, its website noted, by or before the deadline.
Both offices are open Mondays through Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon.
Photo by Andrew Lozovyi on Deposit Photos, used by Travels With The Post under license
In Pottstown Elementary Education, Warm Heads Prevail
Sunday, Dec. 24 (2023)
POTTSTOWN PA – Talented crafter Chris Rhoads (second from left) continued a December tradition this year, by crocheting winter hats for students in a first-grade class at Pottstown’s Barth Elementary School. It’s taught by her daughter, Kathy Eagle (at left), and classroom assistant Scott Pinkett (right).
The warm and comfortable caps recently were distributed to class members, according to a Saturday (Dec. 23, 2023) notice from the Pottstown School District.
Rhoads said she enjoys “the family atmosphere at Barth Elementary. The staff create a friendly feeling that encourages student success.” She added she was pleased to help support that feeling.
Photos provided to Travels With The Post by the Pottstown School District
PV Education Foundation Seeks Funds for Anatomage Table
Tuesday, Nov. 22
COLLEGEVILLE PA – The purchase of a “state-of-the-art 3D anatomy visualization tool,” intended to help students learn more about the human body, is the target of a new fund-raising campaign launched Tuesday (Nov. 21, 2023) by the Perkiomen Valley (PV) School District Foundation.
The campaign hopes to raise funds to buy and implement an Anatomage Table, related software, and necessary training for the district biology department. The equipment provides a clinical learning experience using images and scans of actual human specimens.
The foundation effort represents “a groundbreaking initiative aimed at transforming education within the district,” according to its executive director, Kristin Craven. Its goal is $125,000. The sum reflects the foundation’s “commitment to providing our students with the best possible resources to excel in their studies and prepare for future careers,” she said.
“I have seen (Anatomage Table) demonstrations, and it is a phenomenal tool,” Craven added. It is a window into the world of science and healthcare, offering an experience that textbooks and traditional teaching methods cannot match, the district added. Learning is direct and immediate, it said.
Potential education uses beyond biology studies
“My hope for the future is that we can offer students a focused track of study with advanced science electives,” district biology teacher Dr. Kathleen Fitzhenry said. “Having the latest technology in medical education, as used by clinical training programs across the country, can give PV students that head start when pursuing post-secondary training.”
Fitzhenry also sees the potential in other courses too. They include zoology, relying upon its array of animal images; and for student artists in the field of medical illustration.
Craven encouraged supporters to donate, as well as spread the word “to make this transformative educational tool a reality for the Perkiomen Valley School District.” Individuals or companies interested in supporting the initiative can donate through the foundation website and receive a tax-deductible receipt.
For more information, call the foundation at 610-489-8506, or send an e-mail to foundation@pvsd.org.
Photos provided to Travels With The Post
by the Perkiomen Valley School District and Anatomage Inc., used with permission
Pottstown Middle School Choir Entertains Local Veterans
Tuesday, Nov. 21
POTTSTOWN PA – Local residents who also are among the nation’s veterans were honored by the Pottstown Middle School Choir during its recent performance at a veterans’ appreciation dinner held by Pottstown Elks Lodge #814.
The choir, directed by Lori Hoshaw, entertained the audience with its rendition of Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA,” Pottstown schools’ Director of Community Relations John J. Armato reported. Hoshaw described the experience as an opportunity for students “to learn about civic responsibility first-hand.”
Members of the choir (above) include Audrey Muriel, Aidan Conrad, Ashirah Still, Da’Rya Davis, Sebastian Haberle, Peyton Coale, Destiny Trejo, Morgan Hine, Cheyenne Gillenwater, Jason Horton, Carla Horton, Allen Jennings, and Leo Alessi. Muriel also sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” to open the dinner.
“I am proud of our students using their talents to help honor our veterans, who have sacrificed to help preserve our freedoms,” Hoshaw added.
Photo and video provided to Travels With The Post by the Pottstown School District
One-Day 2023 Bus Violations Tally Improves Over 2022
Monday, Nov. 20
HARRISBURG PA – Students, bus drivers, and travelers across Pennsylvania appear to be somewhat safer during 2023 than last year, thanks to what the state said was its continuing efforts to target enforcement against, and document, school bus safety violations.
The announcement from Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration followed an annual October school bus enforcement and education initiative called “Operation Safe Stop.” It involved law enforcement agencies, school districts, and state regulatory departments during an event that focused on Pennsylvania’s School Bus Stopping Law and the importance of school transportation safety.
This year’s one-day safe stop data, according to the state, revealed that participating school districts and law enforcement agencies reported witnessing 176 violations of the law. That’s about 30 percent fewer than the 252 violations recorded in 2022.
“We’re certainly glad that violations decreased this year,” Kara Templeton, PennDOT deputy secretary for driver and vehicle services, observed. But “one incident of passing a school bus is one too many,” she added. “If we saw this many violations in just one day, it’s clear that safety for our students traveling to and from school needs to be a continued focus for our communities.”
The School Bus Stopping Law requires:
- Drivers approaching a school bus, with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended, to stop at least 10 feet from the bus;
- Drivers approaching from all directions are required to stop;
- However, drivers who encounter a school bus stopping on the opposite side of a divided highway are not required to stop, but only when lanes of the highway are clearly separated by a divider like a concrete barrier or grassy median.
Drivers face steep penalties if convicted of disobeying the stopping law: a $250 fine, five points on their driving record, and a 60-day license suspension. Fines increase to $300 if someone is caught by a stop arm camera,” Cpl. Zeina Black, permits and bus safety unit supervisor with the Pennsylvania State Police, noted.
“But even worse than these penalties,” Black said, “a tragedy could occur if either a driver or a student is not paying attention to their surroundings.”
Photo by Alla Serebrina on Deposit Photos, used by Travels With The Post under license
Pottstown High Inducts 14 as Honor Society Members
Friday, Nov. 10
POTTSTOWN PA – Fourteen new members recently were inducted into the Pottstown High School chapter of the National Honor Society, it reported Thursday (Nov. 9, 2023). The induction ceremony was conducted before administrators, teachers, family members, and friends in the high school’s Stanley Davenport Center For Performing Arts.
Inductees (at top) are Ava Alessi, Triniti Rhodes-Fisher, Annasophia Chhern, Natalie Shope, Wesam Elgendy, Allyana Sykes, Jayanna Hill, Emely Villegas, Aliyas Hudson, Cianne Wells, Arek Javage, Ariana Wilson, Colin Plank and Isabella Wright. During a ceremonial candle-lighting (above), they learned about the organizations guiding principles: scholarship, service, leadership, and character.
To be considered for membership, students must be of high academic standing, and also demonstrate accomplishments in the areas of leadership, character, and service. Membership is considered “a positive reflection on the students themselves, their families, school, and community,” district school board member and Director of Community Relations John J. Armato noted.
“They give us another reason to say ’proud to be from Pottstown’,” he added.
Photos provided to Travels With The Post by the Pottstown School District