Education category, Page 16
Youth Empowerment Project in Sharpsburg buoys children to ‘reach full potential’
Their name couldn’t be more fitting. Youth Empowerment Project, an afterschool and summer program situated along Main Street in Sharpsburg, is a place where children can become their best selves. “There are so many positives here,” said Ashley Ireland, whose daughter and two sons attend. “The people who run it...
10 Japanese exchange students to attend Shaler Area High School classes in March
Hailing from Niigata High School on Japan’s western coast, 10 Japanese students attended three days of classes at Shaler Area High School. The students, mostly third-year high schoolers, sat in on science, technology, engineering and math classes from March 10-12 in an effort to learn more about American STEM education....
Senate will vote on confirming Linda McMahon to lead an education agency Trump has vowed to close
WASHINGTON — The Senate is voting Monday on whether to confirm former wrestling executive Linda McMahon as the nation’s education chief, a role that would place her atop a department that President Donald Trump has vilified and vowed to dismantle. McMahon would face the competing tasks of winding down the...
Pitt-Greensburg reading initiative to focus on mental health as anxiety, loneliness remain high
It’s not uncommon for Sheila Confer to hear that her students at University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg are struggling with their mental health. An assistant professor of interdisciplinary studies and Academic Village director, Confer has noticed an uptick in mental health conversations with her students. It’s particularly the case during...
Quaker Valley School Board approves new courses, curriculum changes
A new music pathway for students who prefer not to perform, as well as focus on business and entrepreneurship, are among the new courses being developed at Quaker Valley School District. School directors voted 7-0 on Feb. 18 to approve amended program of studies for the middle and high school....
Dozens at Pitt-Greensburg rally to support LGBTQ+, Latino communities in Trump era
University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg sophomore Debany Renovato stood before a small group of protesters Thursday afternoon, recounting her experience moving from Mexico to the United States when she was in fifth grade. Two dozen students — many from the college’s Gender and Sexuality Alliance club — and handful of...
Penn Hills students push for their voices to be heard
Time is being reserved at Penn Hills School Board’s next public meeting for a group of students to speak publicly after their comments were cut short during the Feb. 26 voting meeting. The Linton Middle School Media Center was filled with students and teachers seemingly wanting to show support to...
North Allegheny counselors say limiting cellphone use at school appears to be helping
A decrease in cellphone use by students in the North Allegheny School District appears to be showing some benefits. The topic came up as part of a conversation at a Feb. 12 school board meeting during a presentation of the School Counseling Program Review. The counselors said the decrease of...
As Trump’s deadline to eliminate DEI nears, few schools openly rush to make changes
WASHINGTON — Schools and colleges across the U.S. face a Friday deadline to end diversity programs or risk having their federal money pulled by the Trump administration, yet few are openly rushing to make changes. Many believe they’re on solid legal ground, and they know it would be all but...
High school counselors weigh options as Penn State branch campuses hang in the balance
Burrell High School guidance counselor Sandra Oskin thinks Penn State New Kensington is still a good option for prospective students, despite the Upper Burrell campus potentially closing in two years. “I’m hoping it remains a viable option — especially for Burrell,” she said. “It’s been a great resource. It’s convenient...
Pittsburgh Public Schools leaders recommend closing 14 schools
After years of discussion and potential closures, Pittsburgh Public Schools leaders this week released recommendations for the district’s restructuring — including the shuttering of 14 schools. Because of declining enrollment, underutilization and aging infrastructure, the feasibility report advised the district to close the following schools:Allegheny 6-8Arsenal PreK-5Fulton PreK-5King PreK-8Linden PreK-5Manchester...
Indiana Township junior takes editing reins at Fox Chapel Area student-run magazine
Fox Chapel Area High School junior Karsten Buchert is passionate about telling tales. Buchert, 16, of Indiana Township, serves as student editor-in-chief and the first-ever layout editor of Fox Tales Quarterly, a student-run online and print magazine highlighting positive news and happenings in the Fox Chapel Area School District and...
East Allegheny becomes 1st U.S. public school district to integrate ‘immersive reality technology’
Step into a classroom at East Allegheny School District and it can immerse you in places all over the world. With the latest technology, it’s like experiencing virtual reality — without looking into a headset. Instead of putting on large goggles, the room around you is filled so that you...
Heated debate surrounds Pine-Richland School Board’s library policy; final vote next
A final vote on Pine-Richland’s controversial library policy is in sight after another contentious meeting Feb. 24 set the stage for a third and final read of the proposed rule changes. The three-hour meeting was the latest in a series of often embittered discussions during which community members have lashed...
Sewickley Community Library renovation to create bigger, modern storytime space
Renovations are underway to restore a storytime room turned storage space to its former glory. Allison Park-based Landau Building Co. crews have been working since January replacing the ceiling, lighting, flooring, furniture and more in the second-floor children’s department of the Sewickley Community Library. The work is part of a...
Ending diversity push or fueling student anxiety? Trump administration’s anti-DEI stance sparks debate
The Trump administration’s plan to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs and initiatives on college campuses has sent universities scrambling to determine how to follow the guidelines or risk losing federal funding. Local colleges said they still are considering how to respond to U.S. Department of Education demands issued Feb....
Penn State breaks THON fundraising record with over $17 million
For the first time ever, Penn State’s THON fundraising total surpassed $17 million raised in the fight against pediatric cancer. The IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon’s exact total was $17,737,040.93 — beating THON 2024’s record-breaking total of $16,955,683.63 by more than $780,000, the university announced Sunday. View this post on Instagram A...
University of Pittsburgh reviews doctoral admissions amid federal funding cuts
After ceasing new doctoral offers of admission on Friday, the University of Pittsburgh has since confirmed it is in the early stages of developing new advanced degree admission offers within fiscal constraints caused by federal funding cuts. “The university is in the early stages of extending Ph.D. offers of admission...
Penn State will report incidents of hazing in alignment with Clery Act amendments
Penn State University is now notifying students in its messaging system about hazing incidents. The change was made in accordance with federal requirements — the newly enacted amendments to the Clery Act, the university said. The Clery Act requires colleges and universities to report campus crime data. Penn State said...
Fern Hollow Nature Center set to break ground on expansion this fall
Fern Hollow Nature Center administrators are making strides with ongoing fundraising efforts for an expansion project at the nature preserve that sits on 33 acres in Sewickley Heights. Since 1997, Fern Hollow Nature Center has welcomed all ages to experience and explore the nature side of Sewickley Heights Borough. In...
Reversing enrollment decline among priorities for incoming Westmoreland Co. Community College president
As Westmoreland County Community College grapples with a decline in enrollment and recent turnover in its top leader, incoming president Kristin Mallory aims to stabilize the institution. The vice president of academic affairs at Wor-Wic Community College in Salisbury, Md., Mallory was hired as the college’s president last week after...
‘They can sense the tension in our society’: Rep. Summer Lee speaks to Gateway 5th graders, tours renovated facility
U.S. Rep. Summer Lee didn’t mince words Tuesday afternoon when a Gateway Middle School student asked the Swissvale Democrat what Congress’ biggest challenge is right now. “Can I be honest?” Lee said. “The president.” Lee, D-Swissvale, spoke with Gateway’s fifth grade class about her career path, achieving goals and the...
Colleges, K-12 schools ordered by Trump administration to abolish DEI or face funding cuts
The U.S. Department of Education has given colleges and schools with race-specific programs — including financial aid and racially themed dormitory floors and graduation ceremonies — until the end of the month to abolish them or risk losing federal funding as educators scrambled over the holiday weekend to interpret the...
‘It’s a wake-up call’: Researchers, companies say NIH funding changes could be lethal to innovations
During her medical training, Dr. Miriam Cremer watched a woman suffering from advanced cervical cancer bleed to death in Arcatao, El Salvador. That preventable tragedy is what sowed the seeds of her Pittsburgh-based nonprofit, she said. Basic Health International’s mission is to develop ways to diagnose and treat cervical cancer....
Oklahoma governor says he’ll stop plan to collect kids’ immigration statusVideo
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt said he will stop a plan pushed by the state’s top education official to collect the immigration status of children when they register for public school. The Republican governor said Wednesday he is a staunch opponent of illegal immigration, but that policymakers should...
