Education category, Page 62
Superintendents call on General Assembly to back Gov. Wolf’s education budget proposal
If the $1.3 billion investment in education comes through that Gov. Tom Wolf included in his proposed state budget, it would just about make up for the increased costs Pennsylvania schools are set to absorb between this and next school year, according to Jamie Baxter, policy director for nonprofit Allies...
Holy Spirit Academy in New Castle to close
Holy Spirit Academy, the Catholic school serving students in pre-K through eighth grade in New Castle, will close at the end of the academic year, the Diocese of Pittsburgh said Thursday. The Rev. Joseph McCaffrey, pastor at Holy Spirit Parish, submitted his request to close the school to Bishop David...
Calling the Class of 2021: Join TribLIVE’s virtual graduation
TribLIVE is celebrating the graduating Class of 2021 with our second annual virtual graduation. Do you know a graduating student who deserves recognition for his or her achievement? Submit their information and a photo by clicking the link below, and we’ll include them in our celebration of this year’s graduating...
Pittsburgh schools address bus seat shortage as 10K students set to return
Pittsburgh Public Schools reduced its daily transportation shortage by nearly 1,000 seats, district officials said Friday, ahead of thousands of students scheduled to return to buildings Monday. The district will welcome back more than 10,000 students Monday as part of its phased hybrid learning plan. More than 4,000 students returned...
Judge dismisses lawsuit over Pitt’s refusal to refund tuition during pandemic shutdown
A judge has thrown out a federal lawsuit filed by students against the University of Pittsburgh for failing to refund any of their tuition and fees when campus was shut down last year because of the pandemic. U.S. District Judge William Stickman IV on Tuesday granted Pitt’s motion to dismiss....
Pa. State System moves ahead with mergers of 6 universities, including California, Clarion, Edinboro
Plans to consolidate six struggling state-owned universities into two mega schools with six campuses were approved for public comment Wednesday morning. The board of governors of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education voted to begin a 60-day comment period on a plan to consolidate and rename California, Clarion and...
California, Clarion and Edinboro could be renamed under consolidation plan
California, Clarion and Edinboro universities will get a new name under a consolidation plan likely to be approved Wednesday for a 60-day public comment period. The necessity for a single name as well as a pledge to keep all three campuses open and fully operational are among the points made...
Pitt students push for LGBTQIA Center on campus
A student-produced report and petition are circulating the University of Pittsburgh and surrounding communities to persuade university officials to create an LGBTQIA+ Center – a place that would offer information, resources and community for Pitt students and others. Tyler Viljaste, a Pitt junior and vice president and chief of cabinet...
Greater Latrobe’s virtual ‘Bright Star’ musical inspired by true, emotion-filled tale
Flashbacks to a century ago, a baby’s miraculous survival and songs with banjo accompaniment are among ingredients in this spring’s Greater Latrobe Senior High musical. As was this past fall’s play, the musical “Bright Star” will be presented in a performance filmed in advance by the school’s drama club and...
Pitt to host vaccine clinic for students, employees
The University of Pittsburgh will host a vaccine clinic Wednesday at the Petersen Events Center from noon to 6 p.m., where clinicians will administer first doses of the Moderna covid-19 vaccine. Kevin Zwick, a university spokesman, said Pitt received 500 doses from the state Department of Health. There will be...
Leechburg schools predict no tax increase next school year
Leechburg Area School District will introduce no tax increase for next school year, district officials said this week, and there will be no budget deficit thanks to the availability of emergency covid funding. District officials last week presented the preliminary budget for the 2021-22 school year of more than $14.6...
‘Moral scandal’: Gov. Wolf proposal, lawsuit aim to cut Pennsylvania school funding gap
Even if Gov. Tom Wolf’s fair funding formula proposal passes the Legislature, area schools still could face a funding gap that has plagued Pennsylvania districts for years. The gap — highlighted in 2015, when it was reported that Pennsylvania had one of the nation’s starkest spending gaps between rich and...
Lack of bus drivers remains major problem at Pittsburgh Public Schools
Pittsburgh Public Schools officials are still rushing to find solutions to a severe shortage of bus drivers and available seats for students. “We are going to continue to work as much as possible to ensure we’re able to try to get our students back in,” said Minika Jenkins, the district’s...
Principals announced at 2 newly merged Catholic schools
Principals have been chosen for two newly merged Catholic schools in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Robert Munz, an educator of 21 years and administrator in the diocese for the last decade, was selected to lead the new elementary formed by the merger of St. Philip in Crafton and St. Margaret...
La Roche plans in-person graduation with Hoddy Hanna as commencement speaker
La Roche University announced plans to host an in-person commencement ceremony with covid-19 precautions in place. The school’s 55th commencement is scheduled for May 8. To ensure adequate space for social distancing, the university will host two separate ceremonies in the Kerr Fitness & Sports Center. Students graduating from the...
Franklin Regional looks at shift to improve students’ career readiness
Jeff Stanczak, the internship coordinator for Franklin Regional School District, said he understands it might seem strange to ask a 14-year-old to make decisions about their career and future. “But if we hold off on those decisions until a student’s junior or senior year — as so often happens —...
Georgia college president tapped to lead Point Park University
Point Park University’s board of trustees Monday announced the appointment of Donald J. Green as the school’s eighth president. Green, who is president of Georgia Highlands College, a multi-campus state college in the University System of Georgia, will take the helm at Point Park this summer, officials said. He succeeds...
Leading the class: Seton Hill, Saint Vincent found ways to bring students back safely
Jessie Delio was thrilled when she learned Seton Hill University would welcome students back to classrooms at its hilltop campus in Greensburg last fall. Like millions of other college students across the country, the Erie woman gathered her books, packed her bags and headed home in spring 2020 when schools...
Shortage of bus drivers could affect Pittsburgh students going back to school
The return to classrooms within Pittsburgh Public Schools this week was a success, district officials said — but a looming shortage of bus drivers could threaten the district’s ability to bring in more students. A severe shortage of bus drivers means the district won’t have enough open seats for everyone,...
Colleges prepare for a freshman class unlike any other after a pandemic year
As elementary and high schools plot strategies to combat lost learning over the pandemic year, colleges and universities across the region are preparing to support a freshman class unlike any they have ever welcomed. Thousands of high school students poised to attend college next fall likely will be stepping out...
Students lead U.S. push for fuller Black history education
TRENTON, N.J. — Ebele Azikiwe was in the sixth grade last year when February came and it was time to learn about Black history again. She was, by then, familiar with the curriculum: Rosa Parks, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and a discussion on slavery. Just like the year...
Student loans canceled for students who attended schools operated by Education Corp. of America
Students who attended schools operated by the defunct Education Corporation of America will have their private student loans canceled. Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced an agreement on Tuesday that will result in the cancellation of about $2.6 million in private Pennsylvania student loans for 1,300 students who attended schools...
Survey: Majority of Hempfield students reported feeling comfortable with remote learning
While students largely agree spending more time in school is extremely important, the majority of older Hempfield Area students reported feeling comfortable with remote learning this school year, district leaders said. According to a survey sent to sixth through 12th graders, 13% of the 800 students who responded reported feeling...
Pennsylvania revises school reopening guidelines
The Pennsylvania Department of Education and Department of Health on Monday announced new recommendations for schools — suggesting most should reopen for some degree of face-to-face instruction. The new recommendations bring the state into alignment with recent guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which in mid-March...
Ligonier Valley students set to return to classrooms 5 days per week
Younger students in Ligonier Valley School District are set to return to classrooms full time this week. On Tuesday, students in grades K4-6 will be able to attend classes in person five days per week, following Easter break. Seventh-graders also will have the option of full-time instruction in a classroom...
