Four Area High Schools Make Newsweek’s Top 2,000

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Four local schools made Newsweek’s list of the top 2,000 public high schools in the country.

Newsweek’s list ranked schools based on different measures  such as average college-entrance test scores, AP scores and available classes, as well as graduation rates.  Such criteria that would indicate college readiness of outgoing students.

Topping the quartet of area schools that made it was Phoenixville Area High School, which came in at 839.

“In all honesty, it’s an honor for Phoenixville to be recognized as one of the top high schools in the nation,” said Phoenixville Principal Craig Parkinson.

Read more:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130508/NEWS01/130509318/four-area-high-schools-make-newsweek-s-top-2-000#full_story

Four Luzerne County High Schools Make The Grade In National Magazine

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Four Luzerne County high schools received high rankings from the the latest U.S. News & Report.

The Wyoming Area Secondary Center earned a silver medal award in the magazine’s 2013 ranking of top performing schools released Tuesday.

Hanover Area Junior Senior High School, Pittston Area High School and Wyoming Valley West Senior High School earned bronze medals.

The magazine compiles its list after analyzing 21,035 public schools in 49 states and the District of Columbia based on state, federal and independent data.

Read more:  http://www.timesleader.com/news/local-news/460636/Four-area-high-schools-make-the-grade-in-national-magazine

Manheim Township Schools Ban Parents From Eating Lunch With Their Children

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Editor’s note:  What a sad reality.

The Manheim Township School District has notified parents that they will no longer be allowed to visit schools to have lunch with their children, a move it says is designed to “ensure a safe learning environment.”

The new policy was approved by the school board on March 21 and is effective May 1.

The policy was described in a letter to parents dated March 22 and signed by the district’s elementary-, intermediate-, middle- and high-school principals.

The letter stated that an exception can be made by each school’s principal if they choose to participate in a celebration such as National Lunch Week.  The new policy would not allow parents to bring “restaurant food from outside sources” during such celebrations, however.

Read more: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/831066_Manheim-Township-schools-ban-parents-from-eating-lunch-with-their-children.html#ixzz2OqRwcTCx

2 Ohio HS Football Players Convicted Of Raping Drunken Girl; Charges Against Others Possible

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STEUBENVILLE, Ohio — Two members of Steubenville’s celebrated high school football team were found guilty Sunday of raping a drunken 16-year-old girl, and Ohio’s attorney general warned the case isn’t over, saying he is investigating whether coaches, parents and other students broke the law, too.

Trent Mays, 17, and Ma’Lik Richmond, 16, were sentenced to at least a year in juvenile prison in a case that has rocked this Rust Belt city of 18,000 and led to allegations of a cover-up to protect the Steubenville High team, which has won nine state championships. Mays was ordered to serve an additional year for photographing the underage girl naked.

They can be held until they turn 21.

The two broke down in tears after a Juvenile Court judge delivered his verdict. They later apologized to the victim and the community, Richmond struggling to speak through his sobs.

Read more:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/rape-trial-of-2-ohio-high-school-football-players-ends-judge-to-announce-verdict-sunday/2013/03/16/1b282264-8e9b-11e2-adca-74ab31da3399_story.html

Violence Prevention Program Targets Reading’s Northeast

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States Public School Districts (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A joint effort to reduce youth violence is targeting the northeast section of the city, an area where most Reading kids will end up attending school.

For members of the Reading Youth Violence Prevention Project, who recently met at Albright College to discuss goals for 2013, the logic was simple.

Northeast Reading is home to Reading High and the Citadel intermediate high school.  There’s also Northeast Middle School, CHOR Day Academy, I-LEAD Charter School and four elementary schools.

“The northeast sector is not considered the neediest per se, but there are perhaps more assets to build upon,” said Laura M. Welliver, project coordinator at St. Joseph Medical Center.  ”There are more opportunities to stabilize, using the schools as anchors.”

Read more:  http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=451722

Many Skip School At Brandywine Heights High Over Social Media Rumor

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States Public School Districts (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Editor’s note:  Given recent events, can you blame parents for keeping their children home!

Despite assurances from the school district there was nothing to be concerned about, 40 percent of Brandywine Heights High School students stayed home Wednesday in light of rumors a student was planning to bring a gun to school.

Dr. Martin D. Handler, superintendent, said rumors began circulating through Facebook, email and other venues over winter break that a student planned to bring a gun to school Wednesday.

District officials alerted state police, who interviewed the student and his mother and determined there was no threat.

Just to be on the safe side, Handler said, state police were on hand at the start of school Wednesday.

Read more:  http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=440746

FOOTBALL: Mohler’s Memorable Moments Spark Pottstown

BUCKTOWN — Some folks look at Pottstown’s Dayon Mohler and see a ballhawking safety.

Others fancy the Trojans’ junior as an effective running back.

Pottstown coach Brett Myers, however, has an even more succinct way of describing the 5-foot-11, 157-pound Mohler.

“I’d classify him as a good football player,” Myers said.

So would the majority of the folks who witnessed Thursday’s annual Thanksgiving Day Pioneer Athletic Conference showdown between the Trojans and Owen J. Roberts at Wildcat Stadium.

Mohler saw more action than a retail store parking lot on Black Friday in helping the Trojans overall close out their first non-losing season in 10 years with a 26-21 victory over the Wildcats.

Read more:

http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20121122/SPORTS01/121129765/football-mohler-s-memorable-moments-spark-pottstown#full_story

Exeter-Antietam School District Merger Talks Give Rise To Questions

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States Public School Districts (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By definition, it’s a union – oftentimes, an absorption. It could be as simple as sharing a sports team. Or as complex as a new high school.

For the school officials who make the ultimate decision, though, mergers aren’t so easily defined. They’re complex; never the same. And ultimately, the trigger for heated emotions all around.

Since talk of a merger between the Exeter and Antietam school districts reignited this year, questions have arisen.

If the two were to combine, residents wondered, would there be a new name? Which high school would be used? And who, if anyone, would actually benefit?

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=410187

Fleetwood School District Cuts Could Be Deep, Wide

Proposed staff cuts in the Fleetwood School District aimed at balancing the budget would primarily impact elective courses at the high school and speciality classes at the middle and elementary schools, district officials confirmed Friday.

The proposed cuts, which will be unveiled publicly at Tuesday’s school board meeting, include laying off three teachers and six support staff members, demoting seven teachers to part time and axing the district’s wrestling program. Four more teaching positions would be eliminated through attrition.

The school board will ultimately decide whether to go forward with the changes intended to help the district close a gap of at least $847,000 in its $38.6 million 2012-13 budget.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=370277

Bradford County Student To Start Memorial For Deceased Classmates

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Canton, Pa. - I was picking up my mail at the post office recently when a poster on the bulletin board caught my eye.

After looking it over, I learned that Tifany Austin, 17, a junior at Canton Junior-Senior High School who lives in Ralston, has started a unique senior project.

She wants to create a touching memorial in Ralston to remember young people who have passed away in tragic accidents, including car crashes, in the Canton Area School District and surrounding areas.

As part of her project, she is raising money for a metal angel statue to be placed as a memorial in the mini-park by the bank in Ralston. It will be accompanied by a plaque.

Read more: http://thedailyreview.com/news/western-bradford-notebook-1.1282734

$10,000 Art Scholarship Deadline Extended For Greater Pottstown Foundation Scholarship For The Arts

Pottstown, PA – The application deadline for the 3rd annual Greater Pottstown Foundation Scholarship for the Arts has been extended until March 10, 2012.  This $10,000 scholarship is designed to financially assist a qualified applicant in pursuing their further education in the arts. The program is open to any Pottstown, Pottsgrove, Hill School or Owen J. Roberts High School senior.  The scholarship is awarded based on two criteria: artistic performance as displayed at the Greater Pottstown Foundation Senior High School Art Exhibit at the Gallery School of Pottstown, and an essay on why an applicant wants to continue their education in the arts.  The applicant’s intended field of study must include a major in an arts related field.

In addition to submitting a completed application form and essay, each student must also participate in the art exhibit at the Gallery School of Pottstown.  Students must create pieces of art from three of four categories: watercolor or pastel; pencil, charcoal or ink; oil or acrylic; and sculpture, which include pottery, stone, glass, metal, fiber or wood. The application and essay must be received by March 10. Artwork does not need to be completed until the art show in May. 

Students can email info@galleryonhigh.com to receive an application, or stop by the Gallery School at 254 E. High St. in Pottstown.
 
The Gallery School of Pottstown is a 501c3 non-profit community art school and gallery. The School offers day, evening and weekend classes to all ages. The goal of these classes is to help students develop their creative skills through self-expression and independence. The Gallery on High hosts rotating shows featuring local artists. The Gallery also sells handcrafted, one-of-a-kind gift items. The Gallery on High is open Tuesday through Friday from 10am-4:30pm and Saturday 10am-3pm. The Gallery is closed Sunday and Monday.
 
The Gallery School of Pottstown
@Gallery on High
254 E. High Street
Pottstown, PA 19464
610-326-2506
www.galleryonhigh.org

Three Lancaster County School Districts Will Merge Teaching Efforts

I think this concept makes sense and should be explored around here!

Imagine a high school where students can take classes as early as 7 a.m. or as late as 9 p.m.

Some of the courses are taught face-to-face in the school, with others delivered online and still others taught through a mix of classroom and computer-based instruction.

At this school, tuition is free and students can enroll in specialty courses such as Latin and business Spanish that their home schools don’t offer.

And by taking classes at night or over the summer, they could earn a diploma faster than their peers.
Read more: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/558484_Three-school-districts-here-will-merge-teaching-efforts.html#ixzz1hy97OMXg

More Secret Pottstown Meetings? Do We Ever Learn?

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I just read an article, on a local online media outlet, about the Pottstown School Board having an Executive Session that appears to have violated the Sunshine Law.  The board discussed cutting art and music behind closed doors after being told by taxpayers this was not their will.

As a student of history I feel it is incumbent upon us to study the past to learn from our mistakes.  Making the same poor decision repeatedly and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity.

I feel there are other areas that could yield cost savings that we are not considering.  Certain groups are considered “untouchable”.  Art and music are always the first thing a school board looks at cutting to save money.

If we look at the number of students involved with the music program in the PSD, we see a large group.  Not only do many students take part in the music program but our high school band and some other ensembles are award-winners and recognized for excellence.  They are a source of pride for our community.

Clearly, this decision is not supported by taxpayers based on the turn out at public meetings where this subject has been discussed.  Sneaking around behind closed doors is childish behavior and violates the LAW in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  But yet organizations in this town continue to engage in this counterproductive behavior.  How are we supposed to trust any of you???

Shame, shame, shame!  Two Roy’s Rants thumbs DOWN for this poor decision and the even poorer way it was handled.

Fleetwood High School Craft Show This Saturday!

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You are cordially invited to attend the 5th Annual Fleetwood Craft Show.

Date: Saturday, November 20, 2010

Place: Fleetwood Area High School

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Admission: FREE

Over100 vendors that will have their crafts and products for sale!  Come get a head start on some holiday shopping!

Food can be purchased at the concession stand. 

Children can have their picture taken with Santa!

Philadelphia Daily News Top 10 Suburban Football Teams

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The Philadelphia Daily News released their Top Ten Suburban Football Teams list.  While no Pottstown area high school made the top ten, Boyertown (9-2) and Pottsgrove (9-2) were listed as Under Consideration.  I guess that’s like an honorable mention.  Kudos to Pottsgrove and Boyertown for their excellent seasons.

To see the list click below:

http://www.philly.com/dailynews/breaking/sports/20101115_Daily_News_top_10_suburban_football_teams.html

2010 Pennsylvania Blue Ribbon Schools

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Here is the list of Pennsylvania schools who made the cut!

Ancillae-Assumpta Academy

2025 Church Road

Wyncote, PA 19095-1124

Conemaugh Township Area Intermediate School

1516 Tire Hill Road

Johnstown, PA 15905-7822

Cornell Elementary School

1099 Maple Street

Coraopolis, PA 15108-2910

Delaware Valley Middle School

258 Routes 6 & 209

Milford, PA 18337-9454

Devon Elementary School

400 South Fairfield Road

Devon, PA 19333-1712

Franklin Learning Center High School

616 North 15th Street

Philadelphia, PA 19130-3487

Harding Elementary School

820 Lincoln Avenue

Erie, PA 16505-5030

Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and

Demonstration School

1699 Spring Garden Street

Philadelphia, PA 19130-3913

Mary, Mother of the Redeemer School

1321 Upper State Road

North Wales, PA 19454-1007

North Dickinson Elementary School

623 West Penn Street

Carlisle, PA 17013-2239

South Fayette Elementary School

3620 Old Oakdale Road

McDonald, PA 15057-3598

Tinicum School

First and Seneca Streets

Essington, PA 19029-1116

 Unami Middle School

160 South Moyer Road

Chalfont, PA 18914-3129

Wylandville Elementary School

1254 Route 519

Eighty Four, PA 15330-2824