Student Readers ‘Book a Trip around the World’

West Hills Primary 2nd Grader Andrea Krizmanich makes a craft in the Antarctica station during Armstrong School District's Title 1 Family Fun Fair last night at St. Mary's Parish Hall in Kittanning. The event was encouraged students to 'Book a Trip around the World' by giving out free books for summer reading.

by Jonathan Weaver

Armstrong School District teachers gave some students their summer assignments early last night – reading.

Approximately 130 students were given free books by Title 1 teachers during the annual Title 1 family fun fair last night held at the St. Mary’s Parish Hall in Kittanning.

Title 1 students attend 30-40 minute sessions during the school day to assist with reading comprehension.

But, last night was all about fun outside the classroom. Students were given ‘passports’ and were able to visit five different countries, such as Egypt, South Africa and Antarctica, in an event entitled “Book a Trip around the World” to discover interesting facts, make crafts, and of course, receive some free books.

K-8 Curriculum Coordinator Dr. Cheryl Soloski said parent involvement helps students succeed and encouraged them to attend with their children Wednesday.

“That’s why we do what we do – to try and help parents learn about reading, the importance of reading, the fun of reading and be able to work with their kids at home,” Soloski said.

Head Start families were also invited to attend.

Lenape Elementary Title 1 Teacher Sean McLafferty was one of three instructors at the Canada booth, which allowed students to play one-on-one hockey. He said students enjoyed their ‘visit.’

“We wanted to do something that was a little active,” McLafferty said. “We’ve been packed since we started.”

West Hills Intermediate Title 1 Teacher Stacy Caves led activities within the Panama booth.

“We chose Panama because I’ve been there personally a few times on mission trips and we thought the rainforest lent itself well to a topic that students would enjoy reading about and doing activities with,” Caves said.

Panama ‘visitors’ played fact-or-opinion tic-tac-toe, other board games and saw a boat travel through the Panama Canal during a slide show.

Students were also given books through the Armstrong Reading Council and able to win them by playing Travel BINGO.

‘Site 1’ Approved as New School Location

Board Directors also approved acquisition of a donated 68-acre parcel of land in Manor Township off Route 422 - known as 'Site 1' to architects - to construct a new grade 7-12 high school for Kittanning and Ford City students. The resolution passed 8-1, with Board Director D. Royce Smeltzer of Region III dissenting.

by Jonathan Weaver

Armstrong School District board directors officially designated a Manor Township property for their new school plan.

The 68-acre parcel of land off Buffington Road is within 168 acres owned by the Sherry Family Trust. Trustees have reportedly offered the portion to the district free-of-charge.

Board President Joseph Close first mentioned the land availability to board directors at the end of February as the first of three land options for the grade 7-12 secondary school set to combine students from Ford City Jr. – Sr. High, Kittanning Jr. High and Kittanning Sr. High.

Some students will also be able to transfer into the new school – which is projected to house up to 1,775 students – rather than attend West Shamokin Jr. – Sr. High.

The authorization was suggested by L.R. Kimball and Reynolds Construction Management representatives during the Board’s open caucus session last week. It was approved 8-1 Monday, with Board Director D. Royce Smeltzer casting the lone dissenting vote.

Before the vote, Adam Grafton of Shelocta requested directors reevaluate the ‘white board’ school options and re-focus on what taxpayers really want the future to hold.

“This Board obviously has no concern for the ASD taxpayers,” Grafton said. “They made no attempt to unburden the debt and are recklessly pursuing their personal agenda with ASD taxpayers’ hard-earned money.”

Grafton predicted the $55 million estimated cost would ‘skyrocket’ after several change-orders are necessary.

Doug Smith of Ford City was concerned with the Board’s motion to allow six site evaluation items – including studying for possible wetlands, a preliminary traffic study and a geotechnical survey – when the previous Board had 10 different motions to approve those items separately.

“Do you have enough information on all six of the studies to make a good, sound, logical decision?,” Smith asked.

Close expects evaluations to be completed by the May board meetings.

Board directors unanimously approved a new District-wide Facility Study, however. A copy is to be available for pubic viewing at the Manor Township administration building.

While they are planning the new building, board directors are also planning the fate of the former Shannock Valley High School in Rural Valley after unanimously voting not to sell the property to an interested bidder.

While Close said the item was not yet up for public discussion and was reviewed in executive session before the meeting, he told the Kittanning Paper directors might have found a better deal.

“It seems like something better is in-the-works. It might be more advantageous for the community,” Close said.

He said plans are not to keep it as a warehouse as done previously.

“We wouldn’t use it as we have in the past – we wouldn’t use it at all,” Close said.

The former school was considered for demolition earlier this year after a recommendation by Facilities and Properties Director Bill Henley, who said the building is full of crumbling asbestos and a leaking roof that required most of the storage to be moved to other locations.

Unused items, including desks, clocks and paper, stored inside the warehouse will still be available at a public auction this Saturday at 9AM.  

Board Director Linda Walker volunteered and was accepted as the new Armstrong School District representative to the Lenape Tech Joint Operating Committee, as well as ARIN Intermediate Unit 28, last night during the school board's regular meeting.

Board Director Linda Walker also volunteered and was accepted as one of the three district representatives to the Lenape Technical School Joint Operating Committee. The seat was previously held by former director Sara Yassem, who resigned in February.

Close and Smeltzer are the other two representatives from the Armstrong School District.

She was also approved as the representative to the ARIN Intermediate Unit 28 after Board Director James Rearic resigned the seat.