Mount Lebanon
EDUCATION
Six-figure earners multiply at PPS, while Black employee paychecks lag behind
(Illustration by Natasha Vicens/PublicSource) An annual analysis of salaries at Pittsburgh Public Schools shows trends in increased earnings, racial wage gaps and staffing issues. “PublicSource is an independent nonprofit newsroom serving the Pittsburgh region. Sign up for our free newsletters.”. by Lajja Mistry, PublicSource. July 18, 2024. Salaries continue to...
Penn Hills School District announces changes to student busing in an effort to save on transportation costs
PENN HILLS (KDKA) - The Penn Hills School District, in an effort to save on transportation costs, has said they are planning to reconfigure student busing. The plan, according to the district is to reconfigure many of its bus routes. They said they would save nearly $411,000 in transportation costs by changing the routes. "The district analyzed a variety of scenarios during its study and determined that our financial plan maximized both safety and savings," said Penn Hills School District Chief Financial Officer, John Zahorchak. Penn Hills conducted an internal study over several months and came to the conclusion that money could be...
Hampton girls wrestling alum ramps up aggressiveness with college on horizon
Hampton’s Isabella McNutt is becoming a little bit McNasty. After graduating this year as the most decorated girls wrestler in school history, McNutt has added a new level of aggressiveness to her approach on the mat. “I realized that I had a lot more success when I was more...
Transparency, housing, negotiation: Chatham Students United deliver demands to President Phillips
On July 18, six students marched into the office of Chatham University President Rhonda Phillips to deliver her a list of demands. Dr. Phillips was not present, but graduate student Lindsey Disler, Owen Duthoy ‘26, Florence Lang ‘26, E Kelley ‘25 and Halsey Hyer ‘24 took turns reading the list of demands to her chief of staff Patsy Kraeger. This group, joined by Memuna Bayoh ‘24, is part of Chatham Students United (CSU). It was formed in early July by students living at Orchard Hall after the sudden announcement of the closure of the only housing option available at Eden Hall.
‘A balanced budget for affordability’: Pitt increases tuition for Pittsburgh campus
On Friday morning, Pitt’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve the University’s Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget and Capital Budget. The approved changes to the $3.2 billion operating budget include tuition increases for students on the Pittsburgh campus, a new allocation for staff salary increases and a boost in funding for financial aid.
Blessed Trinity Academy garden benefits Hampton-based food pantry
Fresh vegetables are lining the shelves of a local St. Vincent De Paul food pantry, thanks to the hard work of students at Blessed Trinity Academy. A nearly $900 grant from the Sister Mary Paul Hickey Research Grant Program through Carlow University in Pittsburgh was awarded for the project in the fall, said grant procurer Meredith Kandravy, the school’s director of admissions and marketing.
Penn-Trafford wins WCCA 7-on-7 football tournament
The championship plaque and the balance of power at the Westmoreland County Coaches Association Larry Sellitto Memorial 7-on-7 football passing tournament are back in the hands of Penn-Trafford. The Warriors, a perennial contender in the event, reached the final for the 10th time in 13 years and claimed their sixth...
Opinion | Do not weigh Reddit law school forums too heavily this upcoming application cycle
I can finally say, after 18 long, grueling months, that I have officially finished studying for the law school admissions test, otherwise known as the LSAT. I began studying in January of 2022, starting slow with an hour a week before ramping it up to 15+ hours a week come the fall 2022 semester. I slaved away at my textbooks, spending over $500 between my beloved PowerScore set and approximately two months of 7Sage live lessons. I canceled plans constantly, was a hot mess during most weeks the past two semesters and continuously bothered my friends, acquaintances and even my peers here at The Pitt News with how insane I was about this test. But finally, after the many months of desperate manifestations to the law school gods and three long, brutalizing tests, I am officially done. It is not just because LSAC says you are only allowed to take three LSAT exams in one calendar year — it is because I finally hit above my goal score. My score is certainly not perfect, but it sets me up nicely for a majority of the schools I am planning on applying to this upcoming fall.
The value of faith based/private school’s in the Burgh
The debate between public and private schooling continues to thrive. While both options provide quality education, the value of a private school education is at the forefront for some local parents. Many private schools have a strong emphasis on instilling moral and ethical values, fostering a sense of responsibility, empathy and respect in their students. This approach aims to mold students who not only excel academically but also contribute positively to society. Susan Fariss is an educator and parent of a 15-year-old freshman who attends Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School in Oakland. “Central Catholic provides a very warm and welcoming environment, not only for students, but parents as well,” says Fariss. “We chose a private education because my husband attended Central Catholic and had an incredibly positive experience.” Fariss wanted their son to experience the same sense of brotherhood and camaraderie that they feel is part of the Central Catholic culture. The close bond is the norm at Central Catholic, shares Fariss. Another benefit the Fariss family has found at Central Catholic is that the school provides more student diversity than their home district. There are students from over 60 different school districts that attend the high school this year, and of those, approximately 35 schools sent just one student from this academic freshman class. Students have the benefit of meeting peers from a wide geographic area with diverse backgrounds.
Trafford Junior Legion baseball wins Westmoreland County title
Trafford Junior Legion team captured the Westmoreland Junior League title July 16 by defeating 14th Ward (Woodland Hills), 6-1. Trafford combined a strong pitching performance by Dom Delio and the clutch hitting of Evan Gigliotti to pull out the win. Delio took a perfect game into the seventh inning before...
Plum seniors donate to Make-A-Wish to paint parking spaces
Some of Plum’s incoming seniors are reserving their parking spaces in colorful and creative ways. After paying $75 to park for the 2024-25 school year, 60 seniors paid $30 more to paint their spots, with the proceeds benefitting Make-A-Wish, said Rick Berrott, a television production teacher and co-sponsor of the National Honor Society.
NHRCES Summer STEAM Camp: A Celebration of Faith, Learning, and Creativity
The North Hills Regional Catholic Elementary Schools (NHRCES) Summer STEAM Camp recently wrapped up a successful summer season. It offered three exciting weeks of summer camp across two schools: Holy Cross Academy (HCA) in Ross Township and Blessed Francis Seelos Academy (BFSA) in Wexford. Launched initially as a Summer STEM Camp last year, this year's program expanded to include theater arts, transforming into the Summer STEAM Camp.
Proposed Quaker Valley High School classroom being constructed at current school
Reconstruction is underway at Quaker Valley High School to turn one of its social studies classrooms into a room of the future. Crews from Clark Contractors of Bedford began demolishing teacher Jennifer Matthews’ classroom earlier this month. It is expected to be rebuilt in time for the Aug. 21...
What to do when when schools deny access? Don’t give up.
Journalists shut out of schools and classrooms shouldn’t give up, say the journalists behind Poynter’s recent “Shut Out” report, who suggest ways to get around access obstacles. Lack of access is the lament of nearly every education reporter I talk to — especially when it comes...
Vols Pick Up Verbal Commitment From Distance Ace Mac Clark
Vols Pick Up Verbal Commitment From Distance Ace Mac Clark. NEW COMMIT: The University of Tennessee has received a new verbal commitment for the 2025-26 season and beyond from U.S. Open qualifier Mac Clark of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He will join Mike McCarthy and Jake McCoy in Knoxville as a member...
Gateway 'monster' project brings preschool creatures to life
Imagine as a child having your own creature – with names such as Red-Ranger, Cone-Jumper or Joker – come to life. After reading the interactive story “Go Away Big Green Monster” last year, Tracy Ricciardi’s preschool class at Gateway High School drew pictures and created their own monsters using templates. The Caldecott Award-winning children’s book by author-illustrator Ed Emberley is aimed at helping children tackle fears and emotions through play and creativity.
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