PA Students with special needs could age-out of schools earlier under new court decision

A court decision issued last week could leave older students with disabilities in Pennsylvania and their families scrambling at the end of this school year. A rule change, called the “new age-out plan,” went into effect Sept. 5, extending the age of eligibility for special education services and entitling students to Free Appropriate Public Education … Read more

Central PA Music Teachers Association announces competition

The Central Pennsylvania Music Teachers Association is thrilled to announce that the Phyllis Triolo Music Competition will return to its original home at the State College Area High School for its 40th anniversary. The competition will be held in-person on Saturday, May 18 for talented middle and high school students in Central Pennsylvania.   Continue … Read more

Central PA high schools receive AED donations from local organizations

Two local organizations wrapped up Heart Month this week by donating AEDs and performing CPR demonstrations for multiple Central Pennsylvania high schools. The AEDs, short for automated external defibrillator, were donated by Renewal by Andersen of Central PA and The Peyton Walker Foundation.   Continue reading on WHP Harrisburg

Where can you find the cheapest groceries in State College? We compared prices for you

Although nationwide inflation is starting to cool, higher prices at the grocery market are still putting pressure on the average American shopper. Food-at-home prices, which cover food purchases at grocery stores and supermarkets, have increased significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, according to a new report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic … Read more

PA students gain hands-on experience in watershed conservation

It is almost time for some Pennsylvania students to get out of the classroom and into a canoe. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Pennsylvania Rivers and Streams Environmental Education Program is for students in grades 4-12. It takes place in the spring and fall. Kassie Fenn, student leadership and education coordinator for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in Pennsylvania, … Read more

Central PA trade school addresses shortage, helps students build a better future

Trade schools across the Commonwealth are saying they’re weary of a potential industry shortage. That’s why Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology is working to get ahead of it. By creating more equitable opportunities for students to thrive, those who are passionate about the work will help build their communities from the ground up.   Continue … Read more

Juniata College announces scholarship for Central Pennsylvania students

Juniata College announced a new scholarship for Central Pennsylvania counties as part of its dedication to eliminating financial barriers in higher education. College-bound students in Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Mifflin and Somerset counties who apply to Juniata and demonstrate academic success in high school and involvement in extracurricular … Read more

New budget takes ‘Level Up’ funding away from Central Pa schools

The 2023 budget in Pennsylvania has been finalized, the last code bills signed by Governor Josh Shapiro, but the language does not include a program designed to help underfunded school districts. The Level Up program was not included in the education and fiscal codes. Even though it was a part of the original budget signed by the … Read more

PA schools could soon be powered by sun as solar bill advances to Senate

Bipartisan legislation that proposes the installation of solar panels in schools across Pennsylvania awaits a vote in the state Senate. The Solar for Schools bill aims to combat climate change and invest in education. Fewer than 2% of Pennsylvania’s nearly 7,000 schools are powered by solar energy. Mick Iskric is superintendent of Steelton-Highspire School District, which has a … Read more

Central Pa. high school dismissed early after threat made: police

Students at a York County high school were dismissed from class early Thursday after a threat was made toward the school, police say. The threat involved Dallastown Area High School and students were sent home early as a precaution, according to a York County Regional Police Department release that came out at 2:49 p.m.   … Read more

Central and northern PA school districts and companies struggle to find bus drivers

School districts and bus companies in central and northern Pennsylvania say they’re facing a bus driver shortage, despite efforts to address some of the biggest challenges drivers face. The state has tried to alleviate the shortage by making it easier to get a Commercial Driver’s License. Several companies have given drivers raises and offered sign-on … Read more

Passing a stopped school bus? Don’t forget to smile for your $300 portrait

Sometime next week, Cumberland Valley School District will hit the switch on a new on-board camera technology that will dramatically improve its ability to identify and fine drivers who illegally pass stoped school buses. The district is installing video cameras on all 85 of its student school buses. The cameras are designed to identify, much … Read more

School bus driver shortages in Pa. ‘could get worse’ if not addressed

West Shore School District Superintendent Todd Stoltz recognizes his district is not alone dealing with school bus driver shortages. For two weeks in September, the district took drastic measures, implementing remote learning days for specific schools due to transportation issues. Schedules are still in limbo, even as in-person learning resumes and Stoltz admits transportation issues over … Read more

Central Pa. district closes all schools, offices because of ‘disruption’

A network disruption will close all schools and offices that are part of the Chambersburg Area School District (CASD) on Wednesday, the district says. The CASD is trying its best to reopen all schools later this week, according to a Facebook post. The district did not mention if the schools and offices will reopen on Thursday … Read more

Many Western Pa. colleges still looking to enroll students for fall in late push

Acceptance letter in hand, Dana Sinatra appeared to be destined to enroll at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus, and play basketball there. But Sinatra, 19, a forward on her high school basketball team, began to have doubts several months ago about the 1½-hour travel distance from her McDonald home. Then she reached a conclusion. … Read more

In Reading, Shapiro announces $46.5 million free breakfast program for PA students

“When I look into the eyes of these young people, I see our future and see this as the wisest of investments we can make in a community that cares deeply for all of God’s children,” said Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. Shapiro and other officials visited Millmont Elementary School in Reading on Friday. During his … Read more