NEW BETHLEHEM, Pa. by: John Gerow (RVO) – In response to an overwhelming outpouring of community concern the Redbank Valley School Board moved to keep two long-standing traditions in place at their regular monthly meeting Monday evening April 1. The first day of buck season will remain a school holiday and the names of Honor Roll students will, once again, be published in the newspaper.

The controversy surrounding the Honor Roll surfaced at the end of the second 9 week grading period when parents noticed that the Honor Roll for the High School was not published in the New Bethlehem Leader-Vindicator newspaper. High school principal Amy Rupp said that she had concerns about student safety and school security in publishing Honor Roll names. At their March meeting, the school directors tasked Superintendent Mastillo with determining the district’s responsibility and liabilities and making a recommendation on publishing names. He reported Monday evening, that the district would not have issues, as long as parent’s give permission to publish. Being uncertain of the accuracy of the “opt out” list currently on hand, Dr. Mastillo has instructed the high school administration to send new permission to publish forms home with students this week to update the “opt out” list.

The first day of buck season came into question when the PA Game Commission announced that they were considering moving opening day from the Monday following Thanksgiving to the Saturday following Thanksgiving. If season opens on Saturday, everyone could hunt opening day without taking a day off from school. The uncertainty stems from the Game Commission not announcing their opening decision until after school calendars have to be approved and published. Parent Jennifer Maloney Kemmer addressed the Board in the Public Comments in support of the first day of buck as a holiday. She reminded the Board that hunting on opening day is a long-standing family tradition in this part of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Kemmer asked the Board to keep the family values and traditions in mind when making their decision about opening day. Following the Superintendent’s recommendation, the Board approved letting “opening day” remain a holiday for students and teachers.

Environmental Science teacher Deven Laird spoke to the Board about his Environmental Science class and their “pollinator garden” project. Mr. Laird described how his students had researched various environmental issues and had determined that pollinator die-off was a significant issue and one that they could impact on a small scale on a local level. He told the Board that the students had taken a bit of ground behind the school and were planning and developing a “pollinator garden”. The students will grow a variety of annual and perennial flowers that will attract pollinating insects. Mr. Laird said that he hoped future classes will be able to continue the project and maybe even expand it into the community.

Mrs. Cheryl McCauley reported that “March Music Month” was a big hit in the primary and intermediate schools. She told the Board that 55 student and parents turned out for the primary school’s “instrument petting zoo” and that there were 29 acts in the Talent Show. These students performed before a standing room only crowd at the Intermediate School cafeteria. Mrs. McCauley also reported that there were 82 children pre-enrolled for Kindergarten next fall.

High School Principal Amy Rupp announced that Carrie Westover started back to school on a part-time basis following her heroic struggle with cancer. Mrs. Rupp reminded the Board that the National Honor Society would be inducting 27 students at the upcoming ceremony. She also reported that disciplinary actions are significantly higher than a year ago. Cell phone violations, class behavior, and vaping violations seem to be the most common. Dr. Shaffer asked why she thought this was the case, and she said that faculty and administrators were doing a better job of enforcing rules.

In other business, the Board accepted Mr. John Sayer’s letter of resignation effective in July. Dr. Shaffer thanked Mr. Sayer for all of his dedication and hard work.

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ABOUT:
Redbank Valley School District provides education services for the 165 square mile area of New Bethlehem and Hawthorn boroughs, and the townships of Mahoning, Madison, Porter, and Redbank of both Clarion and Armstrong counties.

MEETINGS:
The Redbank Valley School Board meetings the first Monday of every month at 7pm at the High School Library.

CONTACT:
For more information about the Redbank Valley School District, please call 814.275.2426 or visit RedbankValley.org/pg/biz/redbank-valley-school-district