Art awards noted at PMSB meeting

by Pat Albano

Superintendent Elizabeth Robison opened the Feb 8th Pocono Mountain School Board meeting by congratulating West High School, winners of the Pennsylvania Art Education Award. The theme this year was “Your Art Your Voice.” Also mentioned was the annual Dual Triple Crown Celebration with 46 students receiving sweatshirts and certificates for perfect attendance.

Robison acknowledged East High School MCTI stu- dents selected as outstanding students of the second quarter. Categories included auto technology, business and hospitality management, carpentry computer networking and security and criminal justice.

Dr. Catherine Sweeney, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, introduced members of the Family Consumer Science Team [FCS] along with Director Amy Buffington and students who highlighted various initiatives and projects completed

See PMSB, page 2

Continued from page 1 within core courses. FCS is a field study on “the science and the art of living well in our complex world. FCS education teaches students to make strong and meaningful decisions and is a foundation of learning that sets the tone for lifelong heath both in body and mind.”

In the past this was considered Home Economics and all students are encouraged to take courses in Fashion, Child Development and Food. Several students were wearing shirts designed in the fashion course. These students participated in a Global Community Service Project by transforming gently used pillowcases into dresses for young girls in Africa. Students presented photos of African children wearing the dresses. Since 2014 over 500 dresses have been sent to Africa. Other fashion items included “chemo caps” for the Dale and Francis Hughes Cancer Center in what is referred to as “giving back to the community.” Students are also taught the History of Fashion and hope one day to showcase their skills on “America’s Got Talent.” Each student received a certificate and photo.

The meeting closed out with updates from Financial Officer Joseph Colozza, who reported “the budget must be approved at the February 15 meeting.”

A final comment by Director Ana Lopez concerned a ruling in the PA courts filed in

2014 against the state of Pennsylvania by six school districts and parents. It concludes the general assembly failed to uphold its constitutional obligation to provide all children in low wealth school districts with the same resources of the wealthy. The Court concluded: “Education is a fundamental right of all students under the PA Constitution.”

The PA Supreme Court revived this case in 2017 and it went to trial in 2021. Lopez added, “The ruling could impact Pocono Mountain School District and we will wait and see.”