Danielle Smith – Keystone State News Service

The shortage of educators and school staffers has reached a crisis level in some Pennsylvania public schools, prompting a new “Educators Rising” program, which aims to recruit future educators from local high schools.

Ten schools are already participating, with students attending the Central Westmoreland Career and Technology Center to develop teaching skills.

Donna Rain-O’Dell, workforce education coordinator at the center, said in the “Grow Your Own” program at Mount Pleasant High School, the students gain hands-on experience by observing and assisting teachers in classrooms a couple of days a week.

“We actually have some of our students going into classrooms that are teaching small group or mini-lessons,” Rain-O’Dell explained. “Like, one student is teaching Spanish I, when she’s a Spanish III student; and then we have a student, that’s in AP Bio that’s helping with the biology class. So it’s kind of cool, and it’s definitely a unique situation.”

She pointed out next year, they will start their first “college in high school” course at the University of Pittsburgh Greensburg campus. Keystone State schools are struggling to fill more than 5,500 vacant teaching positions.

Rena Enterline, vocational rehabilitation counselor for the center, said they partner with The Learning Lamp and Shippensburg University and students can earn nine credits toward higher education.

“That is more of a dual-enrollment type class,” Enterline noted. “They will take classes through Shippensburg University, and they’ll actually get a transcript through them. And then, they can take those credits and use them at any university that will accept them when they decide to go to college.”

Enterline added current seniors will not have been in the program for two years but can still use the credits they earn this year through the dual enrollment opportunity.

Amanda Funk, CTE instructor at McCaskey High School in Lancaster, said hers is the only Lancaster County high school to have an in-house career and technology program. It attracts a diverse group of students who help out in elementary schools as juniors and seniors, eventually extending to middle schools.

“The goal is to bring them back and they get a guaranteed interview after college in our district and then they’ll have that added support,” Funk stressed. “Part of our job description is to actually mentor them through their college years. And then once they come back and get a job in our district, to mentor them there as well.”

Funk added one lesson in the Educators Rising curriculum focuses on anti-bias instruction. She observed students have personally thanked her for classroom discussions on the topic.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Republican lawmakers are advancing a $3 billion tax cut, their newly unveiled counterproposal to a budget proposal from Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro as each side offers a competing vision for how to use a massive cash surplus. The legislation cutting taxes on income and electric service passed the Republican-controlled Senate on a 36-14 vote Tuesday. Republicans said it would be the largest tax cut in the state’s history. In the coming weeks, budget negotiations could revolve around Shapiro’s bid to boost spending by $3 billion, versus the Republican counterproposal to cut taxes by $3 billion. Democrats warn that the Senate GOP’s tax bill won’t pass in the Democratic-controlled House.

Panera Bread said it’s discontinuing its Charged Sips drinks that were tied to at least two wrongful death lawsuits due to their high caffeine content. Panera didn’t say Tuesday whether the drinks were being discontinued because of the lawsuits or health concerns. It also wouldn’t comment on the timeline for removing them from stores. The St. Louis-based company introduced Charged Sips in the spring of 2022. In the fall of 2023, Panera was sued by the families of two people with heart conditions who died after drinking Charged Lemonades at Panera. The families say Panera didn’t properly warn customers that the drinks contained so much caffeine.

PITTSBURGH – In partnership with the Pittsburgh Pirates, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District will host their “Water Safety Night” at PNC Park, May 11.

The event intends to promote safe practices on our waterways as the summer recreation season begins.

Before the game, members from the Pittsburgh District and other waterway partners will set up interactive displays and games on Federal Street to promote life jackets, water safety, and safe boating practices to the public.

Pittsburgh District will participate in the first pitch and provide a color guard team to present the colors during the national anthem. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ official mascot, Bobber the Water Safety Dog, will participate in the Great Pierogi Race during in-game entertainment. The first 20,000 fans to enter the stadium will receive a free T-shirt promoting the “Wear It” Safe Boating Campaign.

Prior to the Pirates versus the Chicago Cubs baseball game, USACE and its partners will line Federal Street from 1 to 4 p.m., with displays including a USACE patrol boat, the district’s diving program display, and a fully functional lock and dam model. Bobber will be available to take pictures and greet fans. Activities will be available for children and adults.

Water Safety Night helps to promote National Safe Boating Week, May 18 – 24, 2024.

Other groups participating in the event include the U.S. Coast Guard, Friends of the River Front, Pennsylvania Game Commination, Point State Park, Penn State, Lower Kiski River Rescue, Port of Pittsburgh Commission, Pittsburgh Safe Boating Council, Waterways Association of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Three Rivers Rowing, and the Carnegie Science Center. USACE will have more than 25 partnering agencies supporting the event.

Accidents can happen quickly while on the waterways. The water safety night and the upcoming safe boating week target males aged 18 and older, who are the most at-risk group for water-related fatalities. Despite that demographic’s risk perception, they make up a significant majority of recreation incidents, often because they are not wearing life jackets. The water safety night presents a crucial opportunity to educate and raise awareness, potentially saving lives. Statistics show that 90 percent of people who drowned may have been saved if they had worn a life jacket.

For everyone out on the waterways, the Corps of Engineers wants to remind you to KNOW. TAKE. WEAR. Know the waterways. Take a water-safety course. Wear your life jacket.

In honor of Teachers Appreciation Day today, Sandcastle Waterpark announces it will offer FREE ADMISSION to ALL Educators beginning opening weekend, Saturday, May 25 through June 30, on all operating days. Educators simply need to present a valid work ID at Guest Relations to redeem their free ticket. They can also purchase up to four discounted tickets for family members for only $29.99 each at the gate. 

With Sandcastle’s expanded operating calendar, this season there will be more days to play. There is no better way to kick off the unofficial start to summer and the beginning of the Sandcastle season than by celebrating these individuals in our community and showing our appreciation for their hard work this school year. 

Sandcastle is Better, Brighter, Fresher than Ever, with its multi-year park transformation complete, featuring the new Bomb’s Away water slide and upgraded Mon Tsunami, Mushroom Pool and Dragon’s Denattractions. The Boardwalk and Sandcastle Bridge Bar and Grill have also received complete makeovers.

Danielle Smith – Keystone State News Service

As Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week kicks off in Pennsylvania, an expert said parents can help their children have a healthy brain to thrive.

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study showed 57% of teenage girls reported being persistently sad and depressed, and 24% had reported having made plans for suicide.

Charles Fay, child psychologist and president of the Love and Logic Institute, said a healthy brain is the foundation of good parenting, and Keystone State parents could foster children’s ability to become mentally strong, responsible and successful.

“Parents creating a home where kids are really expected to take good care of themselves and show them how to do it, with eating, the diet, with sleep,” Fay outlined. “We’re seeing more young people getting hardly any sleep and one of the biggest reasons is they have their phones or other devices in their bedrooms.”

For children and teenagers struggling with depression, anxiety or adjusting to challenging situations, the state offers mental health resources online.

Fay pointed out recent statistics show a significant number of young people experiencing difficulties do not receive services. For individuals receiving help, the percentage is low. He emphasized the importance of parents making their best efforts to tackle this concerning issue.

“The national average of young people ages 12-17 getting services for severe depression is right
around 41% to 42%. Pennsylvania is right in that range,” Fay emphasized. “What’s scary about that is, those are kids who are actually getting help.”

Fay noted the importance of guiding children to translate their natural talents into fulfilling careers. He believes the path leads to greater happiness. His book, “Raising Mentally Strong Kids,” outlined a strategy combining brain science with practical tools to cultivate resilient minds in children.