Policy 109.2 update: Over 100 books pulled for review

By Zorian Edwards, Multimedia & Features Editor and Ezra McClymonds, contributing writer A list of books pulled for review was shared with The Panther Press staff by a parent in the PENNCREST School District. It includes, ‘The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian’ by Sherman Alexie, ‘Captain Underpants (series)’ by Dav Pilkey, ‘The Bluest Eye’ by Toni Morrison, ‘The Kite Runner’ by Khaled … Continue reading Policy 109.2 update: Over 100 books pulled for review

pantherpressJanuary 31, 2023January 31, 2023Leave a comment

High School News, News

Art club working on first school project

By Alaina Merchant and Kaitlyn Brookshire, staff writers This year art teacher Angela Granat started the Art Club, which meets every other Tuesday after school. So far, there are eight members who attend regularly. “We may have a small number of members, but we have a great time,” president Hazel Peel said. “I started an art club to give students an opportunity to be in … Continue reading Art club working on first school project

pantherpressJanuary 31, 2023Leave a comment

District News, High School News, News

Safety sensors making a difference

By Porter Brooks, news editor This school year, all PENNCREST schools installed vape detectors in bathrooms and locker rooms to monitor areas where surveillance cameras cannot be installed. According to the website, HALO detects carbon dioxide (CO2), particulate concentrations, humidity, volatile organic compounds (VOC), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in the air. This multi-sensor is capable of vape detection, smoke detection, THC detection, and sound detection … Continue reading Safety sensors making a difference

pantherpressJanuary 31, 2023January 31, 2023Leave a comment

District News, News

Policy Updates ‘At a Glance’ 122 Extracurricular Activites

By Luthea Sweeney, photo and design editor Policy 122 defines extracurricular activities, the limitations of said activities, and their guidelines. At a glance, the major changes include requiring students who wish to form new clubs to submit a proclamation stating that they are doing so of their own free will, and that all club minutes will be subject to Pennsylvania’s Right to Know law. The definition … Continue reading Policy Updates ‘At a Glance’ 122 Extracurricular Activites

pantherpressJanuary 30, 2023January 31, 2023Leave a comment

District News, News

Local attorney claims PENNCREST School Board actions contradict legal arguments

By Brennen McWright, editor in chief Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last few months, you’ve undoubtedly heard of PENNCREST’s Policy 109.2, which was passed earlier this month, effectively taking books out of the library. Brian Cagle, an attorney at Pepicelli, Youngs and Youngs PC and involved in an ongoing legal case against the District*, has seemingly found an important contradiction of … Continue reading Local attorney claims PENNCREST School Board actions contradict legal arguments

pantherpressJanuary 26, 2023January 29, 2023Leave a comment

District News, News

Quinn Law Firm drops PENNCREST School District

By Brennen McWright, editor in chief PENNCREST School Board and George Joseph, PENNCREST’s ex-solicitor and an attorney at Quinn Law Firm, have parted ways after a disagreement on the legality of the recently passed revisions to Policy 109.2. Joseph sent his letter of resignation to PENNCREST School Board President Luigi DeFrancesco on Jan. 20. “An attorney and solicitor for a school district has an obligation … Continue reading Quinn Law Firm drops PENNCREST School District

pantherpressJanuary 26, 2023January 29, 20233 Comments

District News, High School News, News, Photos

Photo Story: The Impact of Policy 109.2 Library Materials

Photos and story by Luthea Sweeney, photo and design editor On Friday, Jan 20, several students were directed to report to the library with their books and told the books were being recalled for review under Policy 109.2. The titles included “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee and “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” by Suzanne Collins. The librarian pulled books from the shelves … Continue reading Photo Story: The Impact of Policy 109.2 Library Materials

pantherpressJanuary 26, 2023January 29, 20231 Comment

District News, News

Resource officers settling in

By: Fayelynn McWright, opinion editor The PENNCREST School District implemented resource officers in Maplewood and Saegertown schools after the winter break. Officer Alyssa Angelo is assigned to Saegertown (as was previously reported in the Panther Press), but she will now be joined by Officer Rick Skonieczka. “Officer Skonieczka will be in the school full-time for the remainder of the year while I am absent,” Angelo … Continue reading Resource officers settling in

pantherpressJanuary 26, 2023January 29, 2023Leave a comment

Columns, Opinion

Column: Questions remain about PENNCREST policy updates

“I have a list of books here in my hand, if anyone would like to look at them, of books that are in our libraries that promote this garbage and absolute trash to students,” said PENNCREST school board policy committee chairperson David Valesky at the Jan. 9 work session during the discussion of updates to Policy 109.2 Library Materials. At the voting meeting on Jan. … Continue reading Column: Questions remain about PENNCREST policy updates

pantherpressJanuary 25, 2023January 29, 2023Leave a comment

Artist of the Week, Features

Artist of the Week: Natalie Slee

Artist Bio: Art is one of Natalie Slee’s greatest passions, and one thing she especially enjoys making is tattoo designs. “It’s powerful to see how people will take their differences and put them aside for a tattoo that represents them,” Slee says. She was first inspired by her grandfather, who taught her everything she needed to know about art. Slee has been drawing for around … Continue reading Artist of the Week: Natalie Slee

pantherpressJanuary 24, 2023January 29, 2023Leave a comment