Category: Columns

Columns, Opinion

Column: Bullying issues in PENNCREST resurface at board meeting

By Zorian Edwards, Multimedia & Features Editor and Arion Knott, Managing Editor  After the rumor of Cambridge Springs’ schools closing filled the Cambridge Springs High school auditorium on Feb. 13 at the PENNCREST work session, some residents returned seeking more information at the Feb. 16 PENNCREST School Board meeting. However, by the end of the meeting, a separate issue became the focus.  During the section … Continue reading Column: Bullying issues in PENNCREST resurface at board meeting

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Columns, Opinion

Letter to the Editor: We support Policy 109.2

By Nola Zook, Mallory Zook, and Cora MacAdam (Saegertown students) Policy 109.2, which was recently passed by the PENNCREST School Board, prompted the removal of books containing sexually explicit content from PENNCREST school libraries. It is evident that many people disagree with Policy 109.2 for various reasons. Many people argue that the removal of these books is an injustice to the LGBTQ community, and that … Continue reading Letter to the Editor: We support Policy 109.2

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Columns, District News, Opinion

Column: Policies target the LGBTQ+ community

By Celeste Eback, website editor During the January PENNCREST School Board meeting, policies 109.2 and 123 were updated. Policy 109.2 aims to eliminate sexually explicit content from our libraries. Policy 123 specifies that students can only be on sports teams that correspond to their biological sex. These policies are targeting the LGBTQIA+ community. What Policy 109.2 defines as sexually explicit is as follows: “Visual or … Continue reading Column: Policies target the LGBTQ+ community

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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

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Columns, Opinion

New Fab: Banning Books

By Sara Slayter, Opinion Editor  In December 2022, PENNCREST school board held a meeting that opened a conversation on draft Policy 109.2, Library Materials. The draft adds words like sexualized, inappropriate, nudity, simulations of sex acts and implied depictions of sexual acts and other terms to describe how decisions will be made about books already in the library as well as books that might be … Continue reading New Fab: Banning Books

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Columns, Opinion

Column: A Biblical response to the recent column on LGBTQIA+ student safety

By Cora MacAdam, staff writer Most people know the Golden Rule, “treat others as you want to be treated.” This has been an esteemed idea for centuries; it is something that almost everyone can agree on. However, something many people do not know about this rule is that it comes from the Bible; more specifically, from Jesus himself. In Matthew 7:12 Jesus says, “So whatever … Continue reading Column: A Biblical response to the recent column on LGBTQIA+ student safety

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Columns, Opinion

Column: Progress made; more progress needed on LGBTQIA+ student safety

By Zaine Eback, Panther Paw editor One day last January, I wore a skirt and heels to school for the first time. During the school day, I received compliments from various people, and it was awesome. However, when I got on the bus to go home, two other students started making inappropriate remarks toward me. They were threatening to beat me up on the last … Continue reading Column: Progress made; more progress needed on LGBTQIA+ student safety

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Columns, Opinion

Column: Is life being cancelled?

By Nick Opsanic, staff writer For the past 100 years, life as a child growing up was made up of mostly “fun,” with great toys, games, and books. Lionel Trains, Crayola Crayons, Lincoln Logs, Dr. Seuss books, and Mr. Potato Head allowed kids hours of pleasure. Using these simple, but captivating tools, children could explore the changing world around them while expanding their imagination and … Continue reading Column: Is life being cancelled?

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Columns, Opinion

Opportunity for ‘lifelong learning’ is lost with lingering school library lapse

Staff Editorial “The PENNCREST School District will be a dynamic educational community that inspires optimal student achievement and lifelong learning.” This is PENNCREST School District’s vision. It’s also a vision that is not being fulfilled. With libraries across the school district closed and not circulating books, students don’t have the opportunity to receive a “lifelong learning.” Students are being openly denied access to arguably the … Continue reading Opportunity for ‘lifelong learning’ is lost with lingering school library lapse

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Columns, Sports

Coach Scott: A man most definitely gone too soon

By Brady Greco, contributing writer Dedication. Love. Success. This is what Coach Steve Scott brought to the Saegertown girls basketball team game-in and game-out. Coach Scott was known throughout the community and always supported our sports teams at the high school. As a basketball player and student at Saegertown, I will never forget Coach Scott. He is the definition of a person gone too soon. … Continue reading Coach Scott: A man most definitely gone too soon

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