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Granddaughter of Catholic Worker Movement founder Dorothy Day, Martha Hennessy to speak at Misericordia

Misericordia seeks local bands for CD

First Posted: 4/22/2013 CLARKS SUMMIT- The Abington Heights School District plans to hire a consultant at the May 1 work session to evaluate the problems with the pool and draw up specifications for fixing the issues.
&#8220;We have received a proposal from one firm,&#8221; Abington Heights Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael Mahon said. &#8220;We are reviewing it, but don&#8217;t have it ready for approval tonight because we are looking at two potential alternatives. It&#8217;s our sense that if we approve the proposal at our May work session, we would still have sufficient time to have the pool open for the start of school or swim season.
Mahon praised the work of the AEIO (Abington Heights Education Improvement Organization). Several Odyssey of the Mind teams, sponsored by the organization, have advanced to World Competition.
&#8220;This group works very hard, they are very focused, and they are doing incredible things for our kids that we would never be able to accomplish without their support and assistance. It&#8217;s a tremendous organization staffed with tremendous people.
Student Representative Rebecca Fallk reported that 86 members of the junior class were inducted into the National Honor Society. The annual Triathlon will be held May 9. The first annual Poetry Night will be May 2 at the library from 7 to 8:30 p.m. An orchestra concert will take place April 28, and choral concert May 7.
According to Student Representative Fallk, a change in class criteria is of concern to students.
In order for students to override classes from level 2 to honors or honors to Advanced Placement, they must meet the criteria set forth in a new 45-day challenge. The challenge: If the students are overriding a level 2 class to honors they must have at least a 93 average for the 4th quarter, and earn at least a 90 on the final. To override from honors to AP, students need to have at least a 95 average in the 4th quarter, and earn a 93 on the final.
&#8220;Largely, students are extremely upset with this new challenge,&#8221; Fallk said. &#8220;The first reason is that the challenge was presented to students after course schedules for next year were already created and the terms can be confusing to the students. The biggest concern I came across was the difference in classes from one grade to the next. One&#8217;s ability in biology has very little to do with their ability in chemistry.&#8221;
Assistant Superintendent of School Dr. Thomas Quinn explained the rationale behind the decision is to ensure students are able to succeed in the more demanding courses.
&#8220;You have to be able to demonstrate some ability to perform at a higher level,&#8221; Quinn said. &#8220;We have a lot of cumulative experience that shows a lot of the people who override into more challenging courses end up floundering because they either don&#8217;t have the aptitude or desire to work as hard as is required to succeed. We&#8217;re trying to stop mistakes before they happen.&#8221;
Abington Heights Principal Pamela Murray will invite all students interested in overriding classes to meet one-on-one to discuss each unique situation.
&#8220;We&#8217;re trying to balance the needs and wants of students and set them up for success,&#8221; she said.
The board voted to accept the resignations of Clarks Summit Elementary teachers Marilyn Miller and Mary Alice Bartz, Waverly Elementary School teacher Marian Booth, Abington Heights Middle School teacher Joy Sundberg and high school teacher Julie Lartz.
According to Mahon, it&#8217;s uncertain if their positions will be replaced.

<strong>Board: A.H. pool decision May 1</strong>