September 16, 2020 |
By Kristen Keleschenyi | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News, North Versailles Twp. News
A student-athlete at East Allegheny High School tested positive over the weekend for COVID-19, school officials said.
The student is a member of the girls’ volleyball team and the cheerleading squad. Both activities have been suspended for 14 days, the district said.
Superintendent Alan Johnson told the East Allegheny School Board that all health and safety protocols are being followed. Contact has been made with all the families involved to make them aware of the situation, he said.
Because the district is operating in virtual mode, no classrooms or office spaces have been compromised, Johnson said.
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September 16, 2020 |
By Kristen Keleschenyi | Posted in: North Versailles Twp. News
East Allegheny School Board has approved an spectator attendance plan for outdoor events just in time for the first home football game.
In accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations and state guidelines limiting gatherings to 250 people or less, each student participant — including players, cheerleaders and members of the band — will be allowed to have two members of their family attend games.
“We wouldn't be able to accommodate additional spectators beyond that,” Superintendent Alan Johnson said at this week’s school board meeting.
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September 08, 2020 |
By Kristen Keleschenyi | Posted in: North Versailles Twp. News
Students in the East Allegheny School District are in their second week of instruction during a school year that is different from any other.
The current pandemic has made planning for this year an incredible task for administrators and staff.
At the end of June, a new superintendent was appointed to help lead the fold into this uncharted territory, but Alan Johnson is no stranger to western Pennsylvania. He was the superintendent in the Woodland Hills School District before he retired at the end of the 2017-18 school year.
“In the eight years I worked at Woodland Hills, I fell in love with Allegheny County — eastern Allegheny County especially,” Johnson says. “It reminded me of my home in Johnstown. There are so many similarities.”
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August 26, 2020 |
By Kristen Keleschenyi | Posted in: North Versailles Twp. News
North Versailles Twp. commissioners will express their support for the Tobacco Free Allegheny campaign.
At the August meeting, Township Manager Patricia Logo was directed to draft a letter of support for Tobacco Free Allegheny, notifying the campaign that North Versailles prohibits smoking in township parks and around public buildings.
In other business, commissioners approved payments to the West Wilmerding VFC in the amount $6,749.64 from the 2019-20 Fire Tax Money and to the Crestas VFC in the amount of $15,943.83.
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August 26, 2020 |
By Kristen Keleschenyi | Posted in: North Versailles Twp. News
Chickens are now welcome in North Versailles Twp. after a unanimous vote of commissioners at their August meeting.
The new ordinance, approved by commissioners, will allow homeowers to apply for a permit to keep up to four female chickens on their property. The property must be a single-family dwelling and chickens must be secured at night in their coop.
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August 20, 2020 |
By Kristen Keleschenyi | Posted in: North Versailles Twp. News
Assistant Drum Major Aidan Foscoe directs the East Allegheny High School band during a Monday night practice. (Kristen Keleschenyi photo for Tube City Almanac)
After several years of jazz-themed shows, the East Allegheny High School Marching Band is changing its tune.
For the 2020 season, the band will do a rock-themed show spotlighting the music of Elton John, including arrangements of hits such as “Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding,” “Your Song” and “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting.”
Band director Justin Rosco says the decision to move away from jazz was based on the departure of a number of seniors last year, and his desire to change things up a bit.
“We had a good trio,” Rosco says, “that was one of the reasons we did several jazz shows in a row.”
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August 13, 2020 |
By Kristen Keleschenyi | Posted in: North Versailles Twp. News
More details have been released regarding the school start plan for East Allegheny School District.
At this week’s school board meeting, Superintendent Alan Johnson clarified the wording of the health and safety plan that was approved by EA directors on July 31.
The majority of students are expected to start the year remotely, but the wording has been changed to more accurately depict how EA’s education plan will be executed for the first nine weeks.
“We have a sizable number, not a majority, but a good number of students who will require some face to face instruction,” Johnson said. “These are students that have learning disabilities who really would probably not do well in a remote learning environment, so we are making arrangements that they can come into the school.”
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August 02, 2020 |
By Kristen Keleschenyi | Posted in: North Versailles Twp. News
(Submitted photo)
Turning double digits is a milestone in a kid’s life. Most children ease into a new decade maybe by playing with some of the presents they received and eating leftover cake.
But in June, two days after Adeline Naser turned 10, she was making a presentation to the North Versailles Twp. Commissioners. Her presentation was turned into a newly drafted ordinance to allow chickens in the township, which will be voted on in a few weeks.
Naser got the idea at the beginning of the COVID-19 stay-at-home order when eggs were in short supply. Her friend had chickens and was giving away eggs to her neighbors.
That’s when the wheels started turning for Naser, a local Girl Scout who has set her sights on making a difference in her community and earning her bronze award, the highest honor for a junior scout.
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July 29, 2020 |
By Kristen Keleschenyi | Posted in: North Versailles Twp. News
East Allegheny School District will begin the 2020-21 academic year remotely.
At a special meeting held virtually on Monday, Superintendent Alan Johnson said that with Allegheny County still experiencing new COVID-19 cases — close to 200 per day — and with more young people being diagnosed, the district has decided to shift to a remote opening plan.
“We just do not believe we are in a position to safely operate any kind of on-site class within the school district for the first nine weeks,” Johnson said.
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July 21, 2020 |
By Kristen Keleschenyi | Posted in: North Versailles Twp. News
North Versailles Twp. will consider an ordinance that would allow residents to keep chickens on their own property.
At the July meeting, Solicitor Greg Evashavik presented a draft of the ordinance to commissioners for their consideration. The ordinance, expected to be put to a vote at the Aug. 20 meeting, is available for review at the municipal building.
Raising backyard chickens as a hobby has become increasingly popular in recent years and is permitted in many Mon-Yough municipalities.
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