District to restore more sports, activities

7th-, 8th-grade basketball to return

Slowly but surely, some of the sports and extracurricular activities Sto-Rox students have lost in recent years are being returned.

Earlier this year, school directors reinstated the high school baseball and softball programs for 2015-16.

The programs removed during the 2013-14 budgetary process were sacrificed to save the district about $24,000 at the time.

The move resulted in backlash from the community and affected the historical continuity of the softball program, which claimed 10 Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League championship titles over 35 years.

This month, the board is planning to reinstate girls and boys seventh- and eighth-grade basketball for next year.

Instead of being a club sport as it was when canceled in 2013, the teams will play under the WPIAL banner.

Acting superintendent Terry DeCarbo said returning the sports programs will “expand the teams we can play and expand the experience they will have.

In turn, it will reflect in the classroom. There is value in these types of activities, engagement.”

Students who came to the administration asking for lacrosse teams also may have their wishes granted. The administration is looking into the proposal.

“We need to be sure we are investing in our students,” Mr. DeCarbo said. “Strong leaders in the classroom are strong leaders on the sports field and that same in reverse.”

Additionally, various afterschool activities have been added for middle schoolers during this year as part of a plan to help turn around student achievement issues.

The middle school was designated as a focus school based on its Title 1 standing and Pennsylvania System of School Assessment scores in 2012-13 where below-basic scores of 37 percent in reading and 45 percent in math were scored.

Alternately, 17 percent of students earned advanced rankings in reading that year and 5 percent in math.

Twenty-seven percent of students scored proficient marks in reading, with 26 percent proficient in math.

Title 1 is a federal designation

providing funds for at-risk student populations living below or at the poverty level.

The focus designation is given to schools in the lowest 10 percent of Title 1 schools with the highest achievement gaps.

These gaps are determined by the combined mathematics and reading PSSA scores.

Sto-Rox Middle School will carry this designation for three years and will receive additional funds to be used for improvements.

In December, the district added a coordinator of student success position at the middle school to help enhance the building academically, socially and culturally.

After-school activities added for middle school students this past year include a Boy Scout troop, volleyball and various club activities such as Lego building and art.

Orange Arrow, a male component of the Strong Women Strong Girls group, also has been added at the elementary level.