BETHEL PARK

Students will have to make up two days of school that were missed earlier this month due to written threats of violence.

The board set Feb. 19 and March 29 as makeup days.

The district canceled classes Oct. 12 and Oct. 16 after online rumors of threats targeting Bethel Park High School.

The police had determined the threats were not credible, but the district erred on the side of caution and closed school on the targeted days.

NORTH ALLEGHENY

The district’s research last year into student stress included focus groups with students, families and staff that looked at such possible stressors as the early starting time of the school day and weighted grades.

Two public meetings will be held on the subject – Nov. 9 at Marshall Middle School and Nov. 13 at Carson Middle School. Both meetings will begin at 7 p.m.

The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend an 8:30 a.m. school start time for adolescents. North Allegheny High School students begin their day at 7:25 a.m.

The meeting on weighted grades — extra points given for honors and advanced placement courses — will include input from colleges and universities, many of which remove the weights when students apply, officials say.

The problem with weighted grades, district officials say, is that students feel they have to take the classes to get into college, leading to additional stress. Possible moves include eliminating weighted grades completely or capping the number of courses a student can receive weighted grades for each year.