Tuesday, May 21, 2013
One day after walking out of a Nazareth Area school board meeting, director Chris Miller resigns.
Nazareth Area School Board member Chris Miller has resigned. Miller sent Patch a one-sentence email at 1:31pm today. It said: ”I resigned from the NASD as of today, May 21, 2013.” Patch tried to reach Miller for further comment. Miller, who was outspoken following sexual assault allegations against the middle school drama teacher, was harshly criticized by several school board members Monday night when he left the meeting while it was still in progress. He attended the meeting’s first part, but was not present when the board returned from the gym after watching performances by several student groups. In addition to leaving the meeting, Miller apparently confronted a second-grade teacher in the hallway Monday night after she led a …
Nazareth Area School Board Director Chris Miller leaves Monday night's meeting after student presentations.
Nazareth school board member Chris Miller ruffled feathers Monday night with two actions—one he did for certain and another that he is reported to have done. The action Miller did for certain was leaving the school board meeting unannounced after the first part of the meeting when the board and audience went to the nearby gym to watch presentations by the high school chorus, the indoor color guard and the dance team. The board returned to the board room to resume the meeting but Miller—who expressed disgust over sex assault allegations against the middle school drama teacher—was not there. Board member Darrell Crook called Miller’s disappearance “an insult” to the board “and our kids.” The second action, described by board president Lorin …
Sunday, May 19, 2013
After 15 years, a new phone system will be installed as school board approves $162,942 cost.
After about 15 years—what an official called “an eternity” in the technology world—Nazareth area schools are getting a new telephone system. The school board Monday night awarded a $162,942 contract to Guyette Communications Industries Corp. of Plymouth (Luzerne County) to install a new NEC phone system. NEC is the Japanese-based manufacturer. In a related item, the board approved an $18,400 payment for HP PoE switches for the new phone system. According to the board’s agenda, the new phone system is part of the district’s five-year technology plan. The equipment and installation will be bought through the PEPPM (Pennsylvania Education Purchasing Program for Microcomputers) state contract and funded through the Capital Projects Fund for …
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Thirteen Nazareth Area teachers were honored at school board work session Monday for completing an induction program.
Thirteen Nazareth Area teachers were honored Monday night for reaching a landmark in their careers. The teachers—some permanent, some long-term substitutes—were recognized for completing an induction program, one of three requirements teachers must meet to gain level-two certification. The other requirements, according to superintendent Dennis Riker, are three years of successful teaching and completing 24 post-graduate credits. Isabel Resende, assistant to the superintendent, presented certificates to the “inducted” teachers at Monday night’s school board meeting. Also honored were the teachers’ mentors—the folks who have traveled farther down the road of the teaching profession. Riker said teachers in the induction program meet regularly…
Friday, May 17, 2013
The Holy Family School is putting on a performance of "Cinderella."
The Holy Family School Proud Players are presenting a performance of "Cinderella." The play begins at 7 p.m. Friday. Two performances take place at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday with another scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. The performances will be held at the Holy Family School gymnasium, 430 W. Center St., Nazareth. The cost of general admission is $7. To see some of the dress rehearsal, click on Pics and Clips on the top bar of the Nazareth Patch home page and then search for the photos.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Nazareth Area Middle School students perform 'Seussical' before school board Monday night.
Nazareth Area Middle School drama students—in the aftermath of sexual assault charges against their former teacher—were praised for going “above and beyond all kinds of challenges” and “overcoming many obstacles.” Delivering the praise at Monday night’s school board meeting was the students’ principal, Robert Kern. He did not name the accused teacher, Shawn Salevsky, saying at one point he did not want to go into the exact nature of the situation. The group of about 30 students, meanwhile, adhered to the adage “the show must go on” and sang excerpts from the musical “Seussical” they will perform in full Wednesday and Saturday. There was no public comment about the accused teacher. In fact, no one from the public spoke at the board meeting …
Easton Area School Board set to vote to name John Reinhart the interim superintendent.
The former head of the Bangor Area School District could lead Easton's schools, at least for a little while. The school board will vote Tuesday night on whether to hire John Reinhart, Bangor's former superintendent, to serve as Easton Area's interim superintendent, according to the meeting agenda. The interim superintendent position became necessary last month when two finalists for the job withdrew their names from consideration. Reinhart became superintendnent in 1999 and retired from education in 2010. Before working in school administration, he was a teacher in both the Easton and Bangor school districts. Also on Tuesday's agenda: the approval of the 2013-2014 budget.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
The Nazareth Area School Board hires Janet Wolff to fill one of its two curriculum director jobs.
The Nazareth Area School District has filled one of its two curriculum director jobs with a 20-year veteran of New York City schools who is leaving her current job in the Allentown School District under the fear of a future layoff. The school board hired Janet Wolff, currently an assistant principal at Allen High School, as director of elementary education for grades K through 6. Her salary will be $103,000 a year. Wolff replaces Tamara Gary, who was hired last month as principal of Bangor High School. She will share curriculum duties with Mark Madson, who will handle grades 7 through 12. Wolff’s start date has yet to be determined, superintendent Dennis Riker said. Previously, the curriculum directors’ duties were divided by subjects. …
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Nazareth Area High School receives 11 nominations for the Freddy Awards, which will be held on May 23. Bangor Area High School earns four nominations.
And the nominations are in... Nazareth Area High School has scored 11 Freddy Award nominations Thursday for their school plays. Meanwhile, Bangor Area High School received four nominations. Nazareth's nominations included outstanding performances by an actress and actor in a leading role. Meanwhile, Vanessa Ruggiero received three nominations for her work in "Anything Goes." Bangor's "Annie" garned four nominations for best stage crew and orchestra and best performance by a small ensemble and best supporting actor role. Nazareth's nominations are: Bangor's nominations are: The awards will air on WFMZ-TV on May 23. They are held each year at the State Theatre in Easton. Tickets for the Awards Ceremony on May 23rd are made available to the …
State Police at Belfast report injuries in motor vehicle accident in Stockertown Wednesday.
Two people suffered injuries in a motor vehicle accident in Stockertown Wednesday afternoon, state police said. State Police at Belfast reported that two people were injured when their vehicles collided at 5:09 p.m. Wednesday on Route 191 where it intersects with Route 33. State Police Investigator Nathan Branosky said that Veronica M. Skidmore, 61, of Saylorsburg was driving a 2011 Subaru Forester when she went through a stop sign on Route 33 and onto Route 191. That's when she struck a 2012 Ford Fusion driven by James A. West, 50, of Nazareth that was southbound on Route 191. West's vehicle was struck on the passenger side, causing Skidmore to travel through the intersection and come to a final rest on the northbound lane of Route 191 …
Ben Miller
10:02 am on Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Rosemary, Chris Miller and I are both members of the same political party. more ›