MANCINI AWARDS

Freedom Drama Club’s production of “West Side Story” was nominated for 11 Mancini Awards. The Freedom Drama Club was nominated for “Outstanding Overall Production,” “Outstanding Overall Performance,” “Outstanding Technical Execution,” “Outstanding Choreography,” “Outstanding Ensemble,” “Outstanding Vocal Ensemble” and “Outstanding Community Engagement.”

In addition to the group nominations, four students were nominated for their performance. Senior Robbie Raso, who played Tony, was nominated for “Outstanding Leading Actor;” Senior Maura Lehocky, who played Anita, was nominated for “Outstanding Leading Actress;” Senior Nathan James, who played Riff, was nominated for “Outstanding Supporting Actor” and Senior Ryan Edder, who played Action, was nominated for “Outstanding Noteworthy Individual.” Nominees were invited to a Nominees Reception on May 17 at the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center in Midland, Pa.

Freedom was also asked to perform “Gee, Officer Krupke,” featuring the Jets, at the awards ceremony.

“It’s sad that the whole family will not be up there with us,” Edder said. “Other than [that], I am very excited to perform at the Mancini’s and show a portion of Freedom’s ‘West Side Story’ to the parents and kids of different districts.”

The awards ceremony will be held at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center on May 30 at 7 p.m. Tickets can be bought online, over the phone or at the door for $10.

LEAD TO LEARN

After a year-and-a-half-long contract with Lead to Learn, a program where coaches came into classrooms to observe and advise teachers on new instructional strategies, FASD will not renew the contract for next year.

“When Dr. [Jeffrey] Fuller and Mrs. [Noriene] Plate had their budget discussion with the Board [the May 14] Board meeting, they indicated that [Lead to Learn] was not in the budget and that contract wouldn’t be renewed,” FHS Principal, Mr. William Deal, said. The contract will expire at the end of the school year.

“It was a very expensive contract and, while we really liked the service that we got out of it, given the financial state of the district, it was just one of those things that I think the administration and the Board felt couldn’t be continued,” Deal said. As more students and teachers got more comfortable with the program throughout the year, Deal noticed growth and progress. Despite the end of this program’s contract, this is not the end of the this growth.

“What’s going to happening now, moving forward, is, because the contract’s not being renewed, that puts some of the responsibility back on Mr. [Ryan Smith and I, as the principals in this building, to sort of carry on the training or carry on the expectations that were in place with Lead to Learn so, we want to continue growing in those areas,” Deal said. “We’re not done; we’re going to carry it on, just a little differently.”

Next year, Deal and Smith, as well as several academic coaches will continue to make sure that these strategies will continue into future school years.

BOARD MEETING REPORTS:

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Mrs. Beth Majors and her robotics class students have been fixing one of the basketball shooting machines that was not working. The class plans to have this project completed before the end of the year.

The baseball team has shown an interest in going to Florida next spring for a training trip. More details will be announced once the feasibility of this trip has been determined.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROGRESS UPDATE

As of May 14, elementary school construction was scheduled to be at 66 percent completion, but was actually at 65 percent. Ceramics, paint, ceiling grid, lights and drywall have all been a work in progress on the first floor while, on the second floor, taping, ceramic flooring and restroom preparation have been occurring.

Two change orders, which included the rerouting and extension of an emergency overflow drainage system as well as changing the type of insulation at the west wall, were approved at the May 14 meeting.

DIRECTOR OF BUILDING AND GROUNDS

New concrete pads have been installed at the baseball and softball field. Aluminium bleachers are also going to be installed; this date will be decided once the bleachers arrive. Concerning the shot put event, the gravel base and finish have been completed.