Education is the key
As an educator in the Monessen City School District for the past 11 years, I have seen many highs and lows for our school district. However, the school district is now at a crossroads and, quite frankly, is fighting for its very survival.
The recently proposed tentative budget for next school year raised much concern among taxpayers, and rightfully so. Consequently, the concern over the budget has also led many parents and community members to question the district’s sustainability, and if it can continue to provide a quality education to its students. As such, I believe it is incumbent upon me to offer some insight into what we do and provide for our students.
Besides being an educator in the district, I am also the president of the Monessen Education Association. My members work tirelessly to provide a safe environment and a good education to our students. Through many course offerings, we challenge our students to learn, think critically, discover and question the world around them, all while preparing them for challenges that the next stage of their lives will bring.
Many members are extracurricular sponsors that serve to enhance the student experience at Monessen. In fact, 13 of our students in Future Business Leaders of America have qualified to compete at the state level in Hershey this spring, with nine earning first place at the regional competition. Several of our students will embark on a European tour this summer chaperoned by our foreign language teachers. Four of our Group for the Performing Arts students have been selected as scholarship recipients when they performed at the Westmoreland Night of the Stars within the last two years. Over the last several years, many of our band and chorus students have participated in the Westmoreland County Music Educators Association band and chorus festivals, and our band will perform at Disney World this coming spring. Also, our elementary students take part in our MakerSpace program that promotes creativity, innovation, and experimentation.
Just over the last few years, including this current school year, our students have been accepted to universities and colleges through the state and region. In fact, one of this year’s graduating seniors will attend Pennsylvania State University in the fall to major in nuclear engineering. Not too bad for a small, beleaguered school district such as ours.
There is no doubt that our school district faces challenges that it must surmount, but we are making strides and showing growth. We serve a community that is distressed and has seen its best days fade away. Our students face unique challenges as well, especially from a socioeconomic standpoint, but we must show them that there is hope and that education is the key.
Nicole L. Popelas
Monessen
Popelas is president of the Monessen Education Association.