Sewickley Public Library Looks to Improve Security

Increased security measures are being explore to prevent thefts in response to recent attempts.

The Sewickley Public Library is exploring additional security measures that go beyond tracking overdue books and unpaid fines, according to a representative on the library board. Quaker Valley School Director Gianni Floro told the board last night that two attempted break-ins have prompted discussions about adding security systems, such as video monitoring. In one case, Sewickley-area police responded to the library for an alarm and found that someone pried open a door. No one was found inside the building during the November incident and police said everything appeared to be in order except for a door with noticeable pry marks. In addition to its inventory of books, DVDs and other materials, Floro said the library has some great artifacts…

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Quaker Valley to Withdraw from Alternative School

The alternative school on the Parkway West Career and Technology Center campus is at risk to close due to high costs and low student enrollment.

The Quaker Valley School Board voted Tuesday to submit a letter notifying the Parkway West Career and Technical Center of the district’s intent to withdraw from the Alternative Center for Education.  The withdrawal from the educational program will be effective beginning with the 2013-14 school year. Superintendent Joseph Clapper reiterated Tuesday night that the issue isn’t about the quality of the program. “It’s the cost of the program,” said Clapper, who also serves as the superintendent of record.  Enrollment at ACE has declined to 44 students from about 80, resulting in a higher tuition costs of more than $17,000 per student for the half-day program, school officials said. Of the five students that Quaker Valley sends, three will …

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Larissa Dudkiewicz

4:09 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012

It's a combination of factors. Basically students today and schools have more options for alternative education, which is resulting in fewer students attending ACE and higher costs per student.   more ›

Sewickley Resident Starts Facebook Page to Save Alternative School

Alternative Center for Education could be shut down due to low student enrollment.

By the time she reached ninth grade, Emma Pasekoff was already falling through the cracks. The Mt. Lebanon High School teen fell in with the wrong crowd and lost interest in school. She began losing the respect of her parents, who thought she would never graduate. “I started losing hope for myself. I didn’t care about getting good grades,” said Pasekoff, 20, of Sewickley. “Everything was just immensely deteriorating.” As a last-ditch effort, the 10th grader decided with her parents and principals to try the Alternative Center for Education, a separate alternative school on the Parkway West Career and Technology Center campus. Pasekoff focused on schoolwork, took up the culinary arts program at Parkway and turned her situation around, going…

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Patch Pet of the Week

Ace is a Treeing Walker Coonhound

He seems to be housebroken, crate trained and that he doesn’t chew!

Any hound fans out there? If so, you have to come into Animal Friends and meet Ace, a 4-year old Treeing Walker Coonhound. Ace greets everyone he meets with a happy “Woof!” and a goofy grin! His previous owners were moving and could not take him with them. However, they did mention that he seems to be housebroken, crate trained, and that he doesn’t chew! This awesome man previously lived with kids, and he would love to go home with a tiny human that he could call a friend. He loves everyone he meets except for cats – he hasn’t learned yet not to chase them. Because he is a young guy, he is energetic and will need a family willing to provide him with sufficient and appropriate exercise. He would love to hike, walk or jog with his new family…

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