LH elementary teacher selected for national conference
Laurel Highlands School Board on Wednesday recognized an elementary teacher who has been selected to participate in a national conference in San Diego, California.
Karen Chrise, who teaches fourth grade at Hatfield Elementary, will attend the Elevating and Celebrating Effective Teaching and Teachers Conference Jan. 28-Feb. 1.
Superintendent Jesse Wallace commended Chrise on her nomination saying it was an amazing honor. “She is only the second teacher ever selected from Laurel Highlands,” said Wallace.
Wallace said the goal of the conference is to celebrate effective teachers and to build a strong network of teaching leaders working together to elevate practice and professionalism.
The conference will be paid for by funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Last year, Wallace said Justin Ward, a teacher at R.W. Clark Elementary, was selected.
In other educational matters, Wallace reported that 36 of 70 students that applied to local colleges during College Days were immediately accepted with $98,500 in scholarships awarded. He said a number of other students are pending acceptance.
“That takes a lot of burdens off parents now to know they are accepted prior to their graduation date,” said Wallace.
In an unrelated matter, the board unanimously approved the hiring of Robert Fike for the 12 month head custodian position at Hatfield Elementary School per terms of the collective bargaining agreement.
The board also announced it would post the position for middle school head volleyball coach, which was discussed prior to the regular meeting in the work session.
Additionally, the board accepted the resignation of Liz Dunham as varsity cheer sponsor/coach effective Feb. 28, 2016.