Hang on to the extras
Despite increased funding to our area school districts, local academic officials say it is still not enough as they struggle to meet the demands of state and federal mandates mixed with a weakened economy while keeping taxes manageable for residents.
For years, we have been watching programs being slashed from the proverbial curriculum chopping block. Reading, writing and arithmetic are still the priority. These days, those extras are becoming harder and harder to keep.
We can’t say we envy our local school directors in the decisions they must often make to keep our schools afloat while maintaining a quality education for our youth. We recognize it is a thankless, stressful, yet essential job.
That is why when outside agencies step up to help keep some of those things that are not tied to Keystone exams or school performance reports in school, it makes a huge difference in bringing back a more well-rounded education.
So is the case for the American Heart Association and a Uniontown native, who recently teamed up with high schools in Fayette County to provide CPR kits.
Through “Fayette County Healthy at Heart,” sponsored by the Gismondi Family Foundation, created by Pittsburgh attorney and Uniontown native John Gismondi, students in each of the high schools are afforded the opportunity to learn the life-saving skill when they otherwise may not have had the program available.
American Heart Association CPR in Schools Training Kits were distributed to all six Fayette County public school districts — Albert Gallatin, Brownsville Area, Connellsville Area, Frazier, Laurel Highlands and Uniontown Area — and Geibel Catholic High School in Connellsville.
According to Dr. Richard Pish, board president of the Fayette County division of the American Heart Association, the program will have an impact that goes well beyond the school.
“The beauty of this is that when children learn this, they will be able to go out and teach it to other people. When you master this, you absolutely will be able to save lives.”
Lessons like that, we say, are just as important as E = mc2.
The AHA is one of many businesses, community members and outside agencies who come to the rescue of our school-aged children every day. For that, we are thankful. We know it takes a village to raise a child, and we are fortunate to have in our area those who recognize the importance of providing what may be needed to our schools.
We applaud the efforts of the American Heart Association and Gismondi for this initiative. We implore others to look for ways they, too, can help alleviate the unfortunate hardships of doing away with the extras.
With each offer to help, be it big or small, we are certain students in every classroom across the county will welcome the breath of fresh air.