[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6567014,"mediaKeyId","3198955-632262e61e97305b513683dba37db7fb","parentId",3198955,"title","Pennridge unified team selected for 2026 Special Olympics USA Games; district staff outline preparations","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",6592000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3198955-632262e61e97305b513683dba37db7fb&start=6592&end=6592","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3198955-632262e61e97305b513683dba37db7fb/thumbnail_6592000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6567014/Pennsylvania/Pennridge-unified-team-selected-for-2026-Special-Olympics-USA-Games-district-staff-outline-preparations","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6567014-3c5eb79718f60a179d92c166ce249491/orig.mp4?Expires=1771107160&Signature=A9cAmegLQ3iA9IyL7apcAdxPWjYGsEyEQx2cuM59-ozAQz2wAiUMIjlaMohYvdVUJgZELa9wqrEhXupjlSdQ7hjoaJ9-C9Wy7e9zfl6C3zbBD3PZ0xjOCIaJNBotFHe1B032Dmj55kUcWHCIEOxa9XJxUBufUBqEvi7MNRNa27ZnmRth189BT1uxXgwkaW5q4i-FjaMErKjv9gMHCYWASi1kuyNT14hMVnyf3GxrHVfspIgXBJyJXGDtN3EJ~uMmE4DMwod8IGmE6tQC~SOm7SltuX1VcnCcjfjAiJdrYtD-h8Dmqi4wJzNaraNwJ7pPJYiiedl3OlBLsqrupe38Zw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pennridge School District","date","2025-05-06T06:55:55.117Z","article","Pennridge School District staff announced that the high school unified team has been selected to represent Team Pennsylvania at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis. District staff described team selection, initial planning and logistical steps the district and families will take.

Dana McCann, presenting with Angela James, said Special Olympics Team Pennsylvania invited the high school to send a high school‑division unified track and field contingent to the USA Games in summer 2026. \"This is a huge, huge, accomplishment,\" McCann said.

Details presented:
- Team composition: The coach said she selected four athletes and four partners (unified partners) to attend; students' parents were consulted and agreed to the selection. Coach Angela James was present to support planning.
- Chaperones and ratio: Special Olympics requires an adult‑to‑student chaperone ratio; presenters said district chaperones include the coach and another male coach (Mr. Altmire), and parents have been encouraged to participate. Presenters noted the organization also runs training webinars and pre‑event meetings.
- Travel and accommodations: The team will travel to Minneapolis and stay in university dorms that are converted for the Games (described as an Olympic Village setup). Presenters said Special Olympics provides event security, emergency planning and other logistical support.
- Preparations and timeline: Monthly team meetings and alternate‑month state team meetings were described; immediate tasks include ensuring student documentation (passports or REAL IDs) and participating in scheduled practices and training webinars. Fundraising will be needed for some expenses even though Special Olympics covers many event costs.

Context and next steps: Presenters said the selection exposes athletes and partners to post‑high school competitive opportunities and community experiences; parents and staff have expressed interest in attending. The coach said she will maintain detailed planning documents and communicate frequently with families as logistics firm up.

Ending: The board and attendees praised the team and its coaches; staff said they will return with details as Special Olympics finalizes schedules and travel arrangements.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Monday, May 5th, 2025 - PSD Board Committee Meeting- Curriculum/Student Services","oneSentenceSummary","Pennridge's high school unified team has been chosen to represent Pennsylvania at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis; staff described team selection, chaperone plans, travel logistics and fundraising needs.","taxTitle","Pennridge SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",51485,"location","Pennsylvania","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6567019,"High‑school ski club describes proposed Western U.S. and Vermont overnight trips",332,2471000,2803000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3198955-632262e61e97305b513683dba37db7fb&start=2471&end=2803","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3198955-632262e61e97305b513683dba37db7fb/thumbnail_2471000.jpg","/articles/6567019/Pennsylvania/Highschool-ski-club-describes-proposed-Western-US-and-Vermont-overnight-trips","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6567019-a6f99a1958c6cdb8cf5c2f262d6d628e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771107160&Signature=Z51V5ZDrHQNqQzJhko89fPzbJqurFyOBqhS5EQsYAAaLCF4v1ThPv7iIMsoi5NVLjpLGfzbEW-K-OsyPtLGYQr3pE~7UgerVsJ72sgzcB~tmGZpMEaEIPEUGUZRJ~0VkNlQeIrisVGbCl2sU5l~KhpBdhCDn3GVv~58Qbk6-nlwWYH8Jya2gKO29zjwfWESGI3x7fmp2oIe3khZeOZVgbpjRr2j~GMZtRpVlhf3LkR1R9E8~RA1aOnsg0EKmJfwLSdAkkc6Jjez5wiMJfRt9lD~aaz8wOTOAmhwuUGn4vwy6DpoF7Bs-wfZbU~VJZeH4scUQW9uheIRrA69XubzHDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Pennridge high‑school staff member described two proposed overnight ski trips — a multi‑day Western U.S. ski and snowboard trip and a longstanding Vermont bus trip — as recurring student activities that require board awareness and chaperone planning.

Coach Jason Plow said the district has run the Western U.S. trip since 2015 (except during COVID) and that the itinerary is flexible by destination; possible states mentioned included Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado and Utah. \"We try to give the kids just different opportunities with each trip,\" Plow said, adding the trips emphasize teamwork, planning and student responsibility for meals and lodging.

Details provided:
- Western U.S. trip: Sample itinerary includes two travel days and four ski days; destinations vary by year and affect driving time and lodging. The presenter said costs fluctuate and his goal has been to keep per‑student costs as low as possible; in some years he reduced per‑student price by more than $300 through vendor choices.
- Vermont trip: The Vermont trip is an annual bus trip run for more than 20 years with an established set of vendors in New England; typical schedule is travel on Friday, skiing Saturday and Sunday, and return Sunday night.
- Student vetting and size: Students must be in good academic standing and meet discipline expectations to attend. This year the Western trip carried 14 students (reported as the smallest recent group); typical group size cited was about 18–19 with 21 historically the largest.
- Chaperones and safety: Plow said the program seeks volunteer chaperones and works with drivers that provide four‑wheel‑drive vehicles when needed. Board members asked about chaperone needs; the presenter said he was \"always looking for more\" volunteers.

Discussion: Board members asked about preferred destinations, capacity thresholds for CAP Room (discussed elsewhere in the meeting) and vendor choices. The coach said trips aim to offer students experiences they might not otherwise have, including opportunities to fly and manage independent travel.

Ending: The board heard the proposals and encouraged continued planning; staff said they will follow established trip approval and chaperone recruitment procedures.","A coach presented recurring proposals for an overnight Western U.S. ski trip and an annual Vermont trip, describing student vetting, itineraries, typical group sizes and chaperone needs.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6567024,"Pennridge counselors describe K'12 guidance, mental‑health supports and college/career tools",3126,3031000,6157000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3198955-632262e61e97305b513683dba37db7fb&start=3031&end=6157","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3198955-632262e61e97305b513683dba37db7fb/thumbnail_3031000.jpg","/articles/6567024/Pennsylvania/Pennridge-counselors-describe-K12-guidance-mentalhealth-supports-and-collegecareer-tools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6567024-5668e9dfdc0f11c0438b7f5213bc3933/orig.mp4?Expires=1771107160&Signature=adhc-rLaq74KxoSk2M~fkv3lQ1Y2YMJExj-IWOF6V3aBw5-V2CmUmotHYL3wpl0YwCvWPHFxbr4z70oqd6SHTRbwS99M-KqjURHTq9HZItIYz00NjyXyBIJ6U3ZGCtr0EnI-RkQz0oHgaaI2wtidKscrqiIUJxXHvJt~Ue866CgXzOKRcA0L9SqqOg4fNbOGbiv8vyoDNwgw7XyyQ8cH2Lh6sUnyAcFaYMWOATAsYQYevi7nS6sMnqbrzyXadJkAlEs7P3PsfnhP-YMsAMSBodFG5UdLd-9enrBLFjchZC1Wb7DMVY0HlljL6BiIf6nt6ea1CCm35HebHqMJPVP~YA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pennridge School District counselors gave a K–12 overview of guidance services and supports, describing their roles in academic advisement, social‑emotional learning and career preparation.

Presenters said their work follows the American School Counseling Association (ASCA) national model and Pennsylvania guidance standards, and emphasized the district's focus on relationships, early intervention and coordination with community behavioral‑health resources. \"Relationships with everyone are at the center,\" said Missy Uniphore, a Seiler Elementary School counselor.

Why it matters: Counselors described increasing behavioral‑health needs among students and the district's steps to provide in‑school supports, coordinate community referrals and preserve students'access to school‑based services.

Main points from the presentation:
- K–5 (elementary): Counselors highlighted direct and indirect services (classroom lessons, small groups, child‑study teams, 504 coordination and crisis referrals). The district uses the Smart Futures curriculum starting in third grade for early career exposure.
- Middle school: Counselors described middle school as a developmental bridge where social‑emotional support is central. Middle counselors run small‑group and solution‑focused work, facilitate conflict resolution, and coordinate course selection and career inventories; Smart Futures work feeds into an 8th‑grade career plan.
- High school: The high school has eight counselors housed in distributed \"house\" offices; counselors said they held more than 4,000 individual student meetings during the year. Counselors described growing Advanced Placement participation (noting a rise from about 388 AP students in 2022 to about 650 in the most recent year) and expanded college/career programming using Naviance and a staffed College and Career Center. \"RAMS Time\" was introduced as a morning block used for interventions, student meetings and college planning.
- Mental‑health and community coordination: Presenters said the district coordinates with an internal social worker, a school psychologist, a Lakeside counselor (on‑site county resource) and external providers. Staff said they frequently make referrals for crisis care and behavioral health when needed.
- Caseloads and staffing: Presenters noted counselor staffing across levels (one counselor in each elementary school, two counselors in each middle school, eight counselors at the high school). In discussion, board members said recommended counselor ratios are around 250 students per counselor; presenters said Pennsylvania's current average is higher (about 331), and district ratios vary by level.

Discussion and questions: Board members and attendees praised the presentation and the K–12 continuity; several parents and board members shared brief personal examples of counselors helping students through family transitions and crises. Presenters and board members agreed the rise in student mental‑health needs makes counseling services a district priority.

Ending: Counselors asked the board and community to view the program as a K–12 continuum that supports academics, social‑emotional development and postsecondary planning; the presentation also served to remind families how to reach counselors and the district's college and career resources.","Counselors from Pennridge School District presented the district's K'12 counseling program, covering ASCA standards, social‑emotional work, Smart Futures and Naviance tools, Lakeside counseling, SAP referrals and rising AP and college‑planning activity at the high school.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_46":105,"_48":106,"_50":107,"_52":108,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":109,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":110,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6567028,"Pennridge outlines growth, student supports and cost savings in online (cyber) program",817,110000,927000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3198955-632262e61e97305b513683dba37db7fb&start=110&end=927","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3198955-632262e61e97305b513683dba37db7fb/thumbnail_110000.jpg","/articles/6567028/Pennsylvania/Pennridge-outlines-growth-student-supports-and-cost-savings-in-online-cyber-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6567028-b1cec14389f72c1cf05ff82924fd0ec4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771107160&Signature=afixu2nWBh-zp6u1vEMl3uK3I~mjSU2am4N3jS5wXBrIhUvx1qDpxaWNg3B2Sv5H7lGorMGs0qpdxCl6W0cCIhsYAgivlUvjmE3uzDCSpr8xoZAFqH0o-nEuQ3EEtEPO3TlOh51-bR3xGonbxLAdvf38~TeIkwniEQq63zJN5jqu~-0CokPJ8kJiiCAQLrFDQXkJnvntkBK8llTICvVHPlLwEibFAOMIAdLRMViJ9weKHJDwXmsPgtl78lDwvky5dAGUpnbJ-Je086nR-wj9OSvvBIwk9Q9NJh7y3ukoUSOtbMpiv1mzKO8RRqVipcnUuxvGLDBDelrE1OnoifJ2lg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pennridge School District officials presented an update on the district's cyber (online) program, saying the program has grown since the COVID era and offers K–12 courses taught by Pennridge teachers and by a third‑party provider, Edgenuity/Imagine Learning.

The presenters said the program mixes district‑developed courses and third‑party, video‑based instruction while allowing students to remain part of their home school for extracurriculars and in‑person classes. \"Our program is unique in the sense that we really have the best of both worlds,\" said Kara Gresh, house principal for the class of 2028.

The presentation explained daily operations, student supports and outcomes. Karen (cyber liaison and coordinator) said she onboards students and families, maintains an academic coach relationship with the vendor, and checks attendance and accommodations. She highlighted course features such as on‑demand tutors, live chat with teachers and closed‑captioned videos. \"None of our students had an incomplete,\" Karen said of the fall billing period, and she reported a 97 percent course completion success rate for the snapshot shared with the board.

Why it matters: presenters emphasized both educational and budgetary reasons for running an in‑district online program. The district compares its per‑student charges to rates paid to cyber charter schools and said the gap can be substantial.

Key details presented:
- Program structure: Pennridge offers online courses taught by Pennridge teachers and by a third‑party provider (identified in the presentation as Edgenuity / Imagine Learning). Students may enroll full time or as \"blended\" students (some online, some in person), and may participate in school activities, including athletics and field trips when allowed.
- Enrollment and composition: Presenters described higher concentrations in high school grades (the slide cited 45 students in 11th grade, 33 in 10th and 22 in 12th) and said a majority of cyber students are full‑time online; a portion are blended. The district reported that 42 of the current cyber students receive special‑education services and that 16 students are enrolled in career/technical programs (the speakers used those figures as a program snapshot).
- Academic outcomes: In vendor data Karen shared for a fall billing period, the district had no students listed as \"incomplete\" and showed a 97 percent completion figure. The presentation broke average grades down by subject areas and noted particular strengths in the sample period.
- Cost comparisons: The presenters said Pennridge's estimated cost for a full‑time secondary student in the district online program is about $4,800 per year and that the district is billed roughly $15,416 when a resident student enrolls in a cyber charter; for elementary students the district figure shown was about $3,200. The presenters calculated potential district savings when students remain in the in‑district program rather than enrolling in a cyber charter.
- Student supports and access: The district maintains a designated \"CAP Room\" (cyber access point) at the high school where blended students can work on online coursework during scheduled blocks. Special‑education accommodations (read‑aloud, guided notes, modified tests) are available in the vendor platform, presenters said.

Discussion and next steps: Board members and staff questioned capacity limits for the CAP Room, the timing and constraints for mid‑semester enrollment changes, and whether curriculum alignment across semesters could cause gaps for students switching providers midyear. Presenters recommended encouraging semester break enrollments to preserve continuity, and noted medical exceptions permit midterm transitions when required.

The presenters also described an outreach event for cyber charter families intended to recruit families back to the district program by demonstrating its structure, supports and community connections. They said fundraising and marketing efforts had previously brought some families back to Pennridge.

Ending: District staff framed the program as an option intended to keep Pennridge students connected to their home schools while meeting needs for flexible instruction. The board acknowledged the dual aims of the program: student supports and potential cost avoidance for the district.","District staff presented enrollment, student supports, course alignment and per‑student cost comparisons for Pennridge School District's cyber/online program, highlighting high course completion rates and potential savings versus cyber charter tuition.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Pennridge unified team selected for 2026 Special Olympics USA Games; district staff outline preparations

High‑school ski club describes proposed Western U.S. and Vermont overnight trips

Pennridge counselors describe K'12 guidance, mental‑health supports and college/career tools

Pennridge outlines growth, student supports and cost savings in online (cyber) program