Ms. Carole Geary, Pleasant Valley School District's Assistant Superintendent/Curriculum, announced at the last Pleasant Valley School District's board of directors meeting that the school district was awarded a Keystones to Opportunity Grant in the amount of $221,024.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) was awarded $38 million through the United States Department of Education's Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy Program. The Keystones to Opportunity (Striving Readers) Grant was awarded to districts to support Pennsylvania's comprehensive approach to improving literacy outcomes for all children, including disadvantaged students, limited English proficient students and students with disabilities.A grant team led by Mrs. Dora Tartar, PVSD reading supervisor, included the PVSD literacy coaches, building principals and assistants, district-level administration, and representatives from the Growing Place. Ms. Geary said that Mrs. Tartar did an outstanding job in coordinating the research that led to the district being awarded this grant.The district was also awarded $3,750 from the Department of Environmental Protection to fund an elementary initiative entitled: Early Ecology Learning Through the Eyes of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education.The board of directors congratulated Polk Elementary Odyssey of the Mind Teams.Mr. Kondisko, Polk Principal, showed a PowerPoint presentation on the recent Odyssey of the Mind Teams that participated in this year's competition for the first time. Ms. Taylor and Ms. Saylor both introduced students that took part in the competition. The students spoke of the competition and showcased their trophies.Board member and MCTI representative Dominck Sacci reported on the most recent meeting of the MCTI Joint Operating held on Monday, May 7. At the SkillsUSA Championships, Kaitlin Lees, a PVHS Health Professions student, placed first in the Medical Math category. She will travel to Kansas City to compete in the National Competition in June. In Entrepreneurship, PV's Thomas Williams placed second. In the opening and closing ceremonies competition, Katie Green, Samantha Leitch, Brittany Gonzalez from PV placed third.Representing PVSD, Ms. Geary and Mr. Sacci attended the Occupational Advisory Committee Meeting and Partners in Education Banquet at MCTI. Awards were presented that recognized cooperative education program employers and outstanding students. The following PV students were recognized: Automotive Technology - Evan Handelong, Joseph Moore and Thomas Williams; Collision Repair & Technology - Amiee Ziegler; Computerized Machine Tool - Zachery Raudabaugh; and Health Professions - Duncan Rodriguez.PSBA Liaison Susan Kresge reported that the Senate Appropriations Committee approved a budget plan that restores some funding and eliminates the SAEBG Block grant. It will now go to the Senate floor where it could be further amended.Dr. Douglas Arnold, PVSD superintendent, had sent information that the PA School Boards Association considered providing services to charter schools but PSBA has stated that it has dropped this idea.The board approved 9-0, the compensation for Board Treasurer for July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013 at $650. President Murphy stated that the amount of this stipend has been in effect for over 15 years.President Tom Murphy opened the floor for nominations for Board Treasurer, effective July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013, with compensation approved at $650. Steve Borger nominated Jim Spinola, seconded by Russ Gould. Harvey Frable nominated MiChelle Palmer. This nomination failed to carry for lack of second motion. Steve Borger motioned, seconded by Russ Gould, to elect James Spinola as Board Treasurer. The board voted 7-2 to accept James Spinola as Board Treasurer.Dr. Arnold announced:*the district recently had its federal programs monitoring review, which went very well and thanked Ms. Dora Tartar for spearheading the review.*an ACCESS Administrative Time Study was recently performed, resulting in over $8,600 coming back to the school district for this quarter.*West End Rotary Club scholarship competition awards went to PV students Amber Butterfield, Alexis Telepo and Myranda Fredericks.*a letter was received from the Unity Collation of the Poconos that was very complimentary of the district's recent A Night of Unity event.*as the President of the Salvation Army Board, it was his pleasure to announce that $5,000 scholarships were presented to PV students Kristi Dixon and Abelina Barra.*Selected sixth grade PVI student-musicians participated in the District Band in Bethlehem. They were: Madeline Rappa, Kayla Ramsey, Jillian Nichols, Keith Staats, Nikolas Sworen, Briana Cicalese, Kasie Schmidt, Ethan Boeman, and Zachary Broderick. Selected seventh grade PVI students also participated in the District 10 Band and Orchestra. They were: Joey O'Connor, Gabriel Schaefer and Nicole Selinski.*Mark Anthony Lewis was selected as an all-state tenor.*Last week, at the PVHS Senior Prom, "Our students elected a special needs student as the Prom King. We are very proud our students and of our inclusionary efforts."*Last week PVSD was notified by the PA Department of Health of a case of Whooping Cough at PVI. The school district notified all parents by letter, which was provided by PDH. A Connect-Ed call was sent out to all parents/guardians telling them to expect the letter and informing them that the information has also been posted on the PVI website. The infected person is already back in school and is well.