SPECIAL SECTION:
EDUCATION
considered, if filing jointly on tax returns. Any outstanding
balance on the loan will be forgiven after 20-25 years.
• Consolidate for ease – If you have multiple federal loans,
consolidating them into one can make repayment easier.
But there may be fees or other conditions associated with
consolidating, so be sure to do your research.
• Is forgiveness an option? Some programs offer loan
forgiveness if you meet certain criteria or work in a particular
field. People in government, nonprofit, and other public service
jobs may have the remainder of their loans forgiven after 10
years of service. Additional forgiveness options are available for
nurses, teachers, AmeriCorps and Peace Corps volunteers, and
some state and private programs.
PRE-K – HIGH SCHOOL
The first public school opened in the United States in 1635, and
the Boston Latin School remains the nation’s oldest public school.
Early education didn’t focus on math or science, but on the virtues
of family, religion and community. Nearly 400 years later, schools
are harnessing the fundamental principles of community, and
although it may look very different in this day and age, a strong
focus is being put on the importance of creating a safe school
culture and tapping into technology for limitless learning.
In 2019, students, parents, teachers, and administrators are
seeing changes both inside and outside of the classroom. One
of the biggest changes in recent years comes in the form of
technology. Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to change
education tools and is expected to increase in implementation in
U.S. classrooms by 47.5% in the next three years, according to the
Artificial Intelligence Market in the U.S. Education Sector report.
In addition to AI, other technologies are providing students with
the opportunity to connect with classmates in other countries,
giving teachers the ability to educate a virtual classroom from the
comfort of their own home, and expanding access to applications
that were once inaccessible.
Another key focus in education this year is on ensuring that
students feel safe, connected, supported, and challenged through
a variety of different ways. School culture and safety are being
addressed and adapted based on recent school safety concerns
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STUDENT MAKES BIG STRIDES AT
EASTERSEALS’ CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP SCHOOL
W
hen the Rowe family moved
to Pennsylvania, they began
their search for the right special
needs school for their son. Daniel’s mom
found Pittsburgh Special Needs Group on
Facebook and made inquiries about area
schools. In addition to touring schools in
their community, she heard good things
about Easterseals of Western and Central PA.
Its schools provide education and therapy
services to children ages 3 to 8.
For the Rowe family, Easterseals’ student
to teacher ratio was important as well as
the Monday through Friday regular school
schedule. Daniel’s mom notes, “We are very
encouraged by the amount of support
Daniel gets each day.” Easterseals’ integrated
approach to therapy allows the classroom
teachers to reinforce what a student has
been working on in physical, speech or
occupational therapy
and vice versa. And, in
Daniel’s case, it has made a
difference with his mobility.
32
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His mom told the story of a recent family
trip to Living Treasures where Daniel was
determined to walk uphill on a gravel road
holding his father’s hand. She describes him,
“He is steadier, stronger and more confident.”
Sue Gurcak, teacher at the Cranberry
Township Easterseals’ school, responds, “We
are so personally invested in every student
that hearing about a child’s progress and
having a parent’s affirmation makes all of our
hard work so much more meaningful.”
Making strides, as in Daniel’s case, is what
Easterseals is all about. The teachers and
therapists love what they do and the children
they work with. When one child succeeds at a
new skill, it is really all our success.
To find out more about Easterseals’ schools
or support for a child with special needs,
contact Laurie Chiodo at 412.281.7244,
Ext. 1287. Easterseals’ schools are in the
neighborhoods of Cranberry,
Whitehall and Export. We
are currently accepting
applications at all our schools.