®; ding = : WEmIEEmM RE WME pA) ww The Post NEWS Sunday, January 11, 2004 3 (continued from page 1) me, ‘We are supposed to look at every application, but the re- ality is when we get thousands of applications, it’s just much easier to say a 3.6 is better than 23.22” “Our students are really be- ‘ing placed at a disadvantage both for admission to college and also for scholarships. When you compare apples to apples, ‘students from other schools have 4.0 averages,” he said. To create a more level play- ‘ing field for Dallas students, Speziale proposed adding an _additional column to report cards that would reflect a “weighted GPA” more in line with other districts and univer- sity standards. For example, under the cur- rent system, a Dallas student ho achieves a 92 average fnows a GPA of 3.2 on his or her report card. Under the new system, the same 92 average would reflect a more universal 3.75 GPA. Speziale and Superintendent Gilbert Griffiths emphasized the change would not impact academic standards. Teachers ‘would continue to assign grades the same way they al- ways have. “All this does is add another column on the report card that takes them out to that 4.0 scale,” said Speziale. Board member Frank Natitus said he understood the disad- vantage personally. “Having had kids graduate : (from the district) I know our “I think to keep kids competitive in the college market- place, we really need to do this.” Deborah Morgantini Board member system does hurt our kids. The fact that they have lower num- bers does hurt them.” Board member Deborah Morgantini added, “I think to keep kids competitive in the college marketplace, we really need to do this.” Speziale said it was the Par- ents Advisory Council that alerted him to the issues with the grading system. Members of the board re- quested faculty be canvassed for their opinions on the change. Gary Mathers, a board member, said he felt it was im- portant to get input from all faculty, not just department heads. Speziale said even if the sys- tem was put in right away, it would be too late to help this year’s seniors, as most have al- ready applied to college. If done soon, however, next year’s seniors would likely benefit. The administration is doing additional research on how the new system would best be im- plemented. Its findings will be presented at one of the Febru- ary board meetings, said Speziale. COURTESY OF DALLAS SCHOOL DISTRICT This graphic shows the difference in GPA between the pres- ent grading system at Dallas High School and a newone be- ing investigated, which is more in line with what is used in most other high schools. ire alarm issue still unresolved By ERIN YOUNGMAN Post Staff DALLAS TWP. — The Dallas School District’s fire alarm company was back January 5 to provide more detail on what it says are necessary changes to the high school’s unstable fire alarm system. At the December board meeting, the company said a small fire had erupted at the school in October and some aspects of the alarm system did not function. Building and grounds supervisor Mark Kraynack, who opened the presentation, said the system has been tested frequently since it malfunctioned and has operated each time. “Our kids our safe. I've taken a lot of calls from parents. The system is function- ing,” he said. Scott Eyerman of Simplex said the prob- lem lies with the control box or panel. He said it is indicating a malfunction, but that the reading is non-specific. “We don’t know what it is. It could be anything, it could be something internal,” Eyerman said. “I wish there was a halfway between urgent. I am confident with the safety of the building.” Mark Kraynack Building and grounds supervisor Because of the age of the system, Eyer- man said the only way to repair it is to re- place much of it, including the panel, pull stations and audiovisual components. Ex- isting wiring could be used. School Board members Dennis Gochoel and Frank Natitus brought up the planned renovation of the school and questioned whether the system would accommodate upgrades and expansion. Simplex repre- sentatives said it would. In response to Gochoel’s question, Sim- plex representatives said smoke detection would be a possible addition. Board member Maureen Matiska said, “In my personal opinion, this is a non-bud- geted item. I think we have to look at that too.” Kraynack said he is not able to com- ment on cost because the repairs will like- ly go to bid. He has characterized the proj- ect as a major expense. Natitus requested Simplex provide addi- tional cost information for adding smoke detection to the list of repairs being sug- gested. Board member Russell Bigus asked Kraynack why replacement was needed now and whether in his opinion it was ur- gent. “I wish there was a halfway between ur- gent. I am confident with the safety of the building,” he said. Eyerman said Simplex had “conducted another test of the system Dec. 24, and it functioned properly, but he said, “There is trouble on the system that we cannot re- pair (without replacement).” He said the company is continuing to test the system weekly, but there is the possibility that the next call his company receives from the district will be that the system is down. The board took no action on the item. vary, time in the theater world Smart (continued from page 1) graduating with a 4.0 average — a boost to any college appli- cant’s credentials. But at Dallas, a student must attain 100 percent in every class from ninth grade on to achieve a 4.0 GPA — a feat no (one — as far as the assistant rsuperintendent can recall — - has ever attained. “When 1 originally brought «this up (to the Parents Adviso- ‘ry Council), people didn’t real- ize,” said Miller. For example, a 92 percent av- erage at Dallas equals a 3.2 J SPA, but at many other schools “and universities, a 92 percent equals a much higher 3.75 GPA. “The grading system makes Dallas students look not as smart,” Miller said. “I think | when you compare our stu- on = a A dents against students from other districts, it (the system) | works to our disadvantage.” Miller and assistant superin- tendent Dr. Michael Speziale contend the system is uncom- mon, not understood by prospective universities and | colleges, and so prevents Dallas | graduates from being as com- | petitive in the college market- place as students from other schools. Miller said in the end her daughter was accepted to the colleges she had applied to; however, she has the lingering concern valuable scholarships would have been more plentiful had there been a 4.0 on her daughter’s transcript. “The guidance department told me when Dallas sends in students’ transcripts, they send in an explanation of the grad- ing system.” She thinks the at- tached explanation is often pointless. Miller and Speziale both be- lieve many universities and col- leges sort applicants by GPA first — before reading possible explanations of a school’s grad- ing system. This is Miller’s third year on the district-wide Parents Advi- sory Council. She first brought up Dallas’ grading system last year. The proposed change won’t help her daughter, who has al- ready graduated, but she has four more children in the dis- trict who could benefit. “I am definitely for it, it’s go- ing to be a help at every level.” Director (continued from page 1) “Austin was personable with the cast, he brought us togeth- er,” said Lunderman. “Casts feed off of directors, so when the director is tense and irri- tated you can see it on stage.” Lunderman likes the more laid back directorship style, al- though he admits that as a “last resort” the cast might need someone to bear down on them. Details “The Night Thoreau Spent In Jail” written by Robert E. Lee and Jerome Lawrence January 16 and 17 at 7:30 Lake-Noxen Elementary School Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students at the door While directing styles may is precious and fixed. “You don’t have a lot of time. At first I took things very slowly and now I realize we’ll be rushing, but we're going to get it done” said Lunderman. The play is also Lunder- man’s senior project, a require- ment for graduation. “It’s real- ly not that easy, you need to be determined, have a positive attitude, be able to organize people and, oh, get used to them not being there for re- hearsals,” he said. So how is he doing? Says Cardillo, the freshman actor and friend, “He’s committed, loves the play, and he has played one of the roles, so he better.” wants to see it played even Jonathan Pineno, faculty Pineno. It can be a service project or an artistic perform- ance like this play. The grade POST PHOTO/CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK Cast members of “The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail” lined up for a photo. From left, first row: Mandy Boyle, Sean Boyle, Stephen Lunderman, Katie Yamrick, Natasha Laver. Second row: Heath Williams, Sarah DeCesaris, Jill Preibe, Joe DeCesaris, Bryan Cardillo, Shan- non Lozo. Third row: Amiela Coveleski, Matt Knapp, Jake Davies, Keith Culver. the Penn State Eberly College of Science this fall and major in pre-medicine. “I love the mentor for the senior project, agrees. “By summer he was ready to go. I held him back because of the construction at the school, but you can see I have nothing to do now; these kids know what has to be done and they are doing it.” The senior project concept is open ended, explained is determined by three faculty member judges who base their decision on a written synopsis of the project with documen- tation, a journal, a 20-minute oral presentation and a video clip. Other considerations are grammar, punctuation, and sources correctly cited. Lunderman plans to attend arts, it’s fun to see people laugh. But I'm no Craig Thomas,” says Lunderman of his friend and lead actor in the play. 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