Chalked Up: Central Valley represents in German competition; SAT scam targeting Pa. families

With knowledge ranging from mythology to mailboxes, students at one local school district's appreciation for German culture set them apart from others around the Pittsburgh region.

Students from Central Valley High School showed off their knowledge of German culture by earning accolades in five competitions at the 24th Annual German Day at Washington and Jefferson College on March 7. The skilled set of German students made a name for themselves in a crowd of 400 students at the annual event, including some impressive accolades in several artistic categories.

"I couldn't be prouder of these kids!" said Erica Kain, a German and ESL teacher at Central Valley High School. "They worked very hard to prepare for this competition."

The students from Central Valley were able to overcome five opposing schools in the trivia competition, earning second place in the "Culture Bowl." Students were able to use the lessons from their German classes to answer a series of difficult questions, some of which could be tricky to remember during a fast-paced event.

"Those questions were tricky!" Kain said. "They had to identify German composers, remember the color of German mailboxes, and which German River ends in the North Sea."

In addition to general German knowledge, students were able to showcase some of their artistic skills at the competition. Noah Taylor placed first in the technology category with a digital drawing of the Cologne Cathedral, submitting an impressive art piece depicting the iconic Catholic cathedral that drew many people to the Cologne region in Germany.

Emily Goberish also received accolades in the technology category with a video on The Lorelei, an area in Germany said to be home to the mythical siren. Manasseh Saykin earned praise for his non-fiction writing comparing American and German holidays, placing second in the non-fiction category, and Nolan O'Neill placed second in the poetry competition by reciting Goethe's "Lied des Turmers" from memory.

New scam targeting students claims to be College Board with SAT, PSAT and ACT preparation materials

Standardized testing season can be stressful for students hoping to get into the college of their dreams and it seems a new scam is hoping to target families in this headspace.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry issued a warning about these scams on April 1, warning students and their families to be vigilant of the new scam targeting the state. These scammers claim to be with the College Board or other educational organizations when they call, hoping to gain financial information for "preparation materials."

“There is a lot of pressure and anxiety that go along with being prepared for these exams, so make sure you remain vigilant and protect yourself in coming months,” Attorney General Henry said. “Always remember to pause and think before offering personal information or any type of payment.”

According to Henry, the scammer starts the call by offering information about the student and confirming the address they obtained elsewhere. During the conversation, they will ask for a deposit from the victim's bank account to loan test prep materials, which they claim will be fully refunded once the materials are returned. With the information they need, the scammers then steal funds from the victim's accounts.

The College Board has said it will never ask for bank or credit card information via phone or email, so victims should be wary of all calls claiming to be an educational organization requesting payment. If receiving these calls, victims are advised to hang up and never give their personal information or bank details over the phone.

Sewickley Academy to launch pre-kindergarten program in 2025

A new set of students will soon be able to apply for classes at Sewickley Academy as the campus expands its Early Childhood programs.

On March 15, educators at the private school announced that they would be launching a pre-kindergarten program for children starting at 3 years old at Sewickley Academy and include these "eager learners who will benefit from a focused education from the very beginning of their educational journey." According to school officials, the program will be focused on education in STEM, the arts and nature exploration.

Educators who will be involved in the program have been receiving instruction on the Reggio Emilia approach in Italy, which focuses on educating young children through guided play-based learning. Classes will be hosted in the Early Childhood Building, which the school says it designed around the "Reggio aesthetic," with natural elements, fairy lights, family photos and children's artwork around the instructional areas.

Officials for Sewickley Academy said that the new pre-kindergarten students will be welcomed to the campus in the fall of 2025.

More education news to note:

• On March 15, officials announced the Ambridge Area School District was awarded a $583,370 grant through the Stronger Connections Grant program. The program focuses on providing resources for districts that have "high need" criteria, which can include issues such as high poverty among students, lack of mental health resources, high rates of violence or school exclusion. School administrators said Ambridge will work on developing programs that focus on "student and staff social, emotional, physical and mental health."

• Trustees for the Butler County Community College announced Megan M. Coval has officially entered the role of interim president for their organization as of March 20. According to statements from college officials, Coval's experience working with the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators and the U.S. Department of Education’s Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance is expected to help with transitions coming to the state's community colleges as a part of Gov. Josh Shapiro's Blueprint for Higher Education that was announced in February.

• Officials from the Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) shared that second-year education major and honors student Amelia Callaghan was selected as a Coca-Cola Academic Team Gold Scholar on April 1. As one of 50 students selected as a "Gold Team Scholar," she will receive a $1,500 scholarship. In a statement from Callaghan, she announced she will use these new scholarship funds as she continues her education major at Slippery Rock University.

• Amy Hepak, a teacher at Moon Area Middle School, was awarded a $500 MAC Grant from McDonald's of Three Rivers on March 8. According to a release from the company, the grant is a part of their Make Activities Count program and will help Hepak incorporate a "flexible seating arrangement" in her classroom.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Chalked Up: Central Valley represents in German competition; SAT scam now in Pa.