COATESVILLE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING AGENDA
Virtual Meeting through Live Stream
February 23, 2021 - 7:00 PM
ADDITIONS, DELETIONS, OR MODIFICATIONS TO THE AGENDA
None
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM (Comments on agenda items) Members of the public wishing to make a comment during a remote (virtual) Board meeting are asked to submit their comments in writing to this email address: vboardmeeting@casdschools.org State your name, address, and township of residence.
Kristi Kraft
If the school district is going to push more kids into the buildings and plans to follow recommendations to keep teachers and staff safe, when will covid screening tests be implemented for the teachers and kids? Guidelines state that lessening distance assumes that covid screening testing is being done. This is a huge part of making this work and can’t be skipped or omitted. Please address this.
Katelyn Dunlap
We as a family are eager to get our boys back in full time. While we understand all concerns with the policies due to covid, but we also stand strong on the mental health issues for students, parents, and teachers. Has this been addressed to middle and high school students as a whole? Not only students, but teachers and parents have the weight of the world on their shoulders for almost a year now. Being out of school for so long raises concerns for the wellbeing of students who are home alone during the day by themselves while parents need to work. We stand strong with Coatesville and appreciate everything they've done for the families. I believe the school will make the right decision, and I will continue spreading the word about CASD and how amazing you all are. Thank you. All of the work of each and every one of you has not gone unnoticed.
Chanel Thomas
My question is why do the kids have to have transfer buses in the am? Is that raising the chances of spreading covid? In the afternoon, the kids do not have to have transfer buses. Why can't that same system for the afternoon take place in the mornings?
Andrea and Wayne Grinwis
We're anxious to hear if moving from a three-cohort model to a two-cohort model, while maintaining six feet distancing, is possible. Perhaps the recent survey of parents planning to maintain virtual learning for the remainder of the school year has yielded some answers to that question. Our children attend Reeceville Elementary and, from what we can tell, with the current numbers in their cohorts, their classes could easily move from three cohorts to two while still maintaining six feet distancing, though we realize this may not be true for all classes in every CASD school. If it is possible to move to a two-cohort model while maintaining six feet distancing, we are fully supportive of that change.
However, we have strong concerns about moving to fewer than six feet distancing between students. Until the vaccine is more widely available, especially for teachers, we think making this change is premature. According to the Chester County Health Department as of February 19,2021, there are 97,869 Chester County registrations for Phase 1-A vaccinations, and phase 1-A doesn't even include most teachers. Only 24,497 of those registrants have received both doses of the vaccine. Until most teachers and many of the adults living with our students have been vaccinated, we don't feel as though CASD should move to fewer than six feet distancing between students.
If CASD were to change to fewer than six feet distancing we would, unfortunately, feel the need to move our children from the hybrid model to 100% virtual learning. We know this isn't true for everyone, but for us virtual learning has been relatively successful and we'd rather our children do that full-time, than have an increased risk of contracting Covid-19.
We are glad to see that the teachers would still be required to maintain six feet distancing from the students. These teachers are dedicated and risking their own health every day; it's important we continue to do what we can to keep them safe. Thank you teachers.
Finally, thank you to the school board and administration for your service during this pandemic. We know whatever decisions you make will not please everyone, and we appreciate the inherent challenges.
Jen Manthey
After reviewing the board meeting Feb 9th, I am concerned that through the new T-Mobile agreement, the district will have a significant number of unused hotspots, resulting in an expense that is unnecessary.
According to the reported hotspot usage data reported at the October 13th, 2020, board meeting, 77% of the current hotspots are unused and 11% less than 1.5g/month, see chart below. The 8.5% (480 students worth) quoted as heavy use were converted to unlimited since they were definitely needed for schooling.
The new agreement provides us with 1500 new per-household hotspots. At the rate of $15 per month for unlimited data, we would pay $22,500 per month for service. (This isn’t including the insurance costs on the units)
Knowing exactly which students (480 total) use and need the hotspots for virtual and remote learning, it would be likely that less than 480 households are in need of hotspots. If we even estimate as high as 400 households, at 15$/month we would decrease to $6,000 per month. Considering 9 months of use (pausing over the summer) this would be a savings of $148,500 per year for service alone, not including insurance cost savings.
- Can we allow families to opt out of hotspots or only offer them on an as needed basis?
- Can we adjust the agreement to supply us with a number of hotspots closer to the needed amount? (This way we wouldn’t be paying for insurance or service on unneeded devices.
- The agreement with T-Mobile states 3 levels of service, including one for $0/month for 100gb/year. If we don’t adjust the contracted number of hotspots, can we at least put unused hotspots on the $0/month plan to reduce monthly costs even though we will still have to pay to insure them?
Dennis Given
I would like to advocate for our students returning to school as soon as possible. The social benefits of school cannot be underestimated as students' sense of isolation and disconnection from their peers has persisted for far too long. The virtual learning environment doesn't allow for the much needed socialization that fosters social development and overall psychological well being. Virtual learning also creates an increased cognitive demand, making it more stressful and physically draining, as I'm sure your teachers are well aware. Additionally, at least in my daughter's case, virtual learning has significantly increased not only her stress level, but her work load as well. As a result, she is on her computer for about ten hours a day participating in school or working on homework assignments. This is simply too much as she also has gymnastics practice three times a week in addition to family commitments. Please note that this doesn't take into account much needed rest and recovery time. Some districts acknowledge this and teachers have been instructed not to provide homework which allows students a much needed break. Typically, students would get a break on a snow day; however, our virtual students get no benefit here as well. I strongly encourage the district to consider the negative impact of prolonged virtual learning, the increased work demand, the lack of breaks and socialization, and the negative impact on overall mental health and well being. We need to find a way to get our students back to school using common sense mitigation efforts to allow for a safe return to in-person learning.
Lyryn Yacoe
I am very appreciative that many of you reached out to me to respond to my email regarding today’s agenda.
One of my questions was about the financial statements. The answer helped me to understand, however I think that it might be helpful for the community to see a full Treasurer's Report at every board meeting, then just posting the accounts payable. If the format cannot change, maybe an explanation of the process regarding what you need to do to get more information on a payment could create more transparency.
In regards to the hotspots, wouldn’t it be feasible for the district to only accept 500 of the new ones? Although the devices are at no cost, we still have to insure them and pay for service. In order to have flexibility, we could collect the over 4000 unused hotspots that are currently distributed and have them on reserve.
Mary Damiani
I am against the proposed distancing changes. Incidence rates are down because of the current protocols. How many will possibly get sick and possibly die if we lower distancing standards? Three members of our family are at higher risk for adverse outcomes from contracting COVID. Yes, I could keep my CASH student virtual if decreased protocols are started, but then that would adversely affect him as he really needs in-person learning. At least with the current protocols, he gets some in person learning with minimal risk of him bringing COVID home to our family. Decrease distancing protocols and that changes, and I have the impossible choice of taking all in person away from him to keep our family safe. We want to get vaccinated and are on the list to do so but have not been notified of an appointment yet. Please do not put our family and other families of increased risk in jeopardy by lowering standards and protocols. Please wait to do so until more members of the community are vaccinated. We have put our lives on hold for a year now to stay healthy. Don't put our lives and health at increased risk now when we are so close to beating this.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT/ PRESENTATIONS
Special Presentation: PA School Boards Association - Karen Devine from PSBA shared a few words about upcoming events and School Board Director Recognition Month. She thanked the school board, on behalf of PSBA, for their dedication to the success and safety of every student. (30:00)
The administration proposed a plan to offer additional in-person learning for our students as COVID transmission rates continue to decline. The Coatesville Area School District has been following guidance from the Chester County Health Department (CCHD) throughout the pandemic. Based on the strength of successful existing mitigation efforts in Chester County schools, CCHD is updating guidance in the following manner (official written guidance is expected by the end of the week):
- Six feet of distance but no less than three feet between students is recommended. A distance of six feet between staff and students and between all adults is still recommended, even if distancing between students is reduced. Guidance has not changed from six feet separation during unmasked lunches, and our school district is committed to providing that.
- If the County’s Community Transmission Level (which includes Incidence Rate and Positivity rate) changes to a lower or higher level for three consecutive weeks, schools are encouraged to reassess their instructional model and adjust if necessary. In a call with school superintendents, the CCHD said the new distancing should go into effect only after the county reaches COVID levels below 100 in 100,000 cases for three consecutive weeks. Currently, Chester County is at 103 in 100,000 cases. These rates are trending downward. They can be found - HERE
- According to guidance, the earliest we would be able to make a transition to increased in-person learning would be March 15.
- Masking (not gaiters), increased hygiene, contact tracing, and other mitigation efforts will remain in place.
- Contact tracing will still be based on a close contact being less than six feet from a person for 15 minutes.
- If classes or a school must be closed due to linked transmission, virtual learning will resume.
- If students are quarantined, they may learn remotely. A full-time remote option will be available, but parents will be asked to make a commitment to a learning model for remainder of the year.
- District continues to advocate for vaccinations for staff and hope the coming
weeks will see an increase in staff’s ability to obtain these
vaccinations. As is known, Pennsylvania has struggled significantly with
vaccine distribution.
Comments/discussion:
That being said, I think it's important that the public understands and the administration understands that this board is committed to getting students back to school safely.
These guidelines came out on Friday; our administrative team has been working diligently around the clock to begin to make preparations for our students to return to school. And the option will still be there for those who don't feel safe to continue with a virtual model.
We need to commit to the 15th of March to get our students back in the classroom.
“We were going to get to the schools that we haven't gotten a chance to get to today. I'll be able to give that information back with Dr. Mangan, Mr. Palaia, Mr. Pelegrin, and then we'll be able to give that kind of a facilities report back to Mr. Hanna, so that can be included into that form going out the parents. Thank you.”
Fisher - “Understand again this board is supportive of you and your administrative team. We are appreciative of all the hard work that you're putting in for our students to get them back to school safely. But it is a full expectation of this board that we will dot our i's, cross our t's, finish out a safe plan, and get our students back to school.
No vote on this motion tonight. There are still some things that need to be completed before we are confident with giving that support. There will be yet a another recommendation by the health department coming out this week.”
Hanna - “What will come out is the guidance that aligns to the information the superintendent received.”
Dunlap - “Mr. Hanna also for that commitment form can we also have that translated into other languages is that goes out on if it goes out through school messenger?”
Hanna - “Absolutely. We may be sending on a daily basis through social media and school messenger, reminding people ‘do your form.’ Director Crans has offered to push in the city, CCAP has been supportive in putting information on their website. We want to have the best information so that we can provide the best experience for those for those families who want to come back and know who we're going to support virtually.”
Harlan - “For clarification, if I fill the form out, say that I want to stay 100% virtual, but then three weeks later I decide I want to send my child in, is that a no? Are you saying that they need to commit to 100% virtual to the end of the year or 100% coming into the end of the year.”
Hanna - “This is a commitment for the rest of the year, yes.”
Harlan - “How will this impact busing, including potentially more kids on each bus route?”
Dunlap - “We're working through that, meeting with Kraft multiple times, looking at our wrongs, our issues, consolidated runs. We need to make sure we have every bus run secure, buses for every student to come into school here on the day that we start.”
Mills - “The forms are very important because that will determine if we can do A/B or them all in at once.
If we are back to school with everyone in and the numbers go up again, we will go all virtual for all students? “
Hanna - “While the clock is ticking, we are still in hybrid. If the numbers go back up while the clock is ticking we would stay A/B/C hybrid.”
Mills - “We feel it is increasingly important to get our kids back in school. We understand the community, scared about having the kids back, scared about having the kids not coming back. We respect that, but believe the best shot that we can is to bring our kids back. With respect to the COVID-19 dashboard, you can see the 14 day positive or probable cases of COVID, and you'll see that it's very low.”
Dunlap - “For clarification, between now and whenever we start in person learning, possibly March 15, parents decide that they're going to child is going to come in person, or remain virtual. Up to then, if the clock keeps getting pushed back we remain hybrid. Once we start, if infection rates go up, we can't go back to a hybrid, we have to remain virtual until we can go back to in person.”
Mills - “For kindergarten, historically they've only used a few tables, not desks in their rooms, including what was shown in the pictures. So they will need more desks moved into those classrooms.”
Mary Harris - “Space in the classrooms, looking at East Fallowfield, it looks like too many desks already and you're looking to bring more kids in.”
Dunlap - “That is part of the walk throughs, analyzing each space and how many kids can go into those areas. Caln and East Fallowfield have smaller classrooms to start with, they may have to change the furniture and setup in those rooms.”
Finkbohner - “For children that are eating breakfast in the classroom, where we can't adhere to the six feet while they are eating, are there other considerations, maybe involving the cafeteria for breakfast?”
Dunlap - “We were talking about staffing, lunch room, more equipment, more plexiglass shields. In the elementary schools that we went through today, we felt very confident that we're going to be able to address and maintain that six foot distance during lunches. We're also talking about what we can do for breakfast.”
Bookman - “Could you speak about once the weather starts to transition and the temperature is better, social distancing in the cafeteria, what is your plan for that?”
Dunlap - “I'll speak on the elementary level. We haven't had these conversations with the middle/high school principals yet but we will. Some schools that have been in person, have put students into quadrants. Relying on Mr. Chenger and what he did for practices back in the fall, and how they divided students up into smaller practice sections in essence that's what's led to the success of the schools being able to run the recesses and help mitigate the transmission of the infection.
Also, in warmer weather, there might also be some things that we can do for students to have lunch outside and get some fresh air.”
Pellegrin - Talked about how his team was making sure everything was clean and wiped down and plenty of sanitizer for all. Additionally, they have back up masks available in school and on busses.
Keech - Thanked everyone for all their hard work. March 15th!!
#PUBLIC SCHOOL WEEK
SPECIAL REPORT
- 2021 Commencement Exercise - Michele Snyder (see full presentation)
Michele Snyder, CASH principal, presented two proposals for a June 10th graduation ceremony in the stadium for the class of 2021. She also included a timeline for communication. Please see the presentation PowerPoint for more specific details. (1:46)
Proposal 1: three (alphabetical) sessions- allows for six tickets per graduate
Proposal 2: two (alphabetical) sessions- allows for four ticket per graduate
Accommodations would be necessary on campus: 8-11 graders would need to be virtual the last day of school to avoid additional people and bus traffic on campus.
Only additional costs would be police, security, and fire police for multiple sessions instead of one.
Mrs. Snyder also presented the Senior Class Cabinet’s proposal for this year’s senior prom as shown in their graphic below:
Fisher - Thanked Synder and wanted to know what Snyder was asking from the board.
Snyder - 1) “For the teacher consideration for the contract, do we have to do a memorandum of understanding and is the board okay if we discussed that at liaison in case we have to have a rain date, because we can't do inside.
2) Is the decision for the last day of school to go to a virtual last day of school? And are there any changes that need to be made in terms of programming for that day?
3) Since we've never really had this this scenario where we had to move in the event of weather, we may actually have to move the date of graduation, to June 11. In the past, we had to have Board approval to move the graduation.
4) We just have to decide on a plan based on we can do, either plan one or plan two, in the stadium. We'll make that decision but I wanted to get the board's input and show you the two plans.”
Fisher - “I think it would be safe to say that you should move forward with our administration and CATA. You and your staff are the experts. I think you should do what you feel is best for your parents, and for your students on on that particular day.”
Harris, Bookman, Crans, and Keech - Agreed with Fisher and thanked the administration for their hard work on this.
The District’s proposed Comprehensive Plan was also presented at the Board Meeting. “We are grateful for the collaboration and input from our community in helping us develop this plan, which will provide an important guide for the future of our District.” You can view the presentation slides and full plan above. You can also provide comments or ask questions at: CompPlan@casdschools.org
Committee is composed of community
members, parents, board members, teachers, admin, and a consultant. Will
expand to include students. Will continue to meet quarterly.
Goals align with Coatesville's mission and vision. Shared
specific educational values relating to students, staff,
administration, parents, and community.
Needs assessment
reviewed student performance data, equity considerations, improvement
plans, essential practices, strengths and challenges.
They additionally surveyed the committee members to assess where Coatesville stands in areas of essential practices relating to continuous improvement of instruction, empowering leadership, student-centered supports, data-driven human capital strategies, and allocating resources strategically and equitably.
After reviewing the data sources and the survey results, they concluded 11 of 12 essential practices were “emerging” (on a scale of Not Yet Evident, Emerging, Operational, Exemplary). One practice stood out as not yet evident in the category of retaining teachers.
Community survey was created for additional input. Results were shown by category. Summary of strengths and challenges shown, noting a lot of the challenges and largest priority areas centered around curriculum and instruction, supports for students and allocating resources.
Specific goals moving forward were given in the categories of:
Student Achievement Goal
Develop a CASD coordinated curriculum plan for each course of instruction K-12
Develop a CASD coordinated STEM plan K-12
Develop a student support plan to include social/emotional learning
Finance Goal
Implement a budget that reflects increases in the fund balance
Balance a budget that provides instructional supports for students
Balance a budget that supports a preventative maintenance & facilities program
Organize district facilities that reflect best practices to use the properties efficiently
Facilities Goal
Complete a CASD facilities maintenance plan
Complete and implement a CASD facilities plan (improvement and needs)
Implement a maintenance plan that allows the district to continuously address operations/maintenance items/supplies/equipment
Review district facility needs in relation to district goals, needs and progress over time
School Climate and Culture Goal
Conduct an equity audit with a reputable external evaluator
Develop a student support plan to include social/emotional learning
Continue to build an MTSS framework throughout the district
Implement a CASD activity, athletic, compliance strategic plan
Develop a CASD communications plan
Comments/discussion:
Mills - (Amelia is on the committee) “In summary, we're doing this plan so the school district can move forward. We're going to focus on student achievement, finance, (balanced budget & building fund balance), facilities (take care of what we have), school climate and culture within the school.
Proud of the work specifically that Mr. Chenger is doing on the athletics and the co-curricular activities. Thank you for putting all that together. We will also be meeting with high school students to share goals and see what they think as well.”
Hanna – Thanked everyone for their work on this. “While this is up for public review, we anticipate coming to the board in March to take feedback, make adjustments and put it before the board on March 30th. Accompanying this when it goes to the state will be a professional development plan as well as an induction plan.”
Fisher – Thanked everyone and noted the comprehensive plan goals are aligned with the board goals.
Committee meeting action items considered routine will be enacted under one motion unless removed for separate action upon Board request. The purpose of the consolidated motion is to expedite Governing Board action on all consent items, which are not held for discussion. Items that have been held for discussion by the Governing Board will be enacted upon at the time the item is discussed.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
A. Financial Statements - That the Board of School Directors approve the financial statements/bills payable list, as presented. (Enclosure)
Comments/discussion:
None
Passed ☒ Failed ☐ Vote: 8-0
B. ThinkEDU – Adobe Licensing - That the Board of School Directors approve the renewal price quotation from ThinkEDU for the software subscription of Adobe Creative Cloud for 500 users, at a cost of $2,425 per year, as presented. (Enclosure)
Comments/discussion:
Finkbohner - Asked Mike to give a brief overview of this licensing, who it'll be used for and some of the case use applications.
Sobczak - “The think Edu pricing for $2,425 gives us 500 named users that includes both students and staff and enables us to license, both students and staff for Photoshop, Premiere, which does video editing and Adobe Acrobat as well as the rest of the Creative Cloud suite. This really gets into the hands of our students and staff enterprise level and industry standard software. As was mentioned in the comprehensive plan, as students look to continue their careers beyond Coatesville, to get that experience while they're still with us.”
Passed ☒ Failed ☐ Vote: 8-0
C. T-Mobile – Five-Year Hot Spot, Project 10 Million Award - That the Board of School Directors approve the award from T-Mobile for 1,500 hot spots with 100GB of internet per year at no cost, with a month-to-month option to increase to 100GB per month for $12 per month or unlimited monthly data allowance, at a cost of $15 per month, as presented. (Enclosure)
Comments/discussion:
Finkbohner - “If you could just speak to this also, why we are getting these, the part of the T Mobile grant, and how it's applicable to our case use in this district.”
Sobczak - “This new program by T Mobile offers 10 million households internet access for students. We're coming off of our empower Ed 2.0 Award at the end of the school year, and with a pandemic still going on and looking at flexible instruction days, there's conversations that we had about, how and what can the district do to continue offering our students on the go internet access. This program took a turn in our favor and there was a five year award opportunity for us with 1500 hotspots to continue providing internet access to our students. I know one of the questions that came up earlier was was, could we decrease the quantity and save costs.
The award provides 1500 hotspots is at no cost to the district as well as 100 gigs of data per year. If we get into months of continued pandemic or months where there's weather and we think we're gonna have students out, we have the option to provide data to students, and there's an option for 100 gigs per month at $12 or unlimited per month at $15 per month. And we can change we can go back and forth, we just need to plan ahead of time.”
Finkbohner - “Just want to make sure that you're very clear in communicating that this is a month to month basis so if we choose to use it for a month and then down flex, we have that flexibility to do so.”
Sobczak - “Correct, all hotspots and data, 100 gigs of data per year is free. There is no ongoing commitment of cost by the district. But if the situation that arises as far as pandemic or weather and we feel that we are going to need to utilize more data, the district has the option to prepare and plan for that so that way we do not find ourselves in a poor position with our students, but there is no financial commitment by accepting the award.”
Finkbohner - “There was a valid question was brought up from one of the community members, can we take the unused hotspots and zero value them in the tier one of that in the attachment that spoke to the zero value to make sure that we're not paying for unused hotspot. Is that a capability or if it is have we already done it?”
Sobczak - “We are required to get new hardware, and that is provided by T Mobile at no cost. As far as the old hotspots, T Mobile does not want them back, and they had they are not going to recycle them for us. So it's at the district's option to recycle and see what we can recoup as far as value for those. In turn, we can push that forward into the new plan or towards general fund. We would not likely start the project 10 million program, until the conclusion of the empower Ed (end of this school year).”
Passed ☒ Failed ☐ Vote: 8-0
D. Senior Award Donations in Memory of Shawn Green - That the Board of School Directors approve Senior Award donations from various donors to establish a new scholarship in memory of Shawn Green in the amount of $500 annually or as determined by donations, as presented. (Enclosure)
Comments/discussion:
Fisher thanked them for this donation.
Passed ☒ Failed ☐ Vote: 8-0
E. ArcelorMittal USA – STEM Donation - That the Board of School Directors approve a donation in the amount of $3,000 from ArcelorMittal USA to support the District’s STEM program, as presented.. (Enclosure)
Comments/discussion:
Fisher thanked them for this donation.
Passed ☒ Failed ☐ Vote: 8-0
F. Human Resources Report - That the Board of School Directors approve the resignations, appointments, new positions, leaves of absence, transfers, changes of status, and corrections, as presented. (Enclosure)
Comments/discussion:
Passed ☒ Failed ☐ Vote: 8-0
Fay Thompson
Please recognize that it is literally impossible for staff of young students to maintain a six feet distance from students. Young children need help opening their breakfast, lunches, and snacks. They need help logging into their computers and navigating to their websites. They need help zipping coats and tying shoes. They need help adjusting masks. They need help all day long with most tasks that require staff to get well within not only six feet, but within three feet of students. Please elaborate, specifically, how you envision staff of young students to be able to maintain a six feet distance to students, particularly if you bring in more students more frequently, increasing staff risk.
It seems that we are planning for six feet in the cafeterias. I am assuming because masks will be off. Can you please elaborate about breakfast and snack that are currently held in the classrooms, particularly if students are moved to three feet in the classrooms?
Pamela Simpson
Has the CASD School Board been made aware of the upcoming AGCS Town Hall? They plan to discuss charter school funding. The event is tomorrow at 7:00 pm. Based on the description, I sincerely hope some members of the CASD School Board and/or other CASD high-ranking school officials plan to attend.
Per the invite I received the school official state, “This town hall-style meeting was not designed to support an argument. It was designed to support learning together and create a shared understanding of how we collectively see the topic of fair funding for public schools. All perspectives are valid. We want you to feel heard and participate. When someone has a question or wants to share a perspective that challenges our thinking, we want to listen to understand why they think as they do. We all need to treat each other with kindness and respect. It also means that we all need to avoid distractions.”
Robin SeagreavesGood evening. These are difficult decisions ahead. The logistics of this must be incredibly detailed and someone must look at every single classroom to make sure they can handle the kids who choose to return. Who will be looking at it the numbers with that level of detail? A period 1 class could have 10 kids but period 2 could have 20. How will this be analyzed?
INFORMATIONAL
Fisher - “Emma Greenly is a native of South Coatesville, Baker's farm. She graduated from Carl Benner High School in 1937. She was the third sibling of five girls and three boys. Her parents were the late, Henry McCommin and Anna Luella Bartlow McCommin. Emma is the mother of one child. Dr. Robert H. McCommin.
She was a faithful member at the Zion Baptist Church, where she was baptized at an early age by the late, Reverend Suber. Zion Baptist Church, was a church where her father put the first shovel in the ground, so that Zion, could be built.
Emma worked at Coatesville hospital, now Brandywine hospital, as a nursing assistant. After 30 years of service she retired. She was an avid bowler. She bowled at the palace bowling lanes in Downingtown. She bowled twice a week until she was 95.
Em, as she was sometimes known, loved to dress and still wore high heels well into her 90s.
She was a great cook and she was the only one in her family who could bake rolls like her mother.
Why, do you ask, that I read this this evening? Miss Greenly currently resides at Pembroke nursing home and today, she is 102 years young. On behalf of the Coatesville Area School District, to possibly our oldest living graduate, Happy Birthday, and many more.
And if there are any other graduates of the class of 1937. Let us know.”
