A new e-sports club is coming to Schuylkill Haven Area High School, officials said at a school board meeting.
The club will offer students the chance to engage in e-sports, or competitive video gaming, with like-minded peers, said Ty Wartman, high school principal.
“It really does provide an opportunity for some kids that aren’t really involved in anything, but they do like to play certain games,” Wartman said. “It gives a couple more kids an outlet for something to do.”
The club will operate at no cost to the district and will be overseen by social studies teacher Nathan Bates, Wartman noted.
Superintendent Shawn Fitzpatrick said school officials visited Tamaqua Area School District, which has a robust e-sports program.
“Their superintendent is one of the leaders of District 11 sports, and he was blown away by how successful it (e-sports) was and how it’s really helped a lot of kids who don’t have an avenue,” Fitzpatrick said. “I’m really happy we’re giving this a shot.”
Also at the meeting Wednesday, officials gave an update on repairs to the district pool.
A large crack is in the process of being repaired, Fitzpatrick said, and the board is waiting on estimates from three companies to coat the entire pool with an epoxy paint.
In addition, grout in the pool will have to be replaced or repaired, and a new heater still needs to be purchased.
Fitzpatrick said the hope is to fill the pool in September and bring the water up to proper temperatures using an existing solar heating system.
He said the goal has always been to never miss a swim team season, and the district aims to have a purchase recommendation for a new heater by the September board meeting.
“Then we can get the heater installed as quickly as we can in October or November and be ready for our upcoming swim season, which begins in roughly December,” Fitzpatrick said.
Fitzpatrick also thanked volunteers from the Schuylkill Haven Water Rescue and Recovery Dive Team for combing the pool with colored dye to find leaks.
“Please, if you know anyone on that search and rescue dive team, thank them,” Fitzpatrick said.
Officials also noted that major renovations to the elementary school playground are on track to be completed before the start of the school year.
A grand opening event for the playground is planned for Aug. 21 at 5:30 p.m.
In addition, officials noted that the high school will be retaining its Your Employability Skills (YES) program, which offers a 120-hour curriculum preparing students for employment.
The program has been offered in the district since 2006 via a partnership with the Northeast PA Manufacturers and Employers Council.
Officials initially planned to discontinue the program in favor of an alternative developed in-house by district staff, but Fitzpatrick said the program will now run as usual next year.
Source: Berkshire mont
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