In brief: Covid changes at North Park rink, school board reorganization and more in Hampton

Change made at North Park skating rink to slow covid spread

The Allegheny County Parks Department has made several changes at the North Park skating rink that will be in effect through Jan. 3 to comply with the state’s efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

All buildings will be closed to the pubic including indoor restrooms. Portable toilets, lockers and benches will be available outside.

A maximum of 50 skaters per session will be permitted, and tickets must be purchased online. No walk-up ticket sales are available.

Face coverings will be required at all times.

Tickets to skate at the rink cost $5 for Allegheny County residents and $6 for people living outside the county. Skate rentals are included in the admission price.

More information and a link to buy tickets is available online.

Hampton school directors appoint board leadership

The Hampton school board voted unanimously at its Dec. 7 meeting to reappoint Bryant Wesley as the board president and Jill Hamlin as the vice president.

The board also voted to continue to hold its meeting on the first and second Mondays of the month. Meetings may be moved to Tuesdays if the regular meeting falls on a public holiday. The last Monday of the month will continue to be reserved for special meetings that might be needed.

Meetings will continue to be held in the Hampton Middle School Auditorium during the pandemic to provide enough room for proper social distancing among attendees.

Hampton launches new guest substitute teacher program

The Hampton School District is seeking applicants for its Guest Substitute Teacher Program.

School officials say the program is ideal for college graduates thinking about a career in education as well as people returning to the workforce and those who want to work with children.

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required and experience working in schools or with children is preferred, but not necessary.

The process begins with an online application followed by an orientation session Jan. 12, where applicants will receive additional information.

After the orientation, applicants will have to obtain the required clearances to teach in a school and undergo a physical and a tuberculosis test.

The final step is a training session conducted by the district.

Guest substitute teachers will earn $90 a day for the first 20 days of work and $100 a day after that.

The positions also offer flexible schedules.

For more information, contact Rebecca Cunningham at 412-492-6305 or by email at: cunningham@ht-sd.org.

More details about the program as well as other job opportunities with the school district are available on the employment page of the school district website.

Girl’ sports teams recognized by school board

Members of Hampton’s girls volleyball and soccer teams were honored for their achievements this year by school Director Trisha Web during the board’s Dec. 7 meeting.

The volleyball team finished the season as WPIAL Section 5-AAA champion. Several members of the team also were selected to the All-Section team, All-Section second team, All-WPIAL second team and All-WPIAL third team.

The soccer team was recognized for its outstanding season and for winning the WPIAL Section 1-AAA championship. Several members of the team were selected to the All-Section team and the All-WPIAL team.

The school district also won the WPIAL Sportsmanship Award this year.

Christmas Eve services live streaming at Hampton church

Hampton Presbyterian Church will celebrate four Christmas Eve services Dec. 24 and will broadcast a virtual service on its website hamptonpresbyterian.net and YouTube channel.

The 3:30 and the 6 p.m. services are geared toward families and conclude with candle lighting during the singing of “Silent Night.”

At 8 p.m. is a “Watch Night” service, which is a more meditative style of worship. It includes candle lighting and communion.

The service at 10 p.m. is a traditional worship service, with brass, bells and candle lighting. Communion also will be served.

Access to the virtual service starts at 3:30 p.m.

The church is located at 2942 East Hardies Road in Gibsonia.

Allegheny County hiring park rangers

The Allegheny County Parks Department is accepting applications for seasonal park rangers, including positions in North Park.

Park rangers learn valuable skills patrolling and interacting with visitors; leading public programming; building and maintaining trails; working on resource management projects, such as tree plantings and invasive species removal; teaching outreach groups; and managing volunteers.

Applicants must have a minimum of 45 college credits in parks and recreation management, biology, environmental science or a related field of study.

An equivalent combination of education and experience can be substituted. Applicants also must be certified in CPR when they are hired. The pay rate is $10 per hour.

More information about the qualifications and duties and a link to the application is available online.

Trib offering journalism scholarships

Trib Total Media is now accepting applications for both the Scholarship for Diversity in Media and the Jim Borden Memorial Scholarship.

The Scholarship for Diversity in Media is open to high school seniors who are culturally, ethnically or racially diverse and are planning to study journalism, communication or English writing at a four-year college or university.

The scholarship will include financial assistance of up to $7,500 per year for four years, a guaranteed annual internship with Trib Total Media and an offer for full-time employment upon graduation.

The Jim Borden Memorial Scholarship is offered to high school or college students attending — or planning to attend — a four-year college or university to study journalism, English writing or communication. The recipient will earn up to $30,000 in scholarship money awarded in annual installments of up to $7,500, an annual internship with Trib Total Media and an offer for full-time employment upon graduation.

Applicants can apply online under the Career & Scholarship Opportunities tab at tribtotalmedia.com.

The deadline to apply is Jan. 31.