PAVEing a Blog

Butler, PA. Obviously, Butler, PA is now in your view for a variety of reasons that before, not many people knew I was from there, let alone what Butler, PA was known for. Yet there are many exctiging things, positive things, that did, and have come out of Butler, PA.

Let me point something out – returning to my hometown and preparing ideas for our 1990 Butler High School Class reunion- the first time I had been to my high school SINCE 1990 – I was surprised and grateful for the Principal and Assistant Principal taking time to meet with us (Thanks Evan and Sherrie!) and recognizing the changes Butler, PA has had in demographics and the impacts on Butler High.

Some information on these two leaders:

Some exciting things you will start hearing about what is happening at our BHS –

Thank to Principal Jason Huffman (Inducted into the Redbank Sports Hall of Fame in 2021)

Info about Mr. Huffman:

A four-year starter in football, he was the starting quarterback as a freshman on the 1991 team that won Redbank Valley’s first District 9 title. He was also a starter on the 1992 team that won another district title. He was a First-Team All-Conference at quarterback as a freshman and senior, Second-Team All-Conference as punter as a sophomore and First Team as a junior and First-Team All-Conference as kicker as sophomore, junior and senior and was named KSAC Back of the Year his senior season. At graduation, he was also the all-time leading scorer in Bulldogs basketball (currently third) with 1,253 points.

“What I want to focus on tonight is being humble and being not totally about myself,” Huffman said. “The power of positive people is why we’re all hear tonight. The common themes are a strong family, check. Tons of support, check and most importantly you have coaches and people in your life that make you do things that you’re pretty sure that you can never do.”

“I love being around kids,” Huffman continued. “I’m the crazy guy that’s agree to have about 911 11-and-12 year-olds in middle school and I love every day. And at the same time, I try to coach as much as I possibly can coach.”

and Assistant Principal (Class of 1989 – Mr. Doug Ford) and on the School Community Committee for Organization and MC for the Butler Tornados 2024 Awards Ceremony:

They both took the time to meet with us as a reunion planning group and provided endless insight into what BHS wants to accomplish. Evan will be presenting you with some cool and generous opportunities they are willing to provide for our Class of 1990.

However – meeting Ethan Morton hosting a boys basketball camp

of all ages truly defines the direction that BHS is taking in the community. I do believe, in attending the BHS 1990 reunion in June 28, 2025, we as the class of 1990 have a chance to help make an impact that will positively impact our legacy at the 100th graduation class. Also to make amends for things that did occur that we wanted to occur while there. I do believe here is a chance of how we can make a mark, each of us, but I was pretty proud of what one alumni, Ethan Morton is doing as a legacy as well!

Ethan Morton as a Sophomore

Ethan Morton’s path to Colorado

Sports is one way to get youth to support them in their future. We have so many alumni from the class of 1990 that have skills and abilities from sewing, to investments, to IT tech, to drama and theatre arts, to SO MUCH MORE – I hope I can help expose those from our class, and others, to support the legacy of what can be and is becoming in the future.

Yes! We have some exciting and amazing things planned for the community in 2024 for the Upward Bound/Nanticoke River Watershed Conservancy Workstudy!

Planning a community open house for a Chapel Branch Nature Trail event for July 21st – open to adults and youth – free (but open to donations) event- full of free giveaways, a silent auction for some local gift baskets received, games, a nature trail walk and tons more!)

We mowed the grass on our NRWC building property

We did a first inspection of the trail and clipped various places where vines/thorns were reaching onto trail

We unleashed the NRWC 50+ person banquet tent and tarted cleaning

We started generating on ideas for an upcoming, new community book read

We discussed future projects coming up:

Wild flower seeds planted under bat boxes and what is to be planted around Chapel Branch Trail sign

Update kiosk with new information for the public

Checking on surveillance cameras on the trail next week

Precious Plastics grant idea to create a local, youth operated recycling of plastics business

Preparing for a local native indigenous arborium in Seaford and a podcast pertaining to this based on Glen Mellin and Lennie Truitt

https://libapps.salisbury.edu/nabb-archives/local-history-archives/2018.025

(Ritual Landscapes: A Journal Synthesis, Mellin and Truitt, 2017). The

collection of 29 chapters is available for download on the Archaeology

Society of Delaware Digital Library website:

http://www.delawarearchaeology.org/

Setting up a podcast interview with current and former NRWC executive directors, Marlene Mervine and Lisa Jo Frech.

Former NRWC executive director (first one!) – podcast!

Creating a podcast opportunity with the NRWC building contractor, Shirey Contracting for paths of insight into the Upward Bound workstudys interested in engineering.

That was just the first week – stay tuned for some major developments forward for the NRWC and community youth as we work together!

In investigating and deep searching Rebekkah Smith Aldrich’s novel, Sustainable Thinking, and thankful for her time at the MLA/DLA Conference – there are many great pockets of information that public libraries and school libraries do, and can do to help educate many on what their libraries can do for them as community members.

Here are the some of the positives libraries do and can do in the first ten chapters.

Chapter One- Disruption- There is absolute fact that being passive versus being proactive has its implications on the perception of libraries and their value. This applies to the role of librarians and how they perceive the opportunities around them. There is no secret that librarians’ time is sacrificed and often deleted from daily schedules, and put on a back burner of value. It is difficult to have school librarians negotiate community involvement without give planning time to meet public librarians halfway find those paths to be proactive. It is an absolute truth that libraries do indeed influence a community and can enhance a community when given a chance. Being able to be proactive comes from being recognized as an entity from administration to have an opportunity to be proactive.

Chapter Two- Beyond Our Walls – Having situational awareness of what is needed and how a library can help is crucial, and certified librarians are trained to assess situations around them and find how to best support the needs of a community. There are a number of disruptions on these levels that interrupt students every day- environmental, political, economic, technological, and social. Yet, a clear path and guide exists for students to have a chance to evaluate information, resources, and support for opportunities with our libraries. Many are unaware of these opportunities and we have a chance to show and appeal to strategies to be allowed to reach these needs to our patrons. Public and school librarians, working together, help navigate unknown minefields. I do agree that we need to leverage the wide view to improve the long view and libraries are equipped and trained to do so.

Chapter Three- Back to Basics – Certainly Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs takes precedence in times when so many students are in need more than ever before, due to circumstances often out of their control. Self-transcendence and mapping helpers in the community that can help and echo the resources that are available – this goes hand in hand with being able to see where a library and librarian can fit a niche that is missing. I love the fact that a long time ago, Jane Goodall’s Roots and Shoots allows individuals to map their community find what resources exist and are missing, and make evaluative choices to provide those missing resources. School libraries are counted on to do that on a daily basis – public libraries absolutely. Together, their ability and time to work together can change everything for the better about a community.

Chapter 4- Survive the Earth – One of the most pressing situations in front of us has been climate change. It is a good reference to check out the Yale Program on Climate Change – but there are so many nonprofit organizations that exist, locally, that can provide opportunities for youth to shine, lead, and be a part of a community that changes things for the better for our world. School Libraries certainly need to be present to give youth that opportunity, and public libraries the resources to reinforce those leadership opportunities outside of school walls.

Chapter 5 – The Most Important Thing- Building resilience. In a time where school libraries and school librarians are being removed, reduced, and discounted over technology to do the very thing trained librarians of Information Science can do to add to an institution’s strength, resilience is needed now more than ever. Helping ALL to be heard and finding ways to have voices be heard – that is a school librarian’s specialty, that is what they are trained for. Finding their voice thanks to resources that might not be evident at first – yes. Covid unfortunately showed how school librarians can help students find their way. But it does not have to take a calamity to be able to let others know, school librarians/libraries and public librarians/libraries can fill the niches needed to support a foundation. Interruptions will happen, expected and not expected, and librarians and libraries are the safety net.

Chapter Six – Being Strategic – From comprehensive collection development plans, to seeing how school librarians can be strategically position to support literacy and working with public libraries, empowering learners as well as other librarians eliminate silos. Many of our students lack and struggle with long term thinking, and that is where Informational Science training comes into play. Libraries and librarians are TRAINED in areas of technology, information, strategizing, organizing, curating, investigating, and so many other categories, that can pivot to any discipline at any given moment. Many might not be aware of this and it is very crucial that libraries find ways to make and identify the deliberate choices that allow community members to havre the freedom to find those decisions that meet their needs.

Chapter Seven- The Why Behind the What – I love the value placed on the why. Old ads of Apple that created this sense of breaking away from the mundane and normal were referenced. There is certainly nothing mundane and “normal” about how libraries navigate the avenues of choice in today’s world. Referencing the West Vancouver Memorial Library as one single example, there is no substitute, in ANY FORM, of a librarian that is able to keep in sight of what they need to do for the community. Losing sight of what libraries do for a student, adult, community, etc. is never happening when the knowledge of what libraries provide to patrons is made clear. Always focusing on the WHY versus the WHAT is one of the most valuable assets librarians hold close to their profession.

Chapter Eight – Core Values of Librarianship – Without a doubt, the qualities listed below need to be exemplified and emphasized to community members so they are aware, this is what a school and public library stands for:

Access. Confidentiality Democracy. Diversity Education Lifelong learning

Intellectual Freedom Professional Services Social Responsibility Service Preservation

Without the trust and opportunity to exemplify these characteristics to the community at large, librarians and libraries are handicapped. We need to press upon administrators and legislators alike, these core values are what are important to communities, and we need to insure school and public librarians are in place to reinstate these values to all that come into contact with their school library.

Chapter Nine- The Three E’s of Sustainable Libraries – Empower, Engage, and Energize. School and public librarians do this and persevere under situations and circumstances that would amaze most people. Many are largely unaware of these circumstances and situations, and in order for school and public librarians to stay empowered, engaged, and energizes, and to pass these qualities onto future generations, knowledge and support needs to be freely available. Period.

Chapter Ten – WHAT- Local Supports local. I cannot say enough about how much local matters. Local businesses, local leaders, local agriculture, local employment, local opportunities, local influencers, local supporters, local information, local success. The best thing ANY local community member can do is find out the statues of their local school library and librarian, public library and librarian, and find ways to support them, voice concerns over their needs, and to continue to support their path forward. This cannot be realized or stressed enough.

These are only ten out of 25 chapters that provide a roadmap of how school librarians and public libraries depend on the knowledge of what libraries are able to do day in and day out. Stay tuned for a continuation of more but in the meantime, PLEASE dig into how and what is happening with your school and public library, and how you can support their role, in supporting your community.

Thank you!

Whew. What a year in review for schools, education, libraries, literacy, advocacy, youth empowerment, youth leadership – youth possibility. This comes in all forms – finding ways for students to be the faces of legislative hall, Girls Who Code, hosting on air radio personalities and YA authors, this year students took charge and ran with so many events when give the reins. Following library legislative day where for the first time, we put students at the very front of advocacy to explain what librarianship means to them, we discovered … our library is and has always become…

…a workshop.

A planning nucleus of projects to be, a place where students can regroup, plan, strategize, create, and implement.

The workshop identity has served us well and to those stuck in the iconic idea that libraries are where books happen, wellll, they are only 30% correct. With the warm welcome of Senator David Wilson visiting the Walter P.J. Gilefski Media Center on on May 31st, the word transparent with Senator Wilson’s visits made us realize how lucky we are to live in a state where some legislators are so transparent where they stand and what they believe in. From the actual dedication of the Walter P.J. Gilefski Media Center to the support Senator Wilson has given to FFA programs, to his deep support and involvement in open space preservation, agricultural and farming initiatives up and down the state, we sat in the Woodbridge High School May 31st as he enlightened us on his involvement with various logistics of the many ties and connections he has had with agriculture. farming, land legislations, and so much more; so many people in and out of legislative hall and around the state became part and parcel of our conversation.

Very rarely do many get the chance to be able to learn, chat, and hear the history of Delaware unfold in front of us as it did with Senator David L. Wilson as it did this day. In addition, as our Woodbridge students, who did not have to be at school that day, one came back to escort Senator Wilson around school and talk with him about our concerns of maintaining healthy librarianship in the state. We appreciate this past year legislative hall student lobbyist, Carley, showing what she is capable of over and over again. Certainly the sky is the limit when opportunities exist and individuals are willing to grab them.

In addition, our architect of a unified literacy program that has taken off involving vocabulary, comprehension, and writing, (Mr Weiler) utilizing noted researches and practitioners of literacy and combing them into one solid, collaborative process, was introduced and discussed with Senator Wilson, was a breath of fresh air in being able to chat with him about this.

We agreed that students and educators need to have a plan that will activate and allow both to grow, learn and apply to address what often are the basic foundations of learning that are often missing. Hence, many students are pushed forward without truly acquiring the solid, retainable knowledge needed before moving to a next level ; they cannot work effectively missing the basic knowledge they need.

To have conversations as these, on an academic, literacy, and alongside areas of community history is to truly realize what and why a school library media center and a certified librarian is necessary to be an activated learning center. A nucleus of learning, creating, disciplines, and a place to contemplate and having the time to be able to entertain discussions with a large representation of community members, in order to really understand the deeper, powerful potential school library spaces have- is a best kept secret for those that do not know. Absolutely, books are definitely NOT on the decline when represented as being more than containers of page after page after page of have to reads.

No.

Books become a coveted tool when found in places that school libraries were meant to be found and known as – centers of inquiry, possibility, and in this case amplifying the transparency of wisdom of a Delawarean senator, while considering a literacy framework architect that designs programs allowing students to grow, and students in turn take on roles of leadership to be voices that normally are not amplified.

Being able to involve Senator Wilson on the passing of a prize to a student for being a frequent visitor snd patron checking out materials from our library was so much better than simply giving a gift to the student. This student, who might not often have the chance to travel to legislative hall, had the opportunity to meet a DE senator on her own school community, and congratulate her, from a senator, on keeping the possibility of literacy in front of her.

It was fitting that we ended out invitations and welcome of legislators to Woodbridge High’s Walter P.J. Gilefksi Media Center with Senator David L. Wilson, as it felt so many pieces of information and names he was able to share with us just felt like a hometown visit, as it always does when students are involved in something that is our own state history.

We were grateful for legislators like Senator David L. Wilson taking time to stop by and let us chat with him about our concerns for future investments in school librarians in our state. As we discussed, we want more certified librarians, alongside students, to facilitate the knowledge and know how of grabbing onto opportunities and resources that introduce vocational and apprenticeship paths, agricultural knowledge obtained first-hand and through university study, with the many experiences of so many past generations that have so much wisdom to pass on. It seems fitting so much of this can occur in a school library, when you have one. Without one, we keep saying you never know what you don’t have when you never had it.

Senator Wilson kept apologizing when our students travelled to Legislative Hall on March 28th as he was being pulled in many directions for several meetings. After a whole day of being in legislative hall, and seeing the last minute moves we made from senator to representatives’ offices, we understood how legislators’ schedules are not the same as schedules outside of legislative hall and can change on a dime. Yet, Senator Wilson that day had provided legislative hall pins for all our students even with him being pulled here and there.

He knew we were there, he acknowledged us in the best way he could with meetings requiring his presence, he was 100% transparent about his beliefs, actions and abilities. Students picked up on this and indeed, realized, there are so many good things that can be done that should not fall into a discussion on being partisan to one specific group. There are so many important values that are nonpartisan, and one of the most transparent qualities we saw, aside from Senator Wilson, was the transparency of the ability and voices of students. Enabling students to be more involved in adult roles has some amazing impacts and all of them are earning lessons that we need as communities.

Yes, definitely school libraries are the workshops of invention we need, and we need to increase the voices of the very stockholders impacted by them, students. Added to that how interested and involved we became in tying a literacy program that engages students where they have needs at crucial points, Senator Wilson walked away impressed that so much research, time, and effort was being utilized to employ such detail to a literacy framework. It was refreshing to be able to talk to him about this. Where else would you want to talk about improving literacy BUT in the school library?

Thank you Senator David L. Wilson for always willing to travel the distance to see, hear, and impact our students, allowing them as students and leaders, to be as transparent as the school libraries and yourself. We appreciate you so much and love opportunities to learn first hand.

Definitely we have worked with literacy and advocacy, workshop-style and tied to our school libraries – that is who we are as a school library.

Let’s keep the ability to dream and create, moving forward and gaining momentum, creating possibilities for everyone around us.

Adam, Amanda, Jeff, (now Jacinda!), Mackenzie, Madison and Morgan,

While it is the case that weddings are public, but also private, it was an honor to be considered a guest at Jacinda and Adam’s wedding, there is so much that all of your family should celebrate that so many people could benefit from – I just wanted to remind you publicly.

It is usually my style in writing anything to individually pull out individual characteristics and list them, as a family, in this case the qualities you have grown into, together, are the reasons you should always be content with your lives and I am so very proud and honored to be connected with your family as far as I can remember.

It is awesome to see you individually, to have found what you do know works for you that makes you happy, and what doesn’t. I have said this before, but it is absolutely necessary to your happiness to know independently, you can make your life be the best it can be, the happiest it can be, not needing to rely on anyone else for that happiness, but to know, in the right time, in the right moment, there is a possibility of someone else that could enhance that happiness, but is not necessary for your own personal happiness.

Each of you, (now one married!) and those not, single or not, have such beautiful, strong personalities that should never, ever, be hidden in the shadow of someone else. The unique characteristics that each of you have grown into, is one of the aspects I have loved knowing about each of you growing up. As you have come to know, the chance to NOT push your families aside in light of any relationship you are luckily enough to discover, is a chance that is priceless – especially in moments like yesterday’s wedding. Please never let anyone define you more than the talents and personalities to bring to any relationship. Despite the pain and heartache that comes with relationships, please never let anyone hide the very awesome personality traits that make you each you. Each of you are unique and so strong in who you are, it is my bragging right all the time to tell others I know you because of who each of you are.

Never ever feel forced into doing something as a career and having to know that path i for sure, 100% at any given moment in time. I say this because life changes so much in the opportunities to present you you. Never also let anyone impact your opinion of what you are doing or want to do at any given moment. Changing your mind of your interests and career as you go along is never a problem, as long as you always never let what you are interested in to be part of what you choose. Each of you are so incredibly intelligent, confident and capable. Make sure that is a part of the equation when you dream and work, and despite your doubts, you will never need to worry about providing for yourself, even though it might not be clear at the moment. It will appear as long as you stay true to yourself and be patient. (And lean on each other and friends to get you there).

The one single thing you have continued to teach me and have taught me, is home is where each of you are. You have always welcomed me into your spaces when I have trekked back to Pennsylvania seeing you grown up from little to the adult you are and now have become. It has always let me redefine what and where home can be, and you have always help keep Pennsylvania as my home in a variety of ways. It is obvious you build your home around you as well with the people you keep around you. Each of you have the great talent of keeping some of the very best friends and family around you, keep that always.

It is so typical to make the decision to work harder than the person next to you. My Dad perfected that and passed that on to me silently often, and at times I always have felt compelled to match that ethic. However, I also realized how more importantly it is to work hard for each other as family – MOST important. Never hesitate to ask me if I can help, as well as others that are in positions of experience or have connections to help you achieve your dreams. You have earned that right for the hurdles that you have pushed through and came through the other side, so never hesitate to ask those that could help. I never doubted having one of the largest families and have realized the importance of “hurrying up” in taking care of my financial stability so i can have more time to spend with my family- moments that are priceless.

Of all the most interesting characteristics I have noticed in anyone, I have seen people changed from selfless to selfish along the path they have made to build their life around them. What I admire about each of you is despite the hard situations that have been placed at your feet, each of you have found a way forward, yet have kept the selfless and pure heart to help others without thinking at a moment’s notice. I have met so many people lose themself and become so full of themselves with their accomplishments and a ” I so deserve this!” attitude, it often steals a little of how they define themselves. Each of you 100% deserve all the success and happiness you have found and will find, and yet the way you care for others has always defined you. That is what I absolutely love about each of you.

There is so much more I can say but in seeing each of you at Jacinda and Adam’s wedding, the overall energy, optimism, and just desire to be happy is what always makes the drive anytime to see you and just hang with each of you worth it. I cannot tell you enough what an amazing gift it has been to see each of you progress, grown and navigate the path you are on. Honestly, it is one of the best gifts I have ever been given, so thank you for always thinking of my in an amazing life each of you continue to design. I have said it many times before but, I am so incredibly proud of each of you – SO proud. NEVER hesitate to ask me for anyway I can help you into anything you could use help with. Anytime. And please find the time to visit Delaware when you can as you always are welcome, always.

Rachelle, doesn’t it seem like yesterday we we were navigating the route to Slippery Rock University in that Ford Ranger? It goes without saying from the doubts you had then as a student to parent to now proud Mama, it has been an honor to be your friend and be included in so many of your experiences. Your doubts of being a good parent, well you can wash them away, I never doubted any of your spirit to pass on the sentiments of selflessness, generosity, hard work for family, as well as being true to yourself and others. Your family exudes this every quality. It is so awesome having the chance to meet all your friends and family, and thanks so much for always including me.

Joe, wow. Just WOW. Your achievements and support for such a beautiful family often are not voiced enough but what is great, usually no words are needed when anyone meets your family. From the smiles, confidence, and good natured-ness you feel instantly when your family is together, it speaks volumes. Thank you for always being the backbone of family for your family and all of you who I consider my dearest friends. Going the distance for your family has had the ultimate payback, and is evident in the smiles, laughter, and actions of your family. It is just reward for any obstacles that you and your family have all overcome.

Thank you so so much for thinking of me, because honestly, your family has done way more for me than I feel I have done for your family – but I am grateful for you sharing your life with me 🙂 I purposely took no pictures of all of use together as I wanted to share this day in talking with you and just asking each of you how you have been and asking what is ahead, and enjoying your success. However, we will need to make a point to try and get a picture together in the future. Congratulations Adam and Jacinda to so much, and congratulations to each of you as a family!