Each school in the Penn-Trafford School District received kudos for its use of the Fast ForWord reading program from Scientific Learning.

The schools received a Gold Cap Award for its participation in the program and the progression of students.

"It is an award Scientific Learning gives to schools who have been productive, have used their time wisely and have shown that the students are providing effort and there's a quality program going on," said Peggy DiNinno, assistant to the superintendent.

Scientific Learning developed the program to help students with learning problems by targeting parts of the brain that normally aren't stimulated.

Superintendent Deborah Kolonay said an e-mail from Scientific Learning indicates it's unusual for all schools in a district to receive the award.

"From their standpoint, we are implementing it properly, students are receptive and we are keeping them motivated in the program," Kolonay said.

Wages

The Penn-Trafford school board approved the pay rates for aides, health room technicians, personal care assistants and school police at its meeting Monday night.

Current employees will receive a 50-cent increase per hour. Other wages include:

• Library aides, lunchroom aides and school police -- $10.80 an hour.

• Classroom aides and personal care assistants -- $11.50 an hour.

• Health room technicians -- $17 an hour.

• Building aides -- $9.75 an hour.

Substitute pay

The board also agreed on pay rates for substitute teachers and support staff.

Substitute teachers will be paid $97 a day during the next school year. Substitutes who are employed for more than 30 consecutive days will receive $112 a day starting on the 31st day.

All substitute clerks, custodians, library aides, lunchroom aides, classroom aides and personal care assistants will receive $9.75 per hour.

Technology planning

District officials are looking for students, parents, teachers, administrators and board and community members to join the technology planning committee.

The committee's first meeting will be May 21 at 7 p.m. in the high school library. Members will discuss the current plan and examine goals and objectives for the upcoming year.

Those interested in serving on the committee can e-mail penntraffordsd@aol.com or call Sylvia Cardiff at 724-744-4496.