Cheer

Zelienople third grader TJ Wanamaker is fighting to make his little brother’s life better, and he deserves help — and kudos for being a terrific big brother.

TJ’s 4-year-old brother, Madon, was diagnosed with a rare metabolic disorder, congenital disorders of glycosylation, at age 2. CDG affects organ and nervous system development, and can result in developmental delays and other medical issues.

Madon has the benefit of a wonderful advocate in his older brother, who worked with Connoquenessing Valley Elementary School to start a fundraising effort as part of the CVE Cares Project for May.

If you’re looking for a place to lend a helping financial hand, you could do a lot worse than rewarding this fine young man for putting his brotherly love into action.

Jeer

A staffing shake-up at South Butler County School District approved earlier this week by board members was predictably an emotional and contentious issue for students, teachers and board members. But an exchange between Superintendent David Zupsic and gym teacher Mike Pelloni leaves an unanswered question hanging in the air.

Pelloni and middle school art teacher Karen Schawl will both see their hours cut to part-time, and Doug Kamer, a high school art teacher, has been furloughed completely. The moves will save the district about $175,000 — though school administrators say it was done because of decreasing enrollment.

It’s disappointing to see the district reduce or cut teachers’ positions, period. Also dispiriting were the comments of Zupsic, who was dismissive of an effort by Pelloni at Monday’s board meeting to present alternative schedules that would enable him to keep his full-time job. Other teachers whose jobs were on the chopping block apparently were given a chance to do just that. Why wasn’t Pelloni?

Cheer

It’s stories like Kenway’s that remind us how vital the work of organizations like the Butler County Humane Society can be.

Kenway, a pit bull mix, was shot in the face and left for dead before being found earlier this week roaming along a road in Clinton Township.

The Humane Society retrieved Kenway, got him to a vet, and is currently caring for him during what will be a months-long recovery. Kenway is, as they say, one lucky pup.

Saving a dog’s life doesn’t pass a state budget, cure a disease or catch a criminal. But for many people it can be a powerful manifestation of the compassion and love which form the bedrock of our society.

Too often, we can forget those tenets, take them for granted, or even doubt their existence in times of trouble and stress. They’re still alive and well — just like Kenway.