State Sen. Scott Hutchinson, R-Oil City, visited Tidioute Community Charter School last week for the school’s honor roll and merit breakfast, followed by a speech and an interview with some of the senior class members.

He spoke about perseverance and hard work, congratulating the more than one-third of the student body that was recognized during the breakfast. Other celebrations included Character Development group games, the 100th day of school and the annual winter fun sled riding and campfire to end the week.

“You can do great things because you have the hard work, the ethic, the grit and the willingness to do your best. I’m glad I could be here today to celebrate success, education and to know that our country is in good hands when we have young people like you who are motivated to do their very best every single day,” Hutchinson said.

Hutchinson also spoke to members of the senior class, hosting a roundtable discussion with the students. Hutchinson left the students by encouraging them to participate in civic life after graduation.

Times Observer photo by Jessica N. Rex Tidioute Community Charter School students are pictured at the school’s honor and merit roll breakfast during a School Choice Week event held recently.

“I hope you are all active citizens; get to know what’s going on and vote,” Hutchinson said. “That’s all I ask. Our country needs you. We need people to be informed and engaged by voting.”

Ryan Steffan, Tidioute Community Charter School principal and CEO, ended the discussion by asking the students a question.

“What does school choice mean to you?” Steffan asked. “What makes TCCS different from the traditional school setting?”

Students replied they enjoy the strong relationships among the entire school population, along with the hands-on activities, small classes which help with engagement and performance, and that their voices are heard.

National School Choice Week was founded in 2011 in order to promote the concept of all forms of school choice including public schools, magnet schools, charter schools, private schools and home schooling. The event is sponsored by the National School Choice Awareness Foundation and is the largest annual celebration of school choice. Pennsylvania has 937 schools and organizations partnered with the School Choice Foundation.

Photo submitted to the Times Observer St. Joseph’s Catholic School alumni are pictured with Father Rick Tomassone during Catholic Schools Week recently.

Rachel Langan, Commonwealth Foundation senior education policy analyst, said during recent state Senate Majority Policy Committee testimony that increased state school spending is not leading to improved outcomes. She said the 2025-26 state budget will spend $17.7 billion on public education, an increase of $7.2 billion since 2015-16, while proficiency in reading and writing has decreased from 6 of 10 students in 2015 to 4 in 10 students in the foundation’s most recent analysis.

She offered solutions for immediate relief including suggesting to expand tax credit scholarships and the Federal Tax Credit Scholarship.

For more information visit schoolchoiceweek.com as well as paedchoice.org

Photo submitted to the Times Observer St. Joseph Catholic School celebrated Catholic Schools Week recently. The week began with an open house, a worship concert, a visit from school alumni, a talent show and animals from the Erie Zoo.

Times Observer photo by Jessica N. Rex State Sen. Scott Hutchinson is pictured with members of the Tidioute Community Charter School Class of 2026 after a recent School Choice Week event.

Times Observer photo by Jessica N. Rex Tidioute Community Charter School students are pictured at a bonfire during a School Choice Week event.