From staff reports
The Forest Area School District won the annual Building Community Award from the Penn State Center on Rural Education and Communities.
The award, which was given in partnership with the Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools, was issued to the district on May 6 during the PARSS annual meeting in Boalsburg.
The award recognizes a school or school district that has demonstrated innovative practices by improving educational opportunities while strengthening education.
District superintendent Amanda Hetrick accepted the award on behalf of the district.
The Forest Area School District has also worked to address issues of food security for community residents by creating community gardens where produce is grown for donation to local residents.
The district attributes its success to having built multiple ongoing partnerships with community businesses and agencies to promote career readiness for students and to engage in community outreach, Hetrick said.
The district was nominated for the award by Forest County Commissioner Bob Snyder.