🏛️ Chester County Civics Bee Highlights Civic Involvement | CASD Invites Future Kindergarteners to Carnival

In Today’s Edition of Downingtown Local Pulse

🌤️☀️ Downingtown PA Weather

🏛️ Chester County Civics Bee Highlights Civic Involvement

🎟️ CASD Invites Future Kindergarteners to Carnival

🏨 Proposed Hotel Project Nears Decision in West Goshen

📋 Caln’s Board of Commissioners Meeting Posted Online For Public Viewing

🏡 Downingtown Real Estate

📆 Upcoming Local Events

🔎 Local Business Finder

Engaging the Next Generation: Chester County Civics Bee Highlights Civic Involvement

The Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry collaborated with the Pennsylvania Chamber and local partners to host the regional Civics Bee. This annual event, aligned with the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s National Civics Bee, encourages young Americans to actively participate in civic affairs. The competition included an essay round, where local 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade students tackled issues in their communities. Judges selected 20 finalists who competed in the local bee, featuring rounds of questions on government and history.

Benchmark Federal Credit Union, the Technology Sponsor, provided all 20 finalists with brand-new Samsung tablets. The top 5 contestants engaged in a live Q&A session with judges, mirroring the national format. The previous year's winners from the Chester County bee also secured top positions at the Pennsylvania State Bee, emphasizing the significance of the regional event.

Laura Manion, President of CCCBI, expressed excitement about collaborating with community partners to engage the next generation of leaders. Marianne Martelli, Director of Community Partnerships at CCCBI, highlighted the event's role in shedding light on local issues and showcasing students' civic knowledge through friendly competition.

The top 3 students from the local competition, Aayan K., Andrew F., and Shaun K., will advance to the state competition in Harrisburg. Cash prizes, provided by CCCBI, were awarded to the winners, reinforcing the commitment to supporting education and cultivating future leaders. The successful collaboration with sponsors and community organizations underscored the event's impact in fostering civic engagement and preparing students for leadership roles.Share Downingtown Local Pulse

Coatesville Area School District Invites Future Kindergarteners to Enchanting Carnival

Coatesville Area School District is hosting a Kindergarten Carnival on March 13 at Rainbow Elementary School, providing incoming families with insights into the kindergarten experience. The event, aimed at the future Class of 2037, offers hands-on activities and a backpack for each child to aid kindergarten preparation. Families can register on the district's website, and the night aims to introduce them to the comprehensive support the district provides for physical, emotional, and intellectual growth.

Accommodating Growth: Proposed Hotel Project Nears Decision in West Goshen

BT Carter Drive LLC is advancing plans for a 200-room hotel near West Chester University, seeking approval from the West Goshen Township Zoning Hearing Board. The proposed three-story hotel, situated on a 5.29-acre site at 205 Carter Drive, incorporates ground-level parking beneath the hotel rooms.

Access to the hotel lot involves utilizing part of a driveway from Carter Drive, with a proposed route from Matlack Street passing through the Edge property, designated for West Chester University student housing. The project addresses concerns related to the floodplain, which includes Goose Creek running through the site. FEMA's recent determination, at the builder's request, indicates that the hotel itself would not be within the floodplain.

Adjacent structures include various developments, such as student housing, industrial buildings, and office spaces. The plan involves the demolition of an unused warehouse to accommodate the hotel.

The property exhibits steep man-made and natural slopes, categorized as prohibitive slopes exceeding 20 percent and precautionary slopes ranging from 15 to 20 percent. The Zoning and Hearing Board will review variances related to stormwater management, access drive, retaining wall location within a buffer, installation proximity to Goose Creek, and positioning within prohibitive steep slopes. The ultimate decision on the property's development rests with the Board of Supervisors.

Caln’s Board of Commissioners Meeting Posted Online For Public Viewing

Missed last week’s meeting? You can view a recording available online at https://www.youtube.com/@calntownship515

Catch up on previous issues…

Newly Listed Homes:

1133 Merrifield Drive, West Chester, PA

1238 Isaac Way, West Chester, PA

901 Valley Drive, West Chester, PA

11 Deer Run Lane, Malvern, PA

Upcoming Local Events…

• Healthcare Hiring Event - March 6th, 11am-3pm

• Chamber of Commerce Happy Hour - March 7th, 5pm-7pm

• Joe Conklin Night of Comedy For Our Heroes - March 8th, 6-10pm

• Invasive Plant Clean-up at Broad Run Park - March 9th, 9am-12pm

• Downingtown Repair Café - March 9th, 10am-2pm

• St. Matthew’s Consignment Sale - March 15th 5pm-8pm, 16th 8am-12:30pm

• UUT First Aid / CPR Training Class - March 16th, 2pm-4pm

• Upper Uwchlan Egg Hunt - March 23rd, 11am

• Wallace Twp Egg Hunt - March 23rd, 11:30am

• Thorndale Fire Co Blood Drive - April 2nd, 1pm-6pm

Catch up on previous issues…