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In this Update:

• Cursive Handwriting Initiative Becomes Law
• 20th Anniversary of Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace
• Tour of St. Vincent de Paul Warehouse in Johnstown
• Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program Now Accepting Applications
• The Dangers of Walking on Frozen Bodies of Water
• Property Tax/Rent Rebate Application Assistance
• News for Veterans Sign Up

Cursive Handwriting Initiative Becomes Law

My initiative to require cursive handwriting to be taught in schools has been signed into law.

Act 2 of 2026 requires cursive handwriting to be incorporated into ongoing writing curriculum at Pennsylvania public and private schools. I sponsored a similar bill, Senate Bill 645. Pennsylvania will join 18 other states requiring cursive to be taught in school.

By reintegrating cursive into the curriculum, we are not simply teaching handwriting, we are investing in our students’ cognitive development, strengthening their legal preparedness and preserving their connection to historical literacy. Cursive writing fosters fine motor skills, enhances memory retention and equips students to read foundational documents in their original form. In doing so, we ensure future generations are prepared both intellectually and practically.

20th Anniversary of Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace

This week, I presented a Pennsylvania Senate Citation and flag to Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace, Inc., to commemorate their 20th anniversary. Kongsberg’s production facility in Johnstown has grown to become the company’s largest outside of Norway.

Tour of St. Vincent de Paul Warehouse in Johnstown

Thank you to the staff at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul for a tour and conversation at their Food for Families warehouse in Johnstown.

Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program Now Accepting Applications

Eligible Pennsylvanians can now apply for a Grow PA Scholarship Grant for the 2026-27 academic year. Applications are available at pheaa.org/growpa.  

This program offers grants of up to $5,000 per year for in-state students who pursue a degree or certification in an in-demand occupation and administered by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA).

Courses of study that qualify for the grant include agriculture, computer science, business, education, special education, STEM education, engineering, nursing, allied health, criminal justice and other programs as approved by PHEAA. The full list is available here.

To qualify, applicants must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as well as agree to live and work in Pennsylvania in that occupation after graduation for 12 months for each year they received the grant.

Please note: Applicants who received this grant last year MUST reapply to receive the grant again for the upcoming academic year.

The Dangers of Walking on Frozen Bodies of Water

Cold weather means more frozen bodies of water and the risk that comes with walking on them, especially rivers and streams.

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission offers this safety advice:

• No ice is considered “safe” ice. There is no official authority that measures ice thickness.
• Never go out on ice alone.
• Never walk on ice that has formed over moving water such as a river or stream.
• The PFBC recommends a minimum of 4 inches of ice for walking onto the surface of a lake or pond.
• Always wear a life jacket or float coat while on the ice. (Inflatable life jackets do not perform well in freezing temperatures.)
• Survey the ice and listen for loud cracks or booms, which are signs of deterioration.

Look for new ice, which is clear or has a blue tint, and remember that ice thickness is not consistent across the surface of a lake or pond. Learn more about ice fishing and ice safety, including an ice thickness and safety chart, here.

Property Tax/Rent Rebate Application Assistance

If you need help with your property tax/rent rebate application, my office will be hosting assistance events at the East Hills and Johnstown Senior Centers next month. To register for one of these events, please call or stop by one of the senior centers. See the flyer above for more information.

News for Veterans Sign Up

I am now offering a monthly e-newsletter with updates on news and information for veterans! If you are interested in receiving my veterans e-newsletter, please visit my website to sign up here.

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