Classes come and go, but no one ever thought crafts would become one of those classes.

After the retirement of Mr. Mark Pilarski at the end of the last school year, the crafts program was cut from the list of art classes offered at Beaver Area High School and Middle School. Many returning art students aren’t so thrilled about the news. Especially the seventh graders who looked forward to their first crafts class with “Mr. P.”

The crafts room isn’t going unused though. Mr. Pilarski’s classroom is now used for the learning support program to help students with their academics.

“When I learned of Mr. Pilarski not having a replacement this year I was devastated,” shared art teacher Mrs. Karen Steffes.

However, not all hope is lost.

“Next year we should be getting a new crafts teacher,” Mrs. Steffes said.

Not only did crafts offer a time of creativity, but it offered a different type of learning for students. Problem solving.

“Art is a different type of learning from your typical high school classes. You have to problem solve in art class which isn’t as present in other classes you might take in high school,” explained Mrs. Steffes, “In fact, I’ve had people fail my [art] class because they were used to following precise directions for a project. In art, you have to problem solve in order to get the results you desire.”

But before students get their hopes set too high, whether or not a new crafts teacher is hired isn’t necessarily a done deal.

“As of now we don’t know if there will be another crafts teacher next year,” said high school principal Dr. Murray. “We are hoping for another crafts teacher, but the board will have to see how scheduling looks for next year.”

Until then, we’ll hope.