School Board Meeting Highlights
11-15-16
Agenda:
For a complete agenda, please visit us at:http://www.boarddocs.com/pa/parkland/Board.nsf/Public
All motions were approved.
Workshop Meeting
Currently, time is the constant and learning is the variable. With Internet resources, learning has become the constant and time is the variable. Teachers are working towards personalizing instruction so that needs are met wherever a student is within the curriculum.
A committee is working with Project RED this year to develop an action plan to examine and share best practices in developing personalized learning paths for all students.
Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Professional Development Kelly Rosario and a team of kindergarten teachers presented a progress report on Full-day Kindergarten which was launched this fall. The teachers overwhelmingly agreed that their students are far ahead of where they were last year at this time with regards to writing, reading and math skills. They reported that they are thrilled with the extra time they have to provide intervention and enrichment and showed some video clips to give the School Board a peek inside their active and engaged classrooms.
Principal Jim Moniz and Curriculum Supervisor Jason Henry provided an exciting overview of new Parkland High School course offerings that will be offered next fall. Among them is an expansion of the Project Lead the Way program to begin offering a Computer Science track. PHS offers Project Lead the Way, a rigorous national curriculum that offers dual enrollment college credits and hands-on learning in Engineering and Biomedical Science. Parkland will be the 2nd high school in the state to offer all three tracks next fall. A new program that will be piloted with LCCC will offer juniors the opportunity to take dual enrollment classes during their junior and senior years in order to graduate with both a Parkland diploma and an Associate of Arts Degree in General Studies, which transfers to many four-year colleges. And, for those students who may be interested in a career in aviation, Private Pilot Flight Theory will be offered as a dual enrollment course through LCCC designed to help students work towards earning their Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Private Pilot Certificate. PHS is also pleased to announce a new Emergency Medical Technician course in partnership with Cetronia Ambulance Corps that will prepare students to pass the assessments needed for EMT certification. Here is a link with more details: https://sway.com/PbGpVoK9OjZC2sOX
Business Meeting
Reports:
LCTI - David Kennedy attended open house last week for all students, and also potential incoming 8th graders. He said it was packed. There was a great deal of enthusiasm from 8th graders to seek out labs of interest.
LCCC - The college was recognized with a milestone award from The LV Chamber of Commerce for its 50th anniversary. Dr. Ann Beiber accepted the award. LCCC also announced an expansion of its Medical Assistance program - now accepting applications.
Foundation Report - 3 Ways to Give to the Foundation this holiday - click here for details! Amazon shopping link, chocolate sale for staff, and 11/29 shopping event at Talbots! The Turkey Trot 5K Race for Alumni is Nov 25th. Click here for details. Nominate a PHS classmate, friend or family member for the 2017 Distinguished Alumni Wall of Honor at Parkland High School, please do so by Wednesday, November 30. Info at: http://www.parklandsd.org/foundation/alumni-wall-of-honor/.
Roundtable
Lisa Roth was at the Patti Lupone concert with the PHS Chorale where they received a standing ovation.
Mark Hanichak thanked the PHS team for Seussical and the theater program and thought the students did a tremendous job.
David Kennedy remarked that the decision to offer Full-day Kindergarten in Parkland was obviously a good one after this evening's presentation.
Everyone wished the Football and Volleyball teams the best of luck this weekend.
Mr. Sniscak thanked all of the presenters for a terrific update.
The Board and Mr. Sniscak wished everyone a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving Break.