Two Apple representatives, Dr. David Diokno, development executive and Tim McHugh, account executive, attended the Feb. 29 curriculum and technology committee meeting at Salisbury High School to present the Apple Distinguished Program recognition to the board.

McHugh commended the district for its commitment to the students by recognizing the importance of technology in learning.

This is the third time the district has received the distinction.

“You are definitely the benchmark in the Lehigh Valley,” McHugh said. “You should be proud. You have a great team.”

“It is important to see how the program has grown,” Diokno said. “You continually raise the bar and move to the next level.”

Salisbury High School Guidance Counselor Shannon Stokes gave a presentation on the dual enrollment program at the high school.

Dual enrollment allows the students to earn college credits while still in high school. Students enroll in college courses offered by SHS faculty in association with Seton Hall University. The courses and faculty have been approved by faculty liaisons. The courses provide the same level of performance as any college course taught on campus, according to Stokes.

The advantages of dual enrollment courses include the transfer of credits to the college the student attends (if accepted) which allows the student more options in college. If the credits are not transferable, a student may be allowed to bypass the introductory level of a course.

The last advantage is the cost; Salisbury students pay $75 per credit for a dual enrollment class versus $900 per credit for the same course at the college level.

Approved dual enrollment classes include AP United States History, AP World History, Honors Anatomy/Physics, German IV, Spanish IV, AP Language and Composition, AP Literature and Composition, AP Biology, AP Calculus, Media Management, Classical Mythology, Creative Writing and Public Speaking.

Students may take no more than two courses per semester and can earn no more than 22 credits throughout their high school career.

In the 2013-2014 school year, 30 students took advantage of this program by enrolling in 81 courses.

In the 2014-2015 school year, 32 students took advantage of this program by enrolling in 57 courses.

This year, 37 students are participating in 70 courses.

Stokes said four students have maxed out the credits offered.

Polling graduated students, Stokes said some colleges accepted the Seton Hall credits, introductory level courses were bypassed, general education classes were completed, electives were satisfied and in one case no credit was awarded.

Board members asked Stokes if money is a concern for students who are interested in dual enrollment.

“Sometimes money is a concern,” Stokes said.

Board member George Gatanis said he is concerned about students not being able to afford the college classes.

“This is bothering me. Children may not be able to afford it,” Gatanis said. He suggested scholarships or grants as an option. Fuini-Hetten said she would look into how many qualified students have declined dual enrollment due to money concerns.

In other business, teacher Rachel Reinecke said there will be a district wide art show for students in kindergarten through 12th grade at Salisbury High School 6 p.m. May 11. Each elementary school student will have at least one piece of artwork in the show; Salisbury Middle School and SHS students’ artwork will be more selective.

Reinecke said each school will hold spring concerts on the following dates: HST - first and second grade concert 2 p.m. April 7; WSE - first and second grade concert 2 p.m. April 20; HST - third grade and chorus 2 p.m. May 5; SHS - spring choral and instrumental 7 p.m. May 10; SMS spring concert 7 p.m. May 12; WSE grade three and chorus 2 p.m. May 11 and HST and WSE - fourth and fifth grade students and combined band at HST 7 p.m. May 24.

Reinecke was thanked by the board for all of her work with keeping the board informed about the arts in the district.

In the TL2020 update, Fuini-Hetten said a team of teachers, administrators and students attended the Pennsylvania Educational Technology Expo and Conference recently in Hershey. Fuini-Hetten said the presentations were well attended and the district received positive comments about the material presented and the presenters from Salisbury. Former Salisbury student Makenna Lenover gave the Keynote address.

Ziegenfuss said administrators are shadowing students in the district. Ziegenfuss said he shadowed an eighth grade student and had classes in algebra, Spanish, health and band. After lunch, one student told Ziegenfuss, “Thank you for being interested.”

“It was very fast paced,” Ziegenfuss said. “I’d like to do this more often.

Fuini-Hetten shadowed a kindergarten student where she had to draw a train.

Administrators are inviting residents to visioning sessions where members of the public can participate in the future of learning. The next two sessions will be held 3:30 p.m. March 16 and 5:30 p.m. April 4 at the administration building.

Assessment updates were given by WSE Principal Grace Hartman, HST Principal Zachary Brem and SMS Principal Ken Parliman. Each listed steps being taken to help students of all levels gain the skills they need to succeed.