Western Salisbury Elementary School hosted the curriculum and technology meeting March 27.

The gallery was filled with students and their parents waiting to view projects made by the fifth grade students with the help of their teachers. The designs were constructed using a new concept called “design thinking” using logic, imagination and reasoning.

A presentation on “design thinking” depicted the concept as a way students can challenge themselves through “discovery, inquiry and understanding offering a powerful vehicle for problem-solving, empowering the student to be more creative as they see solutions to the challenges they face using their hands and tools.”

WSE students had several creative and colorful stations constructed of cardboard, cloth, plastic and other materials in their furniture design spread throughout two rooms. The students excitedly asked attendees to their station to explain their concept as members of the board, parents, teachers and attendees strolled from station to station to view the student work. Some students had designed chairs, others book- shelves and one station had a water dispenser.

After viewing all the stations, attendees applauded the students and the board thanked the students for their hard work on their designs.

Pennsylvania System of School Assessment testing for grades three through eight will begin the week of April 3.

Assistant Superintendent Lynn Fuini-Hetten gave an assessment update which included a packet of test questions given to fifth and eighth grade students. Fuini-Hetten explained the questions in the packet were typical questions where students had to rely on their knowledge of the subject matter, reasoning and understanding to determine the student’s proficiency.

Assistant Principal at Salisbury Middle School Robert Sawicki read a sample problem about the building of an ancient Roman city and stated students will need to use the reading strategies they have been taught during the year to solve the problem.

Students will need to draw on their ability to use critical thinking to solve math problems. Should a student not be proficient in the usage of critical thinking, solving math problems on the PSSA tests could prove to be detrimental.

Director Mary Ziegler noted the tests have changed quite a bit since her children took them.

In other curriculum news, Fuini-Hetton said 65 educators came to Salisbury High School to see the school district’s Apple program. Students from all levels in the district were invited to participate in the program.

According to Fuini-Hetten, representatives from King, Spry, Herman, Freund & Faul, LLC spoke to the teachers recently regarding copyright infringement. With Salisbury’s television studio, the school needed to examine the student’s use of materials that could be copyrighted and not licensed for school use.

In regard to technology and specifically for Internet safety and security, Chris Smith, Salisbury’s coordinator of technology is forming a committee to work on a “cyber incident response plan.”

Fuini-Hetten noted Salisbury will be offering two parent workshops in the spring. Ross Cooper will teach the social media workshops while the positive behavior support workshops will be taught by Tracey Jacobi.

Cooper said he has also been undertaking a writing workshop with one-on-one instruction beginning at the elementary level.

“The less is more approach is a benefit for the teachers and students and we have seen some really impressive results in the classroom.”

Fuini-Hetten and Superintendent Dr. Randy Ziegenfuss are working on encompassing empathy in the ‘Profile of a Graduate’ and are looking for new ideas for and from parents and their suggestions for additional workshops.

When the board asked whether there were any comments or questions from the public, parent Ross Staack stood to address the members.

“As our son transitions into the high school, though the district does a really good job of instituting STEM at the middle school level, that drops off the map at the high school level. Maybe through staff or retirements, it could be addressed.”

STEM is a program that is curriculum based using disciplines in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Staack said he had expressed his concerns with Salisbury staff and administration during “Coffee and Conversations” and one of the responses to his concern was there wasn’t any lab space for it at the high school. “The ‘design thinking’ demonstration tonight was a perfect example that you do not need lab space. You can use creativity and different things in the classroom that the district already has and not put a strain on the budget while still implementing programs in the future,” Staack said.

The committee thanked Staack for his comments and said they would take them under advisement.

The next curriculum and technology committee meeting will be held 7 p.m. April 24 at Salisbury Middle School.