Several students attended the Northwestern Lehigh School District board meeting on April 19 to give presentations.

They participated in the Pledge of Allegiance before the meeting and President Bill Dellicker said it was nice to hear the young voices reciting the pledge.

Curriculum documents for music and physical education were presented.

Shawn Fies, Carol Fella and Lora Krum gave the musical presentation and Tim Churetta and Bonnie Millward discussed physical education.

Three music teachers told the board this is the first major change in 20 years for music and time for new standards.

Music education had been more on performance. Now, the focus will be on understanding.

They will study artistic processes creating new ideas that lead into each other. They want to see a final project that makes songs in class. It will be tailored to unique learning styles more connected to the students and give them more purposeful and practical experience.

Seventh grade will have piano as an elective.

“We will be adding arts technology,” said Fies, adding there are many different devices but iPads would solve most of what they need for composing and recording.

He said they have had mini grants to get technology.

Leann Stitzel, director of curriculum, said some money was set aside for this.

Churetta said gym classes are no longer your grandparents’ classes.

Ninth through 11th grade will focus on wellness and fitness. Grade 12 will be based on fitness.

They went to visit Conestoga Valley which has a good program and there were some things Northwestern was already doing. A program is being worked out from the past. Some students who are interested have a strenuous program.

Director Todd Hernandez took part one day and told the board at that time the participation exhausted him.

“Technology can set performance indicators,” Churetta said.

Superintendent Mary Anne Wright was given the authority to approve up to $20,000 in change orders for the high school project.

A change order in excess of $20,000 will require prior approval from the board president, Bill Dellicker, and then come to the board for retroactive approval.

Approval was given to an agreement with Williams Scotsman for storage trailers at monthly rates ranging from $76-$90 for the construction project.

Earth Engineering Inc. received a contract for construction testing not to exceed $50,000.

The middle school roof will be replaced during the summer using the Keystone Purchasing Network.

The work is part of the facilities master plan.

Kindergarten enrollment stands at 103 which is lower than in past years.

Wright did not know if it was a trend or an anomaly. Analysis of the enrollment will be on next month’s agenda.

Stitzel said the Northwestern Lehigh Education Foundation will hold its 5K race and walk at Ontelaunee Park on May 27.

Nineteen recipients have received mini grants for a total of $27,300 from the foundation.

The foundation, which has received $141,500 from local businesses under the Earned Income Tax Credit program, is expected to visit the school board to discuss fundraising.

Darryl Schafer said he met with the Pennsylvania School Boards Association to discuss the charter school reform bill.

If approved, a commission will be formed.

Charter schools would have a business manager.

PSBA is the only state group discussing the issue and he believes that means others favor the reform.

The Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators is talking about different regulations for evaluating teachers.

Wright forwarded a letter she had received to state Rep. Gary Day, R-187th, when he asked her opinion.

In the recreation commission report Todd Hernandez said the vote was against giving the Northwestern Youth Athletic Association a voting membership on the commission.

He also noted the recreation commission received a check for $5,000 from Nestle Waters which will go toward the walking path.

Having crosswalks painted on Northwest Road, between the fields and school grounds, is moving ahead.