The technology and curriculum committee of the Salisbury Township School Board met at Salisbury High School Jan. 27.

The meeting opened with a presentation by Harry S Truman Elementary School students Giulianna Baab and Sophia Gunning, followed by Western Salisbury Elementary School students Audrey Nemitz and Braeden Olds. They presented cards and posters to the school board members in appreciation of their hard work. The posters will hang in area businesses in recognition of School Board Appreciation Month.

Superintendent Dr. Randy Ziegenfuss presented the proposed district calendar for the 2020-2021 school year. He mentioned it modeled very closely the calendar for the current year. Board member Sarah Nemitz inquired about getting some sort of formula for the regularity of the half days used for professional development, since they occur sporadically each month. The committee said they would look into creating some regularity, since the way the half days currently fall does create confusion for some parents. The board will review the calendar at the next regular meeting to advance the item for approval.

Ziegenfuss also provided an update about the shreducation program offered in partnership with Blue Mountain, where eighth grade students at Salisbury Middle School were given skills training for snow sports as part of the gym program. The program recently capped off with a trip to the Blue Mountain Resort where the kids were able to put their training to use on skis and snowboards. Also as a tie-in to the physical education program, Phantoms Charities sent members of the organization to SMS to participate in hockey training. Phantoms Charities generously donated hockey equipment for the department as well.

Ziegenfuss also reported the German American Partnership Program would take place in 2021. Students from Germany will come to Salisbury High School this October and students from Salisbury will travel to Germany as part of the cultural and educational exchange in June 2021.

The next item brought up before the committee was the introduction of student-led individualized education plans. Tracey Jacobi, director of special education, along with Michael Vacaro, supervisor of special education, explained the great value that lies in involving students in the traditionally parent-and-educator led process. This change would piggyback on the student-led teacher conferences recently employed in the elementary schools and give the students an active voice in tying their vision for their own future into the written goals. Teachers would facilitate this practice by assisting with the students’ preparation. In addition, this updated procedure would entail educating the parents about their child’s role in the procedure. After the meetings, the students would be responsible for a self-reflection piece that would serve as a cornerstone to the experience. “Our goal is that by graduation, they will leave as independent young adults that can self-advocate,” Jacobi said,

Associate Superintendent Lynn Fuini-Hetten presented on several mini-grants awarded to district staff by the Salisbury Education Foundation. The foundation, created in 1998, serves to provide grants up to $500 for innovative projects.

For the 2019-2020 school year, two teachers, Jennifer Judd (third grade at HST) and Kristy Wied (fourth grade at WSE), were awarded grants for aeroponic tower gardens. Using only water and nutrients, students can observe, maintain and grow up to 20 fruits, vegetables and flowering plants indoors and in a confined space. As a culmination to the experience, children can enjoy the fruits of their labor by eating what they have harvested.

Elementary music teacher at both schools, John Leiderman, was awarded a grant for a portable Bluetooth speaker system that will serve as an aid for rehearsals and performances. Salisbury High School teacher Susan Wilson will use her $500 grant to purchase an anatomy in clay system which will allow students to create and explore musculature, placement and function in three dimensions.

The final grant went to Salisbury Middle School teachers Kara Bellis, Mike Posch, Eden Alden and Andrew Heath. Their grant will go toward transportation and food purchase costs for an intersession program called “Cooking across Cultures.” This special course will take place as an elective for students at the middle school during PSSA testing.