The Salisbury Township School Board held a curriculum and technology meeting Feb. 8. Following student reports outlining the many events occurring in the district’s schools, the board viewed presentations concerning Keystone assessment data and teaching and learning updates.

Salisbury High School students Olivia Cudd and Michael McWhorter started the meeting with a rundown of important events taking place at the high school. Winter sports are winding down and spring sports will soon begin. Interest meetings for spring athletics are taking place and physicals needed for participation were scheduled to begin Feb. 21.

SHS hosted the third annual LVIDA Debate Tournament which involved nine schools and 100 students. The Salisbury team placed second overall.

Model U.N. students held an in-house crisis simulation recently and they look forward to sending delegates to the Model U.N. Conference in April.

High school seniors enjoyed a senior breakfast where they received gift bags with T-shirts and were able to view the senior video.

In the spirit of giving, many clubs are raising money and collecting donations for those in need. The Sewing for Charity Club sold handmade items for Valentine’s Day Feb. 8-15. Proceeds from the sale will benefit homeless families and students in the district.

The STARS club is also accepting donations for care kits for the homeless in conjunction with the Sixth Street Alliance and the Spanish Club is selling bracelets, keychains and lanyards to raise money for Dia del amor y la amistad - a Spanish holiday of love and friendship. Half of all profits will go to the Philippines where the merchandise is made.

The 2026 Class Advisory is also selling Gertrude Hawk candy to raise money for the Class of 2026.

The SHS theater department will perform the musical “9 to 5” March 16-18.

The school district’s wellness committee is in the process of planning a community fun run which will be held April 27.

The students also reminded the board it was National School Counseling Week and expressed their thanks to high school counselors Michael Anderson and Allison Moyer.

Salisbury Middle School students Payton Kao and Gia Olds reported students have been participating in some fun activities at Blue Mountain Ski Resort. Eighth grade students learned to ski and snowboard for free and sixth grade students took part in the Science of Slide Program. The program is an interactive program aligned with science standards and focuses on forces of motion.

Seventh and eighth grade musicians participated in Songfest and Bandfest at Nazareth High School. Songfest was held Feb. 16 and Bandfest will be held March 10. Students participate with 31 different schools from around the region.

Students in seventh grade took a field trip to the DaVinci Science Center to see and experience an exhibit focused on the human body. They will also travel to Kutztown University March 9 to see the planetarium and explore science topics or the visual arts center.

The Interact Club held a winter semiformal Feb. 24 for all seventh and eighth grade students. Proceeds from the dance were to benefit Sights for Hope.

Salisbury Elementary School students Cashin Chizmar and Sophia Butler reported a Leader in Me program was held Jan. 24. The event focused on the Habits 1-4 and how to incorporate them at home with family. Immediately following the program, a family game night was held.

After playing family centered games families enjoyed pizza, hot dogs and a raffle.

Students are looking forward to many upcoming events including T-shirt days, PTO family movie night, Valentine’s Day parties and Dr. Seuss’ Read Across America Week.

Keystone Exams data was the next topic to be presented to the board.

SHS Principal Heather Morningstar gave an in-depth presentation explaining the complexities of gathering relevant data as it relates to the three areas assessed on the Keystone tests.

These tests differ from The Pennsylvania System of School Assessment test because the Keystones can be retaken multiple times by students in order to reach proficiency but PSSA tests can only be taken once.

Tracking the test results of one graduating class is a laborious process because of the need to compile multiple results of the same tests which may have been retaken over several years.

The percentages of students in the Class of 2023 scoring proficient or advanced are as follows: Algebra, 46%, Literature, 67% and Biology, 88%.

Morningstar explained the process used to make sure students are meeting requirements to career readiness/graduation pathways noting administrators, teachers, counselors and department chairs work together using spreadsheets to keep track of all the data. She summarized by saying students are generally doing well once test retakes are calculated and 100% of students met career readiness standards.

Assistant Superintendent Kelly Pauling added all departments are actively utilizing the data generated from these tests to address challenges in an effort to help every student succeed.

Administrators from each of the district’s schools provided a teaching and learning update for the board.

SES Principal Zach Brem reported teachers recently conducted data meetings which entailed reviewing current data and making adjustments to instruction in order to meet the needs of students.

Additionally, the results of the Social, Academic, Emotional and Behavior Risk Screener (SAEBRS) were studied to determine which students would benefit from participating in social, emotional learning groups. Some of these groups are held in partnership with the Center for Humanistic Change.

Kindergarten registration is now open with options for registering students. Parents can register online at www.salisburysd.org/kindergarten.

Brem also spoke about the success of the Leader in Me parent workshop/family game night and segued into the launch of the Intervention Parent Night Feb. 27. The event was to include fun activities and information on the Title I summer reading program for students receiving Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions.

Salisbury Middle School Assistant Principal Robert Sawicki reported it is now time for eighth grade students to begin course selections for the high school. An information meeting for parents was well attended and counselors will meet with students to help them through the process.

Teachers in the middle school are working with students to help them prepare for the upcoming PSSA tests by coaching them in their understanding of test questions, scoring and offering tips for time management.

Morningstar highlighted the accomplishments of Riley Knecht who participated in the SkillsUSA Health Occupation Quiz Bowl. She also congratulated the world languages department and their students for the World Languages presentation shown to parents which will soon be posted on the school website.

Additional kudos went to Michael Barna and the Debate Club who in a recent competition showed participants and audience members how to civilly argue with facts and data to support arguments.

Pauling updated the board on changes to Act 55 which allows students who are home-schooled to attend up to 25% of their school day at a district school. Homeschool families have been contacted to gauge their interest in participating.

Other changes include Chapter 49 which relates to Certification of Professional Personnel. Currently the district has a one-year induction program for new teachers who have not yet attained Level II certification.

Chapter 49 now requires a two-year induction program. Additionally, the district must provide culturally responsive and sustaining education professional development as well as professional ethics competencies for all staff.

The district must also provide structured literacy training programs for an array of certifications such as elementary education, special education and ESL.

Pauling also outlined the many ways in which administrators are working on parent engagement including extending invitations to home-school and charter school families.

Also noted in her presentation is that science standards are anticipated to begin in 2026 and fourth grade science PSSA tests will now be administered to fifth grade students.

Other pertinent information about the tests include a new technology/engineering category which will most likely be included on the fifth and eighth grade tests. The district has already added STEM as a special in the elementary curriculum which will keep students one step ahead.

Administrators are currently working on a plan to raise the participation rate for state assessments above the 95% threshold.

Families exercising their choice to opt out of testing have caused participation levels to dip below the 95% threshold. Students who opt out automatically receive a score of below basic which has proved detrimental to the district.

The next curriculum and technology meeting will be held 7 p.m. March 22 in the administration building, 1140 Salisbury Road.