DUKE CENTER — The school board were treated with two presentations during their regular scheduled meeting on Tuesday evening.
The first was a lock box demonstration by teachers Kaci Daniels and Susan Wertz. They brought in their examples of lock boxes which they both use in their classroom to expand their students learning experiences. Daniels and Wertz explained that lock boxes add a puzzle component to a lesson. They can be used with any subject matter. A teacher builds clues or patterns into student activities. The students then have to think outside the box to solve the puzzles which will enable them to open the box. In this way students blend academic material, team building skills, logic, and abstract thought.
The break-out boxes are miniature versions of a well-known escape rooms. When a student or team completes the tasks and opens the box, they find something of value to them. This could be a treat, a study guide, bonus points, or a team flag. Daniels explains her last break-out box challenge ended when the winning team hoisted their flag onto a flagpole.
School board member Lisa Beaver took part in solving one of the lock box puzzles which were brought for the board to experience hands on. She noted, “The lock boxes will be a fun and creative tool for both the teachers and the students. They require many different skills to open, from listening for clues in a short video, to solving a math problem, and then entering the proper code to open the box. I definitely feel these will be a huge benefit to the classrooms.”
The lock boxes were purchased by the Otto-Eldred Parent Teacher Organization.
The second presentation was given by a group of ninth grade students. The students, Taylor English, Chloe Stickle, Kaylee Rhinehart, and Montana Kusnierz, showed a PowerPoint presentation on the benefits and uses of One to One technology. The students did surveys and collected useful information on the technology. They presented on the many benefits to not only to the students, but also to the teachers. Their findings showed that 91 percent of the students supported One to One technology. With over 71 percent of classes using computers, they feel that purchasing computers for students would allow them to be more productive.
Students noted that they find they are wasting valuable class time signing in and out of laptops that are shared during school, and having their own personal laptops would eliminate this issue. Students and teachers will both have more resources available to them and the technology allows for on-line collaboration. The board was very pleased with the presentation given by the students and agreed that One to One technology would be beneficial, the question would be will it be feasible and how they could possibly implement it into the district. They agreed to gather more information from other districts that are currently using it.
During administrative reports, Principal of Elementary and Special Education Lindsay Burns reported that the elementary school is well on their way with their mid-year assessments. Data meetings will be set up to monitor progress and set goals for the end of the year. Professional learning has been planned for the end of the year to target areas of interest for staff. A PAW pride assembly for the second nine weeks will be held this week to recognize those students displaying positive behavior and student of the month winners from the last few months.
Director of curriculum Missy Merry reported that the benchmark assessments are being conducted in January with data meetings to follow. Middle School Math & ELA curriculums are currently being reviewed. Winter Keystone exams will wrap up this week.
In new business, a representative from Buffamante Whipple Buttafaro presented their finding on the 2017-18 audit summary report. The district’s financial statements were found to be in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted by the U.S.
During professional and supplemental staffing approvals, Shasta Wagner was approved to serve as a substitute nurse for the district. Kera Bradt will serve as a long term substitute at the elementary filling a vacancy in fifth grade, and Shannon Kio was approved as her mentor. Tim Burris was approved as a track and field assistant coach. Garrett Stuck was approved to be a substitute custodian and Jerri Brown was approved as a substitute in an hourly position. Matthew Connors was approved as a volunteer for the trap team.
The senior class trip to Cedar Point in May was approved along with a few various other field trips.
Tickets for the winter flurry/blizzard dances are currently being sold during lunch times. The dances will be held on Feb. 8 for 7th and 8th grade students, and Feb. 9 for 9th through 12th grade. Ticket are only a dollar and all students are encouraged to attend.
The next board meeting will be held on Feb. 12th at the Otto-Eldred Technology lab in the elementary school at 6:30 p.m.
