January is School Board Recognition Month, and Catasauqua Area School District Superintendent Robert Spengler had a new idea of how to honor the board of education members at the Jan. 8 meeting.

He wanted the board members to hear from the students and be able to see the results of their hard work. Each principal took a different approach on how best to show the students’ appreciation to the school board. Sheckler Elementary School Principal Eric Dauberman presented each board member with a cupcake made by the students in the Baking Club. He also showed a video made by the students demonstrating them utilizing new technology in the classroom.

“Now you can see what they can do with the resources you’ve given them,” Dauberman told the board members.

He mentioned the cupcakes and video were student produced with very little input from teachers.

“Producing a product is fulfilling for students, and you’ve allowed them to do these things,” he said.

Melissa Inselmann, Catasauqua Middle School principal, took a different approach and tasked each grade level to come up with something for the board members. The fifth-graders created a video showcasing them using new technology in the classroom. Once again, the video was produced completely by the students, who thanked the board for giving them cutting-edge resources. The sixth-grade students created handmade cards for the board members to show their appreciation. Seventh-grade teacher Lisa Roth showed a video she and the students created showing the students exploring the new technology during classes. Roth explained these resources are not just changing learning for students, but also reinventing teaching for the educators.

“The new technology gets me excited about teaching again,” she said.

The eighth-graders created an iMovie trailer on their iPads showing off their new skills and how much they have learned. As an additional treat, the board members received a special gift from the art program at CMS. Students created keychains using a 3-D printer the school is borrowing through efforts from the school board. Kimmie Miller, art teacher, described the process the students went through to learn to use the machine and software, the trials and errors experienced and the amount of work that went into the making of the keychains.

Catasauqua High School Principal Adam Schnug gave a heartfelt thank you to the board members for all they have done and continue to do for the students.

“You serve the community of Catasauqua,” he told them.

He mentioned he appreciates their selfless and noble efforts to better the schools for the sake of the students.

Carter Weinhofer, one of the board’s student representatives, gave a speech to the board on behalf of the high school students, thanking the board members for all they have done and for all of the resources and opportunities they provide. He also presented each board member with a lanyard as a gift from the students.

Spengler made sure to include his appreciation for the board. He thanked them for their open mindedness and willingness to work together for the same goal - to make things better for the students in the district.

“Our staff and kids are the best,” he said. “There’s no question.”

The board members were moved by the presentations. Board member Stephen Becker took a moment to thank the principals, teachers and staff for their tireless work and the wonderful things they do for the students. Donald Panto, board treasurer, seconded Becker’s praise and thanked the teachers and principals for their presentations.

“We don’t normally get to see that,” he said in relation to the students using the resources in the classroom. “It was invaluable.”

Duane Dietrich, board vice president, emphasized it is a collaborative effort and congratulated all who work in the district for their efforts.

“Kudos to Catty,” he said.

Spengler detailed a few of the priority items for the 2019-20 budget as identified from a number of surveys taken in the district and schools at the end of the 2017-18 school year. Under security, he mentioned the district is looking to hire a second School Resource Officer for the district. One SRO would be posted at the high school, and the other would cover Sheckler Elementary and CMS. He also wants to expand the mental health support program in the district.

Spengler noted district administration will also be looking to integrate STEM and STEAM lessons into the curriculum more thoroughly. Other items noted included the schedule changes at the high school and addressing staffing needs in the district, particularly when it comes to class sizes.

He also mentioned the district will look into feasibility studies regarding work needed at Alumni Field and to help prepare the district for the residential developments pending in the area. He emphasized the importance of the district being as prepared as possible by working ahead and looking to the future.

The board unanimously voted not to exceed the state tax index. Spengler reported during budget discussions the district will not exceed the 2.9-percent real estate tax.

Roth joined Shannon Van Spanje, CMS guidance counselor, and Sgt. Steve Gensits, from Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority, to talk about the Shop With a Cop program, which was held Dec. 1, 2018. This program pairs students with LNAA officers for a shopping trip at Target at Airport Center. This program helps students and families who might not have the means to buy gifts during the holidays the opportunity to share in the Christmas spirit. The Random Acts organization provided $300 per family for the students to buy Christmas gifts for their families, as well as a $100 Wegmans gift card to assist with holiday dinner shopping. This year’s participants also received a sweatshirt from Phillipsburg Easton Honda and gift cards from LNAA.

Gensits provided a plaque to CMS and the district on behalf of LNAA for the work it does for the students and for the community.

After sharing their experiences with the program, Gensits, Roth and Van Spanje showed the board a video taken during the event featuring the students and officers shopping and wrapping gifts.

Dauberman honored the Students of the Month for December 2018. They are first-graders Ava Snyder and Austin Younes, second-graders Mason Cieslak and Ryanne Gair, third-graders Lacey Biegley and Cody Roth and fourth-graders Ariana Dunnachie, Noah Lorah and Patrick Leeper.

Inselmann named the Star Players of the Month for December 2018. They are Emily Edwards from fifth grade, Jonathan Rizzo from sixth grade, Delaney Troxell from seventh grade and Jerzie Ramos from eighth grade. Inselmann also recognized sixth-grader Doryan Cene. He was a Star Player for November 2018 but missed the meeting.

The board voted to accept the retirement of Roberta Cronce, bus driver, and Beverly Druckenmiller, accounting clerk. Molly Lavigne was approved as the high school SADD Club adviser. Jalen Nichols, from Eastern University, was approved as a student teacher for middle school physical education under the direction of Thomas Riegel.

The next school board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 12 in the district administrative board room, 201 N. 14th St.