The Salisbury Township Board of Directors held a curriculum and technology meeting May 14. Board members received student reports, a teaching and learning update and the results of two piloted programs at both the high school and elementary levels.

The meeting began with the last student representatives’ report of the academic year given by Salisbury High School students Meredith Kelley and Claire Nichols. As the school year comes to a close, spring sports seasons are wrapping up with many teams participating in district play and as students hit the mid-quarter mark, Keystone exams are underway.

In club news, members of the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science will attend the state competition in State College May 18-20 and members of the high school Student Government Association will assist the Salisbury Middle School SGA with upcoming field day events.

Lehigh Career & Technical Institute student representative Josh Orach reported the senior recognition night will be held May 29 at PPL Center and tickets are still available for the evening. Orach thanked the board and SHS Principal Heather Morningstar for the opportunity to report LCTI news over the last three years.

Board President Joseph Gnall acknowledged both Orach and Nichols, who are seniors, for their willingness to attend board meetings and keep the board updated about what is going on in each building.

Bringing the middle school news to the board, Lillian Kemmerer and Jaela Negron report students are looking forward to field day, grade level picnics and class trips. Fifth grade students will go to the Philadelphia Zoo which coincides with their animal research projects while seventh grade students will venture to the No. 9 Coal Mine & Museum.

Eighth grade students will culminate their year with a trip to Hershey Park and on May 30 the Interact Club will hold a Hawaiian-themed activity night.

Salisbury Elementary School students Oliver Nolan and Beckett Ortiz highlighted the many trips and events students have participated in including a first grade trip to the Allentown Public Library, a second grade field trip to Quiet Valley Farm and fourth grade students toured the middle school and visited Hawk Mountain. Several students competed in the Special Olympics and all students attended the district art show held at the high school May 8.

Events students are looking forward to are grade level spring concerts and awards assemblies as well as the much anticipated June 7 PTO-sponsored ice cream festival and the last day of school June 12.

Principals from each of the district’s schools were on hand to answer any questions concerning changes to the student handbooks. School board Director Laura McKelvey wondered if the policy on bullying needed to be expanded to include more specific types of bullying.

Assistant Superintendent Kelly Pauling noted the changes to the handbook will come up for approval next month giving the board time to further discuss and make any necessary changes.

Michael Vicaro, supervisor of special education, provided an overview of the newly piloted program Math180. The program is designed for middle and high school students with identified deficits in a special education setting and has received positive feedback for the way the program delivers instructional concepts, offers guided and independent practice as well as targeted pacing and assessments.

Vicaro provided an in-depth presentation outlining how the instructional model works and a timeline for students using the Math180 program to transition to the Foundations of Algebra course building solid math skills in preparation for the Algebra Keystone test which students will take in 11th grade.

During the teaching and learning update, SES Principal Zachary Brem provided details about Second Step, a social emotional learning program which was piloted for one month by teachers, counselors and administrators. Feedback about the program indicated a shift from the current Leader in Me program in favor of implementing Second Step.

Brem applied for a Project Aware Mental Health grant and was awarded $10,000 which would fully fund the program for the next three years.

Pauling informed the board the Title I summer program will not take place this year as there is not enough money in the Title I budget to support the program. Since 2021, federal Title I funds have seen a reduction of $185,000.

“Federal funds have been reduced but the needs of our students have not,” Pauling said.

This summer, a three week STEAM camp will be available to all students entering grades 1-4 through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program. The program is funded by donations from businesses and is limited in its use for enrichment only opportunities not intervention programs.

Superintendent Lynn Fuini-Hetten thanked the Vinart Dealership for a $50,000 donation to fund the program.

Salisbury Middle School Principal Ken Parlimen continued the learning update by highlighting the transitional programs in place to help students make the jump from elementary school to middle school.

Fourth grade guided tours are continuing and thanks to the EITC program a two day STEAM camp will take place at the middle school for students transitioning to fifth grade.

SHS Principal Heather Morningstar highlighted the Advanced Placement Capstone Projects presented by students which included a seminar on health care and a research project on video game toxicity.

Future programs and projects include the extended school year which will be held at the high school 8-11:30 a.m. June 30 through July 18, a high school targeted improvement plan due in August and a Guidance 339 plan which is due March 31, 2026.

The Salisbury Township Board of Directors will hold a curriculum and technology committee meeting 7 p.m. June 18. All meetings will take place in the administration building, 1140 Salisbury Road, Allentown.