The Communicator - 2012-2013 Fall (pdf) - Pennsville School District

Communicator Page #8
Summer 2012
Laura Ryan—Grade 6 Technology Education – “My favorite project this year was the “Make Your Own iPad
Stylus” project.” Students researched how iPad Stylus’ work and developed a materials list. Materials were
supplied and students then followed their work flow plan. Once they completed the styluses, they wrote a
reflection piece that included what their research taught them, a detailed explanation of how their stylus was
assembled, and finally any troubleshooting they had to perform.
It is no secret that technology continues to profoundly affect the way we work, collaborate, communicate and
succeed. The iPad has allowed us to harness those technology skills using a tool that immediately engages
students. We believe the iPad will help our District to meet the challenges that our students need to be a
success. As Mark Zoppina, principal at Penn Beach stated, “We have certainly met the goals established for
this initiative: to enhance instruction, increase student engagement, and 21 st century skill development. We
are looking forward to expanding the program to include the entire school next school year!”
As your sons or daughters are introduced to the iPad, be sure to ask them about how they are using them. We
know that you will be impressed. Also, feel free to go the the PSD iPad Pilot wiki to see the many different
ways that the iPads are being used.
http://psdipadpilot.wikispaces.com/iPad+Project+of+PSD
Editorial by Leroy Pierce, III
On Thursday, April 26 th , 2012, the District’s administrators, supervisors and related staff, took part in an intense tabletop
exercise, along with personnel from the Pennsville Police Department, Pennsville Ambulance Department and Wyshinski Bus
Service. The exercise, which was specifically designed to improve readiness, build local capacity for dealing with emergencies,
clarify roles and responsibilities, improve inter-agency cooperation, and identify planning, training and resource needs,
challenged the group to discuss response and decision making, given a set of parameters and incident artificialities. The
scenario challenged the participants to implement a response to an incident involving an overturned school bus at the
intersection of Hook Road & East Pittsfield Street, involving a significant number of injuries, etc. The discussion and tabletop
exercise was moderated by BJ Ayars, Training & Operations Officer for the County Department of Emergency Services and
myself, in the role of County Fire Academy’s Director. Given the enormity of the situation and problems, the stakeholders
were able to work within our existing plans and procedures and efficiently “manage” the incident from the school district
perspective. Police, EMS participants and moderators were also able to give the District staff valuable input and guidance
throughout the scenario, adding the realism necessary, to gain positive insight. In addition to the implementation of existing
plans, the group discussed the principles of incident command, patient tracking, re-unification with family, public information
and multi-discipline coordination. Confidence is high that our District administration & staff could efficiently assist in handling
such a traumatic event and manage the responsibilities of the District at such an incident. WELL DONE FOLKS !
Communicator Page #9
Summer 2012