001Solid four out of five. >> Miles tell it all. >> And did you uh enjoy good lunch? >> Did you enjoy not having construction? I'd like to call tonight's school board director's meeting to order. And we please rise for the pledge of allegiance and a moment of silence. Pledge >> allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. Thank you. >> Uh, Mrs. Martin, would you do roll call, please? >> Mrs. Beachy, here. >> Mrs. Walker, here. Mrs. Kingrick. Oh, okay. >> Mr. Linder >> here. >> Dr. Kite >> here. >> Mr. Sensei >> here. >> Mr. Khart >> here. >> Mr. Bushy >> here. >> Mr. >> Here, members. >> All right. Thank you. Um,
002I'd like to announce that the August 25th as all meetings are open to the public and they're also being streamed virtually. Uh, on August 25th, we had a school board retreat uh, which we may hear a little bit more from later, but it was very successful. Uh, an executive session was held on July 8th to discuss personnel matters and an executive session was held tonight, August 25th, to discuss legal ma matters. All right, down to the agenda. Uh, do I have a motion for tonight's agenda? I'll make a motion. Motion second. Second. >> Any question on the agenda? All in favor? I >> opposed. Uh, and I need a an approval for the meeting of August, excuse me, June 23rd. >> Second. >> Questions? All in favor? >> I. >> Okay. Post. All right. Um,
003Dr. Axe, I think you're up next. >> Yes. So, student recognition. Uh, we always like to celebrate success no matter what time of year. So, we have two groups that we're celebrating tonight and we'll let the FFA go first. They had another very successful summer of um state championships and winning. So, we'll let our teachers share a little bit and have the kids introduce themselves. And then we also have our summer tech helpers that Mr. Ditmore um wanted to recognize and we'll let him kind of speak to those that group. So let's have our teachers and kids for FFA come up and share all your success or whomever is you're planning to have speak. >> You can do [Laughter] a lot of shy. You know, it's amazing how the first and second graders, they have
004no trouble getting up. >> All right. Well, good evening. My name is Mrs. Allison Hecman. I'm an a mechanics instructor at Madam Central High School and the FFA adviser. Every year um right after the school year ends, we go up to Penn State University main campus where our students compete against all the other FFA chapters across the state um in various competitions that are directly related to career development and industry um standard type um competitions. And so we took six teams up and of those six teams we had four that were either state champions or runners up. Um, and so three of those teams will be headed to the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana in just a short month and a half, two months. So, I'm going to step away and let the kids
005introduce themselves. Um, they kind of have a spokesperson. They'll tell you what team they represented, um, and how they did and their names. >> All right. My name is Kaitlyn. I'm part of the milk quality team. Um, Lex, Carly, Laney, and Alyssa are also >> last names in the same last names, too. >> Oh, Sarrest, Car Pickle are also part of the team. Um, we're excited to go to nationals for the days that we're there. We're going to eat cheese, try milk. Um, >> yeah. >> Tell the test. >> What test? >> Test. The test. I wasn't part of the class. >> I'll step up. >> No. Why me? >> So, we had a written exam that was, I believe, 50 100 questions. >> Oh, that test. [Laughter] It was a hundred questions that asked
006us questions about milk marketing. Um, how to manage dairy farms. Just dairy questions that we were asked to answer. >> Thank you. >> So, a mechanics team here, Cole Evil, Avery Kersner, Andrew Wington, Chase Kersner. Uh so first day it's two-day competition. First day is all written stuff and kind of classroom type things. So there's a written test with a lot of egg math, things of that nature. Calculating like horsepower off a tractor, PTO, that sort of thing. And then the second day is all hands-on. So there was uh you build a little irrigation wall. So that brings ties in plumbing, electrical, framing, things of that nature. >> There's some welding for the brackets. Um, what else? >> Had a trailer in there that we had to do some diagnosis on. So, yeah, it's a
007lot of hands-on and sprayer calibration. >> Sprayer calibration. So, that ties on hands on and the math behind it. >> Yep. >> Placed. >> We got first overall. >> I know. I just won the >> All righty. My name is Gary Barnett. I'm part of the marketing plan team. the two there's so marketing plan's a threeperson team the two other members Reese Weaver and Aubrey Myers they had a soccer game so they couldn't be here today but basically marketing plan is where you go to a company you create a marketing plan for the company like a slideshow to expand the company and then you go and present that to the judges and then they judge you on how they think that your marketing plan would do. For us we did Fox Meadows Ice Cream if
008you guys know that company. So we basically created a marketing plan for them to expand it into grocery stores. So that was what we did and we got first. >> So did you give that to Fox Meadows then? >> No. So it gone too. >> We need to >> Yeah, we worked with them pretty. We worked with Chad F. >> Yeah. Chad met with us at the crearyy at the restaurant and we probably spent a good hour, hour and a half either sampling ice cream or talking about how the business runs. So, we knew what his goals were and then we just articulated that and made it into a a like eight page plan for for changing it up. So, >> good evening. My name is Nate Huber. I was a part of the agriculture
009sales team. I was joined by Adam Winkler and Abby Ill. Bailey Hawkenberry was also there. She could not make it tonight. We were coached by Dr. Kensinger and we were told to sell Kabota skid steers. So, um I kind of had a background in a I've worked on a farm since I was 12. So, um we kind of were able to uh meet up with Messics was our biggest contact there. We took a a small little tour of the showroom and uh the Jeremy Holderman, the one sales guy, he went and u showed us a lot about skid steers and the ins and outs. And I think by the end of it, we all knew more about skid steers than we really cared to. Um and then at the week of state convention, we uh
010we the first day we took a 20 25 question test um on mainly the sales process, but also the product that we were selling. And then the second day we sold it three or four times. Um >> it's a role playing scenario. Yeah. >> Yeah. So uh the first round we were paired paired up with a judge. That judge was acting as a farmer. So we were trying to uh find the best fit for them and sell them the product um to h to ultimately help their farm sell them product but you know help their farm. And uh the second practicum was uh a customer service call. So they had a problem uh and they wanted us to help them address it. So we kind of had to troubleshoot a little there and work with
011that customer portion. >> Yes, the team portion. So the four of us we were uh we in a round table and we were um we were discussing >> questions. So the team portion we basically had to work together as a team of four and there was two different scenarios and we had to make a pre-all plan basically plan out our course of action for how we would address certain customers and how we'd try to sell them. So we had two different scenarios and we basically paired up with one of our fellow team members. Uh there's a dairy farmer that we had to sell a kabota to and there was a landscaper and we had to basically plan this out. Meanwhile, the judge is watching us and making sure that we get every single step of
012the process and really plan it out thoroughly and overall grade of if it'll actually work. It was uh just as like a general note, this was only my second competition and this was probably one of my favorites. It really exposed me into world of sales and how important it is and how much depth there is. It's just truly amazing. And uh it's uh probably something I'll keep with me for a while. I enjoyed being a salesman for a day. Yeah, >> we got second place. Um yeah, >> means they're going to go back next year. [Laughter] We want to thank thank all of you and thank your teachers and just for your passion and commitment. Uh we're really proud of how much not just how much you win but also how you represent us. That's
013super important to us and all of you do such a tremendous job. Anytime we get to see you in the classroom in action, you're great role models for our district. So, uh you know, we applaud all that, not just winning. Winning's awesome though. We always enjoy winning. So, we're not gonna we're not gonna mix words there. But, we're super proud of you just in general. So, thank you very much. If you guys want to have a seat while we do the tech helpers and then we'll dismiss everybody at once. It >> be kind of nice sitting here watching all of you rest >> professionally. Good evening. Uh, it's my pleasure to introduce our student technology interns. Um, they've been an invaluable asset to our IT department over the summer. So, we have Josh Henry, Malachi
014Henson, and Jeremiah Sherk. You guys actually lined up in order, too. Great. These talented young individuals have demonstrated exceptional skill, dedication, and enthusiasm supporting our school's technology needs. From troubleshooting systems to assisting with various projects, they've shown remarkable initiative and professionalism. Um, over the summer, they imaged and repaired over a thousand computers. Um, they installed network switches, they wrote scripts, they were coding to automate manual tasks that we were doing. Um they also installed uh a large language model locally and ran interference testing on it. Um do you guys have a favorite model that you like prefer? >> It's AI >> llama to sensory llama. So, so um and there was actually a point where we were talking about uh I think we were talking about subnet masks and I was explaining uh the binary
015how subnet mask work and and Malachi was just sitting over here and he corrected some of my binary math that I was doing. So, constantly impressed with these guys. Um so, yep, just very proud to have them on on our team shaping the future of our district's technology. Can't wait to see what you guys do this year. And uh thank you. >> And through the winter then also. >> Yeah, I think a few of them are are going. >> Yeah. And just to speak to all summer anytime we were in the high school, these guys were working on something whether it was massive piles of laptops or like like Mr. Ditmore said coding and so on and so forth. Mr. Ditmore said did want to share he did share with me that all these kids
016are so advanced now compared to where he would have been when he was that age. I mean it's just off the charts the things that our able to do. >> And tonight's kind of a neat contrast between the tech helpers and the A which is more the hands-on uh types of things which is pretty cool what we offer all of our kids. So we're proud of you guys and thank you for all the help. I I doubt the tech team would be as far along as they are this this year without the three of you. So, thank you. >> I think we're good. Mr. >> CL wanted to sit here and listen. If not, >> thanks everyone. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Happy school year. >> Jared, I had to take
017a picture for your mom. So, >> Oh, she love that. You did a nice job. >> That's awesome. >> Excellent. Well, >> thanks. >> Great way to start this. >> I don't ever remember having it. >> We don't have anybody asking for public comment. So, we're going to go in and I think we can take um 7 A through G A through G. >> I'll make a motion, but I do have a comment. >> Okay. >> Second, >> a second. All right. And >> just a comment. Uh just want to bring out uh Mr. Bren eyes on just all of his dedication over the I think what was it 31 32 years >> at least. >> So we're happy for him but he'll be obviously missed. He was a tremendous >> you know we're hap
018you should all be happy for him. He got a he got a principal ship and he living close to his parents and her parents. All right we have a second and first on this. Any other questions? If not, all in favor? >> Opposed? >> Eric is here. >> That's what I was just gonna say. I thought >> Yep. Eric, do you want to stand up and introduce yourself? >> Oh, I thought I'm sorry, Eric. >> I'm Eric Ber. So, uh, I am the new high school assistant principal. Hopefully starting here very soon. I'm coming from Etown. So I spent four years there as an assistant principal. Uh was a teched teacher for 11 years before that. Uh I love the FFA. I was actually the state FFA secretary in 0607. Uh so FFA is near
019and dear to my heart. I live in the Mannheim community. I actually did my student teaching at Mannheim uh with John Brewbaker quite a few years ago. Uh and I'm excited to kind of come back here to town. Uh I did not grow up in Mannheim. I do have relatives though that graduated from Mannheim back in the 50s. Uh my grandfather was actually a Manheim Central graduate that played football and wrestling. So uh it's kind of neat to be back where some of our family got their start. My grandparents actually met at the Manheim Farm Show and got married about six months later. So I'm excited to join the team here. Uh I'm ready to be here, but obviously uh contractually I have to stay at Etown for >> Well, I was at the football
020game Friday and you're not here yet, but I already heard from three people about how great you are. So just says it, right? >> I' he's been he everything the event I'm at, he's there. So >> great. >> And I also I've been involved in the community. So I was a assistant fire chief at Mannheim from 2019 and was a firefighter when we moved up here. I got my start down at Lafayette to Lanster City. But uh it's been near and dear to me to help your community out and I can't think of a better way to do that than helping the future of our community. uh hopefully find what they're going to be developing. >> And his children will go to Dough Run. >> Yes. Next year. >> Welcome. And thank you. >> How
021many will go to Dough Run at one time? >> Just one. >> Oh, okay. >> So, well, there'll be two. We have a four-year-old and two-year-old. So, >> all right. >> There'll be two there at some point. >> All right. Thank you. >> All right. Um, our next item will be seven H. motion 7H. >> I'll make a motion. >> Do I have a second? >> Any questions? >> Okay. Roll call. >> Mrs. Walker. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sens. >> Yes. >> Mr. Hi. [Music] Mrs. >> Dr. Kraton, >> yes. >> And with that passes 8 to Z >> 8 to Z. >> All right. Um, with that we have the opportunity to keep them here till July 2031 which will be way past my funeral. >> I know I guess we got to change
022it. It only we only have you till June 30th. We're going to have to change this. we have. >> So, he's he hasn't done he's not done with his first term yet, but we wanted to uh we wanted to get him under contract for another five years. >> Yeah. I I just want to say like it's humbling and um it means a lot to my family and um I'm just feels very blessed and I look forward to serving the community and the district for years to come. So, it just means a lot and I want to thank everybody. Thank you. You >> Thank you. >> All right. I think we could take I through O. I through O. >> I'll make a motion. >> Motion. Second. >> Second. Questions? All in favor? >> I opposed.
023>> Superintendent's report. >> Yes. So, a number of opening day types of things, opening school year types of things we want to share. Number one, I just want to say publicly once again, our our board retreat was 100% attendance. And again, that is not always the norm. And I I just want to say publicly, I want to thank the board for their investment and their interest in all that we're doing. uh you know we did a lot with the audit. We did a lot with giving them a peak behind the curtain of what our administrators do in the course of a day. They have a lot of engaging questions and I just it's just really great that you're so invested and locked in when we do those types of things. It means a lot and
024I know it means a lot to our staff too. So I wanted to thank the board for that. Um we had web the web team opened up for the fifth graders. the link crew. This is the first year we had the link crew ninth grade transition. We had 180 plus of our kids out of a possible 220ome that came voluntarily for that 9th grade transition day which was tremendous. They got to see how to do the cafeteria. They got to look at schedules. They got insight from upper classmen. It was a a really well-run day by Mr. Fulmer. Uh we had the kindergarten transition days which are always great. Uh Baron Elementary, zero criers getting on the bus. So, uh that's a win. >> That is a huge win. So, that was really great. Uh
025the open houses were well attended across the board. Baron Pride night. A lot of the board members were there, anyone who was there. The energy that Mr. Govern brought to the to the table with introducing, you know, just his energy to the to community was it was just a great night. Once again, uh run by by Durb and Mr. govern. Um, opening day was well, let's let's do US News first. I did email the board. I just got that this morning. Uh, US News and World Report, we were rated one of the top schools in the nation, uh, which is something we don't necessarily put ourselves out there for, but the fact that people are noticing how much we're presenting, what we're doing with customized learning, uh, what we're doing with our facilities, people are
026noticing now at that level. So, that's something we're really proud of at the high school level. Um, as far as opening day goes, we did want to share one of the videos that we did on opening day. Uh, but before we do that, >> which one it is? >> Oh, good. >> It's the one that Well, >> they won at the end. >> Yeah, I'll explain why Jen's doing that. >> They'll understand once you show it. So historically, we've been t doing a lot to tie history to our kids now and to our community. And Danielle in the safe was able to find these are the original log books from board meetings. So the one the this one is from 1849 and this one is from 1897 to 1905. So, it's really the handwriting is
027unbelievable, but the fact that they never met on campus, they met at different people's homes, someone's barn. Uh, the teacher, the art teacher was hired for $36 a year, uh, in one of the ledgers. >> One of the ledgers, excuse me, principal, $75 and a new chair. >> Yeah. Yeah. It's It's just But it's really neat. And we keep working hard to tie the history to the current to our kids and the current community. And this is just another step. >> So this video just to set the stage here and why Jen's cringing is >> Amy and I used AI to do a message at the end and our whole message was about journey and legacy. Like what's your journey and what legacy you want to leave behind as a teacher. We made it about
028our teachers this year. But at the end we did do a video. >> Oh mine. >> No. >> So you'll hear the video and then I'll explain. Go ahead. You can I think you can >> Oh, the volume. >> Oh, it's probably >> gave me. What did you make me do? >> Curiously. AI gave me seven fingers. >> Closing things up. >> Why don't you take it from here? >> Family up. Just because I was made in Taiwan doesn't mean I can't be a superintendent someday. 54y old Ryan wants you to know that Manhattan Central is the best because of you. All young parents in this community are so fortunate to have you here with them. Our team and school board are proud of all you do. Thank you for being very open friends. >>
029So the general consensus was Amy was Amy's was cute and mine was creepy. And I'm like like I know enough about AI to be dangerous. I'm not changing it. So, uh that's kind of how we open. We always try with our opening with the staff to really make it a celebration of the year to come and honoring all that they do for our kids. Uh and I know some of you were able to be there and I appreciate that. And they know that the board um respects what they do and also supports them. So, we try to leave them with that as they head out for the school year. And that was what we tried this year. >> Um I would you like since you have these books, would you like the names of all
030the people that graduated from Manheim Central since 1896? >> Sure. >> I have them. Mr. Dmore, we'll get them to you. They're all in an Excel form. >> Wait, is your name in there? my name was uh yeah, but not quite 1896. >> Yeah. So, again, it's all starting the year out is always so great. Uh seeing the kids coming in in the buildings and the energy of the staff and uh we've had a really exceptional opening this past couple weeks. So, we're looking to keep that momentum going. >> Who's who did the uh senior What was that this morning? Was it the seniors? Did what? >> That they were under balloons and had their pictures. >> Oh, that was uh so one of the teachers had like an arch that the kids could get
031pictures. It wasn't it was just in the opening when they came in today. >> Really? Yeah. Really neat. >> Yeah, it looks good. >> Yeah. And thank you. That was my first time attending as a board member um in the last four years and it was amazing. I've sat in and and Andy, you know what it's like to sit in like opening day and you're just thinking about wanting to go to your classroom and set things up, but um Dr. Flatery and Dr. Axe did a fantastic job of keeping it light but with a focus. Um they shared some personal stories and you could just tell like everyone in the in the room felt just like it was just a different vibe. I told I told both of them at the end like I've sat
032through 15 of these and as a teacher and that was like by far the best one I've ever sat through. is very exciting, but you were also very respectful of their time. You know, people just want to go back to their rooms. So, >> yeah. >> So, thank you for all of that planning. It was It was really good. It was really good. >> You I appreciate the feedback. I appreciate our staff. So, thank you. >> Just minus that video. >> I don't know how you look older as a baby. >> And then Amy's so cute. And >> yeah, we knew that's how it was going to go. So, I'm like, "Okay, whatever. Not going to fight it." Um, my daughter was like, "Dad, you can't." I was like, "I'm doing it." So, thank you.
033Yeah. Again, we're ready to get the school year going. Today was a great first day. So, here we go. U Letter B, distribution of uh district policies. Just make sure you take a look at those. 626.1 810 8101 23 for first reading only. Right, that concludes my report. Okay, assistant report. Dr. Fer, >> there's two things for me for tonight. The first is just a thank you. So, thank you to Caitlyn Meyer. Uh, she is a firefighter, runthrough firefighter for Mannheim, but she also um is associated with the Lancaster County Fireman's Association. when she was working down there this summer, she found some books um and they weren't quite sure what to do with them and she's like, you know, I think they would be really good for school libraries. So, they donated to us
034uh nine different books to put in our libraries. The title is a history of firefighting in Lancaster County. And indeed, if you're interested, there is some pretty cool history from the Mannheim Fire Department in here. Um, so I think we have them broken up that there's like two copies in each of our library and then maybe one floating around in the high school I think is how we divided that up. But just wanted to like uh public thank them for that donation and just uh they they they were very supportive this summer and this is really awesome uh piece there. And then my second uh update is just a reminder that this survey is that's that time of year again. It happens every other year. This is the Pennsylvania youth survey. um pending board approval.
035The survey will be used with students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12. It's a survey given across the state every two years and the information is published in a report um from the state and aggregated data. So, we just use this data to look at what we're doing for tier 2 intervention. Um but it is a a piece that requires um permission and parents are allowed to opt out and opt out when they sent home. So, just a reminder that that's it's that time of year for that again for us. And that concludes my report. >> Thank you, Dr. Ken. Report. Yes. Uh so there were four different sections for this uh board meeting that we have to review and uh through them get a chance to meet Ellie yet to talk in detail,
036but everything appears to be in order and uh my recommendation would be that we approve those. So if there are no questions, are there any questions on board? >> So you're making a motion for A through C >> through D >> 10 A through 10 D. >> I'll second. >> Anybody have any questions for Dr. Whitten? >> All right. All in favor? I zoom. >> All right. Now we're going into um mini >> uh >> what did I forget? >> No, you're good. >> I thought I did. All right. >> Business apps. >> Yeah. Um >> Mr. Linder. >> Uh nothing to report except our next meeting is tenatively scheduled for October 6th at 4 p.m. in the district office. >> Thank you. academic Mrs. Walker. >> I have nothing to report. Our next meeting
037will be tentatively on September 29th at 4 PM at the district office. >> Activities. M. Sensick. >> Our next meeting is October 6th at 5:00 p.m. And also just want to say I I love the end of summer. That feeling of anticipation for all the sports and activities and it it has affected and is currently affecting my kids. Like I see them nervous about preseason, nervous about the first scrimmage and you know all that stuff that just has a huge impact on our kids. And there's some people that don't quite grasp what that does. Like it it is life. It affects the rest of your life and going through tough times, good times and it's it's awesome to see. >> I agree. I mean it's u and it was with 38 years that I was
038healthy at Baron Pride and I think this year more than ever uh all you have to be around anybody but this year the Baron Pride at the end when the kids were all basically um arm in arm for the alma mater um you know that's it's it is it's really unbelievable. I'd like to see another school that isn't even for us to open. Thank you, Mr. Sing. General action items. I think we can take well A group E. And just one correction for E, it's also grade 12 for the testing. It's 6, 8, 10, and 12. >> When or how do they do the test? It's on the computer, but do they all do it in like a home room or or how does it done? >> It's different in the high school than it
039is in the middle school, but you believe can you speak to how they've done it in high school in the past? >> Is it done in like a flex period or >> we do it? Yeah. Typically >> and then in the middle school, Mr. Pile >> I'll make a motion. motion. >> Do we have a second? >> Yep. Second. >> Yep. >> Okay. Any questions? If not, all in favor? >> I think now we can take F. Let's just for one of it take F by itself. Have a motion. >> I'll make a motion. >> Second. >> And question. And I like, you know, if you haven't, we are so happy to have Kelly Martin back with us. Uh she was with us and then she left. When Dr. Aken left, he grabbed her and
040took her to Central York. We grabbed her and brought her back to where she belongs, right here. So, thank you, Kelly. We appreciate you being here. And then I think we can take 7 G through M. >> I'll make a motion. >> I'll second. >> We have a motion, a second, and any questions? All in favor? I post. Now we uh I keep taking my seats here. >> Yeah, I know where we're at. I'm trying to go back. You know, we have some two pages. The next one N through you. >> I'll make a motion. >> Second. >> Do you have a question? Although I don't know since Dr. Wel's here if anybody will know with Grand Canyon University. How many colleges are we affiliated with at this point? >> I think it's fantastic. But
041wanted to speak to the number. It's got to be close to 20, isn't it? Close. >> I don't know. >> Yeah. >> I was going to say a dozen. >> Expanded just because we're trying to control the location in which kids can get >> Were you talking about item N on the agenda? Yeah. >> So that's for our field placement students. >> Oh, okay. So that wouldn't be like the normal university. When I was looking through it looked like there would be this is for when they're coming to us. This is for when um they're doing a student teaching. >> Oh, okay. Gotcha. Gotcha. >> Like for like a psychologist or um social worker they're getting their master's degree hours. Gotcha. Okay. Um, >> all in favor? >> I >> Any questions? Yes. That now
042we can go uh P through Y. I'll make a second question. All in favor? >> I I still moves. Board reports. >> Mrs. Beachy. >> I was going to play a video, but there was just um our next meeting September 17th. that I was out so I missed what I um August this month but the video that was going to play here was just regarding our partnerships through the um 10,000 grant with the National Environmental Education Foundation. So last spring this um IU13 students had been involved in a project that involved creating bird nest boxes to donate to the Middle Creek Wildlife Center. So this video just captures a part of that initiative and it's just really neat to see how students just loved being a part of that project. >> You stop the sharing
043and then reshare with system. >> Well, let's I can just share a little bit more that they shared in here. So, over the past couple years, um the IU13's added science, music, and art classes to the CC to create opportunities like this. are centered. [Music] >> Our students have been studying the interactions between humans, wildlife, and the environment here at Middle Creek for the last two months. We've been doing this through things like analyzing trail camera footage, virtual field trips. Um we've listened to bird audio files and use the Merlin app to help analyze what type of um birds are here. We've been able to adopt malard hens and track their movement and learn about bird banding. Our learners are center-based emotional support students and um they haven't really had a lot of success in
044the traditional classroom. So giving really cool handson experiences is so important for them, but it's also really important to like structure that in a way that um supports all of their different needs. So really keeping them engaged and exciting about something but while still learning, >> you know, you give them a chance to blow that duck call and and and make some noise. Um they they love the interaction of looking at the screen, seeing where their duck is migrating to as it's on the tracking screen and we're tracking them each week to see where they move about. They feel like they're a part of that duck's migration. Um, seeing the smiles, the high fives, and the accomplishment that they get to to have out of this whole program with that big big smile on those
045high fives is my my joy of the whole thing. >> Everybody has a different learning style, right? Like some people are really good at reading a textbook and they get it down pat. Other people need that hands-on connection to really have a passion and a drive to understand something. And by giving kids an opportunity to get hands-on, to get messy, they have a deeper appreciation, understanding for that wildlife. And it helps us to boost conservation efforts for the future. and get kids interacted and excited for what's to come. >> We were working STEM, music, and art. So, sometimes kids would be like, "Hey, we talked about this in art class or in music class." Um, and really tying in those those different things. Like, for instance, I was a music teacher, but we did a
046song where we worked on binoculars. So, it was really fun to be able to integrate science and and art and different things like that into the music classroom and to stretch myself as an educator and to learn new songs and new ways of teaching that can excite the kids. Our kids especially have a lot of diverse intense needs and it's really hard to get people to see like the inside workings of just day-to-day operations and how our kids function and all the little things that go into helping them achieve their goals. So, anybody who's willing to come in from an outside perspective and just spend time with our kids and get to know them and see all of their strengths and their abilities and all the things that they have to give back to the
047community. Anytime that's a possibility. It's just it's a win-win for everybody involved. After Mr. Matt came in and talked about bird banding and the students actually got to band um a decoy goose. I had students go home and talk about that experience with their parents and that is something that doesn't always happen. And now parents are sending back information about how students have done things like this in the past or how they like to promote this at home. And they felt excited to then be able to share what they've learned and feel like they're scientists, too. Very good. Very nice. Thank you. >> My report. >> Okay. >> You're done. >> Very good. Um, okay. We'll go to uh CTC. Mr. Garart. >> You mean that was very nice. I like that. >> I didn't
048do that video. So, they could have >> CTC. We have a board meeting Thursday. So, and the kids all, you know, headed back. So, I'll be really anxious. I'm anxious to get in and meet them again, but they got to get settled in a little bit before I get anything to report back to you. >> You'll have your camera ready. [Music] >> Yep. And um >> first, >> Chip talked last board meeting about wanting to work on getting more kids in seats at CTC, and they did form a committee that I'll be a part of. Uh, and Chip will be a part of as far as outside of the box ideas to get more seats available for our our kids and just kids across the county because I I know it's one of Chip's passions
049and it's important to our team as well that just as much opportunity as possible in that in the in the realm of CTC. So, I'm looking forward to see where that comes. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Are all the seats filled this year again? >> Much a given. >> Oh, yeah. It's a big weight. >> The weight the given is the weight list now. >> Okay. Yeah. >> So, that's what we're trying to trying to fix. >> Yeah, that's great. >> Thank you. >> Okay, I'll tell you what. I'm u I'm excited. I know uh the guy next to me is extremely excited. Uh Lancaster County Academy, we are just about done with our second location. Kelly, you want to put up We are back at Park City downstairs, but we I mean we've completely
050redid everything and we had two former Mannheim Central graduates who one works for the academy, but they gave almost their whole summer free, which was unbelievable. Uh >> some of the some of the equipment came from Lamp Peter Strasburg and some came from uh Mannheim. Uh that mural right there was done by a student last year and she uh did that on she did it all summer. >> All summer she was on there. So, where it's located, if you go in the in the food court, little playground of all those like foam toys, off to the right, there's a hallway, and we're we're securing it just like a regular school setting where people can't get in. Um, it'll be locked down. There's a bathroom in the facility, boys and girls bathroom for the kids. There's
051office space, there's conference space. Um, so it's super exciting. And Mike's been here from the ground up. When we were there the first time, oh my, you know, if if we had a commode problem, we had to fix it ourselves. There was no I mean, you could come and go any time you want and it was a horrible situation, which we did leave, but this is so much less money than what we were. So, we now have two. But I think one of the September 24th we'll have an LCA open house. You know if anybody would be available would like to see go through it. But you know we started the school year and we were already 50% built and that was never like that. We used to always start the year with 5% 10%.
052But we have 50% and I'm excited because they're we have kids from Mannheim and all over and um stop in and see them. I mean it's it's amazing. It's almost like with with the uh video you had. It's different age group but it's outstanding. Um anybody have any questions about it? >> It's 5 o'clock September 24th. It's a Wednesday night. It's just a pop in. So, it's not anything where there's any kind of presentation if you just want to come and see where we're sending some of our kids. Yeah. >> And then the other the other location is uh in Mount Joy. Um and that also is is still great. And then my report, how many do you think you have on each one? rough. >> I think starting the year I think we were
053we were at 68, but those were people that took summer courses or uh now as we get in that that will go to, you know, up to 130, 140, maybe 150 depending on how many people we can we can do. And we have uh what's nice about it is our hours are are uh unique. Our hours will represent what our students can make. Um you also have to have a 70 I think it's a 76 to pass to get you know a C. Uh we have regular teachers. So you know >> all 16 districts or >> right now we only have 10. >> Yeah. >> It's this was done by Lancaster County. Back when it started we had five schools that all pushed the money in to start and we are looking in the Lebanon
054area, Lebnon County. Uh we we picked up our director picked up Calico uh Warwick. Uh we also have a a contact that we're going to uh where else? Well, as school district of Lancaster is interested. Um Peekway Valley added seats. Warwick >> bought in again. Calico bought in for the first time. >> Yeah. >> So it's growing rapidly. Yeah. So, we're we're real happy about that. >> All right. Upcoming school board meeting is uh September 22nd, 6 o'clock here in the district office. Board comments. >> I just want to thank everybody all that goes into the first day of school. I know I mean this from custodial staff to uh people in the lunchroom to facilities to all the teachers to administration. It's not just once. So thank everybody for all their work that they
055put into starting another great school year. >> Yeah, that is great uh Matt. And the other thing is the fact that how positive everybody is. Everybody's positive from the teachers down to the students. Look what we had tonight. And this was only the first week of school. What did you say? >> I guess you were at my house. Anybody else? I I have one quick thing. Uh um it was nice to see all the administrators when they gave us the the day in the life. I mean, like each one of them, you can see how much they love their job, how much effort they put in. They all do so differently, but each one of them, you can assure you, loves the kids >> and loves their job. I mean, at least the ones that
056presented that day. I'm sure there's more like that. So, thank you guys. >> Yeah, I have a comment. Um, I went to open house. So, some of you on the board don't have like little little kids in anymore. Um, so I went to Open House and I was joking because the parking lot was more packed than like the Costco parking lot and that I I mean I've been going there for since my older kid was there and it's never been like that. So the turnout was fantastic at the open house there and then um I called Dr. Axe right after and we were talking and I said Bennett is my little guy obviously my last name is Walker and we're s he's sitting at his desk at his in his new classroom and he goes
05715. He goes, "I'm number 15. I've never been that low of a number." Well, here they opened up another classroom to keep the numbers low. So, there's like 19 kids in the fourth grade class, which is something that I'm very passionate about, like keeping numbers low. We've had this conversation as a board, but um I told Dr. X, that's amazing. And my son came home today and he's like, "This is going to be the best year ever. My teacher's so nice. My class is really small. We have spinny chairs." So there I just want to say like those little things that we work on as a board to like keep class sizes low and keep fun activities like it really matters and I'm really proud to say that like that's what we're doing here at
058Manheim Central. So I just wanted to share that. It's >> great. And you know, on top of everything else, you look at the extracurricular activities and the number of kids who are in the activities, the band, the uh I mean, it's just, you know, stop out. It's a lot of fun. Anybody else? >> I was glad to see everybody in the board and the teachers and all everybody here. And the enthusiasm is great. So, I'm really looking forward to their charge at it, >> you know, and that's what we want to keep. Yeah. >> You know, we >> it's important for the kids. That's what we're here for, the kids. >> Thank you. >> Are we okay? Anybody else? >> Thank you. >> You. >> Thanks, everybody.