001rise for the pledge of allegiance. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. I'd ask everyone to read the uh civility in the decorum at the beginning of the agenda and please stay with that. Uh then we have roll call. Madam Secretary, >> Mr. Chrisman, >> Mr. Pedora >> here. >> Miss Fron >> here. Missac here. Mr. Van Norman >> here. >> Miss Culp >> here. >> Miss Snider >> here. >> Miss Williams >> here. >> Mr. Green >> here. >> We have a farm. Thank you very much. >> Any public comments, Dr. Link? >> Uh, we have two people that have indicated that they would like to speak tonight. First is Mr.
002Hower on the personnel section. Um, and also, uh, Mr. Joshua Pitman on special board and bus stop. >> The bus stop. Okay. Uh, on, uh, bus stops. Um, so I I'll leave it up to you if you want to have them speak now or >> since that's not on the agenda, you can speak now or you can wait till the end of the meeting. I'll leave it up to you. Sometimes >> it's on the agenda. Um, could I speak after he speaks about it? >> Sure. >> Okay. Thank you. >> And then Mr. Hower, would you like to >> It's not an agenda item. It's a comment item. That's why I said what I did. But you're absolutely right. That's perfect. You can speak then. >> Okay. >> And you'll speak before I'll wait for
003that item, sir. Okay. All right. Uh, minutes. You've all received copies of the minutes. Is there a motion to approve the minutes? >> So move. >> Your motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> That was Gail. Is that right? >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Any questions or discussions, additions, corrections? Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Post. No. And so ordered. With that, we'll move into special board reports. Miss Susach, >> thank you, Mr. Green. Um, update from the CLIU. We did have our August board meeting. Um, it was really around opening day uh which was held August 11th. Um, want to thank our staff here at Northern Lehigh for hosting uh some of the IU members here. Um they did it a little differently this year where
004they had multiple locations and they virtually brought um different buildings in across uh our our operating uh IU. So that seemed to work pretty well. Thank you to to the IU uh tech team for doing that. This year's theme going into the 2025 2026 school year is around um individually united where Dr. Coons who is the executive director encouraged staff to embrace individuality while working together to support our students and again uh thank to uh the host locations for the schools this year. There was also a video that's posted on our website um cliu.org or uh to see some of the students that attended G-Club. It is um through the Girl Scouts program. They go to Mosywood uh in June. We had four campers this year um from the Southern Lehigh and East Penn areas
005and they participated with the Girl Scouts in boating and ziplining, hiking, and archery. and the uh the students that had gone just the the time when they stepped foot saying they couldn't do something to the time that they left to see how impressive it was what they were all ziplining and having so much fun was such a fun video to watch. So if you do have a chance go on the IU it's a fantastic uh little website or a little video to show uh that experience that those students went through. Uh the last thing I want to touch on is every year the IU does an Annie Sullivan award um during opening day. That's for uh a staff member who has uh presented um the same type of uh dedication and innovation that Annie Sullivan
006had done. Uh, this year's award winner is Heather Zo and I believe, correct me if I'm wrong, she is located here in our high school building. So, congratulations again to Heather. Welld deserved. Um, thank you. It was a district nomination. So, whoever had done that, thank you for doing that. And thank you to Heather for her dedication to our students as well as the IU. That's all I have. >> Thank you very much for that report. Uh, Lehi Career, Mr. Fedora. Okay. >> Thank you. Uh, I have a short report because you do have the minutes of the of our meeting that was held in on the 26th of August. I'm happy to tell you that we had 2600 students enroll this year, which is a fantastic amount. Uh, we're very happy about the the
007the increase. uh also that this was the first year for fifth grade tours which went very well and certainly from LCTI we're hoping that that will continue. So with that in mind we also did have we have a bison award that is given to uh an outstanding person that the uh that we feel is worthy of it much like the Sullivan except not as specific uh and uh and we did have two st two faculty members receive those this year and that's my report sir. >> Thank you Mr. regard. Mr. Snder, anything this evening? >> Nothing, please. >> Thank you much. Uh, Lehi Carbon, uh, just a couple of things. Uh, first of all, we spent a lot of time our last meeting discussing declining enrollment. Uh, it continues. Uh, as it has in, I
008think, every college and university, uh, you know, across the nation. As you know, Penn State closed a bunch of their locations. Uh, other colleges are in trouble. Uh so as a result of that, we're going to take a long range look at where we are. Uh where are we going to be two years, 5 years, 10 down the road, so we're ready for it. So if all of a sudden enrollment really declines, what are we going to do? How are we going to handle it? Are we going to get rid of a campus? Whatever. I don't know what the plans are, but we're going to take a look at that. Uh of course, the state, our friends haven't passed the budget yet. Uh we spent some time talking about where we stand with that. And
009again, we have some money in reserve. uh we'd be okay for a while. I know last time I didn't pass a budget. We got to the very very end of what we had before we had to dip into borrowing money and and hopefully with interest rates today, we don't have to do that. So, uh again, if you see your legislators, tell them, you know, let's go. It's time to move it and and go from there. Uh that's all I have tonight. So, with that, we'll move we have committee reports. You've all got uh copies of those. And now the highlight of the evening, >> Mr. Olivia, we're getting to know you better. So, >> yes, you are. >> Yeah. Look at the smile. You didn't used to do they used to stand up there. So,
010>> good evening everyone. It's good to see everyone. We all we both hope you had a great summer. We're here to review some of the events that kicked off the school year. But first, I want to tell you all about the first EF tour that occurred during the summer. A group of students traveled with faculty and staff with to visit numerous national parks. The next EF2 tour will be in June 2026 to Italy. Are you going to >> I am. The school year kicked off on August 26th with a pep rally and dance party led by Dr. Bali, which provided an energizing start to the school year. Last Saturday, members of the senior class gathered at the Texler Nature Preserve for a senior sunrise. It was a nice way for our class to kick off
011our senior year. An open house was held this past Wednesday. The event was well attended. Students attending the event entered a raffle to win gift cards. New this year, there was a separate open house for Bulldog Academy in the library featuring snacks and drinks. Prior to this year's open house, the student council held their induction in the auditorium. The newly inducted officers for the 2025 2026 school year are President Samantha Mack, Vice President Emma, Secretary Andy Swast, Treasurer Maline Husack. Congratulations to this year's council induct inducted members. New this year, participating seniors will have the opportunity to paint their parking spots for the school year. Painting will occur next Sunday, September 14th, from 9 to 4:00 p.m. Make sure to stop by and check out our seniors creativity. There will be a class meeting held
012on the 22nd. Following that meeting, the sophomore class will have a meeting discussing class rings. And that is all I have for tonight. Now, Maddie, >> who's your friend? >> Will you introduce her? I mean, some people may have met her at the last meeting, but >> All right. This is Maline Husach. She is the junior representative for the school. >> Thank you, Olivia. You're welcome. >> Um, so starting this week, clubs throughout the high school are starting up and looking to gain new members. Some of these clubs include SAD, Dn D, Chess Club, Patriot Club, and Dog Dish. Uh, leading up to auditions, the theater held its first spotlight week to encourage new members. Auditions for this year's fall and spring production will be held this week. In preparation for this year's homecoming, the
013student council is selling homecoming attire. Student council is beginning to plan for this year's bonfire parade and dance. The homecoming dance will be held on the 11th of October. This year's homecoming game will be played against Kataka on Friday, October 10th. Football cheer and band seniors and their families will be recognized at the start of the game. The parade will be held right before. Now for the sports report. Football has a record of 2 to1 starting off the season starting the season off strong with a win against Lehigh. Field hockey has a record of 0 to7. The next game will be the 13th against Hamburg. Girls soccer has a record of 1 to4. Their next game will be the ninth against Southern Lehigh. Boys soccer has a record of two to three. Their next game
014will be the ninth against Southern Lehi. That is all I have. >> Thank you. Any questions for ladies? >> Thank you. >> I think you said the painting is not this Sunday, but the following Sunday. Is is that the day of that schedule? >> 14. 14. >> So, this upcoming Sunday. >> Okay. And is there like a rain date or anything on that? >> The rain is the 21st. So, not this weekend, but next weekend. >> Okay. Thank you very much. Appreciate it. >> Thank you both. Thank you both. >> Okay, we go to page two. Solicitor, I see you got something there. >> Oh, not not for you tonight. >> Not for us tonight. Oh, okay. I saw you were pulling papers out there. Uh Dr. Stoker, if you would, please. >> Thank you,
015Mr. Green. Waiting for it to come up. There we go. Okay. So, this evening we're going to share our annual update on the start of school uh and the activities leading up to school and how the first um first week or so has gone. Uh so, Dr. Stoker, if you can advance the slide and I'll hand it over to you. >> Thank you. Um in this presentation we'll cover new educator week um which happens the second week in August, our inservice week which is the third week in August, our return of student which is the last week in August and then where we are with our third day enrollment. So new teacher week was very busy. Um on Monday, August 11th, we had um our orientation. This is a day where our all of our
016district administrators in the morning meet with our brand new teachers and give them um an information on each of the areas that um we oversee. Uh they have a nice lunch that's provided by um Northern Lehigh Education Association. Thank you, Mrs. Frank, and and to your uh organization for doing that each year. And then in the afternoon, they have the opportunity to go back to their buildings. They get a tour from our building administrators. um time to meet with their helping teachers work on their rooms, things of that nature. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday looks different depending on if the teachers are brand new to the profession or just new to the district. If they have to go through induction, um induction is on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Year one uh induction is now two years
017mandated in the state. So, Tuesday and Wednesday is for new is for year one teachers and Thursday is for year two teachers. As Mrs. Susac um spoke about earlier, we hosted the NEIOU um induction. We've been doing that now for a few years. So, we had about 110 um teachers that were here on Tuesday the um August 12th. That was the mentors or helping teachers along with the brand new teachers. On Wednesday, just the teachers went and did their um first year induction. And then on Thursday was year two inductees. Um teachers who don't need to go through induction do variety of different things. They work on their classrooms. They work on curriculum. They get a chance to meet with their helping teachers. Um they can work on um you know just setting up for
018the the beginning of school. We also this year had the opportunity to go over to Edcom Summit. That's a program that's been going on over at Whiteall for a few years now. We were one of the initial school districts to participate in that. I think at the time there were three districts. Um, and now it's grown to the entire IU. Uh, we had several people in this room actually that did some of the presentations over there. Um, and then we got to participate in presentations throughout the day. Um, and see other educators from other districts present on a variety of topics. Um, all in all, we had 11 new teachers enter Northern Lehigh School District this year. Another 19 that were either in their second or third year um, who were also here during New
019Educator Week. Okay. During the week of August 19th to the 21st is when we welcome back all our employees at the district level. Uh we provided updates as well as uh introducing our new staff across all buildings, recognitions of years of service uh for all the employees throughout the school district as well as uh introduction of the new lesson plan policy. At the building levels, uh there were faculty meetings, uh work on compre uh rather reviewing the comprehensive plan. Uh principles provided building updates, conversations on goal setting and expectations for the school year. Uh Chief Jones uh led trainings on Act 55 safety trainings uh in covering in-person drills and recognizing concerning behaviors as well as topics such as substance abuse, substance use awareness. Uh in the area of teaching and learning, uh Mr. Pine
020uh helped lead department grade and team time uh offerings along with the building principles. uh also uh a review and introduction of amplify CKLA ELA uh review of working with EXL and then some topics including artificial intelligence and how they can uh leverage that uh for teachers and students. Also covered some social emotional uh learning topics such as schoolwide positive behavior interventions and supports and zones of regulation. Uh there was some additional work on our comprehensive guid guidance plan uh as well as Mr. Howser uh led a conversation on schools to watch which is a goal that the middle school in particular is working towards and then also again um topics such as suicide awareness and prevention. >> Okay. All of our schools hold welcome back um evenings. Those are the chronological order of the
021ones that occurred. You can see kindergarten kindergarten orientation kicked it off on August 19th. We had seventh grade a new student orientation at the middle school. Uh back to Peters for first and second grade meet the teacher night on the 20th. Third grade meet the teacher night on the 21st over here at Slington. Fourth through sixth grade meet the teacher night on the 27th at Slington. And then on the 3rd we had high school orientation. And then September 15th middle um school openhouse. you can see a few of our pictures that we put up there um related to those events. On the top right, you'll see um one of the uh kindergarten orientation um pictures and on the bottom right you'll see the uh essential skills that were displayed at the middle school during that
022time. Uh there's just so many great pictures to pick from. It was hard just to pick four, but these are from the return of students. So you can see um at the top left we have a picture of um some of our students in one of our classes with our bulldog. We have Slington uh the buses coming in. Um on the bottom left we have one of our classrooms that we just walked into and and took a quick picture of with our teacher in there teaching. And then on the far right we have our high school students in the auditorium. So again, too many really good pictures to pick from. Here's just a few of what that looked like when our students were coming back to school. Okay. Every year we share with the school
023board uh the third day enrollment numbers. We kind of use the third day as a snapshot of our enrollment. Uh you'll see at Peter's Elementary School we're at 357 students. Um kindergarten is actually up to about 114 115. And I I'll just kind of share the qualifier right now that this is a move still a moving target. Uh these numbers have changed since uh the third day of school. We're still continuing to see some students disenroll and believe it or not, we're actually seeing some students enroll for the start of the new school year. So, uh, we always just do the third day snapshot. Slington Elementary School, we have a total of 483 students. The middle school, a total of 253. In the high school, on the third day, there was a total of 448.
024So, you can see how that breaks out uh through elementary and secondary totals. Total enrollment on the third day was 1541 students. This does not include students placed in our IU classrooms. It is not including Northern Lehigh students that are placed in out of district placements and it does not include the students that are fully enrolled in Bulldog Academy. This is actual Northern Lehigh students in traditional classrooms within the school building. And I believe that is yes that is our last slide and we'll open it up to questions. >> How does the enrollment compare to last year? >> Um we're we're right about the same. >> Yeah, I think right now we may be a little bit higher. Uh but again that's continuing and by a little bit I mean singletons. Um but that will
025continue to e and flow probably for the next few weeks yet. >> Thank you. >> Sure. >> Any questions? Dr. Link looking left. No. Got it right. I'll go with that. You have anything else, Dr. Shel? >> I do not. That is it for >> That's it. Thank you very much. Appreciate that. Uh, business manager, Miss Small Taus. >> No state budget, no report. >> No money. Yeah. >> Thank you. Uh, Superintendent Dr. Lake. >> Thank you, Mr. Green. Uh, I'd like to follow up on a topic brought to the building and grounds committee last Monday, which arose as a result of concerns shared by some parents in Walnapport about their children who currently or will, beginning next year, have to walk to school. This evening, I am recommending that the board approve the hiring
026of four crossing guards to serve at designated intersections along Main Street in both Slington and Walnapport. With these crossing guards in place, we will provide increased supervision along a main walking route for our secondary students who live 2 miles or less from the school and are therefore ineligible to be rostered on buses. The crossing guards will assist students at the following intersections. Maine and Dow streets near the Turkey Hill in Slington. Maine and center streets by Beck's Pharmacy in Slington. Maine and North Walnut kind of slroo uh near ID wraps in Sladington and Maine and Canal Streets in Walnutport. This evening, I am seeking direction from the school board as to whether you would like administration to pursue this recommendation by seeking permission from both burrows to place crossing guards at the designated intersections. beginning
027the process of advertising for crossing guards, designing an onboarding and training process, and purchasing the necessary equipment. Alternatively, the board may wish for administration to explore other options or to remain status quo. Uh, so at this time, I'm going to ask the school board to if you want to have a conversation about it. I know that we have a community member that wants to speak on it as well. Uh but administration would like to kind of leave tonight with an indication as to whether you would like us to continue pursuing this, stay status quo or look at other options. >> Would you like to comment at this time? >> I have a statement prepared if possible. >> Uh my name is Joshua Pittton. I'm the proud father of a new middle schooler named Ella Pittton.
028I have concerns about the current bus protocol. If you look at the walk zone radius, Ella is at the absolute out of parameters. In fact, if you walk into her backyard, she is no longer in the walking zone. There is a bus within 5 minutes walking distance that has five children in the morning and 10 in the afternoon. There's your solution. Walnort children should not have to cross that bridge to get to school. The $250,000 number for buses that was brought up last week is an absolute fabrication when you look at the true numbers. We are not asking for buses to be rerouted, just that they provide our children transportation. And whoever sits upon this board who has outright said that they do not believe the money is worth the buses should not be sitting
029in those seats. This is our community. These are our children and our future. This is a safety issue. You should be ashamed of yourself. Furthermore, how does a crossing garden in Sington I know you said that there's going to be one in Walnaport tonight. That was not mentioned last week. Um I'm sorry. How does a crossing guard in Slington help my daughter cross railroad tracks? the Lehigh River and the Canal. It has been acknowledged by members of the sport how dangerous that bridge is during the wintertime and the darkness of winter. It has also been acknowledged that Center Street does not have sidewalks for a vast majority. Could you imagine the absolute fear and disdain walking to school if it was dark 35° and raining? As a 12-year-old, I would turn around and go back
030to bed with no encouragement because this board let me down. Not only am I scared for scared for her safety, but she is nervous to carry two backpacks, two meals, and three waters to school because she is involved in three extracurricular activities. There are more than 20 registered sex offenders within the 2-m radius of the Northern Lehigh Middle School. How can I, as a proud father, think that you, as a school board, are doing the correct thing by allowing her to pass over all of these dangerous areas? Now, keep in mind, I realize that everyone sitting up there had to walk two miles uphill both ways, but now we live in a different world. And now we know better. Let's do better and make our children safe because if it were your granddaughter, daughter, or
031niece, you would do anything to keep them safe. Let's do the right thing and do everything in our power to keep them safe. Thank you. >> Thank you for your input. Uh I'll open it to the board. Any discussion at this time? Any discussion for the board? Okay. Uh I guess we have no direction to move forward at this point in time. uh that's what I'm inferring uh unless unless somebody wants to correct me. So having said that I'll move to the next item which is donation recognition. Okay. So I'm going to take that as the school board does not want administration to pursue any other options. >> That's what I'm excited about. >> Okay. I would like to also acknowledge the generosity of several community partners and individuals who have supported our district this
032year. Nef's National Bank through their donation to the Northern Lehigh Educational Foundation fully funded the cost of this summer's steam camp at Slington Elementary School. Thanks to their generosity, no student was charged to attend and no costs were passed along to the district's general fund. Separately, the Northern Lehigh Educational Foundation fully funded this year's elementary band camp, ensuring that once again, no student was charged to participate and no costs were borne by the district. The Lehigh Valley Educators Credit Union generously donated $2,000 to cover the complete cost of the employee appreciation picnic on August 21st. This event brought our staff together to celebrate the start of the school year at no expense to the district. An anonymous donor contributed all the materials for the pavers recently installed around the Bulldog statue in at the stadium.
033Uh the gift has enhanced the facilities in a meaningful and lasting way. So we appreciate uh all those donations. Uh and actually one more uh again very very generous uh community uh Neutropolley Bank generously donated school supplies for our students as they return to school helping to ensure they started the year prepared and supported. So on behalf of the district, I sincerely thank these donors for their continued support of Northern Lehigh students, staff, and community. At this time, I would like to recognize one of our school board members. Uh I am pleased to share that Mrs. Gail Husach is being recognized by the Pennsylvania School Boards Association for 10 years of dedicated service as a member of the Northern Lehigh Board of School Directors. This recognition is presented in recognition of ongoing schoolboard service and
034the long-term contributions by Mrs. Gail Husach who brings her energy, talent, and values to the guidance of youth and public education in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Husach, congratulations on this milestone on behalf of the entire board. Thank you for your service and commitment to our students and community. Congratulations. Thank you very much. And I would like to present you with this certificate from the PSBA uh which has what I read on there. So again, congratulations and we appreciate everything you do. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> Where's Terry? Beautiful. >> Um Mr. Honor did email me and say he would not be able uh to be here this evening, but he asked Mr. Suzac if you could maybe hang out a little bit afterwards if we could get some pictures for
035him in the newspaper. >> Sure. >> Thank you so much. It's um I do it because of the students and the staff and our community. I love what I do. Um sometimes it doesn't feel good making certain decisions and sometimes we have to look at it as a whole and uh I'm proud of this board for doing that and looking at it uh in a grand way. So uh thank you for the honor and proud to continue to serve on the board. >> On behalf of the board, thank you. Any comments? Anyone? Anyone? Congratulations. >> Congrats. Congratulations. Welld deserved. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> PSB balance. They're not They're not here, are they? >> Yep. So, in front of you, you should have uh PSBA just right here, sir. >> Oh, there it is.
036Okay. Sorry about that. >> A PSBA I would like to remind the board members that you have PSBA officer election ballots in front of you this evening. Please complete the ballots before leaving tonight and return them to the board secretary, Mrs. Husach. I'd like to just make one comment about that. >> Sure. >> Um I I personally don't know any of these characters. Listen, I'm sorry of these candidates except for one and I would like to just point that out that uh running for the trustees is Robera Marcus who has represented us for a long time. She is also a former or past president of Parkland School District. So she is a local. >> Yeah, it's a close election Gary. We got to make sure we vote for her. >> Okay, thank you very much
037for that. Appreciate it, Gary. Uh, anything else on the ballot? No. >> No. Yes. I would uh actually like to turn over the remainder of my report to Mr. Schneiderite who's going to share some information on the recent Kinder Quest program. >> Good evening everyone and the board and of course of our Northern Lehigh community. I'm really proud of this program. Uh this is our second year um engaging in our Kinder Quest program. So I wanted to give you a quick snapshot of what occurred um what we believe it did and what parents and and guardians of students who were in there said about the program. So um thank you Dr. Stoker for manning the uh the board there. Um so first of all again it was a 3-day program from August 5th through 7th.
038students showed up and arrived uh via uh busing from 9:00 a.m. and stayed there for just 2 and a half hours till 11:30 a.m. The goal of the program was to prepare students for the transition into school to ease that transition and to in some ways also to ease the transition of the parents to let them know what we do how we take care of their children and help prepare them of how to take care of school age children because um that's not easy as well. So, I'd like to first start off by highlighting the amazing staff. Obviously, it wouldn't be a great program without great people running it. Um, we have our six uh teachers that were involved from in a counterclockwise motion from the top left around the bottom to the top right.
039We had Marshall George, kindergarten teacher. Mrs. Michelle Cesco, kindergarten teacher. Kelly Chromemer, school counselor. Matthew Clipple, special education teacher. Bottom right, Suzanne Hedgedis, kindergarten teacher. and we were uh glad to in uh welcome in Mrs. Sager, a second grade teacher at Peters uh with some kindergarten experience. As the program grew and we needed to find another person to work it, uh she stepped in and did that, although I think she's probably happy to be back teaching second graders rather than kindergarteners. Um on top of the teachers that worked the program, we had an amazing support staff and other people that were there to assist. Um we had Mrs. uh Tracy Hoffman as a school nurse, not only to handle boooos at the recess area, but also as students come in with medical needs. You know,
040we need people there to be able to help them if that if the need is there. Um we had four amazing PAR educators, Miss Croenics, Mrs. Shrammble, Mrs. Thomas, and Miss White. Um three of those four ladies worked it both years. So, um and the only reason that Miss Croenics joined us this year is because the fourth person is no longer working with our district. So, we've had um many uh you know, not not a lot of turnover in the staffing. A lot of people coming back for a second year and hopefully a third year next year. And I also wanted to highlight uh just some additional support. Mr. Markx, as we all know, is one of our amazing school psychologists. Um he showed up, I believe, every single day to get a chance to
041sort of see the kids in action. Um really focusing on students um who were in early intervention and trying to meet their needs as they transition into the into school. And Mrs. Martin um our our ESL teacher at Peters Elementary School um got a chance to meet and work with some of our um English language learners to help ease their transition into school. So we I always like to put this picture up because I think it's the greatest picture ever. But um on the next slide there, Dr. Stoker, um here's some pictures from our program. You can see on there um one of the things we do each day building tours and we teach school expectations not just in the classrooms but in other areas such as at the recess uh on the recess equipment
042and in our cafeteria. Um imagine being a first day in school as a 5-year-old in a kindergarten in a classroom uh excuse me a cafeteria of 115 students not knowing where to go, not knowing what to do. We taught them with the aid of all the people that were involved how to walk up, how to say please and thank you in the line, where to put their trays, um you know, how to raise their hand and ask for help, but also get them comfortable doing those things. And of course, to teach them how to use the playground equipment, how to, you know, say, "I don't want to do that. No, thank you." Right? This some of the social skills teaching that needs to occur when you're interacting with others, sometimes perhaps for the first time.
043Next slide, please. Dr. Stoker. Um they worked most of the day in classrooms. Um you can see some pictures here of story times, collaborative working at desks and tables. Um that bottom right coloring job of that young lady coming into kindergarten. I couldn't do better myself. I was like outstanding. Um most of the classroom work was around activities um focused on fine motor skills. So the teachers get a chance to judge um perhaps student needs transitioning in. And on the top left and top right you can see Mr. Clipple and Mrs. Chromemer working on some social skills instruction to help again ease that transition into school. Um I did hold on the last day a parent presentation. Um in that presentation um we had a great discussion with parents about the day in the life
044of a kindergartener. Uh one of the big things I say is be prepared. They're going to come home every day and nap for two hours. The teachers will as well. Um but you know this is normal, right? they've got to get used to and build up their immunity to staying awake for eight hours and engaging in academic activities. Um, focus on setting their child up for success. Focus on school safety and how we work and some of the procedures we have to keep their children safe. Um, how to set boundaries because that's something we do at school um that um we wanted to make them aware of and how to establish a positive homeschool relationship so that we can work together with them. And here's our statistics. Here's who was involved and how it worked.
045Um, this year we had 69 student participants. That was down eight from last year. Um, last year was 77. However, when we look at the percentages, it was actually a higher percentage of students enrolled at the time who participated. Obviously, uh, the percentages go down because we have a I think 116 now, Dr. Link, as of this morning, is that we just enrolled another one. Um so uh that number is not even correct right now but it was basically just under 60% of the total kindergarten but when we ran the program it was basically 65.1% of the total kindergarten that was a part of the program. Um we had a total number of parents or guardians participating in the welcome to Peters presentation was 28. That was down from last year even though we were
046more proactive with um sharing it out with parents earlier. Um some of the parents said oh I did that last year so I didn't need it this year. So, um, but, um, the parents that showed up did a wonderful job interacting and asking great questions. And of course, the board probably wants to know, was there a benefit to this program? Let's see what the families said. Um, there were 40 respondents this year. Um, that's 11 more than last year. Last year, we had 29 respondents. So, we had less people involved, but more people responding to the feedback. Question one was, would you describe your child's experience as positive or negative? And if it was negative, what would you change to make it more positive? Um, 100% of the respondents, all 40 uh family members said
047it was a positive experience. And everything I'm going to show you is a direct quote from a parent. I just copied and pasted it in. Uh, the only thing I would I made I think I changed one because it was an actual student name or a teacher name and we didn't want to share that. But um, two of the pieces of feedback, I think everything was great and besides a problem on a bus with a student um, she loved every second of it. The next question in a few words, how did your child describe the experience to you? Here were some of the things the student said. So much fun. She got off the bus and said, "I had a great time. Best days ever." Sounds like me, right, Dr. Stoker? It's greatest day of
048my life. Fantastic. Um, he wants to go back to school again. Um, and uh, la, and this is sort of a cute, sad, but totally appropriate. He was sad when he understood that there will be a lull between Kinder Quest and the first day of kindergarten. The fact that they were sad that they wanted to go back immediately I think is a is a great sign. Um next in talking to the the the families and the parents uh describe what ways in which you the program you feel the program benefited your child. Here were some of the things they highlighted. Um meet friends and adjusts to new social settings. Um she was so happy to ride the bus and to have an idea of where to go and what's expected of her. Uh getting getting
049her a little less nervous and scared to start the first day. This was such an awesome idea. um get familiar with routines. And on day one, I think this was super cute as well. While we were waiting for the bus, he told me, "My heart is nervous." By the end of the first day, he was completely comfortable and couldn't wait to go back. And that's the goal. And I think that shows, you know, it was accomplished. And finally, um 100% response rate. Uh all 40 parents said that they would recommend this program to the next year's incoming kindergarten families. Um and I thought this sort of summarized it. Again, a direct quote from a a parent and family member uh as a second time doing this. So, someone who had a child in Kinderquest last
050year and this summer, um I fully support KinderQuest and think it's an amazing opportunity that you are giving these kiddos. It provides them as well as their families with the introduction and proper exposure they need to better adapt for a smooth transition into kindergarten. So, a nice summary from that that uh that uh parent or guardian. So, and uh again, I'm happy to take any questions. Again, I'm very pleased with the program. I'm very proud of the teachers and the staff members that work. >> Any questions at this point? Anyone? No. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you everyone. >> I would just like to make a comment and thank you for doing that program. I mean, I don't know if other school districts do it or not. When I heard it last year,
051I was like, "Oh, wow. That's really great." And and the responses kind of kind of backed that up. And uh thank you for doing that. Thank you to our entire administrative team. You know, I I look at some of the things that we're doing here that no one else is doing. Our lunch and learn program, our painting, our parking spaces, our botchi pal program that that we're starting our our travel not only in the country but across the world that our students are able to do. And it's like, oh wow, this is really great. You know, we're doing a lot of good things. And to the administrative team, teachers, and everyone else who's participating, thank you. Thank you very much for doing that. I appreciate it and and I know the board has but conversation
052and and thank you sir. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Uh you're still on, I think. >> Uh that concludes my report, sir. >> Okay. An executive session was held at 6 p.m. in the administrative building board conference. We had uh some legal issues, some personnel issues. Uh I think that was it legal and personnel. So, those were the items that were discussed. Okay, speaking of personnel, uh the next item on the agenda is the personnel section. Uh I'm going to start if I can with a motion to approve personnel, thank you, Mr. >> Is there a second? Yep. Okay. Is there a second? >> Thank you, Mrs. Slider. Uh someone wanted to make a comment if if you would like to, Mr. Hower. >> Thank you. Um, letter A number two is my resignation from
053the Northern Lehigh School District. I wanted to take the opportunity tonight uh to say thank you to uh several groups. I've been privileged to work here at Northern Lehigh for the last 6 years in an administrative capacity both as an assistant from 7 to 12 and then entrusted with the middle school uh for the last four years. Um to the taxpayers of the community, thank you for allowing me to make a living for myself and my family here. Um that is greatly appreciated to my parents and families. Thank you for entrusting me with the well-being and the education of your children. Um that was very nice and that uh several of my uh school classmates had their children coming through middle school. So that was kind of a neat experience to have people that I
054grew up with now have their children uh in in in the school. Um I want to thank the middle school faculty and staff. uh they are exemplary, they're underrated, they are uh a faculty and staff that will spoil any principal because they do such a good job and I have so few things to worry about uh in that part of my uh position. They they they are incredible and I want to thank my uh administrative colleagues. It's a wonderful team. Um everybody just works so incredibly hard to make Northern Lehigh all it can be. Um I I sometimes say to kids and others that my least favorite word is the word potential because it means something is not being reached. And what I like about our administrative team, we are always pushing ourselves to find
055where the potential is and exceed that. So um I will miss everyone and I'll still be around. I'm not totally gone. I'm still in town. My son will still come through. I say um good luck although I know he will not need luck to Mr. Williams. I see that he is on here to be um the next middle school principal. Um I will say that he's exactly the type of person that I would want for my child uh as he comes through cuz you know gets a little older and comes through middle school. So as a parent and taxpayer I fully support uh his his appointment this evening. Thank you everybody. I appreciate >> good luck sir. >> Thank you. >> Any comments for Mr. >> Uh thank you very much for your service. We
056appreciate it. You know, we've gotten a lot of awards hanging on the wall as a result of of what you've done. Thank you. Uh Mr. Williams, you got some big shoes to fill. So, uh assuming you get appointed, good luck, you know, and and uh I think you'll do a good job. But thank you again for your for your work. Any other comments on the personnel items? Anyone? If not, uh is there a motion to approve the personnel items? I think we did that. >> We did that in a second. >> What's that? >> In a second. Yes, we have a motion. I'm I'm looking for All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> That's what I meant to say. Those opposed? No. >> Okay, we approved that. Thank you, >> Mr.
057Mr. Green. If I may, I would like to formally uh congratulate Mr. Williams on his uh advancement into the middle school principal role. I know you are going to do a great job and and the bar is set high. Um but I know um that you're going to keep all the momentum moving forward. I would also like to congratulate and welcome uh Mrs. Nicole Delgado who will be our next uh secondary assistant principal. Congratulations. Welcome to Northern Lehi and I'm excited for you uh to join our school community as well. Mr. Hower, best wishes moving forward. I know you're going to do an excellent job at Sen Valley Middle School. >> Yep. Thank you. >> Bethany, may I just say one thing? >> Sure. Um, I just want the public to know that as part
058of the interview team, uh, we have found two of the best of that I of the best in interviewing them. They are going to be wonderful and I know they're going to be great as far as being your children's leaders. So, uh, I welcome both of them and just want to say thank you for applying. >> Thank you, Mr. Any other person? No. No. Okay. Uh, we have a couple policy items, A and B. Is there a motion to approve policy? So move. >> I have a motion. Is there a second? Some move. >> Yep. A second. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Any questions on policy discussions? Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> Oppos? No. And so order. Uh, conferences. We have one. Mr. Williams. There a motion. Motion to
059approve the conference. >> Move. Second. >> Second. >> Thank you. Any discussion? Like sure, we gave you a promotion. Now you want to go to conference. Come on. >> Any other comments? >> Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> Oppos? No. >> And so ordered. >> Uh curriculum and instruction. We have uh ABCD and E. Is there a motion to approve curriculum and instruction? So move >> second. >> Motion a second. Any questions or discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed. No. And so ordered. I see nothing under old business anywhere. Anyone any old business. Uh new business. We have a couple of items there. Uh there a motion to approve the new business items. >> I'm sorry. Who was that? Thank you.
060>> I think Mr. Van Norman second >> and and we have a second also >> Mr. Van Norman. >> Oh that way. Okay I >> I was looking that way. Thank you Mr. Van Norman. Any questions or discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I opposed. No. >> And so ordered. Uh we still have some money I guess. So we have some financial items here. A motion to approve financial >> second. Second. >> Thank you. Any questions on the financial items? Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> Opposed? No. That's so ordered. Uh I guess we're down to legal. Anything on legal correspondence? Anyone? Miss Husach? Anything? Nothing. Okay, we have a couple of information items. Uh recognition of guests. Is there anyone else who would
061like to address the board? I don't see a lot of strange faces, so I'm assuming not. Okay. If there's no one, uh, how about a motion to adjurnn? >> So move. >> Second. >> Thank you. >> All those in favor of journ signify by saying I. >> I. >> Oppos? No. >> And we are done here. Thank you.