MCS Media Specialist Amy Acree has announced her resignation from the Manchester Community Schools technology department.
Her resignation was unexpected, according to the school board, which said during its meeting Tuesday a replacement must be found as soon as possible. A job posting will follow later this month.
The rate of technology is not slowing down for Manchester Community Schools and the use of iPads is proving to be extremely beneficial for the students of Manchester Intermediate School, the board heard. The school board meeting began with a tutorial of the app Mathspace. Those leading the tutorial were Andrew Zimmerman and a small group of volunteers from his 6th grade class. Dr. Bill Reinhart later says about the presentation, “That was real neat to bring the kids in and to work with them.”
Zimmerman attended the National Council of Teacher’s of Mathematics Conference of 2016 and brought back a free semester trial of the software. Each board member was paired with a student, who demonstrated how their math experience has been facilitated and enhanced.
The Mathspace app allows students to write out each step of a math problem and the app verifies whether they are staying on track. When stuck on a problem, a student can receive hints for that particular problem. Teachers can track each student’s progress to see what topics need more attention or are understood by the class. They can also assign the topics and subtopics for the assignments created.
Only four students out of the class request the pen and paper method because of unreliable wifi at their homes, but some get creative and go to a school sporting event and can do their homework from there. All students enjoy the app more than traditional methods, especially because there is a point system that the students enjoy competing in with their classmates.
The current textbooks for mathematics courses are on their final year and may not need renewal with an app such as this, the board heard. It comes with the curriculum starting at the sixth-grade level built into the app already. The cost would be $15 per student in comparison to previous textbook fees. The trial run seems to have been a success and this could be a very real possibility, the board heard.
The Manchester FFA is approved to attend their annual trip to the National FFA Convention and the State Leadership competition. Also, an exchange trip to Hamburg, Germany has been arranged for those interested from the high school. The sponsored trip is an amazing opportunity for the students, the board heard, and is arranged to take place from March 10 to 30.
The beginning of this year went well for those adjusting to the routine of school again. The first graders enjoyed their field trip to the apple orchard this fall. The opera center gave a performance of Pinocchio that the students loved.The third graders had a guest come in to teach them the negative effects of bullying and sing for them. As for the fourth grade, they went on a science field study to observe a nearby ecosystem.
For those at the high school, the AP English class went to see a play of the Great Gatsby. This required some rescheduling due to fog from the previous week, but the experience still occured. College Go week was also a success for those interested in attending a school in Indiana and gave students tips to plan ahead, the board heard.
PSAT testing begins today for sophomores and juniors. The test is mostly covered by the state for those students who have decided to take the test at their school. Also, the students will have a fall break to look forward to on Friday.
(Story By The Times Union)
