Delaware Valley cited for technological excellence
WESTFALL n Delaware Valley School District was named by the Pennsylvania School Boards Association as one of four districts to receive the 2007 Schools of Excellence in Technology award. The association annually recognizes school districts that are modeling excellence in educational technology. Districts are chosen by exemplifying several criteria, including: alignment with the districts’ educational goals; support at the district level; evidence of improved student achievement; long-term commitment by the school board and community as reflected through moral and financial support; and a positive impact on instructional practices, administrative operations, increased parental involvement, and/or community support. The PSBA Schools of Excellence in Technology program is designed to encourage districts excelling in educational technology to share best practices and ideas collegially with other districts in the state. On May 7, Delaware Valley conducted a Technology Expo Day and hosted the PSBA and others at the high school under the direction of Gina Vives, Director of Technology. Participants had the opportunity to experience first hand what is being done with technology in the school and to interact with students, view students’ work, tour buildings, and attend breakout sessions intended to help build strategies for success in planning for educational technology. Included among the day’s events were a videoconference on orchestra coaching given by the Cleveland Institute of Music, an interactive Spanish lesson with Atajo Software, demonstrations using a Smart Board in Geometry, in Concepts in Probability and Statistics and in Environmental Science, visiting a Mac Lab, learning about the use of integrated laptops in Journalism and to generate the school’s newspaper, and observations of the online courses offered at DV in Social Studies and English. The association also attended the Delaware Valley School District Board meeting on May 10 to present Delaware Valley with a plaque signifying recognition as a PSBA 2007 Technology School of Excellence. Founded in 1895, PSBA was the first school boards association established in the United States. For more information about the program, visit http://www.psba.org/programs-events or contact Todd Hosterman, PSBA in-service education associate, at todd.hosterman@psba.org .