Monthly Archives: April 2015
Phifer Students Learn About Robotics, Engineering
For the first time, Howard Phifer Middle School is offering robotics for a full marking period as a “related arts” class. The robotics program, taught by Mrs. Tracey McSweeney, is designed for students to explore, build, and program small LEGO NXT robots.
Students at Phifer Middle School are learning about robotics and engineering during a special class taught by Mrs. Tracey McSweeney.
Mrs. McSweeney encourages her students to reflect and collaborate on the learning process by using skills such as application of knowledge and problem solving. The lessons are cross-curricular in that they incorporate “STEM” or Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. For example, the students use mathematical strategies and teamwork to help engineer a solution to their robotics problem. Students utilize their collective problem solving skills to construct and program the robots to perform various tasks. Some tasks include programming the robot to travel a desired distance based on wheel circumference and also navigating through its environment with programmed touch, sonar, sound, and/or light sensors.
Robotics brings students the realization that working as a team helps them complete tasks faster and more efficiently. In addition, video clips, articles and current events are incorporated to show students the benefits of updating technology and utilizing robots to perform daily tasks that were once performed by humans.
To generate interest in the field of engineering, Mrs. McSweeney invited Mr. Aron Rubin, an engineer from Lockheed Martin, to speak to her class. On Friday, Jan. 23, Mr. Rubin excited the students with a presentation about humanoid robots and a helicopter drone project, which he is currently assigned. Mr. Rubin brought in different robotic hands for the students to manipulate. He also described his experiments with a military spy drone that would potentially be able to fly into a building opening at 20 mph, take a video of a room and quickly exit. The grand finale of Mr. Rubin’s presentation was a hexacopter, which he brought and allowed the students to fly in the classroom! Mr. Rubin’s wonderful presentation hopefully stimulated student interest in engineering and technology fields.
On Tuesday, Feb. 24, Mrs. McSweeney invited additional Lockheed Martin engineers, Joe Mirizio, Rebecca Cargan, and Eric Birkhead, to speak to her students for “Engineers Week,” a time of year dedicated to ensuring a diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce by increasing understanding of, and interest in, engineering and technology careers.
Mrs. McSweeney’s students are looking forward to learning about possible careers in engineering as well as performing an exciting rocket launch “STEM” activity that the engineers have planned.
Robotics is a fast growing technology field that is revolutionizing business, manufacturing, the military, the medical field, and our daily lives. The goal of this robotics program is to prepare students for tomorrow. The job market of the future will be more demanding of its applicants than ever. The best applicants will be able to apply their cumulative knowledge of science, technology, engineering and mathematics to perform their daily tasks.
Through this robotics course, Mrs. McSweeney hopes to spark an interest in her students about robotics so that they may possibly pursue a career in engineering.
Residency For Pennsauken Students An Important Issue
As spring is finally here, the Pennsauken School District is already busy making plans for the upcoming school year. The flurry of activity relating to the preparation for the 2015-2016 school year begins with registration for students.
On April 15, 2015, the school district will hold its annual registration event for the pre-kindergarten and kindergarten programs. Registration for students in other grade levels will continue on a rolling basis throughout the summer.
Each student attending Pennsauken Public Schools must be registered in the district prior to attending school. The purpose of registration is to ensure that each student who is receiving an education in the Pennsauken School District is eligible under district policy and state law.
Discussion of registration often brings to the forefront issues regarding the residency requirements for enrolled students. Residency issues continue to be a topic of concern for members of the Board of Education, school district administration, and the citizens of Pennsauken Township. It is our duty as Board members, in conjunction with the administration, to make certain that we are using the resources of the district to educate the students who are eligible to attend our schools, as defined by state law.
Last year, the Board of Education, in an effort to monitor registration and residency, set aside funds in the annual school budget specifically to address this need. This money is being used to create a centralized registration office, which is currently in development. The funds allocated will also be used to hire additional staff, including a second district investigator who will examine claims regarding students who may be illegally attending our schools.
In addition, after consulting with neighboring school districts and reviewing state law, the Board of Education Policy Committee wrote a new district residency policy and regulation. This mandated policy, entitled Eligibility of Resident/Non-Resident Pupils, was adopted by the Board on July 24, 2014. The residency policy clearly defines, according to state law, who is eligible to attend school in our district.
The regulation outlines the procedure that must be followed in order to register children in the district. The Policy also states that any individual who has fraudulently enrolled a student in the district can be held liable for the tuition associated with educating a student in our district, along with removal of the student from school. Other consequences, including fines, are possible. The penalties associated with fraudulent enrollment can also extend to individuals who fraudulently signed an affidavit swearing that the family lives in Pennsauken. For example, a landlord or a family member who owns a home in Pennsauken and fraudulently claims that the student lives with them, would be subject to this policy as well. All of the penalties, as well as those individuals who can be potentially affected, are clearly defined by NJ State law.
Information pertaining to the details of this policy and regulation can be requested by any Township resident or any individual with an interest in Pennsauken Schools by contacting the Pennsauken Board of Education offices. As with all of our policies currently undergoing review and revision, this policy will be available on the Pennsauken School District website in the near future.
The Pennsauken Board of Education takes residency and registration issues very seriously. While we understand that all children in NJ are entitled to a free, public education, the law is clear that the students must live in or legally be eligible to attend school in the district. We ask that anyone who has suspicion of a residency violation report it to the Office of the Superintendent of Schools. Working together, we can ensure that all children enrolled in our schools are eligible to attend.
Board Bit Of The Month
Did you know… the Pennsauken School District transports over 4,000 students per day?
An Open Letter From Mayor Taylor To The Residents And Businesses Of Pennsauken Township
Township Ordinances in Place to Minimize Pollution of Creeks and Rivers
By Rick Taylor, Mayor of Pennsauken Township
We have a new addition to the family, and no, I’m not talking about another grandchild to spoil. Bernice and I got a dog, a cute, little Havanese named Weeko. And like many of you, aside from the impromptu snow we got on the first day of spring, the warmer weather is going to make it a lot easier to take Weeko out for walks.
But whether it’s warm or cold outside, there’s one part of dog walking that doesn’t change: bringing that plastic bag along to pick up the “deposits” that Weeko makes along the way. It’s not fun for anyone, but it makes sure that no one has to leave their shoes outside their front door, if you catch my drift.
April Library Events
For Children Accompanied By Their Caregivers:
I Scream for Ice Cream – Thursday, April 2; 6:30-7:30 p.m.
We’ll make ice cream from scratch and decorate our own sundaes. Also, Miss Sonora is leaving the library in just a few days, and she’d love to give you all good-bye hugs! For all ages and families.
LEGO Club – Wednesdays, April 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29; 4:30-5:15 p.m.
Children can build the wild vehicles, buildings and creatures in their imaginations! For all ages.
Little Storytime – Thursday, April 2; 10:30-11:15 a.m.
Join Miss Sonora for her final storytime; it’s perfect for all your little ones! For ages 0-5.
Pajama Storytime – Wednesday, April 1; 7:00-7:30 p.m.
You know you want your kids to read more, and bedtime is the perfect time to make reading a part of your children’s daily activities. To that end, we’re here to help! For ages 2-7.
Pop-Up Play – Thursday, April 2; 11:15 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
For babies and toddlers, playing is learning! After our regularly scheduled storytime, join us for educational toys and pop-up books that parents and children can share to foster critical early literacy skills. For ages 0-5.
Storytime – Tuesday, April 7, 14, 21 & 28; 11:00-11:30 a.m.
Miss Susan is leading a weekly storytime for the months of April and May. Join us! For all ages.
South Jersey Thunder Begins Inaugural Season In Pennsauken
By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor
There’s a new semi-pro football team in the Northeast Atlantic Football League, and they’ve decided to call Pennsauken home.
