The first week of summer for the students at Neshaminy was not vacation time for educators throughout the district. Besides finishing up paperwork and preparing classrooms for the summer, staff members spent several days in professional development classes learning from each other and outside presenters on a wide variety of topics.
The two-day Neshaminy Ignite program offered dozens of classes on topics ranging from new educational software and cutting-edge curriculum to student safety and child support. Curricular seminars included:
- Project-based learning methods
- Math in Focus
- Using Google Classroom in Physical Education classes
- Elementary Literacy Best Practices
- Middle School Science and Three Dimensional Learning
- AVID program training
- Art and music teaching techniques
- World Language Sharing Discoveries
- Software training on Canvas, Naviance, Google Tools, nursing software, SeeSaw, website management and more
- Positive Behavior program (SWPBIS) best practices
These classes were an opportunity for teachers to share their real-world experience using new techniques, materials and software to maximize effectiveness.
Student social and emotional support issues were addressed as it is an important part of the district’s strategic plan. There were seminars on social work, nursing, physical education, suicide prevention, and stress management (for students and teachers).
Staff members in each building participated in ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) training to learn best practices for recognizing and responding to an active shooter situation. This training even included drills in which they put their knowledge to work with simulated alerts.
All staff members also participated in another important social / emotional student support topic — an opioid awareness seminar.