Legislators, clergy, local business owners and representatives, school board members and community members toured Brandywine Heights schools during the first Educational Showcase Day on May 3.
“We wanted to spotlight what happens in our school district, the great opportunities we have,” said Brandywine Heights Superintendent Andrew Potteiger. “Hopefully, you were able to see some snapshots of how we’re integrating technology into the classroom, how the classroom environment has changed a little bit over the years and some of the things we offer at the high school.”
The day included musical performances by students, classroom visits at all of the school buildings and student presentations.
For example, at the Middle School, the group visited Miss Small’s 8th grade English class. The students were working on their final research paper. They completed outlines using a template that Miss Small assigned in Google Classroom. They are now constructing rough drafts and this is all being done in Google Docs. Miss Small comments and edits with the students live on their Google Doc, according to Carolyn Hanych-Fitch, Director of Brandywine Heights Virtual Academy and Instructional Technology Specialist.
Hanych-Fitch said they also visited Mrs. Kercher’s combined 6th & 6th grade gifted class who are researching the government of ancient Greek society. Students used Google Drawing to create a poster. They visited Mr. Donato’s 7th grade flipped science classroom.
“The goal of flipping a class is to allow for the traditional passive learning to take place outside of the classroom while the active learning takes place within the classroom setting,” said Hanych-Fitch.
About 30 people attended, including Congressman Charlie Dent and Sen. Judy Schwank. Many shared what they thought of the showcase.
“Today was very impressive,” said Brandywine Heights School Board Vice President Elizabeth Huhn. “As a school board member, I’m probably some what more familiar just because of my involvement in that role than some members of our community, but today even I learned a tremendous amount about what Brandywine students are doing in their classrooms and with their teachers as it particularly relates to technology. Incredible stuff.”
Nancy Geist from Geist Sporting Goods in Topton attended the tour also.
“I think it was all wonderful. It was interesting to see the progress and the changes in the schools over the years,” said Geist, who graduated from Brandywine about 50 years ago. Her children graduated from Brandywine and her grandchildren now attend the school district. “Everything that’s been done is just amazing.”
Pastor Cheryl Meinschein, Christ Mertz Lutheran Church in Dryville, said, “It reminds me about how much education has changed since I was in school and how important it is to teach the kids (technology). They speak computer and technology much more easily than I do.”
Sen. Schwank toured Pre-K, 2nd grade and 5th grade classrooms.
“The tour gave me the opportunity to visit with students and faculty on a one-one basis and allowed me to observe how technology is being used in the classroom. Each school offered an inviting learning environment for all students,” said Schwank. “I was amazed at how easily even the youngest children mastered the use of computers, scanners and smart (white) boards. They really seemed to enjoy learning at their own pace and expanding their sense of creativity with technology as a tool.”
She added that “We don’t appreciate teachers enough! The lessons being presented in the Brandywine School District could not happen without dedicated and highly professional teachers who are constantly striving to make the learning process more relevant and engaging for their students.”
At the High School, Rep. Dent spoke to an AP Government Class “dealing specifically with the components of Medicare,” and he also visited an Engineering Class that was part of Project Lead the Way, which focuses on developing an ‘interest in science and math in students by providing them with hands-on learning experiences.”
“The students were incredibly well-informed. I was extremely impressed,” said Dent. “They knew the ins-and-outs of the Medicare system. In both classes, there was an eagerness in their questions. The Showcase Day was a well-planned experience that really let Brandywine’s students and teachers shine.”
Dent said that he took away “an impression of young leaders being created. The satisfaction I saw from the students in their curriculum and in their teachers was really something I was glad I had a chance to see.”
He also felt that it was fitting that the Showcase took place on National Teacher Appreciation Day.
“The quality of instruction received by the students I had a chance to interact with was readily apparent.”
Hanych-Fitch said the idea for the Educational Showcase Day stemmed from a meeting between Brandywine’s superintendent and local clergy wanting to tour the schools. She noted that this event previously occurred in 2008.
“We think it’s really important to have a partnership between our community leaders, our business owners, our clergy and our board members, to be able to come in and see what we’re doing and the great programs, the things teachers are doing, the great work of our students, so what better way than to invite them into our schools,” said Hanych-Fitch.
Brandywine hopes to make this an annual event, next hosting it in November during Education Week.
“We’re going to be changing it each year to add something new, to highlight additional programs,” she said.
Brandywine business education teacher Michael Kistler, who is also internship coordinator and technology coach, said his favorite part of the day was being able to highlight the students.
“We have really good students here, a great faculty and staff,” said Kistler. “A lot of times in the news you hear about the bad things going on here at Brandywine, this is an event that shows you the good things that are happening.”
Sophomores Kasey Hobert and Alayna Biltcliff demonstrated Google Cardboard. Using Google Streetview and the Google Cardboard glasses they showed tour attendees who students can go on virtual field trips. Their German teacher had given them a list of places to visit in Germany.
“It feels like you are there visiting,” said Hobert. “You get a 360 panorama of the area you are in… It’s really cool depending on the area you are visiting.”
Sophomore Samuel Tiongso presented his history class project on the Black Panther Party in regard to the Civil Rights Movement, a topic he chose. “I thought it would be very interesting to learn about.” He showcased his powerpoint presentation.
“We had to narrate our powerpoint to show how different it is writing it on paper and hearing it out loud,” he said. “It really showed me how it’s changed from back then until now and how much it has improved with racism.”
Senior Caroline Weidner displayed the Memory Project for which students created portraits of kids in other countries, which were then given to the children.
“It was a really good opportunity and it was a lot of fun,” said Weidner. “It definitely brought in my global awareness just by learning about a child in another country.”
Senior Claire Johnson showed her FBLA project that won her 3rd place for graphic arts at the FBLA state competition. The requirement was to create a banquet hall design.
“I took a more modern take on it. I based mine in Brooklyn, overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge so I called it The Bridge,” said Johnson.
Her design included a menu, table setting and a floor plan, to name a few of the items. She did glass edging on the glass which she learned in art class.
Kistler said her project used various curriculum including business and art.
“The judges were really impressed with her work,” said Kistler. “A lot of them were graphic designers and complimented her on the content, ideas and follow through was inspirational to them.”
Hanych-Fitch said all of the participants were given a survey to fill out to gain feedback about the showcase and on how the school district can build partnerships.
“I was just blown away by everything that I saw and learned. Education is very different today than it was before,” Colleen Kristula of The Lutheran Home of Topton said. “And just to see the children excited about learning was awesome.”
