On Sept. 11, the Hamburg Area School Board filled its vacancy in Region 2 by voting 8-0 to add Maggie Rhoads to the nine-member board.
Rhoads, a Perry Township resident, has lived in the district for about 20 years and has had two children graduate from Hamburg Area with another attending high school.
Rhoads, who works in the human services field, has been involved with several parent and sports organizations in the district.
When asked why she wanted to be a school director, Rhoads said “for community involvement and a better sense of what’s going on in the district.”
Region 2 consists of Shoemakersville Borough and Perry and Windsor Townships.
In other news, district administrators discussed plans to address social responsibility in the digital age.
“We are moving into a time when students have never not had a mobile device,” Superintendent Dr. Richard Mextorf said.
Four assemblies are scheduled over the next two months with age-appropriate presentations for middle and high school students.
A program dealing with digital citizenship will be held on Sept. 27 and 28.
The program explains what is expected of students while online and appropriate use of social media, as well as, the consequences of improper internet use, such as, cyberbullying.
The second program is called “Point of View” and will be held on Oct. 6.
The program gives students a new perspective on what separates them from their peers, parents and others around them while helping them to appreciate the diversity of race, language and culture in their community.
“Students can relate because it uses real kids, who talk about prejudice, poverty and overcoming barriers to success,” said Chris Beissel, assistant high school principal.
The next program will have Bob Lenz, founder of Dignity Revolution, as its speaker on Oct. 16.
Lenz will share experiences in a serious but also humorous way with students to help them deal with real life while challenging them to make a difference.
The final program will be held on Nov. 14 and is called Silver Ring Thing.
The program is a radical response to culture’s casual view of love and relationship.
“Last year, this year a problem we’ve had is the inappropriate sharing of pictures,” said Chris Spohn, high school principal. “We need to encourage kids to treat themselves with respect. Don’t share certain things.”
There will also be presentations of these programs for the community to attend.
More information is available by contacting the high school or middle school offices.
The next meeting of the school board is Monday, Sept. 25, at 6:30 p.m. in the James A. Gilmartin Community Room at the high school.
