A handful of student groups from Berkshire Junior and Senior High School took time to publicly demonstrate the knowledge and creativity they have learned applying project based learning skills to traditional classroom assignments.
Students Showcase Project Based Learning
A handful of student groups from Berkshire Junior and Senior High School took time to publicly demonstrate the knowledge and creativity they have learned applying project based learning skills to traditional classroom assignments.
Taking the floor at the Dec. 10 regular meeting of the Berkshire Schools Board of Education, Principal Michael King introduced three different groups of students from three grades who have all taken schoolwork tasks to an entirely new level by incorporating new and advanced technology.
One group of sophomores from an English/language arts class spoke about their recent assignment of reading Homer’s “Odyssey,” in addition to the customized creation of a map on the brand new vinyl printer in the media center, which showcased the storied journey in the classic literary work. The group of students also used the new 3-D printer technology to create models of various milestones and markers told throughout the story.
Eighth-graders shared their American history project of understanding the United States’ 19th century westward expansion, known as Manifest Destiny, and applying it to mapping and GPS technology now available to students. Seventh-grade students then showed the members of the board and Superintendent Stoddard their creative use of the vinyl printer technology by creating informative anti-bullying banners and positive slogans of encouragement to be hung up in hallways of the building.
In all, the regular meeting of the Berkshire Board of Education for the month of December was utilized to conduct public business in addition to giving a platform to series of student groups to share the dynamic projects they have engaged combined with conventional classroom assignments.
Berkshire Recognized for Clean Audit
Berkshire Local School’s Treasurer’s Office, led by district Treasurer Beth McCaffrey, recently received the highly acclaimed Auditor of State Award with Distinction from the Ohio Auditor of State’s Office for its latest clean audit. Jim Shaw, the region’s representative for Auditor of State David Yost, made a public presentation at the regular meeting of the Board of Education on Dec. 10 and praised district Treasurer Beth McCaffrey for the exemplary reporting, high standards and dedication to sound stewardship of taxpayer resources during the last year.
“Treasurer McCaffrey is one of the best we work with,” stated Mr. Shaw.
He added that this year is built upon many years of excellence demonstrated by Treasurer’s McCaffrey’s work and the commitment she has maintained to transparency and keeping the public trust. One of the many reporting practices that separates McCaffrey is her issuance of a Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), not required by state law, but encouraged and promoted by Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (G.A.A.P.).
On behalf of the Berkshire Local Schools, congratulations to Treasurer Beth McCaffrey for receiving the Auditor of State Award with Distinction.
