Trending
By MIKE REUTHER
Sun-Gazette Correspondent
With their eyes on the future, Loyalsock Township School District administrators, teachers and school board members are embracing change to bring about the best overall education for their students.
Perhaps the most tangible evidence of change is the buildings construction project under way in the district.
Highlights of the project include new classrooms at Donald Schick Elementary School and a completely updated cafeteria at he building as well as additional rooms for students, according to District Superintendent Dr. Gerald McLaughlin.
The high school is getting a new gymnasium and renovations and expansions to the food service area.
McLaughlin noted that facilities improvements are possible because the district is in a strong financial position.
Loyalsock is a district of nearly 1,600 students bringing a solid education both academically and in its extra-curricular offerings.
"No matter what a student is interested in, we have something for them," McLaughlin said. "We have many, many AP (Advanced Placement) courses. We are part of the Lycoming Career and Technology Center consortium."
COVID -19 with its new and unique challenges to school districts was at least partly responsible for changes to Loyalsock.
There has been, for example, an Increased awareness to address mental health issues.
"We are one of the first school districts to add a trauma counselor," he said.
Among the curriculum changes is the addition of a Pre-Kindergarten program in the district currently enrolling 24 children.
McLaughlin noted there was a good reason for bringing Pre-K to Loyalsock.
"We discovered we had learning gaps," he said. "It was something I wanted to explore. We just knew we had a need."
In recent years, administrators and teachers found that many children simply weren't ready for school by the time they entered kindergarten.
McLaughlin and other school officials pitched the concept to the school board earlier this year.
Marc Walter, Pre-K through Second Grade Principal, said the program is going well in its first year with students enrolled in morning and afternoon sessions.
"The goal is to get them ready for kindergarten," Pre-K teacher Jackie Puckey said.
Ashley Sekel, middle school principal, noted the benefits of the iready program for students in kindergarten to eighth grade.
"It's a basically a learning pathway to support mainly reading and math," she said.
Iready is described as personalized learning time for 45 minutes per week.
There exists a need, McLaughlin said, for many students to learn at their own levels.
Students looking to get a jump on academic instruction include eighth graders enrolled in Algebra I.
"We identified a group of eighth graders we think are ready for advanced math," middle school math teacher Jennifer Bomboy said.
She noted that many students are initially challenged by the prospect of taking Algebra I one year early, but the benefits seem to be in evidence.
"We've been very successful in the Keystone Exams specific to Algebra 1," she said.
Brad Grey, a teacher and science department chair, offers a unique class allowing students to apply science to everything from forensics to common medical issues.
"We do mock crime scenes and go into forensic investigations," he said. "It's like the application of biology."
It's all part of what Grey calls "thinking out of the box" for the approximately 20 students in grades 10 to 12 enrolled in the class.
Overall, many students excel academically at Loyalsock and continue their education at institutions of higher learning.
McLaughlin noted that agreements with universities allow students to earn college credits while still in high school to help better prepare them for college and further learning.
The high school has been consistently recognized by U.S. News and World Report Best High Schools.
The district points to a proud tradition of athletics and extracurricular activities.
David Timi, middle school band director, noted that many Loyalsock kids are involved in music and are demonstrating passion for it at a time when other districts are experiencing dwindling numbers in musical programs.
"We had a successful marching band season," he said.
Students put on concerts and other musical programs, and in March, the jazz band will go to Harrisburg to play at the state capitol.
"We are super fortunate to have a supportive community," Timi said.
Special programs such as Odyssey of the Mind and Vex Robotics have challenged Loyalsock students to successfully compete among the best and the brightest from other schools.
Recently, the district brought back its Veteran's Day event at the elementary school with approximately 75 veterans attending the student program.
"This is just one small example of how our students rise to the occasion to show their support," McLaughlin said.
Meanwhile, the district receives solid parental and community support.
"Parents will do anything for their kids," McLaughlin said.
He gives much credit as well to the many employees of the district.
"From students getting on the bus in the morning, getting breakfast from our food service personnel and receiving a welcome greeting from our secretarial staff, these touchpoints contribute to the success of our students throughout the school day," McLaughlin stated. "Our facilities are very clean, and this adds to the educational experience. Students and staff appreciate the work that our custodial and maintenance staff do on a daily basis."
McLaughlin feels the future is bright for the district.
"This is the first year since COVID we've been back to full programs," he said.