Lancaster teachers share student’s achievements

LANCASTER- Success stories were shared at the Lancaster Central School District's bi-monthly board meeting as presentations were given from the elementary, middle, and high school summer school programs.

"A student on the first day, he actually said to me that he hated school," elementary teacher Melissa Bernhardt said. "By the end of the day, he thanked his teacher for letting him come."

For the second straight meeting, held at the Central Avenue School Building, summer school was in focus.

The elementary summer school program involved 75 kids from incoming kindergarteners through sixth grade, based on teacher recommendations and teacher requests.

The program featured 11 teachers total and just six students per classroom, which allowed for more one-on-one instruction.

Attendance was strong throughout with the K-3 group recording a 91.9 percent attendance and fourth through sixth grade group at 93.1 percent. Two-thirds had perfect attendance and only seven students missed more than three days.

"We were able to get the students interested and keep them involved in the program," Bernhardt said.

Similar success stories came from the high school and middle school programs. At the high school level, 65 students re-took Regents exams with successful results. More than 90 students registered for summer school. Seven seniors graduated through the program.

Part of the program involved celebrating some of the historical landmarks in Lancaster. Like the elementary school and Olympics-based projects were also done.

The middle school program included 56 students; included 34 that needed to attend to move on to the next grade level. All 34 students successfully completed the program and have advanced. The program included four periods, including a homeroom.

In the second year of the program, students seem to have reacted positively to the opportunity.

“The word had gotten out there to the students that it wasn’t as bad as they thought it would be,” said High School Teacher Ami Measer. “We took that as a triumph.”

In other news, Jerry Young of Young and Wright Architectural provided an update on the William Street School Emergency Roof. Young reported that the project is almost done.

A lease agreement was also improved for the Central Avenue School Building, a bid award for printing and a textbook surplus as well as a tenure recommendation.

The next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Sept. 24 at the John A. Sciole Elementary School, 86 Alys Drive in Depew. A tenure presentation is among the items on the agenda for the meeting.