IN Plum Summer 2016 | Page 46

PLUM BOROUGH SCH OOL NE WS lum Borough New Human Resources Platform The Plum Borough School District has employed a new Human Resources platform – TalentEd, to streamline their recruiting, hiring, training and records management processes. This extensive, electronic platform will make the application process for PBSD job candidates, as well as volunteers, more efficient and effective. The new system is quite user-friendly and can be accessed, with any computer, by visiting our website at http://www. pbsd.k12.pa.us/ and clicking on the ‘Employment’ link, located on the left side of the page. Once you have accessed this link area, please scroll down the page and you will see the current job listings available within the PBSD. Once you click on any of these job openings, a job description will be provided and you will be given an opportunity to apply for the position. Additionally, we have included a permanent ‘volunteer’ posting within this area of the platform. At any time, an interested volunteer can easily submit their credentials and clearances via this platform area. An informative video link you can watch, has been included, to assist you in submitting your volunteer credentials and clearances on our main webpage, located at http:// www.pbsd.k12.pa.us/ Please refer to the image below that you will need to click for the volunteer video presentation. We hope you visit our website and view the new platform. If you have any questions or concerns about the application process, or if you are having difficulties accessing or utilizing this platform, please do not hesitate to contact us at (412)-798-6350 or via email at demetriol@pbsd.k12.pa.us. Secondary Life Skills Students Give Back Plum High School helps Ridgewood Place bloom! The Life Skills Class at Plum Senior High School has been busy doing yard work at Concordia Ridgewood Place. The students weeded the flower beds, laid mulch, and planted flowers. The Life Skills class, taught by Gina Sciulli, is in its first year at the high school. Students will also be conducting a car wash for staff during the last week of school with all donations benefitting the Nate Ferraco Memorial Soccer Tournament that will be held at Plum Senior High. 44 Plum Student Assistance Program The Student Assistance Program (SAP) is designed to help students who have problems that interfere with their academic success at school. Students who may have problems with attendance, discipline, family issues, mental health concerns, or drugs and alcohol may be referred to their building’s SAP Team. Every building in the PBSD has a trained SAP Team consisting of a principal, guidance counselor, and teachers who have been trained to identify and assist in creating an intervention plan by working collectively with the student and his or her family in a positive manner to assist in resolving issues which are impeding learning. At times, that intervention consists of school based therapy provided by Family Services of Western PA. Trained teams meet every other week at the high school, and monthly at the junior high and elementary schools. The district has received a lot of positive feedback this year regarding the process and the support for students and families. Many parents have sought out additional support through the SAP team. The district looks forward to growing and improving our SAP program. Preparing Future Students Schools are in full swing this time of year. The same is true for our area preschools. As part of the Hi5! Grant, preschools and elementary schools are encouraged to make connections and ease the transition from preschool to kindergarten for both students and parents. As part of this Grant, local preschools meet with administrators of the Plum Borough School District to discuss transition ideas and share information to help prepare preschool students for elementary school. Topics discussed include a typical day for a kindergarten student, literacy and math overviews, support services, and social skills. Also, a review of the registration procedures and information on kindergarten orientation were covered for the preschools. Beginning at the end of April, preschools took a field trip to visit our local elementary schools. Students were picked up at their preschool by a school bus and toured two elementary schools as part of their trip. Bus safety was reviewed with the students, including proper ways to sit on the bus, safe entering and exiting practices, and talking quietly with your neighbor. Once at school, students toured different classrooms and areas of the school. Students reviewed the rules of the school, walking quietly in the hallways, and had an opportunity to see different grade levels at work. To end our tour students learned how to go through the lunch line. We hope to continue building our relationships with our preschools to help better serve our new students. Our goal is to continue to meet and share ideas with the preschools and expand to have our elementary teachers visit the preschools and meet with preschool teachers and students. We are excited to welcome our new students in the fall!