NEW COURSES FOSTER IMAGINATION AND INNOVATION
NEW CAFETERIA PROGRAM OFFERS WORK EXPERIENCE FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Plum Borough School District PLUM BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
Mustangs Service Crew is a new pilot program that offers students with disabilities the opportunity to work in the Plum High School cafeteria, where they learn responsibility, foster teamwork, and build important work skills.
Participating students are assigned specific tasks, such as cleaning tables, restocking condiments, managing silverware and juice drinks, inventorying the breakfast cart, preparing frozen breakfast items, and folding laundry. Students are paired with a cafeteria staff member or mentor who guides them, ensuring they have the support they need while performing their tasks. The program operates during the school day, with students working a set schedule that fits around their academic commitments.
So far, a total of 15 students have participated, with about 4 students helping at any one time. Teachers and
46 PLUM staff have noted improvements in the students’ social skills, independence, confidence, and teamwork abilities. The program is also helping foster a more inclusive school environment, as students without disabilities see their peers contributing and working alongside them.
“ Mustangs Service Crew gives qualifying students across various high school years a chance to participate, learn, grow, and develop valuable life skills in a real-world work environment,” said Gina Dessell, Secondary Life Skills Teacher at Plum Senior High School.“ We are hoping to expand these work opportunities into other areas of the district, such as clerical, custodial, technology, and more, giving students a wider range of hands-on experiences to help prepare them for future careers.”
NEW COURSES FOSTER IMAGINATION AND INNOVATION
The Plum Borough School District is constantly evaluating and enhancing instruction for our students. This fall, we will introduce seven new courses, including a completely redesigned English course for twelfth-graders.
Plum Senior High School teacher Amy Semnisky explains,“ We are building our curriculum around the district’ s Portrait of a Graduate learning environment that focuses on communication, adaptability, integrity, empathy, and critical thinking in order to help students develop necessary real world skills.”
PSHS teacher Sarah Findlay echoes,“ The new curriculum will be rigorous, but accessible to all types of learners through carefully planned differentiated instruction.”
One key change has been revising the works studied in order to engage students more effectively. PSHS teacher Kristy Smethwick reflects,“ We are adopting a more modern, relevant approach to teaching literature by introducing
students to more high interest works. We are excited to share our passion for these new pieces and to help our students better connect to the world around them.”
New Courses at Plum Senior High School:
• English 12
• Construction Technology and Manufacturing 2
• Fire Service Training Academy
New Courses at Plum Digital Learning Academy:
• Digital Art and Design 7
• Digital Art and Design 8
• Keyboarding and Applications
• Computer Science