What’s Happening with
Technology
Wonderful technology integration has been
happening at Oblock Junior High School. In
September, both the seventh and eighth grade
students received iPads. The seventh graders were
the veterans of the building, since they were part
of the pilot program last year. The eighth graders
quickly picked up the skills and turned out to be pros
as well. Many of the teachers have been embracing
this newfound technology advancement in their
classrooms. Teachers have been using iTunesU,
Google Classroom, and Sapphire Community Portal
to engage students and get the most out of learning.
Plum High Music Department
Spotlights!
PLUM BOROUGH SCH OOL NE WS
lum Borough
PHS Students in PMEA Honors Ensembles
The Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) offers
opportunities every school year to highly motivated high school aged
musicians to audition and work with well-respected artist conductors
and master clinicians in an intense rehearsal to performance situation.
This year, PHS Students Julia Lawrence and David Gale competed
against students from 96 school districts in District I, auditioning
successfully for acceptance in the PMEA District I Honors Band, and
PMEA District I Honors Orchestra, respectively. Julia was the highest
scoring trumpet player, earning her 1st chair in the 1st Cornet section.
Students rehearsed with the groups over three weekends, and concerts
took place in November.
Congratulations, Julia and David!
Band Night 2016
Every year, the PHS Mustang Marching Band celebrates the younger
students in the band program by inviting them to join in a pre-game
recognition performance with students in Elementary and Junior High
Band. The 2016 Band Night Performance did not disappoint. AEO Band
Students joined PHS Band students for a cookie social, then performed
pre-game and in the stands with the PHS Mustang Marching Band.
Elementary students joined, too. During the pre-game performance
Friday, October 14th, Elementary and AEO Students were recognized
these as they continue on their musical journeys to eventually become
a part of the PHS Band Program. Congratulations to all band students,
and we wish you the best on your musical journeys!
Fall Instrumental Assemblies
The Plum High School Band and Orchestra visited Plum Borough
Elementary Schools during the week of Thanksgiving for the second
consecutive year. A positive experience for all, the sense of community
was strong as the youngsters joined in cheering along with the
Mustangs Fight Song, “Fight,Team Fight!!”
36 Plum
With the Science PSSA included on the list of the
tests Oblock students take, the AEO science teachers
have really stepped up to the plate to encourage
student learning within their curriculum. Over the
last few years, Oblock has gone from students taking
two sciences to a total of three during their seventh
and eighth grade years. The three that are currently
being taught at Oblock include Physical Science, Life
Science, and Earth & Space Science.
One science teacher in particular who has
integrated the technology into his classroom is
Mr. Rebovich. Mr. Rebovich has been teaching at
Oblock for three years and has been in the district
for ten. Within the Physical Science curriculum, he
has worked to get a variety of technology into the
students’ hands. He currently uses the iPads and
other technology daily. On the iPads, the students
participate in CK12, their online textbook, Socrative
Student, online assessments, and Google Classroom,
where the students complete labs worksheets,
notes, homework, and read articles. Mr. Rebovich is
now implementing TouchCast, where the students
watch a lesson at home and come in the next day
to take part in additional activities about the lesson.
The students are extremely receptive to his style
of teaching and show excitement for the science
content. Mr. Rebovich encourages and invites much
enthusiasm for learning from all of his science
students and they don/t disappoint him.