Lugene Hudson
New Castle News
NEW CASTLE —
A portion of Title 1 federal funding is being used for technical advancement in the Union Area School District.
During the educational report segment of this week’s board meeting, Linda O’Neill, elementary principal and Title 1 coordinator for the district, noted some of that program’s federal funding was used to purchase Barnes and Noble classroom Nook e-readers.
According to O’Neill, the readers are being used in a third-grade classroom, fifth- and sixth-grade reading programs and all Title 1 remedial programs.
This is a pilot program for the district, O’Neill said.
Students provided each board member with a Nook, then demonstrated various ways of using the e-readers in class, such as looking up a challenging word and how the tool helps motivate them. Four teachers representing the elementary school, middle school and Title 1 reading program also talked about Nook usage in the classroom.
It was an excellent education report, explained Dr. Alfonso “Butch” Angelucci, superintendent, who said the district hopes to expand the e-reader program.
“It was well received by the board.”
Angelucci also said the board and the teachers union have been meeting regularly to negotiate a new contract.
The current three-year contract with the district expires June 30.
In other business, the board:
•Placed Bryanna Nittinger, Melissa Mars, Anthony Gomez and Roxanne Taylor on the 2012-13 substitute teacher list.
•Approved the 2013-14 district calendar.
(Email: lhudson@ncnewsonline.com.)
