The Cinnaminson Board of Education met Jan. 14 to watch a presentation about the high school’s engineering program, update the community on key events in the next month and recognize a few students for their hard work.
During the Superintendent Report, Stephen Cappello took a few moments to highlight the work of the Cinnaminson board members before honoring Cinnaminson Middle School student Jackie Arking.
“During the month of January, the New Jersey School Boards Association recognizes members of local boards of education for their service to schools and communities,” Cappello said. “In Cinnaminson, we are fortunate to have volunteer members of the board who continually exceed our expectations, dedicating tireless hours to advancing the district’s educational agenda.
“This particular board has directed district operations through a substantial physical transformation while maintaining a commitment to the taxpayers of the district,” he added. “Likewise, this board has continued to support progressive educational programs that provide countless opportunities for our young learners.”
The superintendent thanked the board on behalf of the township and noted that the district has maintained the highest standards of excellence.
To middle school student Arking, the board sent congratulations for an essay she wrote that was honored by the New Jersey Martin Luther King Jr. Commission. In her social studies class, students were encouraged to research and write an essay about an African American woman who led with inspiration. Arking chose Rosa Parks, who became a symbol of the civil rights movement when she refused to give up her bus seat to a white passenger in 1955.
Arking received a $100 gift card for the essay, to be posted on the MLK commission’s website. She has been invited to read her essay at an MLK event Jan. 19 at Trenton’s State Museum auditorium.
Board members at the meeting also heard Cinnaminson teacher Lauren Coker discuss the district’s two-part engineering program; she also urged the board to consider a third part for spring of 2020.
The first part of the engineering program is the design thinking portion, which introduces students to design processes, tech and society, communication and information systems, bio-related tech, drafting and design and product design.
Section two consists of learning about applications of design. That includes AutoCAD, Solidworks, Software applications, engineering drawing, 3D modeling and prototyping and a deeper look into drafting and design.
At the end of the presentation, board Vice President James McGuckin praised the program, noting his 45 years of experience in the field. He said students he gets from college typically know about 20 percent of what Cinnaminson High School students are learning from Coker’s program.
“This is paramount and I think it’s a great opportunity,” McGuckin added. “Too bad it’s 50 years too late for me.”
