Press Release

Release Date: October 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Susie Pickering

Oak Lane Day School

137 Stenton Ave, Blue Bell, PA 19422

Phone: 610-825-1055

Fax: 610-825-9288

Email: spickering@oaklanedayschool.org

Professional Development Opportunities Enhance the Talents of Teachers

Oak Lane Day School enjoys a close relationship with its parent body, which helps to create many opportunities for growth and learning for the whole community. From book sales to class trips to drama productions, parents are available and eager to help out and lend their guidance and expertise. In addition to day-to-day involvement, the Parent Association underwrites significant financial support that benefits a multitude of programs within the School. At a recent welcome reception (held at the home of one of the School's generous families), Head of School, Karl Welsh was presented with a check for $35,000, which will be used in part for professional development for members of the faculty and staff.

Four professional development grants were awarded last year to Oak Lane teachers by the Parent Association. These grants have provided the faculty members with opportunities to expand their own expertise through workshops, classes, and even a trip down the Delaware River in a canoe. 4th/5th grade teacher Sherry Shaffer attended the Summer Institute on the Teaching of Reading at Columbia University Teachers College. Having participated in the Institute before, Sherry views the experience as an excellent means by which to develop skills and gather ideas that enhance her pedagogic ability as a teacher of reading. As Oak Lane's physical education teacher, Trina Gable was eager to learn about "Nutrition and the Teaching and Learning Process," which was the topic of a workshop held at the Gratz College Regional Training Center in New Jersey. This course covered the effects of nutrition on brain function, and Trina considered it to be a great opportunity to learn how to better support children in making wise food choices that will increase their ability to learn and grow.

Marlis Kraft-Zemel teaches music at Oak Lane, and her grant will send her to the American Orff Shulwerk Association's National Conference in San Jose, CA. Orff Shulwerk is a hands-on approach to music education that engages the natural rhythmic behaviors of children such as clapping, dancing, and chanting. As an avid supporter of this teaching model, Marlis uses its practices regularly in her classroom and when developing special programs such as the Winter Concert. Dottie Baumgarten, Oak Lane's science teacher, took a trip down the Delaware River this summer when she went on the Delaware River Sojourn, which is an annual event held to heighten awareness of, and appreciation for, the ecological, historical, recreational, and economic significance of the Delaware River. Oak Lane's 30-acre campus is located in the Wissahickon Watershed, which eventually drains into the Delaware River. The study of the watershed is part of the School's science curriculum, and the Sojourn provided a valuable look at the bigger ecological picture.

Although school is out for the children during the summer months, Oak Lane Day School teachers continue to study and learn. Through the help of the School's Parent Association, they pursue greater understanding of their particular interests and passions, which provides ideas for more effective teaching, energizes them as professionals and individuals, and greatly enriches their classrooms.

Oak Lane Day School Information

An independent elementary school, founded in 1916 and located in Blue Bell, Oak Lane Day School serves a diverse population of boys and girls. Oak Lane honors each child's unique individuality while fostering intellectual, creative, academic, and personal growth within a diverse community of active, engaged learners. Small class sizes and an atmosphere that encourages children to develop their academic and social skills are priorities at Oak Lane, where learning is a meaningful and joyous pursuit. Oak Lane's country-like property of 30 acres along Butler Pike and Stenton Avenue boasts a stream, pond, woods, meadows, and specimen trees as well as athletic fields and playgrounds.

Oak Lane Day School is accredited by the Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS), and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and the Association of Delaware Valley Independent Schools (ADVIS).