Clover Schools spotlight student robotics, band and athletics at Buckley business meeting

The Clover School district used its Buckley business meeting to spotlight student achievement across music, dance, athletics and STEM and to recognize staff-of-the-month. Superintendent Doctor Quinn opened the recognitions and invited bands, dance teams and sports honorees forward for applause.

Jackie Osterhout, a Project Lead The Way robotics teacher at Oak Ridge Middle, described classroom practice and student learning portfolios, saying, "The learning portfolio is very important in the classroom because it shows their learning progress." Students and coaches detailed technical work—motors, pneumatics and programming—and reported competition placements (teams described finishing as high as 5th and as low as 14th in fields of 32 at recent meets). Casey Roberts, a technology development manager at Duke Energy, demonstrated a four-legged robot and said the platform is used to reduce risk in hazardous inspections: "The best thing to do is to put use a tool versus putting someone in harm's way."

The board also recognized the Clover Middle School jazz ensemble, dance team and multiple Science Olympiad and SkillsUSA winners by name and thanked local donors whose contributions expanded the district's robotics program. Dr. Quinn and board members thanked teachers and volunteers who supported travel, competitions and instructional expansion.