The following is a transcript of the video above titled “Justin Wilk Video Board Brief – October 2019” published by PWCS on Youtube.

Justin Wilk:

The Information Technology, or IT Program at Forest Park High School was one of the first programs in Virginia to offer such a wide variety of specialized technology curriculum. Because of the ever-changing world of information technology, our educators are always revising and updating curriculum as they strive to prepare students for next level learning and the professional world. Authentic learning experiences are made possible by students using the latest technology gadgets while working on assignments.

Hi, I’m Justin Wilk, school board representative for the Potomac District. I’m here in an art classroom at Forest Park High School where students do their work on Mac computers. Macs are considered the industry standard for graphic design and photo and video editing. Students are learning Adobe Photoshop in Illustrator, but teachers are also introducing them to free apps like iPhoto, iMovie, Pages, and Keynotes. iPad Pros with Apple Pencils give students more freedom of expression as they explore new ways of adding effects and color to their fine art drawings and digital creations.

Two Apple TVs allow content to be streamed wirelessly from Macs and iPads, two Smart boards, giving teachers the ability to zoom in on artwork to show skills like shading or a coloring technique. Students connect to share their work, receive group feedback, and collaborate on projects.

30 new camera kits ensure that each student in photography classes has a camera to use. Zoom and prime lenses give students the ability to experiment and capture images from various focal lengths while exploring depth of fields.

Forest Park has also expanded opportunities with students with disabilities. Kelly McCann, chair of the Health and Physical Education Department was among a team of teachers who spearheaded the start of the Unified Sports Program. This program offers students with disabilities an opportunity to participate in competitive sports. Special Olympic athletes are partnered with students without disabilities and compete in basketball games, and track and field meets. In four years, Ms. McCann along with Julia O’Neill, Health and PE teacher at Patriot High School and Holly Tousha, Health and PE teacher at Brentsville District High School have encouraged other schools to start their own Unified Sports teams. We now have 10 high schools participating.

Forest Park High School was just recognized as a Unified Champion School by the Special Olympics. Nationwide, 173 schools received this designation. Out of the nine schools in the States, Special Olympics Virginia chose the Forest Park Unified Bruins to be among the 34 schools nationwide to make ESPN’s Honor Roll of National Recognition Programs for 2019.

Speaking of sports, Forest Park High School stadium is on schedule to be renovated. The project will include new LED lighting and the track will have a new asphalt base with rubberized surface. An artificial turf field will also be installed, helping sports teams stay on schedule. Heavy rain usually means games are canceled when playing on a grass field and rescheduling is difficult as it could take several days for the field to dry. Construction should begin in March with completion next school year. I’m looking forward to seeing the Bruins play in a renovated stadium next school year.

I’m proud of the work that our teachers and our staff do for our students. Innovative programs in keeping up with the latest trends in technology help provide our students with a truly world-class education. I look forward to serving the Potomac District and all of Prince William County Public Schools in the coming years.