Westerman visits PSD

PRESCOTT – Fourth Congressional District Representative Bruce Westerman was in Prescott Tuesday afternoon, visiting the Prescott School District.

He came to Prescott High School to check out the school’s art program, along with its coding classes. While there, he visited other classes and the Prescott Elementary School art room. Missy Walley told Westerman about the district’s Professional Learning Community (PLC) and how instead of looking for ways for instructors to teach better, the goal is to look for ways to help students learn better.

Superintendent Robert Poole asked for help with the school lunch program, saying changes need to be made to make the meals more palatable to students, and portion sizes need to be addressed as well. He also asked if there was any federal money available for school safety programs and equipment. Westerman said there are some grants available and promised to have his staff get Poole the information on applying for them.

While visiting the coding class, Westerman talked about his college days and how punch cards were used to program mainframe computers. He told the students about an app contest in the district, where the winner’s work would be recognized. He also did a bit of recruiting telling the students he could use them in Washington when they graduate college.

In asking what the students were being taught, he was told the level I students were using programs for applications while the level II students were developing their own apps, as well as cybersecurity.

Westerman said there’s a Congressional Art Challenge contest where the winner from the district would have their work placed in the hall between the House and the Capitol.

Poole also asked if there wasn’t something the federal government could do about getting high speed internet in rural areas, many without any internet service at all. Westerman said the farm bill contains money for low interest loans from the United States Department of Agriculture that could be used for this purpose.