PVMS Families,
We are truly living in some interesting times. My commitment during my 20 years in Pennsville has always been to maintain the utmost transparency and honesty with all of you. As you are aware, the introduction of Generative AI in 2023 has led to an undeniably quick pace of technological change - the likes we have never seen in human history.
It is difficult to overstate the extent of the internal discussions dedicated to ensuring our students are prepared for success with these new technologies, even as most of us struggle to keep up. Just as we form a plan or feel we understand the direction technology is moving, another major shift occurs. A perfect example is that Gemini 3, a significant upgrade to our current AI platform, was released by Google the very week we thought we finalized our system & plan for this AI rollout.
I’m sure you’ve figured it out by now, but I am writing to you today to be fully transparent about a new educational initiative we are launching at Pennsville Middle School. In a few weeks, we will begin our official "AI Rollout" for our 7th and 8th grade students.
We know that the topic of Artificial Intelligence can feel overwhelming. Our goal with this message is to explain exactly what we are doing, why we are doing it, and—most importantly—how we are ensuring it is done safely and responsibly.
Why are we doing this?
The reality is that students are already interacting with AI tools in their daily lives, often without guidance. If we ignore this technology, we leave students to navigate it on their own, often leading to the misconception that "AI = Cheating." By introducing AI officially and transparently, we control the narrative. We want to shift the mindset from using AI to do the work for them, to using AI to help them think.
Much like the introduction of Search Engines 25 years ago, this is a moment that requires "literacy" rather than a ban. Back then, schools had to teach students how to search effectively and verify sources. Today, we must teach "AI Literacy"—how to prompt correctly, how to recognize bias, and how to verify information.
What is the plan? (7th & 8th Grade)
Starting the week of December 15th, our 7th and 8th-grade students will participate in a 4-day "AI Bootcamp" during their Eagle Period. This is not about teaching them how to use AI to write essays. Instead, the curriculum focuses on critical thinking and responsibility:
Day 1: What is AI?
Day 2: The AI Brain & How It’s Trained
Day 3: AI Bias & "Hallucinations" (Why AI can be wrong)
Day 4: AI Ethics & Responsibility
The Tool: Google NotebookLM
We have chosen a specific tool for this rollout called Google NotebookLM. Unlike open tools (like ChatGPT) that pull from the entire internet and can be unpredictable, NotebookLM is "grounded." This means it only interacts with documents the teacher provides. It acts as a safe, academic research assistant rather than an essay writer.
A Note Regarding 6th Grade Students
I want to be clear that 6th-grade students will NOT be introduced to AI during this December rollout.
We believe in a developmentally appropriate approach to technology. While 7th and 8th graders are ready to begin these discussions now, we are reserving the 6th-grade introduction for a later date. Please rest assured that when we do introduce AI to our 6th graders in the future, it will be done in the same highly controlled, safety-first manner that we are using for the upper grades.
Our Promise: Human-First Learning
Finally, I want to emphasize that no one is being forced to use AI. Our focus remains on authentic assessment, and pen-and-paper tasks will continue to be a staple of our instruction. We are simply providing a structured, safe environment for students to meet this technology for the first time, rather than encountering it in the "shadows" on their own.
We are excited to take this responsible step forward in preparing our students for their future. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Sincerely,
Dr. Adam J. Slusher
Principal - Pennsville Middle School