Pascack Valley Students Design Phone App

News and information about Pascack Valley High School is now available on a free iPhone app designed and run by students.

The Pascack Valley app, which can be downloaded here, features "the latest sports results, schedule changes, special events" and more, according to the description on iTunes.

The app is among the first of its kind to be designed by students, according to district Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Barry Bachenheimer. He said it may be the first time high school students in New Jersey have designed their school's app.

The students who designed the app, and a similar one for Pascack Hills news, took part in a unique after-school class taught by Hills alum Denny Kwon, who profesionally develops apps.

Three teachers also participated in the course, according to Bachenheimer. Kwon, who volunteered his time for free, will teach another class during the upcoming school year. The same teachers will participate, and eventually they may be able to offer an app class as part of the district's curriculum, Bachenheimer said.

"I think it's a fabulous way to market the school," Bachenheimer said. "The fact that it's homegrown is huge for us. We have all the pieces coming together — an alumni who wants to come back and give back, students who want to work and learn real life skills and teachers who want to step up and learn the process. It's been a win-win for everybody."

Technology is an important aspect of the district's curriculum, according to Bachenheimer. The schools have had a one-to-one laptop program for nine years. The schools offer classes in programming, computer science, mechanical engineering and robotics.