The Curriculum Department completed a number of activities this past summer in preparation for the new school year. Projects have been on-going since school was let out in June and will continue through the end of September. Supervisors, teachers and administrators have worked hard to enhance our instructional program offerings for students in the 2023-2024 school year.
Curriculum Projects
Several curriculum development projects took place this summer, including:
- Finalization of revisions to School Counseling program manual and development of lesson sharing resource, anticipated board adoption will be in the fall;
- Revision of the Family and Consumer Science Curriculum document as part of the five-year cycle and updated units of study, with new electives;
- Continued revisions to English Language Arts curriculum document in connection to a district goal area;
- Revision of Middle School Spanish units and Spanish 1 Elective to align with elementary revisions and LHRD learning intentions;
- Development and revision of tech units of study to reflect updated standards;
- Revision of Math Implementation Guides at grades K-8 to include differentiated resources and productive struggle;
- Revision of Reading and Writing protocols for grades K-8, including One District, One Theme protocols for September implementation;
- Refinement of elementary Health Connections connected to the social-emotional competencies of CARES, as well as a supplemental resource in Health with grade-specific lessons on Digital Citizenship in grades 2-5;
- Refinement of CARES and Traits of Growth with Diversity Connections for Grades 6-8;
- Development of ESL program resources for classroom teachers;
- Refinement of Reader’s Workshop protocols with best friend and/or touchstone texts;
- Refinement of Word Study Resource documents for each grade level;
- Development of presentations for September In-service Days; and
- Refinement of Teacher Evaluation System Supports for turn-key training at the building level.
Professional Development
Professional development projects have also been implemented in a variety of areas to meet the needs of our students and staff, including:
- Tier III Coordinators participated in articulation meetings to prepare for the 2023-2024 school year, professional development focused on differentiated instruction.
- Responsive Classroom Facilitators met to plan 2023-2024 initiatives, professional development targeted on self-care, SEL, and cultural responsiveness.
- Elementary and Middle School Professional Learning Community Facilitators participated in articulation meetings to prepare for the 2023-2024 school year. Professional development and focus areas for the year will target student engagement and restorative practices.
- Technology Coaches participated in articulation meetings to prepare for the 2023-2024 school year, professional development focused on connecting student work to relevant and authentic integration of technology.
- Math Coaches participated in articulation meetings to prepare for the 2023-2024 school year, professional development targeted on problem solving and productive struggle.
- School AED Team training in both CPR and AED as part of bi-yearly certification requirements.
- ActivPanel Basics for teachers receiving new boards in summer/fall or who were unable to previously attend a summer session.
- New classroom teachers participated in Literacy, Mathematics, Responsive Classroom, and Technology Institutes in August, as well as New Teacher Orientation.
- Reopening training related to mental and physical health, SEL, cybersecurity, and curriculum updates is scheduled for August 31st.
- All staff will receive mandated opening day training on September 30th, with continued focus on health and safety practices.
- Middle school ADT teachers will participate in PLTW training, as needed.
- Special education teachers, intervention specialists, and teacher assistants will participate in Leveled Literacy Intervention, Project Read, SPIRE, and iReady training in the fall, as needed.
- Reading Recovery Teacher training will occur for specialized staff, three in district, and up to five out of district (fee-based training).
As always, the summer was a very busy time for the Curriculum Department. Teachers and administrators are looking forward to putting into practice the many things that have been accomplished this summer in the upcoming school year!