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Curriculum News

Summer Curriculum Update 2022

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 2022-2023 school year.

Curriculum Projects
Several curriculum development projects took place this summer, including:
  • Finalization of curriculum revisions for Computer Science & Design Thinking, Social Studies, Comprehensive Health & PE, and Visual & Performing Arts World, anticipated board adoption in September;
  • Initiated revisions to English Language Arts curriculum document in connection to a district goal area;
  • Revisions to ESL and School Counseling program manuals;
  • Revision of Spanish units of study (grades K-5), to reflect primary grade emphasis; 
  • Revision of Middle School Spanish units and Spanish 1 Elective to align with elementary revisions and LHRD learning intentions;
  • Revision of tech units of study to reflect updated standards & PLTW core courses;
  • Development of Math Implementation Guides at grade 8;
  • Revision of Math Implementation Guides at grades K-7 to include differentiated resources and financial literacy;
  • Revision of Reading and Writing protocols for grades K-8, including One School, One Book protocols for September implementation;
  • Revision of Character Matters-Bullying Prevention Supplemental Resource in Health to include grade-specific lessons;
  • Refinement of Reader’s Workshop protocols with best friend and/or touchstone texts;
  • Development of Traits of Growth with Diversity Connections for Grades 6-8;  
  • Refinement of Guided Reading Resources for Grade 5;
  • Development of presentations for September In-service Days;
  • Refinement of Teacher Evaluation System Supports for turn-key training at the building level; and  
  • Development of turn-key training for state’s Start Strong Assessment for September administration.
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 2022-2023 school year, professional development focused on differentiated instruction.
  • Responsive Classroom Facilitators met to plan 2022-2023 initiatives, professional development targeted on kindness, self-care, and restorative practices.
  • Elementary and Middle School Professional Learning Community Facilitators participated in articulation meetings to prepare for the 2022-2023 school year.  Professional development targeted SEL and cultural responsiveness.  Learning acceleration and SEL will continue to be focus areas for PLC work in the upcoming school year. 
  • Technology Coaches participated in articulation meetings to prepare for the 2022-2023 school year, professional development focused on connecting student work to relevant and authentic audiences.
  • Math Coaches participated in articulation meetings to prepare for the 2022-2023 school year, professional development targeted on problem solving and enhancing classroom discourse through 3 Act Lessons and teaching for conceptual understanding through visible learning.
  • 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 health, SEL and curriculum updates is scheduled for August 31st.
  • All staff will receive mandated opening day training on September 1st, with continued focus on health and safety practices.
  • Middle school ADT teachers will participate in PLTW training this summer/fall.
  • 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.
  • General Education teachers in grades 1-5 and Special Education teachers in grades 1-8 will participate in Benchmark Assessment System training, as needed, in the fall.
  • Reading Recovery Teacher training will occur for up to six teachers, two in district, and up to four 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!
The district hosted a variety of summer programs for selected students to participate in that were designated to meet particular identified needs.  In total, over 800 students received services in the summer of 2022.  These programs include:
  • CAPPS (Coordinated Arts Program for Primary Students) welcomed identified incoming kindergarteners to a program designed to develop social readiness and enhance academic skills.
  • The Literacy Support Program for Primary Grade Students targeted incoming first, second and third graders and provided instruction through the district's balanced literacy model with reading, writing and word study skills integrated into each student session. A Math Support Program was also offered to students at these grade levels.
  • A Summer Learning Academy was offered to recommended students entering grades 4-8.  The program provides small group tutoring sessions in the area of literacy and/or math.
  • Metamorphosis, a middle school program, for selected incoming sixth and seventh graders focused on developing communication skills, improving peer relationships and interactions, and developing a positive self-image.
  • The ESY (extended school year) program was provided to identified students in preschool through eighth-grade as part of their individualized education plans.
  • A Tier III Enrichment Extensions Camp was also offered over the summer, which brought together identified gifted and talented students from across the district for various course offerings centered around 21st century life and career concepts.
  • In addition, Reading Specialists provided individual or small group tutoring, based on identified school-level needs.
In addition, ETSD held several elementary summer literacy events. Rice library-media specialist, Angela Giles, facilitated all sessions with the goal of promoting summer reading, while celebrating choice and building school community. Sessions were offered at the end of each month, July and August. These were great opportunities for students to visit the library media center, see some of our staff, return and check out books, interact with district therapy dogs, and much more.  Elementary principals were guest readers at the events, along with the district’s Director of Curriculum and Instruction.  Ms. Giles worked with approximately 100 students this summer.
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