During a recent government meeting, discussions centered on staff wellness initiatives and updates to the Normandy Schools Collaborative's 2025 strategic plan.

A key highlight was the emphasis on wellness programs for staff, with plans for a comprehensive rollout in the upcoming board meeting. The district aims to enhance employee health through various offerings, as noted by a board member who inquired about the focus on staff wellness.

Dr. Triplett provided an update on the strategic plan, originally developed in 2020 but hindered by the COVID-19 pandemic. He outlined five strategic priorities, beginning with the implementation of evidence-based trauma-informed and restorative practices. A significant focus is on social-emotional learning (SEL), with a curriculum review underway to establish a district-wide SEL program.

Attendance rates have been a concern, with a noted drop from 2021 to 2022. The district is targeting an ambitious attendance goal of 85% for the current year, up from 43% last year. Attendance teams have been established in every school to monitor and incentivize student attendance.

In terms of academic readiness, Dr. Triplett highlighted the district's efforts to revamp its curriculum, which had not seen updates in over a decade. New curricula for English Language Arts, math, and social studies have been adopted for all grades. Additionally, the district has reinstated Advanced Placement (AP) courses and dual enrollment opportunities, addressing gaps in college and career readiness.

The meeting also touched on the district's performance metrics, revealing a slight increase in English Language Arts scores, while math scores remained stagnant. The district is focusing on early literacy initiatives to combat significant reading deficits among students entering third grade.

Overall, the meeting underscored the district's commitment to improving staff wellness, student attendance, and academic performance through strategic planning and curriculum enhancements.