Triton School Committee approves Investigating History curriculum for K-5 students

The Triton Regional School District is set to enhance its social studies curriculum for elementary students, following a thorough review process that began in the 2022-2023 school year. During a recent school committee meeting, Dr. Anna Bates presented a recommendation to adopt the "Investigating History" curriculum for grades K through 5, which has been piloted by teachers across all three elementary schools.

The curriculum review committee, formed to establish a vision for teaching and learning in social studies, initially explored various materials. After evaluating several options, they decided to pilot two programs: "Investigating History" and "Social Studies Live." While the latter was deemed unsuitable, the former showed promise, leading to a successful pilot program this year. Teachers provided positive feedback, paving the way for a recommendation to adopt the curriculum district-wide.

Importantly, the "Investigating History" curriculum is open source and developed in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and local organizations. This means there will be no additional costs for the district, making it a financially viable option. The committee also plans to pilot the curriculum in grades 4, 6, and 7 in the upcoming year, with the potential for broader implementation if the pilots prove successful.

In addition to the curriculum discussions, the meeting included an update on the fiscal year 2024 financial audit. The finance subcommittee has requested the school committee's review of the annual audit, continuing a practice established in previous years to ensure transparency and accountability in the district's financial operations.

These developments reflect the Triton Regional School District's commitment to improving educational resources and maintaining fiscal responsibility, ultimately benefiting students and the community as a whole.