The Forest Hills Board of Education held a regular meeting on October 16, 2023, focusing on professional development for new staff and resource requests to enhance educational support. The highlight of the meeting was a presentation by Kim Van Antwerp and Natalie Weiss, featuring teacher Lindsey Burkhart, which outlined the district's approach to equipping new educators with essential tools and training.

The district has implemented a comprehensive four-day professional development program at the start of the school year, emphasizing staff growth, acclimation to the Forest Hills Public Schools (FHPS) culture, and networking opportunities. New staff, including teachers, counselors, and support personnel, receive ongoing support through monthly mentorship from experienced teachers and instructional coaches. They also participate in peer visits to observe master teachers in action and attend professional learning events each semester. Training includes cultural intelligence and intensive instruction on the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and the district's evaluation system.

In addition to supporting new staff, seasoned educators also benefit from professional learning opportunities throughout the year, including differentiated sessions and learning walks for individual and team development. The district is committed to fostering the growth of all staff members.

The meeting also addressed requests made to the finance committee for resources to support multilingual learners in K-12 and for the curriculum committee to review the supplemental instructional resource, Music Play Online, which was popular among teachers during its free offering in the pandemic.

Overall, the meeting underscored the district's dedication to enhancing educational practices and supporting both new and experienced staff in their professional journeys.