Chappaqua superintendent outlines curriculum pilots, world language rollout and capital ideas in end-of-year update
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Summary
Superintendent Dr. Ackerman reviewed the district's strategic-plan progress, announced reading pilots, a K'8 world language rollout (Spanish), exploratory work on IB, concerns about seventh-grade rigor and several unfunded capital projects.
Dr. Ackerman, the district superintendent, told the Chappaqua Central School District Board of Education on June 17 that the district completed multiple strategic-plan initiatives this year and will pilot several curriculum changes next year.
She said the reading fellowship recommended two pilots: a foundation program described as a dovetail to the Wilson reading intervention and a pilot of a separate program referred to in the presentation as "Fish Tank." "The fellowship also recommended, as we did with the writing units, that we upgrade all of the reading units that are going to be taught in the classrooms that aren't piloting Fish Tank next year," Dr. Ackerman said.
The update tied work across three groups'the strategic fellowship, the reading fellowship and the district equity team'and reported actions this spring on sense of belonging, curriculum development, hiring and scheduling. Dr. Ackerman said the district has started a world language program expected to be Spanish, with a plan to assign one teacher for K'2, one teacher for grades 3'4 (as a shared role), and classroom teachers reinforcing lessons so students receive at least one 30-minute lesson every six days.
On advanced coursework and schedule changes, the district said it is reviewing possible changes to Advanced Placement offerings and considering whether to pursue an International Baccalaureate path for K'8. The high school essay was moved to 11th grade after feedback from seniors, and the district said it has increased supports for families around the college application process.
Dr. Ackerman flagged seventh grade as a targeted area: "We asked our eighth grade students to think back to seventh grade...we had like 254 responses," she said, citing student feedback that seventh grade felt noticeably less challenging than eighth. The strategic planning group said it will focus on raising seventh-grade rigor to better prepare students for Horace Greeley High School.
The update also listed several unfunded capital projects created with the Chappaqua Schools Foundation: a proposed world economics lab estimated at about $2,500,000, a student union projected at about $1,750,000 and outdoor elementary pavilions. Dr. Ackerman said those projects are not in the current budget and would require bonds or alternative fundraising if the board chooses to pursue them.
On staffing and professional development, she said the district will continue work on the science of reading, expand consulting support with a presenter named in the update, and revise the APPR teacher-evaluation process as required by law. The presentation also noted plans for an energy audit and ongoing transportation and safety upgrades.
Public comment during the meeting raised student mental health concerns tied to academic rigor. Joelle Anderson, identified as PTA president, cautioned the board: "When you push rigor down even further, the mental health of those students is [at risk]," noting she hears consistent concerns from seventh-grade parents.
The board did not take a separate policy vote on the strategy items; the update was presented for review and will inform fall planning and budget discussions.
