Lindbergh Early Childhood honors students and staff; principal outlines social-emotional, play-based approach
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Sign Up Free
Summary
At the May 15 Lindbergh School District board meeting, early childhood staff honored student and employee awardees and presented a learning report emphasizing social-emotional learning, play-based, developmentally aligned instruction and plans to expand data tools next year.
Early Childhood staff recognized five prekindergarten students and two staff members and presented the program's learning report at the Lindbergh School District Board of Education meeting on May 15.
Miss Caitlin McGovern introduced the students moving into district elementary schools, describing Maxwell, Bodhi, Emma, Georgia and Emerson as examples of the program's focus on kindness, inclusion and creativity. Colleen Kubiak was recognized as Teacher of the Year for her 12 years in special education, and Abby Keller was recognized as Support Staff Person of the Year for her work as a classroom facilitator in the Dragon Playroom.
McGovern framed social-emotional learning (SEL) as central to early childhood practice, saying the program focuses in the first trimester on "problem solving, self control, collaboration, and competence" and that teachers are creating developmentally aligned proficiency skills for ages 2 to 5. She invited board members and patrons to visit classrooms to see the district's play-based, constructivist approach in action: "I warmly invite each of you to visit our classrooms and see the great things happening in our classrooms," McGovern said.
The presentation described use of MTSS (multi-tiered system of supports) processes and plans to integrate tools such as Infinite Campus and EduCLIMBER next year to enhance individualized SEL tracking and district alignment. McGovern highlighted hands-on projects (a trunk-or-treat with student-led trunks, a coat drive that collected 27 bags of winter gear, and a food drive exceeding classroom goals) as examples of connecting social-emotional skills to measurable activities.
The board approved two consent resolutions that evening honoring district teachers of the year and district support staff persons of the year. The motions were moved and seconded and passed 7-0.
The report and recognitions were presented as part of the district's routine recognitions and learning reports and did not result in board direction or formal policy changes at the meeting.