North Hills School District reviews K–12 curriculum pilots; district to keep TCI for now

The North Hills School District Board of Education on Thursday heard updates on multiple K–12 curriculum pilots and requests for instructional materials, but did not adopt a new, districtwide replacement for its social studies program.

The presentations from K–12 curriculum leaders covered a kindergarten-through-grade-2 writing pilot, a social studies pilot that included sixth grade, middle-school literacy proposals and a K–12 music curriculum review. Board members asked questions but took no formal adoption votes on curriculum programs at the meeting.

K–5 writing pilot

Alyssa Sermanera, K–5 ELA curriculum leader and a kindergarten teacher at Ross Elementary, said the district piloted a new writing program this year for kindergarten through grade 2. "This year, we are piloting the Hegarty Bridal to Writing Grama for kindergarten through grade 2," she said. According to Sermanera, each school assigned one pilot teacher per grade and teachers met quarterly to compare strengths and weaknesses. Kindergarten teachers reported the program felt "very fast paced" but enjoyable for students; first-grade teachers said the program offered "a good balance of skills and a well rounded approach." Second grade teachers concluded the program was "too intense" and will not continue with the pilot; Sermanera said the district will notify parents who were informed before the pilot began.

Social studies pilot and purchasing cycle

Dr. Beth Williams, presenting for K–5 social studies curriculum leader Bridget Shearer and middle-school leader Jo Welch, said the district piloted Savvas materials at several grades but, as of the third marking period, district staff saw the existing TCI curriculum as the better fit. "The workbooks were not engaging enough for the students, and the resources for the teachers were not they weren't sure that they were the best out there," Williams said of reasons the pilot began, but added that TCI has released an updated version that addresses many of the concerns. Williams told the board that TCI is on a six-year purchasing cycle and any change would not take effect before the 202627 school year; staff recommended continuing with the current TCI through 202526 and then adopting TCI's updated edition beginning in 202627.

Middle-school literacy and intervention materials

Laurel Hittlin, 68 literary arts curriculum leader, outlined requests for leveled resources and intervention software for seventh- and eighth-grade literacy classes. Hittlin said the department is proposing Scholastic SCOPE (a digital magazine) to increase informational text, Sopris Language Live and HD Word licenses for foundational decoding intervention, updated reading screening tools, EdPuzzle licenses for individualizing instruction and a mix of new and replacement novels for literature circles. "If a student feels they are empowered to have a little bit of choice in the matter, they're more engaged in their reading," Hittlin said when explaining the novel purchases.

Music curriculum and materials needs

Len Lavelle, K12 music curriculum leader, described a stable course lineup but a clear need for instrumental replacement, classroom instruments, repairs and targeted professional development. Lavelle said participation across band, orchestra and choruses has grown significantly and that many district-owned instruments are old but high-quality, making repair fiscally preferable to full replacement in some cases. "Most of our band orchestra, etcetera students...rent and purchase their own instruments. There's no trumpets or clarinets or anything like that on the list," Lavelle said, noting the requested purchases focus on instruments that are not easily rented or that must remain in classrooms.

What the board decided and next steps

Board members did not vote to adopt any new curricula at the meeting. Staff said they will continue pilots through the remainder of the school year, report final pilot findings to the board, proceed with planned professional development in 202526 and prepare to renew and adopt TCI's updated social studies materials beginning with the 202627 purchasing cycle if the board approves that change at a later meeting. District staff also requested funding lines and purchase approvals for the software licenses, novels and musical instrument repair/replacement cited in the presentations.

The board received the presentations and moved the related education items to the districtlegislative agenda for final action at a later meeting.