Pennridge staff recommends FOSS Pathways for K‑5 science; full proposal due in November

Jennifer Bloom, director of teaching and learning for Pennridge School District, opened the curriculum committee portion of the meeting and introduced the elementary science update.

Christine Tamburino, the science curriculum presenter for the district committee, said the elementary committee reviewed multiple programs after the 2022 standards changed and recommended FOSS Pathways K‑5 as the district’s preferred resource. Tamburino said the program “provides comprehensive support for teacher onboarding and ongoing professional development that is very robust” and that it appeared “more in line with the needs of Pennridge School District” than the alternative reviewed (Twig Science K‑5).

Tamburino said the district will return to the board in November with a full packet of numbers, research and data to support a formal adoption or pilot decision. She told the committee she expects to include cost breakdowns and the district’s planned professional development timeline in that packet.

Committee members asked about timing of statewide testing and classroom readiness. Tamburino noted Pennsylvania’s recently updated science standards and said the district is preparing students for the spring state science assessments for grades 5 and 8 and the Keystone Biology test in grade 10. She said details on how classroom practice will prepare students for those assessments will be part of the November proposal.

The presentation did not include a formal motion or vote at the curriculum committee meeting; staff said the full proposal and any recommended action will be placed on the board agenda for a future meeting.