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Academy District 20 spotlights elementary career day, student ambassadors and 40th‑anniversary projects
Summary
At its May meeting, the Academy District 20 Board of Education heard presentations from Explorer, Prairie Hills and Frontier elementary schools highlighting a career exploration day, a student‑ambassador program and a 40th‑anniversary history project.
The Academy District 20 Board of Education opened its May meeting by highlighting student programs at three elementary schools.
Explorer Elementary described a career exploration day for third‑ through fifth‑graders that used a 16‑cluster interest inventory to create individualized schedules so each student could visit speakers matching their top three career clusters. Kristen Driver, principal at Explorer Elementary School, said the event aimed to “create an opportunity for students to engage with community members and have real world experiences that aligned with their own interests.” Counselor Kayla Fitzgerald detailed the planning and logistics that placed roughly 220 students into three 15‑minute sessions with community speakers on topics including arts, health sciences, transportation and STEM.
Prairie Hills Elementary presented its student ambassadors program. Principal Jackie Henson said the club develops leadership and community engagement in third through fifth grades; teacher Diane Henning said ambassadors focus on self‑awareness, organization, communication and problem solving. Two student ambassadors, Hannah Phillips and Colton Morse, described activities including mindful Mondays, announcing student spotlights and pairing with younger “buddy” classes for mentoring and crafts.
Frontier Elementary marked its 40th anniversary and showcased a fifth‑grade Revolutionary War project intended to bring history to life. Principal Julie Murray introduced student presentations in costume; teachers organized hands‑on activities—writing with quill pens, ciphers and battle reenactments—to connect research, public speaking and collaboration.
Board members and the superintendent invited the schools and spotlighted students to remain after the meeting for photos. The school spotlights were presented before the business portion of the meeting, and board members praised the staff and student work.
Looking ahead, the district asked spotlighted schools and administrators to remain for photographs and a short break before continuing the regular agenda.
