Springfield SD staff report on curriculum updates, interventions and fall activities
Summary
At the Oct. 23 board meeting, district staff and committee members reported on curriculum review including a required personal finance course, district intervention work, classroom walkthroughs, and fall extracurricular events.
District academic staff and the Academic & Arts committee on Oct. 23 updated the Springfield School District Board of School Directors on curriculum work, targeted interventions and upcoming extracurricular events.
The briefing covered a range of instructional items that affect classroom schedules and student support across the district, including a state-driven personal finance requirement and early-stage intervention programs.
Director Flynn and Miss Rekner delivered the district’s pillar report, saying classroom walkthroughs have begun and that instructional time is being used to review data and key strategies. The report noted start-of-year focuses at different grade levels: kindergarten instruction on letter and sound recognition and number identification, and first grade assessment on fluency in adding and subtracting within 10. Staff said "Go Blue" intervention tier work has begun at Sable and Scenic elementary schools.
At the Academic & Arts committee meeting, Dr. Laughlin said the committee reviewed curriculum changes tied to a Pennsylvania Department of Education requirement that students take a personal finance course; committee members were given a five-year plan for implementing required changes. The committee also discussed the district’s use of the Danielson framework for teacher evaluation and reported positive observations from recent in-school visits.
The district also reported on extracurriculars and events: fundraising for the Steve Stifani Dance Marathon in November; Powder Puff Football on Nov. 3 at Cougar Stadium; a unified basketball game on Nov. 2 in the Blue Gym; and the high school musical "It’s a Wonderful Life" scheduled for the weekend of Nov. 13. Staff noted several fall sports teams have qualified for postseason play and that senior night will be celebrated at the Friday football game.
Finance and audit chair Mr. Silva reported the finance and audit committee has been reviewing the status of the annual audit, outstanding items needed to complete it, budget comparisons and variances, facilities financing and real estate assessment appeals. The committee’s next meeting was announced for Nov. 11 at 6 p.m. at the administration offices.
These reports were presented for information; no board action was required.
