Byram Hills outlines curriculum priorities, kindergarten readiness pilot and new transcript plans

District curriculum leaders presented a multi-part update on state graduation changes, local pilots and family engagement efforts.

Tim (district curriculum leader) summarized New York State’s revised Portrait of a Graduate, a framework of six attributes for students that the state will align with rubrics and reformed learning standards by 2027. Tim said the district does not yet have final statewide details but is preparing a phased approach focused on capstone projects, guidance‑counselor alignment and preserving academic rigor. "By 2027, we should have rubrics for each one of these," Tim said during the presentation.

The board discussed concerns about the timing and potential impact on college admissions; members asked for continuing state guidance and recommended involving guidance counselors and college liaisons in planning.

Tim also reviewed local pilots and family-facing programs. The Bobcat Ready pilot — a sequence of parent newsletters and short teacher videos to prepare incoming kindergarten students — was sent this summer to registered pre‑K and kindergarten families. The district reported 360 emails delivered for 196 incoming kindergarten students and 304 newsletter views as of last week; staff said text-message outreach and video metrics will be tracked separately. Tim described plans to expand the newsletter series from 12 to 16 items and to begin distribution in April for registered families.

Curriculum pilots discussed include a K–5 science pilot in year three (referenced as 'No Adam' in the transcript) and a K–2 phonics pilot using the UFLI (University of Florida Literacy Institute) program, which the district may adopt instead of Fundations if pilots prove successful. Tim reported summer professional development numbers: 77 unique teachers participated in a four‑day cyber camp and 108 teachers engaged in summer curriculum work, totaling approximately 1,391 hours of professional development as of last week; he said final PD totals will be updated at month’s end.

Tim also said the district is exploring College Board offerings such as AP Business and Personal Finance and AP Cybersecurity and may align AP content with the district's startup/entrepreneurship course pending teacher input. Finally, district staff described an updated student profile and transcript that will be available with student information this fall and uploaded to board systems by mid‑October, with some 2024 graduate statistics to be finalized after SAT/ACT results are posted.

Board members thanked staff for summer work and asked for ongoing updates as state guidance becomes available.