Extension team highlights hands‑on learning at Slade Elementary, board praises community partnerships

The Albany County School District extension team presented quarter‑two highlights from programming at Slade Elementary during the February board meeting, showcasing place‑based, project‑based learning, multiple field trips and wide community partnership involvement.

Assistant principal and extension team staff described cross‑disciplinary activities in which kindergarten through fifth graders engaged in hands‑on math, science and ELA projects: kindergarten visits to a farm and the Territorial Prison to build background knowledge; second‑grade dioramas for an American West unit; third‑grade astronomy visits and straw rocket projects; fourth‑grade geology and a districtwide survival fair involving seven community partners; fifth‑grade matter modules with hands‑on STEM experiments. Teachers reported the program often met or exceeded the district’s target of 28 instructional hours per grade and students’ reflection surveys were strongly positive about field trips and hands‑on learning.

The team identified challenges for scaling: pacing across quarters, staffing flux and ensuring continuity when the team moves between sites. Board members asked whether the program leaves sustainable practices behind; presenters said community partnerships (for example, trunks from the state museum and UW outreach) and some classroom practices have continued after the extension team departed a site. Trustees praised the program’s ability to connect students with local resources and recommended continued refinement of communication with classroom teachers.

Next steps: presenters said they will continue to refine pacing, collect teacher feedback and consider program adjustments for next year. Trustees encouraged continued partnership development and expressed interest in visiting showcases or practice sessions.