Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Programs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Letcher County schools showcase hands-on learning, greenhouse and K–5 instructional work
Summary
School leaders and staff told the board about hands-on RTI activities, new greenhouse work, 3D-printing literacy projects and K–5 reading and math initiatives; six biology students are scheduled to visit Frankfort to present to state legislators.
School staff and district leaders used the Letcher County Board of Education meeting on Feb. 23 to highlight classroom programs and instructional priorities, including recent RTI (Response to Intervention) activities, a greenhouse project, family literacy events using 3D printers, and an intensified focus on K–5 reading and math.
Vanessa Vanover and staff noted that weather prevented some student presenters from attending but described hands-on experiences students have had: suturing demonstrations with artificial and animal tissue, dissections and an anatomy package for students who opted out of animal work. "Thanks to PRI, our children have been doing... learning how to do surgical type, sewing and tying both with human skin, artificial skin, and animal skin," a presenter said, thanking the partner organization for support.
Staff also reported a greenhouse has been constructed but experienced wind damage; teachers are preparing seed lists and planning spring planting. The district is piloting family literacy nights paired with 3D printing so children can make models tied to stories, and leaders described plans to expand K–5 math instruction through a regional Math Leadership Collaborative and follow-up coaching for principals and lead teachers.
Dr. Stewart, reporting on curriculum and instruction, said the district’s priority remains K–5 reading and math; a recent KDE (Kentucky Department of Education) team visited elementary classrooms and provided professional-learning recommendations.
Student representative Colby Annberghi highlighted extracurricular and civic engagement: winter sports moving to postseason play, speech team regional placements, and six biology students scheduled to travel to Frankfort to present to state legislators (weather permitting), an example of student civic engagement.
The board expressed appreciation for staff and volunteers who supported students during weather-related disruptions and recognized a risk coordinator, Carly Adams, for ensuring students had food and heat during a recent sheltering event. No formal motions were required for the program presentations; the board thanked presenters and moved on to routine agenda items.
