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Blackhawk elementary leaders describe new math, AI reading tools and high demand for early‑intervention services
Summary
Elementary principal Mike Orbachast and Director of Student Services Dr. Houston briefed the board on curriculum alignment across two elementary campuses, a new K–8 math rollout and an AI‑assisted reading tool; the student‑services office reported a $33,000 nursing reimbursement and rising early‑intervention caseloads.
Mike Orbachast, the elementary principal who identified himself to the board, told trustees the district is treating the two elementary buildings as a single system while maintaining separate operations and said combined enrollment is about 852 students. "We really try to function as one elementary system," Orbachast said, citing shared grade‑level meetings and common pacing.
Orbachast described a new district math curriculum implemented this year with ongoing professional development, and said teachers are using several benchmark tools (DIBELS, STAR, PSSA practice assessments) to track growth. He described a pilot of Project Read, an AI‑assisted literacy tool aligned with the district’s UFLY program, saying it produces targeted remediation suggestions for individual students and has been used by kindergarten teachers in the pilot.
On kindergarten engagement, Orbachast encouraged families to register and noted that a fourth‑grade classroom in the district was randomly selected for upcoming NAEP testing. "Kindergarten registration is open," he said, adding the elementary has had strong teacher‑to‑parent communication through district messaging platforms.
Dr. Houston, director of student services, told the board the district submitted a charge report in August and subsequently received reimbursement "that took about $33,000 in September." She said the district continues to see high numbers of students requiring early intervention services and is pursuing grant‑supported strategies to expand supports. "We continue to see high rates of students with needs," she said, and noted forthcoming timelines for a PDE grant that supports early intervention and special‑education development.
Counseling staff also presented the K–12 guidance plan (chapter 3‑3‑9), explaining that the program provides responsive services (small groups and short‑term intervention), individualized transition planning and career exploration activities such as World of Work and Smart Futures. Counselors emphasized a coordinated, district‑wide approach to ensure all students have access to academic, social and career supports and said the guidance plan will be posted for 28 days for public review.
The presentations were delivered during the board’s Feb. 5 work session. Trustees asked clarifying questions and thanked staff for the breadth of programming; no formal board action was taken on the presentations themselves. The next scheduled board meeting is the Feb. 19 voting session.
