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Board hears preschool showcase; administration outlines May 5 AI training for teachers
Summary
School leaders and teachers described how Keith Washington Elementary’s preschool supports social-emotional and early literacy skills; the board was also told that a May 5 professional development day will include two speakers from Indiana University Bloomington to train staff on classroom use of AI.
Keith Washington Elementary staff showcased their preschool program to the Salem Community School Corporation Board, describing daily routines that emphasize social-emotional learning, independence and early literacy as a foundation for future reading success.
"What we do in preschool is really building the foundation for a lifetime of learning," said Ashley Faith, principal of Keith Washington Elementary, as she introduced the school's youngest students and highlighted family-engagement projects and classroom activities. Lead preschool instructor Kelly Sutherland described classroom practices used to teach children emotional regulation, fine- and gross-motor skills and early academic routines, saying teachers coach children through social interactions with simple prompts such as, "Are you being helpful or being hurtful? All right, let's try this." The principal and staff emphasized transition work intended to prepare children for kindergarten and beyond.
In administrative business, staff outlined a three-year implementation plan for professional development around artificial intelligence. Presenters said the full-staff training day on May 5 will divide teachers into K–5 and 6–12 groups and include two speakers from Indiana University Bloomington to address how teachers can use AI tools in instruction and how to guide students' integration of AI into their learning. The board discussed logistics and expressed support for teacher training and resources.
The meeting also included reminders about upcoming events — kindergarten registration, the Top 20% banquet on April 19, prom on April 25 and the alternative school graduation on May 21 — and a note that town crews plan to paint crosswalks on Country Club Road to improve pedestrian safety. No policy decisions about AI or preschool funding were made at the meeting; the AI work was presented as professional development to be implemented by staff.
