Holmen schools adopt districtwide K–12 health standards and overhaul counseling curriculum

The Holmen School District presented comprehensive updates to its K–12 health curriculum and counseling programs at the May 11 board meeting, saying the changes aim to provide a consistent, skills-focused program across all grade levels.

Executive Director of Instructional Services Kim Edwards said the district adopted the 2024 national health standards last school year and has since unpacked those standards into unit objectives, priority learning targets and 'I can' statements for every grade. "The vision for health education is really centered around empowering our students to really make informed decisions that lead to healthy lifestyles," Edwards said.

Elementary staff will teach three recurring units in each grade (nutrition/healthy eating, safety, and human growth and development) using scripted lesson plans and shared Canvas resources so teachers across schools use the same materials. Lacy Sin and Carrie Dong described the planned lesson structure—learning targets, opening, main activity, closure and assessment—and said teachers will pilot the scripted lessons next year and provide feedback.

Presenters noted a required human growth and development advisory committee composed of parents, educators, health professionals and clergy reviewed materials and provided feedback during the development process.

Counseling staff described a parallel overhaul to the K–12 counseling curriculum, moving toward a universal core of lessons and a hybrid delivery model. Counselors said they used survey feedback from teachers to target four primary themes for elementary students: emotional regulation, problem solving, perseverance/growth mindset and relationships. "We really want to build that universal curriculum and get that learning to our students because then that leads us into determining who might need a little extra support," said a counselor.

At the high school level, counselors outlined routine ninth-grade check-ins and 90-minute junior seminars to help students plan postsecondary goals; counselors reported the district awarded about $179,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors this year.

Board members asked how resources will be vetted amid evolving federal guidance; presenters said they rely on their human growth advisory committee, professional health-teacher networks and teacher collaboration to review materials and invited board members to submit suggested resources.

Implementation: staff said finalized lesson plans and Canvas resources will be rolled out next school year, with report-card indicators and ongoing advisory-committee review.