Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Programs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Schools report Kinder Quest success, PBIS recognitions and new astronomy and lunch-and-learn programs
Summary
Administrators reported PBIS Tier recognitions, presented results from a three-day Kinder Quest transition program (77 participants; 56 parents attended the family presentation; parent feedback uniformly positive), announced an Education Foundation-funded astronomy program debuting Sept. 19, and described a high-school "lunch and learn" model that staff say reduced congestion and improved student access to teachers.
Education administrators highlighted a range of instructional and student-support initiatives across the district.
PBIS and recognition: Dr. Stoker and other elementary leaders reported Pennsylvania Positive Behavior Support recognition (Tier 1 and Tier 2 fidelity acknowledgements) for elementary schools, and administrators said they plan to send staff to a PBIS conference in November.
Kinder Quest: Mr. Schneider summarized a three-day Kinder Quest program run Aug. 6–8 at Peters Elementary designed to ease kindergarten transition. He said 77 children participated (about 61% of kindergarten enrollment at the time) and 56 parents or guardians attended the family presentation. Parent feedback was uniformly positive in the survey responses presented; Mr. Schneider said 100% of respondent parents described their child's experience as "positive" and all respondents said they would recommend the program to next year's incoming kindergarten families. Administrators cited immediate operational benefits: fewer lunchroom disruptions at the start of the year, better information about students that led to some classroom assignment adjustments, and a smoother opening week.
Astronomy program: Mr. Hower described a foundation-funded astronomy initiative, "Never Stop Looking Up," that brought three portable smartphone-controlled telescopes and a larger telescope for astrophotography. He said the equipment will debut after middle-school open house on Sept. 19 and that students will be able to build portfolios for recognition through the Astronomical League.
High-school "lunch and learn": Dr. Bali and Dr. Link described the high-school rollout of staggered lunches combined with teacher-led learning supports. They said lunch-and-learn reduced congestion, provided retesting and reteaching opportunities, and required teachers to be visible in common spaces so students could access help. Reported outcomes in the first week included strong adoption and only one minor behavior incident. Administrators said they plan to continue the model and refine schedules and spaces to sustain the approach.
Administration recommended continuing the Kinder Quest program next summer (it was funded this year with ESSER funds) and to consider absorbing it into operating budgets if continued.
