Scranton SD highlights restorative practices, university partnerships and K–4 STEM arts curriculum

District presenters outlined several instructional and partnership initiatives: restorative-practice implementation (year one), University of Virginia instructional-leadership cohorts, an early-stage University of Southern California initiative, and a new K–4 STEM-related arts curriculum.

Liz Hemphill said restorative practices finished year one of implementation and is fully grant-funded by the All-One Foundation; trainer Shelley Egan has been moving the work into daily practice at Prescott, Kennedy Plaza and West Scranton High School and the district is requesting year-two funding to expand to additional schools and add parent engagement.

Shelley described developing a K–4 STEM-related arts curriculum aligned with the STEM Academy that covers STEM careers, engineering design, digital literacy and introductory computer science; a three-year budget was prepared to support expansion.

A presenter said cohort one with the University of Virginia focused on instructional leadership, consistent tier-one instruction and data-driven practices; cohort two will build on those outcomes and the district is considering adding John Adams school to cohort two pending business-office approval. The presenter also described an early-stage USC initiative for adolescent learners that Dr. Keading is exploring and may expand if pilot work proves successful.

Community representative Gus Fehee praised the partnerships and asked who is driving the innovations; presenters identified the superintendent and named Dr. Keading and Dr. Karasi (state) as leaders for the UVA and USC partnerships. Presenters encouraged use of community-designed schoolyards (Kennedy) and noted a Whittier groundbreaking scheduled the next day.

Panelists closed by inviting continued community partnership and summer engagement in schoolyard and civic-education projects.