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Arcadia Unified pilots TK camp, expands K Camp and shortens new‑educator academy
Summary
District staff reported a two‑week TK pilot with about 120 participants, a three‑week K Camp at some sites to help incoming kindergarteners acclimate, and a shortened New Educators Academy that welcomed 22 new teachers and received positive feedback about superintendent engagement.
Arcadia Unified officials described multiple summer learning and onboarding programs designed to ease transitions for the youngest students and to orient new staff. The district ran a two‑week TK camp for about 120 children to help them become familiar with campus routines; principals reported fewer children crying on the first day of school and stronger familiarity with classroom norms. K Camp — a program for kindergarteners who did not attend TK — was run at each site with classes averaging about 15 students, and staff said consideration is being given to keeping K Camp open another year to support students who did not participate in preschool.
"We had a 120 students, participate and at the end of the program they did receive a certificate," Dr. Mendoza said, describing TK participation and teacher feedback. The superintendent also noted the district shortened its New Educators Academy this year from four days to three, and twenty‑two new educators participated; staff reported strong appreciation for opportunities to meet with the superintendent and instructional coaches. Board members praised the orientation efforts and the focus on early‑year transitions.
