0:00In one of the meeting’s central presentations, the board delved into the implementation of the Heggerty program, an educational tool designed to bolster phonemic awareness among kindergarten and first-grade students. This initiative involves 10-minute multi-sensory lessons that engage students with hand motions to help blend and sound out words. The program aligns with both national and state standards, emphasizing eight phonological awareness skills such as rhyming and sound isolation. Board members participated in a demonstration, engaging in activities like rhyme recognition and syllable segmentation.

16:02Attention then turned to the Amplify Desmos math program, which promotes a problem-based learning strategy for fourth and fifth graders. This curriculum is designed to deepen students’ understanding of mathematical concepts through a blend of paper-pencil and digital activities. The game, “Cover Up,” utilized blocks and counters to teach multiplication, exemplifying the program’s ability to make math engaging and collaborative. Student feedback highlighted the benefits of partner work and interactive digital lessons, with participants expressing a preference for Amplify’s integrated approach over traditional paper-based methods.

Furthermore, the board heard from an educator involved with the program, who observed a shift in classroom dynamics, noting that math lessons now resemble reading and writing workshops. This change has been attributed to the program’s emphasis on collaborative problem-solving and student-led discussions. The educator praised the students’ ability to articulate their problem-solving processes, which he viewed as an aspect of mastering mathematical concepts.

In administrative updates, the board discussed the nearing completion of a roofing project, with final inspections and minor details still pending. The buildings and grounds committee reported ongoing discussions about funding for new initiatives, emphasizing the importance of fiscal responsibility while advancing infrastructural projects. The meeting also touched upon the potential exploration of an Energy Savings Improvement Program (ESIP) for upgrading HVAC units, which are reportedly 18 years old. This discussion was fueled by the availability of federal funding for energy efficiency improvements.

35:31The meeting concluded with reflections from a recent educational workshop attended by board members. They shared insights about the event’s revised scheduling and the shift towards digital materials over traditional handouts. The conversation naturally segued into logistical challenges faced during the workshop, particularly concerning vendor interactions. Members emphasized the value of these learning opportunities, despite the noted absence of a vendor index and shorter vendor availability.