Superintendent's Page

This year we are increasing the amount of time students in grades one through six spend with the Library Teacher from 30 minutes to 40 minutes (Kindergartners have traditionally had 40 minute periods). In addition, classroom teachers will now co-teach  with the Library Teacher during the library period. Topics for the year will include (and may be expanded upon): Digital Citizenship Book Exchange and Literacy Research and Inquiry The first unit of study with the children will be "Digital Citizenship", using  Common Sense Education  materials:  "Designed and developed in partnership with  Project Zero at the Harvard Graduate School of Education  -- and guided by research with thousands of educators -- each digital citizenship lesson takes on real challenges and digital dilemmas that students face today, giving them the skills they need to succeed as digital learners, leaders, and citizens tomorrow." Why are we teaching Digital Citizenship? Watch

So, what exactly is coding and why and how is it being implemented in our schools this year? In short, coding is computer programming. Coding is thinking. Coding is the future. Coding is step-by-step directions created by a programmer. Here is a video that gives a short overview of Coding: Coding is not difficult- it is the process of breaking down problems. It is a skill that students will need for the future. "Coders are the rockstars of the future!": Our first through sixth grade students will spend half of the year working with Coding with Mrs. Holzkamp during their STEAM special (formerly known as Science Lab). We will be using resources such as Scratch and code.org .  The other half of the year will be spent with Mr. Giurlanda in Project Lead the Way (PLTW). You can learn more about PLTW here https://www.pltw.org/our-programs/pltw-launch and here : Mr. Giurlanda has been hard at work with our students in the STEAM lab! The feedback