Work Session Recaps

The Board of Education held a Work Session meeting on Thursday, November 21, 2024. Here is a recap of the meeting; you can also access the agenda and video of the meeting. 

To begin, Mr. Walker congratulated Isabelle McLoughlin (Student Ex Officio) and the entire cast of High School Musical on a phenomenal performance.

Secondary Science and Mathematics Curriculum Presentation (CLICK LINK TO VIEW)

Assistant Superintendent John Griffiths, along with building administrators and faculty from PVC and CHHS, provided an in-depth presentation showcasing planned improvements for the  Secondary Science and Math curriculum and the direct benefits for our students.

Mr. Griffiths opened with a refresher on the New York State Science Learning Standards (NYSSLS) of three-dimensional learning across Disciplinary Core Ideas, Science and Engineering Practices, and Crosscutting Concepts. The State developed these standards to prepare students for higher education, careers, and responsible citizenship in a technologically-driven world.

With NYSSLS, the content areas (Life Sciences, Earth and Space Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Engineering Technology) are the backdrop to phenomena-based learning, which means that real-world events or problems are used to spark learning. Instead of memorizing facts, students investigate and explain real-world events to learn the science behind them, evoking a strong emotional response in learners.

Last winter, a Science Unit Analysis was conducted to consider curriculum revisions. 

Middle School Science (Grades 5-8)

Noah Gallagher, PVC Science Teacher & Michael Plotkin, PVC Principal

• Discussed plans for integrating Crosscutting Science Concepts and Science & Engineering practices into the middle school curriculum with a greater emphasis on skills over content and practicing investigation.

• Mr. Gallagher demonstrated how teachers coach students on “how to wonder” and to ask different types of questions (Explanatory, Observational, Systems, Engineering).

• TIMING: Launch of new Middle School General Science in Grades 5-8 in Fall 2025

High School Science (Grades 9-12)

Jamie Rooney, CHHS Science Teacher & Dr. Laura Dubak, CHHS Principal

• Ms. Rooney explained that one (1) Life Science and one (1) Physical Science course is required to graduate. In 9th grade, all students will take Biology (Life Science). Afterward, students will have multiple pathways and electives to choose from, including a future course focused on STEM that will be designed as an extension of the Middle School InDe Lab class.

• TIMING: Dr. Dubak discussed next steps for updating the high school science curriculum:

  • A consultant has been identified and will work with the HS team on all curricular changes, including the 9th-grade Biology/Life Science course

  • Incorporating graduation measures based on “NY Inspires”; no longer planning around Regents-based courses

  • Revamping chemistry courses and building intro-level chemistry and “fast track” to AP Chemistry (no prerequisite)

  • Creating a 5-year Plan for Future STEM Courses

As the presentation shifted to Mathematics, Mr. Griffiths noted that math education differs from science because it is fundamentally sequential. Foundational knowledge in mathematics helps students to understand more complex ideas later and makes it easier to identify gaps in a student's learning, remediate them, and prepare students for future success.

The math curriculum will include “Algebra for All” in 8th grade beginning in Fall 2025. Studies show that taking algebra can increase the likelihood of students taking more advanced math courses in high school, particularly for underrepresented groups such as females and English-language learners.

Middle School Math (Grades 5-8)

Tracey Finan, PVC Math Teacher & Philip Ranieri, PVC Math Teacher

• The 5-8 math curriculum was redesigned over the Summer of 2024 to benefit middle schoolers through increased confidence, improved critical thinking, enhanced perseverance, 21st-century skills, individualization/student supports, and interdisciplinary connections/applications.

•  “Algebra for All” in the 8th grade will provide open pathways for students entering high school.

• TIMING: “Algebra for All” for all 8th-graders beginning in Fall 2025

High School Math (Grades 9-12)

Derrick Davis, CHHS Math Teacher & Isabella Zappa, CHHS Math Teacher

• Proposed curriculum realignment to provide two pathways: Applied and Theoretical. These revisions will benefit students by providing a similar experience for all incoming students, eliminating inadvertent tracking, increasing horizontal mobility, and making it so that ALL students can reach calculus (if it is their goal to do so)

• TIMING: Dr. Dubak discussed the next steps for updating the high school math curriculum:

  • Continue work on the new math trajectory through February 2025

  • Create/revise Geometry courses (Jan 2025 - Summer 2025)

  • Revise Precalculus course through February 2025

  • Conduct curriculum audit for Algebra 2; revise Algebra 2 course/develop college math course (Sept 2025 - February 2026)

  • Explore and develop additional advanced math course options (ongoing through winter 2026)
     

Throughout the presentation, faculty and administrators answered questions from Board trustees.

Board Action Items

All items under Donations and the Consent Agenda were approved by the BoE. Attachments and/or descriptions are available on the BoardDocs agenda (link above).
The next BOE meeting will be held on Thursday, December 5, 2024. The agenda, when available, can be found on the BoardDocs section of our website. 

The Board of Education held a Work Session meeting on Thursday, October 24, 2024. Here is a recap of the work session; you can also access the agenda and video of the meeting. 

What School Can Be: Pupil Personnel Services

Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Rachel DePaul and PPS faculty provided an in-depth presentation showcasing the alignment of the department's work with the district’s Vision Map (you can view the presentation here). Ms. DePaul also shared that the district is currently fielding a climate survey among students in grades 4-12, which began on October 15th and will conclude on October 31st, focused on belonging and emotional safety. 

Members of the PPS team walked through the many programs and supports in place throughout the Croton-Harmon schools to support the district’s “Culture of Wellness” pillar on the Vision Map across four areas: Specialized Programming, Social-Emotional and Therapeutic Supports, Equity, and Connection to Community.

The following programs and supports were presented to and discussed with the BoE:

• The ASPIRE Experience (Nicole DeMascio, PVC Special Education Teacher)
  • An overview was provided about the ASPIRE experience at PVC, which supports students with special needs. The program allows for a flexible, movement-oriented environment that integrates skills with academic lessons, addressing students' diverse needs and fostering their overall development.
• Flexible Support Program (Leandra Ramirez, CHHS School Psychologist & Cassandra Lella, PVC Special Education Teacher)
  • The Flex Spaces at CHHS and PVC are open to any and all students who need a safe and quiet place in school. While some students have scheduled time in the Flex Space, many come on their own or are introduced to it by their friends. Within the Flex Space, students can reset and/or receive support.
• Connection to the Community (Carmen Rosario, Bilingual School Social Worker & Eva Thaddeus, Community Aide Worker)
  • Through the addition of the Bilingual School Social Worker and Community Aide Worker roles, the district is poised to provide equitable support to all students and families throughout the district. Ms. Rosario and Ms. Thaddeus described the many forms of support they provide, as well as the ways they connect students and families to community and social services resources.
• Social Emotional Supports (Robin Woolley, CET School Counselor)
  • An overview and insight were provided about how diversity is presented to CET students through the School Counseling and Social-Emotional Learning curriculum.
• Interdisciplinary Courses for ALL (Cassandra Cartaginese & Stephen Palenscar, CHHS Special Education Teachers)
  • These CHHS Special Education teachers collaborated to develop the “History through Literature” interdisciplinary course for 11th-grade special education students to ensure that all students had access to high-level coursework aligned with the Vision Map. They described the course syllabus and readings and how the coursework connected with their students.

Board Action Items

All items under Instructional Personnel, Donations, and the Consent Agenda were approved by the BoE. Attachments and/or descriptions are available on the BoardDocs agenda (link above).

The next BOE meeting will be held on Thursday, November 7, 2024. The agenda, when available, can be found on the Board Docs section of our website. 

Meeting Video Link:
10/24/2024 BOE Work Session