The Paton-Churdan staff and administration is excited about new things on tap for the 2014-15 school year.
According to principal Annie Smith, the staff will develop a personalized education plan, or PEP, for every student. For many years, staff has created highly developed plans and strategies for students with special needs and those who are academically talented. At Paton-Churdan, staff will create PEPs to more closely track each student’s learning style, academic achievement, social/emotional well being, and more.
The schedule has been changed to add a “zero hour” before the regular school day starts. Each week, new small groups will be formed for the 30-minute early teaching time. During that time, teachers will re-teach, pre-teach or enrich students in a particular content area.
The school has purchased many new iPads and all students in grades 6-12 will have 1:1 technology available. The administration hopes to provide technology for elementary students in the next few years.
Also, a preschool finance committee has formed to allow the continuation of the school’s 3-year-old preschool class. The youngest students will meet two half-days a week with a monthly tuition of $60. The committee is looking at fundraising efforts to reduce, or maybe even eliminate the cost to parents.
Finally, Paton-Churdan will soon add a propane-fueled bus to its fleet. The bus is more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly than a diesel bus. The school is adding an on-site fueling station for the propane bus.
To read the Good News memo principal Annie Smith is sending to parents, click here: Great new things
