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Spring is here and that means the school year is wrapping up. This was the first year since the pandemic where we were able to settle into a routine without constant interruptions–no hybrid schedules, no mask mandates, no COVID testing. Without those distractions we were able to help students refocus on school, and it felt great.
Reinforcing Good Behavior
Of course, making up for lost time isn’t easy. But we have a great staff and well-structured programs that allow us to support students, especially when they start to falter. One of the most powerful programs is called Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), a tiered framework to improve student behavior that depends on setting clear expectations, reinforcing good behavior, and proactively supporting students who are having a hard time.
With PBIS, a struggling student might start and end each day by checking in with a trusted adult on campus who helps the student set goals for the day and make a plan for the obstacles most likely to cause problems. I love the PBIS approach because it integrates all of the data, systems, and practices affecting student outcomes–and data is my thing!
Helping Teachers Collaborate
Another data-driven approach to help students regain their academic, social, and emotional footing is for teachers to work collaboratively to address issues. We continue to reinforce our professional learning communities (PLCs) where teachers can identify and solve challenges together. As we implement new curriculum, teachers can support each other to make sure students are getting the most out of learning. We’ve seen great gains in early reading, for example, because every K-5 teacher is spending at least 15 minutes a day using the Sonday System, which is based on phonics (a time-tested approach). Doing this schoolwide and then discussing results with professional peers helps reinforce the program.
End-of-Year Assessments and Events
In May and June, we host many end-of-year celebrations–visit kvusd.org and click on Events for details. Also during these months, students complete state testing and we invite parents and staff to complete surveys to evaluate school and district communication. We’ll use this information to meet the needs of our students, families, and employees in the coming year.
As we plan for this summer, Kelseyville Unified School District is offering a half-day summer school program for kindergarten through eighth grade July 5 through August 2 from 8:00 am until 12:30 pm. Summer School sites include Kelseyville Elementary and Mountain Vista Middle School. Our goal is to address learning loss in core subjects. (Applications for summer school are due June 8.)
Pre-Kindergarten and Dual-Immersion Learning Next Year
Moving into next year, we’ll have even more to offer. We are expanding pre-kindergarten classes at both elementary schools, and at Kelseyville Elementary, we are launching a dual-immersion program where students in kindergarten and first grade will receive instruction in both English and Spanish with the goal of creating bilingual high school graduates. Research shows that students enrolled in dual-immersion programs typically out-perform their single-language peers on state assessments.
Join Our Team
If you’re reading all of this and thinking you might like to work in education, please check out our open positions by visiting kvusd.org and clicking on Work With Us. Rewarding careers in education come with competitive salaries, benefits, training, and growth opportunities. Many positions have the same schedule as students with holidays and summers off, which is really convenient if you’re a parent. Some positions require teaching credentials; others do not. If you are interested in becoming a teacher, you can begin teaching while you get your credential. Visit the Lake County Office of Education for more information.