THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

Recognized as an outstanding District, the MVSD provides an educational program based on both the high academic standards and the keen interest of staff and community. There is a commitment to provide students with a core curriculum that includes the arts. Though sharing the same academic expectations for students, each school has its own culture and shared practices. By integrating gardens, creeks, and wetlands in the curriculum, our schools have connected environmentally with their community.

The District provides a curriculum that is based on the State content standards and performance outcomes. It is expected of staff that they design their curriculum to promote a rigorous academic content that is challenging, integrative and exploratory in nature to ensure learning.

The goal of our instruction is to engage and support all students in learning. Teachers utilize varied teaching and learning practices to access, evaluate and promote learning. This is done in an environment of mutual respect.

The District feels it is vital to reinstate some student programs that have been reduced or eliminated, and to add programs that would provide an even stronger and more comprehensive education for students. We are limited in the resources to determine student needs, and the financing to put these programs in place.

Goal: Sustain, enhance, and continuously assess our educational program: curriculum, instruction, and the learning environment.

Implementation Steps:

• Coordinate, connect, and support the educational systems of learning, teaching, and assessment through the position of a Director of Curriculum and Instruction
• Identify needs and augment programs so that each child is supported academically (i.e. at risk, gifted, academically talented)
• Research and implement a character education or life skills program that emphasizes social, emotional and physical well being
• Implement a strong, integrated technology/media program for students and staff
• Focus staff development on instructional practices and programs to increase student learning
• Continue to emphasize the integration of curriculum across subjects as well as the nonacademic areas of respect and acceptance of others.
• Ensure that community service learning and environmental studies are imbedded in the curriculum
• Increase articulation between elementary and middle schools
• Establish a means for sharing best practices among staff
• Professionalize and extend the time of the classroom aide program
• Explore options for a balanced (year-round) calendar of student instructional days
• Investigate the options for a sixth grade and an elementary foreign language program