Capstone considered for grad guidelines
Completion of a district-standard Capstone project is a targeted goal for graduation guidelines in Holyoke School District Re-1J.
JR/SR High Principal Angie Powell reported at the April 8 school board meeting, noting that they’re working toward the Capstone project concept. It would represent a culmination of four years of high school and possibly even seventh and eighth grades.
In discussion stages, Powell is hopeful that the Capstone project can be in place for the Class of 2025 or 2026 (this year’s eighth or seventh graders).
Superintendent Kyle Stumpf added that they’re trying to give as many options as possible for kids to graduate from high school and there might be a number of pathways that kids can take.
Graduation guidelines effective with next year’s senior class were reviewed in policy discussion, to return to future board meetings. Powell noted that counselor Ashley Clayton has been compiling graduation guideline information, and they’re hoping to add an industry certification piece as another form of graduation.
Regarding actual high school attendance for eight semesters, Powell said there is discussion around the option for the final semester being an internship or for a student to work on college credits.
Powell commended Summer Maloney for the terrific job she has done in heading up the Homegrown Talent Initiative and getting students to focus on their graduation profile and be aware of opportunities in their areas of interest.
S-CAP review conducted virtually
Due to COVID restrictions, this year’s Student-Centered Accountability Program review was held via a virtual Zoom meeting March 8.
Focus groups for parents, staff and students were held throughout the day, and Stumpf said that surveys from the day reflected positive input and direction.
In particular, Stumpf pointed out that it was obvious in the surveys from staff, students and families that when the district focuses time and money on social-emotional needs, they see good results in the surveys.
In this year of COVID restrictions, Stumpf said it has been a good year to market the S-CAP program as it has provided data, allowing the district to see trends and growth areas.
The district is hopeful to be able to do an in-person S-CAP review next fall.
NWEA data reviewed
Student growth from NWEA testing was reviewed at last week’s board meeting, as guided by principals Powell and Andrea Kammer.
Typically the NWEA assessments are given three times a year, but due to COVID, the data comparisons were from winter 2019 to winter of 2020.
Grade levels that are tested vary for the four testing areas which are language arts/reading, language arts/language usage (grammar), math and science.
Kammer pointed out that teachers use individual student data as well, putting them on a graph to see where they are with regard to growth and achievement.
USDA extends free breakfast/lunch program
Stumpf was pleased to report that the United States Department of Agriculture has extended the free breakfast and lunch program until Sept. 30.
As a result, students will continue to receive free breakfast and lunch. The grab-and-go breakfast and lunch program will continue this summer, as well. Chartwells and the school district will be making a schedule for serving summer meals.
In the Chartwells monthly report, Food Service Director of Northeast Colorado Heather Tanner noted that Holyoke food service staff has served the children of the community well.
Service numbers note 6,200 breakfasts and about 4,400 lunches in January, 8,200 breakfasts and about 4,500 lunches in February, and 7,000 breakfasts and about 3,800 lunches in March (down due to spring break that month).
Tanner noted that Stumpf has been delivering breakfast every Monday to three day cares and the preschool.