Personalized learning enhanced

Dozens of parents of Primary School children lined up outside the Primary School door before dawn April 13, waiting to register their children for the Personalized Learning Program. Begun last year, the program has been successful in helping children progress, principal Aaron Gaffigan said.

There are openings available in kindergarten and first grade, Gaffigan said. Last year’s program had 70 children with 20 pupils in kindergarten and 25 in each first and second grades. The program for the 2017-18 school year has been expanded to 185 students and five teachers have been added to the program.

“This year, we had one pod with three teachers,” Gaffigan said. One teacher was added to the first pod and four were assigned to the second. There will be two first-grade classes and three each for first and kindergarten. Each pod will have writing, reading, math and science.

“The three teachers this year have made it what it is,” Gaffigan said, explaining that the three — Sara Lamer, Mindy Hanna and Courtney Woodward — created the schedules for the students with 30-minute rotations. “They’re the ones who’ve seen successes in classrooms.”

Teacher Sierra Warner will be added to the first pod of teachers. The second pod will include Vicki Kennmer, Dawnitta Henson, Allison Wilkins and Michelle Kimbell.

“Because of the creativity of the schedule, each child is going to be met on a personal level instructional,” Gaffigan said. “Academically, they’ll be pushed further than in a traditional classroom. There are 10 to 12 students in each instructional time allowing teachers to reach those students at their fullest potential.”

The students have home room time and art, physical education, computer lab and recess with their peers. The PLP program will be implemented in the Intermediate and Middle schools, providing continuation for the students throughout their educational career.

To enroll a student, call the Primary School.

“Academically, they’ll be pushed further than in a traditional classroom.”

Aaron Gaffigan

Primary School principal