MADISON TWP. — Madison School District Superintendent Ryan Rowe said he has “a lot to be thankful for” as he reflected on the 2017 calendar year.
Work outlined within the school’s strategic five-year facility maintenance plan continued to promote a progressive — yet cost-effective — teaching and learning environment, according to Rowe.
School board members, faculty, administration, parents, students, alumni and business leaders, as part of the district’s annual school board and stakeholder workshop, again reviewed the “2020 Vision” strategic plan. Throughout the past three years, Rowe said, those efforts have resulted in an “enhanced” teaching and learning environment, while also reducing energy consumption.
Those savings were better each month compared to the same month in 2016, and additional aspects of the vision plan will be completed throughout 2018, according to Rowe.
More than 300 elementary students enrolled for the fourth year of the balanced school year program. The program, which stretches a traditional calendar schedule across the year to help reduce learning loss, has been met with continued support, Rowe said.
If students choose not to travel during their various breaks throughout the year, Rowe said, those students are offered tuition-based academic enrichment opportunities that allow them to remain engaged during their time off.
Project Lead the Way (PLTW) programming in computer science and biomedical technology courses continue to be offered to students in an effort to have students explore career pathways, Rowe said.
“At the same time, PLTW further prepares students for high-skill, high-wage and high-demand occupations,” he said.
A new hands-on science lab — the “Co-Laboratory” — was established to change the way elementary students participate with science instruction, according to Rowe. Students used activities related to energy and the environment to learn their lessons. The lessons are aligned with Next Generation Science Standards and Michigan State Science Standards. Planning and preparation will continue through the 2017-18 school year to refine the program.
Rowe said the Madison Youth Athletic Council offered sports opportunities to Madison students in Young 5s through sixth grade. Last year, more than 300 students in those grades participated in at least one sport. Volunteers offered youth football, cheerleading, basketball, wrestling, baseball and softball.