CIA Update

Dear Pre-K-12th Grade Staff,

I am thrilled to be working as the Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment (CIA) again for LCS! I also wish to welcome you back to another exciting school year. As we embark on this new academic year, I would like to share a few curriculum updates. In everything we do here in Linden Community Schools, we need to remember our vision, mission, and goals. The LCS's Strategic Plan is the foundation of our educational mission and guides our efforts to provide the best possible learning experiences for our students. Our district's strategic plan outlines our vision and goals for the next several years. It is built upon five goals. Goal #1 Student Achievement and Engagement: Build dedicated learning environments that allow students and staff to engage in diverse learning that promote the whole child and 21st century skills. Our primary focus is always on the success and well-being of our students. We are committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environment where every student can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. The CIA Team plays a crucial role in supporting student achievement through a multi-faceted approach that involves reviewing and purchasing curriculum, implementing an assessment plan, and providing professional development to educators. Please remember that if you need any assistance I am here to help.

Your Partner in Education,

Cheryl Thomas

Applied Arts:

Aimee' Bush, Charlene Nester, John Bennett, Sherri St. Clair

English Language Arts:

Michele Packard, Kayla Tousley, Jennifer Cooke, Heather Baldridge, Dan Schneider

Mathematics:

Becky Acox, Liz Clarke, Amanda Winiecki-Edwards, Melissa Boyer, Becky Shouse, Sarah Campbell

Science:

Becky Joslin, Rebecca McCormick, Cassidy Elmer, Carrie Brown, Chris Landrem

Social Studies:

Sarah Mawhinney, Pamela Nicoll, Michelle Perkins, Jen Leuneberg, Spencer Bodzick

Spec Ed/Student Services:

Sara Persyn, Julie Peake, Cori Mason, Dawn Yankley

World Language: Sonia Quinlan

Non-Core Areas: Play Production, K-8 SEL (Positivity Project), Beginning Theater, K-5 Music

English Language Arts: Creative Writing, Shakespeare in Performance, Narrative Writing Elective, K-5 Writing

Science: AP Chemistry, Biology, Inventions II, AP CS Principles, Robotics

Social Studies: 6-8 Social Studies

Mathematics: Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Accounting, Business & Marketing

World Language: Spanish I

Public Law 108-447 requires all educational institutions receiving federal funds to hold an educational program about the United States Constitution on September 17, 2023. This year Constitution Day is on a Sunday. Therefore, your observance of this day should be immediately before or after September 17th. Melissa White, GISD Consultant has shared a link to information about Constitution Day and a link of activities to use with your students. Please be sure to preview materials before sharing with students.

LCS is committed to providing our staff with current, relevant, and engaging professional learning opportunities to support growth and enhance the educational experience we offer to our students. As part of that commitment, we are excited to announce an upcoming opportunity for you to share your knowledge, skills, and best practices with your colleagues on October 20, 2023.

To submit your presentation proposal, complete the link below by September 26th. We invite all staff members who have valuable insights, expertise, and innovative approaches to submit proposals for October 20th professional learning presentations. This is an opportunity for you to lead a session on a topic you are passionate about, whether it's related to teaching strategies, technology integration, classroom management, or any other educational expertise. All break out sessions are 1 hour and 15 minutes in length.