School Meals

AYS (At Your School) is launching an exclusive e-learning support and enrichment program called “Liftoff” for grades K – 6 at John Strange Elementary to support working families. This program will run Monday-Friday from 6:30am-6:00pm and will focus on providing kids with e-learning support by grade level during school hours. Additionally, the program will offer social and emotional learning, enrichment opportunities and engaging activities. AYS’ top priority is to keep kids safe, following CDC and FSSA guidelines as well as state and national out-of-school time standards. Group sizes will be limited to 1:15 (K-6) staff-to-student ratio per grade level, classroom, or activity space. Visit www.ayskids.org/e-learning to learn more and register today!

Tune in to our webinars to learn more about MSD Washington Township’s Learning Management System, Canvas.  Canvas is where teaching and student learning go online either as a support to in-class work or for eLearning Days. In these sessions, parents will learn:

• How to create a parent account in Canvas
• Learn basic navigation within Canvas courses
• Learn how to support your student in completing coursework

Zoom links can be accessed by clicking on the dates below.

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Being evaluated by the International Baccalaureate Organization allows Washington Township to realize how well the district is meeting the standards and practices that IB has established as part of their quality assurance framework. There are seven standards and approximately one hundred practices regarding philosophy, organization, and curriculum that are implemented by IB schools all over the world.

The framework for the IB evaluation is built in such a way as to recognize each school’s strengths (commendations) and at the same time, explore areas for improvement (recommendations).

“The Washington Township elementary schools consistently received a good ratio of commendations to recommendations,” said Mr. Chad Hyatt, Washington Township Curriculum Coach. “One of the common commendations across the board was the commitment of the governing body of the school district to the implementation of the IB program. One of the common recommendations across all seven elementary schools was a recommendation that is seen frequently among ALL IB schools, and that is to improve the transdisciplinary aspect of the program. The PYP is committed to students learning about their world through the integration of subject areas, just like they naturally do in life.  With mandates from the state for segmented instruction in subjects like literacy and math this can often be a challenge especially for public schools to overcome. As a district, we are constantly exploring ways to keep this philosophy at the forefront of our efforts so that we meet our state standards, satisfy state requirements, and implement an IB program within a transdisciplinary focus,” concluded Hyatt.

The International Baccalaureate Organization does not run or operate schools, but instead they work with schools to offer quality international education. Washington Township elementary schools will not be evaluated again for five years. The three middle schools and North Central High School will begin their first evaluation process in the 2018-19 school year with an official visit from IB the following year.

For more information about the International Baccalaureate programs in Washington Township, visit http://www.msdwt.k12.in.us/academic-programs/

Superintendent Dr. Nikki Woodson Selected for National Connected Superintendents Summit Wednesday
at White House

Dr. Woodson will be at the White House on Wednesday

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN (November 14, 2014) – MSD of Washington Township Superintendent Dr. Nikki Woodson, has been selected by the U.S. Department of Education as one of just over 100 top school leaders from across America to participate in the first-ever National Connected Superintendents Summit Wednesday, Nov. 19 at the White House.

Superintendent Woodson is among exemplary local school chiefs who will be recognized for their leadership in helping transition their districts to digital learning. This unique conference will bring together officials from throughout America to share with one other and the Education Department promising approaches to using technology in classes.

“It is quite an honor to be chosen from Superintendents nation-wide to attend this first Superintendent Summit at the White House,” said Dr. Nikki Woodson. “In Washington Township we know that we have to prepare our students future ready for the technology infused jobs and careers that they will face. I applaud President Obama and the US Department of Education under the leadership of Secretary Duncan for taking the lead on such a transforming initiative.”

The White House summit will be followed by a series of 12-15 regional summits that will focus on the digital progress both made and possible by local school districts. The events will also include the unveiling of digital tools that facilitate incorporation of technology into short-term and long-range education planning.

“School districts across the country are helping teachers harness the power of technology to create personal learning environments for all students,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. “We want to make sure every child – whether he or she is in the inner-city, in a rural community or on a Native American reservation – has access to knowledge and the chance to learn 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

To help spotlight the value of technology in schools, the Education Department is sponsoring a Future Ready Initiative aimed at showcasing outstanding school leadership and strategies.
“The Future Ready Initiative highlights the critical role of district leaders in setting a vision and creating the environment where educators and students access the tools, content, and expertise necessary for thriving in a connected world,” said Richard Culatta, director of the Department’s Office of Educational Technology.

Future Ready superintendents demonstrate effective use of technology in some of the following ways:
• Fostering and leading a culture of collaboration and digital citizenship;
• Transitioning schools and families to high-speed connectivity;
• Empowering educators with professional learning opportunities;
• Accelerating progress toward universal access to quality devices;
• Providing access to quality digital content;
• Creating access, equity, and excellence – particularly in rural, remote, and low-income districts;
• Offering digital tools to students and families to help them prepare for success in college;
• Sharing best practices and mentoring other districts in the transition to digital learning.
“Technology has the potential to transform education in America, allowing students to learn more, to do so at their own pace, and to develop the knowledge and skills employers demand,” Culatta said. “And yet, fewer than 30 percent of classrooms have the broadband internet to support today’s education technology needs.”

In June 2013, President Obama announced the ConnectED Initiative, starting with a goal of connecting 99 percent of students to next-generation connectivity within five years. Model schools and districts across the country are using technology to create personalized learning environments; technology will play an increasingly crucial role in the future.
For more on the work of the Department’s Office of Educational Technology, including resources for students, parents and educators, click here.