In order to successfully teach elementary students to read, a school district must have a proven strategy and the curriculum to support that strategy.
Tuesday night, the Cambridge City School District Board of Education learned about the literacy strategy and curriculum implementation in the CCSD elementary schools from K-5 Curriculum Supervisor & Preschool Director Jill Clay.
Jill Clay presents to School Board members during monthly meeting. During the last four years, Cambridge has progressed from an inconsistent and unaligned strategy to a Structured Literacy application based on the Science of Reading. The shift to structured literacy includes high quality instructional materials and substantial professional development for teachers.
According to Clay, the Science of Reading indicates that all students benefit from explicit and systematic instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, and writing, to become effective readers.
“The State of Ohio has been encouraging and soon will be compelling school districts to make a shift to this different way of teaching our children,” Clay explained. “We have embraced this approach and curriculum because we believe it will benefit our students and make them better readers.”
Teachers received the Science of Reading, and the Writing Revolution and dyslexia training in addition to other professional development.
“During the past three years, our teachers put in a substantial amount of time and effort to make sure they understand and know how to implement the curriculum,” Clay said. “Purchasing the curriculum is a good first step, but implementing the curriculum properly so it benefits our students is more important. Our teachers are doing a great job implementing the curriculum.”
Moving forward Cambridge will complete annual curriculum and assessment audits to identify what is working and where support is needed. The district literacy plan will be updated annually based on the audit and professional development training will continue.
Clay also pointed out that science and social studies curriculum is being implemented this school year and English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum for grades 3-5 will be implemented next school year. A new math curriculum is also being considered for implementation in 2024-2025.
“We have made a significant investment in curriculum and training during the past several years,” Superintendent Dan Coffman said. “It is important that we use the best strategies and high-quality curriculum to teach our students and also make sure our educators have the appropriate professional development to best implement those strategies.”
In other business, the board approved a recommendation authorizing the treasurer or director of business operations to enter into a one-year maintenance agreement with Enervise, LLC.; approved a resolution to approve membership into the Ohio High School Athletic Association for the 2024-2025 school year; approved the Cambridge Preschool student calendar; approved students from the Middle School to take an out-of-state trip to a Wheeling Nailers game on March 19, 2024.
The board approved an amendment to an existing agreement between Cambridge City schools and Ohio University for nursing student (employee) to complete necessary training for continued education; approved a resolution to enter into an agreement with Ohio Health Corporation to allow for students to complete activities such as job shadowing and internships at Ohio Health Facilities.
The board approved Amanda Van Wasshenvova as a part-time bus driver; and Jonathan Smith as a substitute custodian; approved the resignation of Fay Shaw; approved Breanna Walker for medical leave; and approved unpaid leave of absences for Sean Byerly, Kelsey Robinson, and Jennifer Hickman.
The board approved Robin Lahmers as Summer CATS Camp Planning Coordinator; Julie Frame and Nichole Ceculski as 21st Century Community Learning Center aides; and Olivia Crister, Danielle Simmons, and Alex Kinter as substitute teachers.
The board approved a personal service contract to Ayden Howell, school psychologist for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years.
In athletics, the board approved Jacob Feldner as head golf coach; Owen Feldner, Adam Fox, Logan McCort, Stephanie Massey, and Isaiah Able as assistant track coaches; Garth Charlton as assistant baseball coach; and Robert Mascolino and Daniel Seckel for athletic support positions.
The board approved Aaron Mathews, Karen Goggin, Jake Valentine, Lee Stoner, Todd Morrison, Jason Kenworthy and Jenna Hatfield as athletic volunteers.
The March meeting of the Board of Education will be Thursday, March 21, 2024, at 5 p.m. at the Cambridge Intermediate School.