The 2018-19 school year officially began on Aug. 23 and excitement filled the air throughout the three buildings that comprise the Berkshire schools. Students in grades 7-12 demonstrated a great deal of enthusiasm as they were greeted by Principal King and Superintendent Stoddard before walking through the main entrance and entered the hallways eager to begin the new school year.
School Year Begins
The 2018-19 school year officially began on Aug. 23 and excitement filled the air throughout the three buildings that comprise the Berkshire schools. Students in grades 7-12 demonstrated a great deal of enthusiasm as they were greeted by Principal King and Superintendent Stoddard before walking through the main entrance and entered the hallways eager to begin the new school year.
At Ledgemont and Burton elementary schools, students in grades K-6 were welcomed by smiling teachers and joyful building principals, Mrs. Reinhart and Mrs. Randles, as well. Elementary students at both buildings participated in a very meaningful flag-raising ceremony with the entire buildings present, singing the national anthem and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
The new school year will be one of success, growth and forward-movement in the Berkshire schools. Go Badgers!
District Sets Guiding Goals
With the first weeks of the 2018-19 school year completed and now smoothly underway, district leadership can now return its focus on several significant goals that are intended to guide the Berkshire schools into the near future. Among the most important areas of focus for Superintendent John Stoddard and the Berkshire Board of Education are the launch into the planning and designing phase of the new district facility that will be constructed over the next three years.
The board of education recently approved the hiring of the lead architect, which will soon lead to the establishment of a series of important community engagement meetings over the next six to 12 months to gather input.
In addition, another goal for the Berkshire schools is to successfully transition into a new model of instruction, called Project Based Learning. The approach incorporates critical thinking and problem-solving skills in a highly collaborative instructional environment.
The school district has also set a goal to implement a new security plan, with specific building enhancements to promote the safety of students. Finally, the district intends to begin strongly communicating the tenants of its strategic plan, the principles of which emerged from the P.R.I.M.E. initiative.
The community will read and learn more about the specific goals throughout the school year as they will serve as the district’s areas of focus.
