Last week, the Winslow school board heard a presentation from Winslow Junior High School art teacher Christa Knox, who recently attended the National Art Educators Association’s (NAEA) annual conference. The conference provided a platform for over 5,000 art teachers from the US and Canada, along with museum professionals, professional artists and leaders in art education, to come together for networking and learning opportunities.
Over 600 sessions were offered throughout the week, providing attendees with valuable information and tools to bring back to their classrooms. Although Knox couldn’t attend all of the sessions, the fact that they were recorded and made available online for a year means that art educators can access all the sessions they missed.
A highlight of the conference was the annual flag-making contest, where high school and middle school students from across the country redesigned their state flags to better represent their respective states. The flag representing both high school and junior high students at the conference was made by two WJHS students, Julianna Jack and Mykell Torres, an achievement that Knox and the school can be proud of. The conference provided Knox with a wealth of knowledge and inspiration that she can incorporate into her teaching and share with her colleagues at WJHS.
At the same meeting, the board heard a second presentation from staff who had recently attended a conference. Amanda Leonard, principal of Washington Elementary School, and Larissa Richards, principal of Bonnie Brennan Elementary, shared their experience attending a conference in Glendale focused on Response to Intervention (RTI). RTI is an educational approach that identifies struggling students early on and provides them with the necessary support to succeed in school. Although all WUSD schools have implemented some form of RTI, Leonard and Richards explained that the conference provided them with new insights and strategies to improve their existing programs.
Leonard shared her school’s experience with RTI, stating, “Most of our schools already have some form of RTI built into our schedule. However, it is only surface level. Now we can focus on the next steps to make sure students get what they need. At my school, we call it WIN time (What-I-Need time), but it’s been a little hard to do. Now we have some next steps to move forward.”
Richards explained to the board that the conference provided new ideas for improving RTI and ensuring students receive the necessary support to excel. Additionally, Richards informed the board that a team of teachers from grades K-6 will review the newly approved math curriculum in June, discussing every standard and creating a pacing guide for teachers to follow during the school year. This pacing guide will act as the foundation for the new generation of RTI programs that the principals plan to build, ensuring that the RTI strategies they picked up from the conference are implemented correctly and effectively to provide students with the necessary support to succeed.
Overall, the presentations provided valuable insights into how Winslow schools are working to improve educational outcomes for students. The board expressed appreciation for the efforts of Knox, Leonard, Richards, and the entire staff to provide students with the support and resources they need to succeed. The conferences demonstrate the ongoing dedication and commitment of Winslow educators to improve student learning and achievement.
In other business, the board:
* Approved the ratification list in the amount of $848,370.
* Accepted a donation of a Bulldog mascot costume from Mr. and Mrs. Royce Greer and Mr. and Mrs. Vasquez valued at $1,636.
* Approved Michele Simmons and Roberta Cano as substitutes and Bryce Barris as a Winslow High School paraprofessional.
* Approved the following transfers: Brianna Yazzie from Bonnie Brennan paraprofessional, to a teacher at Jefferson Elementary; Jocelyn Andrews, transfer from Jefferson paraprofessional to Bonnie Brennan paraprofessional and Rhonda Jimmie, transfer from Washington Elementary parent liaison to Washington Elementary secretary.
* Approved retirement from Tessa O’Haco-Densmore.
* Approved $425 extra duty pay for music teacher Ginger Fischer.
* Approved the following fundraiser requests: Student Council/Honor Society for WJHS track concession; WJHS Arts Club for Empty Bowls Fundraiser; Because We Care Committee for $10 prom photos.
* Approved out of state travel for WHS Future Health Professionals (HOSA) sponsor for a HOSA leadership conference in Dallas, Texas.
* Approved an intergovernmental contract with Holbrook Unified School District for business manager services.
*Approved an amendment for a warehouse coordinator job description to include making deliveries.
* Appointed student discipline hearing officer Greg Schalow to a sole source provider.
* Approved adding June 21 to regular meeting schedule.
The next meeting of the WUSD school board will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 10, in the meeting room, located at 800 N. Apache Ave.
