No early dismissals for PD scheduled in 2023-24

One significant change is being made in the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Community School's calendar for 2023-24.

According to Superintendent Patrick Carlin, the proposed calendar adopted by the school board on Feb. 20 was a joint recommendation of the calendar committee and the School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC).

Classes for 2023-24 begin on Aug. 23, the earliest date possible, and the final day is scheduled for May 21. A total of 1,115 contact hours are scheduled, which is 75 more than the required minimum of 1,080 hours.

The significant change from previous years is the elimination of early dismissals on Wednesdays for professional development. Next year's calendar schedules full PD days on Sept. 18, Oct. 23, Nov. 27, Jan. 29, Feb. 19 and April 15.

Additional PD days are scheduled before the start of classes in August, on Jan. 2 and following the final day of classes.

According to discussion, one schedule change may occur if H-M-S decides to participate in a shared PD day with area schools. The district currently does not plan to do so.

With the exception of Jan. 29, all weather makeup days are scheduled after May 21.

• Elimination of IT services

The board approved canceling the agreement with 7Sigma Systems, which has provided H-M-S with information technology management services for several years.

EnCompass of Iowa now provides H-M-S with network security, data backup and recovery, remote IT service and managed services. According to General Manager Scott Crosby, EnCompass' services "are equivalent" to those provided by 7Sigma Systems, and recommended those be cancelled "because they are a duplicate."

Carlin said the process of canceling the agreement with 7Sigma Systems will be completed as soon as possible.

• Goal setting, course offerings

The middle school staff is exploring ways to communicate with students about their progress and growth on different assessments. Principal Matt Van Voorst said the intention is to bring some meaning and purpose to the testing.

"We hope to create some goal-setting for students so they can take ownership of their progress and celebrate successes through a growth mindset," he noted.

Looking ahead to next year, some changes are planned in high school course offerings. Principal Nate Hemiller said teachers are currently reviewing and updating course descriptions, and changes in the ag curriculum are being made based on recommendations from instructor Lindsey Meyers.

H-M-S Elementary's implementation of Illustrative Mathematics is garnering statewide attention. Information about systems the school has put in place for math was presented by Principal Ashley Benz and Instructional Coach Lindsey Maris at the MTSS conference in Sioux City.

In addition, Benz said the Department of Education is identifying H-M-S Elementary to other districts as "a model school for IM." Elementary teachers will record lessons that will be shared with the North Mahaska Schools.