August school board meeting stresses planning for students’ return

The countdown is on for the start of school, meaning numbers are now much on the minds of La Conner students, teachers and administrators.

That’s especially the case as the La Conner School District begins developing a new math curriculum during the 2021-22 academic year, Superintendent Will Nelson told board members at their nearly two-hour hybrid meeting Aug. 23.

His confirmation of the district’s emphasis on math squared nicely with the school panel’s emerging road map for short-term and long-range district goals.

“I’d love to see a focus on developing an upward trend in math,” said board member John Agen. “I realize we’ve had something of a grace period with COVID-19, but I do want to see our math scores go up. I would definitely like to see them trend in an upward direction.”

Agen agreed with Nelson and new La Conner Middle and High School Principal Christine Tripp that math instruction can be geared to mesh with student backgrounds and pursuits, reinforcing the fact its lessons can be practical and employed daily.

“We can use student interest areas,” Nelson explained, “to engage them in math.”

Literacy and reading comprehension will also be points of emphasis this year, most notably at the elementary level, whose school improvement plan was outlined by Principal Heather Fakkema-Hovde.

“We will focus on literacy this year,” said Fakkema-Hovde, who pointed out that a significant percentage of first and second graders will be experiencing in-person school for the first time.

Fakkema-Hovde presented the board-approved campus improvement plan that is centered on nurturing both social-emotional and key academic skills, with an array of learning activities implemented to achieve target goals.

She said her staff will launch a “Be Brave and Reach for the Stars” theme this year, emphasizing that all things remain possible even in the midst of a pandemic.

“It’s nice to have a theme,” she told board members, “and this is one we can apply to a lot of different areas.”

Another overarching theme, of course, will be public safety. The district, along with the state’s other campuses, will require masks for those in school regardless of vaccination status. As it was last year, students will have their temperatures checked prior to entering school facilities.

When staff reported to campus last week they could either be vaccinated or tested for COVID if they had not received jabs administered last winter by the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community health team. Washington state is now requiring all teachers and staff to be fully vaccinated in light of recent increases in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.

Board members also approved a Running Start collaboration with Bellingham Tech, similar to the district’s partnership now in place with Skagit Valley College. “I think it’s another great option for our students,” said board president Susie Gardner Deyo.