Posts tagged Professional Development
Science of Learning Book Study — $1,050
Science of Learning Book Study — $1,050

This grant funds a year-long professional book study for K–8 staff centered on Beyond the Science of Reading by Natalie Wexler, deepening educators' understanding of how students learn to read and how cognitive science translates into effective classroom practice. Teachers across three schools will meet monthly throughout 2026–27 to discuss the book, apply instructional shifts in their classrooms, and build a shared research-aligned foundation ahead of the district's upcoming ELA standards rollout and curriculum adoption. Two reading specialists will facilitate the sessions, with success measured through pre- and post-surveys of teacher confidence and instructional implementation.

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2026Sandy SlaytonEnglish Language Arts, Professional Development
GLAD Professional Development - $4,788
GLAD Professional Development - $4,788

Curricular Area: English Language Arts
Grant Focus: Professional Development
Schools: Whitson Elementary

Since WSVSD has already prioritized GLAD, this project ensures that teachers can move beyond training into full-scale implementation, making the most of the district’s investment. This project provides hands-on collaborative lesson planning specific to the Geography curriculum, and develop ready-to-use GLAD-aligned Geography materials that will benefit both students and teachers long-term.

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2025AdminWhitson Elementary, English Language Arts, Professional Development
2023 Budget Crisis Support - $87,325
2023 Budget Crisis Support - $87,325

Curricular Area: Across Subjects
Grant Focus: Professional Development
Schools: District-wide

When our schools experienced a significant financial crisis this year, resulting in devastating budget shortages, staffing reductions, and program cuts, we promptly responded by awarding a grant totaling $87,325. In partnership with our new superintendent, Rich Polkinghorn, we will be allocating those funds to address the specific needs of our schools.

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2023AdminProfessional Development, Columbia High School, Henkle Middle School, Whitson Elementary, W&P Stevenson Intermediate
AVID Training (Advancement via Individual Determination) - $16,558
AVID Training (Advancement via Individual Determination) - $16,558

Curricular Area: Across Subjects
Grant Focus: Professional Development
Schools: Henkle Middle School, Columbia High School
Items Purchased: Implementation of the AVID Elective and AVID School Wide programs within two to three years. AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination.

Providing staff with the professional development necessary to implement the AVID program is part of a larger district-wide vision to increase rigor and opportunity for all students.

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Spring 2022AdminSocial Emotional Learning, Professional Development, Columbia High School, Henkle Middle School