CHAMPION: Spend the summer learning

A couple of weeks ago, I addressed some of the ways Leander ISD high school students can use the summertime to get ahead with some of their college planning. This week, I want to shift gears a little and share with you how LISD’s rich culture of continuous learning takes shape during the summer.

Many do not realize how much happens in our district when the students are gone. It’s a flurry of activity because our teachers and staff are using the time off to continue learning and improving.

One example of this occurred almost as soon as the summer break began. LISD principals conducted what we call “data day,” a day set aside to delve into statistics we’ve gathered throughout the year. We looked at what worked and what should be adjusted for next year. Data day is the first step we take each summer to really dig deep and consider how we can improve year-to-year. This data will help shape other trainings campus leaders will be a part of this summer and throughout the school year.

Teachers and staff are pretty busy during the summer too. Teachers participate in a variety of professional development trainings offered through our instructional services department. For example, some staff may attend trainings on teaching students with special needs, improving classroom discipline, integrating technology in instruction or supporting the Seven Student Learning Behaviors, while others may learn specific strategies for challenging our most gifted students.

All of these training opportunities ensure that our teachers have the tools they need to better serve your children.

One of our big pushes each summer is to keep students reading when they aren’t in school to help students retain their learning.

So, through a variety of innovative programs and supportive staff, students have several ways they can access reading material this summer. For the convenience of our parents, this summer we’ve opened school libraries at River Ridge Elementary, Four Points Middle School and Rouse High School for a few hours on certain days. Selections for all ages can be found at all three locations.

For students with access to mobile devices or computers with internet connections, our digital library service, Overdrive, is open all day, every day.

Pleasant Hill Elementary staff has been busy this summer because, once again, they are taking their Paws on Prints mobile library to the neighborhoods around the school.

Last summer, more than 400 books were handed out, and we anticipate the Paws on Prints program will be even more successful this year. For our secondary students, because of our extremely supportive community, LISD’s Summer Reading for All book drive resulted in more than 9,200 books being given out to middle and high school students to read during the summer. (A big thank you to Barnes Noble Homestead for supporting this terrific initiative.) A couple of LISD campuses are even locations for “Little Free Libraries,” where anyone is able to stop by and pick up a book and drop off a book to share.

Parents can contribute to the LISD culture of continual learning this summer, too. To learn more about LISD’s summer library programs, visit www.leanderisd.org.

Check out www.littlefreelibrary.org for more information about the Little Free Library Program. And remember that the district’s Graduate Profile is based on the premise that our students be well-rounded and able to demonstrate social awareness, contribution and stewardship.

Discussing the issues that face our world at home with your children can further develop critical thinking in these areas.

Have a great week!