District curriculum staff presented an update on an ongoing curriculum review that spans four departments and will generate board recommendations in the coming months.

The review process will map state standards, scope and sequence, essential questions, vocabulary, lesson plans and aligned assessments before staff investigate instructional resources that would be brought to the board for approval prior to purchasing. Staff said the district began work over the summer and fall and will continue vertical alignment work through January with further follow‑ups in March and the spring.

World languages: Staff said sixth‑grade students receive 45 days of German and 45 days of Spanish, seventh and eighth grade receive 90 days of a language in each term, and the high school offers French, German and Spanish levels 1–4 plus Spanish literature honors. Staff noted use of the TPRS (teaching proficiency through reading and storytelling) approach and plans to expand it into middle school with professional development for staff.

Music: The music review covers K–12 general music, instrumental, choral and extracurricular offerings. Staff emphasized sustaining instrumental programs, improving family communication and increasing student engagement; they estimated the music review could require more than one year for complete district implementation. Trustees asked about restoring elementary strings, with a suggestion to start in fourth grade; staff asked for cost estimates to be included in board materials.

Physical education and health: Staff described elementary and middle school work on lesson planning and best practices; for high school, the department was asked to explore consolidating PE standards into one required course to free schedule space and to consider an elective in coaching and officiating. Trustees also asked whether sports participation could count for PE credit; staff said they and Doctor Thomas reviewed Pennsylvania Department of Education guidance and will add details to the Thursday board letter.

Sign language: A trustee asked whether basic sign language instruction could be added via clubs or coursework and whether colleges accept sign language for language requirements. Staff said they would investigate and report back; the transcript notes some colleges do accept sign language for language requirements, and staff will include any findings in the board packet.

Next steps: Staff will produce curriculum maps, draft lesson plans and resource recommendations, place summaries in the upcoming board letter and return with formal recommendations to the board in January and in the spring for final approval where purchases are needed.

Sources and provenance: Presentation and exchanges recorded at SEG 287–326 (overview), SEG 329–358 (world language), SEG 363–392 (music), SEG 394–407 (history/social studies), SEG 408–444 (PE/health) and SEG 467–536 (Q&A on sign language and PE credit).