Lila Byock noticed her oldest son, aged 11, was spending excessive time on his school-issued iPad. In central Los Angeles, his school required the device even during PE class. Frustrated, Byock challenged the school’s approach to digital learning, questioning its necessity after the COVID-19 pandemic, and found no reasonable justification. The school simply maintained usage...
Essential Skills for Kindergarten Readiness As kindergarten approaches, preparing your child can ease the transition into longer days with unfamiliar faces and new skills. Dr. Aimee Ketchum, a pediatric occupational therapist and creator of the STEM Starts Now Digital Child Development Program, offers insights into the essential skills children need for kindergarten. Soft Skills Ketchum...
School District U-46 is in the midst of a significant relocation project known as “Moving the U.” According to Lela Majstorovic, deputy superintendent of instruction, the shift of sixth grade to middle school is a key aspect of the plan. However, it represents just one element of a broader initiative named Unite U-46. The project’s...
School districts across the nation face challenges with declining enrollment, reduced funding, and budget shortfalls. This has led to discussions on school closures and ‘rightsizing’. Leaders are under pressure to reduce costs while ensuring academic recovery for students. A critical issue often overlooked in these discussions is that school closures do not affect all communities...