Elementary School Reconfiguration Exploration
Poughkeepsie City School District
Poughkeepsie City School District
A restructuring of the Elementary School Buildings
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To target and build student academic, social, and emotional success through a realignment of elementary school grade configurations.
“We are champions of children who inspire and nurture the whole child by providing innovative, high-quality educational opportunities that prepare all students to embark on individual paths of success in a globally diverse community.”
Responding to Family Needs & Concerns
Increasing Academic Achievement
Enhancing Student Social-Emotional Development
Building Stronger School Relationships
Changing Community Dynamics
Breakage of location for District's earliest learners - In the current configuration, students transition schools multiple times at the youngest years - between PreK and K, and between K and 1. Transitioning schools at this age makes transititioning into school more challenging for students and families to prepare for the next grade level, monitor student progress, and familiarize themselves with school environments, culture, and expectations.
Distance from home - With the new reconfiguration, there will be two locations for kindergarten students (rather than 1). The new attendance zones and the proposed establishment of child safety zones will enable the district to receive state aid for transportation, enabling more students to be bussed to school.
Focusing on developmental needs of specific grade bands PreK-2 and 3-5...
Increases & Improves Child Cognitive Development
Increases & Improves Child Social Emotional Development
Increases & Improves Critical Thinking and Learning Styles
Increase students’ reading proficiency by 3rd grade
Increase high school graduation and post-secondary education
Prepares students to become lifelong learners
Reduced class sizes, particularly at primary buildings
Targeted professional learning
Developmentally appropriate curricular resources
Grade-band specific instructional targets
Greater focus on age and grade appropriate multi-tiered support systems
Aid in the building of developmentally appropriate Social-Emotional Skills at each school:
Grade/age-specific programs, resources, and training
Establish and maintain positive relationships\
Establish strong school community and identity
Living close to a school means students can walk or ride to school
Reducing transitions at the primary level makes for stronger bonds with teachers, classmates, and administrators
Common language and practices across primary and elementary level buildings for consistent expectations among school community members
Greater Opportunities for Parental Engagement
Future Housing Developments may yield higher enrollments
Safety - Altering school zones to reduce the number of walking students who need to cross the arterial, providing bussing for youngest students
Please complete this brief form to get more information on the project and/or to get involved!
November 2023 - December 2024
Establish Reconfiguration Task Force to continue to research impact on academics, students, and families, fiscal impacts, and zoning.
January - February 2025
Finalize a clear plan of implementation, including clear attendance zones, communication with families/community, and budgeting information. Teachers will be provided with a survey regarding their building and grade preferences.
February 2025
Present final plan to BOE for approval; Petition NYSED for grade reconfiguration by March 1, 2025.
March-June 2025
Conduct informational sessions, finalize reassignments to teachers & staff, share bus routes with families, etc.