Ready, Set, Launch!

The Apollo Redesign Project

All systems are go, and we are ready to launch! USD 254 is excited to take a large leap into the future of education and have joined the state’s Apollo Redesign. What exactly is this, you might be wondering. The redesign is an effort to move education forward in new and exciting ways: To provide our students with the best education and to help them to achieve their own goals for the future. The redesign is made up of four key components:

1. Student Success Skills and Social/Emotional Learning
2. Community Partnerships
3. Personalized Learning
4. Real-World Applications

The district intends to do this through some tried and true avenues, and maybe even through some new and innovative avenues. First, the district will be implementing 2:30 dismissals on Wednesdays into their schedule this year in order to allow for time to collaborate and discuss ideas and to give teachers the time needed to meet the individual needs of each and every student in this district as well as time to work on the assignments that will be given by the State Department of Education. Some things that many of you as parents may have already heard about from your child are career explorations and job shadows at the junior high/ high school as well as pathways that are being created to help students exit their high school careers with a certification in a career field of their choice! At the grade school, parents may have heard their children talking about “Second Step“ the new social-emotional program that helps students learn to regulate their own behaviors in a more positive and effective way. This junior/senior high school will be following suit this year and will be implementing “Vibe” which will continue the social/emotional learning. As the district launches into this new and exciting time, transparency is their main goal. Watch for monthly updates here.