Act 80 day Overview

Prioritizing Elevate Science Content for STEELS

Audience: Elementary Science Teachers (5th-Grade and Departmentalized Science Teachers)

This working session will equip elementary science teachers with the skills to strategically align the Elevate Science curriculum with the Pennsylvania Science, Technology, Engineering, Environmental Literacy, and Sustainability (STEELS) Standards. Participants will learn to identify and prioritize essential content for instruction leading up to early April testing. A core focus will be adapting the scope and sequence to fit multiple science rotation schedules, ensuring adequate time for labs, introductions, and assessment/review while maintaining standards fidelity. Teachers will leave with a practical, adjusted instructional plan.

Presenter: Jessica Smith, Savvas Elevate Science

Time: 9:45 AM - 11:00 AM

Location: In-Person (Aldan Elementary School)

Resources: Link to Agenda

Q1 Common Assessment Review (Grades 3-6 Math)

Audience: Elementary Math Teachers

This session focuses on analyzing Quarter 1 common assessment data for Grades 4-6 mathematics to inform instructional planning. Teachers will collaboratively disaggregate assessment results by standard and item type to identify student learning gaps and areas of strength. Participants will leave with immediately actionable, standards-aligned strategies and targeted resources to address prerequisite skill deficits and reinforce key mathematical concepts before the end of the semester. This review supports our cycle of data-driven planning and instructional adjustment.

Presenter: Stella Spies, Instructional Facilitator

Time: 9:45 AM - 11:00 AM

Location: In-Person (Aldan Elementary School)

Resources: Link to Presentation

Text-Dependent Analysis: The Foundation K-3 (Grades K-3 ELA)

Audience: Elementary ELA Teachers

This professional development session focuses on Text-Dependent Analysis (TDA): The Foundation K-3, which is critical for building the analytical skills students will need for TDA essays in later grades. TDA requires students to analyze a text and support their ideas with specific textual evidence. We will explore the progression of TDA skills from Kindergarten through Third Grade for both narrative and informational texts, emphasizing how your daily instruction lays the groundwork for the future success of our students.

Presenter: Marie Thompson and Eileen Sharkey, Instructional Facilitators

Time: 9:45 AM - 11:00 AM

Location: In-Person (Aldan Elementary School)

Resources: Link to Presentation

Q1 Text Dependent Analysis Review (Grades 4-6 ELA)

Audience: Elementary ELA Teachers

This session centers on a deep dive into the Grade 4-6 Quarter 1 Text-Dependent Analysis (TDA) common assessment data. Educators will analyze student performance across the TDA rubric domains (Comprehension, Written Analysis, and Conventions) to pinpoint specific instructional needs related to evidence selection, analytical writing, and argumentative structure. Participants will collaborate to refine instructional practices for teaching TDA skills, focusing on scaffolding effective close reading and high-quality written responses to ensure growth toward proficient TDA performance.

Presenter: Kerri Bobnar, Instructional Facilitator

Time: 9:45 AM - 11:00 AM

Location: In-Person (Aldan Elementary School)

Resources: Link to Participant Folder

Deepening 3D Instruction with STEELS Standards

Audience:  Secondary Science Teachers (Middle School, Environmental Science, and Biology)

Description:  This session ensures continuity in secondary science by focusing on vertical alignment of Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs) and Crosscutting Concepts (CCCs), and the strategic integration of literacy skills necessary for interpreting scenario-based 3D assessment items. We will evaluate curricula for high-quality, phenomena-based instruction and assessment design. A key component will be analyzing implementation data from the Kentucky Through Course Task (TCT) brought by participating teachers to inform collective pedagogical implications and refine our approach to 3D teaching district-wide.

Pre-Work: Prior to the session, teachers are required to locate a  Kentucky Through Course Task (TCT) that aligns with a unit they will be teaching between now and the next meeting (see participant resources).

Presenters: Dr. Brett Criswell, Philadelphia Education Fund

Date: Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Time: 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM 

Location: Penn Wood High School, Green Avenue Campus, Room 211

Resources: Link to Participant Folder

ELA Pilot Training Workshops

Audience: Participating ELA Pilot Teachers

Description: This professional development will provide piloting teachers with the necessary support and resources to successfully navigate and implement the new curriculum.

Savvas MyView

Audience: ELA Pilot Teachers from Ardmore Avenue Elementary School

Presenter: Alex Huggins, Savvas Learning

Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Location: Ardmore Avenue Elementary School

HMH, Into Reading

Audience: ELA Pilot Teachers from East Lansdowne Elementary (K-5th)

Presenter: HMH

Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Location: East Lansdowne Elementary School

HMH, Into Literature

Audience: ELA Pilot Teachers from Penn Wood Ninth Grade Academy

Presenter: HMH

Time: 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Location: Penn Wood Ninth Grade Academy

HMH, Read 180

Audience: ELA Pilot Teachers from Penn Wood Ninth Grade Academy

Presenter: HMH

Time: 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Location: Penn Wood Ninth Grade Academy

McGraw-Hill, Wonders 2023

Audience: ELA Pilot Teachers from Park Lane and W.B. Evans Elementary Schools (K-5th)

Presenter: McGraw-Hill

Time: 9:15 AM - 9:45 AM

Location: Zoom link 

McGraw-Hill, StudySync

Audience: ELA Pilot Teachers from Park Lane and W.B. Evans Elementary Schools (6th-Grade)

Presenter: McGraw-Hill

Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Location: Zoom link

Differentiation Strategies

Audience: 7th and 8th Grade Teachers  (ELA, Math, Social Studies, and Specialist teachers)

Description: This professional learning session provides middle school teachers with a practical overview of differentiation grounded in high-impact instructional strategies. Participants will explore how Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and differentiated practices work together to increase access, engagement, and rigor for all learners. The session includes an interactive activity that models these approaches and equips teachers with ready-to-use tools for their classrooms. 

Presenter: DCIU Presenters: Elyse Mignone, Sara Jeffries, and Valerie Douty

Time: 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Location: Penn Wood Middle School's Library

NewsELA Writing

Audience: 9th-12th ELA Teachers

Description: Develop an understanding of how Newsela Writing helps students improve their writing with realtime, 

rubric-aligned feedback in grades 3-12. 

Presenter: Jarrod Denson, NewsELA

Time: 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Location: Administration Building, GR1

NewsELA DifferentiatING INSTRUCTION

Audience: K-12th Special Education & Non-ELA Content Teachers

Description: Leverage Newsela’s content and instructional features to ensure each student has access to

important disciplinary ideas. Scaffold complex material so students get adequate practice with

grade-level work and vary the ways in which students demonstrate mastery of standards and skills. 

Presenter: Jarrod Denson, NewsELA

Time: 10:15 AM - 11:45 AM

Location: Administration Building, GR1

NewsELA WRITING

Audience: 4th-8th ELA Teachers

Description: Develop an understanding of how Newsela Writing helps students improve their writing with real-time, 

rubric-aligned feedback in grades 3-12. 

Presenter: Jarrod Denson, NewsELA

Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Location: Administration Building, GR1

Registration: Link to Sign Up (Tab #2) 

Structured Literacy

Audience:  K-3rd Teachers

Description: TBD

Presenter: Delaware County Intermediate Unit, Maggie Ficco

Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Location: Penn Wood High School, GAC, Library

Registration: Link to Sign Up (Tab #1) 

How to utilize eSchool

Audience: Building Secretaries & Others

Description: eSchool functions, registration assistance needs, how to handle confidential information.

Presenter: Danielle White & John Frink

Time: 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Location: Green Avenue Administration, Board Room

Safety Care - Verbal De-escalation

Audience: Elementary Special Education Teachers (K-6)

Description: Teachers will participate in Day 2 of Safety-Care training, focusing on advanced prevention strategies, safe physical management techniques, and applying skills to support student safety and maintain a positive, trauma-informed classroom environment.

Presenter: WPSD Safety Care Trainers

Time: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Location: Penn Wood Middle School (Room 107-108)

PASA training - requirement from PATTAN

Audience: Select Life Skills Teachers

Description: Teachers administering the PASA will complete the required online training session to ensure accurate test administration, adherence to standardized procedures, and compliance with state assessment guidelines.

Presenter: Internal Trainers

Time: 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Location: Penn Wood Middle School (Room 106)

Behavior strategies

Audience: Secondary Special Education Teachers and Instructional Assistants (7-12)

Description: Special education teachers will review foundational behavior management concepts and learn practical strategies to prevent, reduce, and respond to challenging behaviors. The session will focus on proactive supports, clear expectations, reinforcement techniques, and maintaining a safe, structured learning environment.

Presenter: DCIU

Time: 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Location: Penn Wood Middle School (Cafeteria)

Online Training For Behavior

Audience: Elementary Instructional Assistants (K-6)

Description: Asynchronous Training

Presenter: DCIU

Time: 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Location: Penn Wood Middle School (Room 105)

Behavior strategies

Audience: Select Life Skills Teachers and Elementary Instructional Assistants (K-6)

Description: Special education teachers will review foundational behavior management concepts and learn practical strategies to prevent, reduce, and respond to challenging behaviors. The session will focus on proactive supports, clear expectations, reinforcement techniques, and maintaining a safe, structured learning environment.

Presenter: DCIU

Time: 12:30 PM - 3:20 PM

Location: Penn Wood Middle School (Cafeteria)

Indicator 13 Schoology Course 

Audience: Secondary Special Education Teachers (7-12)

Description: Secondary Staff will continue in the Indicator 13 Online Training Series to review compliant transition planning requirements, strengthen IEP transition components, and ensure alignment with state and federal regulations.   

Presenter: DCIU

Time: 12:30 PM - 3:20 PM

Location: Penn Wood Middle School (Room 106)

Indicator 13 Schoology Course 

Audience: Secondary Special Education Teachers (7-12)

Description: Secondary Staff will continue in the Indicator 13 Online Training Series to review compliant transition planning requirements, strengthen IEP transition components, and ensure alignment with state and federal regulations.   

Presenter: DCIU

Time: 12:30 PM - 3:20 PM

Location: Penn Wood Middle School (Room 106)

Online Training For Behavior

Audience: Secondary Instructional Assistants (7-12)

Description: Special education teachers will review foundational behavior management concepts and learn practical strategies to prevent, reduce, and respond to challenging behaviors. The session will focus on proactive supports, clear expectations, reinforcement techniques, and maintaining a safe, structured learning environment.

Presenter: DCIU

Time: 12:30 PM - 3:20 PM

Location: Penn Wood Middle School (Cafeteria)