reensburg Salem
GREENSBURG SALEM SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
School Success Through Transition Pathways
If you peeked into any of the three elementary school kindergarten classrooms in Greensburg Salem , you would see the busy routines and daily schedules of the kindergarten children independently arranging their morning work supplies . It wasn ’ t too long ago when our kindergarten families were shopping for the perfect first day of school outfit along with the most colorful backpack and lunchbox . The anticipation of meeting the new teacher who would spend the school year with their child was a memorable moment in each kindergarten household .
The Greensburg Salem Kindergarten Team recognizes the importance of creating a smooth transition for children from formal preschool experiences or informal daycare practices into the full day celebration of kindergarten . This year the teachers greeted many familiar faces as a result of multiple opportunities offered by the elementary school teams prior to the first day of school in August .
Planning for the arrival of our youngest learners begins in January of each school year . Building administrators , school counselors and teacher teams arrange early intervention meetings with families who qualify for services in a seamless manner . This is followed by invitations to P . A . W . S . ( Parents Are Welcome in our Schools ) for our Greensburg Salem families interested in learning about the kindergarten transition pathway to success . P . A . W . S . workshops allow the children to spend four evenings getting to know the culture of the elementary school while having fun meeting new peers . Transition workshops are also meant to establish the beginning relationship between parents and the new school . Priority is placed on the target goal : collaboration . A child ’ s school career begins with the handshakes and hugs from a new teacher and progresses to the rigor of number sense and beginning literacy skills . Collaboration centers on the whole child . The kindergarten teachers rely on the sharing between adults at home who can give insight into their child ’ s interests and needs .
The late spring kindergarten registration and screening is meant to be another opportunity for the youngest learners to share more details about their developmental milestones . Readiness for kindergarten is about the school team getting ready for the child and celebrating the next steps in the new academic school year .
Support from the United Way Transition grant assists with the schools ’ efforts to offer Kindercamp to the incoming children . The five half-day opportunities in the summer enhances the transition pathway by providing an introduction to the routines and personalities of the child ’ s school . The first day of school becomes a familiar , comforting feeling for our young learners who engaged in the various Greensburg Salem happenings leading up to the August entry .
Our focus will continue to be on a warm , welcoming transition for each child ’ s journey into Greensburg Salem School District .
Panel Discusses Skills for Success in the Workplace
Greensburg Salem School District ’ s mission is to provide an educational experience that ensures each individual student becomes a productive and responsible citizen . To connect this mission to the real world , a panel of former GS students and local professionals was formed to speak at the first teacher in-service day of the year , discussing how communication , collaboration , critical thinking , creativity and problem solving are essential for success in the workplace .
Panel members shared insight into the key skills , behaviors and dispositions necessary to succeed as a professional . They spoke openly regarding their thoughts on how their K-12 education had an impact on their ability to perform the duties of their occupations and how they envision today ’ s young learners beginning to develop essential skills for success .
According to Dr . Ken Bissell , “ The shared experiences and knowledge of the skills for success in today ’ s workplace was essential for helping us build upon our mission to ensure every child is educated to become a productive and responsible citizen within our community .”
Special thanks to our panel participants for joining us for the In- Service Day discussion !
Mary Kay Babyak : Executive Director , The Consortium for Public Education Chad Zucco :
Chief of Police , City of Greensburg Roxanne Mullen Donahue : President , Mullen Refrigeration Services Richard Tutich :
VP Corporate & Institutional Banking , PNC
Robert Davis : Corporate Trust , Client Financial Management , BNY Mellon
Matt Gault :
Assistant Director of Education , Fort Ligonier Alexanna Kubler : Speech Language Pathologist
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