Bethel Park SD taking steps to further prepare students for future

BETHEL PARK, Pa. — The Bethel Park School District is taking steps this school year to further prepare students for the future.

Abraham Lincoln Elementary Principal Jay Johnson said the new emphasis starts with expanding a crucial program.

“The implementation of an English language arts curriculum series in grades K through two,” Johnson said. “The focus behind that is to increase the level of academic rigor that our kids are exposed to at an earlier age to get them more and more prepared to be better able to compete in the marketplace.”

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Also making its way deeper into the curriculum at Abraham Lincoln Elementary is a Google Chrome initiative.

“They'll actually be at a one-to-three ratio with students in those grade levels,” Johnson said.

In grades three and four, there will be a one-to-one ratio, which Johnson said is a priceless benefit to have to ensure no one is left behind.

“That really provides students with much more accessibility to the curriculum. You know, students that may need pushed a little bit further or have the opportunity to work at a higher level, the ability to do that is at their fingertips.

And class doesn’t only take place inside the school. Students, teachers and community leaders created a community garden as an outlet for students to apply what they’re learning to real life.

“It's been a great experience for our kids because they get to grow the seeds in the classroom, take them outside, be part of the process with the garden, see the end results, give the product back to the community,” Johnson said.

Cox Media Group