Grand Island Public highlights center stage at board meeting | Grand Island Local News

– Dodge Elementary has incorporated coding into all grade levels, even organizing activities like a coding “luge” as a nod to the Winter Olympics. The schoolwide spelling bee was also held.

– Shoemaker Elementary’s Educational Life Skills has innovated ways to help students with different needs spend more time with peers and learn to communicate effectively and regulate emotions. One of the activities is the school’s coffee cart. An Educational Life Skills student takes teachers’ coffee orders and relays them to a Shoemaker peer, who then makes the order. Adjustments are made so nonverbal students can develop communication skills, too. There are currently five elementary students participating in ELS.

– There was more good news in GIPS Superintendent Tawana Grover’s superintendent’s report. According to data collected and analyzed by the district, there are indications four-day school weeks are having a positive impact on COVID in GIPS buildings. There are fewer cases and absences for both students and staff members. Having enough substitute teachers to fill in is also less of an issue.

– Action items included approving contracts with architectural firm Cannon Moss Brygger & Associates PC to move forward with planning building projects at Gates Elementary and GISH. Also approved was an agreement to utilize KSB School Law for legal services.