From Julie Richards
Dear Elementary Staff,
As we wrap up the school year, I want to take a moment to reflect on everything we’ve accomplished and extend my deepest gratitude to each of you.
This year was a monumental one. We took on the challenge of implementing Amplify Desmos Math (ADM) across grades K-5. Let’s be honest: learning and launching a brand-new curriculum is incredibly hard work. It requires vulnerability, patience, and a lot of cognitive heavy lifting. I have been in awe of the dedication you continue to demonstrate, rolling up your sleeves in order to figure out the what, the why, and the how of ADM, all while keeping your students at the center of everything you do.
Beyond the new curriculum, your commitment to your own professional growth this year has been nothing short of inspiring. You collaborated, learned, and grew in massive numbers::
- K-2 Early Literacy Teams: An amazing 75 teachers participated across Cohorts 1 and 2, bridging foundational skills with classroom practice.
- Math Growth and Engagement Network: More than 60 teachers leaned into transforming the math experience for our students.
- Specialized Professional Learning: Thank you to everyone who dedicated their time to our 3 EL trainings, the Rethinking Disabilities in Math book club, Amplify Math Planning Days, Blends Planning Days, and Supporting Schools with Differentiation.
A Very Special Shout-Out
A major highlight of this year was our collective willingness to learn from one another. I want to give a massive thank you to our teachers from the Early Literacy Teams, the Math Growth and Engagement Network, and Early Math who generously opened their classrooms for others to visit. Opening your doors to your colleagues takes immense courage, and those visits and peer observations provided invaluable real-world learning for our staff.
In that same spirit of leadership, thank you to all of our incredible teachers who stepped up to facilitate Educator Network Sessions. Sharing your expertise with your peers is a gift, and our district is stronger because of your voice.
None of this heavy lifting happened in a vacuum. We owe a massive debt of gratitude to our instructional coaches and mentors. They were in the trenches with us every step of the way: facilitating planning days, modeling lessons, unpacking the new ADM framework, and providing the steady guardrails and encouragement we needed to navigate this transition successfully.
Thank you for your grit, your collaborative spirit, and your unwavering commitment to our students.
I hope you all have a wonderful, relaxing, and well-deserved summer break!
With deep appreciation,
Julie Richards-Director of Elementary, Curriculum, Instruction and Systems
Literacy Happenings
Nature Connect
Join Nature Connect and its partners for a workshop focused on enhancing EL literacy curriculum through nature and place-based learning. Find out more here!
August 24- Animal Defenses
August 25- Birds’ Amazing Bodies
August 26- Secret World of Pollination
Each day, teachers will:
- Gain background knowledge that connects the EL Education modules to local ecosystems
- Learn practical, ready-to-use strategies to lead nature and place-based science activities
- And much more!
HDESD Summer Institute
Registration for the HDESD Summer Institute closes on July 31st. Register here if you would like to attend. You can check out the informational flyer here.
