ENGLEWOOD – Fo
r Josie and her mother Donna Jadamec, the last day of first grade is special. Not only does it mark the movement to second grade, for Jadamec, it marks the end of a special experience.
“Especially, this year, it’s been a technological explosion,” Jadamec said.
9NEWS decided to follow a first grade class from the first day of school through the last. We explored a number of educational issues through the lens of Cerri Norris’ class at Cherrelyn Elementary School in the Englewood School District. The project is called Class of 2025 because that’s when these students will graduate high school.
This year, Englewood unveiled a new iPad program offering tablets to every student in the district.
“There’s so many apps we can use for reading and math,” Norris said on September 18 when her students received the iPads for the first time.
Norris was looking forward to changing the way she teaches by using the iPads as an important tool. On the last day of school, she was the program went well with her students, overall, but she does admit next year may turn out a little better.
“I’ve learned what works and what doesn’t work and I’ve also learned how much time certain things will take when we’re working on the iPad,” Norris said. “I think just after this kind of experimental year, we’re really set up well for next year.”
Jadamec likes the iPad program. She says her daughter improved in reading and math skills because of it. But, she did say it also contributed to periods of inactivity.
“She’s really been immersed in technology and in screen time,” Jadamec said. “For the summer for us, I want her to get outside.”
This classroom also represents a strategy in this smaller school district. Norris worked with a specially-designed visual cue system to help a student with autism spectrum disorder function more efficiently in the classroom. Jadamec says things like that make Englewood more agile than larger districts.
“I think everyone is very nurturing in a smaller school and in a smaller district,” Jadamec said.
As Norris bids farewell to her first graders for the summer break, she wants them to keep up with their academic skills, so they can be ready for second grade.
“At this age, reading is the biggest one. I encourage them to read, write, and do math games all summer long,” Norris said.
Jadamec knows that her daughter is just finishing first grade. But, at the same time, she says establishing a good start in any student’s school career is key.
“I think pre-school is important,” Jadamec said. “I think anytime you get a child learning early, they’re going to advance later on in life.”
9NEWS will take the material gathered throughout the year in this Class of 2025 and put together a documentary on a variety of social and education issues. The program will air sometime this summer. A firm date has not yet been set.