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District 202 has announced the launch of an online Parent University named The Blend, aimed at enhancing family engagement with classroom activities. The initiative will focus on technology in education for the remainder of the 2023-2024 academic year.
Laura Shervino, Director of Digital Learning and Innovation for District 202, explained that "the goal of The Blend is to increase support and communication to parents about the digital platforms that students use daily as part of the curriculum."
The program will consider various factors such as seasonal timing, family needs, community feedback, and teacher input. Its primary focus this school year is digital learning and innovation.
The initial topics include Google Suite for Parents in January 2024, Digital Citizenship-Digital Footprints in February, Curriculum Resources in March, AI in Education under 21st Century Skills in April, and Chrome Care for device maintenance in May. New content will be available monthly starting January 9, 2024.
Instructional Technology Coaches from District 202 will provide monthly on-demand training sessions to familiarize parents with digital tools used in teaching.
For the following school year (2024-2025), all learning opportunities through Parent University will be released before classes commence. Parents can offer feedback on future topics via a survey planned for spring 2024.
Parent University aligns with a broader Curriculum and Instruction objective to enhance communication with families regarding academics. It forms part of District 202's Strategic Plan spanning from 2023 to 2028.
"As we look to align initiatives to our yearly goals in the Curriculum and Instruction department," Shervino stated, "the strategic plan provides guidance from our community." She added that it offers "an important aspect of perspective from what our community partners feel is important for the direction of Plainfield School District."
