Curriculum Council Minutes 02/26/2026

1.  District  

• Jean Foster hosts monthly brainstorm meetings to network with PE/Health teachers. Please contact Jean Foster from the ISD for the virtual meeting link if you are interested.
• The new K-12 Health Standards were approved on November 13, 2025. An update from Michigan Model for Health was shared with the group; however, there is currently no timeline for when the curriculum revisions will be made or released. Once the updates are available, the Sex Education Advisory Board will review the curriculum, make recommendations, and move forward with the adoption process.  

2.  K-12 Communications: Elementary School Topics 

• Curriculum/Assessment Changes/Needs and/or Updates
  1. None shared at this meeting
• Counselor Update – Weekly lessons are taking place in young 5’s classes on topics such as respect, following directions, telling the truth, and playing cooperatively on the playground. Kindergarten students have been learning about thoughts and feelings, as well as how their actions affect others. Students in first through fourth grades have been participating in lessons focused on respect, empathy, emotions, stress management, and internet safety. In addition, lunch groups are being held to support the development of coping skills. 
• Career Day took place earlier this week for third and fourth grade students. Students selected their top five career choices and attended presentations from various community presenters. The event was a success.
• Family Literacy Night will take place on Tuesday, March 3^rd. A variety of special activities are planned for the evening.

3.   K-12 Communications: Middle School Topics 

• Curriculum/Assessment Changes/Needs and/or Updates 
  1. None shared at this meeting
• Counselor Update – Student Council hosted its annual Crush pop sale, which was a success. The counselors will be taking a group of eighth grade students to the University of Toledo for Engineering Day. Fifth grade students have been participating in Character Counts lessons. A group of high school students are in the process of being trained and will be providing presentations to sixth graders on the dangers of vaping in the coming weeks. Fifth and sixth grade students have a roller-skating party coming up, and counselors will also be meeting with students to discuss scheduling and course options for next year. 
• The Special Olympics Bowling Event took place this week and was a success.
• There is a team of administrators, teachers, and counselors participating in a SMART coaching initiative to better support students.

4.  K-12 Communications: High School Topics 

• Leadership update was shared. The group is assisting with the technology millage promotional video and the anti-vaping initiative at the Middle School. Additional projects underway include creating locker signs for students, recognizing birthdays, encouraging student participation at school events, and helping with Winterfest. 
• Curriculum/Assessment Changes/Needs and/or Updates 
  1. NOISE Course Proposal was reviewed and discussed. This would be a year long course for 9^th-12^th grade students. A vote was taken and the proposal passed with all in favor and 0 rejections. The course may be offered when it can fit into the master schedule.  
  2. English request for The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune was reviewed and discussed. The book was proposed as a replacement for one of the texts currently read in 12^th grade English class. The proposal did not pass, with 4 in favor and 11 opposed to the adoption. 
• Counselor Update – A document with the updated math pathway courses was shared with the group. The cash campaign has been ongoing throughout the month to encourage students to complete their FAFSA and apply for scholarships. Preparations for fall scheduling are underway, and all students will be scheduled for their fall classes in the coming weeks. On February 19^th, the counselors hosted a scholarship workshop, which was well received. A grant was received to install an apprenticeship wall near the gym, and a community event will be held on March 9^th to highlight the skilled trades. The counselors also took a group of students on a Women in Skilled Trades field trip at Monroe County Community College. A Career Expo will take place at the fairgrounds on March 10^th, and students are encouraged to attend to learn about various career options. Decision Day is scheduled for May 22^nd.
• The Michigan FFA State Convention is next week, and we have some students who will be receiving outstanding junior awards, competing in state level contests, and receiving their state FFA degree. 

5.  Parent Group Report 

• Parent Group update was not shared; however, many events are coming up such as the Daddy Daughter Dance, Read a Thon for reading month, Dine to Donate events, and Book Fairs. 

6.  Upcoming Student Events 

• Knabusch Math and Science Center Field Trips are available. Contact Nicole Shaughnessy if interested.
• MathCounts wrapped up their season earlier this month and the students did a great job.
• You be the Solution Challenge for 5^th-8^th grade students took place today at the ISD.  
• Monroe County Science Challenge for 3^rd-4^th grade students will be on March 2^nd-3^rd  
• Quiz Bowl in person tournaments will be on :
  1. Wednesday, March 4^th for 7^th grade
  2. Thursday, March 5^th for 8^th grade
  3. Friday, March 6^th for High School
• Monroe County Authors’ Program is taking place during the month of March. Final writing pieces are due by March 18^th.
• Monroe County Spelling Bee will be on Thursday, April 9^th for 5^th-8^th grade students.

7. Assessment Updates 

• NWEA/STAR Reading for kindergarten-4^th grade students took place in January. Grade level data was shared with the group. 
• Spring 2026 Testing Windows:
  1. 3^rd, 4^th, 6^th, 7^thGrade M-Step
     • ELA-April 6^th-May 15^th
     • Math-April 6^th-May 15^th 
  2. 5^thGrade M-Step
     • ELA-April 6^th-May 15^th
     • Math-April 6^th-May 15^th
     • Science-April 6^th-May 15^th
     • Social Studies-April 6^th-May 15^th 
  3. 8^thGrade 
     • PSAT 8-April 6^th-30^th (*tentatively April 22^nd)
     • Science M-Step-April 6^th-May 15^th
     • Social Studies M-Step-April 6^th-May 15^th 
  4. 9^thGrade
     • PSAT 9-April 6^th-30^th (*tentatively April 9^th)
  5. 10^thGrade
     • PSAT 10-April 6^th-30^th (*tentatively April 10^th)
  6. 11^thGrade
     • SAT-April 6^th-30^th (*tentatively April 10^th)
     • WIN Work Readiness-April 6^th-May 1^st (*tentatively April 9^th)
     • Science M-Step-April 6^th-May 15^th
     • Social Studies M-Step-April 6^th-May 15^th 
• NWEA and STAR testing will begin at the end of April/beginning of May for kindergarten-8^th grade students

8. Professional Development Opportunities 

• If you have any professional development ideas for the 2026-2027 school year, please share them with Sarah Ash. Feedback and suggestions from PD surveys are also used to identify potential topics of interest as well as collaboration with other districts throughout the county. 
• Monroe County Dyslexia Summit – April 22^nd, Monroe ISD
• Michigan Science Teacher Association Annual Conference – March 5^th-7^th in Kalamazoo
• MiAEYC Annual Early Learning Conference – March 5^th-7^th in Grand Rapids
• Michigan Reading Association Annual Conference - March 6^th-8^th in Lansing
• MACUL Annual Conference – March 18^th-20^th in Grand Rapids
• Michigan Council for Social Studies Annual Conference – April 10^th-11^th in Traverse City
• Michigan School Health Coordinators’ Association (MiSHCA) Conference – April 28^th-29^th in Bay City
• Always available: EduPaths and Michigan Virtual online professional learning. https://www.edupaths.org. www.michiganvirtual.org.  Free, self-paced courses, SCECHs are available for most courses

9. Future Meetings

• Next meeting May 14, 2026-8:15 a.m. in the Middle School Library. 

*** For all ISD PD register on the ISD course where/wisdomwhere site: 

https://www.solutionwhere.com/ww/monroeisd/ 

Adjournment 10:15