Solution Tree for professional development. Despite nationwide teacher shortages, Rutland City Public Schools continues to attract top talent.“I don’t think we’ve been affected as badly as some other parts of the state because we are an attractive place to be, and we pull in a lot of good candidates,” Olsen says. This strength further supports the district’s commitment to a unified and collaborative teaching philosophy. SUPPORTING WELLNESS FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF In addition to its strong teaching philosophy, Rutland City Public Schools places a significant emphasis on wellness for both students and staff.The challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic provided the district with an opportunity to reinvest in its community, using federal relief funds to support professional development, improve infrastructure, and promote wellness. These funds also played a critical role in launching the district’s strategic plan, which includes wellness as a key focus area. “We have a team led by Pam [Reed] that is working on promoting wellness and making sure that our staff is doing well and that our kids are doing well,” Olsen explains. This plan, currently in its first year of implementation, is a comprehensive effort to create a healthier and more supportive environment for everyone in the district. By prioritizing wellness alongside professional 5 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 01 RUTLAND CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
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