getting their needs met as much as possible,” says Nicole Swift, the district’s Reading Specialist. The success, in part, stems from their implementation of the “LETRS training” , which Swift describes as “Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling. It’s not a program, it’s a methodology on best practices.” The impact of these initiatives resonates throughout the classrooms.“The kids themselves are much more knowledgeable when talking about their learning,” Swift explains. “The learning is visible, but kids are also much more equipped with the terminology of what we’re asking them to do.” This heightened awareness has transformed how students approach their education, with Swift noting that “they are very attuned to what it means to be a proficient reader, and they can even reflect on their personal progression.” The results speak for themselves. “Over the last couple of years, we’ve gone from being eighth in the county to being first or second,” Swift reports. This dramatic improvement indicates the district’s successful implementation of professional learning communities and prioritized curriculum standards. As Holly Sidebottom, Director of Professional Development, points out, “When we look back, comparing our results from 2018 to our most recent results in 2024, across the board, we’ve experienced a pretty steady increase in student achievement, which contradicts the norm.” MODERNIZING EDUCATION: FROM ASL TO SHARK TANK Honeoye Falls-Lima Central School District is upgrading its curriculum to meet evolving workforce demands. “To be the district of choice, we have to be flexible,” says Mancuso. A prime example is the foreign language department’s addition of American Sign Language. “Students are beginning to see, especially here in Rochester, that that’s a competitive advantage for them to be able to talk to a large group of individuals who happen to live in this region who would otherwise not be able to converse or do business with.” Technology integration stands at the forefront of educational innovation. “We have an amazing new 4 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 03
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