make and take to our board of trustees are always centered around what’s best for our students,” says Dr. Madison. “They’re the reason we’re here. We’ve got a lot of adults we employ and many different programs, but everything we do must be in the best interest of our students and the various needs they bring to the table.” This comprehensive approach spans from food service to curriculum development, mental health resources to special education services. The district aims to meet all these needs so students can learn in a safe, conducive environment. The “future-focused” component acknowledges education’s evolving nature and prepares students not just for the next grade level but for life beyond graduation. “Our job is to prepare our kids for what lies ahead,” Dr. Madison explains. “If you have a kindergarten student looking at first grade, we’re putting together unbelievable opportunities each day to prepare them for what’s next. Ultimately, we want them to leave us as graduates ready to achieve whatever they want in life.” This forward-thinking mindset recognizes that the future constantly changes, requiring the district to evolve accordingly. POST-COVID RESILIENCE: THE FOUR CS FRAMEWORK As school districts nationwide continue to grapple with the aftermath of the pandemic, NAFCS is confronting these challenges head-on. “There was a mind shift that came out of the pandemic that we’re not only feeling in education but in the private sector as well. The pendulum always swings both ways, but I think we’re coming back from that,” Dr. Madison notes. His response was to create the “Four Cs” framework that guides the district’s postpandemic approach. Connection stands as the framework’s foundation, addressing what many educators identify as the pandemic’s most significant casualty. “That’s something during the pandemic I felt we lost; the opportunity to connect. Connection is more than just being on a screen. It’s developing strong relationships between students and teachers, and enabling our teachers to work together as teams,” says Dr.Madison.This emphasis on human connection 3 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 05 NEW ALBANY-FLOYD COUNTY SCHOOLS (NAFCS)
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