Aberdeen School District goals to focus on test scores, parent communication

The Aberdeen School District’s goals for the upcoming school year will focus on improving students’ reading and math test scores, as well as further implementing the district’s social-emotional learning plan.  

Superintendent Becky Guffin presented the goals at Monday’s regular school board meeting, saying that the four priority areas will be the same as last year. The priority areas are:

• Student achievement
• Health and wellness
• School and community relations
• Safety.  

Student achievement will focus on improving reading and math test scores, said Guffin. Those scores fell behind during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the school district’s goal is to get them back up to where they were before. 

The district will also be implementing new interactive digital boards and software, as well as further training for elementary staff. Those were introduced last year, although Guffin said new training will happen in order to take them to the next level.  

The health and wellness section will focus on the school district’s new social-emotional learning curriculum. That curriculum was implemented last year, with this upcoming year including new elements to the curriculum.  

In the school and community relations area, Guffin said the district hopes to improve communication with families. It will be easier for parents to sign up for Parent Portal accounts, said Guffin. Parents will now receive an email inviting them to sign up as opposed to having a more complicated process of making an account.  

In the safety area, Guffin said ALICE training will continue with both students and staff this year. ALICE training in an active shooter drill.  

A full list of the district's 2022-23 goals can be found at https://www.aberdeen.k12.sd.us/page/agendas-and-minutes-2021-22-copy.