All aboard! The Energy Bus is set to depart with the destination being a successful school year in the Menands School.
School leaders have adopted The Energy Bus as the theme for the 2025-26 school year with a focus of the school community being similar to the focus of the popular book – using positive thinking and positive energy to create desirable outcomes in life.
“It’s a good theme for this year. We are nearing the end of our five-year strategic plan in which we have had a lot of positive outcomes and we are preparing to enter a new, five-year plan,” said Superintendent Jennifer Cannavo.
Principal Kathleen Wylie said The Energy Bus theme will be a part of everyday life for students during the school year.
“We will be talking about The Energy Bus during morning meetings, announcements, assemblies and even during staff development,” she said.
“This is really about creating a positive vision for the future, fueling the ride with positive energy, not allowing bullies or to distract from the mission, loving those who are with you on the ride and enjoying the ride.”
Changes…
Among the changes students will see this year is a new math curriculum.
Following on the heels of last year’s successful implementation of a new English Language Arts curriculum, the implementation of the new curriculum is a calculated move designed to engage students.
“We want to take kids from doing computation to being math thinkers,” said Cannavo.
The curriculum will help students understand the “why” behind the math, not just how to do the problems. The research-based curriculum combines print and digital materials to create a richer learning experience, school officials said.
The new math curriculum is the latest chapter in the implementation of the five-year strategic plan that is coming to a conclusion this school year.
That plan has also seen the new curricula, the launching of a social-emotional program that, in conjunction with a focus on restorative practices, has significantly reduced disciplinary issues in the school.
“We have seen spikes in kindness, positive actions and community thinking and significantly less disciplinary issues,” Cannavo said.
Community input
With the conclusion of one five-year strategic plan comes the planning for a new plan.
Cannavo said throughout the school year, families will be invited to be a part of the planning process and will be asked to take part in information sessions, planning sessions and feedback.
The superintendent said, “we will be looking for families to help us shape the next five years and build on the successes we have already realized.”
More information will be distributed to parents via Parent Square, the website, and social media.