District administrators used the Sept. 18 Colonial SD board meeting to describe equity and curriculum work that officials said will shape the school year, including recent staff training with the Anti‑Defamation League and the NAACP and plans to pilot new classroom resources.

An administrator told the board the district invested in professional learning this summer: "This past summer, the entire administrative team, not just principals in central office, but every administration in the district, and all of our departments worked with the Anti‑Defamation League for a day and a half long, professional learning opportunity," the administrator said. The district also scheduled recent NAACP training to improve supports for students of color and described coordination with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission for addressing incidents that might rise to a civil‑rights referral.

Administrators emphasized that the work aims to identify incident bias, prevent escalation and resolve conflicts at the lowest possible level. They described classroom and counselor interventions and said elementary principals are introducing common vocabulary and class meetings to address hurtful language and bias.

Curriculum and teacher development

The curriculum committee reported on a summer academy program for grades 1–8 and an extended school year program for students with disabilities, noting successes and challenges and potential reconsideration of summer learning operations. The board also heard that 27 new teachers completed a three‑day induction with ongoing mentorship and a professional learning plan. "We fully intend to meet the hundred and 80 days," an administrator said while explaining how active days are used for staff development and instructional time when necessary.

The board was told it would pilot a new K–3 math resource this fall with a final adoption decision planned for next year, and that the district is introducing a new MAPs K–5 premier resource as part of alignment with its vision and shared values.

What the board asked for next

Board members expressed interest in public transparency around these initiatives and asked administration to share summaries of curriculum discussions and training snapshots. Officials indicated more details will be provided at upcoming committee meetings and that additional reporting will follow as pilots and training activities proceed.

The meeting concluded with committee updates, community announcements and scheduled foundation events.