GRANADA — The Granada-Huntley-East Chain (GHEC) school board gathered on Thursday to briefly discuss how students are behaving since the school year began earlier this month. The board also discussed plans that have been implemented for the first time this year.

Regarding a teacher and curriculum update, Bethany Maday described that the new Second Step elementary curriculum is being implemented for the first time. This curriculum offers children a hands-on learning experience that decreases the tediousness of some lessons and makes them engage with activities, games and brain workouts. Students recently completed their seasonal Fastbridge learning exam, which is known to determine a student’s standing in a particular subject. With the addition of recording student answers in an emotional wellness survey, staff can locate which students may need help the most among the student body-both academically and socially.

“The curriculum entices the kids so they’re not just sitting there, I’ve seen really good feedback,” Maday remarked. “Students should have everything they need [for the school year.”

Maday shared that students in Grades 6th through 12th have begun to carry Chromebooks around instead of staying dependent on collecting Chromebooks in the school’s media center, which they have done in previous years. Maday said this transition has been very effective and helpful for students.

Middle School and High School Principal Andrew Walden commented that many students are passionate about the activities circling GHEC, and are striving to return to the school to partake in them. He beamed that it was a testament to the school’s performance.

“We’re also training staff to strengthen relationships with the students,” Walden said.

Walden shared that students in Grades 6th through 8th grade partake in social circle exercises (known to GHEC simply as, ‘circles’) to strengthen bonds between students and their peers to decrease the amount of social conflict on school grounds. Walden said while this is beneficial to a student emotionally, it takes away curriculum time from the student’s academic experience.

“I hope to steal that curriculum time back, but student conflict will decrease,” Walden commented.

The Spanish teacher of GHEC, Señora Rode-Mulder, assisted with the teacher update by reporting on the recent trip to Costa Rica students in Spanish completed during the summer. The trip provided the students with cultural and agricultural experiences.

“It was a good experience for all the students [enrolled in Spanish class],” she commented. “It’s neat to see connections being made. [The trip] is something I want to try and do again.”

Activities Director Erin Roiger reported the activities update and described with a smile that the fall extracurriculars are all underway. The school’s theatre department is determining practice dates, however have not finalizing on what production to carry out for their fall program. Roiger noted that due to the notable shortage of male auditions, the theatre department is anxiously recruiting boys and other students interested in pursuing the activity. Roiger is coordinating meetings with Fedworks to coordinate competitions, and finalizing championship settings with Tomohawk. Her next joint meeting will take place on Nov. 12.

In miscellaneous news, the school board:

— Approved Jordan Smith as a Jr. High Volleyball Coach for the 2024-25 school year.

— Removed McKenzie Wagelie for overload pay for the 1st semester of the 2024-25 school year that was approved on Aug. 8.

— Approved hiring Andy Sodersten as a sub-floating sub for September-November of 2024.

— Approved hiring Peg Rock as a long-term sub for the beginning of the 2024-25 school year.

— Approved the letting of Snow Removal bids for the 2024-25 school year.

— Approved the Dec. 12, school board meeting at 6:01 pm as the date/time to hold the public hearing regarding Budget and Proposed Property Tax meeting.

— Approved a $50,000 Fund Balance Transfer from General Fund 01 to CER Fund 04 for the 2023- 24 school year.

— Approved the Memorandum of Understanding, GHEC SRO Contract Addendum beginning Sept. 3, 2024, and ending June 27, 2025.

— Accepted a donation from Profinium of $5,500 from the “Non-Profit Give Back” program