What's NEWs in Computer Science?
Spring 2025
Why is the end of the year so busy?
Each year, it feels as though both personally and professionally, May and June are so busy! I hope that as the weeks fly by, you are able to look back over this school year and remember the joy and growth. I also wish you a nice end to your school year and a restful summer.
In this newsletter, you can expect:
- updates from this past year
- summer learning opportunities
- a look forward to what will be happening next year
District Computer Science Team Updates
The District CS Team meets 3-4 times each year with a focus on better integrating computer science standards for all students. To get a sense of what we envision in terms of computer science integration, check out our CS Pathways Document.
This past year, our team expanded to include the following members.
- Dawn Anstett
- Ashley Callan
- Jackie Corricelli
- Jessica Evans
- Cortney Kargusang
- Brittany Leghorn
- Anne McKernan
- Noah Mealy
- Jack Nilsen
- Joseph Tavera
- Zack Vose
- Courtney Warner
We are sharing a few pictures of the work we are especially proud of for this past school year. Reach out to any of us if you have questions!
Fine-Tuning Our HS Course Offerings
We are very excited about the newest HS course offerings, including:
- AP Cybersecurity I - We are among the first districts in the country to pilot this course.
- Programming in Python - This UConn ECE class allows our students to earn UConn credits while learning Python.
Thank you to our HS Math Departments, who spend time in the Fall going over options for students so they can find their perfect CS class.
Elementary Integration of Computer Science
Smith STEM Elementary School has emerged as a leading school in computer science integration. Students in Smith can expect PreK-5 lessons that are "ready to go" (and test!) for next year.
Our Elementary LMS Team has emerged as a district-wide leader in terms of elementary integration. For the first time this past year, all students PreK-5 had an elementary lesson in Library Media that was focused on integrating computer science with library standards.
Middle School Career & Technical Education Alignment
During the 2024-2025 school year, our team of Middle School Career & Technical Education (CTE) Teachers worked together to align curriculum district wide during their CIT Time.
Now, all of our 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students have a consistent experience in terms of CS integration in their CTE Specials. This will include the use of Micro:Bits for all middle school students.
District AI Team Updates
The AI Team meets 4 times each year with a focus on helping our district to keep up with the rapidly changing world of artificial intelligence. We have moved from our District Statement (released in the 2023-2024 school year) to Guidance Documents and a Teacher-Facing website that will be released in the June Faculty Meeting.
This past year, our team expanded to include the following members.
- Hera Butt
- Kelly Casey
- Jackie Corricelli
- Lisa Daly
- Eileen Eustis
- Lindsay Goltzman
- Natalie Leake
- Anne McKernan
- Derek Palmisano
- Jennifer Slifer
- Dave St. Germain
- Alan Smith
- Jessica Tamaccio
- Melissa Thom
We have also added the following student members:
- From Conard HS: Alexandra Caron, Nora Elnemr, Portia Hendzel, Jayme Kline, Ruhee Lalla, Ruzhen Li, Theo McPhee, and Aimee Warner
- From Hall HS: Rebecca Bomzer, Zachary Carmona, Max Einstein, Tyson Fulmer, Madison Geraghty, Kate Greden, Ave Knox, and Andre Snellings, Jr.
Expanding our AI Team to include HS Students
Our students are on the forefront of tech changes and AI is no exception. We are so happy to have eight students from both Conard and Hall on our team as leaders in this space. They have played a crucial role in creating and checking our guidance documents and we look forward to continuing this teamwork next year.
Creating Guidance Documents for Classrooms
Documents will be shared in your June 2025 Faculty Meeting. In addition, we will be modifying student handbooks and the Elementary School CyberCompass to include many of these.
Learning Together
We offered professional development to West Hartford professionals in a few ways this year. We were happy to organize district wide PD on Election Day and two "dinner & learn" events with EdAdvance's Matt Mervis. The after school events were well attended and the Election Day PD received very positive reviews. We know there is SO much more to do, but this was a great start.
Imagination in Action: Scratch Conference 2025
Thursday July 24, 9am-2:30pm - Online, FREE professional development for Grade 2-5 Teachers
Click HERE to learn more and to apply
Google: Generative AI for Educators
Click HERE to learn how to use Generative AI to:
- save time on everyday tasks
- personalize instruction
- enhance lessons and activities in creative ways
Pathfinders Summer Institute: Creative Coding & Storytelling
July 21-July 25, 2025 - Online, FREE professional development for Grade 2-12 Teachers
Click HERE to learn more and to apply.
AI Professional Development & District Site
The District AI Team is working on a few specific goals for next year:
- We want to provide professional development that is more specific to your role(s). What this will look like and how it will fit will be decided and communicated next year.
- We want to create a website with links and videos to help teachers learn about tools that we recommend as supports for you and your students.
CS District Pathway Site
We are going to take the existing Pathway document and map it over to a district website where we will share integrated lessons and resources to help any teacher who wants to experiment with computer science to have ideas and help to try it out. In addition in Summer 2026 the new CS Standards will be released. We will work to align to these new standards.
CS Integration CIT for any Elementary School Teacher
During the 2025-2026 school year, Zack Vose and Jackie Corricelli will be teaming up to offer a CIT focused on helping you learn how to integrate computer science in your classroom. We will have lessons AND we will welcome your ideas. Check out this link for more information.