ThoughtExchange

The Elizabethtown Area School District is dedicated to creating an ideal learning environment for our students that harnesses modern technology's immense potential as educational tools while minimizing potential distractions. As part of this commitment, we are conducting a ThoughtExchange to gather your insights and perspectives on the use of cell phones in our schools and classrooms. Your feedback will be crucial in shaping our approach to electronic device usage in a way that maximizes their educational potential and provides clear guidelines for responsible use. Based on the insights gathered, we will review and, if deemed necessary, refine our board-approved electronic device policy to ensure it effectively balances the educational benefits of cell phones with the need to address concerns about distraction and misuse.

ThoughtExchange is open-ended, confidential, and an easy-to-use digital environment. It allows participants to share their thoughts on specific question and then rate the thoughts shared by others. This process helps to identify common themes and prioritize the most important ideas or concerns within a group.

We'd love for you to join the conversation. The Exchange closes on May 31 at 4 p.m. Click the link below to offer your thoughts. After submitting your ideas, you will be asked to rate the thoughts that others have submitted. All responses/ratings are anonymous.

Exchange Question: In the context of a modern classroom, what strategies can we implement to balance the benefits of cell phones as educational tools while minimizing their potential as distractions to learning?

Opened: May 20, 2024, at 12:00 p.m.  |  Closed: May 31, 2024, at 4:00 p.m.

As we prepare for and embark on school building renovation projects (secondary school complex next in line and upcoming), we value your input to ensure that our Guiding Principles resonate with the identified needs and expectations of our community. Our Guiding Principles will be used to establish a set of core values and objectives that will direct our planning, design, and execution of future renovation projects. With this in mind, the District is conducting this ThoughtExchange, recognizing the significance of aligning building projects and the associated financial investment with the values, priorities, and aspirations of our community. Our community encompasses a diverse range of stakeholders, including parents of current, former, and future students; educators; local businesses; and residents, each offering a distinct but valued perspective.

The Board of School Directors and District Administration intend to utilize the feedback gathered from this ThoughtExchange in several strategic ways to plan effectively:

• Identifying Priorities: Analyze the feedback to identify common themes, priorities, and areas of concern raised by the community.
• Refine Guiding Principles: Use the insights gained to refine our Guiding Principles so that they reflect the community's values, aspirations, and preferences for future renovation projects.
• Develop Design Criteria: Incorporate community feedback into the development of design criteria for future renovation projects.
• Adjusting Plans: Use the feedback to refine and adjust renovation plans as needed to better align with community expectations and priorities.

By leveraging the ThoughtExchange feedback, we are confident that our Guiding Principles will help the Board of School Directors and the school district plan future renovation projects in a way that reflects the values and priorities of the community, fosters transparency and collaboration, and ultimately enhances the learning environment for our current and future students.

Exchange Question: As the Elizabethtown Area School District plans for future renovations of our school buildings, what “guiding principles” do you believe are essential for creating safe, inspiring, and effective learning environments for our students both now and looking out into the future?

Opened: April 2, 2024, at 12:00 p.m.  |  Closed: April 12, 2024, at 4:00 p.m.

The Elizabethtown Area School District is committed to providing a nurturing learning environment for all students. As such, we want to harness the collective wisdom of our school community to enhance the overall school climate and culture in each of our school buildings.

The District understands the critical role that school climate and culture play in the success and well-being of our students and staff. We believe in fostering an environment where every student feels valued, safe, and inspired to learn. To achieve this, we are once again taking a proactive step by launching the "Culture of Belonging Thought Exchange." The Exchange is similar to the one we conducted last year around this time and is designed to see how well we are doing at affecting our school climate based on last year’s thoughts. As a reminder, we strongly believe school climate affects student performance.

This Community Connections initiative invites all stakeholders to share their thoughts, concerns, and innovative ideas about various aspects of our school's climate and culture. We believe that the "Culture of Belonging Thought Exchange" will serve as a catalyst for positive change, promoting a more supportive and enriching educational experience for all. We invite everyone in our school community to participate actively and share their valuable thoughts.

Exchange Question: What are we doing well and what can we do to continue to build a culture of belonging for all students within our school community?

Opened: November 6, 2023, at 1:00 p.m.  |  Closed: November 13, 2023

• Culture of Belonging - Final Perspectives Overview
• Culture of Belonging - Interactive Summary Report

EASD Website Refresh

The Elizabethtown Area School District is beginning a comprehensive redesign of our district website, which serves as the digital hub for district and school educational resources and information. We aim to have a modern, user-friendly, refreshed website by the start of the 2023-2024 school year. As such, we are conducting a Thought Exchange to gather stakeholder feedback on the content you primarily access when visiting the EASD website and what information is most valuable to include most prominently. We will use your insight in final design considerations, including constructing a website with enhanced navigation and search functionality, restructured and reorganized content, a mobile-friendly design, and improved accessibility for all our web readers.

We'd love for you to join the conversation. The Exchange closes on Wednesday, April 5 at 4 p.m. Click the link below to offer your thoughts. After submitting your ideas, you will be asked to rate the thoughts that others have submitted. All responses/ratings are anonymous.

Exchange Question: What are your primary reasons you visit the EASD website?

Opened: March 27, 2023, at 1:00 p.m.  |  Closed: April 5, 2023, at 4 p.m.

The Elizabethtown Area School District Board of School Directors has launched its search for a new superintendent to lead the school district. This task is one of the most significant undertakings a school board can take, and you, our community, are invited to engage in the process. The community’s voice will be critical in helping define leadership characteristics, qualities, and qualifications of the next superintendent of EASD. As such, we are conducting a Thought Exchange to gather your perspectives as they will assist the Board in determining the desired qualities of your next school superintendent. We will use the thoughts and ideas shared in this Exchange to help guide us in developing a desired district Superintendent profile.

We'd love for you to join the conversation. The Exchange closes on Friday, January 20, at 4 p.m. Click the link below to offer your thoughts. After submitting your ideas, you will be asked to rate the thoughts that others have submitted. All responses/ratings are anonymous.

Exchange Question: What are the most essential personal and professional qualities we should prioritize as we seek to fill the Superintendent role?

Opened: January 9, 2023, at 8:00 a.m.  |  Closed: January 20, 2023, at 4 p.m.

• Superintendent Search - Final Perspectives Overview
• Superintendent Search - Interactive Summary Report

The Elizabethtown Area School District recognizes that providing a school environment where students feel safe, welcomed, useful, and heard is essential to student success in their academic learning. This includes providing for their physical and mental well-being, meeting their social and emotional needs, and ensuring all students feel like they belong in the Elizabethtown Area School District. As one extended school family deeply invested in our students' success, the District values your observations and opinions. As such, we are conducting a ThoughtExchange on school climate and culture to hear from our community about what you feel the District is doing well, identify programs and services we should continue to prioritize, and look for opportunities for improvement. 

We'd love for you to join the conversation. The Exchange closes on September 21 at 4 p.m. Click the link below to offer your thoughts. After submitting your ideas, you will be asked to rate the thoughts that others have submitted. All responses/ratings are anonymous.

Exchange Question: As we welcome everyone back, how can we work together to build a stronger, more supportive climate and culture among our families and our school system?

Opened: September 12, 2022, at 3:00 p.m.  |  Closed: September 21, 2022, at 4 p.m.

• School Climate and Culture - Final Perspectives Overview
• School Climate and Culture - Interactive Summary Report

The Elizabethtown Area School District Board of School Directors is exploring the feasibility of implementing a full-day kindergarten program. There are many factors for the Board to consider, including the interest level of our community in a full-day kindergarten program. Whether you are a family with a future kindergarten student, one that has a child or children that have already attended a kindergarten program, an EASD employee, or a community member at large, the District values your feedback in this ThoughtExchange, as all stakeholders will be impacted by this decision. The Board will use the community input gathered in this ThoughtExchange as part of their decision-making process on whether or not to move forward with considering the adoption of a full day kindergarten model in the future.

We'd love for you to join the conversation. The Exchange closes on May 11 at 4 p.m. Click the link below to offer your thoughts. After submitting your ideas, you will be asked to rate the thoughts that others have submitted. All responses/ratings are anonymous.

Exchange Question: What is your overall interest level in the EASD offering full-day kindergarten, including any concerns or interests you would like the District to address as the Board of School Directors gauges the feasibility of such an initiative?

Opened: May 2, 2022, at 8:00 a.m.  |  Closed: May 11, 2022, at 4 p.m.

• Full Day Kindergarten - Final Perspectives Overview
• Full Day Kindergarten - Interactive Summary Report

The District recognizes a key pillar to positioning our students for success after graduation and helping them meet their dreams and aspirations is through a constructive and robust partnership with our families and community. The needs of our students must come first, and the perspective of our families and community members can be invaluable in providing insight into what they believe a child needs to be successful in school and life. The District will use the stakeholder insight gathered in this ThoughtExchange to pair our program of study, support services, and extracurricular activities with our communities' hopes and dreams for our children.

We'd love for you to join the conversation. The Exchange closes on January 31 at 4 p.m. Click the link below to offer your thoughts. After submitting your ideas, you will be asked to rate the thoughts that others have submitted. All responses/ratings are anonymous.

Exchange Question: What are your hopes and dreams for the children of the Elizabethtown Area School District and what do you expect from their public school district experience?

Opened: January 19, 2022, at 3:30 p.m.  |  Closed: January 31, 2022, at 4 p.m.

• Hopes and Dreams - Themes at a Glance
• Hopes and Dreams - Final Perspectives Overview
• Hopes and Dreams - Interactive Summary Report

The school directors are gearing up for a final decision on whether or not to close Mill Road and/or Rheems Elementary Schools. This process has involved tough and necessary discussions on possible school consolidations. At the October 12, 2021, workshop session, the school directors will hold discussions to find a consensus on the best option forward. In addition, before the October 12 workshop session, the school directors will conduct a second community forum on September 29, 2021, from 5-7 p.m. As part of this forum, the Board will review the pertinent information they will consider in deciding on the future of the schools. As such, the District is conducting this ThoughtExchange to gather final stakeholder perspectives before the school board holds the forum to discuss the possible closing of Mill Road and Rheems Elementary Schools. 

We'd love for you to join the conversation. The Exchange closes on September 15 at 4 p.m. Click the link below to offer your thoughts and/or see what others in our community are saying. All responses are anonymous.

Exchange Question: What questions or concerns are still outstanding that the Board of School Directors needs to consider with regard to consolidating our K-2 schools?

Opened: September 8, 2021, at 12 p.m.  |  Closed: September 15, 2021, at 4 p.m.

• Future Board Decisions Related to Facilities - Final Perspectives Overview
• Future Board Decisions Related to Facilities - Interactive Summary Report

The Elizabethtown Area School District Board of School Directors is conducting this ThoughtExchange to gather your perspective on the questions and/or issues you would like the school board to discuss regarding the possible closing of Mill Road and Rheems Elementary Schools. In January 2021, the Board of School Directors resumed dialogue on the District’s long-range outlook for building renovations and/or building consolidation. While these initial conversations began December 9, 2014, over the past six months, formal presentation topics have included a timeline for decision making; debt service and financial considerations; short and long term budgeting; enrollment projections; and building capacities. The information generated from this ThoughtExchange will help inform the school directors on all voices within the community and the considerations needed to make future decisions regarding both facilities and finances. Using feedback from this exchange, as well as the data that has been previously presented (see additional resources below), the board will be hosting a virtual community forum on Tuesday, June 29, at 5 p.m. to discuss this information.

We'd love for you to join the conversation. The Exchange closes on June 13 at 4 p.m. Click the link below to offer your thoughts and/or see what others in our community are saying. All responses are anonymous.

Exchange Question: What thoughts or questions would you like our school board to discuss in regards to the possible closing of Mill Road & Rheems Elementary Schools?

Opened: June 2, 2021, at 12 p.m.  |  Closed: June 13, 2021, at 4 p.m.

• Future Board Decisions Related to Facilities Overview
• Future Board Decisions Related to Facilities Interactive Summary Report

For additional building project resources, CLICK HERE 

The global health pandemic necessitated the Elizabethtown Area School District to re-imagine how we delivered our educational program and student support services. We believe the resolve displayed by our community this past year may have uncovered many "silver linings"or positives we can build on. As such, EASD is conducting a ThoughtExchange to gather your perspective on lessons learned from the pandemic that you believe we should carry FORWARD to the next school year and beyond. We will consider the feedback we receive from you as we allocate resources and plan our program offerings for next year. Please share your thoughts with us via ThoughtExchange by clicking on the link below.

Exchange Question: So much has changed over the last year, what are some of the “silver linings” or positives that have emerged from the pandemic that you would like the District to carry over into the next school year?

Opened: May 11, 2021, at 6 p.m.  |  Closed: May 18, 2021, at 4 p.m.

• Silver Linings and Positives Results Overview
• Silver Linings and Positives Interactive Summary Report