ThoughtExchange

  • Engaging with our stakeholders on critical topics

    As part of our ongoing efforts to build trust and support in our school system, the District uses the community engagement platform ThoughtExchange. In doing so, it is our goal to promote stakeholder engagement through a user-friendly, online tool that allows community members to share their thoughts and ideas on a specific topic affecting our school system. What Is ThoughtExchange Video Your anonymous insights, affirmations, challenges, and concerns are valued and welcomed as we seek opportunities to improve our school system.

    ThoughtExchange is open-ended, confidential, and an easy-to-use digital environment. After sharing your thoughts, you can rate views provided by other stakeholders. You can rate as many opinions as you’d like before moving on to the "Discover" phase, where you can see all the thoughts sorted by the average rating.

     

    OPEN Exchange:

    No Open Exchanges

     

     

    CLOSED Exchanges:

    Superintendent Search - Essential Personal and Professional Qualities

    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.

     

    School Climate and Culture

    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.

     

    Full Day Kindergarten - Community Interest

    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.

     

    Hopes and Dreams for our Students

    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.

     

    Future Board Decisions Related to Facilities - Final Perspectives

    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

    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.

    For additional building project resources, CLICK HERE 

    Silver Linings / Positives

    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.