The following is a message for K-5 families from Deputy Superintendent Dr. David Hurst…

Dear K-5 families:

This year, all classrooms K-5 will be provided with a series of hands-on computer science enrichment activities led by the district’s Library Media Specialists. 

To help our elementary students get excited about computer science, coding, and engineering, the Library Media Specialists will host Library Labs for each grade level where students will be introduced to the online learning platform code.org and to programmable robots such as Ozobot. These Library Labs are intended to foster the development of students’ problem solving and critical thinking skills. The lessons will include a mix of discussion, group activities and online independent practice that is age appropriate and aligned to New York State standards for computer science and digital fluency. No testing or grading will be part of the Library Labs.

Students in grades K-2 will participate in a total of three 40-minute Library Labs. Students in grades 3-5 will participate in a total of four 40-minute labs. Each lab will be scheduled by grade level during the following timeframes:

• Grade 5: December 12-January 13
• Grade 4: January 16-February 10
• Grade 3: February 13-March 17
• Grade 2: March 20-April 7
• Grade 1: April 17-May 5
• Kindergarten: May 8-May 26

We are pleased to be able to offer this computer science enrichment program during the school day at BC. This program is designed with equity of access for all students as one of its goals. If the program is successful, we plan to expand similar opportunities next year. 

If you have any questions about the upcoming computer science enrichment Library Labs program, please feel free to contact me at dhurst@bethlehemschools.org.

Sincerely,

David Hurst, Ph.D.