Education is a field that continues to change rapidly and we are dedicated to our staff furthering their commitment to the education of each of our students by meeting the challenges of today’s educational environment. Supporting this commitment includes providing the time for staff to work in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) each week, at a regularly scheduled time, to collect, review and utilize student data to more effectively serve our students’ needs.

Pioneer Regional School Corporation will utilize a "Late Start" model where staff will be engaged in PLCs for 45 minutes before the start of the student day. This "Late Start" schedule will take place EACH WEDNESDAY, except where noted on the corporation calendar.

A PLC is a group of educators who are committed to working together to help each child to be more successful in school. PLCs measure their effectiveness on the basis of student results, rather than intentions or good ideas. PLCs monitor data, take action, and continual adjust to meet student needs.

The Late Start Model is a part of the district’s plan to implement Professional Learning Communities in every school. By dedicating time for collaboration, a focus on data informed decision making, and best instructional practices our entire team of educators can work collectively to provide an educational experience that meets the needs of all learners with a greater levels of impact on student achievement and success.

Scheduling PLCs or Professional Development time for teachers outside of the contractual hours would increase costs incurred by the district. Using the contractual time makes the process of professional learning a “job embedded” expectation and in a cost effective manner.

Yes, but teachers need that time to prepare lessons, grade student assessments, communicate and meet with parents and students, and work toward school goals. We don’t want to jeopardize the great work already taking place, but rather to add to this work a collaborative time for focused professional learning and growth that benefits instruction and student learning.

Breakfast at the high school is grab and go. Elementary school students will have breakfast delivered to their rooms.

Our staff will work collaboratively during PLC time to refine their teaching strategies to engage and empower all learners by reviewing data and research to improve instructional and intervention practices.

In the event of inclement weather or other circumstances that would require a two-hour delay on a Wednesday, the Late Start PLC time will be cancelled and the district will run the two-hour delay schedule.

A delayed start allows for more focused, undistracted collaboration time before the hustle and bustle of the day begins. It eliminates unsupervised after-school time during which students are waiting for athletics/activities and permits full participation of coaches and after-school activity sponsors.