The new PACE Virtual Academy already has 100 students, Portage Township Schools Superintendent Amanda Alaniz said Monday.
“One hundred students for PACE, that’s outstanding,” School Board President Andy Maletta said. “To come out of the gate the first year with 100 students, that’s exciting.”
The new virtual school was launched this school year to serve students from outside the township as well as residents. The only limit, geographically, is the ability to meet with mentors in person at Portage High School, a requirement if the student falls behind in completing lessons.
In August, the School Board approved expanding the online school to include grades 6-8 in response to parents’ interest.
At Monday’s board meeting, Alaniz announced she is starting a new podcast, Alaniz in the AM, in response to a request from teachers to do so.
“We’ll have fun, we’ll laugh,” she said. “There’s going to be interviews.”
“People have been really responsive to it,” Alaniz said. “It’s going to be coming within the next couple of weeks.”
She also reported that a newsletter has been started for employees. She received several emails about celebrating successes internally and becoming a more inclusive, accepting group of colleagues throughout the district.
Maletta complimented her for communicating with the staff this way, showing openness and transparency while having fun. “We always talk about school needs to be fun,” he said. “Making it a great experience for everyone is outstanding.”
A transition team is starting work on the move to an intermediate school as part of the new school construction program, Alaniz said. The district is razing Aylesworth Elementary School to build a new middle school, then razing Willowcreek Middle School once the new building is ready to occupy. The current Fegely Middle School will become an intermediate school.
“We want to make sure we prioritize hearing directly from the teachers,” Alaniz said, before the grade level realignment occurs.
“Our teachers really appreciated that that plan is written out so it can be communicated well in advance,” she said.
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Doug Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.