Welcome back, DUSD families—and a special welcome to those joining us for the first time! As we kick off a new school year, we’re excited to share that our AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program is continuing to grow across the district. AVID is designed to give students the tools they need to succeed, from building strong organizational habits to developing critical thinking and communication skills. It’s all about helping students become confident, independent learners who are ready for middle school, high school, college, and beyond.
Old River Elementary has been an AVID school for three years, and Lewis Elementary joined the program last year. Now, we’re thrilled to announce that Gauldin Elementary and Ward Elementary will be launching AVID this year with their 5th graders! This expansion means even more students will benefit from AVID’s proven strategies and supportive learning environment.
To prepare, our AVID coordinators led an energetic two-hour training for their entire staff, sharing strategies like digital organization, the critical reading process, focused note-taking, and philosophical chairs. The enthusiasm and expertise in the room made it clear—our teachers are ready to bring these skills to life in their classrooms.
We can’t wait to see the positive impact AVID will have as it continues to grow across our district. Stay tuned for more updates throughout the year!