Canton Union School District #66 Vision Statement: 
"Every Canton student is achieving at his or her maximum potential in an engaging, inspiring, and fluid learning environment."

What is CUSD 20/20?

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CUSD 20/20 is a district initiative to bring 21st Century Learning into every classroom by the year 2020.  The pillar components of this initiative will focus on the following: collaboration, innovation, critical/creative thinking, and problem solving.  Instructional strategies, programs, resources, classroom environments, curriculum, courses and technology will be audited, reviewed and aligned to a 21st Century Learning Community.  These activities will be part of the district/school improvement plans over the next 3 years.  Teachers will be given specific time to review their instruction, programs, lessons, activities, assessments and resources during school improvement days throughout the year and during the summer.  Over the last 3-5 years, there have been many state mandates and district projects ranging from new state standards to 1:1 technology.  This initiative will focus and streamline these mandates and projects to better serve the students, parents, teachers and community of Canton School District.   CUSD 20/20 will Ensure The Vision for every student to reach their maximum potential and to provide an engaging, inspiring and fluid learning environment.

Why the transformation to 21st Century Learning?

​Globalization and Education Presentation (PDF)

How do we get there?

Transforming the district to 21st Century Learning will take several years, lots of discussions, professional development for teachers, community support and even more discussions to foster continuous improvement.  Planning and discussions need to be frequent with students, parents,  teachers, administration, school board members and community leaders.   Our planning and implementation phases will need to be flexible, receptive to new ideas and technologies, and responsive to community, college and career trends.
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School Year 2016 to 2017 activities include: visiting 21st Century school districts, piloting STEM programs, implementing a Citizen's Advisory Council, beginning conversations with business and community partnersthips, and planning teacher professional development.
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2016 School visit photos include Cyrstal Lake Elementary School District, Barrington Unit School District, and Coal City Unit School District.

STEM to STEAM Focus

STEM is a curriculum based on the idea of educating students in four specific disciplines- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics- in an interdisciplinary and applied approach.  CUSD66 is planning on expanding this concept to include the humanities and arts making the focus on STEAM.  The Arts will be a part of this transformation to a 21t Century Learning Environment.  The end results are students who take thoughtful risks, engage in experiential learning, persist in problem-solving, embrace collaboration and work through the creative process.  CUSD66 students will be the innovators, educators, leaders and learners of the 21st century!

Click here to learn more about STEM education.

Click here to learn more about STEAM education.
Plans for Lego Ed in CUSD66.
The Lego Education Program is currently being piloted in grades K-5 for school years 2016-2017 and 2017-2018.  Full implementation is scheduled for school year 2018-2019 where each elementary building will have a kit for each grade level.  During the pilot years, teachers are learning the new curriculum, developing STEM instructional strategies, and networking to build capacity and best practices.  

Lego WeDo 2.0 comes to IMS

Lego WeDo 2.0 at Barrington
What is LEGO Education WeDo 2.0?
LEGO Education WeDo 2.0 is a hands-on, elementary science solution that develops science practices in the classroom through a robot-based learning system. The unique solution combines the LEGO®brick, classroom-friendly software, engaging and standards-based projects which inspire every student’s desire to discover the world around them.

With WeDo 2.0, students will explore, create, and share their scientific discoveries as they build, program, and modify projects. As they collaborate, they deeply engage with science, engineering, technology, and coding, sparking a love for experimentation and investigation.  Teachers receive support through training, curriculum and built-in assessment. 

The result – a resource that builds students’ confidence to ask questions, define problems, and design their own solutions by putting scientific discovery in their hands.

Click here for more information on the Lego Education Learning Programs.
Plans for Project Lead the Way in CUSD66- IMS and  CHS
This program provides transformative learning experiences for grades 6-12 students and teachers across CUSD66. The PLTW curriculum creates an engaging, hands-on classroom environment and empower students to develop in-demand knowledge and skills they need to thrive in a 21st Century environment.  Teachers will be provided training, resources, and support they need to engage students in real-world learning.  More information and details coming soon...

Click here for more information on Project Lead The Way.
Canton High School Implementation 2017-18
​Canton High School Implementation 2017-18
Ingersoll Middle School Implementation 2017-18

Flexible Seating in CUSD66

In order to provide a 21st Learning Environment that kids need, flexible classrooms give students a choice in what kind of learning space works for them, and help them to work collaboratively, communicate, and engage in critical thinking.  
Related articles and inspirations:
What is Flexible seating?
The Kayla Delzer Story
​The Albemarle County Public School Story

1:1 and Technology Innovation in CUSD66

Information is being revised and updated as the elementary team finalizes their implementation plan.

1:1 Math at Barrington