Tours of new charter school, professional development center, begin at 5:30 PM

City Times Staff

The Stevens Point School District is holding an open house on Thursday for one of its newest additions. 

The Point of Discovery School (PODS), the district’s new charter school, opened in September with about 60 students. The school uses an expeditionary learning model outside of the traditional classroom structure.

The district’s new Professional Development Center also recently opened. The center is used for teachers- and eventually parents and students- to receive training on the latest apps, devices and other technology relevant to student learning. Director of Technology Brian Casey said the district has had up-to-date technology for some time, but no space in which to train properly.

Until the PDC opened, Casey said his department had to “poach” rooms from other teachers inside the schools, or take up valuable space at Bliss Educational Services Center for the training. Casey said neither option is very efficient.

PODS and the PDC are both located inside the former Jackson Elementary School at 1900 West Zinda Drive. Tours will be available for all members of the public every 20 minutes between 5:30 and 8 PM.

Parents and other community members will have a chance to meet with Interim Superintendent Lee Bush, School Board President Meg Erler, PODS Governance Board President Jen Zach, Director of Technology Brian Casey, as well as other parents, teachers and students who will utilize the facilities.

A ribbon cutting ceremony for the PDC will be held at 5:45 PM; another takes place for PODS at 6:15 PM.