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Curriculum Home

Curriculum, Instruction, & Learning

Sara Ortiz

Sara Ortiz, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, & Learning 

Ann Dadich, Administrative Assistant

Phone: (516) 237-2010

At Mineola Schools, we believe that learning should be engaging, meaningful, and tailored to the needs of every student. The Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Learning is committed to designing and supporting a dynamic educational experience that prepares students to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Rooted in innovation and guided by data-driven practices, our work focuses on developing a rigorous, inclusive, and student-centered curriculum across all grade levels. We collaborate closely with teachers, school leaders, and families to ensure that instruction is aligned with high academic standards, integrates technology meaningfully, and nurtures the skills necessary for lifelong learning—such as critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration.

As an Apple Distinguished District, Mineola is proud to lead the way in personalized learning and instructional design. Whether through interdisciplinary projects, inquiry-based learning, or real-world problem solving, we strive to empower students to explore their passions and achieve their full potential.

Thank you for visiting. We invite you to explore our resources, learn more about our instructional priorities, and join us in supporting every learner’s journey. 

 

Instructional Model

Mineola's Curriculum

  • In 2017, the Mineola Union Free School District conducted a systematic curriculum review to determine the effect rapid technological advances would have on K-12 school systems. Superintendent, Dr. Michael Nagler was determined that any new curriculum would include the following:

    • Alignment to NYS Learning Standards

    • Allow students to “own the learning”  through more opportunities for learner choice in the way they demonstrated their understanding and the path in which they take to get there

    • The ability to share any district designed curriculum or resource with other K-12 systems

    • Reinforce systems of thinking and problem solving

    • Instill the belief that learning is a life-long process

     
  • Mineola UFSD uses an interdisciplinary approach to delivering high-quality curriculum to all learners.  The Integrated Curriculum (K-7) is complex, vibrant and nuanced. To promote an equitable and excellent learning experience the Integrated Curriculum incorporates elements of design thinking, advanced literacy, and multiculturalism.  To truly embody the Mineola’s mission and to further inspire students to make a difference, Mineola’s units of study focus on essential questions, incorporate learner choice, and provide enrichment opportunities that align to and extend the Next Generation ELA and Science Standards as well as the NYS Social Studies Framework standards.

    Mineola’s Integrated Curriculum cultivates knowledge by integrating the content areas of History, Science, Geography and English Language Arts. These four major areas of study coalesce under a theme-based conceptual umbrella guided by essential questions such as ‘How is one’s story shaped by his/her culture and geography?’  Learners consider the essential question throughout the units via articles, literature, various texts that promote diverse perspectives and multimedia from a variety of disciplines. Learners explore and experience content as it comes to life through coding, outdoor learning opportunities, STEM related activities, and interest-based learning tasks.   All of these opportunities allow learners to demonstrate their knowledge in a myriad of ways, and provide learners with agency, choice and self-determination.   Deliberate to the design of Mineola's Integrated Curriculum are opportunities for Mineola's learners to engage in the 21st Century learning skills, the 4 C's (critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication) throughout each unit. Units culminate with a demonstration of understanding in creative ways through an Application of Knowledge Assessment. These performance-based assessments ignite excitement and passion in Mineola’s learners as they employ design thinking, become active participants in a diverse democracy, solve real-world problems, and act as agents of change. Learners as young as 5 are taught that they, too, have a voice and that their voice is important in affecting change. 

  • Mineola uses several curricula designed by educational publishers as well as our Integrated Curriculum. Much learning requires systematic and explicit instruction for specific skill development (i.e. decoding or mathematics) and Mineola has vetted the many available options to find the best fits for our learners and community. Mineola uses a committee approach to selecting curricula wherein faculty and administrators work together to research evidenced-based curriculum and develop an implementation plan with training prior to roll out.  These curricula are highlighted in the Curriculum Charts and examples are listed below. 

    • Literacy: Heggerty, Fundations, Geodes, Lectoesritura (DL only)

    • Mathematics: Math Expressions

    • Science: Knowing Science 

Dual Language Program

Mineola's Bilingual Spanish Program


We are #mineolaproud proud of our strong Bilingual Spanish program from Preschool through High School. Students who participate in the Bilingual program through our high school have the opportunity to graduate with bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish.

Throughout their experience at Mineola, students who learn in two languages are taught in both languages in all major content areas. Graduates of the program earn the New York State Seal of Bilingual Studies on their Certificate.

Our bilingual program begins in Preschool and is only offered on Willis Avenue. Interested Kindergarten students can apply to schools in their area. MUFSD Preschool-12 Bilingual Learning Program

  • 50/50 Model (Spanish/English) Content areas taught in both languages.

    • ELA, SLA, Science, Social Studies, Math Fundamental
      • Instructional Instruction in Both Languages
      • Cross Cultural Awareness and Belonging
  • 50/50 Model (Spanish/English)

    • Grades 5 & 6
    • Content Areas Taught in Both Languages

    ■ ELA, SLA, Science, Social Studies, Math

    • Grade 7
    • ELA, SLA, Science, Social Studies, Math Grade
    • English: ELA, Social Studies, Science, Math
    • Cross Cultural Awareness and Belonging
  • Academic courses offered in both languages

    • SLA & AP Spanish Courses
    • Bilingual content courses
    • Seal of Bilingual Studies
    • Cross Cultural Awareness and Belonging
  • Whether you speak the immersion language or not, the best way to support your student is by creating a supportive learning environment in the language of the home. This literacy-rich foundation is built as you read, write, listen, and talk to your student in your own language and culture, building a bond of learning with them.

    1. Support your student in the language of the home. Read WITH them and TO them in your native language EVERY day.
    2. Ask your student open-ended questions about what they are learning in school. Encourage curiosity by teaching them to question the world around them.
    3. Emphasize the value of acquiring another language. Applaud their efforts in the language immersion.
    4. Help your student develop effective study skills. Ask your teacher how much homework to expect and regularly set aside time to work on it. Remember that homework is the student’s responsibility and encourage them to be accountable by following up with them later.
    5. Become involved in your student’s school experience by volunteering in the immersion classroom or helping with materials, activities, or field trips.
    6. Extend cultural experiences beyond the classroom. Take your child to a local event such as a Portuguese festival, a Spanish restaurant, or a Chinese New Year party.
    7. Expose your student to the language through technology and media. Use apps, movies, TV, or internet to increase the amount of time your student spends engaging in the immersion language. For example, watch a favorite movie in French instead of English, or listen to Portuguese music or Spanish books on CD.
    8. As your student grows, consider participating in an exchange or work program, summer language camp, or a family vacation to another country.
       (Based on suggestions from French Immersion in Manitoba: A Handbook for School Leaders)
  • Helpful Articles

    Educational Songs

    Websites

    Mobile Apps

    • DuoLingo
    • Little Pim
    • Rosetta Stone Kids Lingo Letter Sounds
    • Learning by Mindsnacks
    • Pili Pop Español

    Books

    • A Parents’ and Teachers’ Guide to Bilingualism (by Colin Baker)
    • The Bilingual Brain (by Arturo E. Hernandez)

     

    Videos

    Podcasts

    • Coffee break Spanish
    • Spanish Pod 101
    • Discover Spanish

Professional Resources & Standards

The mission of the Mineola Union Free School District is to inspire each student to be a life-long learner, pursue excellence, exhibit strength of character and contribute positively to a global society