“Before you act, listen. Before you react, think. Before you spend, earn. Before you criticize, wait. Before you pray, forgive. Before you quit, try.”
– William Arthur Ward
In our school district, like in many around the country and world, a strategic plan of action guides our work. The current plan was enacted in 2011 and we’re in the fourth year of its implementation. When I took office as superintendent of schools I considered the number of goals in that to be excessive and so our leadership team synthesized the plan that had been in effect for two years into a more manageable “Big 5” to keep it real, on everyone’s minds and to keep it actionable. We greatly respect the energy and time and great work of the multi-representative stakeholder group! Our Big 5 is directly mapped and related to the strategic plan. In this blog post I am going to share how our work of the past year and a quarter relates to and reflects progress on the big picture planning document that guides and governs the work of our fine District.
The Plan: Priority Areas and Goals
Priority Area: Student Growth and Achievement
Goal 1: Continually empower and support each student to reach his/her highest potential.
-Big 5 – Common Core State Standards (CCSS), Teacher Evaluation, Technology, Supt. Task Force
During our time here we have implemented MAP testing K-5 (it had already been in place 6-8), STAR testing, we’re working on CCSS aligned district curriculum assessments (DCA) and we updated and upgraded curriculum, instruction, and facilities at the middle schools. In addition, we have an elaborate professional development implementation plan that includes voluntary development (i.e. Deerfield College, TechCampNS) and choice-based institute day work (i.e. EdCamp, Teaching & Learning Conference). In addition, we have supported teacher developed curriculum maps for each grade level and CCSS subject area! Measures include satisfaction surveys, MAP standardized test data, CoGat test data, soon to be administered PARCC data and DCA measures.
Priority Area: Learning Environment/Climate
Goal 2: Provide an engaging, safe, and respectful learning environment for all students.
-Big 5 – Common Core State Standards, Teacher Evaluation, Technology, Organizational Culture, Supt. Task Force
The continued focus on social emotional learning (Board Policy 6:65) through in-place work in the district as well as through the Social Emotional Sub-Committee from the Superintendent’s Task Force for Middle Level Education demonstrate high value and attention to the social needs and emotional needs of our students. This fall we implemented the Rachel’s Challenge and Rachel’s Legacy programming at the middle schools. Measures include the multi-dimensional assessments as part of Rachel’s Challenge, the Bright Bytes 1:1 roll out measures, culture survey data as well as climate survey data.
Priority Area: Teaching Environment/Quality Staff
Goal 3: Attract, retain and support a superior staff by providing a positive, collaborative work environment.
-Big 5 – Teacher Evaluation, Organizational Culture
Each of the last two school years we have administered culture surveys and they show upward trending culture in the school district! In addition we have a mentor program for new staff and we have implemented the evidence based teacher evaluation program as required by Illinois law (SB7) and our training and supports continue with union/administration collaborative planning and review and monitoring.
Priority Area: Community Connections/Family Partnerships
Goal 4: Partner with families and members of our community to foster a shared responsibility for educating our students.
-Big 5 -Organizational Culture, Supt. Task Force
We have doubled our social media imprint and overall media footprint using Twitter (#Engage109) as well as Facebook, blogs, articles in the Deerfield Review, etc. We have reached out to the community with the Superintendent’s Task Force For Middle Level Education as well as the Parents and Professionals for Success (PPS). In addition, administrators are members of local civic organizations (Rotary, Optimists Club). We are proud members of the community and we are reaching out all the time to share our proud messages!
Priority Area: Resources: Fiscal, Facility, Planning
Goal 5: Manage resources efficiently and effectively to achieve the mission and vision of the district and be
accountable to the community.
-Big 5 – Technology, Organizational Culture, Supt. Task Force
Under outstanding financial management, we enjoyed our 10th consecutive surplus/balanced budget after experiencing 13 deficit years! We implemented a multi-year, multi-million dollar air quality and air conditioning project. We have better LED lighting in many parts of the district, we have generators, enhanced security systems, and many other updated and upgraded facility enhancements! An example of another HUGE project conducted on behalf of the taxpayers – with NO BOND ISSUE OR TAX HIKE – but from EXISTING FUNDS invested prudently can be seen in our world class science classroom/lab upgrade. We took 1961 facilities and transformed them into 2014 and beyond!
We are proud! We measure our work! We Engage Inspire Empower each and every day!