Creating a Strategic Plan for the Orange Township Public Schools

Transcription

1 Creating a Strategic Plan for the Orange Township Public Schools Vision District Vision and Mission Statements "The Orange Public School District commits to provide a safe and caring environment where each student is expected to grow and succeed. We pledge to prepare all students with equitable opportunities for college and career readiness, leading to lifelong learning and responsible citizenship in a competitive global community." Mission The Orange Public School District in collaboration with all stakeholders is responsible for promoting the academic, social, emotional and personal success of all students. With a commitment to academic excellence, the district provides teachers, families, and administrators the tools needed for all students to reach their full potential. The district serves all students in our schools, acknowledging their unique backgrounds, cultural perspectives and learning styles. The district recognizes that curiosity, discipline, integrity, responsibility and respect are necessary for success. The Orange Public School District cultivates a community of 21st century learners where students take ownership of the learning process, achieve high standards of excellence, and focus on academics. No Alibis, No Exceptions, No Excuses! Session 2 of 3 Developing a Vision for the Orange Township Public Schools in the Next 5 Years On March 30, 2015, Orange Township Public Schools administrators, Board of Education members, staff, parents, students and community members came together to continue the strategic planning process. The second meeting s topic focused on creating a shared vision for the Orange Township Public Schools in the next five years. The meeting began with an overview of the first meeting the identification of district strengths/accomplishments and challenges by facilitators Charlene Peterson and Robynn Meehan, from New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA).

2 To begin the visioning process, participants were asked to picture themselves, having been away from the district for 5 years, and returning to find the Orange Township Public Schools on the cover of TIME magazine, with the caption Schools that Succeed. The participants were asked to envision what was written in the magazine article that warranted such high recognition what programs / services / curriculum / student outcomes / best practices / facilities would you expect to see in your schools that are succeeding? Approximately 85 participants then gathered in seven randomly assigned groups to brainstorm what the district did to achieve this remarkable success. After discussion, each group came to a consensus on its shared visions and presented them to all the meeting participants. The session concluded with the identification of common threads throughout the groups work and four broad goal areas for the next meeting. Group Work The information that follows is a summary of the work of the small groups. As discussed with the meeting participants, all consensus points are recorded and posted on the web to share the group work during the course of the strategic planning process. Cafeteria Team: Specialty school within a school, i.e. Culinary arts, health occupations, cosmetology, real estate, horticulture, music production. Red Team: Increase in school/district population Parents/families more engaged with schools All schools and facilities updated Better regulations for transfer of money to charter schools from traditional public schools S.T.E.M. Adult evening school with similar opportunities Improvement in high school graduation rates and enrollment in college/vocational schools Increase in students proficient in at least 2 languages Multicultural awareness Change in the perception of Orange Public Schools Decrease in transciency Black Team: Systematic services to address social and emotional barriers to learning (improved access) Technology Page 2 of 5

3 Yellow Team: 100% graduation rate Community Schools every school (Adult Ed./ Social Services) College in elementary school (professors, Community partnerships: B.B.B.S., Internships entrepreneurs). After school college prep Bi- literate students in World Languages (through Peer mentoring technology/travel) Social Studies Know 50 States annual trip Orange Team: Vocational education (e.g. vocational school) AP courses earlier in high school College and business partnerships (apprenticeships/ internships) Best vocational program in the country All seniors will have earned enough credits to enter college as sophomores (college readiness) Blue Team: Grades 6 12 micro societies leading into internships Utilizing technology to support life skills High expectations Green Team: Students complete globally Ted Talks for students Foreign exchange Community service exchanges Kids for Humanity Skype- in lessons All Orange students will have started businesses by graduation High skill jobs All students successfully complete apprenticeships/ internships that earn them middle class level jobs (career readiness) BOE regarded and affirmed as most supportive in country of student success Orange s prospective teachers are considered best candidates at the schools they attend and they choose to come to Orange because the district offers top tier compensation and work conditions. 90% of high school graduates are retained and graduate college in 4 5 years Extended day and year schools without walls 1:1 district technology exposure Cultivate ideas and confidence in kids and teachers making kids risk takers Adult schools for parents All schools are Community Schools Independent studies action research Page 3 of 5

4 Purple Team: Each school actively involved in community around doing projects with community Industries/businesses adopt a classroom/school and work directly with school District has a new look with STEM High School Students grouped by interest/ability instead of age Solid Newcomers Academy for POE & integrate all ethnic groups culturally celebrate diversity within schools International component in environment to promote connection to learning globally Keep families/parents/guardians connected with at least 60% participation in multiple modalities redefine parent engagement. Create parent class representatives and parent- friendly schools. Work together to be more sensitive to needs of parents. More developed athletics younger male/female student/athlete Less testing more learning Green buildings green grounds - clean More consistent culture promoting engagement/ management Common Threads After the individual groups reported their visions, the following common threads were identified that connected all of the groups work. Corporate partnerships to provide career path opportunities Technology push/pull. Integrated 1:1 Integrate cultural awareness through a global perspective 100% graduation rate Engagement of the community that includes parent relationships, services to the community, and service projects Student achievement to also include social and emotional learning the whole child STEM Community outreach giving back to the community and peer mentoring Green, sustainable, safe facilities Broad Goal Areas: Four goal areas emerged from the common themes identified by the group at large: 21 st Century Learning Community Engagement and Outreach Culture and Climate Finance & Facilities/Safety Page 4 of 5

5 The third strategic planning session is scheduled for: Monday, April 27, 2015 from 6:30-8:00 pm at Lincoln Avenue Elementary School Meetings are scheduled for 1.5 hours and end promptly. During the April 27th meeting we will review the outcomes from Sessions 1 & 2 (Strengths & Challenges, Visions) and develop broad goal statements for each goal area that emerged from Session 2, and related objectives for each goal area. Please join us. Everyone is welcome! We look forward to seeing you! Page 5 of 5