6110

Instruction

Schedules/Strategic Plan

Mission

The mission of the New Hartford Public Schools, in partnership with families and the community, is to inspire and prepare all children to become independent and enthusiastic learners who achieve personal excellence by providing a challenging and exemplary education program that is differentiated, inclusive, and dynamic.

Objectives

All students will pursue and achieve personally challenging goals tailored to their needs, interests, and aspirations.

Ninety percent of students will achieve Goal on the Connecticut Mastery Test (CMT) within five (5) years.

All students will meet or exceed proficiency standards on curriculum-based assessments or the goals identified in their Individual Education Program (IEP).

All students will increase their participation in meaningful service or citizenship activities in their schools and community.

All students will assume responsibility for their own actions and demonstrate respect toward others.

Beliefs

We believe that

  Learning is a dynamic process and a life-long pursuit.

  Education is a shared responsibility of the individual, family, school, and community.

  Families significantly influence student learning.

  Learning happens best in a safe, nurturing, respectful environment.

  Cooperation and collaboration are the cornerstones for success.

  Diversity of culture, ideas, abilities, and experiences enrich quality of learning and life.

  Compassion and empathy are fostered and encouraged in our school community.

  Freedom of expression and respect for multiple perspectives enable ideas and creativity to flourish.

  Risk taking is essential for promoting growth, innovation, and creativity.

  High expectations, hard work, and accountability enhance performance.

  Integrity, trust, and respect are values that permeate an effective organization.

  People are the most important resource in an organization.

  Commitment and loyalty are essential for the success of our shared vision.

  Everyone is responsible for contributing to and participating in the welfare of a democratic society.

Parameters

  Decisions will be made in the best interest of students.

  We will always maintain a safe school environment.

  Respectful behavior that fosters the dignity and self-worth of any individual or group is expected.

  We will expect behavior that will enhance, not impede, the learning process.

  We will always use our resources in a cost-effective manner without compromising quality.

  Programs and services will be accepted and retained only if the benefits clearly justify the costs.

  We will always practice fiscal responsibility.

  We will always provide training and appropriate implementation time for change initiatives.

  We will always provide clear and timely communication.

  We will practice participatory decision making and professionalism at all levels of the organization.

  Instructional practice and programs will accommodate all abilities and learning styles.

  We will always make decisions that are consistent with the strategic plan.

  All programs will be regularly and systematically evaluated.

  We will be a proactive and visionary learning community.

  We will always appreciate the character of New Hartford.

Strategies

Strategy One

We will develop, implement, and continually evaluate a well-articulated PreK-6 curriculum that embodies the knowledge, skills, and differentiated teaching and assessment strategies students need to achieve our mission and objectives.

Actions:

  Align Grade 6 Curriculum to the expectations of Northwestern Regional Middle School.

  Implement Differentiated Teaching in the PreK-6 Curriculum.

  Develop Ongoing Communication with All Region 7 Districts.

Strategy Two

We will develop the community support necessary to provide sufficient resources and facilities to achieve our mission and objectives.

Actions:

  Create increased awareness of our school community and involve community at large in the school district.

  Increase the community use of the district website.

Strategy Three

We will develop and implement plans to inspire more students to participate or be involved in meaningful service and citizenship activities within their schools and community.

Actions:

  Provide information and foster collaboration among our schools and civic organizations.

  Establish a section of each school s professional library to include literature and project resources for service learning.

  Budget and prepare professional development for teachers in the area of service learning.

  Promote personal growth and awareness of service learning and teaching throughout the school district.

Strategy Four

We will integrate and utilize technology in the teaching, learning, and working environments to effectively and efficiently gather, assess, analyze, and store data for informed decision-making.

Actions:

  Continue to implement and continually update the current technology plan with cost projections.

  Purchase a district-wide student data management system and implement two-year plan for its use.

Strategy Five

We will improve communication in order to unite parents, educators, and the community in working collaboratively to best achieve our mission and objectives.

Actions:

  Increase communication through the production of school-wide monthly newsletters.

  Expand the use of the district website.

Strategy Six

We will provide sufficient time and resources for implementing and sustaining our Professional Learning Community (PLC) dedicated to continuous student learning.

Action:

  Establish a Professional Learning Community Steering Committee made up of a representative group of staff members to create a three-year district-wide implementation plan.

  Integrate data-based instructional decision-making and differentiated instruction into the three-year PLC plan of activities.

Policy adopted:  June 3, 2008