READINGTON TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT STRATEGIC PLANNING PREPARING FOR 2016 - 2020 Thank you to the parents, students, staff, and community members who participated in our district’s recent Strategic Planning Retreat in June 2016. Through rich dialogue and smart thinking on a variety of topics, several common themes developed. The district has identified four vital areas for focused growth. This plan will be used to guide actions over the course of several school years. Following approval by our Board of Education, this plan will inform the professional goals of our district faculty who will develop action plans in their respective areas. We look forward to preparing for the future with the cooperation of our district constituents and the clear objectives outlined in this document. Sincerely, Barbara Sargent Superintendent of Schools 1
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READINGTON TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT
STRATEGIC PLANNING
PREPARING FOR 2016 - 2020
Thank you to the parents, students, staff, and community members who participated in our district’s recent Strategic Planning Retreat in June 2016. Through rich dialogue and smart thinking on a variety of topics, several common themes developed. The district has identified four vital areas for focused growth. This plan will be used to guide actions over the course of several school years. Following approval by our Board of Education, this plan will inform the professional goals of our district faculty who will develop action plans in their respective areas.
We look forward to preparing for the future with the cooperation of our district constituents and the clear objectives outlined in this document.
Sincerely,
Barbara Sargent
Superintendent of Schools
1
What is Strategic Planning?
Strategic Planning is a process to determine and prioritize goals for the organization over a multi-year period. Strategic Planning looks at three primary questions:
1) Where are we now?
2) Where do we want to be in 3-5 years?
3) How are we going to get there?
Readington Township held a Community Intake session in February 2016, conducted a survey of the school community in May 2016, and concluded a Strategic Planning Retreat in June 2016.
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DISTRICT STRENGTHS
Teachers Positive Student
Experience
Technology Music and Art
Programs Full Day
Kindergarten Language
Arts Program
Green Initiatives
Differentiated Math Levels
Extra-Curricular Activities
Community Support
Enrichment Programs
Safe and Clean
Facilities
10/21/2016 3
On February 29, 2016 the district held a Community Intake meeting. In attendance were district staff, students, parents, Board of Education members, and community members. Participants were asked to identify positive aspects of the Readington Township School District. The list to the left contains items mentioned by numerous participants.
Our district offers asufficient variety ofextracurricular and
athletic opportunities.
2012 Staff
2012 Students,Parents
2016 StaffMembers
2016 Students,Parents,Community
10/21/2016 Numbers represent percentage of respondents
answering Agree/Somewhat Agree 5
STUDENT EXPERIENCE
48
82
63
88
94
99
94
89
50
78
68
85
0 20 40 60 80 100
Students like being atschool.
The adults in school careabout the students.
School is a positiveexperience for students.
Our district provides a safeenvironment for students
and staff.
2012 Staff
2012Students/Parents
2016 Staff Members
2016 Students,Parents, Community
10/21/2016 Numbers represent percentage of respondents
answering Agree/Somewhat Agree 6
STUDENT EXPERIENCE
80
49
66
74
81
97
65
79
80
95
77
77
0 20 40 60 80 100
Students have people togo to if they are having
trouble.
Students have theopportunity to participatein school decision making.
Students attend schoolevents.
Our grading system is fairand accurate.
Students are well-prepared for the next
grade level.
2016 Staff
2012Students/Parents
2016 Staff Members
2016 Students,Parents, Community
10/21/2016 Numbers represent percentage of respondents
answering Agree/Somewhat Agree 7
AREAS FOR GROWTH Student Experience
Emerging Strengths
• School is a positive experience for students. 63% Students/Parents
• Our grading system is fair and accurate. 74% Students/Parents
• Students attend school events. 66% Students/Parents
Possible Risks
• Students like being at school. 48%
Students/Parents
• Students have the opportunity to participate in school decision-making. 49% Students/Parents; 65%
Staff
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COMMUNITY/CULTURE
37
73
60
47
71
42
91
84
77
87
0 20 40 60 80 100
Students haveopportunities to engage
academically with…
Students use the internetfor learning beyond the
classroom.
I feel connected to myschool, the staff, and the
events.
I read the weekly Genesiscommunication.
I attend school events likeconcerts and sports.
Staff Members
Students, Parents,Community
10/21/2016 Numbers represent percentage of respondents
answering Agree/Somewhat Agree 9
COMMUNITY/CULTURE
43
53
71
74
58
75
86
92 68
0 20 40 60 80 100
Our students havesufficient communityservice opportunities.
Community serviceshould be required in
the curriculum.
Harassment andbullying preventions are
enforced.
There is a positivelearning environment in
school
2012 Students/Parents
2016 Staff Members
2016 Students, Parents,Community
10/21/2016 Numbers represent percentage of respondents
answering Agree/Somewhat Agree 10
AREAS FOR GROWTH Community/Culture
Emerging Strengths • I attend school events like
concerts and sports. 71% Students/Parents
• I feel connected to my school, the staff, and the events. 60% Students/Parents
• Students use the internet for learning beyond the classroom. 73% Students/Parents
• There is a positive learning environment in school. 74% Students/Parents
• Harassment and bullying preventions are enforced. 71% Students/Parents
• Community Service should be required in the curriculum. 53% Students/Parents
Possible Risks • I read the weekly Genesis
communication. 47% Students/Parents
• Students have opportunities to engage academically with students in other communities. 37% Students/Parents; 42 % Staff
• Our students have sufficient community service opportunities. 43% Students/Parents; 58% Staff
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EDUCATORS AND LEADERS
74
82
65
81
99
99
84
96
83
84
78
86
0 20 40 60 80 100
Teachers treat studentswith respect.
Teachers are skilled atteaching and help
students learn.
Teachers are available tostudents for help outside
the classroom.
Students know what isexpected of them from
their teachers.
2012Students/Parents
2016 Staff Members
2016 Students,Parents, Community
10/21/2016 Numbers represent percentage of respondents
answering Agree/Somewhat Agree 12
EDUCATORS AND LEADERS
73
55
53
69
72
87
78
82
83
72
77
63
61
0 20 40 60 80 100
Administrators areeffective leaders.
School administratorsmake decisions in the best
interest of students.
Discipline decisions madeby administration are fair.
Teachers have adequatetraining to keep up with
the latest educational…
Teachers are equippedwith appropriate
technology and texts.
2012Students/Parents
2016 Staff Members
2016 Students,Parents,Community
10/21/2016 Numbers represent percentage of respondents
answering Agree/Somewhat Agree 13
AREAS FOR GROWTH Educators and Leaders
Emerging Strengths
• Teachers are available to students for help outside the classroom. 65% Students/Parents
• Teachers treat students with respect. 74% Students/Parents
• Teachers are equipped with appropriate technology and texts. 72% Students/Parents; 72% Staff
• Teachers have adequate training to keep up with the latest educational approaches. 69% Students/Parents
• Discipline decisions made by administration are fair. 53%
Students/Parents
• School administrators make decisions in the best interest of students. 55% Students/Parents
• Administrators are effective leaders. 73% Students/Parents
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FACILITIES/INFRASTRUCTURE
70
69
65
46
69
80
81
82
73
68
68
40
57
77
77
62
0 50 100
Our schools are clean andwell-maintained.
Our district'stransportation system is
safe.
Our district'stransportation system
runs on time.
The cafeteria offers avariety of food and
healthy choices.2012 Staff
2012Students/Parents
2016 Staff Members
2016 Students,Parents, Community
10/21/2016 Numbers represent percentage of respondents
answering Agree/Somewhat Agree 15
AREAS FOR GROWTH Facilities/Infrastructure
Emerging Strengths
• District transportation runs on time. 65% Students/Parents
• District transportation system is safe. 69%
Students/Parents
• Our schools are clean and well-maintained. 70%
Students/Parents; 69% Staff
Possible Risks
• The cafeteria offers a variety of food and healthy choices. 46% Students/Parents
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STAFF MEMBERS ONLY CLIMATE
72% 74%
93%
72%
82%
73%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
I have a clearunderstanding
of the goalsand objectives
for my role
At work, myopinions seem
to count
I have thematerials andequipment I
need to do mywork right
The missionand StrategicPlan make mefeel my job is
important
2012 Staff
2016 Staff
10/21/2016 Numbers represent percentage of respondents answering
Agree/Somewhat Agree
17
STAFF MEMBERS ONLY CLIMATE
94%
70%
85% 85%
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
100%
My associatesor fellow
employees arecommited todoing quality
work.
In the last twoweeks, I have
receivedrecognition or
praise fordoing good
work.
I have a bestfriend at workin whom I can
confide.
My supervisoror someone atwork seems tocare about me
as a person.
2016 Staff
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STAFF MEMBERS ONLY CLIMATE
76% 77%
87%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
In the last threemonths, someoneat work has talked
to me about myprogress.
There is someoneat work who
encourages mydevelopment.
This last year, Ihave had
opportunities atwork to learn and
grow.
2016 Staff
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AREAS FOR GROWTH Professional Climate
Emerging Strengths
• At work, my opinions seem to count. 72%
• The mission and Strategic Plan make me feel my job is important. 73%
• In the last two weeks, I have received recognition or praise for doing good work. 70%
• My supervisor or someone at work seems to care about me as a person. 73%
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Strategic Planning Core Team Facilitator: Mark Reynolds, Founder/CEO Bowsprit, LLC Community Member: John Broten, Township Committee Student Participants: Melissa Albrecht Ben van Zanten Katherine Loew Danny Corbin James Kennedy Board of Education Members: Cheryl Filler, President Laura Simon, Vice-President Anna Shinn Chris Allen
Parents: Leigh-Ann Borella Jennifer Ko Eric Ko Staff Members: Kevin Meyer, RMS Adam Connelly, RMS Michele Krayem, HBS Alissa Buelow, TBS Anthony Tumolo, WHS Administrative Team: Sharon Moffat, RMS Principal Dr. Ann DeRosa, WHS Principal Karen Tucker, Supervisor of Pupil Services Sarah Pauch, Supervisor of Math, Science, and Technology Barbara Sargent, Superintendent
21
Key Areas of Focus
• Teaching and Learning
• School Environment
• Family and Community
• Character Education and Development
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Expand academic and extra-curricular opportunities for students and provide staff with the professional
training to support this work.
• Design and implement a future-oriented curriculum so that each student will have the knowledge and skills to thrive in a multi-dimensional, global and technological society.
• Meet or exceed established student assessment benchmarks.
• Provide expanded academic opportunities for students.
• Expand opportunities in the arts.
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Promote a healthy and caring school environment for students and staff members.
• Provide a secure, nurturing, and healthy environment that supports the changing needs of an increasingly diverse student population.
• Promote fair and consistent discipline in all classes.
• Improve student-teacher relationships.
• Establish class size recommendations that promote a close knit class community.
• Continue the focus on sustainability and environmentally friendly practices in all areas of school operation.
• Meet with Student Focus Groups quarterly to assess school experiences.
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Promote a healthy and caring school environment for students and staff members.
• Work with the school cafeterias to promote healthy and tasteful food choices.
• Monitor the school facilities and restrooms and proactively plan for clean and safe areas for staff and students.
• Update School Security Plans.
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Build a strong community in and among our schools and township.
• Continue to partner with the Home and School Association to promote family friendly activities throughout the year.
• Enhance club and after-school enrichment opportunities for students.
• Organize staff and parent articulation and transition meetings.
• Establish Parent Academies.
• Promote opportunities for community involvement in the schools.
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Enrich character education and service learning opportunities for our students.
• Develop a Mindfulness Program for students that weaves together components of peace, character education, yoga, self-management, and interpersonal communication.
• Provide consistent Character Education instruction to all students.
• Develop age-appropriate service learning opportunities for students at each school.
