Newburyport Public Schools - Strategic Plan 2016-2021

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Strategic Plan 2016-2021

In September 2015, Superintendent Susan L. Viccaro convened a large group of stakeholders who embarked on the development of a new 5 year strategic plan. The 25 member team:

Identified key district beliefs and values;
Developed a mission statement unique to Newburyport;
Defined the boundaries within which the organization will accomplish its mission;
Identified district strengths and weaknesses;
Created the organizational design that details the arrangement of activities and relationships among people within an enterprise;
Reviewed internal and external variables that impact the schools; and
Developed objectives, strategies and action plans that will chart the course of the district for the next 5 years.

The result is the Strategic Plan outlined below that will steer the Newburyport Public Schools from 2016-2021.

Strategic Planning Team Members:

Staff: Aishling Falzone, Deanna Saif, Joan Sheehan, Kelly Garbarino, Lynne Cote, Maggie Flaherty, Pat Levitt, Tom Abrams

Administrators: Amy Sullivan, Angela Bik, Beth Raucci, Christina Gentile, Karina Mascia, Kristina Davis, Lisa Furlong, Mike Parent, Mike Testa, Nancy Lysik, Susan Viccaro, Tara Rossi

School Committee: Bruce Menin, Cheryl Sweeney

Students: Cooper Willingham, Stephanie Gleason

Community: Dorene Olsen, John Marino, Karen Young, Laurie Naughton, Linda LaMoine, Pam Armstrong

Recording Secretary: Cathy Manning

Action Teams were formed for each strategy. The teams were composed of teachers, parents, community, administrators, and students.

MISSION

The mission of the Newburyport Public Schools, the port where tradition and innovation converge, is to ensure each student achieves intellectual and personal excellence and is equipped for life experiences through a system distinguished by students, staff, and community who: practice kindness and perseverance; celebrate each unique individual; value creativity; experiential; rigorous educational opportunities; scholarly pursuits; and life-long learning; provide the nurturing environments for emotional, social, and physical growth; understand and embrace their role as global citizens.

BELIEFS

We believe that:

Each person is worthy of respect;

A strong community celebrates individual uniqueness;

Each individual has inherent worth;

Opportunity stems from adversity; growth from mistakes;

Through reflection we gain understanding;

Compassion and empathy build community;

Everything can be done with kindness;

Individuals are responsible for their own actions

Attitude has power

We each have an obligation to serve one another

Trusting relationships require clear and open communication

A community is responsible for its individuals

Education is fundamental to an empowered, evolving society

PARAMETERS

We will make all decisions and take all actions based on the best interest of the student

We will honor the dignity of each person

We will not compromise excellence

We will practice the principles of participatory decision-making throughout the organization

We will make optimal use of technology

GOALS/OBJECTIVES

Objective 1: Every student will graduate.

Objective 2: Each student will continually achieve personal goals.

Objective 3: Every student will have a positive impact on our evolving world.

Objective 4: Each student will achieve harmony in mind, body and spirit.

STRATEGIES

I: We will Re-imagine Teaching and Learning

II: We will offer an array of opportunities for self-discovery and personal achievement.

III: We will maximize all internal and external resources.

IV: We will optimize our organizational design and operations.

V: We will create a dynamic community among all stakeholders.

VI: We will create a culture that cultivates the best of everyone.

VII: We will provide supports so all students are ready and able to learn.

ACTION PLANS FOR STRATEGIES I-VIITop of Page

ACTION PLANS FOR STRATEGIES I-VII

ACTION PLANS

STRATEGIES I-VII

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STRATEGY I

STRATEGY I: We will Re-imagine Teaching and Learning

Action Plan 1: All students' holistic and academic needs are met through teaching, curriculum and assessment methods.

Action Plan 2: Assessment is used to guide instruction and curriculum, engage students in inquiry, and focus on the process of learning.

Action Plan 3: Communication of information to the district and the community focused on re-imagining teaching and learning

Action Plan 4: Support relationships and learning communities among teachers and administrators.

Action Team Members: Emily Russin, Leader;

Staff: Stephanie Williams, Jacqui Rousseau, Tara Ellis, Tom Abrams, Maureen Lyons-Taylor, Emily Webber

Community: Andy Willemsen, Robert Hooker, Sue Grolnic

Parent: Pam Armstrong, Eric Bibeault

School Committee/Parent: David Hochheiser

Student: Elizabeth Fortier, Hannah Rikeman

STRATEGY II

STRATEGY II: We will offer an array of opportunities for self-discovery and personal achievement.

Action Plan 1: Students are mentally, socially and emotionally ready to learn.

Action Plan 2: Students establish connections, apply higher order thinking skills and make learning relevant through meaningful experiences.

Action Plan 3: Students learn at a pace in line with their inner abilities (strengths/weaknesses) and contribute to their educational path and experience.

Action Plan 4: Explore flexible learning environments designed on competency based learning models.

Action Team Members: Mercy Duffill, Leader;

Staff:Kyle Hildebrand

Community:Agnes Manning, Harry Fensom, Ann Ormond, Andi Egmont

Parent:Dorene Olsen

Student:Madison Johnson

STRATEGY III

STRATEGY III: We will maximize all internal and external resources.
Action Plan 1: Community support for the achievement of the student's personal goals.

Action Plan 2: Costs will be reduced and revenues maximized in our school district.

Action Plan 3: Partnerships will be encouraged and developed in and outside of the school district.

Action Plan 4: The Newburyport Education Foundation (NEF) is recognized as the philanthropic arm of the Newburyport Public Schools and the NEFBC as the bridge to experiential learning for our students.

Action Team Members: Steven P. Cole, Leader/School Committee;

Staff: Cathy Riccio

Community: Joe Mastrocola, David Hall, Kristen Donahue, Art Currier

Parent: Sarah Willman-LaPlante, Rebecca Elmore

Student: Jack Lashendock

STRATEGY IV

STRATEGY IV: We will optimize our organizational design and operations.

Action Plan 1: Organizational structure meets needs of students.

Action Plan 2: Schedule changes are made to meet the needs of students.

Action Plan 3: Technology will fully support the goals of the district.

Action Plan 4: Schools will function as effective professional learning communities.

Action Plan 5: We will design and cultivate flexible learning environments for optimal functionality and culture.

Action Plan 6: Student growth and learning are enhanced by a creative, rigorous and expansive curricula.

Action Plan 7: Place Based Education initiatives are further supported and developed to enhance authentic learning opportunities for students.

Action Team Members: John Gangemi, Leader;

Staff: Steve Bergholm,

Community: Jen Roy, Amanda Zeller, John Terry,

Parent:Elizabeth Goullaud, David DeRosa

School Committee/Parent: Christine Miller, Bruce Menin

Student:Alison Lashendock

STRATEGY V

STRATEGY V: We will create a dynamic community among all stakeholders.

Action Plan 1: A diversified community of stakeholders who are invited, welcomed and affirmed.

Action Plan 2: All stakeholders are informed about district-wide and school-level events, programs, and opportunities.

Action Plan 3: Stakeholders are involved in school events, programs, and learning opportunities.

Action Plan 4: Students gain real world experiences through community and civic involvement.

Action Plan 5: Students have a voice in building community relationships.

Action Team Members: Deb Szabo, Leader;

Staff: Wendy Crofts, Pam Jamison, Christina Gentile, Tracey Glynn

Community: Alan Papert, Lynn Laffie,

Parent: Ted Boretti,

Student:Charlie Lake, Zach Ellsworth, Kathleen Lacey

STRATEGY VI

STRATEGY VI: We will create a culture that cultivates the best of everyone.

Action Plan 1: Distributed Leadership - Everyone shares the responsibility of leadership and culture.

Action Plan 2: Engagement - Leadership seeks to give voice to all constituencies to ensure engagement.

Action Plan 3: Communication - District and school personnel will communicate out to improve culture and engagement.

Action Team Members: Liz Kinzly, Leader;

Staff: Lynne Cote, Luann McKenney, Lauren Eramo,

Community:Geri Dorr, Vicki Hendrickson

Parent:Marty Daigneault, Ken Woods, Pam Wool, Kelly Mount

Student: Kathleen Geary, Cavan Dunn

STRATEGY VII

STRATEGY VII: We will provide supports so all students are ready and able to learn.

Action Plan 1: Implementation of cohesive, vertically aligned Response to Intervention (RTI) at all grade levels.

Action Plan 2: Increase social emotional learning at all grade levels.

Action Plan 3: Increased play opportunities for students at all grade levels.

Action Plan 4: Students have the tools necessary to appropriately and safely utilize technology.

Action Plan 5: Increased executive functioning learning at all grade levels.

Action Plan 6: A safe and supportive school environment.

Action Plan 7: Reduce student stress.

Action Team Members: Carly Fair, Leader;

Staff: Nicole Bonner, Trish Dolan, Erin Rich, Jeanna Guardino

Community: Deb Andrews

Parent: Peter McClure, Karen Sakaniwa, Lisa Francis

Student:Stephanie Harrison, Jude Habib

CLIPPER VALUESTop of Page

CLIPPER VALUES

CLIPPER VALUES

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RESPECT

Respect

Am I showing respect for myself?

Am I showing respect for the rights and worth of others?

Am I showing respect for school and community property?

Am I showing respect for the environment?

Am I showing respect for others' views?

Am I respectful in my written and spoken communication to others?

KINDNESS

Kindness

Am I showing kindness by treating others the way I want to be treated?

Am I showing kindness by promoting the welfare of others?

Am I showing kindness by being patient with others?

Am I showing kindness by acting with empathy and compassion?

INNOVATION

Innovation

Does my work stretch my understanding?

Am I approaching problems in new and different ways?

Are we advancing innovation in all areas?

Do I foster and celebrate creativity in all of its different forms?

Do I understand the purpose of innovative practice?

Is the innovative practice rigorous as well as creative?

PERSEVERANCE

Perseverance

Do I know how to approach a problem without a clear answer?

Am I willing to take risks?

Do I recognize what is holding me back?

Do I set goals for myself?

Am I able to use strategies to overcome challenges?

Am I doing my personal best?

RESPONSIBILITY

Responsibility

Do I accept responsibility for my actions and my words?

Do I accept responsibility for contributing to my class or group?

Do I accept responsibility for my personal growth?

Do I accept responsibility for making ethical choices?

Do I accept responsibility for contributing to my local or global community?

Do I take ownership of my responsibilities?

REFLECTION

Reflection

Do I think before I act?

Do I give sufficient time for reflection before I take action?

Am I willing and able to make change and act based on the feedback I receive?

Do I value my own work and that of others?

Do I have an understanding of my learning style, strengths and weaknesses?

Do I define success in a variety of ways?

Newburyport Public Schools The Port Where Tradition and Innovation Converge