Areas of Focus

The Areas of Focus are those goals that the District uses to apply closer observation and adherence to particular aspects of the school climate, curriculum and overall learning experience.  These goals are generally quantified to assist in determining if progress has been achieved.

Education

Social and Emotional Development:

Examine and evaluate policies and programs to promote and enhance a positive school culture.

Curriculum:

Continue to monitor and assess the new curriculum of the Literature and Language Arts curricula.

Examine the Health curriculum.

Evaluate and Update the Technology Benchmarks for student skills to reflect current best practice.

Implement the integration of Technology into the Industrial Arts curriculum.

Begin the curriculum renewal process for Mathematics instruction in grades K-8 by examining the research and literature, as well as best practices.

Examine the appropriate Board of Education Policies in regards to the inclusion of the 21^st Century Learning Skills to include the targeted topics of:

·       Developing a Global-Orientated Perspective

·       Higher Order Thinking Skills (critical thinking, synthesis, complex problem solving)

·       Creativity and Innovation

·       Passion for Life-Long Learning

·       Broad-Based Communication Skills(written, oral, collaborative)

·       Citizenship (local and global)

Delivery of Programs and Services:

Continue the implementation and plan development for Response to Intervention (RtI) including differentiation and enrichment instruction.

Explore and implement additional enrichment clubs that apply to the skills of writing, mathematics, drama and debate.

Building and Finance Committee

Continue to develop a long range strategic financial plan including consideration of the changing financial outlook and communicate the financial status of the District to all stakeholders.

Actively support the Joseph Sears School Foundation in developing an endowment fund to diversify the funding sources in order to support the long term needs of the District.

Continue to monitor and evaluate state legislative developments with regards to educational funding.

Begin development of a predictive and preventative Operations and Maintenance program for annual implementation.

Explore and monitor grant opportunities to renovate the Gymnasium.

Communication

Evaluate the effectiveness of the District Dashboard and incorporate feedback, as appropriate.

Establish a process and reporting system to collect formal information from the faculty and staff.

Personnel Committee

Review and, if necessary, refine evaluation instrument.

Negotiate successful Kenilworth Education Association (KEA) contract.

2009 - 2010

Education:

Social and Emotional Development: Examine and evaluate policies and programs to promote and enhance a positive school culture.

Curriculum:

• Continue the renewal of the Literature and Language Arts curricula.
• Continue the renewal and implementation of the World (Foreign) Language curriculum.
• Examine the Health curriculum.
• Renew the Fine and Performing Arts curriculum including the examination of Drama/Theater instruction.
• Evaluate and Update the Technology Benchmarks for student skills to reflect current best practice.
• Examine the integration of Technology into the Industrial Arts curriculum.
• Continue to implement the Executive Functioning skills curriculum in Fifth through Eighth Grades.
• Continue the Community Examination of the 21st Century Learning Skills.
  
  

• Continue the implementation and plan development for Response to Intervention (RtI) including differentiation and enrichment instruction.
• Explore additional enrichment clubs that apply to the skills of writing and mathematics.
• Continue the development and implementation of a Master Schedule to meet the educational needs of all grade levels including the incorporation of Performing Arts in the regular school day.
  

• Continue the expansion of electronic communication tools including website renewal and use of electronic distribution channels for the preferred District and School communications.
• Implement strategies to reduce costs and increase effectiveness of communications.
• Inform the community of the District goals (Areas of Focus).
• Utilize the annual District survey results in the decision-making process.
  

• Develop a long range strategic financial plan including consideration of the changing financial outlook and communicate the financial status of the District to all stakeholders.
• Create guidelines on how to interact with private funding entities in supporting the long term needs of the District.
• Monitor and evaluate state legislative developments with regards to educational funding.
  

• Continue implementing mentoring program for administrative and certified positions - curriculum and institutional orientation.
• Review and, if necessary, refine evaluation instrument.
• Develop individual goals for administrators, teachers and support staff.
• Negotiate successful Kenilworth Education Association (KEA) contract.
  

2008 - 2009

Education:

New Items:

• Examination and exploration of 21st Century Educational Skills with the Sears School Community
• Pilot Handwriting program in Kindergarten and First Grades.
• Renew the Literature and Language Arts curricula.
• Review the Fine Arts curriculum.
  

• Continue to implement the Executive Functioning skills curriculum in Fifth through Eighth Grades.
• Implement the Foreign Language curriculum renewal.
• Continue to develop differentiation strategies for meeting needs of students including enrichment education.
• Implement the instructional (as a tool for learning) technology vision and three-year plan.
• Continue to train faculty to use student testing data for effective instructional planning.
• Explore additional enrichment clubs that apply skills in areas of technology, writing and mathematics.
• Continue the implementation and plan development for Response to Intervention.
  

• Continue to involve and communicate with the community the identification of the long range strategic facility plans and develop comprehensive construction plans.
• Continue to define and communicate financial information and status of the District.
• Create guidelines on how to interact with private funding entities in supporting the long term needs of the District.
• Monitor and evaluate state legislative developments with regards to educational funding and other federal or state mandates.
  

• Expand electronic communication tools including website renewal and use of electronic distribution channels for the preferred District and School communications.
• Implement strategies to reduce costs and increase effectiveness of communications.
• Inform the community of the District goals (Areas of Focus).
• Utilize the annual District survey results in the decision-making process.
  

• Work with the Professional Growth Committee to support the Professional Development needs of the faculty and staff.
• Develop individual goals for administrators, teachers and support staff to support the Areas of Focus and overall District needs.
  

2007 - 2008

Education:
New Items:

• Implement Executive Functioning skills curriculum.
• Implement a comprehensive Emergency Preparedness Plan including professional development and orientation.
• Review the Foreign Language instruction, curriculum and continuum of services.
• Review of Character Education programs and implementation
  

• Continue to develop differentiation strategies for meeting needs of students including enrichment education.
• Develop and implement literacy curriculum and related supports, including assessment.
• Continue to implement Student Services program renewal with emphasis on intervention plans and recommendations from the program audit.
• Implement the instructional (as a tool for learning) technology vision and three-year plan.
• Revise and Implement Physical Education/Wellness/Health renewal program.
• Continue to train faculty to use student testing data for effective instructional planning.
• Explore additional enrichment clubs that apply skills in areas of technology, science and mathematics.
  

• Expand electronic communication tools including website renewal and use of electronic distribution channels for the preferred District and School communications.
• Implement strategies to reduce costs and increase effectiveness of communications.
• Inform the community of the District goals (Areas of Focus)
• Utilize the annual District survey results in the decision-making process.
  

• Implement long range facility plans and develop comprehensive construction plans, as well as articulate the implementation strategy to the community.
• Continue to define and communicate financial information and status of the District.
• Create guidelines on how to interact with private funding entities in supporting the long term needs of the District.
• Monitor and evaluate state legislative developments with regards to educational funding.
  

• Continue implementing mentoring program for administrative and certified positions - curriculum and institutional orientation
• Refine evaluation instrument
• Develop individual goals for administrators, teachers and support staff
• Negotiate successful Kenilworth Education Association (KEA) contract
  

2006 - 2007

Education:

• Continue to develop differentiation strategies for meeting needs of students including enrichment education.
• Develop and implement literacy curriculum and related supports.
• Implement Student Services program renewal with emphasis on intervention plans and recommendations from the program audit.
• Implement the instructional (as a tool for learning) technology vision and three-year plan.
• Implement pilot Kindergarten programs.
• Implement Physical Education/Wellness/Health renewal program.
• Develop Executive Functioning skills curriculum.
• Implement renewed Social Science curriculum.
• Train faculty to use student testing data for effective instructional planning.
• Explore additional enrichment clubs that apply skills in architecture, science and mathematics.
• Refine and implement a comprehensive Emergency Preparedness Plan.
  

• Continue referendum planning.
• Update and implement long range facility plan.
• Continue front entrance reconfiguration project.
• Continue to define and publicize the role of private funding among stakeholders.
  

• Continue website renewal development.
• Conduct referendum planning.
• Assess Board of Education communication vehicles for effectiveness and improvement.
  

• Develop Mentoring Program - Curriculum and Institutional orientation
• Refinement of Evaluation Instrument including Peer Coaching Plan
• Develop Individual Goals for Administrators, Teachers and Support Staff
  

2005 - 2006

Education:

• Fully implement revised science program.
• Finalize writing subcommittee work related to writing in content areas, note taking and use of graphic organizers, journaling, and editing/revising; and develop assessments.
• Continue to develop differentiation plan for meeting needs of students.
• Continue student services program renewal with emphasis on intervention plans and recommendations from the program audit.
• Renew the District technology vision and develop a revised three-year plan.
• Begin the process of social studies curriculum renewal.
• Study kindergarten extended-day options.
• Plan for physical education program renewal.
• Explore additional enrichment clubs with focus on mathematics.
  

• Continue referendum planning.
• Update and implement long range facility plan.
• Continue front entrance reconfiguration project.
• Continue to define and publicize the role of private funding among stakeholders.
• Successfully settle new teachers' contract.
• Conduct review of professional services.
  

• Continue website renewal.
• Conduct pre-referendum planning.
• Assess Board of Education communication vehicles for effectiveness and improvement.