Since September, a group of teachers, administrators, community members, town officials, and a student have been involved in an extensive process of strategic planning. The purpose of this project has been to develop a comprehensive plan that would guide the district through the next five-year planning cycle. The steering committee examined data from myriad sources, including more than 400 surveys filled in by students, staff, and community members, which helped focus in on those issues the community felt were most critical to our next stage of growth.
The Strategic Planning Steering Committee presented its report to the School Committee at the March 24 meeting. The School Committee voted unanimously to accept the plan as presented and adopt the goals included within the plan.
The first of the two primary educational goals within the plan calls for us to identify and integrate a set of critical thinking skills which our students will need to be successful citizens in the 21st century global environment. The second focuses on the complexities of meeting the needs of all of our learners. The third goal addresses professional development needed to support the first two goals, while the fourth and fifth focus on communication and accountability systems. A fuller description of the specific goals, objectives, and indicators of success and action plan steps is included in a report available through the district website www.psharvard.org.
The Steering Committee and School Committee are both enthusiastic about the plan. It is seen as a way to make a great school system even stronger as we move forward to face the challenges of preparing our students to be successful citizens in a competitive, global society. We’ve scheduled a joint faculty meeting for May 7 to present the plan in greater detail to staff. A community presentation is also scheduled for that evening (Bromfield media center, 7:30 pm, May 7). I hope many residents are able to attend. Also, I invite residents to contact me personally or any members of the steering committee to learn more about this initiative.
Thomas W. Jefferson, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
