Going Forward Is Always Better Than Going Backwards

With graduation on the horizon, this will be my final blog before I leave the Raymond School District. For one last time, I will write about my hopes for the future of our schools.  I'm not going to revisit what has or has not been done in the district, although I am personally very proud of all the things that our staff, School Board, community and students have accomplished.  I also know that we have supportive citizens who want the best for our children. So here are my personal future hopes, plans, and thoughts for our schools (in no particular order):

• An addition on the elementary school to better serve our students' safety, special education, physical education and space needs
• Expanded world languages program that extends to the elementary school
• An outdoor classroom at the middle school- the location is perfect for all kinds of learning
• Expanded ELO program (Extended Learning Opportunities) and a requirement that all high school students complete at least one ELO prior to graduation
• More students as members of the Reach High Scholars club
• All students take part in some form of community service - this is a wonderful way for our students to develop an  appreciation and empathy for others
• Flexible schedules for students not succeeding in high school
• A competency based report card with a 4.0 grading scale grades 5-12
• Greater parent involvement beyond the elementary school
• Interventions in reading at all levels
• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) opportunities at every level as a part of an integrated curriculum
• Continued growth in math using a universal screener to develop personalized learning
• More students attending SST- this is an outstanding opportunity that continues to assist our students in choosing a career based on their skills and interests, (as well as, having the potential to learn some amazing skills and earn college credits)
• More high school students in dual enrollment courses for college credits
• Student Internships outside the classroom
• A robust Freshman Academy where, perhaps, the 8th grade and 9th grade teachers team-teach or even trade places for a year
• Expanded on-line courses -many students will need to navigate this type of learning for their future needs
• A district where every child experiences success at every level

These are just my thoughts and some of the ideas I had for the future.  I could go on and on but, you get the idea, I just want what everyone does- an amazing school experience for our students. It has been an honor and a pleasure to work with your children.

Ellen Small

What Does a Strategic Plan Have to Do with Anything?

On May 18, 2017 a group of administrators, School Board members, teachers, paraprofessionals, citizens and parents spent the day working together on the Raymond School District's Strategic Plan. This annual review and work helps us set our priorities, determine our focus and move forward academically to improve the education and future for all of our students.  The day began with a discussion of where we are now and followed with what we have accomplished, as well as, what still needs to be done.  Jon Hall facilitated our meeting and is a trained Facilitator who has worked all over the country with Strategic Plan Committees.

Some successes from our plan include: full day kindergarten; universal reading screening for all students Kindergarten through Grade 9; a new evaluation plan for administrators, teachers and paraeducators; increased technology for students throughout the District; competencies written for every subject; Spanish provided for two sections of 8th grade students at the middle school; and developing new schedules to better fit students' needs.  Things that we still need to work on include: expanding the world language program; creating data teams to review assessment results; building on the competencies; continued work in reading; professional development on rigorous instruction; and peer coaching.  Our Strategic Plan is working just as it is supposed to and continues to evolve and change as needed. 

As you might have guessed, a school district's strategic plan is much different than a plan that a town might have. A town's plan would include such things as zoning; roads and bridges; subdivision development; and water.  This type of plan is important to ensure a town continues to move forward and that regulations and laws are followed.

A Shared Resources Committee is currently working to determine if there are things the town and schools could share as a cost saving method (there are many things we already share, see my blog from March 25, 2016).  You can see from the school district's Strategic Plan that our purposes are much different from a town's plan. We always welcome new ideas and we will always work with the town and the citizens of Raymond to ensure our town is a safe, wonderful community in which to live and that our schools are the best they can be to provide our students with a great future.