NSPS District Goals 20-21

Alignment to the NSPS District Strategic Plan

The NSPS District Strategic Plan outlines the following Annual Assessment Process: “In September of each school year, the Superintendent will present the year’s upcoming focus areas, goals, priorities, and initiatives. All school and district focus areas and initiatives will directly connect to the Strategic Plan’s overarching Strategies, Priorities, and Goals.” 

20-21 Superintendent Priorities and Goals
1. High Standards, Quality Instruction, Curricula, and Student Success: All students will achieve high standards, annual growth, and graduate college- and career-ready as independent, creative, and contributing members of society.

• Approach COVID-induced changes as an opportunity to improve teaching and learning:
  • Expand and refine online resources and technology access in support of anywhere, anytime, and anyplace learning.  
  • Integrate and improve synchronous and asynchronous modalities to engage and support in-person and at-home learners. 
  • Plan for assessing students’ learning progress and loss due to Spring 2020/Covid 19 and develop a district-wide framework for instruction for 2020 focusing on critical standards.
• Implement new Middle School and High School English Language Arts instructional programs. 
• Implement new Middle School and High School mathematics instructional programs. 
• Update yearly frameworks for Middle School and High School English Language Arts and Mathematics. 
• Implement district-wide professional development focused on culturally responsive teaching.
• Develop a district Literacy Plan.
• Expand and refine online/self-paced professional development opportunities (virtual PD catalog.) 

2. Safe and Supportive Schools All students will learn in environments that embody a culture and climate of excellence, mutual respect, and safety.

• Implement district-wide Culturally Responsive Teaching/Social-Emotional Health professional development series.
• Devise and implement reopening plans that are in alignment with the RIDE guidance and template documents to ensure the health and safety of their school community.
  • Follow CDC and RIDOH guidelines regarding face coverings, social distancing, and hand washing.
  • Ensure the availability of personal protective equipment, adequate cleaning supplies, and cleaning protocols.
  • Develop and implement systems and structure, in accordance with RIDOH guidelines for screening students and staff for Covid-19 symptoms and managing response when someone tests positive.
  • Conduct audits of the mechanical systems, air filtration and ventilation, and space availability to provide the information needed to identify gaps, remedies, and opportunities to make spaces safer for students, teachers, and staff for reopening
  • Update HVAC systems to meet or exceed Rhode Island Department of Health Guidelines.

3. Quality Staff: All students will benefit when staff has ongoing access to quality professional development, professional learning networks, and time to work, meet, and plan collaboratively.

• Create additional opportunities in teacher schedules for additional academic planning, student supports, and student and parent communication
• Hire and assign adequate building-based substitute teachers, tutors, and/or assign staff to support classroom teachers to best meet the needs of in-person and at-home learners. 

4. Communication and Community Engagement: All students will benefit from increased family and community engagement that builds resources and opportunities for their success.

• Expand community outreach and support.
• Regular/scheduled communications from Superintendent and schools to School Committee and community.  

5. Effective, Efficient, Responsive Operations and Facilities: All students will benefit from school and district operations, practices, systems, and facilities that are aligned to supporting quality learning and work environments.

• Channel COVID-related expenses into purchases and/or initiatives that remain viable post-COVID.
• Continue in-house renovations and modernization at all schools. 
• Complete NSHS Locker Room renovations and begin NSHS window replacements
• Upgrade wireless access in all schools. 
• Continue responsive, student-centered budgeting, cost savings, and efficiencies.
• (continuation from 19-20) Review and update School Committee Policies for new Policy Handbook.
• (continuation from 19-20) New Employee Handbook.