GOALS

ACTION PLANS/MEASURABLE OUTCOMES

1a. Our emphasis on differentiated instruction shall continue so that all of our students experience a challenging learning environment through depth, complexity, and novelty.

·       Provide more specialized professional development for teachers and staff.

·       Embed this emphasis into the teacher goal setting and evaluation process. All instructional staff should have goals related to this.

·       Provide more opportunities for staff who attain expertise in certain areas to train other staff.

·       Release teachers to observe each other to hone expertise in this area.

1b. Improved articulation in math between MCMS and OPHS.

·       New math articulation committee (K-12) will focus this year on transitions from grades 5 to 6 and 8 to 9. 

1c. Provide opportunities for students that will guide their future education/career choices, including college and career counseling at OPHS, vocational, technical arts and ROP classes.

·       Maintain the college/career counseling position at OPHS as a priority despite budget issues if possible.

·       Implement new independent project program at OPHS.

·       Encourage more students to opt for 4-year colleges upon graduation from high school and ensure proper guidance throughout a student’s high school career. .

·       Explore a post-graduation tracking program to determine post- secondary school success.

1d. Science instruction will emphasize experiential learning at all grade levels.

·       Expand I2I, QuikSCience and other programs to involve more students and teachers.

·       Train 16 math and science teachers on the use of new advanced SmartBoards.

·       Install new science labs at OPHS, which should encourage more hands-on learning.

·       Continue marine science focus at all levels. 

1e. Define, communicate and more fully implement GATE program.

·       Update the GATE brochure.

·       Encourage more professional development for staff and offerings for parents.

·       Articulate and expand the enrichment opportunities available to students at all of the schools. 

·       Ensure that the three pillars of a quality GATE program are in place at all levels: Differentiation, Acceleration, and Enrichment. 

1f. Intervention programs will be available to students in reading, writing and mathematics at all levels to ensure that all students are meeting standards in literacy and numeracy. Assist Friends of Oak Park Schools in developing an elementary summer school program.

·       Math intervention program currently in place at grade 6 will be expanded to grade 7 at MCMS. 

·       Explore a software program to better identify students who require intervention and help prescribe the types of intervention needed. 

·       OPHS will reduce the number of lower level math classes and instead provide intervention in the regular math classes. 

·       Design elementary summer school program that includes intervention and enrichment and approve a program by February.   

1g. A district-wide plan for environmental awareness will continue to be developed including combined efforts of actions at home, school and in the community.

·       Expand the EEAC to include students and teachers.

·       EEAC will plan events and areas of focus throughout the school year including community field trips. 

·       Recycling programs will be expanded at all levels. 

·       Science enrichment programs will emphasize environmental science.

·       Energy conservation will be monitored and quantified.

1h. Continue to offer arts programs that will emphasize creativity, skill development, and universal participation in all areas of the visual and performing arts. 

·       Restructure the elementary art and music programs.

·       Add AP art classes at OPHS. Increase course offerings in the arts.

·       Restructure computer applications program/class at OPHS.

·       MCMS will add art crossover to the Core classes.

1i. All programs should emphasize wellness and balance.

·       Child nutrition program will continue to improve food quality and serve more natural food and vegetarian options.

·       MCMS staff will continue to discuss and review homework options.

·       Add a new District nurse.

·       Oak Park High School staff will monitor student stress levels and overall balance.

1j. Our athletic programs will develop leadership, teamwork, and individual athletic potential.

·       Maintain programs already in place – add girls lacrosse at OPHS

·       Improved field at OPHS may improve participation.

·       National Federation of State High School Associations, Fundamentals of Coaching course required for new coaches. 

·       More administrative oversight of team sports

·       More flexibility will be available in terms of P.E. credit for in school and our of school athletics.

1k. Our special education programs will provide the best possible outcomes in terms of meeting the specific needs of each child.

·       Continue specialized staff development for special education teachers, including increasing the number of teachers who have earned the Autism Authorization.

·       Offer staff development opportunities for general education teachers in specialized instructional strategies for learners with disabilities.

·       Expand targeted professional development for instructional aides, to include district-level and county-level trainings.

·       Increase articulation between sites for transitioning students.

·       Implement a parent education component that addresses the supports available as students transition from one site to another.

1l. Counseling programs at all levels will be supported in order to meet the social and emotional needs, academic and career counseling of all students, as well as parent education. Anti-bullying strategies will be embedded in the program at each school. Stronger anti-bullying programs at elementary schools and middle school.

·       Safe School Ambassadors program at MCMS is to be reviewed and either modified or replaced.

·       Elementary Counselor will implement new assemblies - The Bully Game. This supports an integrated program to address bullying at the elementary level.

·       Courses will be offered for elementary and pre-school parents in child development and other topics and explore options for parents of secondary students.

·       Elementary counselor will continue ‘recess groups.’

·       Maintain counseling positions at all levels despite budget cuts if possible. 

1m. We will continue to offer more opportunities for our students to attain proficiency in other languages and continue to evaluate the structure of our modern language programs.

·       Develop a plan for the continuance of the Chinese (Mandarin) language program as the FLAP grant expires.

·       Add Spanish V AP at OPHS.

·       Provide more authentic learning experiences in language classes.

1n. Implement digital citizenship curriculum at all grade levels.

·       Countywide curriculum will be developed and adopted.

1o. Develop standardized elementary technology curriculum.

·       Articulate programs at the three elementary schools that center on a single group of outcomes. Exit skills and outcomes will be identified. 

1p. Review and revise technology standards exam to reflect what is actually being taught.

·       Look at ways to meet these requirements through more authentic experiences such as IPhone App development, web design, etc. 

·       Revise plan for graduation requirements.

·       Remove computer applications prerequisite.

1q. Update Technology Plan annually to specify how mission statement will be actualized in the educational process.

·       Update Tech Plan by Technology Committee and synthesize it into a more user-friendly document emphasizing how technology will meet learning goals. 

·       Develop and create a technology Visionary Outlook for the future.