Strategic Plan Brochure - Woodstock School District 200

Curriculum and Instruction Technology E/\EMPLARY EMPLOYEES Educational Environment Communication and Engagement Economic and Cultural Diversity Funding and Finance
Approved by the Board of Education July 22, 2008

VISION
A Culture Of Excellence That
Engages The Community
And Inspires The Future

MISSION STATEMENT
Inspiring Our Children Toward
Life-long Service And Success Through
Rigorous Academics, Relevant Activities
And Valuable Relationships
BELIEFS
• We believe every child can learn.
• We believe every child can be motivated to learn when
his or her individual needs are met.
• We believe every child can achieve his or her potential when
challenged and stimulated intellectually.
• We believe every child deserves exemplary staff and facilities.
• We believe every child and member of the school
community deserves a safe and secure environment.
• We believe every child needs and benefits from active
partnerships involving school, family and community.
• We believe every child is enriched by experiencing our
valuable diversity.
• We believe every child should be instilled with values such as
citizenship, honesty, dependability and accountability.
• We believe every child deserves to be treated with respect
and should provide respect to others.

Curriculum and
Instruction
Goal 1: Create a challenging and rigorous curriculum that
empowers students to achieve success in a world community
of continual change and accelerating complexity
• Expand our standards-based core curriculum
to include 21st century themes such as global
awareness, health literacy, economic skills and
civic literacy
• Develop and implement a range of functional and
critical thinking skills for accessing and analyzing
information from print, electronic and broadcast media
• Increase programs and integrate skills and
concepts that will prepare students for
complex life and career experiences such
as innovative and critical thinking, leadership,
communication and collaboration
• Develop and expand opportunities for world
language acquisition
Goal 2: Provide innovative support systems to ensure student success
• Differentiate instruction and programs for diverse learners
• Utilize best practices and updated methodology for instruction
• Create new and expand existing professional learning environments
Goal 3: Create and maintain a balanced assessment portfolio
in order to measure the effectiveness of the curriculum
• Utilize ongoing assessments that measure student growth
• Utilize common measures that reveal student progress relative to district and state standards
• Explore, develop and adopt innovative approaches for assessment of student progress

Insire Insire
Technology
Goal: Integrate appropriate technologies that strengthen teaching,
learning and administrative environments to foster student success
• Review and develop the curriculum to ensure current and appropriate technologies are utilized
to increase student success
• Ensure equitable access to technology for all students, families, teachers and administrators
• Investigate and implement telecommunications services to promote the timely and effective
flow of information
• Sustain equitable access to technology and data resources through a variety of funding sources
• Provide staff with professional development opportunities and support to allow for the consistent
integration of technology

E/\EMPLARY EMPLOYEES
Goal 1: Attract and hire individuals who exhibit desirable
qualifications and have the potential to become exemplary employees
• Identify job vacancies as soon as possible and use that knowledge to begin recruiting early
• Develop and implement innovative recruitment strategies
• Evaluate and adopt effective screening tools and programs to help identify individuals who possess
desirable qualifications
Goal 2: Recognize, develop and enhance our employees’
desirable qualifications
• Maintain and improve the mentoring program for certified staff
• Develop and implement an orientation/mentoring program for non-certified staff
• Maintain and improve district-wide professional development programs
Goal 3: Implement effective strategies to retain our exemplary employees
• Develop and implement an employee recognition program
• Promote a family atmosphere within the district including informal and positive recognition of individuals
• Provide salary and benefit packages competitive with school districts in the region
• Establish and implement an exit interview process
otivate

Educational
Environment
Goal 1: Maintain a safe and secure environment for all district facilities
• Provide consistent and equitable safety measures throughout the district
• Provide safety plan training and drills
• Conduct an ongoing maintenance and capital improvement program to provide equitable facilities
and a positive learning environment for all students
Goal 2: Promote a climate that inspires respect, responsibility
and recognition
• Explore, implement and maintain consistent programming from Pre-K through grade 12 to encourage
strong character development
• Encourage all staff, students, volunteers and visitors to interact in a positive, productive and
non-threatening manner
• Develop an atmosphere of respect and responsibility through accountability
• Provide the ways and means necessary to enhance opportunities for increased recognition of students,
families and staff
Excel

COMMUNICATION and
ENGAGEMENT
Goal: Engage all students, staff, families and community
members in fulfilling District 200’s mission through a
comprehensive, proactive system of communication
• Provide information utilizing electronic and print media, the Internet and personal contacts
being sensitive to the diversity of the recipients and the time-sensitive nature of the communication
• Engage in regular, reciprocal, meaningful and respectful communication
• Enhance customer service through welcoming environments, effective communication and
ongoing staff training
• Create and maintain an “open door” policy to foster relationships with District 200 that continue
into the future
• Encourage and embrace feedback from and interaction with those served by the district
• Create a sense of pride and ownership through recognition of individual contributions, talents
and strengths
• Expand and strengthen the network of community groups, organizations and individuals who serve as
resources to enhance student development within and beyond the classroom
• Strive for understanding that transcends and addresses our diversity
Involve

ECONOMIC and CULTURAL
DIVERSITY
Goal 1: Provide staff with the knowledge and tools to work
with students from diverse backgrounds
• Provide continuous staff development on both poverty and minority cultures
• Identify students whose economic and/or cultural circumstances may hinder their academic success
or overall well-being
• Utilize current data to develop strategies to increase students’ academic achievement and support
their overall well-being
• Provide staff with educational opportunities for new language acquisition
Goal 2: Provide support for all students and families to actively
participate in the educational process
• Expand the core group of staff and volunteers available to interpret communications and increase family
involvement through personal contact
• Provide a consistent and proactive system of referral for community assistance
nerstan
nerstan

FUNDING AND FINANCE
Goal 1: Continue to strengthen the financial condition
of District 200 to ensure educational excellence
• Operate within a balanced budget and maintain sufficient cash reserves
• Operate efficiently and effectively to control costs and maximize resources
• Proactively identify potential threats and trends that will impact District 200’s financial position
• Educate and engage the community about the financial operations and needs of District 200
Goal 2: Seek, secure and sustain alternative sources
of revenue to minimize the impact on the taxpayer
• Continue to work with governmental units to maximize developer donations for impact fees,
transition fees and other possible strategies to offset costs of new development
• Continue to aggressively pursue local, state and federal grants
• Develop and expand partnerships with public and private entities
• Expand District 200 Education Foundation contributions
• Foster philanthropic relationships with alumni, parent support groups and individual families
Strengthen

On April16, 2008 sixty-eight volunteers came together
in what would be the first of seven meetings to create a new
strategic plan for District 200. The group included staff and parent
representatives from every school, community members, two
representatives from the Board of Education, and several district
and building administrators. Their goal was to develop a document
which would set forth the school district’s highest priorities for the
next five to seven years and which would serve as a guidepost for
all planning, decision-making and resource allocation.
Included in this plan are a Vision which identifies
the ultimate goal of the school district, a Mission
Statement which defines our overall purpose
and function, nine Beliefs which reflect our
core values and convictions, and fourteen goals
centered around seven key priorities. All of
these lay the foundation for accomplishing the
district’s overarching goal - the success of
all students.
District 200 extends its sincere appreciation to the
members of the Strategic Planning Committee
and to the 4,400 parents, students and staff
members whose feedback from the surveys and
focus groups conducted earlier in the year was of
immense value during the planning process.
Woodstock Community Unit School District 200
227 W. Judd Street
Woodstock, IL 60098-3126
815-338-8200
www.woodstockschools.org
Proudly Presenting District 200’s
Strategic Plan