STRATEGIC PLAN ACCOMPLISHMENTS

JUNE-2004

STRATEGIC GOAL #1- We will establish a yearly improvement trend in our overall learning and academic achievement

• Professional development days in the district were established with agendas to provide training in differentiated instruction to ensure that the needs of all students are met.
• Forty middle school students are currently taking Algebra I using high school textbook as part of the revision of our math curriculum
• District cabinet gathered data and held discussions on retention/promotion policies to met the needs of students
• Draft of middle school student expectations and benchmarks completed
• High School incorporating expectations and benchmarks into instruction
• Curriculum committees reviewed and revised curriculum resulting in textbook recommendations in middle school science and social studies to meet state frameworks

STRATEGIC GOAL #2- The community will recognize the value of their public schools through their approval of the proposed school district budgets and support fundraising efforts of the local education foundation

• Coordination of community relations has produced the following: updated school and district web sites, a district brochure for prospective families and new staff, televised school committee meetings and budget sessions and taped programs on school programs for public access
• Community service programs established and implemented at HVHS and AMMS.
• Business partnerships established with South Adams Savings Bank and Berkshire County Sheriff's office.
• Education Foundation established, raising over $250,000 and awarding two rounds of grants during this school year
• Process to locate and communicate with alumni established
• Web sites upgraded to increase communication and promote programs to the public and parents

STRATEGIC GOAL #3- On a year-to-year basis each of our schools will recruit, develop and retain an instructional staff that exhibits the skills, motivation and dedication to attain high standards of student success

• Searches for new teachers and administrators have been expanded to media and web sites that attract candidates throughout the Commonwealth and the country
• A formal mentoring program for all new teachers has been developed and implemented in the district.
• Surveys have been conducted with staff to determine why they come to the district and why they stay or leave.
• Programs and process in place to ensure proper licensure and re-certification of all staff

STRATEGIC GOAL #4- Ninety percent of our students' parents, in each school, will be actively engaged in their child's education in accordance with identified criteria by June 2004

• Communication with parents occurs through newsletters, parent groups, school councils, etc.
• Speakers and parent forums have been established in each building to cover various topics of interest to parents.
• Welcome kits have been developed for parents of new students to the district at the elementary level.
• Job fair has been established at the high school with parent input

STRATEGIC GOAL #5 - All teachers will be properly certified, teaching in alignment with state and local standards and participating in a process of review and appropriate revision of instructional practices by September 2004.

• K-12 curriculum committees have reviewed and made appropriate revisions in all curriculum areas during the year
• Committees have reviewed and analyzed MCAS results for implications for instruction in each subject area
• Principals conducted formal supervision and evaluation of teachers during the year.
• Curriculum facilitators have been established at the high school to coordinate curriculum and instruction.
• All teachers have been reviewed in regard to licensure and standards for being highly qualified.
• Paraprofessionals at the Plunkett elementary School are following professional development to ensure necessary highly qualified status as a Title 1 school.

STRATEGIC GOAL #6- Adams-Cheshire Regional School District facilities will have renovation needs identified and financially approved by June 2003.

• HVHS roof project has been approved by the towns. Work began last fall and will be completed in July, 2004.
• Schematic plans for Cheshire Elementary School have been designed by Tessier Associates with help from the Cheshire Building Committee and approved by the School Committee.
• Schematic plans for Adams Memorial Middle School have been designed by Tessier Associates with the help of the Adams Building Committee and approved by the School Committee.

STRATEGIC GOAL #7- ninety percent of community residents will recognize and acknowledge our school system for excellent communication and understanding of each other's needs and priorities by June 2002.

• The district has solicited information from parents through a survey
• The district web site and building web sites have been revised and utilized to communicate with parents where possible, including video of programs and information on curriculum.
• Public access T.V. has been used to communicate programs and activities.
• A Fine Arts festival has been held in each of the district buildings in May.

STRATEGIC GOAL #8- All support services both internal and external to the district will be known, easily accessed and appropriately utilized in integrated fashion by September 2004.

• The School District has worked with the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition to use a developed list of Health and Human Services Resources. This is posted on our web site and delivered to parents through the schools.

STRATEGIC GOAL #9- Ninety-five percent of our students and staff will report feeling safe and secure in our schools by June 2003.

• Crisis plans have been reviewed and revised in each building with assistance from local police, fire and other agencies.
• Uniform tracking systems have been established to identify problem areas in each building
• Drills are conducted on a regular basis to ensure that plans work
• Canine unit of State Police have provided in-service for staff and students at AMMS
• Resource officer established by Adams Police Department to service Plunkett Elementary and Adams Memorial Middle School.