Strategic Plan: Blueprint for Excellence

 

Dear Members of the Heuvelton School Community,

It has never been more important to be focused, aligned and intentional in our work. We are very excited to share the results of our collaborative efforts to develop plans that will help us to continue growing and improving as we always strive for excellence. 

Our “Blueprint for Excellence” is the result of planning sessions that were held with our Board of Education, Leadership Team, staff, parents, and community members. We worked with feedback gathered from the community this past fall as we developed a plan that will help us continue to grow and achieve as we strive for excellence in all that we do.

This plan will be the backbone for what we do. It will serve as a roadmap in our efforts to connect with each child and family while enhancing our connections as a school and a community. We’re in this work together and look forward to being your teammate in our continued effort to be a model school of excellence.

Thank you for your feedback and support. Your collaboration and teamwork make all the difference in the lives of children and the success of the district. 

Sincerely,

Jesse Coburn

Superintendent of Schools

 

Christopher Riordan

President, Board of Education

Blueprint Planning is intended to:

 

Successful organizations clearly define their purpose, what they need to become to fulfill their purpose, and how to operate or behave. These are commonly known as their mission, their vision, and their core values. 

 

Through the Blueprint Planning Process, our school community defined why we exist, what happens in the organization when we are working toward our mission, and what behaviors should be evident from individuals and the organization as a while. The following statements constitute our redefined mission, vision, and core values. 

 

Mission: We provide equitable, inclusive, and challenging opportunities that support every learner in becoming the best version of themselves, well prepared to positively contribute to society.

 

Vision: We are a connected community investing in the success of every student in every way as they grow and develop as contributing community members, leaders, lifelong learners. 

 

Core Values: We will consistently and effectively achieve our vision and accomplish our mission if in all of our work, we demonstrate our core values.

 

We will:

Based on community feedback and initial planning by the Board of Education and Leadership Team, the following areas were identified as priorities to be focused on in order to fulfill the mission of the district. A district goal has been developed for each area.

 

The following plans have been developed to guide the actions the district takes in order to accomplish the objectives in each priority area. Each action step represents a strategy for meeting an objective. A timeframe has been established and the parties listed are primarily responsible for leading the work.

Goal: We will provide students with a safe, welcoming, and engaging learning environment through diverse opportunities while fostering accountability and whole child health.

 

Action Steps	Responsible Party	Timeframe
Explore and support alternative graduation pathways	Counselor, Principal, Superintendent	2024-27
Identify and promote engagement opportunities outside of school. For example: Boys & Girls Club - community center involvement Heuvelton Village Recreation Department: Lisbon Beach St. Lawrence County Youth Bureau	School Administration, Counselor, Social Workers, After-School Program Coordinator	2024-25, Ongoing
Provide social skills training through Second Step K-8   Consider: How to interact and self-advocate (everyday interactions) Mentoring program Learn to Lead Enlist high-performing students to tutor students in need of assistance.	Teachers, Counselor, Social Workers (Seminars)   SST Counselor, Social Workers, Administration, Students, NHS/NJHS Advisor	Occurring       2024-26
Leveraging PTA and school partnership to foster school/community connections. Develop and connect families with a shared list of resources between school and community.  Host community night/wellness fair with partner agencies. Promote fun nights/family nights at school as fundraisers for student groups. Explore latchkey potential	Social Workers, Counselor, Administration   Student Group Advisors	2024-25, Ongoing

Goal: We will expand visibility of opportunities for students at all levels in order to foster positivity and to encourage a forward moving and proactive mindset.

 

Action Steps	Responsible Party	Timeframe
Identify and promote enabling criteria for student-led conferences at the primary and secondary levels.	Teachers, Principal, Director of Curriculum & Instruction	2025-26
Update artifacts like progress reports, report cards & AIS reports to educate/inform parents about student learning.	All staff.	2024-25, Ongoing
Evaluate existing programming & sequence to support college and career readiness. For example:  Career interest inventories and discussions starting at the middle level. Post-high-school planning process for vocational students attending BOCES. Consider a 9th grade course to expose students to career and college opportunities. Incorporate job-related imagery/visuals in subject area spaces. Identify best practices for teachers to connect content with career outcomes.	Counseling Staff       Middle Level Teachers   Counselor   Staff   Teachers	Ongoing, Summer 2024, 2024-25             Pilot 2024-25   TBD
Clearly communicate opportunities for accelerated coursework/dual credit learning opportunities for students on an annual basis (e.g. Guidance plan, enewsletter, HS transition paperwork), and ensure equitable access for all	Counselor	2024-25
Partner with community partners (e.g. One Stop Career Shop, DOL, local businesses, non-profits) for exposure, internship, job shadow, and volunteer opportunities.	Principal, Counselor, Teachers.	Ongoing
Review of PK-12 standards and determine grade level/content-based power standards to communicate with stakeholders.	Director of Curriculum & Instruction, Principal, Teachers	Ongoing
Research funding sources or community partners to enrich summer programming, with an academic focus. Grants Colleges Municipal, county, state partners	Administration	2024-25
Continue to promote and grow after-school clubs. Ensure a range of opportunities and exposure. Consider expansion to additional grade levels.	All staff, After-School Coordinator	2024-26
Continue to share and vet professional development that matches district needs. Partner with BOCES or other districts on PD. Regularly advertise offerings. Strive to offer choice for PD throughout the year. Provide concentrated professional development for reading.	Director of Curriculum & Instruction, Principal	Ongoing, 2024-26
Continue to evaluate and explore current research on best practices for reading instruction.	Director of Curriculum & Instruction	Ongoing, 2024-26

Goal: We will enhance district communication and create opportunities for community members to use the school as a safe and supportive environment.

 

Action Steps	Responsible Party	Timeframe
Prioritize communication about the use of school facilities to host community events. Annually provide district calendar, communications chain, and invitation to community partners (library, municipality, fire department, churches, Meadowview). Explore feasibility of electronic submission process for Building Use Form to improve access to school for community groups.	Superintendent, Communications Specialist, Principal	Summer-Fall 2024
Evaluate communication methods with Heuvelton Central School families, and the greater Heuvelton community. Optimize communication at both primary and secondary grade levels. Provide communication in multiple modalities (digital, paper-based, zoom events) to increase communication with all stakeholders. Audit website usage metrics to evaluate need for redesign and/or vendor change.	Communications Specialist   Teachers     Communications Staff & Administration	2024-25, Ongoing
Prioritize team time for professionals to meet and discuss student progress (e.g. Data meetings, Student Support Meetings).	Teachers, Counselors, Social Workers, Administration	2023-25
Refine the master schedule process: K-6/7-12 Schedule AIS/SPED	Principal, Director of Curriculum & Instruction, Director of Student Services	Spring/Summer 2024

What gets measured, gets done. It is important to stay focused on the work ahead and to hold each other accountable for achieving outcomes. In the spirit of transparency, diligence to the task at hand, and sharing our progress as a team, the following schedule has been developed for regular reporting on progress in working toward objectives.

 

Timeframe	Activity	Who
March 2024	Blueprint Plan presented to the community and adopted by the Board of Education. Blueprint Plan "unpacked" and shared with the faculty and staff. Blueprint Plan unpacked with smaller groups.	Superintendent, BOE       Superintendent     Principals
February/March 2024	Blueprint budget recommendations made; expenditures finalized.	Superintendent and Administrators
June 2024	Final report blueprint updates provided to the BOE, community and staff	Superintendent and Administrators
July 2024	Blueprint Planning Day held.  Plan updated for 2024-25.	BOE, Superintendent, Administrators, Staff, Community Members
2024-25 Quarterly	Blueprint updates provided to the BOE, community and staff.	Superintendent and Administrators.

 

Barbara Knauf

Chris Riordan

Jacqueline Bill

Andrew Martin

Alexa Backus Chase

Michelle McGaw

Stephanie Gilbert

Jill Farrand

Lacey Leroux

Alison Connelly

Rebecca Donnelly

Allan Spaman

Mollie Ladouceur

Logan Ladouceur

Lindsay Fitzgerald

Courtney Kimble

Brett Bailey

Jennifer Hynes

Karen Cole

Lora Martin

Terri Parsons

Becki Phillips

Brent Phillips

Michaele Webb

Lynette Piercey

Emilie Wood

Morgan James

Jenelle Riordan

Eliza Pierce

Claire Donaldson

Amy Mitchell