After each school leadership team reflected on its school culture, community, and the key contributing factors to student growth, they used this information to select the Strategic Plan Indicators that would have the greatest positive impact for their students.  Each school was directed to select two to six indicators on which to focus during the 2018-19 school year.  Certainly, we all know that if we focus narrowly and deeply, we are more likely to realize positive results.  The indicators that this school’s leadership team selected are noted below.

Throughout the next 3 years, schools will focus on their chosen Strategic Plan Indicators as the drivers to increase student engagement and achievement within their schools.  They will choose strategies to help them grow or increase within each indicator and will monitor and evaluate the student and school changes that take place along the journey.  Below you will see what this school imagines their students and school to look like in 2021 after having focused and worked on their chosen indicators for three years.

In 2018-19 Piney Orchard Elementary began to implement strategies that we believe will help all students to build the social, emotional and academic skills that will result in successful citizens of our increasingly global society. The use of the RARE acronym and the emphasis on the character traits of Responsibility, Accountability, Respect and Empathy have already begun to become a part of the school culture. The use of Community Circles helps students to develop interpersonal relationships and to understand that their actions affect the greater learning community. As we continue our work, even greater numbers of students will demonstrate respect for themselves and each other, hold themselves accountable for their actions, act as responsible citizens, and demonstrate empathy for all. Students will know and be able to name people at school that “know” them and are available to support them, and all POES students and families will feel that they are valued members of our school community. POES staff will also feel that they are valued members of our school community. They will say that they feel supported by their colleagues and supervisors and that they can utilize a variety of resources for their own professional growth. 

By building a school community where individual differences are recognized and celebrated, Piney Orchard Elementary will strengthen its foundation, and achievement in all academic areas; and will grow and improve at a steady pace. Regular monitoring and measurement of our progress will ensure that we are on the path to success for ALL.