Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Community Ventures
Whitko is involved with several community ventures. BioCrossroads is working with a large group of community organizations and individuals to support our orthopedic industries. TOpS 2015 is working with the defense industries. The efforts of both groups is to provide quality trained modern workforces to maintain and improve our economic viability in these and other related areas. Our part is providing great graduates with STEM and 21st Century Skills. During the next year you will be hearing more about these. As you learn more ask your questions and post your comments so we can all learn from each other.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Board Goals
We have great programs at Whitko. Sometimes it seems they are not tied together well and not publicized well. The Board recognizes this and want to do better at planning and promoting. As you look at the Board Goals what other things should we include in the goals? What should we be very specific about? Any other opinions related to these goals that you want to share would be great!
Goal on Instructional Plan
Recognizing our responsibility to educate the future leaders of our society, by January 15, 2010, Whitko Community Schools will adopt a five year development plan to address the needs of our instructional program in a changing society. The plan will address fulfilling our mission of delivering a differentiated curriculum to our students. Some components of the plan will include development or advancement of:
· Student preparation in 21st Century Skills;
· STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) integration;
· Vocational Education Expansion
· Dropout prevention – credit recovery
· Alternative educational opportunities
· High Ability Programming
· Further development of RtI (Response to Intervention);
· Programming for Special Needs students;
· Increased AP and post secondary opportunities.
All components will be based on “best practice” and the most current research.
Goal on Communication
To continue our focus on promoting Whitko Community Schools, we will further the implementation of the communication plan that was adopted January 1, 2009. This year’s focus will include:
· Continuation of components of the plan already in place;
· Increased external communication with a focus on sharing our story;
· A larger web presence;
· Developing true business partnerships;
· Increased student input and feedback; and
· Reaching those patrons without current students.
Add your thoughts and ideas.
Goal on Instructional Plan
Recognizing our responsibility to educate the future leaders of our society, by January 15, 2010, Whitko Community Schools will adopt a five year development plan to address the needs of our instructional program in a changing society. The plan will address fulfilling our mission of delivering a differentiated curriculum to our students. Some components of the plan will include development or advancement of:
· Student preparation in 21st Century Skills;
· STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) integration;
· Vocational Education Expansion
· Dropout prevention – credit recovery
· Alternative educational opportunities
· High Ability Programming
· Further development of RtI (Response to Intervention);
· Programming for Special Needs students;
· Increased AP and post secondary opportunities.
All components will be based on “best practice” and the most current research.
Goal on Communication
To continue our focus on promoting Whitko Community Schools, we will further the implementation of the communication plan that was adopted January 1, 2009. This year’s focus will include:
· Continuation of components of the plan already in place;
· Increased external communication with a focus on sharing our story;
· A larger web presence;
· Developing true business partnerships;
· Increased student input and feedback; and
· Reaching those patrons without current students.
Add your thoughts and ideas.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Vision the next five years
Whitko five years from now will be a school system that everyone looks to for leadership. Our facilities will continue to be first class with all the resources needed to provide a differentiated and individualized curriculum. Virtual education activities will abound. Our special programs for high ability and special needs students will compete with our engaging curriculum in other classes.
The elementary programs will be able to focus on higher learning skills as RtI has created a situation where students just are not allowed to fall behind and when students do they are immediately identified and remediated.
Our middle school program continues to involve great exploration possibilities that encorporate the standards into an activity and challenge based learning program. Students leaving middle school have a good idea what they might like to work on at Whitko High School.
Our high school provides individualzed programs for students that include increased vocational education, increased dual credit and Advanced Placement Offerings, and virtual education in subjects that are not even thought of today. The 21st century skills ans STEM education is interwoven into the fabric of the educational program. The school is so engaging that every student is involved in some co or extra curricular activity.
Whitko schools are once again the center of civic activities. Our schools are always being used by the public for various events. Events put on by the schoolsa re always packed with parents. Parents are also feeling so welcome at the schools they often drop by to see what they can do to assist us.
Over the last five years Whitko has been able to secure financial support that creates an environment of stability and growth not often shared in rural school corporations. Part of this comes from charging outside groups to see how we took a good school corporation to greatness. We often speek at conference and provide staff development for other schools.
So here is part of my Vision Whitko, What's Your Take?
The elementary programs will be able to focus on higher learning skills as RtI has created a situation where students just are not allowed to fall behind and when students do they are immediately identified and remediated.
Our middle school program continues to involve great exploration possibilities that encorporate the standards into an activity and challenge based learning program. Students leaving middle school have a good idea what they might like to work on at Whitko High School.
Our high school provides individualzed programs for students that include increased vocational education, increased dual credit and Advanced Placement Offerings, and virtual education in subjects that are not even thought of today. The 21st century skills ans STEM education is interwoven into the fabric of the educational program. The school is so engaging that every student is involved in some co or extra curricular activity.
Whitko schools are once again the center of civic activities. Our schools are always being used by the public for various events. Events put on by the schoolsa re always packed with parents. Parents are also feeling so welcome at the schools they often drop by to see what they can do to assist us.
Over the last five years Whitko has been able to secure financial support that creates an environment of stability and growth not often shared in rural school corporations. Part of this comes from charging outside groups to see how we took a good school corporation to greatness. We often speek at conference and provide staff development for other schools.
So here is part of my Vision Whitko, What's Your Take?
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