Click pic to see more images in our gallery.
We’re baaaaaaaaack! And we’re going to be better than ever for the 2012-13 school year. We’ve got the plans to do it, too (just see below).
A lot is going to happen for 2012-13, but before we get into all the nitty gritty, we wanted to share with you some First Day Faces photos. Click the pic above to see more pics in our gallery from Day 1 of the 2012-13 school year. Some of the photos are submitted from members of our Delavan-Darien School District Community
Now, about what we’re doing this year…
Two of the newest members of the Delavan-Darien School District leadership team have been busy already as the school year starts.
Sara Halberg, Director of Pupil Services and Special Education, and Cora Rund, Director of Instruction, will lead several instructional improvement projects planned for the upcoming school year.
Among the projects are:
• Implementing a new K-5 math program that is aligned with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and brings new instructional methods designed to have all students become critical thinkers and problem solvers;
• Focusing on literacy across all K-12 content areas. The specific learning goal is “all students read for information.” The project is also aligned with the CCSS;
• Implementing and aligning a consistent system of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) across all levels. PBIS is a way to provide clear expectations for all behaviors by students;
• Developing a K-12 Response to Intervention (RtI) leadership team that will focus on supporting higher levels of academic and behavioral success for all students.
The new focus areas support key strategies outlined in the district’s strategic plan (details below).
Teachers will participate in ongoing training sessions with Halberg and Rund to increase their understanding of the CCSS, and learn high-impact instructional strategies that will support the needs of all learners.
For questions about those projects, contact Halberg or Rund calling 262-728-2642 ext. 4807 or 4812, respectively.
About the Strategic Plan
The new strategic plan for the Delavan-Darien School District is ready for rollout.
Drafted with the help of 116 staff and community members, the long-range plan will be a guide for all staff to work toward district-wide improvement.
The plan is fully supported by the school board and district administration.
The key components of the plan are as follows:
Beliefs
We believe that…
- All people have worth;
- Everyone can be a successful learner;
- Continuous learning is necessary in an ever-changing world;
- Achieving your personal best requires challenge, effort, and the willingness to accept support;
- Honesty and integrity are essential for trusting relationships;
- Everyone is responsible for his or her own actions;
- Individuals and communities benefit when people contribute to the well being of others;
- A thriving community depends on a quality education system;
- Understanding and accepting diversity in our community leads to success in the global community;
- A supportive home environment is the primary influence on the development of an individual;
- Emotional and physical safety are essential for a positive learning environment;
- A quality education expands opportunities throughout a person’s life;
- Pursuing dreams motivates people to achieve outstanding success.
Mission
The loftiest aspiration we have.
The mission of the Delavan-Darien School District, a partnership of students, families, staff, and community, is to ensure each student is prepared to succeed and contribute as a 21st century citizen by providing a real-world education that is engaging, thought-provoking, and culturally diverse.
Strategic Parameters
- Student well-being will be given the highest priority in decision-making.
- We will maintain safe, supportive environments conducive to learning throughout our schools.
- We will not tolerate behavior or speech that is disrespectful or demeaning to any individual or group.
- No new program or service will be accepted unless it is consistent with the strategic plan, benefits justify the costs, and provisions are made for appropriate professional development as well as program evaluation.
- No program or service will be retained unless it makes an optimal contribution to the mission and benefits continue to justify the costs.
Objectives
- Annually, each student will demonstrate at least one year of academic growth on local assessments; district performance will be at or above the state average on Wisconsin’s assessments.
- Each student will develop and consistently demonstrate the character attributes and behaviors of a respectful, responsible, and contributing citizen.
- Each student will demonstrate the ability to make a successful transition to continuing education and to a meaningful career tailored to his or her future aspirations.
Strategies
- We will create a positive learning environment characterized by effective communication, collaboration, and trust in order to unite staff members and administrators in respectful work.
- We will strengthen our teachers’ capabilities to effectively implement curriculum, use engaging research-based instructional strategies, as well as assessment data, to improve student achievement.
- We will actively engage families and strengthen partnerships within our diverse community in order to work corroboratively to achieve our mission and objectives.
- We will identify, model, reinforce, and assess the character attributes and behaviors valued by our community.
- We will develop and implement plans to ensure our students make successful transitions to further learning and meaningful careers that are tailored to their interests, abilities, and aspirations.
The district will consider 12 of the 32 strategic action plans this school year, focusing on improving communication, collaboration and trust between staff and administration; strengthening classroom teaching by aligning curriculum with the state-mandated Common Core State Standards; exploring development of a dual-language immersion program; identifying key character attributes and behaviors valued by the school community; and improving career pathway skills development for high school students.
Regular reports on the progress of the Strategic Plan will be given at School Board meetings.
Download the full plans at: www.ddschools.org/sp.cfm
