,
Strategic Plan
2004 - 2009
OBJECTIVES
- We will foster academic excellence in
every student and the maximum performance of every staff member.
- We will provide a faith-based
environment to develop the whole child.
·
We will
raise the resources necessary to provide an excellent education for our
students.
Strategic Planning Team
Members
Very Reverend Andrew Szaroleta, Pastor
Annamarie C. Reilly, Principal
Larry Meo, School Advisory Council
Mary Beth Berry Nancy Anne Castello Marybeth Garceau Joyce Paciga Johnny Schoberl
Debbie Burns Carole Curcio Steve Heller Siobhan Papantonis Linda Sielken
Carla Calhoun Diane Eisenhart Claire Kilcommons Kerry Reinagel Barb Stoyell-Mulholland
Karen Calta Connie Fortunato John Monacchio Ken Sanchez Louise Vallee
THE
STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS
Phase I: An initial Strategic Planning Team of twenty-five
members, including teachers, parents, parishioners, and students was formed in
the Fall of 2003. This team met on
October 4 & 5, 2003, and developed belief statements, operating parameters,
objectives, and strategies for our school to work toward during the next five
years.
Phase II: During January 2004, volunteers were identified and trained
to serve as facilitators for Strategic Planning Action Teams. Volunteers from our parents, teachers,
students, and parishioners formed our action teams. These teams met weekly from February through
April 2004 to develop a detailed action plan for each strategy created. These action plans were presented to the
Strategic Planning Team in May 2004. The
Strategic Planning Team worked through the Summer 2004 to finalize the
strategic plan.
Phase III: Implementation of the plan will begin in the Fall
2004 and will continue throughout the year 2009, until all action items have
been addressed. The Strategic Plan will
be revisited annually to determine our progress.
MISSION
STATEMENT
Immaculate Conception School exists as a gift to God’s children, to prepare them to live a life with Jesus the Good Shepherd as their Teacher and Friend. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, and through the intercession of Mary Immaculate, the school seeks to foster in each student, spiritual growth, academic excellence, and moral integrity.
A City on a Hill Matthew 5: 14-16
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house.”
“Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”
PHILOSOPHY
STATEMENT
Every child is a
reflection of the image and likeness of God.
That reflection comes to fruition in the love of the personal and parish
families. At Immaculate Conception
School, we seek to fulfill our mission by being the extension of Christ the
Teacher as we partner with the parents and extended family. We are guided by the teachings of the
Catholic Church and the Diocese of Metuchen in order to teach our children the
virtues of faith, hope, and charity.
With these tools, each child can go forth to develop his or her
potential as a Christian in a secular world.
BELIEF
STATEMENTS
We believe that:
1.
Every
child is made in the image and likeness of God.
2.
The
uniqueness and diversity of each child must be valued.
3.
The
school community must foster in each child spiritual growth, academic
excellence, and moral integrity.
4.
Children
learn at different rates and in a variety of ways.
5.
It is
our responsibility to provide the means through which children reach their
highest potential.
6.
Children
must be active participants in their own education.
7.
Children
deserve to have teachers who are dedicated and well-prepared to carry forth the
mission of the school.
8.
Our
school must provide the resources needed to meet curriculum objectives.
9.
Our
school must prepare children to become meaningful contributors in an
ever-changing world.
10.Each child has a right to a safe and nurturing
environment based on mutual respect.
11.Children succeed when the family, parish, and school
communities partner on their behalf.
12.Families have a responsibility to invest in the
success of the school community.
13.Our parish and school community must collaborate.
14.We are a Catholic community open to students of all
faiths.
15.We believe that educating our children is a
ministry.
These are our beliefs. Over time, these beliefs are achievable and
are truths to which we aspire.
PARAMETERS
Policies and procedures:
how are we going to operate?
·
We will
always maintain these class size maximums:
Pre-3: 16 students Grade 1: 22 students
Pre-4: 18 students Grade 2: 24 students
Kinder: 20 students Grades 3-8: 25 students
· We will always collaborate in structuring the learning environment of our school.
· We will always hire and work to retain certified, highly qualified individuals who model their faith.
· We will provide continuous professional development
· We will work to meet the individual needs of students who are accepted into our school.
OBJECTIVES: 2004 – 2009
·
We will
foster academic excellence in every student and the maximum performance of
every staff member.
Strategy 1: We will develop a plan to assess student
needs, learning styles, and measure progress.
Action Plan |
Primary Responsibility |
Completion Date |
|
Develop
a communication describing the principles of differentiation |
Principal, with input from
staff |
September 2004 |
|
Assess student academic
needs based on individual academic potential and goals as well as against
standards/skill sets established by grade level and communicated to teachers
and parents. |
Teaching
Staff |
November
2004 |
|
Identify students who
require special services |
Principal,
with input from staff |
October
2004 |
|
Hire special education
teacher(s) and aides when resources are available. |
Principal |
October
2004 |
|
Utilize alternative
resources to address needs of students who require special services. |
Principal,
with input from staff |
September
2005 |
|
Accommodate scheduling
where feasible for advanced and enrichment classes (in and out of ICS). |
Principal,
with input from staff |
September
2004 and ongoing |
|
Update guidelines for
admission requirements: letters of recommendation, questionnaire, placement
test, completion of student records, health records, inclusion of classroom
teachers in the interview process |
Principal,
with input from staff |
September
2004 |
|
Investigate moving Terra Nova testing to May
instead of March to provide students and teachers with an opportunity to
cover a larger portion of the curriculum.
|
SAC |
September 2005 |
|
Ensure consistency in
assessing and reporting student progress (as appropriate by grade level). 1.
Pass on pertinent Terra Nova information to successive class to
ensure best learning practices for students. 2.
Modify the way progress is reported to more closely track curriculum. 3.
Use narrative portion of the report card. 4.
Deliver the first quarter report cards in face-to-face meetings with
parents and additionally with parents and/or child, at discretion of the
teacher. 5.
Evaluate the portfolio process to ensure value in assessing student
progress. 6.
Develop guidelines for mid term progress reports |
Principal,
with input from staff |
Fall
2004 |
- We will foster academic excellence in
every student and the maximum performance of every staff member.
Strategy
2: We will create a staff development
plan to address student needs and programs.
Action Plan |
Primary Responsibility |
Completion Date |
|
Create staff development plans that are based on
key curriculum needs, including: 1.
Targeted themes and goals for the year 2.
Formal standardized testing and other student assessment results 3.
Orientation, training, and mentoring of new staff 4.
Budgetary constraints |
Principal, with input from
teaching staff |
September 2004 and
annually thereafter |
|
Provide
teachers with additional professional resources and access to
subscription-based websites. Library
resources should be available through the main server which can be accessed
by teachers at any time. |
Curriculum Coordinator and
Technical Coordinator |
September 2006 |
|
Explore
incentive plan to encourage professional development. |
SAC |
January 2006 |
Strategy 3:
We will implement programs to meet the needs of all students.
Action Plan |
Primary Responsibility |
Completion Date |
|
Form a subcommittee of the EAC, which includes educators and non-educators, for
the purpose of curriculum review (Curriculum Review Committee – CRC). The following points should be considered
by the CRC: 1.
Identify ways to measure progress of the curriculum enhancements and
address areas of concern. 2.
Prioritize review of curriculum to focus on areas that require the most
attention. 3.
Use NJ Core Curriculum and Diocesan Curriculum Guidelines as minimum
standards to be surpassed for each grade level. 4.
Solicit input regarding curriculum from parents during annual open
SAC meetings. 5.
Provide input regarding curriculum-related questions into the
development process of the annual school survey. 6.
Use benchmarking data to identify and utilize best practices. 7.
Track success of ICS graduates to collect useful data. |
EAC |
Fall 2004 |
Action Plan |
Primary Responsibility |
Completion Date |
|
Create
a plan to increase the resources available to students and teachers in the
library/media center. This plan could
include:
|
ICS
Librarian
|
January 2005 |
|
Submit
grants for library enhancements |
Development Committee |
Ongoing |
|
Develop
a plan to increase the size of each classroom library. This plan could include:
|
Curriculum Coordinator and
Teaching Staff |
September 2005 |
|
Designate
and supply a special storage area with resources and materials for students
who are significantly above or below grade level. |
ICS Librarian and Teaching
Staff |
September 2006 |
|
Communicate
expectations for appropriate behaviors and consequences to students when
expectations are not met.
Specifically,
|
Principal |
Fall 2004 |
|
Develop
plans to expand existing Cultural Arts program to support and enrich academic
programs. |
HSA |
January 2005 |
|
Highlight
and showcase the work of every child in the school |
ISC Teaching Staff |
Sept 2004 and ongoing |
|
Develop
ICS Science Laboratory safety policy for chemical storage including preparing
written plan and purchasing acid storage cabinet and fire blanket. |
Science Teacher, Upper
Grades |
September 2004 |
|
Develop
ICS Science Laboratory student policy on appropriate behavior in the ICS
Science Laboratory, e.g., food-based lab materials are not to be eaten, beware
of sharp items and wear safety goggles. |
Science Teacher, Upper
Grades |
September 2004 |
|
Submit
at least two grants per year to funding organizations to obtain material
supplies for the ICS Science Laboratory.
The Development Committee grant writer will provide support in writing
and identifying grant sources. |
Development Committee |
September 2005 |
Action Plan |
Primary Responsibility |
Completion Date |
|
Familiarize
teachers instructing grades Kindergarten through fifth on laboratory
equipment and supplies available for experiments and classroom instruction. |
Science Teacher, Upper
Grades and Science Coordinator |
September 2005 |
|
Maintain
current educational relationships and seek to develop additional educational
relationships with local industries to promote community relations and to
encourage equipment and supply donations to the ICS Science Laboratory. |
Development Committee |
September 2009 |
|
Maximize
utilization of technology resources to build competence areas in both
teachers and students. |
Technology Coordinator |
September 2005 |
|
Search
for best technology practices and submit recommendations and requests for
grants. |
Development Committee |
Ongoing |
|
Encourage teachers and
parents to provide enrichment and recognition to the ICS academic
curriculum via competitive and non-competitive extracurricular programs,
such as: ·
Language arts - newspaper, literary clubs, participation in reading
and writing competitions ·
Math - participation in competitions, chess club ·
Science - participation in competitions, camp scholarships, science
club, astronomy, gardening, technology/computer club ·
Social Studies - student council, mock elections, history club,
ethnic events |
ICS Staff |
September 2005 |
- We will foster academic excellence in
every student and the maximum performance of every staff member.
Strategy 4: We will benchmark students at ICS to similar student populations (public and private).
Action Plan |
Primary Responsibility |
Completion Date |
|
Form
a Benchmarking team for the purpose of interviewing identified schools. Team should be small to ensure consistency
in data collection and reporting. |
Principal |
September 2004 |
|
Perform
interviews. A questionnaire has
already been developed and a summary of topics included are: 1.
Curriculum 2.
Measuring achievement 3.
Staffing 4.
Special programs of excellence |
Benchmarking Team |
September 2005 |
|
A
summary comparison of data will be prepared by interview team |
Benchmarking Team |
September 2005 |
|
Relevant
benchmarking results will be presented to the Principal, SAC, and EAC. These benchmarks will be used as a source
of comparison for continuing improvement of ICS programs. |
Benchmarking Team |
September 2005 |
- We will provide a faith-based
environment to develop the whole child.
Strategy 5: We will create and implement strategies to infuse spiritual values into all areas of our student program (academic, social, extracurricular).
Action Plan |
Primary Responsibility |
Completion Date |
|
Maintain
and build upon the success of past spirituality committee efforts. |
School Administration |
Ongoing |
|
Identify
a person or group of individuals to coordinate volunteers |
SAC |
Fall 2004 |
|
Seek
out additional male role models who can and will model the behaviors
associated with our spiritual values. 1.
Ask homeroom parents to recruit male volunteers. 2.
Define specific activities in which male role models can participate
(such as playground assistant, organized library reading programs,
coordinators of after school programs). 3.
Identify and reach out to retired parish men. |
Volunteer Coordinator |
June 2005 |
|
Develop
a volunteer model that expresses the spiritual values we espouse.
|
Volunteer Coordinator |
September 2005 |
|
Ensure
that outside programs brought into our school properly represent the
spiritual values of the school. 1.
Develop a contract that
sets expectations for outside programs. Include our mission statement and
values. Require a signed commitment to
present program that is consistent with our values. 2.
Whenever possible, send appropriately skilled representatives to view
planned programs in advance 3.
Integrate contract into the selection process to ensure that vendors
get information and that we get signed agreement returned. 4.
Add this contract and related information to the school handbook for
both students and parents in order to widely communicate our intentions. |
School Administration, in
consultation with SAC and HSA Executive Board |
January 2005 |
|
Develop
a section of the annual school survey to measure the extent to which our
Catholic values are encouraged and shared. |
SAC |
Spring 2005 |
- We will
provide a faith-based environment to develop the whole child.
Strategy 6: We will establish a committee and develop
plans to facilitate the partnership between school and parish.
Action Plan |
Primary Responsibility |
Completion Date |
|
Form a Parish/School Partnership Committee |
Pastoral
Council |
Fall
2004 |
|
Investigate offering Adult Education and Religious
Education classes in the school that are open to all parishioners. 1.
Survey the parish community to determine the level of interest in
adult education classes. 2.
Find programs to fit needs and set up adult education classes that
take advantage of the physical plant and equipment in the school. 3.
Schedule classes concurrent with other non-school events (e.g. CCD) |
Partnership
Committee with school administration and pastoral council |
September
2006 |
|
Encourage a sense of ownership in school by CCD
programs. |
Partnership
Committee |
Ongoing |
|
Explore possibility of establishing a Parish
Religious library within the school. |
Pastoral
Council |
September
2005 |
|
Establish partnerships of parishioners and
students in which special knowledge or experiences could be shared. 1.
Create a list of opportunities, which might include mentoring,
extracurricular activities, instruction or the sharing of hobbies. 2.
Announce the opportunity for volunteers at all Masses 3.
Establish an annual Career Day at ICS. |
Partnership
Committee |
September
2005 |
|
Use Confirmation Service Hours as opportunities
for CCD and ICS students to work together. 1.
Establish a coordinator or sub-committee who can identify
opportunities, schedule trips, arrange transportation 2.
Identify service opportunities that are realistic, meaningful and
safe. |
Partnership
Committee with Director of Religious Ed. |
September
2005 |
Action Plan |
Primary Responsibility |
Completion Date |
|
Develop Marketing (Promotional) Plan for Parish
and School through which we identify ourselves as a single entity and using
the tag line “City On The Hill” to link the two entities. 1.
Develop a clear set of goals for the promotion effort. 2.
Assess present efforts at promoting the school and parish. 3.
Assign responsibility to a person or committee to promote the parish
and school. 4.
Advertise the ICS and ICC web sites more widely as a source of
information about the school and Parish and their offerings. 5.
Evaluate ways of using the weekly bulletin more effectively to
promote activities in the school and provide information about the school. |
Partnership
Committee |
September
2005 |
|
Establish effective ways to hear comments/concerns
and to communicate school programs to interested parishioners. 1.
Determine the present ways the Pastor, principal, and pastoral
council receive feedback from parishioners; assess effectiveness of these
ways. 2.
Determine present concerns parishioners may have about the
school. 3.
Set up a plan for how the information will be used and shared 4.
Include parishioners in annual school survey process. |
Pastoral
Council, Pastor, and School
Administration |
September
2007 |
|
Strengthen efforts to bring together activities
between school/parish. 1.
Determine the activities that lend themselves to parish participation 2.
Develop a checklist to be used to identify target audience and
develop plans that are appropriate to promote the event(s) and attract
audience and to assign responsibility for carrying out actions. 3.
Develop event communications to the school parents, parishioners and
local community (where appropriate) |
Partnership
Committee with parish & school committees |
September
2005 |
|
Establish
clear guidelines for requesting access to the school for use by the various
parish ministries. |
Partnership Committee with
school administration, SAC and Pastoral Council |
September 2005 |
- We will
provide a faith-based environment to develop the whole child.
Strategy 7: We will develop a comprehensive plan for extracurricular student activities.
Action Plan |
Primary Responsibility |
Completion Date |
Athletics |
|
|
|
Establish an Athletic Committee, with members
appointed by the Pastor, as the group responsible for all athletics at ICC
and ICS. |
Pastor |
September 2004 |
|
Develop a mission, policy & procedure document
for the Athletic Committee, to be approved by the pastor. |
Athletic Committee |
January 2005 |
|
Increase enrollment in sports clinics for non-school
members. |
Athletic Committee |
June 2005 |
|
Research possibility of school team for league
play for the 7th and 8th grade girls and boys. |
Athletic Committee |
June 2005 |
Service and SpiritualityCreate a school based service club to coordinate projects and inform all students of ICS about service opportunities through the CCD Office. |
Student Council |
June 2005 |
School |
|
|
|
Create a Student Council that operates as a
governing body for clubs and activities at ICS. |
Student Council Advisor,
Principal |
October 2004 |
|
Develop an election process for Student Council to
be in place for the election of officers for year 2005-06. |
Student Council |
January 2005 |
|
Establish monthly meetings for Student Council
that includes time with the principal to present ideas prior to general
meeting. |
Student Council |
November 2004 |
- We will raise the resources necessary to
provide an excellent education for our students.
Strategy 8: We will develop a five-year financial plan with acceptable and best-case scenarios, identifying requirements for existing and future budget categories.
Action Plan |
Primary Responsibility |
Completion Date |
|
Establish existing
multi-year school budget as “acceptable case” scenario. |
SAC
Finance Committee |
September
2004 |
|
Develop set of
assumptions with respect to staffing and programs for the “best case”
scenario. |
Principal,
Staff, EAC |
Spring
2005 |
|
Develop a multi-year
school budget for the “best-case” scenario as follows: ü
Obtain salary
scales from public and non public schools for next five years. ü
Develop salary
scale conforming to Diocesan Guidelines, i.e. salary = 80 - 85% of public
school ü
Determine
number of continuing and additional full time and part time teachers and
teacher aids positions for next five years ü
Develop
timeline for hiring of additional staff for next five years ü
Estimate salary
scale and anticipated expenses associated with each position, e.g.. salary
scale step, benefits cost ü
Develop
timeline for introduction of additional programs for next five years ü
Estimate
anticipated expenses associated with additional programs ü
Determine cost
to educate per pupil based upon above expenses for next five years. |
SAC
Finance Committee |
January
2005 |
|
SAC
Finance and Principal |
Spring
2005 |
|
|
SAC
Finance and Principal |
Spring
2005 |
|
|
SAC
Finance and Principal |
Spring
2005 |
|
|
SAC
Finance and Principal |
September
2005 |
|
|
SAC
Finance and Principal |
Spring
2005 |
|
|
SAC
Finance and Principal |
September
2005 |
|
|
SAC
Finance Committee |
September
2005 |
|
|
Maintain parish subsidy
at current dollar amount |
Pastor,
SAC and Parish Finance Committees |
Ongoing |
Strategy 9: We will formulate an
integrated plan for developing revenue from tuition/fees, fund-raising,
development, and other sources.
Action Plan |
Primary Responsibility |
Completion Date |
|
In addition to current
fundraising, consider the following additional activities: 1. Institute and encourage participation in family
50/50 2. Explore increasing Scrip buyout amount 3. Credit Card and other card products (from MBNA) for
Parish and School families 4. Promote fundraisers with the greatest profit
potential, eliminating the low profit ones |
SAC Finance Committee and HSA |
September
2005 |
|
Explore instituting a facilities fee to be paid once per family when first child enters school to be used for future capital expenses as building and facilities age |
SAC Finance Committee |
September 2005 |
|
Explore strategies for
affordable tuition |
SAC Finance Committee |
Ongoing |
·
We will
raise the resources necessary to provide an excellent education for our
students.
Strategy 10:
We will build an endowment fund sufficient to provided competitive
teacher salaries.
Action Plan |
Primary Responsibility |
Completion Date |
|
Continue current
development plans |
Development
Committee |
Ongoing |
|
Hire a professional
Development Director, when development program grows to the point it requires
full time management. |
Pastor |
TBD |
|
Educate community
regarding the purpose and value of endowment fund. |
Development
Committee |
Ongoing |
|
Develop a philosophy
statement and guidelines for investment of endowment funds. |
Pastor,
Director of Development, Parish and SAC Finance Committees |
June
2005 |
|
Develop a philosophy
statement and guidelines for use of endowment funds which includes
responsibility of decision-making with respect to disbursement of funds. |
Pastor,
Director of Development, SAC Finance Committee |
June
2005 |
|
Development Committee
will consider the following: 1. Offer estate planning and financial planning
workshops/seminars to community as service and to include IC school in their
financial plans 2. Develop an Alumni Record resource index to track alumni 3.
After year 2011
(when first class has graduated college), offer activities (to be determined)
to encourage continued involvement with IC |
Development
Committee |
September
2009 |