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Strategic Plan: FY22 Actions

We’re not simply transitioning out of the pandemic.

We’re taking with us valuable experiences and lessons learned that will forever shape us,

our perspective, our leadership, and how we prepare all our students for their future.

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Look at the challenges we faced, and progress made

9/20

Implemented Hybrid Model and Remote Learning Academy

for start of school year in Sept 2020

3/21

Enhanced Health & Safety

and Strengthened Elementary Hybrid Model

Now

Reopened to Full Time Instruction for Grades Preschool-12, proposed March 16 and implemented April-May 2021

Mandated school closure March13-June 2020; implemented remote learning plan

consistent with DESE’s guidance

4/20

Medical emergency due to COVD-19

Fall 2021

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Remote and Hybrid instruction incorporated UDL model (multiple means of engagement, representation, and action/ expression)

Technology integration achieved with 1:1 model extended to K-5 so that all K-12 students now have 1:1 devices for learning; Zoom and Learning Management Systems adopted

Essential content and practice standards in all disciplines used to prioritize curriculum and instruction; Portrait competencies guided curriculum and instruction

Students used digital portfolios to show their skills and reflect; used Google Classroom and Calendar to prioritize their work and plan their day

FY21 Progress on Priority 1: Students are Drivers of their own learning

✔

Introduced students K-5 to new Racial Literacy Curriculum; Launched Roadmap for Becoming Culturally Responsive Educator

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Launched

Grade 9 Interdisciplinary program with 48 students; 30 teachers participated in summer institute on Project Based Learning

All Grade 8 students participated in a civics project that incorporated service learning

Built capacity for SEL anchored to equity & inclusion; worked with consultant on Transformative SEL, MTSS framework, and roadmap for becoming a Culturally Responsive Educator

Completed MTSS needs assessment and identified priorities; used MTSS as a tool to assist with schools reopening

FY21 Progress on Priority 2: Students experience Integrative Learning

✔

Reviewed elementary schedule for consistent time on learning and time for support/ intervention for all students in a general education setting

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Adapted the PreK to 12 classrooms and buildings to follow health & safety protocols for social distancing

Reached out to families to ensure student access to technology, food; dropped off school supplies; provided at-home, outdoor visits to at-risk students; provided remote learning lab within school for students with tech challenges

Added individual tutoring during teacher lunch, checked in with students outside of school hours via text and additional Zooms; began intensive SPED program earlier to accommodate most vulnerable

Moved students from RLA to Hybrid model with teachers revising curriculum and plans (pacing and materials)

FY21 Progress on Priority 3: Students learn within adaptable environment

✔

Held Open Houses, Zoom meetings, and listening sessions to address need for family partnership; recorded Zooms so parents could access content; launched Parent University

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Monitored health metrics and implemented safety and operational protocols to mitigate COVID spread

FY22 Budget approved in support of equity and Portrait plan; continuous monitoring & forecasting by Business Office to manage impact of COVID on FY21 budget

Implemented hiring plan for additional staff to support remote learning and plan to recruit/retain diverse staff; conducted Hiring for Equity training for search committees, DLT, and Town leadership

Provided professional learning to support equity work & remote instruction (e.g., PD on antiracist practices, UDL book group, 100 teachers took course in technology with UDL component)

FY21 Progress on Priority 4: Infrastructure supports needs of all students

✔

Launched new DEI website and technology website for teacher/ community resources and personalized teacher PD

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Next Steps on� the PORTRAIT Roadmap�

FY20

FY21

FY22

FY23

As we refine the Actions needed year over year, the Portrait vision will guide us.

In FY22, we will work to scale and optimize the Actions for going forward.

In FY21, despite the pandemic, we built on the initial year’s Actions and started to integrate best practices and new ideas.

As we began to implement the Portrait Plan, our focus was on the existing bright spots and foundational Actions we could take to explore and prepare for this work.

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PORTRAIT Roadmap FY22: �Accelerating our commitment to EQUITY & preparing students for their future

PRIORITY 2:

All Students Experience Integrative Teaching & Learning

PRIORITY 1:

All Students Are Drivers of Their Own Learning

PRIORITY 3:

All Students Learn and Grow Within Adaptable Environments

PRIORITY 4: Infrastructure Supports Needs of All Students

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Strategic Objective A: Incorporate opportunities for student choice, independent learning, personalized pathways	Strategic Objective B: Provide structures and experiences that enable student efficacy, leadership, and voice	Strategic Objective C: Teach students content and skills necessary for them to grow personally and academically
FY22 Actions:
1.1: Use essential content and practice standards that have been identified in all disciplines to support a personalized learning experience and allow room for student agency, voice, and choice (e.g., project-based learning, independent study, career exploration, etc.) 1.2: Fully integrate successful technology practices explored during remote learning to further personalize instruction for students (e.g., more options for completing coursework, live interaction online with experts/teachers outside the classroom, etc.) 1.3: Align the social studies curriculum with the racial literacy curriculum (including civics projects and the Courageous Conversations on Race model) and expand to all grade levels 1.4: Develop curriculum to reinforce Portrait competencies with students in developmentally appropriate ways from grades PreK to 12

PRIORITY 1:

ALL STUDENTS ARE DRIVERS OF THEIR OWN LEARNING

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Strategic Objective A: Extend interdisciplinary teaching and learning practices Pre-K to 12	Strategic Objective B: Embed Portrait competencies, Technology, Inclusive Practices, SEL, and Equity into all curricula and instructional practices	Strategic Objective C: Provide opportunities for students to demonstrate knowledge and skills through multiple means of expression
FY22 Actions:
2.1: Expand Interdisciplinary Learning (e.g., development of grade 10 and 11 Math/Science and American Studies courses; a plan for an Innovation Cluster at Pollard; a K-5 curriculum mapping across the disciplines of Math, Science, Social Studies, and Literacy, etc.) 2.2: Expand use of an instructional framework (MTSS, UDL) that is data-driven & equity focused to match academic, social emotional, and behavioral assessment and resources to every student 2.3: Strengthen Tier 1 instructional practices in all disciplines and for all students 2.4: Widen our mental health safety net for all students through the development of a comprehensive system of mental health supports

PRIORITY 2:

ALL STUDENTS EXPERIENCE INTEGRATIVE TEACHING & LEARNING

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Strategic Objective A: Support & design classroom models and environments that foster collaboration and innovation	Strategic Objective B: Provide time, schedules, and spaces that promote learning objectives	Strategic Objective C: Complement instruction with accessible learning beyond classroom, within community, and in partnership with families
FY22 Actions:
3.1: Increase opportunities for flexible/innovative groupings of students (e.g., buddies, assemblies, projects across grade levels, etc.) 3.2: Implement a redesigned elementary master schedule (i.e., allow time for support/re-teaching/intervention for all students in a general classroom setting) 3.3: Expand the use of outdoor classroom spaces and alternative environments (e.g., nature trails, amphitheater, Community Farm, DPW for recycling, local businesses for internships) 3.4: Provide Family Education on Portrait & NPS curriculum in order to engage parents/ guardians in partnering with staff to prepare students for their future

PRIORITY 3:

ALL STUDENTS LEARN & GROW WITHIN ADAPTABLE ENVIRONMENTS

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Strategic Objective A: Provide staffing, facilities, and budget resources aligned to district priorities	Strategic Objective B: Implement recruitment, retention, and development process for staff growth and diversity	Strategic Objective C: Establish a professional learning structure supporting equity and the Portrait vision
FY22 Actions:
4.1: Align the district’s FY23 budget process to the strategic planning process so that the FY23 Actions are set before the budget is developed 4.2: Facilitate process improvements for Business Operations & Systems that support implementation of the strategic plan 4.3: Work collaboratively with the Town to develop the financing plan for the School Master Plan and for the renovation of the Emery Grover Admin building 4.4: Diversify educator workforce through targeted & measured recruitment and retention 4.5: Develop and launch a cohesive professional learning program aligning implementation of the strategic plan with specific workforce competencies and equity for all

Priority 4:

INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORTS NEEDS OF ALL STUDENTS

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Shared Vision of the Future for our Pre-K to 12 Students:�PREPARING ALL NEEDHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS STUDENTS TO BE…

CREATIVE THINKERS AND PROBLEM SOLVERS

COMMUNICATORS AND COLLABORATORS

SOCIALLY & CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE CONTRIBUTORS

RESPONSIBLE AND RESILIENT INDIVIDUALS

EMPOWERED LEARNERS

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