MISSION STATEMENT

1. MISSION STATEMENT The Neshaminy community empowers students to become productive citizens and lifelong learners. Neshaminy - We build futures!

2. DISTRICT PRIORITIES YEAR TWO

3. Student Achievement TechnologyProficiency Academic Proficiency Social/Emotional Proficiency Standards Aligned System

4. IMPORTANT NOTE The three pillars representing the District priorities - proficiency in social & emotional learning, academics and technology - remain the same. Our target continues to be improved student achievement. Some initiatives are in their second and third year of implementation. Although they may not be identified on the PowerPoint or the charts, they continue to be important. New state and federal mandates, new research and improved resources require us to build upon previous years’ efforts while sustaining what has been achieved.

5. Standards Aligned System Social & Emotional Learning Proficiency SEL is the process of developing social and emotional skills in the context of safe, caring, well-managed, and engaging learning environments (CASEL, 2006). The Pennsylvania Department of Education has established a Resiliency/Wellness Approach that incorporates six environmental protective factors of SEL, namely: high expectations, meaningful student engagement, connectiveness and bonding, skills for life, clear and consistent boundaries and unconditional support. Social & Emotional Learning (SEL) Proficiency

6. Social & Emotional Learning • High Expectations – Setting high but realistic expectations for student success and identifying and supporting steps in the right direction • Meaningful Student Engagement – Providing opportunities for students to make meaningful contributions to others • Connectiveness and Bonding – Increasing positive bonds and connections for students to other people and/or to clubs, organizations or activities • Skills for Life – Helping students develop good communication and listening skills, healthy conflict resolution, the ability to assert oneself appropriately and coping with new challenges successfully • Clear and Consistent Boundaries – Setting and maintaining clear boundaries to help students feel safe and know what to expect • Unconditional Support – Providing oneself and others with unconditional positive regard, love, and encouragement

7. Action Plan Social & Emotional Learning Proficiency Targets Developing Social and Emotional Intelligence All Schools “TAKES PRIDE” 2nd Year of Implementation SEL Steering Committees “Too Good for Drugs” “Too Good for Violence” SEL infused into all school activities Use of “Tool 33” High and Middle Schools Use of “Tool 32” Elementary Schools Least Restrictive Environment and TLC as it relates to students with special needs School Wide Positive Behavior Supports (Everitt, Schweitzer, TLC)

8. Standards Aligned System Academic Proficiency A Standards Aligned System consists of clear standards, a rigorous and relevant curriculum anchored in the standards, instructional strategies based on current best practices, fair assessments, materials and resources, and interventions. High levels of student achievement depend on a standards aligned system. The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires school districts in the state to follow SAS Guidelines and to use the resources available on their website. Academic Proficiency

9. Standards Aligned System • Clear Standards - Clear, high standards that establish what all students need to know and be able to do • Fair Assessments - Fair assessments aligned to standards • Curricular Framework - A framework specifying big ideas, concepts and competencies in each subject area/at each grade level • Instruction – Aligned instruction – identifying strategies that are best suited to help students to achieve the expected performance • Materials that address the standards • Interventions – A safety net/intervention system that insures all students meet standards

10. Action Plan Academic Proficiency Targets Improving Academic Achievement All Schools Use of curriculum maps to guide instruction PSSA Proficiency for all students with special attention to low performing sub groups SPAT Teams High School Tutorial courses for struggling students in math and English Quarterly benchmarks for English Professional development in standards-based grading Middle Schools Ability Grouping for 6th & 7th Grade Math (pilot at MPMS) 2nd year Professional development in standards-based grading Support for teachers using standards-based grading Ad Hoc Committee for IOP Curriculum Elementary Schools Writing Workshop Math in Focus Keyboarding (Poquessing/Ferderbar)

11. Standards Aligned System Technology Proficiency Technology is a tool to navigate and manipulate information for success in any endeavor in today's digital world. A teacher's effective use of technology in a classroom engages students, who are digital natives, and optimizes their potential for learning. A foundational knowledge of technology concepts, systems and operations provides a framework to gather, evaluate and use information in all curricular areas and facilitates critical thinking, problem solving and decision making. Technology Proficiency

12. Technology • Creativity and Innovation – Think critically, construct knowledge, develop innovative products and processes using technology • Communication and Collaboration – Use of digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively • Research and Information Fluency – Apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information • Critical Thinking, Problem Solving & Decision Making – Plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools • Digital Citizenship – Practice legal and ethical behavior based on an understanding of the human, cultural and societal issues related to technology • Technology Operations and Concepts – Use technology based on a knowledge of technology concepts, systems and operations

13. Action Plan Technology Proficiency Targets Improving Instruction through the Use of Technology Tools All Schools Online materials and resources (World Book Online, eLibrary and Noodle Tools) Digital tools to enhance instruction Expand use of video conferencing Explore online learning High School iPads; netbook cards; ereaders Middle Schools iPads and iTouches; ereaders; Airliners and student response systems Elementary Schools SMART Boards; Netbook carts; Keyboarding (POQ/FER)

14. Achievements 2010-2011 • Professional development to support priorities • Grade level meetings, team meetings, professional learning communities, book clubs • Prevention curriculum in elementary schools • Introduction of TAKES PRIDE in all schools • Implementation of progress reports in elementary schools • Implementation of LRE and SWPBS in selected schools • Completion of curriculum maps K-12 • Alignment of curricular materials • Expanded use of technology to enhance instruction

15. District efforts are guided by the identified priorities so that the delivery of programs and services is consistent throughout the District and we meet the needs of all our students. We strive to prepare them for the demands of the 21st century world beyond school.