Harding Township School Strategic Planning Meeting #1 Outcomes

Creating a Strategic Plan for the Harding Township School District

Mission Statement

The Harding Township School provides a strong educational foundation which inspires students to achieve academic excellence. Our dedicated faculty stimulates intellectual growth using a challenging curriculum within a supportive learning environment. We encourage students to become self-directed, lifelong learners who are well prepared for the academic and social challenges of the future.

Session 1 of 3 - What are the Strengths/Achievements and Challenges/Opportunities of the Harding Township School District?

On February 12, 2018 Harding Township School District administrators, staff, Board members, parents, students, and community members came together to initiate strategic planning. The first evening's topic focused on the strengths/achievements, and challenges/opportunities of the Harding Township School. The meeting began with welcoming remarks by Davor Gjivoje, President of the Board of Education. Matthew Spelker, Superintendent, provided an informative overview of the district. Facilitators Charlene Peterson and Kathy Helewa, from New Jersey School Boards Association, introduced the strategic planning process and assisted throughout the process.

Approximately 35 participants gathered in four randomly assigned groups to identify the strengths/achievements and challenges/opportunities of the Harding Township School through brainstorming and the sharing of ideas. After discussion, each group came to a consensus on its top 10 strengths/achievements and top 10 challenges/opportunities and presented those to the full group of meeting participants.

The information that follows is a summary of the work of the small groups. All consensus points are recorded and posted on the district’s website (www.hardingtwp.org) to share the group work during the course of the strategic planning process.

Group Consensus: Strengths/Achievements Challenges/Opportunities

Blue Dot Group:

Strengths/Achievements / Challenges/Opportunities
Foreign Language program – all 3 languages maintain 5-day program (keep starting at 6 grade – 5 days) / Exploratory – continue to navigate what works/not works, e.g. Fantasy Football – not work
“Private School” at public school – attention, focus, class size / Proper class discipline – punishing entire class for the few who misbehave
Kindergarten exposure to Foreign Language / Understanding diversity (“differentiated learning”)/personalities of a grade and managing each child to do their best (not letting child get lost in classroom)
Middle School – Elementary School connection.
Older students mentoring as well as older/middle school connection to younger students / Opportunity: Potential if play sport – no gym but get study hall (during season)
Continues further education – high school. Older buddy with younger student pairing through year. / Way for teacher help available during day (pre or after school) on scheduled, regular basis – all subjects.
Exploratory success. Exposure to very different (non-school) subjects enables more rounded/interesting students / Middle School coordination of projects/homework along with tests/quizzes (in light of downtime/ sports)
Math foundation in elementary very strong – leads to strong middle school program / Has there been a stat on amount of time students are on Google Classroom outside of school hours?
Special Education Program/Services excellent – catching things early / What is appropriate amount of required computer time?
Parent involvement. Continue to provide during school hours and outside school hours. / Remember “chain of communication” – student-to-teacher then parent (provides empowered students going forward)
Class size

Green Dot Group:

Strengths/Achievements / Challenges/Opportunities
Variety of extracurriculars / Can facilities support our goals?
Wonderful staff/administration support / “Special needs” is increasing. Space?
Social support is great / Addition of overhang for weather/safety
Efficiently handling medical situations
Student pass to get into different buildings
Debate team
Get together a group of students to discuss opinions
Get word out about clubs & activities
Students newsletter/newspaper club
Blackboard of activities

Red Dot Group:

Strengths/Achievements / Challenges/Opportunities
Supportive parents – Class Captains, PTO, HTEF / Small school/class size – curse or blessing?
a)  Meeting everyone’s needs
b)  Socially
Majority participation in Arts – music, chorus, band, Shakespeare, plays – and STEM programs / Marketing all our clubs after school, Arts &STEM programs to students and parents
Foreign Language program very strong / Air conditioning – elementary & middle school
Elementary/Middle School student partnering / Why choice between band/art, chorus/computers?
Early morning help for students / Healthier lunch options
Sense of whole Harding community – all facets – HTRA, BOE, parents / Schools are not connected – weather issues, takes up time
Teacher availability – teachers want to be here / Food regulations – no parties
Mr. Spelker waves in the morning
Many classes/clubs students can join
Events for students to perform community service
Small size – all students known

Yellow Dot Group:

Strengths/Achievements / Challenges/Opportunities
Technology that teachers utilize / Teach responsible technology use
Multiple approaches to teaching different learners / Alternative to Google Classroom
·  assignments
·  training for parents
Administrators involved in all aspects of school / Keeping up with curriculum in multiple modalities
Discipline / Honor code
Test scores / Classroom dynamics versus discipline
Many extracurriculars for such a small school / Event attendance/live streaming
Positive student community / Hands-on learning opportunities
Middle school/elementary school relationship / Choosing electives
Extra help for subjects other than Math
Both middle and elementary – scheduling/conversations

The second strategic planning session is scheduled for: Monday, March 5, 2018 from 7:00 – 8:30 pm at the Library/Media Center.

During the March 5th meeting, using a similar brainstorming process, we will identify our visions for the Harding Township School five years from now. The final meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 17 at 7:00 pm to write goal statements using the input from the two previous sessions.

Please join us. Everyone is welcome, even if you were not able to attend the first meeting. We look forward to seeing you!

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