Chester School District Strategic Planning Vision, Mission, & Values

Vision, Mission and Values/Beliefs Provides Guiding Principles Documents---In Writing >the district's reason for being >its aspirations >its core beliefs >its philosophies As Stakeholders What Do You Desire For The District’s Future?

Vision (the dream) >Ideal of conditions: how things would look if the issues important to you were perfectly addressed. >One or more phrases or brief proclamations: they convey the district's dreams for the future. >Vision statements should be: -Understood and shared by members of the community -Broad enough to encompass a variety of local perspectives -Inspiring and uplifting to everyone involved in your effort -Easy to communicate - for example, they should be short enough to fit on a T-shirt

Sample Vision Statements Sample vision statements that meet the above criteria: -Healthy children -Safe schools and neighborhoods -Every school is comfortable to all children -Education for all

Mission (the what and why) >Describes what the group is going to do and why: is more concrete, and definitely more "action-oriented” >Very broad - describes how your district might go about fixing the problems it has noted: statements are; -Concise. Not as short a phrase as a vision statement, but still should get its point across in one sentence. -Outcome-oriented. Should explain the overarching outcomes your district is working to achieve. -Inclusive. While it makes statements about your district's overarching goals, it does so very broadly. Good mission statements are not limiting in the strategies or sectors of the community that may become involved.

Sample mission Statements Sample mission statements that meet the above criteria "To promote child health and development through comprehensive school, family and community initiatives.” "To create thriving minority communities through development of cultural pride, a sense of meaningful involvement and quality education for all children in the community. "To develop a safe and healthy school environment through collaborative planning, community action, and policy making.”

Values/beliefs A definition of values: denotes the degree of importance of some thing or action, with the aim of determining what actions are best to do or what way is best to live. A Definition of beliefs: assumptions and convictions that are held to be true, by an individual or a group, regarding concepts, events, people, and things.

CHESTER SCHOOL DISTRICT VISION The Chester School District strives to promote a positive learning environment that fosters high academic standards and expectations for our students and our dedicated staff. We offer a challenging curriculum which creates an environment that is appealing and responsive to each child’s developmental needs. Critical thinking, initiative, problem solving, collaboration and perseverance are skill sets that the school district instills in each of our children to better prepare them to integrate into a globally diverse workforce. We seek to promote a positive, safe, caring and respectful environment for our children that will empower them and prepare them to be reflective, confident and responsible adults. We strive to have parents, teachers and community members become actively involved in our students’ learning environment so our children will be prepared, independent and socially responsible citizens in a global and changing world.

mission statement All members of Black River Middle School are committed to developing a community of life-long learners through the pursuit of academic achievement, parent involvement, staff development, and planning for success for all students. This mission provides each student with an excellent education, which develops: Academic achievement Intellectual and social competence Independence and responsibility Respect for the individual, and in the process meets the unique physical, social, emotional, and intellectual needs of the rapidly changing pre- adolescent.