WEST HEMPSTEAD UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT Final Strategic Plan Update Board of Education Meeting—June 21, 2011

West Hempstead Strategic Plan: Strengthening our Schools Through Collaboration and Teamwork The Strategic Plan was used to:  set goals  measure progress

Subgroup Action Plans:  Community Involvement  Curriculum and Data Assessment  Educational Technology  Professional Development

Community Involvement Action Plan Goal: to create unity and pride through communication Progress Highlights  Numerous articles submitted to local newspapers publicizing school events and celebrating student achievements.  Student art work was displayed in several venues both inside and outside the district.  ESL parent workshops were offered for the past three years at each school prior to Back-to-School Night.  The third annual Family Literacy Night took place in March  The Educator provided ongoing Strategic Plan updates. This newsletter continues to be distributed to all Island Park students in kindergarten through twelfth grade.  Increased displays and celebrations of student work in the schools, community and on the website.  School events enhanced and widely publicized.  New website launched in September 2010.

Curriculum and Data Action Plan Goal: Improve student performance—social/emotional, academic, and physical/motor. Progress Highlights:  Summer Curriculum Projects: 17 curriculum development projects completed and posted on website (including mathematics, science, ELA, Related Arts, social studies, health)  Vertical and horizontal communication enhanced through the summer curriculum projects, grade level meetings, wiki spaces, and collegial circles.  Integration of literacy strategies into all content areas at the secondary level.  Second Step social-emotional learning program initiated in grades K-8  Wilson Fundations initiated in grades K-3 and Just Words in grades 4 and 6  Reading and Writing Workshop model introduced in grades K-6  Guided Reading libraries instituted in the elementary and middle schools  Kindergarten library established; elementary libraries automated; middle and high school automation updated.  Directors presented overviews of curriculum areas at Board of Education meetings: ELA, Mathematics, Science, Languages Other Than English (LOTE), Business, Physical Education/Health/Athletics, Related Arts, Social Studies, and Guidance  Data Overview presented at Board of Education meeting—longitudinal data shows steady, incremental increase in student achievement ( ).

Educational Technology Action Plan Goals: make technology a priority for all stakeholders and develop and implement a comprehensive, strategic technology action plan. Progress Highlights:  New district website launched in September 2010  Multiple sources identified to fund comprehensive technology plan  255 new computers and 55 new printers  Four laptop carts and five netbook carts  Expanded access to technology: iPads, iTouches, Nanos, Document/Digital/Flip Cameras  Four video conferencing systems  98 Interactive White Boards  20 LCD projectors  Nineteen teacher academy courses in technology.  Collegial circles focused on technology proposed by staff.  Teachers, administrators and building secretaries received PowerSchool training.  Parent portal access on PowerSchool  Improved infrastructure and bandwidth  Connect Ed communication system initiated  Study Island and Castle Learning software access for students  Upgraded system for staff members  Improved and updated district Technology Plan  Enhanced security cameras

Professional Development Action Plan Goal: Align professional development program with students’ needs in order to enhance student achievement. Progress Highlights:  Professional development surveys conducted in Spring 2008, 2009, 2010 and Offerings based on survey results.  Professional staff given a menu of choices to enhance practice including: collegial circles, teacher academy courses, and credit for participation in district committees.  More than 60 Teacher Academy Courses  77 Collegial Circles  A member of the teaching staff served as the mentor trainer.  Clerical staff received training on PowerSchool.  Teachers and administrators continue to work together through the Professional Development Committee, the District Professional Committee, and monthly meetings with the superintendent. Teachers also serve with administrators on hiring committees.

West Hempstead Strategic Plan Strengthening our Schools through:  Collaboration  Communication  Continuous improvement The second Strategic Planning Council met during the school year and has set goals for The new Strategic Plan was accepted by the Board of Education in May 2011 and is posted on the district website.