1. Ripon Unified School District Strategic Plan 2009 – 2014 Board Adopted: March 9, 2009

2. What is a strategic plan?  A strategic plan is a document that guides an organization into the future. It is based on core beliefs leading to vision. Vision leads to mission and mission leads to goals and actions. Actions bring the vision closer and closer to reality!

3. What is a vision?  A vision is a compelling description of an ideal future state. It serves to inspire a call to action.  When you take a dream and bring it into the light of day, it becomes vision! From the vision we create reality.

4. Ripon Unified School District We believe:  Students are our first priority.  All students are capable of learning.  All people have a right to an environment that feels safe and accepting both physically and emotionally.  Individuals are entitled to the support and opportunity needed to realize their own unique potential.

5. Ripon Unified School District We believe:  That life skills, as well as academics, are critical for a successful future.  That integrity, honesty, problem- solving, and decision making are the core of our success.  That our supportive community is essential to our high quality schools.

6. Ripon Unified School District Our Vision The Ripon Unified School District is committed to offering the highest quality education in the San Joaquin Valley. We provide a safe, positive, and stimulating environment where students are our first priority. Our district has state-of-the-art facilities that exemplify pride of ownership. Technology is cutting edge and abundant in all areas of the curriculum. It is accessible to students and staff both at school and at home, keeping the district competitive. We recognize that mutually beneficial relationships are essential between the district and community. Our children enjoy coming to school

7. Ripon Unified School District Our Mission The Ripon Unified School District is committed to working together with parents and the community to provide a high quality education. The district will create a safe learning environment characterized by trust and respect. We ensure that each student will be a contributing citizen in an ever changing diverse and global society.

8. Ripon Unified School District Our Motto We Expect Excellence!

9. Ripon Unified School District From Our Students We can do better Because We are Ripon!

10. Ripon Unified School District Our 2009 – 2014 Goals for Instruction  By 2014, the Ripon Unified School District and all of its schools will have high academic achievement as measured by an Academic Performance Index at or above 900.  The district, each school, and each subgroup will exceed the federal AYP standards.  Each district school will achieve at the same high level.

11. Ripon Unified School District Action Steps for 2009 – 2010: Instruction  Assess district current practice as aligned to the nine essential elements of effective schools. Use California Dept. of Education standard tools including the Academic Performance Survey, the District Assessment Survey, the ELSA (English Learner Support Assessment) and the Least Restrictive Environment Survey.

12. Ripon Unified School District Action Steps for 2009 – 2010: Instruction  Devote staff in-service days and collaboration time at Ripon High School and selected elementary schools to implement Explicit Direct Instruction (EDI) and other instructional strategies including effective academic language development strategies for English Language Learners (WASC Action Plan and RUSD district goal)

13. Ripon Unified School District Our 2009 – 2014 Goals for Structure  By 2014 our district will enjoy state of the art school facilities with cutting edge technology in every classroom, media center and office.  By 2014, our school schedules and resources will include intervention times and strategies to prevent any student from falling behind his or her grade level peers.  By 2014 our district will have secured the fiscal future of the district and assure that we have adequate human resources infrastructure to meet our goals.

14. Ripon Unified School District Action Steps for 2009 – 2010: Structure  Take all necessary steps to provide an on- time balanced budget with a positive certification for the budget year and two subsequent fiscal years.  Explore avenues to increase funding through grant applications, development of one or more educational foundations, fees for services, inter-district transfer policies and practices and research into voter approved local funding options.

15. Ripon Unified School District Action Steps for 2009 – 2010: Structure  Develop a facilities master plan and define financing options for: modernization of existing facilities, upgrading the network infrastructure and technology resources, (WASC Action Plan) planning for growth, and determination of direction of growth planning for Ripon High School, and assess and plan for impact of Manteca developments within RUSD boundary.

16. Ripon Unified School District Our 2009 – 2014 Goals for Culture  The Ripon Unified School District will excel in each of the 4A’s – arts, activities, athletics, and academics.  Our schools will be characterized by an atmosphere of mutual respect and understanding based on the inherent value of every individual.  There will be regular, on-going, two way communication between the district, its schools, its parents and the community to assure participation and a sense of belonging for all.

17. Ripon Unified School District Action Steps for 2009 – 2010: Culture  Communicate and implement the district strategic plan through the following: Development of a shared vision and mission at each district school aligned to the district vision (WASC Action Plan) Development of a Strategic Plan brochure and posting the plan on the district website and public access channel, Annual community goal setting meeting each January to report on progress and identify next steps.

18. Ripon Unified School District Action Steps for 2009 – 2010: Culture  Increase student access to UC/CSU a-g requirements and increase number of RHS graduates eligible for 4 year university admission (WASC Action Plan)  Provide gang awareness training for staff at all levels, particularly grades 6 – 8.  Consider adoption of an anti-bullying policy and provide training in prevention and intervention in bullying behavior including cyber-bullying.  Explore parent notification products for telephone and e-mail notifications of emergencies and school events.  Determine costs and consider implementation of AERIES Browser Interface and Parent Portal access for elementary schools.

19. Ripon Unified School District References  Inventing Better Schools by Phil Schlechty for our development of beliefs, vision, mission, goals and actions  Good to Great by Jim Collins for our BHAGs (Big Hairy Audacious Goals)  Whatever it Takes by Richard and Rebecca DeFour to challenge our thinking about instruction and schools

20. Ripon Unified School District Your Strategic Planning Team Students Michelle Ambrose Madison Hardin Blake Escobar Hayden Jackson Matthew Uecker Brent White Parents Stephanie Hobbs Teri Hardin Leslie Coen Roger Valdez Alicia Uecker Kate Sausedo

21. Ripon Unified School District Your Strategic Planning Team Teachers Cam Burton Kathy Woodson Sherri Huff Robyn Udavi Susan Taylor Ted Schut Classified Galen Christensen Marsha Silva Mary Machado Jody Landa Jeff Hardenbrook Roxanne Smith

22. Ripon Unified School District Your Strategic Planning Team District Leadership Ernie Tyhurst Jack DeLiddo Lance Morrow Warren Council Kathy Coleman Donna Clark Community Members Eldon “Red” Nutt Richard Bull Jennifer Johns Erica Ramos Danielle Pierce George Condon, Ph.D.

23. Ripon Unified School District Strategic Plan 2009 - 2014 The Board of Trustees, Administration, Faculty, Staff and entire school community commit to focusing our time, resources, and attention towards achievement of the goals in this plan. Join us each January as we assess our progress and plan for the next year.