GLEN RIDGE
PUBLIC SCHOOLS 
Strategic Plan
Partnered with a
supportive community, the Glen Ridge Public Schools
will provide all students the opportunity to achieve their full individual potential
through a dynamic, stimulating and challenging educational program that fosters
respect, prepares students for life-long learning and enables students to contribute
as
citizens in an ever-changing, global society.
Updated: December 2004 August 2007
November 2005
April 2006
January 2007
September 2004 – Original Submission
Daniel Fishbein, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
GLEN RIDGE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
August, 2007
Dear Reader,
A long-range strategic plan sets a blueprint for an organization. Our organization, the Glen Ridge Public Schools, is a PreK-12 school system located in the borough of Glen Ridge, New Jersey. A strategic plan is both fixed and fluid. This document, which was prepared by a broad base of community representatives, will be used as a guide as we continue the important work of improving student achievement. It will be reviewed semi-annually for revision and update.
Our goals have been developed into the following action plans:
· Curriculum Action Plan
· Facilities Action Plan
· Partnership Action Plan
· Individual Potentials Action Plan
The Glen Ridge Board of Education spent the 2003-2004 school year discussing the preliminary action team plans. This final document represents what the Board feels is attainable over the next three to five years.
The ultimate responsibility for the success of this plan lies with the administration and teaching staff. Excellent teaching-learning procedures, meaningful assessments and the good relationships established among teachers, students and parents are the backbone of our successful schools. The Board of Education is confident that the strategies and action steps in this plan will equip our students with the skills to be successful adults.
We are pleased to share our goals with the entire
Daniel Fishbein, Ed.D.
Superintendent
GLEN RIDGE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Strategic Planning Process
Executive Summary
OVERVIEW:
In January of 2003, Superintendent Daniel Fishbein, Ed.D., with the support of the Glen Ridge Board of Education, engaged the New Jersey School Board Association to work with the Glen Ridge Public Schools on the update of the long-range strategic plan. Central to the strategic plan is community input to the process and goals that will then guide policy and practice over the next three to five years. The planning process included broad-based participation of key stakeholders from both school and community. Participation occurred through an entire group meeting in January, 2003 to revisit the mission statement and beliefs as well as develop goals. This was followed by the work of action teams to develop the action team plans.
The action team plans were submitted to the Glen Ridge
THE FOCUS OF THE ACTION TEAMS:
During the late winter and spring of 2003 the action teams met to develop their individual plans in the following areas:
· Curriculum
· Facilities
· Partnership
· Individual Potentials
Action teams met and developed plans without limitations. The Board of Education accepted each plan as presented in the spring of 2003 and made decisions about priorities and achievability during the 2003-2004 school year. Each action plan was adjusted and officially approved by the Glen Ridge Board of Education.
SUMMARIZATION OF THE ACTION TEAM PLANS
Curriculum
GOAL 1: Provide students with a broad range of curricular offerings.
·
STRATEGY 1: Explore and possibly expand
curricular offerings.
·
STRATEGY 2: Explore and possibly expand curricular
offerings in all schools.
Status December 2004:
Current the Middle School is exploring the feasibility of moving chorus into
the school day. The High School is reviewing World Language, exploring the
addition of Anatomy and Physiology (Science); Human Behavior (SS); and
discussing European History (SS). Currently no one in the department feels
comfortable teaching an EH class.
Status November 2005:
New courses implemented in September 2005: Anatomy and Physiology (Science);
Human Behavior (SS); Spanish and French IV- Survey of Literature; and Spanish
and French IV – Conversation and Culture; Drawing and Painting – Art; AP
Statistics; Independent Study in Science and English; and Future Teachers
Experience
Status April 2006: In
the fall of 2006 we will offer an English class in the Study of Shakespeare; we
have set up a process of students to take classes in alternative setting
(on-line etc.); an Advanced English Language
and Composition; Statistics and Probability as well as Advanced Placement in
Statistics and Probability; Introduction to Java and Advanced Placement Java;
Pathways Technology; Database Design Programming with SQL; Web-publishing;
Current Issues in Science; Understanding the visual Arts; and Architectural
Design and Construction
Status January 2007:
During the summer and fall of 2006, 10 students took 10 online courses.
Currently we are developing planning for courses in the areas of 8th
Grade Cycle in Pathways; a World History Advanced Placement Course; a half-year
elective course in Native American
History and Culture and Introduction to Three Dimensional Art
Status August 2007:
The curricula described in January 2007 were written during the summer of 2007.
Additionally, the 6th grades will be fully departmentalized with the
addition of a technology course. Ceramics will be added to
GOAL 2: Scheduling
options for grades 7-12. (BOE Decision - No Action At This Point)
·
STRATEGY: Explore and investigate scheduling
options at the High School
building.
Status April 2006:
Currently the HS administration is organizing a scheduling study group to look
at alternative schedules.
Status January 2007:
The HS administration is continuing to explore scheduling options.
Status August 2007:
The HS administration is continuing to explore scheduling options and may pilot
and alternative schedule at some time during the 2007-2008 school year.
GOAL 3: Provide adequate technology
curriculum/resources personnel for each building. (BOE Decision - No Action At This Point)
·
STRATEGY: Improve technology support in each
building.
Status April 2006: We
have been able to accomplish this goal through better monitoring of technology
repair requests made through the increased use of our work order system.
Status January 2007:
Status is unchanged since April 2006 with the exception of additional
professional development courses in the area of technology administrative use
and the infusion of technology into instruction. The introduction of laptop
carts has been excellent. We conducted an on-line training in the are of child abuse.
Status August 2007:
We have implemented a new student management system which will include a
communication module which will keep parents informed at unprecedented level.
We have installed a new technology training center for faculty. This is located
at the High School. We have increased the number to computer carts available at
RAS and the HS. We have recently updated our world language lab by purchasing a
new digital lab. We continue to experiment administratively by conducting paper
less BOE meeting. In addition to on-line training in child abuse we will add
sexual harassment to our on-line training.
GOAL 4: Increase
the number of professional days. (BOE Decision - No Action At This Point)
·
STRATEGY: Increase professional development
opportunities.
Status April 2006: No change in status
Status January 2007: No change in status
Status August 2007: Our professional and support
staffs have many opportunities to develop professionally through ongoing
training. During the 2007-2008 school year we will add
a technology training center for increased training in that area. Additionally,
teachers in grades pre-k – 6 will be trained in CAPS and as a district we will
join the
GOAL 5: Increase support to mainstream
teachers, special education teachers and students. (BOE Decision - No Action At This Point)
·
STRATEGY: Increase special education
staff and specific professional
development.
April 2006: Our
entire professional development program focused on best practice as well as a
direct focus on, “we are all special educators”.
January 2007: During
the late fall and early winter several SE professionals gave workshops to the
community on specific SE issues. These programs were open to parents, teachers
and administrators.
August 2007: Over the
past three years we have we significantly increase in the number resource
room teachers by 4, added an ABA teacher
and Reading Specialist. In addition starting in 2007-2008 we have purchased a
mathematics program specifically for SE.
GOAL 6: Attract and retain qualified professional staff.
·
STRATEGY: Explore opportunities for local
childcare. (COMPLETE)
Status December 2004:
I have visited two local childcare facilities. I have sent the information
about one program to staff in need and they have accessed that program. I have
distributed a survey of childcare needs to the entire staff as well as the
borough employees to see I four need fit Mountinside’s ability to service our
employees.
Status November 2005:
Through our discussions with local child care providers we have established
relationships and employees are accessing the programs that fit their needs.
Status April 2006: At
this point we have not been confronted with this issue in about a year.
Additionally, the district will implement and before care for afternoon pre-k
students in the fall of 2006.
Status January 2007:
We continue to attract excellent candidates, yet are still dealing with
maternity replacements but not at the same level as in the past two years.
Status August 2007:
No change in status.
GOAL 7: Improve the existing middle school model and address administrative needs.
·
STRATEGY: Explore
improvements to the middle school program.
Status December 2004:
See attached report from Middle School Committee; We
have already hired an administrator for the Middle School Program.
Status November 2005:
The Middle School Program has established itself with the community. The
administration has work tirelessly with improved program, parents’ newsletter;
Middle School Yearbooks as well as a separate web-page for the Middle School
Program just to name a few improvements.
Status April 2006: I
believe this goal has been accomplished through the leadership of the HS/MS
program. COMPLETE, yet will continue to
monitor and look to improve.
Status January 2007:
We will continue to monitor and seek to improve and enhance the program
Status August 2007:
During the 2006-2007 school year we sent a group of
teachers to a national middle school conference with the Principal and
Assistant Principal.
Facilities
GOAL: All facilities used by the Glen Ridge Public Schools are appropriately maintained and upgraded to support our education programs and accommodate the needs of the community.
·
STRATEGY 1: By
2005, renovate the
to a state of good repair and useful condition.
Status December 2004:
While we will not make this 2005 date, the GREF has started to work on
fundraising for the project. They have approximately $80K and will start their
campaign in March 2005. Additionally, the BOE has complete restoring the
lighting in the Auditorium during the summer of 2004.
Status November 2005:
The Foundation is planning to have the majoring of the money by January 2006.
They are planning for the summer of 2006 for work to be done.
Status April 2006:
The GREF has almost raised the funds necessary to complete the renovations. The
administration has met with contractors all winter and spring to line up the
vendors to do the work during the summer of 2006.
Status January 2007:
I am happy to report that the community is now enjoying the hard work and
generosity of the GREF. The auditorium is 95% complete.
Status August 2007:
While we are still waiting for the AC to be connected we have been able to
replace the front exterior doors as well as replace the front exterior steps.
This was funded through the Alternative Funding Committee and the Kitchen Tour.
·
STRATEGY 2: By
2005, complete outstanding maintenance projects that are in
excess of $25K.
Status December 2004:
We are actually closing in on these items. We will not reach it by the end of
2005, but we are in very good shape. We will continue to place items within the
school budget as well as spend down any surplus allowable to meet the cap
surplus amounts under S-1701.
Status November 2005:
We have completed our LRFP for state approval. The LRFP contain lists for each
building concerning pending projects. Additionally, we will have money left
over from the High School Construction. We need to determine what we will do
with that money. Finally, we have been able to move some of our long standing
projects forward through the funding gain through the Alternative Funding
Committee as well as through cooperative bidding with the borough.
Status April 2006: We
have been able to paving at
Status January 2007:
We are currently in the process if installing four unit-ventilators at the
Status August 2007: The items listed above have been completed. In
addition we have been able to paint the exterior trim at
·
STRATEGY 3: Implement
facility enhancements to meet evolving educational
needs. ( BOE Decision - No Action At This Point)
Status April 2006: We
have been able to improve our facilities through the bond referendum as well as
through the generosity of the community. Some improvements included but not
limited to the outside classroom at Linden and the proposed outside classroom
at Forest; renovations at the Ridgewood Auditorium; paving at three schools;
Playground improvements at Ridgewood etc.
Status January 2007: Completing
the
Status August 2007:
An
·
STRATEGY 4: Revise
the
Status December 2004:
After the New Year, The BA, Supervisor of B & G and the Superintendent will
meet with representatives from DRG to start the process of updating our LRFP
which is required to be completed by October 2005.
Status November 2005:
Our LRFP was completed by the October 2005 deadline. We are currently awaiting
DOE approval of our plan.
Status April 2006:
Architect was required to make adjustment to our LRFP due to the State not
getting legislative permission to make changes in the standards that were
applied state wide. No approval, meant all the
district in the state had to make adjustments to their LRFP.
Status January 2007:
Our LRFP has been submitted to the DOE in October 2005. To date, the DOE has
not released any LRFP approvals throughout the state.
Status August 2007:
No change in status.
Partnerships
GOAL 1: By September 2005, develop two
projects that are underwritten through corporate sponsorships.
·
STRATEGY: Sponsorship
Status December 2004:
The BOE spent a good portion of the school year discussing BOE “policy” on
corporate sponsorship. This has been a difficult goal to achieve. The
Alternative Funding Committee spent considerable time cultivating some sponsorship
without success.
Status November 2005:
We have been able to renegotiate our contract with Pepsi for considerably more
money then we receive from Coke. This negotiation was done in conjunction with
the Alternative Funding Committee.
Status April 2006: We
continue to work with our partners, Alternative Funding, GREF etc. to implement
both facility and program enhancements to the district.
Status January 2007: We
continue to work with our partners, Alternative Funding, GREF, H & S and
the Kitchen Tour etc. to implement both facility and program enhancements to
the district.
Status August 2007:
No change in status
GOAL 2: By September 2005, develop a comprehensive grants program.
·
STRATEGY: Grant Development
Status December 2004: Our successes with grants have been mostly at
the local level. The
Status November 2005:
Again through the generosity of the community groups we have been able to move
forward with some major facility projects. Linden Avenue Home and School
donated and outdoor classroom and screens for some of the windows. Ridgewood
Avenue School Home and School donated a playground expansion. We were able to
pave at both the High School and the
Status April 2006:
The status remains unchanged since the last report. We will be considering a
Security grant during the month of April to see if we are eligible.
Status January 2007: The
status remains unchanged since the last report. Unfortunately we were not
eligible for the security grant in April 2006
Status August 2007:
No change in status
GOAL 3: By
September 2005, develop “living treasures” in schools utilizing senior citizen
resources, and establish a community bulletin board on the web-site.
·
STRATEGY 1: Community
Outreach – Living Treasure
Status December 2004:
Developed a district wide survey to be distributed to the public (electronic)
during the spring of 2005. This satisfies our requirement to survey the
community every 7 years.
Status November 2005:
We conducted a district during the spring of 2005 and examined the data during
the summer of 2005. Senior citizens were only some of the people we received
input from. We have disaggregated the data and sent it to the HS guidance
department to be used in the following manor. Some people volunteered to
discuss their careers and/or college/university with students who have an
interest in that area or school.
Status April 2006: The
status remains unchanged since the last report.
Status January 2007:
There has been an effort since September 2006 to include more activities to
include senior citizens into our educational programs. I have met with the
Status August 2007:
No change in status
·
STRATEGY 2: Community Outreach – Community
Bulletin Board
Status December 2004:
Updating web-site during summer of 2005 and implemented e-mail distribution.
Status November 2005:
The term bulletin board in today’s technology is outdated. Web-site was updated
during the summer and fall of 2005. It received the Award of Excellence from
the NJSBA. Through our web-site along with our ability to send out
instantaneous communication through e-mail, we are able to communicate with the
community on a regular basis.
Status April 2006:
Unchanged since the last report.
Status January 2007:
Our e-mail distribution list is the manner in which we do 80% of our
communication to our parents. It has become so popular we have had to institute
new policy concerning distribution: 1) School/District business; 2) School
organization business: 3) borough business; 4) Borough organization business
Status August 2007:
No change in status
Individual Potentials
GOAL: All
students have the opportunity to pursue individual interests and develop
personal talents in accordance with their individual potential.
·
STRATEGY 1: By
2008, develop and implement required community
service component within all students’ educational program.
Status December 2004:
Surveyed existing community service activities in our schools. We have
activities at all levels. Activities at the secondary level are voluntary, yet
most students do participate. Activities at the lower levels are school wide
activities and almost all students participate.
Status November 2005:
No change in activity.
Status April 2006: No
change since last report.
Status January 2007:
No change in status.
Status August 2007:
No change in status.
·
STRATEGY 2: By
2005, require annual professional development
opportunities
focused on meeting the personal needs of all students.
Status December 2004:
Surveyed faculty and administration to determine needs.
Status November 2005:
Our professional development has focused on instruction and best practice in
schools.
Status April 2006: Our
spring in-district professional development program centers around
discussion forums versus regular in-service programs.
Status January 2007:
Our fall professional development day focused on the grieving process;
additional training on the new LA program Pre-k -5 and DYFS training.
Status August 2007:
During the 2007-2008 school year we will be working
with teachers pre-k – 6 teachers in the area of formative evaluations through
the CAPS program as well as become part of the
·
STRATEGY 3: By
2005, create an environment of greater respect among
students, staff and parents.
Status December 2004:
Administration and faculty determined need areas.
Status November 2005:
Character Education instruction and practice has really taken on new meaning
and implementation in our buildings.
Status April 2006: No
change since last report.
Status January 2007:
No change in status since last report.
Status August 2007: A district-wide Character Education Audit has been
conducted and will be on the district web-site in the early fall as part of our
curriculum web-site.
GLEN RIDGE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Partnered with a
supportive community, the Glen Ridge Public Schools
will provide all students the opportunity to achieve their full individual potential
through a dynamic, stimulating and challenging educational program that fosters
respect, prepares students for life-long learning and enables students to contribute
as
citizens in an ever-changing, global society.
RENEWAL
Educational
Beliefs
The
§
Provides the whole child with a sound foundation
in traditional and evolving disciplines, inquiry, communication, creative and
critical thinking;
§
Encourages the active participation of students,
educators, staff, parents, community and government;
§
Challenges each individual to realize his/her
unique abilities, aptitudes, interests and creative potential;
§
Expects and challenges all to realize full
potential;
§ Recruits, retains and develops a highly-qualified staff.
We believe education:
§
Is the foundation of our society
§
Is inherently valuable
§
Teaches the process of learning
§
Requires active participation and engagement
§
Takes place in all settings
§
Stimulates curiosity
§
Encourages intellectual risk-taking