Vision Plan

OUR MISSION: FOCUSED ON THE LEARNER

The mission of the Colchester School District – proud of its respect for individual needs and its commitment to integrated learning – is to ensure that all students will develop the academic proficiency, social skill, and character to be fulfilled, responsible, and involved citizens; we will accomplish this by providing diverse, challenging educational experiences in partnership with families and the community.

1. All students will meet or exceed defined district standards in these fields of knowledge:  science, math and technology; social sciences; arts/humanities.

2. All students will meet or exceed defined district standards in communication, reasoning and problem solving, personal development, and social responsibility at each appropriate benchmark.

3. Each student will achieve challenging personal goals in academics, social skills, and character building.

4. Each student will acquire the social skills needed to relate respectfully and cooperatively at each level of his/her development.

5. All students will choose to become involved citizens by performing service in their school or community at each appropriate level.

DISTRICT VISION PLAN: SUPPORTING THE LEARNER

Belief Statement:  In order to create a positive learning climate for the Colchester school community, students and staff need to have a safe and nurturing environment, both physically and emotionally.  Belonging, respect and trust will be the common values within the district.

Belief Statement:  The Colchester School District will enhance school, community and business communication through the development and implementation of a comprehensive communication plan.

Belief Statement:  The Colchester School District will create a learning environment that is learner centered, research based and data driven.  It will provide resources for essential support of instruction.  It will do so with shared leadership, empowering all staff to accept responsibility for student learning.

Belief Statement:  The Colchester School District recognizes its responsibility to provide quality educational experiences to the children within the community of Colchester.  The district will collaborate with all stakeholders (students, parents, taxpayers, seniors, etc.) to develop a partnership in order to determine appropriate educational programs within the context of what the community is able to support based on all resources.

Belief Statement:  Ensure the efficient and responsible use of resources to support learning.

We recognize our responsibility to the stakeholders in the Colchester community: staff, administration, instructional staff, students and families, and community members in business and government. Six action targets represent areas of common interest and action. These targets shape discussion with stakeholders and embody the Colchester School Board’s beliefs about education in a local and more global setting.

The Colchester School Board believes that the following action targets are essential to the future of the school district and the Colchester community.  We support and promote the district’s mission and vision for learners. These are the core beliefs of the Colchester School Board.

LIFE-LONG LEARNING – Belief:  Given the fast-paced rate of change in society, technology, access to information, and skill requirements, it is essential that we become learners for life, that we are able to adapt to change, and that we never forget “how to learn.”

Action:  The Colchester School Board will support innovative programs for all learners to sustain intellectual curiosity, improve literacy, and strengthen the professional development of our townspeople.  Since the “learner” is at the center of our focus for the board and our school district, all other targets will support and feed into this core belief.  (Curriculum and Instruction, Community)

SCHOOL CLIMATE – Belief:  A healthy and safe school climate is crucial in order to create an environment that ensures individual intellectual growth and experimentation.

EDUCATIONAL QUALITY – Belief:  The vitality of the school district depends upon seeking out, hiring, retaining, and continuously training faculty and support staff who exemplify the best characteristics of their professions.

Action:  The board will support this faculty and staff with the tools necessary to achieve excellence.  (Curriculum and Instruction, Fiscal Responsibility)

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY – Belief:  A well-educated populace is a crucial factor in our vision for Colchester and Vermont in the 21st Century.

Action:  In order to attract high-end employers in technology, information, and creative fields of the future, we must graduate and continue to support highly proficient individuals capable of success in a changing world. (Curriculum and Instruction, Community, Fiscal Responsibility)

ECONOMIC VITALITY – Belief:  The Colchester School Board is aware of the dire predictions of demographers: that Vermont is one of the “oldest” states in the nation and that we face an imbalance of workers/retirees in the near future.  The board believes that:

1. Our young people are Vermont’s most valuable natural resource.  We must address the drop-out rate and ensure that every student is successful.

2. Our rates of incarceration of young people are too high and must be dealt with.

3. Our support for families in social or economic distress is key to creating stability and opportunity for students and the community.

4. Our seniors and retirees should be encouraged to stay in touch with the working world.  Their intellectual capacity and institutional knowledge are valuable to the economy of the state.

Action:  The Colchester School Board recognizes that our responsibility for the economic vitality of Vermont extends beyond the boundaries of the school district.  We will exert our influence as a board to focus on issues that make a difference for students and citizens of all ages. (Climate, Communication, Curriculum and Instruction, Community, Fiscal Responsibility)

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT – Belief:  It is important to create opportunities for community interaction and outreach, not only for parents of school age children but for all citizens.

Action: The Colchester School Board invites the participation of all stakeholders in the life of the Town of Colchester.  The school board will encourage constructive feedback and dialogue with citizens in order to create and improve an ongoing communication.  The Colchester School Board invites stakeholders in the Town of Colchester to reach out to businesses, social and fraternal organizations, and other groups as they emerge.  We are all key to the future needs of our town and state.  We will incorporate all input into our discussions and deliberations. (Climate, Communication, Instruction, Community, Fiscal Responsibility)