Last week, we shared our school improvement goals around the foundational area of school safety. A second foundational piece of the School Improvement Plan requires the school to ensure the recruitment and retention of a highly qualified workforce. These two elements of the school improvement plan provide the foundation for a positive educational environment for students.
We are blessed with a truly exceptional teaching and support staff at Cecilton Elementary School, many of whom have worked here for years. We also regularly add new teaching and support staff to our building. This year, our new staff include: the Community School Advisor [Mrs. Morris], the Student Support Technician [Mr. Wesley], a new paraprofessional [Ms. Morales-Alicea], and several new teachers [Ms. Wiggins (media), Mrs. Critchfield (first grade), Ms. Cover (special education), and Ms. Moorman (band & strings)]. In order to support the growth and development of new staff, this year we will host several student teachers, several high school helpers, and a school counseling intern. We are excited to have these future teachers and support staff learn their new roles at our school.
We have two teams within the school to ensure a positive workplace environment. The School Culture Committee creates a plan to ensure a positive climate. For example, staff participate in a Pass the Tiger activity during staff meetings where we are able to acknowledge one another for helping us when we need assistance or for those who have gone above and beyond to support a program or event. This committee is also charged with researching and suggesting cultural enrichment events for students. This ensures that the programs that we bring to the school support either the academic or cultural goals of our grade levels and departments. The second team, our Faculty Advisory Committee (FAC), works with building administration to problem solve to ensure a smoothly running school building. The teachers meet monthly to brainstorm solutions and this is shared with the principal to maintain a positive work environment for all.
As a district and a school, we work to make sure that our staff feel that they have a say in how the building is organized and managed. That is why the school improvement plan is developed collaboratively with teachers, support staff, administration, and stakeholders over the course of the year. The plan that we begin the year with was actually created as the previous year was winding down so that we are able to "hit the ground running" at the beginning of each school year.
Beginning next week, we will begin talking about the inner workings of our classrooms and how the school improvement plan is designed to maximize the potential and achievement of all of our students.
