In creating a culture of continuous improvement, Muskego- Norway Schools has hardwired goal setting, action planning, and progress monitoring. Recent continuous improvement efforts had us setting our next five (5) year strategic plan, implementing revised literacy and social studies curriculum, instituting 6 high leverage instructional practices, and completing several facility projects. The strategic plan and annual Eye on the Goal (EOTG) plans align our practices and efforts toward our common vision of being the district of choice and mission of every student learning, growing and succeeding. Our practices result in actions that set the direction and focus for our district. Department and building- level EOTG plans have a uniform design and approach.
As a result, our system is integrated and aligned – we are all moving in the same direction. The more intentional we are at measuring outcomes, the more likely we are to reach heightened levels of success. The EOTG plans ensure that we focus on what is important, set goals and action plans to meet those goals, and then monitor progress.
For us to be prepared at the end of the year, we need to have a well articulated plan at the beginning of the year. We start with articulating SMART goals (strategic, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely) that cascade from the district to each school and every department. The 2018-19 district goals are available on our website under the Strategic Plan tab. Strategic action steps are articulated for each goal to ensure expected outcomes are reached. Throughout the year, we look at data and conduct progress monitoring retreats to ensure we are on track to meet our goals at the end of the year.
We love what we do, believe it matters, and work to make a difference for every student.
Wishing all a wonderful 2018-19 school year,
Kelly Thompson, Ph.D.
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Strategic planning is paramount to the success of Muskego-Norway Schools. Our district has been committed to continuous improvement since the school board adopted the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence in 2008. Since that time we have seen improvements that span all departments within our system, including increased student achievement and growth data, strong budget processes and energy saving approaches, effective safety practices and technology supports, and reduced worker compensation claims and student suspensions. Continuing our tradition of strong planning, MNS is currently engaged in the critical work of developing our next multi-year strategic plan (2018-2023). Thank you to the community members, parents, students, staff, and administration who have taken time thus far to provide insightful feedback through focus groups, surveys, and participation on our Strategic Planning Advisory Committee. Throughout the early spring we will continue to gather input from various committee groups, the school board, and building-level listen and learn meetings. Our current mission of “Every student learning, growing … succeeding” and our vision “To be the District of Choice in Southeastern WI for students, staff, and our community” frame the draft strategic plan along with three main focus areas:
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Exemplary Student Learning and Engagement, with the expectation that all students are:
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Highly Effective Personnel and Expert Teaching
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Sound Stewardship of Resources and Strong Community Support
These three focus areas align well with our values of providing: 1) A high achieving student learning environment; 2) An environment that attracts, develops, and retains highly effective personnel; 3) A district worthy of community support; 4) System-wide continuous improvement; and 5) Long-term financial stability.
Our community deserves excellence! We continue to be committed to continuous improvement in all our efforts and are proud of recent accomplishments and recognition.
With Gratitude,
Kelly Thompson, Ph.D.
Superintendent
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With the new school year fully underway, we continue our meaningful work to broaden excellence throughout our system. It is an exciting journey making our way toward realizing our mission of “every student learning, growing and succeeding” and becoming the “district of choice for our students, parents, and staff.” We are committed to expanding opportunities and enhancing challenges that grow our students and prepare them for their view of a successful future.
Through our continuous improvement efforts, we build focus and expectations through our Eye on the Goal process. The image to the left depicts our efforts for the year.
We are particularly excited to be embarking on our next long-range strategic plan. Through the voice of our students, staff, parents, and community via surveys, focus groups, and our committee we will identify key elements of success that will carry us through the next five (5) years. There are various ways to be involved in the conversation:
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Be a member of the Strategic Plan Advisory Committee and attend meetings (4:00-5:30 PM) on October 9, 2017, November 13, 2017, December 4, 2017, and January 22, 2018, at the Educational Services Center. Contact me if you are interested in attending.
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Attend the Parent Advisory meetings on September 25, 2017 and November 17, 2017 (5:00-6:30 PM) at the Educational Services Center. Contact me if you are interested in attending.
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Attend a fall Conversation with the Superintendent on September 27, 2017 (Wednesday) at 7:00 AM or November 30, 2017 (Thursday) at 12:00 PM at the Educational Services Center.
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Complete the community survey. If you missed the window of opportunity, contact me directly to share your thoughts and ideas.
Check-out the incredible progress we are making on our facility projects at //www.muskegonorway.org/about/buildingprojects.cfm. Thank you again for your partnership and trust in our efforts to build an excellent learning environment for the students of this community.
With Gratitude,
Kelly Thompson, Ph.D.
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We are blessed to be able to provide incredible opportunities for our students through the amazing work of our staff, positive support of our school board, and collective efforts of our parents and community members. On behalf of our students, thank you for your commitment and trust! When I think of why we continue to make gains for students, I think of our focused and aligned efforts through our Eye on the Goal, our annual strategic plan (see image below). Our plan keeps us focused on what is important to meet our mission of every student learning, growing, and succeeding and our vision of being the district of choice.
We focus on how students learn; our entire staff works exceptionally hard on the action steps we have set into motion in order to make a difference. This is exciting work because we know there will be long-term benefits seen in the years to come. For the 2016-17 school year, we continue our commitment to increasing reading achievement for all students, ensuring annual academic achievement growth for all students, promoting a positive work environment for our staff and deploying the master plan projects, including those supported by our community through the April 2016 referendum.
I would love the opportunity to discuss our district’s plan or any other topics with anyone interested. To this end, please consider joining me for a Conversation with the Superintendent on April 24, 2017, from 5:30 p.m. - 6:15 p.m. at the Educational Services Center – S87 W18763 Woods Road. If this date/time does not fit your schedule and you are interested in meeting, please contact me to schedule an individual meeting.
With Gratitude,
Kelly Thompson, Ph.D.
Superintendent
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