North Royalton City Schools Director of Curriculum, Melissa Vojta, and Pat Farrell, Director of Personnel, gave a presentation at the July School Board meeting on the district’s three-year Strategic Plan, highlighting the key areas that will direct the initiatives of the district throughout the next three years. The plan was last updated in August 2015.
The plan consists of the following six goals: Community engagement, student achievement, communication, facilities, financial, and collaboration. The following are the action steps taken under each goal:
Community Engagement
* Alumni Association participation at the Pasta Dinner and communication through Twitter, Facebook and website. Kept current alumni database and surveyed graduates for feedback. Fiftieth reunion group included in football game festivities.
* Monthly district e-newsletter and the Bear Way digital magazine with Chambers of Commerce and Mayor Alai’s office. Chamber of Commerce meeting attendance.
* Partnered with the CVCC to arrange partnerships, career speakers and activities for elementary school Career Week.
*Senior Citizen Advisory Committee meeting attendance and provided outreach and support to seniors through sharing artwork, Halloween candy and Bingo at Mount Royal Villa.
* Student-led service projects: Pennies for Patients, UNICEF, Giving Tree, Clothing Drives, Girls on the Run, Paper Hugs for Veterans and Honor Society Bingo at Mount Royal Villa.
* Planned building programs such as Breakfast with a Buddy, Grandparents luncheon and Veterans Day celebrations, as well as parent/community engagement events such as Donuts with Dad, Muffins with Mom, Family Literacy Night, Art Shows, Pride of NRMS.
Student Achievement
* New reading/math bench-marking tool selected by District Response to Intervention Committee.
* Previous yearly student data analyzed by District Leadership Teams to identify student achievement gaps and professional development needs.
* Monthly guidance lessons through Olweus Bully Prevention, PBIS programs to address the social/emotional needs of the district.
* District CIAC to communicate curriculum decisions and gather input; Presentations at PTA meetings/using social media to share information.
*Curriculum alignment of Physical Education/Health standards. Ongoing teacher-based-team meetings focus on core subject alignment and development of common standards.
*Positive climate created through student behavior recognition through programs such as Royal Pride, PAWS, Popcorn Days; building student reward programs, such as Pie in the face, Fear Factor Food Challenge, dunk tank; student staff basketball games.
* Professional Development Focus through instructional technology, Wilson Reading training and professional dialogue.
Communication
* Dedicated staff member at each building to update website. Buildings increasing use of Facebook and Twitter. Consistent use of Constant Contact e-communications to share information with families and the community.
* Bear Time with the Superintendent and regular Key Communicator messages from the Superintendent.
* PTA information on building websites and various social media outlets.
* Update registration and Infosnap information annually.
* Utilize Blackboard Connect for “alert now” information.
* Student Advisory groups with principals to gather feedback on student desires and opinions. Monthly lunches with student leadership groups.
Facilities:
* Partnered with the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission to conduct facility evaluations and development of master plan options.
* Technology infrastructure updated to accommodate increased wireless needs. Additional and updated access points installed at all school buildings. District-wide conversion to Google Apps for Education allowing for cloud-based storage and applications.
* Reviewed and updated all building and district Emergency Operation Plans.
* Developed and established replacement cycles and budgets for roofing, flooring, concrete, painting, kitchen equipment, windows, HVAC and lighting and implemented new district team cleaning approach during summer months.
Financial
* Provided financial information to the community through the Quality Profile, Bear Way, Your Royalton Schools and the audited Annual Financial Report, as well as community organization meetings, such as the Chamber of Commerce.
* Increased use of Facebook and Twitter.
* Continued to actively recruit business participation, partnering with the Cuyahoga Valley Career Center Vision 8, through financial support, product/talent donation and resource sharing.
*Continued the Business Advisory Committee.
Collaboration:
* Worked to create opportunities for common planning time: building schedules, team days, late arrival days and discuss best practices.
* District Leadership Team recommend professional development needs for certified staff. Established a Classified Professional Development Team. Surveyed classified staff and plan the November In-service day. Professional development opportunities were evaluated through a survey of all participants.
* C.A.R.E. training for principals, supervisors, administrative assistants and secretaries.
“I am pleased with all that has been accomplished in just the first of our three-year strategic plan,” said Superintendent Greg Gurka. “This plan included numerous initiatives that are current and relevant to the needs of our students today. We continue to demonstrate to our community the many ways we are inspiring and empowering learners as our world of education continues to rapidly change, particularly in the area of instructional technology. Our curriculum and facilities must be equipped to handle the change.”

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer