|
|
|
Do our mission, vision, values and goals align with our resources? by Dr. Curtis Jones
Our Mission: "Preparing students for tomorrow by providing a quality education today."
Our Vision: "Our school system will be world-class, the first choice for educating children and serving families"
Our Values: Accountability, Effectiveness, Fairness, and Quality
Mission, Vision, and Values. These are the three pillars of our strategic plan that guide our actions, initiatives, and goals.
Two other phrases that have been used as a part of our culture are:
-
Children First, Always!
-
I dare you to do better.
The question for us to consider is how do all of these concepts guide us and help us achieve the goals that we have jointly established.
On February 18, we have asked the Georgia Leadership Institute of School Improvement (GLISI) to help us better understand the relationship of these pillars and parts of our culture.
On that day a better-seeking team will discuss and relook our current mission, vision, values, and goals. Later that day, a larger group will examine how we have applied our resources to achieve our goals, and we will evaluate if our resources are applied in a way consistent with our values.
As part of this process, I ask you to please look at our strategic plan. Look at the adopted mission, vision, and belief statements (which include our values). Think about how these parts of our culture have influenced your daily practice and what you do in the classroom. Think about how they influence your school.
I know some believe that considering mission and vision is an exercise in futility, that the truth is we will still come to work everyday; do our jobs, and our children will be educated and on and on.
But, research supports an occasional relook at an organization's mission, vision, values, and goals and to set future direction. We're in the beginning stages of planning our budget for next fiscal year. Best practices indicate that values, goals, mission, and vision should be re-examined during this time. This is an opportunity for us to do this together.
Please join with us in this effort because we should jointly decide the direction that our school system is moving and how we will use resources. Participate in the process. Your voice can be heard.
And as always I dare us to do better. |
|
Board Briefs
At the regular meetings on January 26, and February 2, 2010, the board of education. . . .
- Heard an update on the staggered school start times concept targeted to begin 2010-2011 school year. The committee will continue evaluating potential cost savings and will seek input from stakeholders this spring.
-
-
- Approved in part the offer from Griffin Technical College to purchase a tract of land from the Flynt Street school property. The board extended a counter offer to Griffin Technical College which addressrd known issues. -Click here to read this document.
-
-
-
-
Announced that our school system's 2010 Georgia Assembly legislative site visit is scheduled for Tuesday, February 16, at 9am at the Capitol. Several board of education members and Dr. Jones plan to discuss the effects of pending legislation with legislators.
- Heard reports from Dr. Jones on:
- Performance Indicators,
- His meeting with our recent high school graduates,
- A re-look at our mission, vision, values,
- Gordon College at UGA Campus, and the
- Leadership Retreat scheduled for February 18, 2010.
-
-
Heard an update on the H1N1 Mass Clinics that are being held in 20 schools. A team of both school system and Spalding County Health Department personnel has been able to give a total of 981 H1N1 vaccinations. This is an average of 115 vaccines within 40 minutes as of Tuesday, February 2.
In other business the board . . .
- Recognized 40 faculty and staff members of Orrs Elementary for being named the 2010 Georgia School of Character. This is the first time a first year applicant has been honored with this award. Orrs Elementary tied Carmel Elementary in Woodstock, Georgia, for the honor, and both will represent the state at the national competition.
- Recognized the English to Speakers of Other Languages program for exceeding state standards. (Click here to read more.)
- Jennifer Guido (Beaverbrook Elementary, Cowan Road Elementary)
- Ivis Roquemore (Orrs Elementary, Griffin High School)
- Amy Jo Pearson (Cowan Road Middle School)
|
 Orrs Elementary wins Georgia School of Character award Orrs Elementary School has been named a 2010 Georgia School of Character. The Griffin-Spalding school tied with Carmel Elementary in Woodstock, Georgia. Both schools will move on to the National Schools of Character competition.
Principal Dexter Martin said, "This is a long-awaited award for our school. We are humbled to receive such an honor, and it is our dream to continue to spread and live the good news of character. It's more than just about the award; it's about making a difference in the lives of our students and making an impact on our community. As principal, I really can't express how I feel about Orrs Elementary receiving an honor of this magnitude. This has been such a team effort and commitment by all of our faculty and staff members."
Orrs Elementary School's Character Education Program began five years ago in conjunction with its School Improvement Plan. Assistant principal Marsha Clark said, "Every year we have built on the year before... beginning first with the school staff and students, then with parents, community and other stakeholders. Our school is now striving to live and breathe character in every action. We are helping our students make character a value that is natural and expected."
She continued, "We are very proud of the progress our character education program has made. Our character program remains in our school improvement plan each year with different expectations and goals that build on the progress from the year before."
The Griffin-Spalding Board of Education recognized the faculty, staff, and administration of Orrs Elementary during their February 2 board of education meeting.
|
|
|
Elizabeth Benz
Griffin Spalding County School System |
|
|
|
|
|
