I hope everyone enjoyed a restful break and feels rejuvenated for 2016.

 

New Year's Day is a time when many of us reflect on the past and make resolutions for a better tomorrow. Did you know that only about 8% of the population who make resolutions keep them throughout the year? That means for 92% of the population, there is quite a bit of good intention, but not as much accomplished! This isn't the case in Mount Pleasant where we as a school district along with our students accomplish much each year.

 

Communicating in the age of information
One of our district's major focuses for 2015-16 is communication and this remains as a goal in the district's current strategic plan. Over the past few years, increases and improvements in communication district wide have taken place (are you following us on Facebook and Twitter?). This work is ongoing and, during this year in particular, the Academic Senate is discussing how all of us can continue to work together to make appropriate information more accessible in a timely way. Whether it's a face to face conversation, a phone call, text, or a post on a web page/blog, getting accurate information out to the people who need to know is an important part of all that we do.

 

It is incredible how much communication takes place each day among colleagues, students, parents, and the community. Managing that communication effectively is just as incredible a task. I am sure that many of you have tried as I have to tame the "email monster."  Here is a link to an interesting article that that includes some tips on managing email more effectively. I hope you find it useful.  

What will our district look like in 2021?  As we continue to focus on communication as a strategic goal, the district also is planning for the next five years in our schools and community. We are asking: What will the Mount Pleasant Central School District look like in the 2020-21 school year? How can we continue to prepare our students for their future? I invite you to consider joining the Board of Education,  members of our school community and me as we shape the plan for our schools' next five years. The planning will start this month beginning with a Strategic Plan Listening Session for community feedback on Wednesday, Jan. 13 at 7:30 p.m. in the Westlake library. If you have an interest in thinking creatively, critically, and collaboratively and would like to be part of the actual crafting of the plan with us, please join us on January 13.

 

Again, I wish you the very best for a successful 2016 and I look forward to seeing you soon.