Strategic Planning Update
Thank you to those of you who were unable to attend the Community Forum on Dec. 5, but responded by e-mail with your thoughts.
A reminder that, in order to kick off our long-range planning for the next five years, participants at the community forum were asked to consider the current district mission statement; suggest any changes; and discuss alignment of our present programs with our mission.
Participants were also asked to suggest program ideas for new or continued alignment. If you would like to add to this discussion, you can find the questions by reading my Dec. 7 newsletter by going to the district Web site at www.ewsdonline.org > District tab > About Our District > Superintendent’s Corner > scrolling to the bottom and clicking Superintendent’s Corner Archive] or by clicking on the Strategic Planning Initiative news item on the front page of the Web site [clicking on the news item > clicking on Strategic Planning Initiative Information > clicking on the Compilation of Round Table Discussions].
Just e-mail me your responses at kanase@ewsdonline.org or submit your ideas on the strategic planning initiative page.
Where can I see my fellow community members’ ideas and suggestions about the future of our district?
All responses from the forum are posted on our Web site on the strategic planning initiative page (see directions above to view the page). In addition, you will see a section of other suggestions and ideas both in response to the Forum questions and general feedback and ideas that community members have shared with me. We will continue to update this site.
It is important that the strategic planning process, which will set the direction for our district over the next five years, involves all of us. As such, the district and the strategic planning committee will be sure to keep all of you in the loop by consistently sharing information with you and providing opportunities for feedback and comment on suggested proposals, goals and implementation steps to be recommended to the Board of Education.
Facilities Committee
As you know, the East Williston School District is fortunate to have so much expertise within our community, which is so generously shared in support of our district. As do all the board committees, the Capital Facilities Advisory Committee provides an important source of consultation to the board of education.
At this past Wednesday’s meeting, the CFAC reviewed a draft of the Facilities Evaluation prepared by our District Architect and his engineer. The evaluation, which lists a detailed review of required and suggested facilities projects over the next five years, itemized in detail potential capital projects which can be incorporated into long range planning.
Categories include: educational/programmatic projects – potential projects that benefit building occupants from an educational standpoint, e.g. the science lab for Willets Road that was approved last year, to be constructed this summer; and Nuts and Bolts projects – potential projects such as site work, athletic facilities, building envelope, including exterior walls, windows, doors, roofs, HVAC (boilers, hot water heaters air handling and ventilation equipment, etc.), plumbing, electrical, handicapped accessibility and environment and indoor air quality.
Each Board Committee has a representative on the Strategic Planning Committee. The CFAC representative, Burt Roslyn, will report on the facilities evaluation at the initial meeting of the Strategic Planning Committee which will be scheduled soon after the New Year. We will post information on our Web site regarding the report to keep you updated. Some aspects of the report will need to be considered for next year’s budget (2013-14) planning process, as well.
Longer school day?
Recently Newsday ran an article which reported that New York State was one of five states to increase class time in some schools. Several of you e-mailed me to ask if this affected any schools in our district. At this time it does not. This is a three-year pilot program affecting students in only 40 schools. As reported by the Associated Press, there are long-term hopes of expanding the program to include additional schools-especially those that serve low-income communities.
Holiday Concerts and More
Due to scheduling conflicts, I was not able to attend all of the musical performances of the past couple of weeks. The concerts that I had the good fortune to attend represented the high quality and committed work of our students and faculty in the entire arts arena. For example, if I closed my eyes this morning while at the holiday concert at Old Westbury Gardens, I could have easily imagined I was sitting at Carnegie Hall, listening to the amazingly talented Wheatley Honors String Ensemble, under the direction of Ms. Angela Luftig.
Speaking of the arts, there are new works by our talented and hard-working students hanging in the Wheatley Gallery. If you are in the building be sure to stop by and enjoy the students’ strong and creative works.
Connecticut Shooting
Just as I am finishing writing this newsletter, news has come about the terrible tragedy and shooting at the elementary school in Connecticut. Here are some links that can provide you with information on supporting your child when they hear upsetting news.
The first link is for parents of younger students and the next for parents of older students:
http://www.parenting.com/article/5-tips-on-talking-to-kids-about-scary-news
http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/aftermath.aspx
You can find additional links on the district website.
Our school psychologists and guidance counselors are, of course, always available for your questions and to support our students with concerns or anxiety they may express. I will follow up in communications next week.
Please remember to call 516-333-3758 or email me at kanase@ewsdonline.org with any questions, suggestions, etc. If you have district related questions, please don’t hesitate to give a call or email.
