Next Steps for Writing the Vision Statement

1
Next Steps for Writing the Vision Statement

• Form a Vision Writing Committee
• Staff members, parent, students (where
  appropriate)
• An ideal time to spread leadership beyond the
  Leadership Team and get others involved in the
  PLC process.
• At least one or two coaches to serve on the
  committee to provide information from training
  and other support.

2
The Process

• Organize the ideal school input collected from
  stake holders and identify common strands.
• Look at sample statements and review the
  Questions for Reflection hand-out.
• Create a rough draft.

3
The Process

• Once a draft is created, plan a way for the staff
  to discuss it and make suggestions
• Collaborative teams
• Small mixed groups (entire staff)
• The committee will then take the suggestions and
  do a revision (note not all suggestions will be
  used)
• The revised draft is once again presented with an
  explanation for any changes, additions, and/or
  deletions (hopefully only one or two drafts).
• Once approved and endorsed by the staff, it can
  be presented to the school community, as time for
  celebration!

4
The Vision Writing Committee

• Should never be offended or hurt when the staff
  debates word choice, makes recommendations, etc.
• This input should be encouraged, as it indicates
  that people care about it.
• If you are going to expect people to commit to
  the vision through collective commitments, they
  really need to be involved in seeing that the
  final draft is one they can embrace.

5
Reminders

• The vision statement should be understandable and
  free of jargon.
• The vision statement should be neither too short
  that it says little nor so long that it becomes
  unwieldy.
• The vision statement should be free of mechanical
  errorsspelling, punctuation, grammar.

6
Questions for Reflection

• Is the primary focus of this vision statement to
  improve student achievement?
• Does the vision statement reflect high
  expectations for student learning?
• Is the issue of equity addressed in the vision
  statement?
• Does the vision statement include ideas about
  what kind of citizens you want your students to
  become?

7

• Does the vision encompass all stakeholders and
  address family and community involvement?
• Does the vision statement mirror the inspiration,
  enthusiasm, and shared dream of the school
  community?
• What are the goals a school might identify in
  this vision?
• Can this vision become a tool for strategic
  planning?

8
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

• What problems do you notice (i.e. mechanical
  errors, questionable wording, jargon, etc.)?
• What are some things that you like?

9

• The vision of Status Quo Elementary School is
  working in unity and striving for excellence so
  that all students will be able to read with
  understanding and critical judgment, write
  clearly and effective, speak and listen well,
  develop attitudes of responsible citizenship and
  concerns for humanity.

10

• The faculty at Ima Conventional elementary
  School believes that teaching approaches should
  lead to increased academic achievement and
  enhanced self-concept. They also believe that
  all students can achieve either mastery of the
  major instructional goals at their grade level or
  mastery of the objectives of their IEPs. Ima
  Conventional Elementary School has a mission to
  have all non-handicapped students performing at
  grade level by the time they exit sixth grade,
  regardless of family background, socio-economic
  standing, race, gender, or high-risk status.
  Realizing the importance of positive home-school
  relationships, staff members are dedicated to the
  development of strategies to enhance that
  relationship to maximize the potential for
  student learning and development.

11

• Bandwagon Elementary School promotes a
  partnership among children, parents, staff and
  community. Within an atmosphere of harmony, full
  inclusion, and empowerment, teachers strive to
  meet the needs of the whole child. Each child
  will become a self-actualizing member of society.

12

• We, the staff, students, family, and community
  of Tip Top Elementary dream a school where
• Students begin their journeys as life-long
  learners who seek and achieve personal success
  and academic excellence.
• Home and school work as partners to develop
  students who are physically, mentally, and
  morally sound.
• An enriched learning environment and expanded
  curriculum focus on problem-solving, creative and
  critical thinking, and literacy for all students.
• Understanding of and respect for people from
  varied cultural, ethnic and racial backgrounds
  flourish as students prepare to be responsible
  citizens in a global society.
• Strengths are celebrated and diversity welcome.
• Learning and learners soar.

13

• C.D. Best Elementary School shall be a
  cooperative partnership of parents, students,
  staff, and community who will work together to
  create an atmosphere that is child-centered,
  morally and socially healthy, and strives to
  instill a sense of belonging. We seek to achieve
  academic excellence for ALL students.
• C.D. Best Elementary School shall interweave life
  skills and academic studies within a flexible,
  up-to-date curriculum, with a focus on student
  strengths and practical applications of concepts.
• Instruction for all students shall be challenging
  and exciting, taught by a dedicated, nurturing
  professional staff using effective and innovative
  teaching techniques. Emphasis shall be on higher
  level thinking skills and problem-solving
  strategies using state of the art equipment.
• The learning environment shall be clean, safe,
  comfortable, and conducive to individual needs.

14

• ABC Elementary School is a partnership of staff,
  parents, students and community with a vision of
• a school in which all students are challenged
  and empowered to achieve success at the highest
  academic level possible all students will
  become life long learners and problem solvers
  with a firm foundation in basic skills.
• a school in which there is full communication
  between all staff members, parents and students
  which facilitates team effort and responsibility
  and encourages families to be active participants
  in the educational experience.

15

• a caring school environment that is safe,
  attractive and stimulating for all students and
  staff members a climate that is positive and
  conducive to learning.
• a school that builds upon the strengths and
  interests of its students where teachers utilize
  innovative and creative instructional practices
  to teach all skills necessary for success in an
  ever-changing high tech society.
• a school where all students learn and practice
  responsible behavior, integrity and respect for
  others. All students believe success comes
  through effort and hard work.