Strategic Plan July 2005 –
June 2008: Status Report
Presented to Executive Council,
Vision Statement I: Deliver professional development opportunities by providing
professional academic and leadership components for its members. Support Best Practices and models.
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ACTIVITIES |
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1.
Plan and host VPA workshops each year. 4Survey membership for professional development needs. (ED-May/Yearly) Status: Will be done in May, when due. 4Continue the two-workshop series for Aspiring Principals and add a
component that would foster on-line, guided discussions between participants
and facilitators. (ED/SFL-Yearly) Status: In Progress. We had the first of the two workshops last Tuesday and
set a record with 52 participants.
Based on a reply form, 49 plan to attend the second workshop in March
and over half will take part in the on-line work between sessions. This year we added a component with Kerry
Sewell presenting a workshop titled: Seeking Educational Leaders Defined by
Purpose, Preparation and Inspiration 4Plan workshops to include administration with school teams. (ED/Committee
– Yearly) Status: In Progress. The following workshops allowed for school teams: §
Small Schools Conference §
VPA Principals’ Institute §
VPA2 Workshops §
Ray is meeting with the Coordinators of the ESA’s on March 13th
to propose working together to pick a topic (Prof. Learning Communities,
Differentiated Instruction, etc.) and offer it regionally. 4Offer workshops in at least two locations each time, where
applicable. (ED/Committee – On going) Status: On-going.
We continue
to offer workshops in multiple locations or to have others that are a series
rotate around the state. |
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2. Collaborate with other educational
organizations to co-sponsor other conferences. 4Summer Status: Done.
As of this past summer, based on a written agreement with
the Vermont Institutes, we are one of the three governing partners of the
academy (VI and DOE). We also assumed
the role of financial agent. The major
change this past summer was the inclusion of our awards for principals on the
first evening of the academy. 4VPA Principal Leadership
Development Institute (PLDI): The
planning committees for PLDI and the Status: Done/Institute in Progress. We scheduled three overnight
workshops that each have two strands; Differentiated Instruction and High
Schools on the Move. The first session
was held last Thursday and Friday in 4Differentiation of
Instruction Workshop: We will continue to
co-sponsor this with VT-ASCD and VCSEA. (ED/Comm. – Fall/Yearly) Status: Not Done.
It was decided by the VT-ASCD planning committee that
this would be done every other year.
Three years ago they sponsored their first with VCSEA and last year we
joined for the second conference when Cindy Stricklund presented. Therefore, the next one will be in the fall
of 2006. 4Other opportunities: Other offers for collaboration will be
evaluated and prioritized. (ED/President – On-going) Status: On-going and frequent. Example: Ray met with Lisa Mazzitelli from DOE last
Thursday to discuss differentiated instruction. They have had six schools apply to be one
of the two pilot schools next year.
She asked if the two principals from the selected schools could join
our VPA Principals’ Institute for the next two sessions on differentiated
instruction. We are also talking about
future collaboration. A few other
examples: Small Schools Conference; Civics Education Summit; Making Connections Workshop; Dialogue Education, Firm Footings on Early
Education; VPA2 Workshops, etc. |
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3. Work with educational partners to develop
alternative ways to secure administrative licenses. Status: Not Done. This is basically
defunct at this point and won’t be done because we have agreed to join the
Vermont Education Leadership Collaborative that is headed by Elaine
Pinckney. Other partners in VELC
include: VSBA, VSA, DOE, SBOE, UVM,
VI, Snelling, state colleges. |
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4. Develop and implement a mentoring program
for Principals. (Pres.-Elect/Comm. – Fall, 2005) Status: Not Done.
Laurie S. chaired our mentoring committee. However, this too will be consumed by
VELC. It is felt that we will have
more power to solve some of these problems if the leadership groups work
together in planning and grant acquisition. |
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5. Provide information to members that will
help them perform their leadership duties.
Methods will include:
e-newsletter, email from VPA office, email information from member to
member, ILN opportunities, mailings, etc. (ED/DSA – On-going) Status: On-going.
We have used all of the above, except ILN. This year, we have the support of the ESA’s
to help us advertise offerings. i.e.: musings, inquiries, Friday notes, News for
Parents, alert emails, mailings, etc. |
Vision Statement II: Develop a strong networking system for members
including: active regional groups,
collaboration with other organizations, and joint planning with peer
associations.
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ACTIVITIES |
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1. Facilitate meetings in each region at least
four times each year. 4Appoint regional liaisons. (ED. – Yearly) Status: Done differently. In some cases, Ray has called
people to ask if they will host a regional meeting. In others, previously named people are
running regional meetings. We know of
eight regional meetings that have taken place this year, five of which are
the recent elementary regionals that Ray and Ken Remsen (DOE) are
facilitating. 4Facilitate the liaisons planning of
regional meetings. (ED. – Yearly) Status: Not Done Well. With the exception of the five
elementary regionals held in January Ray has not provided as much leadership
on this venture as he had hoped. 4Advertise meetings through mailings and/or
e-newsletter. (ED. – Yearly) Status: Done 4Meet with each region at least once
annually to present information on the VPA and solicit input. (ED. – Yearly) Status: Being Done. 4Reimburse for refreshments. (VPA Staff –
On-going) Status: Done. |
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2. Insure that the “political voice” of the
VPA is communicated. 4Work with VPA legislative
committee. (ED – Yearly) Status: On-going.
Although this committee has not met this year, Ray
consults with them for feedback on issues or positions. Examples:
feedback on NCLBA oversight committee, statewide calendar, expansion
of harassment bill, etc. 4Present information on
educational issues to our Status: Done.
Each summer we meet with our delegation in D.C. and each winter our Federal Relations
Coordinator does again. 4Continue lobbying efforts
at state legislature. (ED/Leg. Comm. – On-going) Status: On-going.
Early indications are that this will be a busy
session. 4Provide legislative
updates for members during the session. (ED/VSBA/VSA – On-going) Status: On-going.
This happens in a variety of ways: §
Education
Legislative Report – Co-produced by VSBA, VSA and VPA and sent out
periodically during the legislative session and posted on our web site. §
Bill
Tracking – New bills posted on website and so far included in
‘musings’ on January 16th and 30th. 4Provide information on VPA
positions on legislation to members and legislators. (ED/VSBA/VSA – On-going) Status: On-going.
This also happens in a variety of ways: §
Musings
– Positions or information about testimony given by Ray
is included in the musings. §
Email
to contributors – A recent example: 22 people gave me feedback for the
testimony I gave on the NE-Caps. I
sent each of them a follow-up email that included my testimony attached. §
Education
Legislative Report – Goes to members and legislators. §
Testimony §
At
Regional Meetings §
Meeting
with Tech Directors §
Memos 4Provide information about
state and national legislative issues to members through web site, e-mail
alerts and phone calls. (ED – On-going) Status: On-going.
All the techniques above are used. |
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3. Insure continued communication with the
Vermont Department of Education. 4Communicate feedback
and/or concerns. (ED. – On-going) Status: On-going.
This is done in a variety of ways: §
John Nelson, Jeff Francis and Ray meet with the
Commissioner often to discuss issues and concerns. Sometimes we initiate the meeting (Last
Friday to discuss statewide calendar and educator licensing board) and
sometimes the Commissioner asks to meet with us to float something before it
goes out to the field. §
We get advance emails asking for feedback on memos
and letters to the field before they go out. §
Email and phone calls to Commissioner and other
DOE staff to pose questions, express concerns, etc. 4Meet with DOE staff. (ED.
– On-going) Status: On-going.
Ray and Bob both meet with DOE staff. In the past week: §
Ray and Bob met with Tracy Gallo and Kay Charron §
Ray met with Commissioner Cate. §
Ray met with Lisa Mazatelli §
Ray met with Ken Remsen and elementary principals
in three of the regions. 4Disseminate information
from DOE that is relevant to the jobs of members. (ED. – On-going) Status: On-going.
Links are often provided in our musings and alert emails
are also sent. 4Provide support to members
on issues from DOE. (ED. – On-going) Status: On-going. |
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4. Insure continued communication with
members, including the following methods: 4Use of web site. (ED/DSA – On-going) Status: On-going.
We use the web site in a variety of ways: §
It has been upgraded and has made tournament
registrations, etc. much easier. §
Important items and links are posted under “What’s
Hot” on the home page. §
“Musings” and “News for Parents” posted. §
Information about sponsors §
Calendar of events §
Information on all activities and sports §
Information about VPA §
Members only section, including: salary info; legislative update, musings,
etc. 4E-Newsletter (at least 30
issues annually) (ED – On-going) Status: On-going
and on track. The
issue earlier this week was the 20th. 4Friday Notes to AD’s (DSA
– On-going) Status: On-going.
Bob sends these out each week. 4E-mail (ED/DSA – On-going) Status:
On-going. This is
used in a variety of ways. 4Letters and phone calls
for positive involvements. (ED/DSA – On-going) Status: On-going.
Both Ray and Bob do this periodically. 4Support for administrators
in need. (ED – On-going) Status: On-going.
Ray speaks to administrators frequently to offer advice,
provide resources or information. It
is important to note that Bob also works with administrators and Athletic
Directors on many issues pertaining to sports and activities. 4Send Executive Council
Minutes to membership via email (ED – On-going) Status: Will do as they are approved. 4Approved legal assistance.
(ED – On-going) Status: On-going.
The most notable part of this one is that Michael Mark’s
advice is respected by all that he gives it to. He is a very valuable resource to our
members in need. 4Member to member
information via email (ED – On-going) Status: On-going.
Ray sends out inquiries frequently. From all reports, people are getting many
responses to their requests. Bob also
sends out notes on behalf of Athletic Directors. |
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5. Insure that the
mission and vision of the VPA is communicated to the broader community, ie.
Media, parents, staff, etc. 4Implement a newsletter for
parents and school staff at least quarterly.
(ED/DSA – Fall/2005) Status: Done.
We started this one early and it is done monthly instead
of quarterly. The first issue was in
April 2005, and we have had five so far this year. Bob authors an article for each issue dealing
with activities and sports. After it
is published, Ray sends it out via email and has it posted on the web. Principals are encouraged to get it to
their parents via a links to our web site, copying it for their parents,
sending it to their parents via email or cutting and pasting form it for
their own newsletters. From all
reports, this is growing in popularity. 4Cut and paste from “VPA
Work Continues” in “Ray’s Musings” to share with school staff. (Principals –
On-going) Status: Unknown.
Ray has not promoted or tracked this. 4Write articles, letters to
editors and Op-eds for media. (ED/DSA – On-going) Status: On-going.
We have submitted
prompted some letters to the editors from members, and have sent some press
releases. The Education Coalition is
considering an op-ed about the recent bashing we are taking in the press and
from other quarters. Other not in Strategic
Plan: Starting with last
year’s drama festival, Ray has been sending emails to legislators about
academic events: drama, Hearst
scholarships, spelling, etc. |
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6. Work with the Status: On-going. Bob continues to attend VSADA meetings and work with various VSADA sub-committees. He also attends the yearly national conference for Athletic Directors. |
Vision Statement III: Sponsor co-curricular activities that support
academics and cultivate the high ideals of good citizenship and sportsmanship.
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ACTIVITIES |
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1. Develop and Implement programs and
activities that support good sportsmanship.
Activities will include:
(DSA/Comm. – On-going.) 4Student contests Status: Bob implemented a photo
sportsmanship contest suggested by an Athletic Director. 4Workshops on
sportsmanship, hazing, etc. Status: On-going.
The following has been done: §
Bob continues to work with VSADA on their Student
Leadership Conference. §
Bob expanded the Positive Coaching Alliance workshops
to two additional sites this year. §
Bob is working with a committee to implement a
summer coaches conference/academy for June 2007. §
Ray is working with VPA2 to
offer workshops for students in grades three through twelve. 4Media promotions Status: On-going.
To date: §
Bob has developed PSAs on sportsmanship that are
read at our championship events. §
We place a full page ad in the hockey and
basketball programs that deals with good sportsmanship. §
Ray and Bob are interviewed at half-time of games
broadcast by George Cuomo. §
Ray has signed the VPA to participate in the
National Federation (NFHS) new sportsmanship project. They are going to produce two PSAs on
sportsmanship and a seven to nine minute DVD with NFHS and VPA logos
promoting the value of sports and activities.
Ray passed on Bob’s suggestion that NFHS consider producing posters,
such as those produced for the
steroids project. Bob Kanaby said that
if they can afford to do so, they will consider it. §
The NFHS is working with T-Mobile and developing a
program that would have media and TV spots promoting the NFHS message. Steve H. and I had a chance to see the
presentation at the NFHS Winter Meeting in early January and were quite
impressed. If the NFHS signs on, each
state association will get $10,000 per year. |
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2. Sponsor and/or support
fine arts activities. Activities to
investigate adding: 4Continue Drama involvement
(ED/DSA/Comm. – Yearly) Status: On-going.
We’ve had a great turnout and therefore will have to have
six regional festivals instead of the normal five. 4Dance ((ED/DSA/Comm. –
2005-06) Status: Done.
Bob has worked with the committee and we will have dance
as an exhibition activity in March. 4Team chorus (ED/DSA/Comm.
– 2006 -07) Status: Not yet Done. 4Jazz band (ED/DSA/Comm. –
2007 – 08) Status: Not yet done. 4Other, not in plan: Ray is on the Executive Board
and Board of Directors of the Vermont Alliance for Arts Education. They support an awards program for arts
educators and administrators who support the arts and a great deal of
professional development for arts teachers. |
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3. Continue to investigate
the addition of academic programs or activities, such as: 4Chess (ED/DSA/Comm. – 2005
– 06) Status: Recommend Postponement. Ray met with a Principal who
was interested in supporting the effort.
Ray and Bob then had a conference call with two of her teachers that
ran the chess club at her school. We
learned that the students compete in tournaments that have cash prizes. We presented the information to the
Activities Standards Committee and they agreed with our recommendation to
slow down and not do it this year. 4Math (ED/DSA/Comm. – 2006
– 07) Status: Not yet due or done. 4Writing (ED/DSA/Comm. –
2007 – 08) Status: Not yet due or done. 4Other, not in strategic plan: Bob continues to work with Scripps National Spelling Competition. Will be offering the second state-wide competition March 2006. |
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4. Continue to work with outside agencies and
organizations (i.e. UVM, Status: On-going. Bob continues to work with outside
organizations and agencies (UVM, |
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4. Conduct a review of VPA
activities and recommend to Executive Director whether activities should
continue to be VPA “sponsored.” (DSA –
Every two years) Status: Bob will make his recommendations to Ray in
June 2006. |
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Other not in Strategic
Plan: §
Bob is considering Bowling as a sanctioned sport. |