Strategic Plan

Mineral Point School District

Mission Statement

Grounded by our history, as one of the oldest publicly supported schools in Wisconsin, MPSD is the heart of a small community that educates and inspires our students for a bright future in a big world.

 

Mineral Point School District

Vision Statement

  • The Mineral Point School District will be a recognized leader in education.
  • Students will attain higher levels of academic achievement, resulting in greater lifetime opportunities.  
  • Individualized learning will be embraced through innovation and technology.
  • The district will provide a collaborative and professional environment for teachers to learn and develop innovative instructional strategies.
  • Student learning will be enriched by cultivating family, community, and business partnerships.

 

Mineral Point School District Values

The Mineral Point School District values;

  • Educational Excellence
  • Diverse Opportunities
  • Responsible Citizenship
  • Inspired Staff
  • Community Pride
  • Fiscal Accountability and Responsibility

Mineral Point School District Beliefs

In the Mineral Point School District we believe…

  • in providing an individualized education that allows students to achieve their potential.
  • it is our responsibility to prepare all students for careers or college.
  • in developing communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity skills.
  • community engagement and co-curricular activities are critical to the success of our students.
  • in developing students to be balanced and well-rounded individuals.
  • that students should have opportunities to serve and be involved with their community.
  • students and staff should foster pride in their community.
  • it is important to employ high quality staff in order to achieve academic excellence.
  • it is important for all staff to model learning, strive for continuous improvement, and display professionalism.
  • in a culture that is respectful, kind, caring, and compassionate.
  • in developing responsible and respectful citizens.
  • it is the district’s obligation to provide a safe and professional environment that fosters communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking.
  • it is important to provide the resources needed to succeed.
  • fiscal decisions should be transparent and make the best use of the funds trusted to the district.

 

Mineral Point School District

Strategies

 

Strategy One:  Academic Innovation & Independence

Focus on professional development.

  • Leaders at all levels will work collaboratively to transform teaching and learning to a more learner-centered approach.
  • We will tightly align and design curriculum, instruction, and assessment to engage students in personalized learning and empowering deeper experiences that build life-long learning skills.
  • We will strive to provide all educators with access to professional learning experiences that are personal and authentic.
  • We will foster a culture of collaborative leadership.

Focus on multiple forms of literacy.

  • We will add the three newest literacies (Media, Global, and Digital).
    • We will publish/produce online media material and understand copyrights.
    • We will create blended literacies in digital and paper (traditional literacy) to create a literary magazine, journalism club or school newspaper, to include videos and photos for yearbook, and blogging.
    • We will create a global presence (perhaps jointly publishing a Redruth Quarterly and digitally capture Cornwall exchange using video vignettes.)
    • We will create digital portfolios for all students to document the literacies and showcase students’ work.  
  • We will examine beliefs about literacy at the elementary level.

Focus on learner engagement, inclusivity and the whole child.  

  • We will develop engaging curriculum to include both local and global learning experiences.
  • We will change the way instructional time is allotted and how learning space is designed.
  • Through the use of technology and access to broadband on computers both at school and at home we will create technology-enabled environments and promote anytime, anywhere learning within schools and the community.
  • We will focus on the whole child through the implementation of Mindfulness.
  • We will instill a growth mindset into students that empowers them to approach their future with confidence and learn perseverance to tackle and achieve their goals.
    • ACT Tessara measures Grit and has action plans
  • We will address the social, emotional, and academic needs of all students.
  • We will learn together how living in poverty may negatively influence the ability of our underachieving students to catch up.

Focus on technology integration.

  • We will implement the Future Ready Initiative.
  • We will implement the 4 Cs. (Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Creativity, Communication)
  • We will explore Project Lead the Way (PLTW) to offer additional opportunities:
      • PLTW Gateway – Middle School
      • PLTW Computer Science – High School
      • PLTW Biomedical Science – High School
      • Expand to offer two or more PLTW Engineering courses
  • We will explore Robotics and Maker-Space Clubs
  • We will create a technology help desk (genius bar) run by students for staff and students.

Focus on challenging all students through high expectations.

  • We will redefine college and career readiness by implementing multiple research based metrics to indicate readiness.
    • We will track and report the following academic indicators
      • GPA 2.8 out of 4.0 and one or more of the following academic indicators:
      • Advanced Placement Exam (3+)
      • Advanced Placement Course (A, B or C)
      • Dual Credit College English and/or Math (A, B or C)
      • College Developmental/Remedial English and/or Math (A, B or C)
      • Algebra II (A, B or C)
      • International Baccalaureate Exam (4+)
      • Standardized Testing Benchmarks (minimum score)
        • SAT Exam:  Math (530)
        • Reading and Writing (480)
        • ACT Exam:  English (18)
        • Reading (22)
        • Science (23)
        • Math (22)
    • We will track and report additional Factors that Contribute to Post-Secondary and Career Success
      • Earning As, Bs, Cs
      • FAFSA Completion
      • Enrollment in career pathway course sequence
      • College Academic Advising
      • Participation in College Bound Bridge Programs
      • Senior year math class
      • Completion of a math class after Algebra II
    • We will further track and report students as Career Ready if they have identified a career interest and meet two of the behavioral and experiential benchmarks listed below.
      • 90% Attendance
      • 25 hours of Community Service
      • Workplace Learning Experience
      • Industry Credential
      • Dual Credit Career Pathway Course
      • Two or more organized Co-Curricular activities
    • We will additionally track and report students entering the military upon graduation must meet the passing scores on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) for each branch of the military.
  • We will track acceleration, high school courses, etc. 

 

Strategy Two:  Community Engagement and Building Trust

Connecting families and schools:  (It’s vital that families feel their input is heard and that they are able to take part in developing their school’s culture.)

  • We will develop a plan to guide us in conducting productive home visits and determine among our staff who visits the homes of our kids.
  • We will ensure that every secondary student is connected to an adult at school who regularly monitors his or her progress.
  • We will identify which students are not involved in a sport or club and pair them up with a mentor.
  • We will conduct a quick survey asking how families would like to best be reached throughout the school year and what concerns them the most and have these topics become themes for coffee get-togethers or open discussions.
  • We will send positive notes to families to build trust.
  • We will implement a Families & Schools Together (FAST) program.
  • We will implement and promote the use of additional mediums such as Skylert texting notification system for school announcements, and Alert Now for purposes of reporting bullying and harassment.

Connecting community and schools:  (Messaging the importance of public education).

  • We will open the school to the community by creating a plan to provide welcome and needed services to our community.  Title IV funding.
  • We will hold an annual State of the District event to highlight successes and discuss the current reality, giving stakeholders an opportunity to ask questions.
  • We will publish an Annual Report in print format (also available electronically).
  • We will create a key communicators initiative by identifying a diverse group of parents and other stakeholders and help train them in facts about the school. We will ensure that there are some leaders that share the demographic of those who are least engaged.

Connecting community and board: (It’s vital that the community feels their input is heard and that they are able to take part in developing their school’s culture.)

  • We will develop a plan to “listen back” to the community by hosting regular listening/learning and brainstorming sessions beyond the routine and usual business of a board meeting.
  • We will understand that advocacy is part of the board’s business.
  • We will hire staff that can communicate effectively with the board and the community.
  • We will require the auditor to meet with the board to both celebrate successes and understand challenges.
  • We will maintain a strategic or long range plan developed with transparent involvement of all of the stakeholders.
  • We will develop a board action plan – 15 minutes to read an article, conduct a simulation, receive professional development from Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB) or comparable.
  • We will involve board members in schools by attending school functions (opening day, luncheons, picnic, Parent/Teacher conferences, walkthroughs/open houses, WASB meetings)
  • We will video all full regular and special meetings of the board where official board business is being conducted.
  • We will review annually policy of roles, responsibilities, and board ethics.
  • We will listen to the public and trust surveys and community participation.

Connecting community and students:

  • We will provide opportunities for students to explore future options in the local community.
  • We will continue to build relationships with community and businesses through the Inspire program and Academic & Career Planning (ACP)