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Strategic Plan

PLANNING TASK FORCE

INTRODUCTION

Fremont County School District #38, Arapahoe School and the Arapaho community collaborate to provide an outstanding education program to serve its K-8 students and families throughout the Wind River Indian Reservation. To meet the challenges that collaboration provides, the FCSD #38 Board of Trustees, in 2001, established a strategic planning task force to accomplish the following goals:

  • Study and revise the district’s mission as needed
  • Analyze external and internal opportunities and threats
  • Examine external and internal strengths and weaknesses

  • Design and implement a strategic plan to give the district direction via a five-year continual improvement process

The members of the strategic planning task force, in representation of all stakeholders, are deeply committed to the belief that students who attend Arapahoe School deserve to learn about the rich cultural traditions and values associated with the Northern Arapaho Tribe. Ninety percent of our enrolled students represent the Arapaho culture.

With support from the superintendent and a consultant/facilitator who is an expert in the development of strategic plans, the strategic planning task force met three times from January 2001 through September 2001 to develop this plan. The strategic plan was created by members of the task force in representation of all stakeholders in the Arapahoe School community. It was the desire of the planning team to have the plan be one of continual improvement over time to protect the district and its students.

Once the plan is approved by the Board of Trustees at its regular November 2001 meeting, it will be disseminated to the stakeholders. Then, the Board and district superintendent will have the responsibility to shepherd the plan throughout time by the development of action plans that hold people accountable for positive implementation of each goal area. The priority areas identified by members of the strategic planning team that will be the core of the strategic plan as follows:

  • Academic Excellence
  • Finance
  • Teamwork
  • Technology
  • Safe School Environment
  • Cultural Values
  • Health

MISSION STATEMENT

Fremont County School District #38, Arapahoe School, and the Arapahoe community are committed to ensure educational excellence; value students in a safe and healthy environment; and to provide opportunities for positive academic, social, physical, spiritual, and cultural development. This commitment will prepare each student to perform at their highest potential to meet the challenges in a culturally diverse world.

BELIEFS

In recognition of the unique character of Fremont County School District #38, Arapahoe School and the Arapaho community, the Strategic Planning Task Force, in representation of our stakeholders, have identified and present the following core beliefs:

  • Arapahoe School provides a safe, healthy environment to facilitate positive learning experiences for our valued students.

  • Arapahoe School collaborates with parents and the community to emphasize high expectations for student learning and the work performance of staff.

  • Arapahoe School recognizes the varying intelligence, abilities, and talents of its students and will provide a dynamic program to meet their individual needs.

  • Arapahoe School values and will initiate cooperation, teamwork and parent involvement in the educational process.

  • Arapahoe School nurtures an environment where employees, students, parents and patrons respect one another and honor all cultures.

GOALS-ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

All Fremont County School District 38 students will be afforded the opportunity to meet or exceed local and state educational standards, as designed by FCSD #38 and the Wyoming Department of Education, in order to prepare them for responsible citizenship, lifelong learning, and productive employment. In order to attain academic excellence, Arapahoe School will:

  • Integrate all content areas into district curriculum
  • Establish assessments in all content areas

  • Meet required percentage of growth on state WyCAS and Terra Nova tests

  • Continue the school improvement plan and process as dictated by data

  • Investigate the North Central Accreditation process
  • Provide remedial and enrichment programs
  • Provide an alternative learning program
  • Investigate and pursue a vocational/technical charter school
  • Provide after-school programs
  • Provide a summer school program

  • Make systemic changes in order to increase instructional time

GOALS-FINANCE

Fremont County School District 38 will maximize its ability to access funding sources to accomplish district goals and to address the needs of our students. In order to maintain funding the district will:

  • Explore, identify and pursue grants and alternative resources that meet the goals of Fremont County School District 38.

  • Continue all grant programs that meet school and district goals.

  • Insure continued Impact Aid funding.

  • Inform parents, community leaders, state/federal legislators, and promote collaboration.

  • Develop and implement a recruitment and retention plan for FCSD #38 staff that will study salary schedule and study performance based schedule.

  • Offer quality staff improvement and assure professional development funds are expended.

  • Investigate benefits package.

  • Continue to work with legislators to ensure continuous, adequate funding for Fremont County School District 38.

  • Assure that the future capital construction needs of FCSD #38 are met through State/Federal/Corporate funding.

GOALS-TEAMWORK

Fremont County School District 38 and Arapahoe School will use teamwork strategies to create an atmosphere of cooperation and understanding between parents, students, community, trustees, and staff to accomplish the goals and action plans of this strategic plan. To ensure teamwork the district and Arapahoe School will provide for:

  • Individual needs through resources available (child/parent)

  • Informational meetings between parents and staff and will accept input, suggestions, and new ideas

  • Curriculum and student assessment that meets state and district requirements.

  • Publication of a Parents’ rights and responsibilities document

  • Formation and ongoing support for Parent committee (s)

GOALS-TECHNOLOGY

The district five-year technology plan will ensure that Fremont County School District #38 has and utilizes current and emerging technologies for education, school operation and community involvement. Fremont County School District 38 will:

  • Provide access to technology resources to the community

  • Annually review the district technology plan for state and national compliance, to address the needs of students, staff, educational, vocational and operational programs

  • Secure funding to ensure modern technology is in place

GOALS-SAFE ENVIRONMENT

Fremont County School District #38 and families will work together to secure a safe, positive environment, and recognizes the importance of cross training in all safety areas. In order to meet this goal, Arapahoe School will provide:

  • A safe, adequate facility – classroom, playground, cafeteria, school grounds

  • A positive atmosphere for all students and staff , i.e. student artwork, class bulletins, friendly staff, positive role modeling from all

  • Equal opportunity to learn where children are given the opportunity to voice opinions and library resources are readily available

  • Discipline policies
  • Safety programs
  • A Crisis management team
  • CPR training for staff, students, and community

GOALS-CULTURAL VALUES

Fremont County School District will respect cultural diversity and values. Arapahoe School will:

  • Identify and incorporate cultural traditions and values in all educational areas identified in the mission statement

  • Provide exposure, instruction, and encourage use of the Arapaho language to all K-8 students

  • Provide Arapaho cultural, social, and behavioral interventions by Arapaho tribal elders

  • Provide extended cultural after-school learning opportunities for our students through grant programs and other partnerships.

GOALS-HEALTH

The Fremont County School District #38 community will be afforded opportunities for social, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, and physical health. Arapahoe School will:

  • Increase physical education and health instructional time
  • Increase positive community activities
  • Promote healthy lifestyles and physical fitness
  • Provide diabetes prevention education

  • Recognize symptoms and work to eliminate intergenerational poverty

  • Respect individual spirituality

  • Value and develop educational plans to meet each student’s intellectual ability

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Academic Excellence: Meeting or exceeding the school’s expected requirements. Reaching the highest level of learning for each child.

Afforded the Opportunity: The district and staff will give or provide the opportunity for the students to learn and succeed

WDE: Wyoming Department of Education
Standard: Educational guidelines or objectives that the State Department of Education has set for students to achieve.

Integrate: To mesh or include in other subject areas, e.g., science can be taught through reading class.

Core Area: The core areas are the main focus or center of instruction. These subjects are usually Reading/Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies.

Assessments: Instruments used to measure student gains or mastery.

WyCAS: State standardized tests taken by all 4th, 8th and 11th grades.

Terra Nova: Standardized tests adopted and given to all FCSD #38 students.

School Improvement Plan: A systematic process covering eight essential school areas: Core Knowledge, Assessments, At-Risk, Parent Involvement, Budget and Facilities; areas are researched for improvement using at least three forms of data ( not all qualitative, must include student performance data from NRT); where goals are set for improving student performance. Action plans are developed to include budget, staff development, and capital outlay. The plan is submitted to WDE (Wyoming Department of Education) for approval.

North Central Accreditation: An agency that assists school districts with state accreditation. This agency is strongly supported by WDE.

Remedial: Alternative teaching methods given to students requiring additional help

Enrichment: When skills are mastered, additional activities are offered to take the student even further in his understanding of a concept.

Charter School: A public school created within a school district via a contract between its Board of Directors and the FCSD #38 District Board. The approved charter runs for five years and can be extended another five upon approval of the District Board. The school must operate by its approved charter and contract.

Alternative Learning Program: A program to which students are assigned to acquire remediation on standards not passed.

Systemic Changes: Improvements made within the school or system to assure that federal, state, district and local education requirements are implemented and met by the staff and students enrolled in Arapahoe School. These improvements must be based on national, state or local research.

Alternative Funding: All other funding acquired outside the “General Fund” supported by the State of Wyoming, which is based upon Average Daily Attendance and Average Daily Membership. These would include grant acquisition or E-rate.

FINANCES

Alternative Resources: These resources could be human or other donation types.

Sustainability: The ability to carry on a project after its funding no longer exists.

Impact Aid: A federal program that provides assistance to school districts that are impacted by federal activities such as, (1) federal ownership of land, and (2) students entering a federal area that are classified as non-local children [such as a military installation].

Recruitment and Retention Plan: A plan that is developed and implemented to attract new yet maintain existing employees.

Performance Based Schedule: Method of compensating any employee who meets and district, school and professional performance goals. The performance can be verified through the district’s annual evaluation process.

Quality Staff Improvement: A program established in the district on an annual basis to assist any employee with new learning in pre-identified areas that match the district, school or individual professional improvement plan.

Benefit Package: Each employee who works 30 hours or more per week in FCSD#38 receives a benefit package. Benefits in this district include health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance. The specifics of each benefit can be obtained in the business office. In addition, employees may request electronic transfer of payroll and payroll deductions for Tax Sheltered Annuities.

Capitol Construction: Any major facility modification or new building construction requiring state financial assistance and that fits the statutory requirements outlined in WS 21-15-107. Any district can fund its own capital construction via a bond program providing the proper laws are followed. All plans for construction must be approved by the state authorities and must meet all local, state and federal codes where they are applicable.

TEAMWORK

Resources Available: Human and/or material resources available to the students and staff for educational purposes such as guest speakers, the computer lab, media center and gymnasium.

Curriculum: The actual course content taught to our students. This content is aligned from level to level within the school system. The content or subject matter is also aligned to state and district standards.

TECHNOLOGY

Emerging: New technology items created to more efficiently meet the education, instructional and business needs of the district.

Equal Access: All students have equal access to facilities, educational programs and technology within the district.

Compliance: Students, employees and the Board of Trustees of FCSD#38 must follow all district policies and regulations. Where applicable, district personnel, students, and the Board must comply with federal, state and district laws, policies and regulations.

Needs of the students and staff: To be determined a “need” no less than three data forms, such as a survey, tests, observations, and anecdotal records must be used.

Operational Programs: Programs and processes that are part of every day operation, such as taking attendance, grading, evaluating curriculum, maintenance of systems, along with procedures in conducting school activities.

SAVE ENVIRONMENT

Cross Training: To ensure protection and sustainability of school assets and programs, skills and duties of certain school and district positions are learned by a variety of staff members.

Adequate facility: An adequate facility means to have all of the necessary equipment and resources to promote healthy bodies, minds, and spirits.

Positive Role Modeling: Demonstrating positive, cheerful attitudes, good manners, equal treatment and high expectations of all students.

Stakeholder groups: Someone elected or appointed to represent each of the following stakeholder groups: Administration, School Board, Certified Teachers, Classified Staff, Parents, Students, Community members.

Dynamic Education: An education filled with multiple opportunities to excel, that is flexible, growing, with the ability to change as needs change.

District and School Mission: The mission statement within the document states the purpose of the school and district. The mission is stated on Page 7 of this document.

District Beliefs: The beliefs of the district stated on Page 7 of this document clearly outline or belief system based on research and needs of the district. This belief system will drive our goal accomplishment over the next five years.

CULTURAL VALUES

Adequate facility: An adequate facility means to have all of the necessary equipment and resources to promote healthy bodies, minds, and spirits.

Cultural Diversity: The existence of different beliefs and traditions and races within the school, community, state and nation. Our role in school is to establish this fact and to model and teach our students to respect this diversity in cultures.

Cultural Traditions and Values: Every culture in the world has its own set of traditions and values that must be taught and carried from generation to generation. In our setting we teach the culture and values of the Northern Arapaho Tribe along with respect for all other cultures.

Arapaho Tribal Elders: Adult members of the Northern Arapaho Tribe who have been selected and honored with the position to perpetuate tribal culture, values, spirituality and history.

21st Century Community Learning Center: Arapahoe School serves as the 21st Century Community Learning Center to provide after-school and enrichment programs for our students. It is a school-based learning center that is safe and drug-free for students, families, and the community.

Title VII: Federal bilingual grant program awarded to our district to promote the Northern Arapaho language and culture.

Spirituality: The Board of Trustees and district strategic planning has sanctioned the right of the educators within the district to afford opportunities for our students to learn about the spirituality of the Northern Arapaho culture within the school district’s educational program.

Generational Poverty: Being in poverty for two generations or longer.

Student Education Plans: All the critical documentation amassed for each student in regular education, a 504 Accommodation situation, the Building Intervention Team process and special education program [IEP]. Some of the documentation includes standardized test results [WyCAS, Terra Nova], interventions, professional evaluations, professional observations, classroom grades for all subjects, CRT results, discipline-health-attendance records and any other items that provide consistent information about the student.

Strategic Planning Task Force: A team of individuals including a facilitator, administration, board members, certified staff, classified staff, parents, present students, past students, and community members. These people devised a five-year plan for Fremont County School District #38.

ACTION PLANS-INTERVENTIONS

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Intervention: Integrate all core areas into the district curriculum

1. Implement a thematic approach in the 6-8 middle school program.

2. Periodically review, implement and evaluate a common and consistent curriculum and student assessment program through all levels within the school district.

3. Utilize the IM Series to track, document and maintain the district curriculum and student assessment system.

4. Use the IM Series to monitor and assess teacher integration of content standards and related student assessments.

5. Utilize current brain research and learning styles concepts to develop, enhance, implement, and adjust teaching strategies within the classrooms.

6. Assure that the levels of cognitive complexity align specifically to the district’s performance standards.

Intervention: Establish assessments in all content areas.

1. Develop, implement, monitor and evaluate district CRT’s at all levels in the system.

2. Use formal, informal and alternative testing means to establish a higher level of student, group and school performance.

3. Use testing results to modify curriculum, assessments and teaching strategies.

Intervention: Meet AYP on state required testing.

1. Analyze the prior year’s testing data to target areas of need and refer to the school improvement plan.

2. Monitor student and group progress on a quarterly basis in each content area and adjust the teaching of enrichment and remediation activities to increase student achievement and to meet AYP requirements.

3. Restructure the daily, weekly and monthly school schedules and annual calendar to better meet student needs due to state requirements, No Child Left Behind, and school and district improvement plans.

4. Provide after-school and summer school programs.
5. Make systemic changes to increase instructional time.

Intervention: Provide an alternative learning program.

Intervention: Implement a vocational/technical/career based charter high school.

FINANCE

Intervention: Explore, identify and pursue grants and alternative resources that meet the goals of Fremont County School District 38.

Intervention: Insure continued Impact Aid funding.

Intervention: Continue to collaborate and inform parents, community leaders and county/state/nationally elected leaders of district accomplishments and needs inclusive of adequate program funding and capital construction.

Intervention: Develop and implement a recruitment and retention plan for Fremont County School District 38 that involves colleges/universities and meets PTSB requirements.

Intervention: Study and then act to improve the district salary schedule and benefit package.

Intervention: Study the use of performance-based evaluation as a means of increasing employee compensation.

Intervention: Assure professional development funds are budgeted and expended.

TEAMWORK

Intervention: Provide for the individual needs of each student and their parents through district, school and community resources.

1. Conduct informational meetings for parents, staff, and students.

2. Adopt a ‘one family at a time’ approach toward providing critical information in a low key nonthreatening way.

Intervention: Publish and continue to update a Parents’ and Students’ rights and responsibilities document.

Intervention: Form a PIO/PTA organization.

Intervention: Increase parental participation, responsibility and collaboration in school and district.

TECHNOLOGY

Intervention: Provide community access to technology resources.

1. Review the district technology plan for state and national compliance and to ensure the community has the appropriate resources to perform at the state and national levels.

2. Assure the educational, vocational and operational needs of staff and students.

Intervention: Seek and secure funding to ensure the district has modern technology in place.

SAFE ENVIRONMENT

Intervention: Provide a safe, adequate facility inclusive of all grounds and buildings and programs within the district.

Intervention: Create a positive school and district climate for students, staff, parents and community members.

Intervention: Provide each student with an equal opportunity to learn.

Intervention: Implement appropriate discipline policies and safety programs that provide for the welfare of all while on district property.

Intervention: Collaborate with other Fremont County state and federal agencies to implement a crisis management plan that adequately provides for district needs as well as others in need of our resources.

1. Provide CPR and first aid training for all staff, students, and community members where it is deemed appropriate.

CULTURAL VALUES

HEALTH

Intervention: Increase student instructional time for physical education and health.

1. Promote and increase healthy lifestyles and fitness levels.

2. Offer diabetes prevention education.

Intervention: Recognize the symptoms of intergenerational poverty and address related health issues.