Brooklyn 2030 Strategic Plan

Phase One – Portrait of a Hurricane – 2020 to 21 SY

Beginning in December of 2020, the Brooklyn City Schools launched a strategic planning and development initiative dedicated to creating a “Portrait of a Graduate” document that summarizes the key skills and characteristics (competencies) all students will possess when they graduate from the Brooklyn City Schools. Participants included Superintendent & CEO Dr. Theodore Caleris, Board Member Rob Slattery, district and building administrators, teachers and staff, and parents. The first step involved a group discussion to identify core competencies the district should integrate at all levels. This was then followed by the formation of various subgroups to discuss each specific skill. Once finalized, the list of competencies was visually organized into a Portrait of a Graduate document and approved by the Brooklyn Board of Education in May of 2021. The Portrait of a Graduate is posted throughout the entire district campus and serves as a daily reminder to students, teachers, and staff of the competencies to be emphasized within instruction and ultimately, in every graduate of the Brooklyn City Schools.

Core Competencies

1.     Cultural Acceptance and Citizenship

2.     Care and Self Awareness

3.     Connection to Community

4.     Communication

5.     Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

6.     Creativity and Innovation

 

 

Phase Two – VISION 2030 – 2021 to 22 SY

In the fall of 2021, the Brooklyn City Schools launched an important second phase of the strategic planning process led by a committee composed of members representing all district stakeholders, including administrators, teachers, classified staff, representation from the Board of Education, parents, and community members. Over the course of five monthly meetings, the Strategic Planning Committee collaborated to create an action-oriented plan, VISION 2030, that addresses pertinent learning challenges and creates a pathway to ensure student achievement and growth over the remainder of the decade.

VISION

Brooklyn City Schools will be the model of educational excellence and community connectivity through practical, diverse, and innovative approaches to learning.

MISSION STATEMENT

To educate, inspire and foster pride, unity, and respect.

CORE BELIEFS

·       Respect – The Brooklyn City Schools will encourage a school environment where everyone’s respective talents, skills and capabilities are affirmed and mutually accepted.

·       Character – The Brooklyn City Schools will promote among its student body and staff an attitude of doing the right thing at the right time in how we behave, think, speak and interact with one another.

·       Excellence – The Brooklyn City Schools will rigorously pursue the highest standards of quality in academic, co-curricular, social and emotional, and interpersonal endeavors, striving to be the very best we can.

·       Integrity – The Brooklyn City Schools will demonstrate trust with the community and display a consistent and uncompromising adherence to strong moral and ethical principles and values.

·       Diversity – The Brooklyn City Schools values diversity, equity and inclusion and will be accepting of all, regardless of race, gender, orientation, ethnicity or background.

·       Accountability – The Brooklyn City Schools will promote personal responsibility and fulfilling one another’s obligations with the highest standards of quality and excellence.

 

 

FIVE PILLARS

The five specific goals and related action steps will be the primary areas of focus for the Brooklyn City Schools through the year 2030.

Academic Achievement and Growth – The Brooklyn City Schools will improve student academic achievement and growth over the next five years through the delivery of data-driven instruction and maintaining an open line of communication with students, parents, and staff.

• Action Step #1- Identify and  analyze student diagnostic, achievement and growth assessment data (in all content areas) and effectively communicate the assessment results of this analysis with students, staff and parents.
  
   

• Action Step #2- Continue to align and implement course standards through curriculum mapping and vertical alignment in all content areas.
   

• Action Step #3- Develop, implement and monitor a structured enrichment/intervention program for students in grades K-12.
   

• Action Step #4 - Development of Multi-Tiered Support Systems (MTSS) Process for PK-12 to support Literacy in reading, writing and math foundations.
   

• Action Step #5 - Develop and implement district-wide Instructional Rounds to provide formative and summative feedback to the district’s teaching staff.
   

Social and Emotional Wellness – The Brooklyn City Schools will effectively promote awareness regarding mental health and wellness through proactive instructional and clinical programming.

• Action Step #1- Reduce the number of student mental health referrals through proactive programming and outreach.
  
   
• Action Step #2- Communicate student and parental programming that supports the inclusivity of all students and families.
  
   
• Action Step #3 - Development of a Multi-Tiered Support Systems Process (MTSS) for PK-12 to support and improve student attendance and student wellness.
  
   

• Action Step #4 - Development of Multi-Tiered Support Systems (MTSS) Process for PK-12 to develop a structured and consistent PBIS program, including the development and communication of Tier II and Tier III behavioral intervention practices to staff for all students.
   

• Action Step #5 - Revisit the Comprehensive School Counseling Program for grades K-12 to align with the Brooklyn City Schools Strategic Plan.
   

Community Engagement and Communication – The Brooklyn City Schools will increase two-way communication and develop school and community-based activities so that stakeholders, including the community-at-large, can engage and collaborate throughout the school year.

• Action Step #1- Continue to develop a calendar of activities that will be developed and promoted to connect with community members, parents, students and staff.
  
   
• Action Step #2- Continue to aid Parent School Organizations with parent and family membership recruitment for the 2023-2024 school year.
  
   

• Action Step #3 - Develop an alumni network to engage students in the development of post-secondary career decisions.
  
   

• Action Step #4 - Develop a bi-weekly newsletter to engage parents, families and the school community in key building and district-level events.
  
   

• Action Step #5 - Principals will develop a parent advisory committee to assist in the development and feedback of building and district-level initiatives.
   

Career and College Readiness – The Brooklyn City Schools will develop college and career readiness skills focused on preparing all students for post-secondary success through purposeful instructional programming.

• Action Step #1 - Continue to provide career opportunities for our students through our various relationships with our educational, alumni and community partners.
  
   
• Action Step #2 - Create a comprehensive individualized “Success Plan” for all students entering grades 6-8, and students in grades 9-12 that have been identified as at-risk for not graduating.
  
   
• Action Step #3 - Develop College and Career Pathway curricular programming for students in grades 6-12 by increasing exposure to college, career and workforce development opportunities.
  
   

• Action Step #4 - Development of a Community Open House and survey to engage stakeholders in the strategic plan.
   

Finance and District Operations – The Brooklyn City Schools will continue to enhance school district infrastructure and operations through an ongoing evaluation of district finances, and also engage the community (internal and external stakeholders) to increase awareness of district finances.

• Action Step #1- Continue to evaluate and report on the district’s finances in order to provide transparency for all stakeholders, including the Brooklyn community-at-large.
  
   

• Action Step #2- Continue to evaluate and improve the district’s operations, facilities and infrastructure in order to provide a safe and state-of-the art facility for all stakeholders.
  
   

• Action Step #3 - Seek input from the school community on the improvement of district operations, infrastructure and facilities.  
  
   

• Action Step #4 - Develop a Master Facility Plan to improve infrastructure and student facilities.
  
   

• Action Step #5 - Continue to communicate and assist all stakeholders in the understanding of the district’s 5-year Forecast.