WSPS looking to add members to District Improvement Plan Team

Dec. 26, 2018 | Jordan Houston
jordan@thereminder.com

Superintendent Michael J. Richard noted during the Dec. 11 School Committee meeting that the District is looking to expand its District Improvement Plan team.
Screen grab of the Town of?West Springfield’s Facebook Live video of the meeting

WEST SPRINGFIELD – West Springfield Superintendent Michael J. Richard said the West Springfield Public Schools District is looking to add parents, guardians and students to a team that helps determine the district’s objectives and goals.

According to state law, school districts are required to create a District Improvement Plan every three years outlining their aspirations to improve the performance of the district and its schools.

The 2018-2021 WSPS District Improvement Plan was assembled in August of this year by its District Improvement Plan Team – which consists of members from area schools, Health Services and the superintendent. The plan hones in on addressing English learners, special education, social-emotional learning, modes of communication with families and alternative pathways to graduation.

Although the team has a lengthy list of committed participants and contributors, Richard said he wants to expand the team.

“When we assembled the team, the feedback we got was maybe it wasn’t as inclusive as we’d like it to be. By the time we got the feedback, we were well into the process [of establishing the DIP],” he commented. “So, we finished the work we had done, understanding that the District Improvement Plan would be fluid and would be revisited multiple times during the year to make adjustments as appropriate. One of the adjustments is to expand the inclusiveness of the team.

“If I could, the goal would be to add three active parents from different levels – elementary, middle and high school – that represent who we are as community. As far as students, go it’s a lot harder to engage a younger student. Perhaps one or two middle- or high school-aged students who have investment and experience in terms of what’s meaningful by their standards,” he continued.

The new positions would help the team analyze and measure the progression of the plan, determine where resources might be needed and add changes where they are necessary.

Although Richard noted during the Dec. 11 school committee meeting that he hopes to expand the team by mid-January, he told Reminder Publishing there isn’t a strict deadline.

“There’s no timeline on this because the plan, as it has been presented, is for three years. I’d like to make sure we revisit it twice a year,” he explained. “So, it was approved back in August. I’d like to get the team to meet in mid-January to make adjustments and bring it to the school committee for approval of any changes that we might add.”

The 2018-2021 District Improvement Plan seeks to accomplish the district’s mission, which is to “provide all students with the best possible education to enable them to experience the joy of reaching their full potential.”

Richard also commented that he wants to make sure the District stays updated on the evolving needs of the community.

“The most important thing for me, is we want to make sure we’re responsible to the constantly changing needs – not just in West Springfield, but more regionally and statewide,” he said.  

For more information on how to join the team, contact Richard directly at mrichard@wsps.org.

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