The Courier June 2015 | Volume 22, Issue 11
a division of Independent School District 15 Community Education | St. Francis, Minnesota Serving the communities of Athens Township, Andover, Bethel, East Bethel, Linwood Township, Nowthen, Oak Grove, St. Francis and Stanford Township
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Creating a new future for ISD 15 Troy Ferguson ISD 15 Acting Superintendent
May 11, 2015 marked an exciting day in the history of Independent School District 15 (ISD 15). On that day, our School Board approved the first fiveyear strategic plan in the history of our District. The District embarked on this journey to develop a framework for decision-making, provide clear articulation of our purpose and commit to seeking consensus for change. Our District secured the services of Transformation Systems, LLC (TSL) to help guide us through the process. With the guidance of Susan Hintz and BJ Anderson of TSL, fifty-seven stakeholders of varying backgrounds from our community committed thousands of hours to help develop the plan that will guide our District over the next five years. Our plan includes a mission statement, eight core values, two mission outcomes, three strategies and three strategic delimiters. The new mission statement reads, “Our mission is to equip all students with the knowledge and skills to empower them to achieve their dreams and full potential while becoming responsible citizens in a dynamic world.” From this point forward, every decision we make and every action we take needs to support the mission of ISD 15. We are committed to working with all of our stakeholders to make that happen. Core values are belief statements, commitments we are making to each other as we interact, plan, make decisions and take action. In ISD 15, we believe that trust and respect are fundamental for thriving relationships; we believe our community flourishes when individuals, families and organizations collaborate; we believe every person matters and has value; we believe responsibility and accountability are essential for personal growth, organizational improvement
and community engagement; we believe commitment to high expectations is essential to help achieve full individual and collective potential; we believe everyone benefits when culture and diversity are understood and respected; we believe lifelong learning enriches individuals and creates opportunities; we believe open exchanges of ideas and communicated planning are integral for continuous improvement. The measurement and design team reflected on the characteristics of effective implementation and measurement. The two mission outcomes are measurable, systemwide end results which will hold ISD 15 accountable to achieving the mission. The outcomes read, “By 2020, all students will develop a personalized educational path they can articulate and use to progress toward their evolving dreams and by 2020, all students will identify and choose positive ways they can take ownership in their community while recognizing its diversity.” Strategies describe the means ISD 15 will employ in order to achieve the mission and mission outcomes. The strategies for the next five years read, “We will ensure that every employee understands, supports and promotes our core values and mission; we will build trust and facilitate engagement with all ISD 15 stakeholders; we will align and support all education programs and services to achieve our mission and mission outcomes.” Action planning teams focused on one strategy each and created several results statements that are essential to achieve the strategy. In addition, the measurement and design team developed five additional results statements for a total of sixteen. By achieving these results, the District will be fulfilling each of the strategies and developing measurements to determine the progress in achieving the mission.
Achieving a mission requires focus and commitment over time. Strategic delimiters are self-imposed
On May 1, our second grade class from Cedar Creek Community School went on a field trip to Green Valley Greenhouse in Ramsey. We went on a tour and planted some plants. We got to smell the plants and touch them. We had a picnic outside too. Our favorite part was looking at the flowers, and we got to keep the flowers that we planted. We want to thank the Parent Teacher Organization for paying for our great field trip! Written By CCCS 2nd Graders Eve Sikora and Abbigale Paulson, Submitted Photo
In your community, close to your home!
Watch for us in the St. Francis Pioneer , Days Parade, Saturday . m p. 00 June 6, 1:
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St. Francis
Physical Therapy 763-753-8804
Andover
Physical Therapy 763-433-8108
Ham Lake
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Isanti
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limitations that detail those practices that the District will not engage in. The Continued Page 2
North Branch
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Zimmerman
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What’s Inside Schools in Action.................................................. 2 School Board Highlights.................................. 9 Community Education....................................11 Community & Business...................................14 St. Francis Pioneer Days..................................19 Sports & Outdoors.............................................28 Meetings, Events & Benefits.........................30 Life...............................................................................31