Verona Public Schools outline strategic goals for improved student engagement and wellness

During the Verona Board of Education meeting held on February 8, 2022, key discussions centered around the district's strategic plan and its goals for the current school year. The meeting highlighted the Verona Public Schools' commitment to fostering an engaging and supportive educational environment for all students.

The district's mission emphasizes inspiring students to become creative, critical thinkers and compassionate global citizens. This mission is underpinned by core values such as integrity, accountability, respect, teamwork, creativity, resilience, passion, and wellness. Six strategic areas were identified to guide the district's operations: securing financial resources, promoting a healthy school culture, expanding local and global partnerships, enhancing curriculum engagement, providing professional development, and upgrading technology and facilities.

Three primary goals were established for the school year. The first goal focuses on delivering rigorous educational experiences through curriculum review, professional development, and resource allocation. The second goal aims to enhance a respectful school culture that fosters belonging among students. The third goal emphasizes responsible stewardship of district resources through ongoing analysis and strategy implementation.

The meeting also provided updates on various initiatives supporting these goals. Notably, the Pica Pack curriculum has been integrated into elementary schools, emphasizing social-emotional learning. Professional development efforts are underway in multiple subjects, including social studies, language arts, and mathematics, with a focus on differentiated instruction and student-centered approaches.

Additionally, the district is implementing assessment programs such as NWEA Map Growth and Edmentum Exact Path to monitor student progress and address learning gaps. These assessments will be administered throughout the year, providing valuable data to inform instructional strategies.

In conclusion, the Verona Board of Education's meeting underscored the district's proactive approach to enhancing educational quality and student well-being. As the school year progresses, the implementation of these goals and initiatives will be closely monitored to ensure they effectively meet the needs of the Verona community.