Stamford Launches Five-Year Strategic Plan For School District

From Stamford Public Schools: Stamford Public Schools (SPS) marked the official launch of its 2017-2022 District Strategic Plan last week with a celebration to thank all who were involved in its development over the past year and half. Some 125 educators, community leaders, parents and students joined SPS Superintendent Earl Kim, Stamford Mayor David Martin and Board of Education (BOE) President David Mannis at the Academy of Information Technology & Engineering where each represented group expressed their hopes and dreams for the plan, as well as their commitment to its successful execution.

Superintendent Kim kicked off the event by thanking the attendees and acknowledging that although the district has already begun implementing it, the plan has been and will continue to evolve.

“First, I want to thank each of you in this room for your thoughtful input and unique perspective, which has allowed us to identify our strengths and the areas for improvement, so we could develop an effective plan,” said Kim. “Please know, the plan will continue to evolve. While some initiatives will be a great success others may not. We will adjust and shift as needed to meet the learning needs of every student.”

Following the Superintendent’s remarks, select members of the AITE Chamber Singers, led by AITE Choir Director Jessica Prince, sang “Stand Together,” by Jim Papoulis. The song lyrics appropriately paint the picture of the district’s inclusive strategic planning process: “Joining hands slowly takes us to a place we all can believe in. Side-by-side we could be growing hopes and dreams.

If we stand together, we can see the weather of the dreams growing in our hearts.”

Westhill High School Sophomore Alliyah Quinonez served as the student representative who shared her own personal challenges with school and how connecting with a few teachers who showed they truly cared about her ability to learn the material made the difference for her.

“That is an example of what I see as the new vision for Stamford Public Schools. This is what I hope to see in the future for all Stamford Public Schools: Teachers caring about, not just our knowledge, but also our mindsets, our health, our morals,” said Quinonez. “I want my classmates to not only be judged by how much they know, but by their intentions . . . It's not only a start for the future of our schools but a start for my future, for my peers’ future . . . I suddenly have a feeling that my future looks brighter.”

AITE and Scofield Parent Kim Kempton shared the story of a few years ago when her daughter’s seventh grade teacher recognized her daughter’s need beyond the classroom, and worked with the district to develop a personalized plan to enrich her academic experience.

“What excites me about this strategic plan is that it fosters systemic change. It creates a districtwide goal of personalized learning for every student, while establishing the systems and supports needed to make that goal a reality,” said Kempton. “It encourages our staff to go above and beyond, to take risks and to innovate.”

Also expressing their commitment to the plan were Mayor David Martin on behalf of the City of Stamford, Stamford Education Association President Diane Phanos on behalf of the SPS teachers, Stamford Administrative Unit Co-President David Tate for the SPS administrators, Assistant Superintendent—Elementary Tamu Lucero representing the SPS Central Office, and United Way of Western Connecticut CEO Kim Morgan on behalf of the community providers.

BOE President David Mannis wrapped up the event expressing gratitude to all those involved in the plan’s development, as well as his commitment to its execution on behalf of all BOE members.

“This large and enthusiastic gathering today, drawn from students, teachers and community leaders illustrates—and confirms—the importance of the ground-up process Superintendent Kim used to develop this strategic plan,” said Mannis.

In a show of unity and commitment, all 125 attendees signed a poster that features the district mission, vision and strategic goals and received a printed copy of the District Strategic Plan Overview. The full strategic plan is also available on the website.

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