Bellingham Public Schools

Work Priorities

Create rubrics for administrators/coaches to use in observing/assessing effective teaching strategies.
Expand instructional coaching at each high school.
Connect instructional coaching with increased rigor and relevance in classes.
Focus staff development support on math, science, and writing.
Develop a five-year plan for curriculum revisions and staff development.
Identify and implement classroom-based assessments for grades 6–10.
Develop a standards-based reporting system for middle schools.
Pilot and adopt a “college awareness” curriculum for middle school grades.

Create and use common expectations for middle school teaching teams.
Review successful small school models and revise/reinvent Options High School.
Provide guidelines and process for developing small learning groups at each high school.
Create more effective structures for using the Student Success Plans in middle and high school.
Assess and report effectiveness of “additional support” interventions at middle and high schools.
Implement fully the Culminating Project requirement for the Class of 2006.
Assess the curriculum alignment of K–12 fine arts and address balance and equity of elective offerings in middle schools.
Create District awareness and review of student data on being “college ready.”
Work on accountability and intervention agreements with BEA and BAO.

Organize data and presentations on the District Strategic Plan and on rationale for all students being prepared for college, career, and citizenship.
Identify and engage a group of “key communicators” from the community and from staff.
Explore with schools, departments and community partners new ways to connect with hard-to-reach families and implement alternatives.
Provide guidelines and resources for school-based curriculum nights, family engagement and school-to-home communications.
Redesign District and school web site pages with common messages to families and community members.
Organize and conduct a Citizens Advisory Committee and a capital facilities bond election.
Work with external partners to implement joint programs, e.g. Gates Foundation, WWU, Tech-Prep Consortium, etc.

Complete construction project at Alderwood Elementary School.
Continue to work with the Alliance for Adequate Funding for Special Education on state lawsuit.
Maintain budget and fiscal restraints and share issues with staff and community.
Continue to build problem-solving relationships focused on student learning with staff and parent stakeholder groups.