Vision 

The Eden Valley-Watkins school district will serve as an educational model of excellence.

 

Mission 

The Eden Valley – Watkins School District will provide quality learning opportunities in a safe environment that enables students and staff to excel in a global society.

 

Core Values

The Eden Valley – Watkins School District is committed to:

E xcellence: challenge stakeholders to maximize potential

A cademics: enhance developmental opportunities for all

G oals: focus on desired results

L eadership: inspire and lead challenging innovations

E quity: provide a just, impartial, and fair learning environment

S tewardship: manage financial and community partnerships responsibly 

 

Priorities

• Academic Opportunities and Professional Development

• Safety, Security, and a Welcoming Environment

• Enhancing and Utilizing Technology

• Strong Fiscal Policies and Procedures

• Community Service and Partnerships

• Enhancement of Facilities, Structures, and Space

 

1.      Academic Opportunities and Professional Development

Framework of an Ideal School Includes:

• Challenging curriculum and customized learning that addresses various learning styles

• Appealing teacher/student ratio and class sizes

• Rigorous expectations and experiential learning opportunities

• Specialists in academics, fine-arts, technology, career and technical skills

• Utilize measurements to maximize student achievement

• Highly qualified and trained staff

• Professional Learning Communities (PLC)

• Preparation for diverse populations and needs

• Provides mental health and nursing services

 

Strategic Goal

Maximize students' academic achievement and the professional growth of each instructor

 

Implementation Plan

A.      Encourage each student and staff member to meet his or her highest potential by focusing on academic standards, individual learning needs, and a range of educational experiences

• Annually, monitor and assess individual growth

• 2020 - 2021 Review EVW Explore and Plan data to establish a baseline of college and career readiness benchmarks and identify strengths and weaknesses

• EVW instructors are encouraged to solicit open-ended student feedback for self-reflection and continuous improvement

B.      Align the curriculum and instruction in accordance with MDE Standards

• Curriculum document will be available online after completion of step 5 of the cycle

• Annually, modify and update curriculum maps

C.      Provide employees with relevant professional development opportunities

• Staff development committee will meet quarterly to monitor Professional Learning Community programs, teacher evaluations, and mentorships and solicit feedback

D.      Equip students and staff to become members of the “World’s Best Workforce” (WBW)

• Implement and adhere to the EVW’s Strategic Plan

•  Interpret MDE guidelines for WBW

• Create a committee comprised of administrators, educators and local business leaders to implement WBW strategies

 

 

2.  Safety, Security, and a Welcoming Environment

Framework of an Ideal School Includes:

• Safety and security is practiced and expected

• Respectful and motivated learners who are environmentally responsible

• Students, staff, and guests are at ease

•  Inviting and nurturing, welcoming and comfortable

• People are approachable and positive

• A caring atmosphere where students, staff, and community are valued

 

Strategic Goal

Optimize teaching and learning in a safe environment

 

Implementation Plan

A.      Establish and maintain a culture that promotes and celebrates the value of each student, staff member, and stakeholder of the EVW community

• Promote SOAR tickets, recognition ceremonies, celebrations, and Sunshine committee

• Explore the availability of lyceums and student assemblies to expose students and staff to positive character attributes

• Implement SOAR programming district-wide to promote a safe and welcoming learning environment

B.      Utilize security data and discipline reports to maintain emotionally and physically safe learning environments

• Review and utilize security and student data as needed in accordance with district policy and state statute

• Annually, review Minnesota Student Survey and utilize survey results

C.   Develop and document crisis management guides

• Annually, review and revise the district crisis manual

• Promote, practice, and enhance evacuation drills

• Continue adherence to local and state requirements for safety and security drills

E.       Support successful student transitions to junior high

• Annually, provide experiences and opportunities to model expected behaviors and foster relationships

• 2022-2023 Explore potential benefits of implementing a district-wide Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) program

 

3.      Enhancing and Utilizing Technology

Framework of an Ideal School Includes:

• Varied devices that are current and affordable

• Opportunities for students and staff to develop skills

• Efficient connections for mobile labs, iPads, TV monitors and announcements

• Keep district stakeholders and community informed of technology status

Strategic Goal

Encourage student and staff utilization of technologies in preparation for the “World’s Best Workforce” expectations

Implementation Plan

A.      Create an efficient and user friendly technological environment for parents/guardians, staff, and students to communicate, collaborate, and utilize resources

• Annually, solicit and analyze data collected from stakeholders, and then utilize feedback to maximize efficiencies and resource allocation

B.      Foster effective communication through the use of available technologies

• Provide students with developmental opportunities to enhance digital communication using a variety of media formats and evolving technologies

C.      Maximize the integration of technology in classroom instruction through staff development

• Annually, Media-Technology Curriculum Committee members will collaborate with district technology staff and staff development committee members

D.      Provide employees with relevant professional development opportunities

• Annually, leaders of technology will investigate initiatives aligned with the district’s technology plan and make recommendations for professional development 

 

4.      Strong Fiscal Policies, Procedures, and Priorities

Framework of an Ideal School Includes:

• Accountable and responsible spending

• Adequate funding for programs and supplies

• Comply with federal and state mandates

• Reduce costs while maintaining excellence

Strategic Goal

Ensure long-term fiscal responsibility that sustains academic quality and student growth

Implementation Plan

A.      Adhere to district policy #714 that provides guidance on district fund balances

• Annually update and review fund balance policy and projections, and prioritize spending with the school board and community stakeholders

B.      Evaluate program effectiveness based on return-on-investment and intended outcomes

• Utilize World's Best Workforce stakeholder feedback on programming and experiences

• Annually review cost comparisons and financial reports in community service, activity accounts, food service, and general fund

• Utilize monthly data reports to anticipate and prioritize revenue, review expenditure trends, and analyze projections

C.      Develop and utilize a district budgetary calendar to monitor deadlines and compliance

• Utilize monthly administrative meetings to dissect financial reports to determine efficiencies and deficiencies

• Annually meet with the district’s financial advisors to stay abreast of market trends, interest rates, and financial strategies to enhance school-community programming

D.     Prioritize district expenditures

• Manageable class size, competitive salaries and benefits, technology, and facilities have been identified as district priorities

 

5.      Community Service and Partnerships

Framework of an Ideal School Includes:

• Displays of student and community pride

• Opportunities and expectations to make individual connections

• Involved and Engaged parents, community members, and volunteers

• Community agencies provide support

• Recognizes alumni successes and support

• EVW serves as a role model school district for Central Minnesota and prepares students for a competitive job market and society

• Collaborate with area districts, charters, and home schools to provide opportunities

• Marketing plan and promotion of the district

Strategic Goal

Engage all stakeholders through effective communication and collaboration to enrich the learning experience

Implementation Plan

A.      Develop and support strategies that foster open communication that is relevant, targeted, and transparent to all stakeholders

• Issue weekly updates through newsletters, and utilizing staff and district websites

• Provide parent nights, open house, and back-to-school celebrations

• Market the district through collaboration with Chamber of Commerce/Citizens 4 Progress, local census, and area realtors

• Promote the district through social media, web pages, publications, brochures, and other marketing tools

B.      Regularly collect and report stakeholder input for continuous improvement

• Annually collect and disseminate relevant and targeted school data and satisfaction survey results

• Recognize the World's Best Workforce and Strategic Plan as working documents that are visible and referenced often

C.      Foster collaborative relationships to reinforce a sense of community and enhance student learning opportunities beyond the classroom

• Promote the Central MN Manufacturing Association, FFA, agriculture projects, targeted services, and work experience programs

• Provide opportunities for individual/group service projects

• Utilize community experts and civic organizations to expand job shadowing opportunities

• Provide a community resource directory

• Continue to provide the EVW Career Fair to students in grades 6-12 every third year

 

6.      Enhancement of Facilities, Structures, and Space

Framework of an Ideal School Includes:

• Buildings and facilities are clean, colorful, and climate controlled for comfort

• Facilities provide adequate lighting and quiet space is respected

• Improved facilities and opportunities for academics, activities, arts, and athletics

Strategic Goal

Provide students, staff, and all stakeholders with facilities that enhance the teaching and learning experience

Implementation Plan

A.      Develop a long-term, comprehensive facilities plan that guides and prioritizes building projects, safety, and spending

• Maintain a facilities committee that will collaborate and pool resources to establish facility goals, improvements, and priorities, and then report annual progress

B.      Continuously monitor, assess, and improve the physical environment and overall conditions of                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     facilities

• Conduct a biannual student/staff satisfaction survey and implement necessary changes

• Conditions to be reviewed at monthly Board, Administrative, and Cabinet meetings

• Routine walkthroughs of facilities to assess and prioritize facility needs and overall condition