How would you describe your perfect elementary school? How would your elementary-aged self describe it? Would it be colorful and clean, with lots of books, an awesome playground, smiling faces, and kids high-fiving? Would you hear kind voices speaking many languages, kids helping each other, quiet hallways, and laughter coming from the cafeteria and playground? Would it feel safe and happy, like a hug?
These are just a few of the descriptors students at C. A. Farley Elementary School, a PreK-4 school of around 450 students located in Hudson, Massachusetts shared when they were asked by their principal, Rachel Scanlon, to think about their perfect school and describe “What it looks like, what it sounds like, and what it feels like.”
The exercise was part of Principal Scanlon and her team’s efforts to craft a vision and mission statement for the school. Farley is one of the district’s three elementary schools and houses the district’s Dual Language Program, where students receive core content instruction in both English and Portuguese. Focused Schools is partnering with Principal Scanlon and her team as she brings her community together around this powerful work.
Principal Scanlon launched the project by gathering input from stakeholders through surveys for staff, caregivers, and some of Farley’s fourth grade students. She ensured surveys were translated into multiple languages and enlisted interpreters to orally survey a number of caregivers with limited technology access. She also visited classrooms across all grade levels asking students to think about their perfect school. Focused Schools assisted by compiling and analyzing all of the data.
Principal Scanlon then assembled a Steering Committee, composed of school and district staff, caregivers, and community members to help spearhead the work. So far, the Steering Committee has met twice this spring to review the survey results, share insights, and brainstorm ideas for articulating Farley’s vision and mission statements. They have also made it a point to consider Farley’s student perspectives in their planning efforts. We supported the Steering Committee’s efforts by planning and facilitating these sessions.
Now, the work continues as our team will take the Steering Committee’s suggestions and create draft vision and mission statements that will be shared back to the committee and the community at large for feedback. Farley’s new vision and mission statements will launch with the new school year in the fall, helping to strengthen the school’s sense of community.
Is your school or district looking to design or refresh your promises to your students and community? Let’s collaborate to chart a course for your schools. Reach out to Focused Schools to learn more.
