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Strategic Plan: Year Two: Reflection The reflective, self-evaluative, and generative processes, and success metrics of the School’s Multi-Year Strategic Plan provide guidance for the School’s trustees and leaders to assess the School’s performance and “value added” experience for existing and prospective parents and consumers. The “value added” is measured through quantitative and qualitative data (skills assessments, benchmarking, testing, matriculation, development and longitudinal alumni surveys,--all included within the Strategic Plan, which although initially curated for three years, is undergoing a constant re-evaluation, with provision for succession planning and “ever greening”). Year Two saw the expansion of existing initiatives, the introduction of new endeavors, and the reevaluation of goals and objectives. The Plan in Evolution: a Strategic Plan is an evolving document, and as such the members of the Strategic Plan Committee devoted time to researching, revising, and updating the plan for Year Two, the collective vision to deliver the best independent school education in Rhode Island, where high academic standards and the ability to respond to students’ individual interests and intellectual passions combine to create a rich learning experience. Year Two focused on the continuation of major goals and flagship initiatives set in Year One, as well as a major new goal, proposed by new Head of School, Peter Branch, and four new key initiatives, each of which remain vital to the school’s evolution as a progressive educational institution, integral to the promise and commitment made by all constituencies in the community, and crucial in the collective, collaborative endeavors to increase enrollment while expanding and enhancing the learning community. Small School, Big Opportunities: the new tagline, two seeming opposites in juxtaposition, speaks loudly and clearly to the distinctive character that is Rocky Hill School—small, nurturing, and embracing—yet, bold, innovative, and resolute. The School’s offerings have been enhanced by new leadership, an expanded maritime and waterfront program (Outdoors is Better), a school-wide diversity initiative, greatly enriched visual and performing arts programs, and an increased focus on athletic programming. Educational Excellence and Passion Based Learning: Year Two continued the work begun in Year One, with an increased focus on academic excellence in all areas of the curriculum. To that end, educational and informational sources were reviewed, evaluated, and refined to update the School’s Educational Principles and Practices, along with the Course of Study--with the express purpose of allowing all members of the community, past, present, and future, an in-depth look at the School’s core philosophies, practices, and programs that set Rocky Hill apart from other independent schools in the state: stewardship of the environment and waterfront, community service, continued inclusion of the Responsive Classroom, Developmental Designs, the 1-1 iPad program, robotics, independent studies, the Senior Seminar, and the Senior Project/Internship. The Curriculum Content: Standards and Benchmarks, published in Year One, provided the standards in all academic content areas, and highlighted the integration of 21st century skills that are developmentally and subject appropriate. The 2014 College Counseling Report revealed a greater breadth in college acceptance, which reflects a positive outcome of one of the major goals of the Strategic Plan. College counseling at RHS has provided and ensured a good experience for all students, especially the seniors, and the contact with colleges exceeded all previous years. In Year Two, the plan introduced Polaris, a name chosen to represent the new flexible academic groupings and program offerings in the Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools. The name, Polaris, complements the school's Mariner theme and speaks to an increased focus on the waterfront and the environment. Through increased opportunities for advancement, interdivisional linking, mixed literacy classes, math, robotics, as well as differentiation and remediation, and independent learning experiences as part of passion-based learning, the students honed their skills and talents. New flagship initiatives in Year Two also saw the expansion of maritime, waterfront, and environmental programs. A new 3-year plan for the Visual and Performing Arts included the AP programming begun in Year One, and a partnership with the Trinity Repertory Company (Providence), providing for three collaborative projects in all three divisions. Technology throughout the Curriculum and Community: Rocky Hill School boasts a fully infused technology program, placing the institution at the forefront of mid-21st century education. Led by the Director of Technology, Tom Adams, the school purchased new hardware, created model classrooms throughout the Lower School, updated the current network infrastructure, and integrated curriculum in all disciplines. The Professional Learning Community, created in Year One was expanded with an increased focus on peer mentoring and individual initiative. Professional Development, both in-house and out, equipped Lower and Middle School faculty to continue building the 1-1 iPad program in the Middle School. A newly created Mariners Faculty Hub includes a section for the sharing of technologyinfused curricula in all divisions. Faculty share and display projects and assignments, provide guides, rubrics, and tips in using specific tools and applications, and learn from each other’s ideas and expertise. Students contribute to blog posts, produce podcasts, and make documentaries in the Upper School, create dynamic multimedia presentations in Middle School, and use iPad apps and cameras to augment reality in the Lower School. Partnerships: educational excellence was achieved through various means, yet one of the major goals of the Strategic Plan: the ongoing acquisition, development, and expansion of Partnerships served to greatly enhance the student experience, raise awareness of Rocky Hill School (within the local community), and increase the institution’s presence and participation in the state. Year Two saw increased cross-divisional and interdisciplinary opportunities for students to advance beyond their grades and division: examples included the math and language arts programs in the Lower School, advanced math in the Middle School, and the aligned math, and classical and world languages between the Middle and Upper Schools. Partnerships between faculty and staff strengthened ties between the divisions, provided support and mentorships for inspired Project-Based Learning in the Lower School (assimilated into the Lower School Curriculum with one-to-one mentorships between LS faculty), the technology program in the Middle School, and the independent and online-learning studies in the Upper School. Partnerships in Professional Development continued to include the Middle School faculty workshops with Developmental Designs, as well as collaboration with and training from EdTechTeacher. Teachers in all divisions benefitted from technology development, which drives and supports the school’s pedagogical philosophy and best practices. In the Upper School mentors who served as facilitators of independent courses, worked in conjunction with online providers. 19% of the 2013-2014 Upper School student population was engaged in some form of independent study. Also, partnerships with various individuals, institutions, organizations, and businesses served to provide sponsors for the Senior Project/Internship program. (Some of these included community partnerships between parents, alums, and friends of the School). Long-standing partners (in the state of Rhode Island) included Save The Bay, DEM, North Kingstown Animal Hospital, Hasbro, RDW (Marketing, Advertising and PRO), RISD, Rhode Island Magazine, the Pawsox, Vibco, Waterfire, the Warwick Beacon, and East Greenwich Patch, to name a few. Yet another valuable partnership was that with the parents within the Rocky Hill family: an outreach and educational program, Behind the Scenes presented curriculum and program informational sessions. Presentations included the Science Curriculum (progression from Preschool through Grade 12); understanding Harkness—in theory and practice; introduction to the Visual Arts program; the English curriculum continuum (with an emphasis on writing); technology innovation and development; the Garden Classroom; and the role and evolution of the School’s Strategic Plan. The theme for Year Two, “Building and Connecting our Community,” explored through workshops, a focus on Diversity, Counseling and Wellness, and Academic and Community Partnerships; and the technology integration process in education at RHS. Goal 3 of the Strategic Plan focused on the infused technology program specifically: presentations and classroom visits showcased and demonstrated how the curriculum is delivered using technology and how the two (technology and curriculum) ultimately become enmeshed in appropriate ways. To promote and preserve Rocky Hill School’s natural asset, the waterfront, Green River, and Narragansett Bay, faculty and students collaborated with Save the Bay, the USDA Natural Resources, and URI. A URI associate professor and her Restoration Ecology class worked on the Rocky Hill campus, as they evaluated the restoration potential at Potowomut marsh by considering the plan developed by Save the Bay to dig out the old channel in the marsh and other potential restoration approaches. Year Two also saw the establishment of a wonderful partnership with the Trinity Repertory Company, expanding and enriching the experience of the students in the theatre program at Rocky Hill School. Year Two of the plan welcomed Rocky Hill School’s Diversity initiative spearheaded by the newly appointed Director of Diversity, with the first year’s theme, “Eyes and Arms Wide Open”: centered around an active mindfulness of what makes people different, and how members of the community can grow closer to one another by seeking insights into the experiences of others, and by embracing the challenges that they face together. During fall, the Upper School community was greatly enriched by the establishment of a Diversity Club, hearing from guest speakers like New York’s GLSEN Chapter Chair, sharing experiences and life-changing stories from several of their peers during bi-weekly Community Talks, and participating in parent diversity forums. Beyond the campus and the peninsular, students, alums, parents, and faculty partnered with local colleges and schools, creating opportunities for student exchange in the classroom and on the sports field; for example, Rocky Hill School partners with Juanita Sanchez, in Providence, and fields a collaborative softball team. In response to the Plan’s call to place a greater focus on international outreach and global exchange, the School began exploring a partnership with a new school in China, which may provide extended opportunities for students, families, and faculty. Enhanced Revenue and Facility Upgrades: Year Two of the Strategic Plan also saw the creation of a new Enhanced Revenue Committee to focus on objectives identified to meet the goal to develop alternative revenue streams for the school. New endeavors included sharing the Rocky Hill campus with neighbors and organizations in the immediate local community, expanding and enhancing the existing after school, Rocky Hill Enrichment Academy (RHEA) and summer, Summer Enrichment Academy (SEA) programs, to further exploit the School’s greatest asset, the waterfront. Following the spirit of the Strategic Plan, the School identified as its priorities, sustainability, security, and stewardship. As we reflect on Year Two of the Plan, we have much to celebrate, yet united in our commitment and dedication to our students, families, and the members of our entire community, we know that Year Three will challenge us to reach the goals we have set for Rocky Hill School, tomorrow and beyond. Ms. Belinda Snyman Director of Strategic Planning