Courtesy of San Benito High School:
The Strategic Plan at San Benito High School was developed to create a focus on academics and student learning.
“We’re involving stakeholders at every possible level,” said Strategic Plan Coordinator Derek Barnes. “From the creation to the evaluation to the discussion process, we’ve had parents, students, community members and people in education involved in helping make this plan focus on the needs and goals of the students.”
The next steps in the strategic planning process include working on the marketing structure, evaluation of current action plans and implementation of remaining action plans for Year 2.
“The first few weeks of January are going to be critical as we create version 2.0 of the Strategic Plan,” Barnes said. “This plan will be more streamlined, condensed, and geared toward meeting the needs of the district’s Whole System Engagement and Indicators of Success.”
Academic Task Force Gathers Stakeholder Feedback
The Academic Task Force and Strategic Plan Retreat Team at SBHS were established in 2017 to support the goal of creating and maintaining a trusting, collaborative, and communicative relationship that includes all stakeholders, in order to establish a safe, respectful, and responsible school community based on the culture of Baler S.T.R.O.N.G. (Scholarship, Teamwork, Reflection, Opportunity, Nurture and Growth).
The district placed a focus on building engaging and positive interactions among students, staff, parents, and the community, ensuring that all stakeholders are connected to improve community outreach, support, and attendance.
For the past two school years, the task force has met approximately every six weeks to evaluate and reflect on the Strategic Plan.
Jennifer Miller, an instructional coach at the Hollister Dual Language Academy and a parent of current and future SBHS students, said the initial purpose of the task force was to “articulate and gather critical feedback” on the Strategic Plan from feeder/associate school leaders, parents and students. In addition, the task force was invited to create their own action plans.
“However, the unexpected outcome has been far more powerful,” Miller said. “As the high school candidly shares their progress with the Strategic Plan, associate schools openly share their programs. The varied perspectives of the participants from associate districts bring dimension to the meetings as we focus on the unique needs of all learners. As a result of these meetings, we have already made several subtle changes to our program at HDLA (Hollister Dual Language Academy). Next year we are looking at larger adjustments as we align our program.”
Miller said she always leaves Academic Task Force meetings “filled with pride and confidence. The meetings give you a sense that we are not separate entities, but a united alliance with a laser-sharp focus on providing the very best education for all students of San Benito County.”
The next Academic Task Force meeting will take place Thursday, Jan. 10 3:30-5:30 p.m. in the San Benito High School District Meeting Room. There will be a Retreat Team Meeting on Saturday, Jan. 12 at 8 a.m. in the school library. All are welcomed to attend. RSVP to Carol Heiderich at [email protected] or call her at 637-5831, ext. 132.
