After each school leadership team reflected on its school culture, community, and the key contributing factors to student growth, they used this information to select the Strategic Plan Indicators that would have the greatest positive impact for their students.  Each school was directed to select two to six indicators on which to focus during the 2018-19 school year.  Certainly, we all know that if we focus narrowly and deeply, we are more likely to realize positive results.  The indicators that this school’s leadership team selected are noted below.

Throughout the next 3 years, schools will focus on their chosen Strategic Plan Indicators as the drivers to increase student engagement and achievement within their schools.  They will choose strategies to help them grow or increase within each indicator and will monitor and evaluate the student and school changes that take place along the journey.  Below you will see what this school imagines their students and school to look like in 2021 after having focused and worked on their chosen indicators for three years.

As we continue to strive to grow the whole child, focusing on the academic needs as well as the social and emotional needs of all children, we will continue to build upon the foundation created at Bates Middle School.  “One Bates” incorporates all members of our school and community, and it is necessary to collaborate with all stakeholders to grow a well-balanced child.  Our daily Cougar Circles are scheduled to ensure students communicate with each other and build the necessary relationship to increase their connection to our school.  The voices and feedback of our students and parents, through quarterly surveys, guide decision making. In addition, the creation of our Student Climate Committee gives the students a chance to be a part of the collaboration process.  Specifically, the Student Climate Committee is a diverse group of students who work with the staff analyzing the feedback on the surveys and discussing ideas for improving culture.  Together we will continue to reflect, grow and inspire young minds. (Indicator 1)

Bates also strives to create a quality learning environment for all students.  Art Integration infuses art standards into each curriculum to create highly engaging lessons.  Student-to-student discourse and literacy strategies can be found in all classrooms which give students the necessary support to take part in their own learning.  Teachers participate in collaborative planning three times a week to create lessons that are engaging and challenge all students at their own levels.  Elevating the engagement within the classroom and having students take an active role in their learning prepares them for success on the Math and Language Arts MCAPs. (Indicator 6)