Vision 2009: Fulfilling The Promise

1. Vision 2009: Fulfilling The Promise SAISD District Improvement Plan Board Presentation Function: School-Community Relations October 2005

2. Governmental Relations and External Affairs Special Events

3. Where have we been? • In the past, the District focused on developing a broad consensus around a vision for teaching and learning, and engaging parents and the community in initiating and sustaining reform efforts. • Our efforts encouraged involvement in our schools by asking parent and community members to actively seek opportunities to increase the academic performance of students.

4. Where are we now? • The District has an effective and systemic school-community relations plan that involves two-way communication between the school and its community to build morale, goodwill, cooperation, and support for the District in order to promote student academic achievement. • The School-Community Relations function encompasses District partnerships with outside organizations, relationships with local, state and national governmental entities and elected officials, the development and decision-making processes, participation in community activities and District-wide special events.

5. Where do we want to be? We want to continue efforts to effectively engage the public and employees in meaningful ways through: • collaboration with parents, community, and business members; • a comprehensive decision-making process for effective governance; and • a comprehensive support and recognition system for all audiences.

6. Internal & External Decision Making Process School-Community Partnerships Three Major Areas Internal & External Public Relations Special Events

7. School-Community Partnerships • Where we want to be? • Strategy 1: Public Engagement • Continue to engage various businesses, educational institutions, community and governmental entities in meaningful relationships. • Strategy 2: Resource Development • Develop a strategic plan to establish and maintain the SAISD Partnership Council to secure private resources from area businesses, alumni, community at-large, and foundations. • Strategy 3: Parent Development • Assist schools in building collective relationships with parents to improve student performance.

8. School-Community Partnerships • How are we going to get there? 1 • Expand the number of volunteers and mentors through a variety of recruiting efforts including volunteer fairs, media campaign, direct mail, one-on-one business meetings, Texas Scholars, and Career days • Initiate the “Welcome Baby” Project aimed at welcoming newborn children into the District • Maintain a telephone Helpline as a one-stop, 24-hour avenue for soliciting information and expressing concerns

9. School-Community Partnerships • How are we going to get there? 2 • Cultivate relationships with neighborhood and religious leaders, coalitions, senior citizens and key communicators • Develop the purpose, membership and activities of the SAISD Partnership Council • Design informational materials for effective communication.

10. School-Community Partnerships • How are we going to get there? 3 • Provide on-going professional development for campus designated representatives • Ensure that every campus has an established and actively engaged parent organization • Conduct annual Parent Summits engaging parents in professional learning sessions on leadership, academics, social issues and parent involvement • Facilitate communication between the District and the SAISD Council of PTAs and support events/activities. • Coordinate special parent events

11. Internal and External Decision-Making (Governance) • Where we want to be? • Strategy 1: Site-Based Decision Making (Integrated Communications Network) • Engage employees, parents and District community members in a systemic approach for planning and decision-making resulting in an increased understanding of and the support for the District’s mission, goals, and objectives. • Strategy 2: Governmental Relations • Effectively communicate District viewpoints with decision-makers who can provide additional support and assistance to our District • Strategy 3: Policies and Procedures • Support the SAISD Board of Education and Administration in its efforts to audit policies and procedures to ensure alignment with District goals

12. Internal and External Decision-Making Process (Governance) • How are we going to get there? • Convene and facilitate monthly Communications Summit with all representatives of the Area Leadership Teams. • Facilitate the District Leadership Team monthly meetings. • Produce monthly publications, NewsFlash and Communicator and ParentNews. • Provide training to SAISD PTA Council, principals, and CLT members to address effective site-based decision-making process practices. • Participate in local, state, and federal level meetings with other educators and elected officials to develop educational policy

13. Internal and External Decision-Making Process (Governance) • Maintain a statewide communications network with elected officials, governmental entities and educational entities to advocate issues concerning SAISD • Monitor proposed legislation and provide impact statements on the expected outcomes • Develop an audit system for annual review of District policies and procedures

14. Internal and External Decision-Making Process (Governance) • Develop an effective system to archive District policies and procedures • Modify or create policies and procedures • Provide training and informational modules on policies and procedures to District leaders • Develop communication tools: Parent-Student Handbook, Custody and Consent Information, Know the Code discipline information

15. Internal and External Public Relations • Where we want to be? • Strategy 1: Special Event and Recognitions • Develop a comprehensive plan to showcase District programs, schools, personnel and community members • How are we going to get there? • Plan, coordinate, and implement special events and employee recognition programs • Develop a system for the effective implementation of a customer service program • Encourage the PTA, neighborhood organizations, civic groups, area chambers of commerce and governmental entities to showcase our students and staff • Create a reward system to recognize cooperating businesses and individuals for their contribution to the District

16. Intended Outcomes • Increased student academic performance • Increased level of confidence in the district by employees, parents and community members • Increased resources to the SAISD.