Schools to implement strategic plan

By James Windell

South Haven Public Schools begin a new academic year this week – and they do so with great teachers, a supporting staff and the guidance of a new strategic plan.
It’s common for school districts in Michigan to adopt strategic plans because school boards use them to set annual goals and evaluate superintendents. And, in addition, strategic plans help coordinate bond projects, curriculum adoption and student‑support initiatives.
South Haven Public Schools (SHPS), like most districts in the region, has historically used strategic planning to guide academic priorities, facilities decisions, and community engagement. This time around, Superintendent Ana Aleman-Putman, as a newer part of the school community, has been keen on involving a diverse cross-section of the community to inform the guidance on where and how we need to invest in our schools. What came out of the year-long process was rich and directive. But the goal was clear.
According to Aleman-Putman, the community definition of student success for a SHPS student is that by 2030 every student in the district will thrive. That is, Aleman-Putman says, “Every student will be known, challenged, and supported and they will learn the durable life skills to succeed in whatever path they choose.”
The strategic plan developed by the School Board in the past year will be implemented in each school by principals and the staff.
“For me, that has to begin with each student being known,” explains Aleman-Putman, “which means that they are seen.”
Aleman-Putman goes on to say that there is one question that school leaders and staff should ask: How can we help students build skills they need for the path they choose if we don’t know the student?
“As humans we need to be seen – to know that we belong and matter and we have value,” Aleman-Putman adds. “That really is the heart. To me that means each student has at least one adult in the building that they trust and to whom they feel a connection. When that is happening, students want to be at school, and they are open to learn, to grow and to trust themselves and others – and move into the space where they can develop in a really full way.”
School Board President Shawn Olney says that the strategic plan is a roadmap from Pre-K all the way up to 12th grade.
“It gives the staff and the administration ways to carry out the mission,” Olney says. “We set the roadmap with input from a lot of people, including the community, staff and students. We asked a lot of questions about what we want this district to be. The priorities are mapped out, so everybody has a common goal, and that’s something we can all get behind.”
Kate Hybels, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent, notes she has been involved in strategic plans in other school districts.
“I do think the strategic plan developed here in South Haven is an exciting plan, and it really came from the hearts of the people in the community,” she says. “It was really a coming together of minds to determine what are we trying to do in classrooms and what we want our students to be?”
Tenth grade student Hayden Washegesic says he already feels known and supported by his teachers. “I feel known when my teachers take time to learn who their students are and how they work,” he says. “I mean actually getting to know us as people. I also feel supported when teachers can understand each of our learning styles and tap into how we’re learning best.”
Superintendent Aleman-Putman says it’s important to support the staff in this first year of carrying out the strategic plan for students.
“Our teachers and staff are the life of the plan and of the classrooms,” she says. “They are how our children are being seen and known and understood; so supporting them is essential. We need their voices in the process and we are creating a cross-district academic team to establish and clarify our goals and timeline around the strategic plan.
“Already on day one of teacher prep week, staff used some of their too-little and very valuable time to collaborate and answer key foundational questions to move us all forward. How great is that! I know that in order for our children to be seen, our teachers need to be seen as well. I’m here to listen to what they need along the way and keep us all moving forward towards the collaborative goal.”