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District combines forces with community to create strategic plan

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Looking toward the future, students, parents, community members, city officials, school board members and Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District administrators are working together for the benefit of all students.

These collaborative efforts are part of the district’s goal to establish a strategic plan to set the course for schools for the next three to five years. To accomplish this goal, district officials are working with individuals that represent all aspects of the community by facilitating discussions through events and forums.

Recently, the district hosted is Strategic Planning Community Summit at the Dr. Abraham P. Cano Freshman Academy. The event saw individuals from around the community come together to share thoughts on their hopes for the future of students at HCISD and the role of teachers in the classroom.

“Our hopes are that when our students graduate from Harlingen, they are able to compete not only locally but globally,” said Sandra Rodriguez,” Career Counselor at Coakley Middle School. “ We also want them to have 21st century skills. Whether it’s communicating, being critical thinkers, or having the skills that allow them to adapt to any situation.”

To give students an opportunity to make an impact, the district’s Student Advisory Board were able to provide input during their first meeting of the year.

“Students have so many ideas on how to try to advance education,” said Seton Uhlhorn, SAB President and senior at Harlingen High School. “I definitely think that getting the input of different students can pave the way for a better future.”

The SAB represents the elected leadership at every secondary campus at HCISD. Students meet once a month to provide administrators with insight on the daily activities that take place on campus.

With the opportunity to have their thoughts potentially impact the future of students for the next couple years, students reflected on the importance of speaking for not only them but their classmates as well, said Uhlhorn.

The discussion forums are designed with a purpose. While providing their thoughts on potential areas of focus for HCISD schools, data will be collected.  That data will then be compared with district data and analyzed by the strategic planning committee who will determine which areas to act on. The action team will then develop a strategic plan for our district.

The process is expected to last until early 2014.

For those unable to attend the community forums, an online survey is available until October 15th at the district’s website. The survey will cover many of the subjects presented in the community summit and discussion forums. The community is encouraged to participate.

 

To participate in the survey click here.

One thought on “District combines forces with community to create strategic plan

  1. Great that students are included along with community. As a former teacher, I always brought in community business and government leaders such as Senator Lucio and writer Rudolfo Anaya to name a few. Even today I encounter former students who remember and tell me they still have their books we wrote on RgV history and other topics.

    We need to connect world of business with the classroom learning. Students need to experience the connection.

    Gail Thomason
    Public Relations and Community Outreach, Harlingen Family Dentistry

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