So I guess I should have checked the Jewish calendar when I decided last week to share that we had launched our “Community of Kindness” initiative by bringing the “7 Habits” to OJCS, beginning with Habit 1: Be Proactive. Because today is Rosh Chodesh Kislev! Which means that at our Rosh Chodesh Assembly, members of our Knesset along with some of the teachers on the “7 Habits Prototype Team” introduced Habit 2: Begin With the End in Mind. The good news is that it really will now be a full month before I blog out the next habit.
“Begin With the End in Mind” is all about having a plan, having goals. It is actually a great month for this habit as we look forward to introducing new report card templates and a slightly new format for parent-teacher conferences. (I will be blogging much more about that soon!) As individual goal-setting is a key strategy for helping us reach the North Star of “a floor, but not a ceiling,” we look forward to meaningful conversations with parents about academic and behavioral growth. As we believe that not only should our students aim towards the North Star of “owning their learning,” but so should we all, our teachers too have their goals, some of which they will be sharing with their students so they understand that these habits are not just for them, but for us all. Since it is my goal to use my blog to share and model the habits as well, I thought it only fair that I use this opportunity to share some of my goals for the year.
Typically, I wait until the spring to share a self-evaluation that includes what my goals were for the year that is finishing. And I will again in the spring cycle through my annual “Transparency Files” posts, be sharing out parent and faculty survey data, my self-evaluation, etc., but since I, too, need to “begin with the end in mind,” let me share just a few of the goals I have set for myself this year along with my Head Support & Evaluation Committee.
Jon’s Goals for 2018-2019
Establish steady and measurable growth of the student population:
- Establish and drive a recruitment plan to promote the school and attract new students
- Design and execute a retention strategy and plan.
- Strengthen pipeline with Ganon & Early Beginnings.
- Deepen relationships with synagogues.
OJCS is a school of excellence:
- Translating our “North Stars” (“The OJCS Way”) into a strategy document.
- Connecting the dots between our work with NoTosh and our work with Silvia Tolisano.
- Clarify what role the CAT-4 plays in evaluating academic “excellence”.
- Prototyping “Teacher-Led Evaluation”.
- Create a technology plan for teachers, students and school.
- Develop a comprehensive PD plan.
- (Constantly) improve faculty morale.
OJCS is financially sustainable – now and into the future:
- Staff the Strategic Fundraising Steering Committee and steward its plans for Annual, Capital and Endowed Giving.
- Improve Grandparents Day & Walkathon.
OJCS inspires Jewish journeys in its students, families and community:
- Leverage personal relationships with holiday and Shabbat experiences.
- Expand holiday family experiences.
- Thought-leadership
Hopefully, by better using the 7 Habits this year, when it does become time for me to share my evaluation I’ll be able to say that because I “began with the end in mind” that I reached my goals and then some!
How about you? What are your big goals this year? Let us know!
