Every School District Should Have Goals Like These

A friend suggested I watch a Peter Senge video on Leading Teachers into the Future. In the video, Senge spoke of developing leaders that make transformative contributions to society and of working with the Tahoma school district in Washington State. Upon finishing the video, I popped over to the Tahoma School District’s Website to take a look. Under the Our District tab, I honed in on Tahoma CARES. I think we should all be focused on goals like this.

The School Board and other district leaders heard from thousands of students, staff, and community members when developing a five-year vision for the district (2020–2025). The students are at the center of the five focus areas that form Tahoma CARES. They have also involved the community in adopting the long-term plan, which includes academic success, but also develops the social and emotional tools that are so crucial to their journey.

Everyone has a right to learn in an environment that supports their growth. Tahoma CARES was built to create that environment in our district.

CLIMATE ANG CULTURE

We believe student success comes from a deep sense of belonging in our schools and classrooms. Healthy, positive relationships form firm foundations for each interaction. Our responsibility is to create safe and inclusive environments where all are valued, respected, and welcomed as authentic partners in our work. We collaborate to bring out the personal
best in students and staff in both academics and character.

Targets
– Welcome & Belonging
– Relationships
– Joy in Learning & Accomplishment
– Partnership
– Safety
– Collaborative Leadership

HIGH EXPECTATIONS

We believe every student can learn and achieve at high levels, growing academically, socially, and emotionally every year.

Our responsibility is to support all students to reach their full potential and realize personal success and balance. Students and staff have high expectations for themselves, build upon their strengths, and explore their interests as leaders of their own learning. As they do this, they become increasingly confident in their knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Our commitment to every student being Future Ready is rooted in the ideals of opportunity, equity, and inclusion.

Targets
– Growth
– Excellence
– Ambitious Instruction
– Future Ready Skills
– College & Career Readiness
– Recovery Learning & Beyond
– Instructional Leadership

PARTNERSHIP

We believe that students are best served when they experience partnership, collaboration and multi-faceted communication among schools, families, and our community. These partnerships will be nurtured and evolve to meet changing student needs. Students benefit from authentic engagement that is relevant in all aspects of their lives. Our learning community is strengthened through working together toward a shared vision and success for all students.

Targets
– Family Engagement
– Collaboration
– Stewardship
– Communications
– Transparency & Accountability

EQUITY

We believe that Tahoma Schools must be welcoming, supportive and safe for every student and every adult. Students, staff, and leaders honor diversity and are committed to creating a culture of respect that is inclusive and committed to equitable practices. Understanding and
empathy are valued and expected.

Equity ensures all students have what they need to learn and thrive. An equity lens is used to evaluate and improve climate and culture, programs, curriculum, policies, and family engagement. Our work will prioritize the elimination of inequities.

Targets
– Diversity & Inclusion
– Student Voice
– Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment
– Family Engagement
– Leadership & Learning
– Staffing

WELLNESS

We believe positive social, emotional, mental, and physical health and wellness are critical for student success. These are promoted through curriculum, relationships, partnerships within the community, and activities in our schools.

Students build a healthy foundation for lifelong wellness by learning to manage a continuum of emotions, cope with difficulty, set and work toward goals, self-advocate, establish and maintain healthy relationships, and make responsible decisions to support success in school and life.

Targets
– Multi-Tiered Systems of Support
– Mental Health
– Healthy Behaviors
– Curriculum & Student Experiences
– Ongoing Education

Our Mission
Together, provide the tools and experiences every student needs to create an individual, viable and valued path to lifelong personal success.

Our Vision
Quality Learning
Every Day
in Every Classroom
for Every Child

Our Values

Excellence — ensure each student receives an exemplary education that is academically challenging and meets their social and emotional needs

Collaboration — foster partnerships with families, community, and staff

Equity — eliminate opportunity gaps and achieve excellence by providing access to schools, resources, and learning opportunities according to each student’s unique needs

Leadership — effectively identify and monitor goals and targets that serve as a north star, allowing for a clear, shared vision

Stewardship — manage our resources to honor the community’s investment in our schools; create safe, healthy, and sustainable environments; support civic engagement; and serve current and future generations

THANK YOU!
Thank you to the thousands of students, staff and community members who participated in the surveys, discussions and meetings that led to these 2025 goals. We are so much stronger when we work together.

Does your school district have goals like these? Is your school district dealing with student mental health and anxiety? Is your school district focused on civic engagement? Does your school district collaborate with community?

I don’t know how well the Tahoma School District is meeting these goals, but I think they are a template that others should emulate.

Andrea

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This post was previously published on MEDIUM.COM.

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