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Health & Fitness

Vision 2020: Leading the Way to a New Future in Education

Just before the opening of the new school year, I invited Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Joe Erardi to have a conversation about the accomplishments of the Southington School System in the 2012-2013 School Year and to give us an idea of what the plans for 2013-2014 look like. 

Erardi has been proactively open to the public, parents and all citizens about the plans and progress of the School Administration and the Board of Education and their joint efforts to keep Southington’s educational experience on an upward course in the educating our children for their future. So, as expected, Erardi’s response to an interview was quick and enthusiastically, “Yes".

What stood out in exploring the recent achievements of our School District compared to a year ago was that there has been astonishing progress along so many lines.

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First, there is a new system wide pioneer project called Vision 2020 in place which presents an ambitious paradigm shift in educational thinking. The idea, whose time has come, commits Southington to bringing all educational resources, including instructional, curricular, facilities, capital and community resources together in leading a new kind of student through the gateway of to the future.  

The objective:  a new class of high school graduates who are individually prepared for a customized personal path to life after high school. Vision 2020 will prepare students for 13 years of education that has helped them shape the diverse routes they may choose to take, whether in higher education, specialized technical, professional and other training for productive fields of work. Always authentic to each student’s talents, skills and proclivities.

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Each student deserves a customized education rather than one size fits all so that they will be able to take their places in society as productive workers and citizens.

Vision 2020 will require critical thinking, ongoing research, development, communications and collaborative partnerships of our public and private resources. The groundwork has been done through the advance dedication of a selective committee, endorsed by the Board of Ed, the Superintendent and the district administration. Challenges lie ahead but the stakes are high enough to support such courageous innovation. We’ll no doubt be hearing more about Vision 2020.

Preemptive work began in the 2012-13 school year relating to Common Core State Standards and Teacher Evaluation which will pave the way of the district’s strategic long-term planning to move from paper to practice.  Board of Education member, David Derynoski, noted that these legal directives, though not without merit, were initiated without commensurate funding. Erardi added that the District continues to position itself to move forward in these areas.

Erardi said “I believe in the school board’s vision, commitment to teaching and learning, and its advocacy for every single child’s educational development. In these turbulent times, our focus must remain in place for these priority goals.”

School safety, middle school hazardous materials and state and federal mandates made this past year unique. The response to Newtown’s day of terror on December 14, 2012 must be sustained with continued safeguards and an ongoing flow of information to parents.

Erardi said: “All-Day Kindergarten took effect on schedule this year. Staff was aligned and ready with full-day opportunity at all elementary schools. Curriculum and instructional pedagogy were finalized and were in place while parents continue to be informed of expectations of the All-Day program. Resources are poised for its success as a significant added benefit to the complete elementary school education of each child.”

Erardi said the referendum on the renovation of Middle School facilities has been another major aspect of the work of the district this year. “It will continue as a priority with the Middle School Unified Arts to Align with 21st Century Skills Building Project.”, he added. “The District has done everything to assure the community that student needs will be fully embraced with the renovate-to-new middle school projects. 

By January 2014, we’ll convene with the Board of Ed to share the proposed transformation of the role Middle School Unified Arts Instruction will play in moving all students to a deeper, more meaningful understanding of being a competent digital citizen. By May 2014 the proposed unified arts course offerings for the 2014-15 school year will be presented to the Board.”

Citing a few notable accomplishments, Erardi pointed out:

  • For the 6th consecutive year, state tests in Elementary Mastery and High School Academic Performance, showed higher scores in Southington each year.

  • District Math scores are a model in the State of Connecticut.

  • In the past 4 years, the number of students in S.H.S. taking advance courses for college credit has risen each year, increasing from 50 to 500 students while tests scores have risen each year.  
  • Project Lead The Way,(Tech Education), is recognized by the state of CT as the finest program in the state. 

  • Parallel but unrelated, our first U.S. Robotics Program, (science, technology and engineering math), has been one of the top in the U.S. and for the third year, the finest in Connecticut. 

There will be much more about the educational system’s progress and about vital programs in Southington Schools in a second installment to this post soon.  Stay tuned. 

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