“I’m really glad we’re doing this,” said one of the parents to Superintendent Raymond Blanch. “We’re feeling heard.” Others around the table nodded.
Feedback like this drove home the positive impact of the nine community conversations that Superintendent Blanch is hosting across the end of April and the beginning of May to present KLSD Vision 2030: Empowering All—Katonah-Lewisboro Schools’ new strategic plan.
Each gathering brings together a specific group, including parents of middle and high school students, elementary school faculty and members of Lead JJ, a high school club focused on advancing unity. This meeting was for SEPTO, Katonah-Lewisboro’s special education parent-teacher organization.
The parents walked in talking about the traffic on 35 and spring break. When Dr. Blanch started the meeting, they shifted into parent role, completely focused on the education available to their children.
“We shared our hopes and desires in the fall,” Dr. Blanch began. “It helped us see across the organization.”
He was referring to the dozens of workshops that took place in the beginning of the school year, in the early days of his tenure at Katonah-Lewisboro Schools. In each session, small groups of faculty, parents and older students recounted their best experiences at KLSD and their specific aspirations for the future of the District.
“We prioritized alignment across the District,” said Dr. Blanch, as he distributed a KLSD Vision 2030 packet to each participant.
KLSD Vision 2030 is shaped around six key principles, called Pillars of Light. Using a practice all Katonah-Lewisboro students are familiar with, Dr. Blanch asked parents to turn and talk with their neighbor about a specific Pillar, then share their thoughts with the group.
“I love seeing the Science Research students’ accomplishments,” said a member of the Pillar One team, which focuses on knowledge and skills, “but these students are at a very high level. How about opportunities like this for all students?”
Dr. Blanch reminded them of the full name of the District’s new mission: “Empowering All,” and underscored the goal of creating the best possible situation for each child. He also spoke to the empowerment action that each school will take—creating curriculum maps for each grade and subject, starting with English language arts and math. “These subjects have the strongest leverage points,” he said. “Parents, students and educators will know if the student is meeting goals. We will be accountable to that.”
“It’s really about how we can shape responsible little people,” said a member of the Pillar Four team, which focuses on sustainability and global citizenship. “The clarity comes across. I like combining our responsibility to the planet and to others on the planet. It’s balanced.”
“All staff needs to be well versed in working with all types of students,” said a member of the Pillar Six team, which focuses on collaborative educators. “We want to see training for transport staff, cafeteria monitors and support staff.”
“Meadow Pond Elementary pairs special needs students with buddies,” said one parent on the Pillar Five team, which focuses on well-being. “It’s a nice way for students to get to know each other.” That led to a conversation about the recent Unified basketball game at the high school, and other opportunities to join students with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team.
“This is an ongoing, forevermore project,” said Dr. Blanch, as the meeting ended. “KLSD Vision 2030: Empowering All represents our best next steps.”