NOTES FROM THE BOARD
Decoding the School’s New Strategic Plan in 9 Questions As CDS approaches its 85th birthday this year, Judith Foley Arnstein, Head of School, and Board of Trustees Vice Chair Ross Hostetter, who chairs the Strategic Planning Committee, share some behind the scenes insights on how our school’s latest master vision for the future came to be. 1. First and foremost, what exactly is included in the Strategic Plan and why is it important to have one? The strategic plan focuses on five areas: Board-related activities, Development and Enrollment-related activities, Faculty and Staffrelated activities, Student-related activities, and Facilities-related activities. This plan is important because it supports the mission of the school and provides the Board and school administration with a clear path and vision for the future, allowing us to direct resources and efforts efficiently and effectively. Most of all, it ensures that the focus of the school remains on providing the best possible education and school environment for our students while upholding and maintaining the strong legacy of excellence and character development that the school enjoys. In the area of Board-related activities the plan focuses on: • Building endowment and long and short term financial flexibility to ensure the enduring financial stability of the school. • Being proactive and forward-thinking with respect to facilities to support the growth and standards of the school. • Maintaining strong and supportive relationships between the Board and the school community, which is a fundamental component of CDS’s culture. • Advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion goals to enhance our children’s education and to prepare them for the next steps in their educational journey. • Supporting the school’s philanthropic efforts. In the area of Advancement-related activities, the plan focuses on: • Refining and sharpening marketing and school branding to better spread the word about the great legacy of Charleston Day School and the kindergarten through 8th grade experience. • Creating a defined and proactive philanthropic effort, including a robust alumni program. • Maintaining focused goals for annual fundraising to allow for continued investment in the school for the future of all students.
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SPRING 2022
In the area of Faculty and Staff-related activities, we will: • Build a culture of professional development to support our teachers and staff. • Evaluate employee benefits and salary. • Assess overall staffing needs. • Strive to be an employer of choice and to attract and retain the best teaching talent. In the area of Program-related activities, we will: • Expand STEAM and coding initiatives in order to provide our students with the skills necessary to compete in an everchanging technological landscape. • Further expand the lunch program to provide greater choice and an even broader selection of balanced, healthy offerings. • Review the current schedule in order to provide additional focus on social and emotional wellness initiatives.
