SMUSD's Strategic Promise 2022-2027

SMUSD’s Strategic PROMISE 2022-2027

Redefining Student Success in a Future Ready System

MISSION & BOARD CORE VALUES

Mission

The San Marcos Unified School District is an innovative and collaborative community providing an unparalleled educational experience. Through an engaging and supportive environment, all our students are challenged, inspired, and poised to excel.

Board Core Values

As elected members of the Governing Board of the San Marcos Unified School District, we accept the high honor and trust that has been placed in us to ensure that the students of the district receive an outstanding education that prepares them to be Future Ready in the 21st century. The following core values underlie our work as a Board and the decisions we make for our students and staff:

INNOVATION

We support and encourage innovative programs that challenge, inspire, and prepare students for the 21st century world of work and citizenship.

EQUITY

We believe that the Portrait of a Graduate is a promise we have made to every SMUSD student, and that this promise will be realized through systems, policies, and experiences that promote equitable outcomes for all.

HIGHLY TRAINED STAFF

We believe that we will meet our goals for students by providing exceptional ongoing professional development and training for all SMUSD teachers, administrators and support staff.

RELATIONSHIPS

We believe that respectful and collaborative relationships with district students, staff, families, employee associations, and the broader San Marcos community will support our efforts to meet the needs of all students.

We believe that innovative programs, high levels of student achievement, outstanding professional development and strong relationships will continue to position SMUSD as a destination district for students, families and employees for years to come.

SMUSD EQUITY STATEMENT

SMUSD Equity Statement

The Portrait of a Graduate is a promise made to every SMUSD student, and we are committed to providing an unparalleled educational experience that prepares every graduate to be Future Ready - from the most able to the most vulnerable of our students. Racial, socioeconomic, social, or cultural factors should not predict whether or not students are prepared for college, career and civic engagement.

To deliver on this promise, we will:

• Continually reflect on and refine our instructional practices to ensure they are meeting the needs of all learners;

• Ensure that every student feels connected to school and is engaged, challenged, and inspired in their learning;

• Provide the support needed for each student to develop academic proficiency and the competencies outlined in the Portrait of a Graduate;

• Identify and address district systems, policies, and/or practices that are unintentionally getting in the way of the success of students;

• Ensure that our campuses are safe, welcoming and inclusive places for all students, staff members, and families; Help students discover and cultivate the unique gifts, talents, and interests that each possesses;

• Partner with our families and our community to support the success of all SMUSD students by modeling and expecting behavior and speech that promotes a culture of empathy, curiosity, and mutual respect.

LETTER FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

San Marcos Unified Community,

It is with great enthusiasm that we present to you this Strategic Plan - really a Strategic “Promise,” which represents an exciting vision that will ensure that our nearly 20,000 students graduate Future Ready. Our promise is to provide our students a 21st century education that will prepare each one to pursue whatever future they have envisioned for themselves after they cross the stage on graduation day - and to expand our definition of student success to include vital skills that go beyond test scores.

Last year, as we emerged from the pandemic and reopened our classrooms for full-time instruction, we took time to reflect on all we had learned through that difficult period. We also thought deeply about how rapidly the world is changing, and realized that the time was right to come together and ask whether the experiences our students are having in our schools are preparing them for the world that awaits them after graduation.

Over the course of several months, a diverse group of over 80 San Marcos teachers, administrators, parents, school board members, local business owners, elected officials, higher education representatives and the students themselves, engaged with each other around these questions:

What are the hopes and aspirations we have for students in San Marcos? What are the skills, mindsets and competencies they will need to be successful in our rapidly changing world?

The result of those deep conversations was our San Marcos Unified Portrait of a Graduate. Approved by the Governing Board in June 2022, the Portrait identifies five 21st century skills our community believes will position our graduates for success not only in the workforce, but also in post-secondary education and as contributing members of our society.

It’s important to recognize that the Portrait of a Graduate is for all SMUSD students. From the moment our youngest learners first enter our classrooms in Preschool until they receive their diploma on graduation day, the skills represented in the Portrait will guide their school experience.

This Strategic Plan is our roadmap for how we will make that happen over the next five years. I invite you to review the plan and join us in our efforts to make SMUSD a Future Ready System that supports our Future Ready Educators to create Future Ready Learning Environments that produce Future Ready Students. It’s an exciting time in SMUSD - let’s get to work!

Andrew S. Johnsen, Ed.D. Superintendent

LETTER FROM THE GOVERNING BOARD PRESIDENT

As I reflect on my time these past eight years serving as a Board Member & President of the San Marcos Unified School District Governing Board, I am more excited than ever about our future.

While my fellow Board Members and I had set our sights on crafting a fresh vision for all students here in San Marcos, this last year is when we set out to intentionally work with our community to develop and create this new initiative. I am thrilled that our Portrait of a Graduate vision, along with our Strategic Plan, aims to impact every student in the district. This is how we will equip our students with the 21st century skills needed to be Future Ready and thrive at all levels of their educational experience.

What truly excites me about this vision is that it is centered on the whole child. When we look at students, we don’t see merely grades or test scores, we see people who are discovering their passions, strengths, and realizing their dreams. We know that if we are to help our students become Future Ready and reach their full potential, we must view the process of education in a holistic way. This process is near and dear to my heart, and aligned beautifully with our Portrait of a Graduate vision for all students.

My hope is that our community at large will also embrace this vision and journey along with us to fulfill our mission to ensure our students are poised to excel — here at SMUSD, our community, and beyond.

Stacy Carlson Governing Board President

SMUSD’S STRATEGIC PROMISE & DEEPER LEARNING

WHAT IS 21st CENTURY LEARNING?

Deeper learning equips students with not only rigorous academic content, but also the ability to transfer their knowledge while using essential skills and mindsets in new, even unexpected, situations. 21st century learning experiences empower students to be lifelong learners and contributors in our complex and ever-changing world.

What Is Deeper Learning?

excerpt from Does Deeper Learning Improve Longer Term Outcomes for Students*

The concept of “deeper learning” is a combination of (a) a deeper understanding of core academic content; (b) the ability to apply that understanding to novel problems and situations; and (c) the development of a range of competencies, including interpersonal skills and intrapersonal skills such as academic mindsets and self management. The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation identified six interacting dimensions of deeper learning that many argue are prerequisites for success in college, career, and civic life, which are as follows:

• Mastery of core academic content

Critical thinking and problem solving

• Effective communication

• Ability to work collaboratively

• Learning how to learn

• Academic mindsets

*AIR. (2022). Does deeper learning improve longer term outcomes for students? Results from the study of deeper learning: opportunities and outcomes. (Brief, June 2022). American Institutes for Research

DEEPER LEARNING

SMUSD’S STRATEGIC PROMISE & DEEPER LEARNING

Future Ready Student Deeper Learning Milestones

• Every student will exit grade 3 on grade level in reading; and will exit grade 3 with a grade level understanding of the competencies of the Portrait of a Graduate.

• Every student will exit grade 5 on grade level in literacy and math; and will exit elementary school able to demonstrate their individual growth within the Portrait of a Graduate competencies.

• Every student will exit grade 8 able to demonstrate critical thinking that is informed by evidence; and will exit middle school with a high school plan based on their individual strengths and interests; and will be able to demonstrate their individual growth within the Portrait of a Graduate.

• Every student will graduate with a Future Ready action plan based on their individual strengths and interests; and will be able to demonstrate how they have met the competencies within the Portrait of a Graduate.

SMUSD Classroom Commitments to Support Deeper Learning

• Strong relationships and classroom communities are foundational to student learning and foster their success.

• Students learn with and from each other by engaging in rich dialogue around meaningful tasks.

• Curriculum is reflective of, respectful to, and relevant for our diverse student population; instruction values and responds to the diversity among our learners.

• Students are given time and space to grapple with and grow in their learning; practice is not penalized; and students can demonstrate their learning in multiple ways.

ADAPTABILITY

PORTRAIT OF A GRADUATE

ADAPTABILITY

CRITICAL THINKING

• Understand the “bigger picture” and propose solutions that are mindful of the impact they may have on other parts of a system.

• Consistently improve the quality of one’s own thinking by skillfully analyzing, assessing, and reconstructing.

• Develop information literacy skills to analyze, assess, and incorporate new understandings.

• Apply a learner’s mindset that is clear, rational, open-minded, and informed by evidence.

EMPATHY

• Cultivate a community of acceptance to connect others’ thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

• Imagine what others are thinking, feeling, or experiencing.

ADAPTABILITY

• Work effectively in a climate of ambiguity and changing priorities.

• Demonstrate flexibility when faced with change and shifting priorities.

• Respond productively to feedback, praise, setbacks, and criticism.

• Understand and balance diverse views and beliefs to reach workable solutions.

• Demonstrate flexibility when faced with changing situations and expectations in our dynamic, complex, and interconnected global environment.

COMMUNICATION

• Articulate thoughts and ideas effectively using oral, written, and nonverbal communication skills in a variety of forms and contexts.

• Listen effectively to decipher meaning, including knowledge, values, attitudes, and intentions.

• Use civil discourse to enhance understanding among all parties for a range of purposes (e.g. to inform, instruct, motivate, and persuade).

• Demonstrate awareness, sensitivity, concern, and respect to connect with others’ feelings, opinions, experiences, and culture.

LEADERSHIP

• Inspire positive action in others, and are confident, responsible, and goal-directed.

• Recognize, invest in, and leverage strengths to build collective ownership and action.

• Through collaboration, create the environment or the conditions that empower others to grow and succeed.

• Build relationships with others through trust and compassion.

PROCESS

SMUSD’s community members, in conjunction with District Leadership, developed our Portrait of a Graduate, serving as the vision for our Strategic Promise. This process began in November 2021 and concluded in the fall of 2022. We had 120 stakeholders participate—families, community members, students, and educators. We conducted a current state analysis to acquire a balanced portrayal of our present reality and identified priorities to help our Portrait come to life. From these priorities, we established goals and strategies through an iterative vetting process, constantly using stakeholder feedback to guide their development.

PREPARE ENVISION INQUIRE DESIGN/ DEVELOP IMPLEMENT/ SUCCEED

Identify stakeholder participants and establish timelines, tasks, and logistics.

(November 2021)

Discuss our shared hopes, dreams, and aspirations for all our students.

(January 2022)

Explore our current state and desired state in light of our Portrait of a Graduate vision.

(August 2022)

Determine the priority areas going forward to bring our Portrait of a Graduate to life for every student.

(August 2022)

Build capacity and resources systemwide to bring our Portrait of a Graduate vision to life and measure progress.

(Fall 2022)

GOAL OVERVIEW

Goal 1: Future Ready Students

From the earliest ages, all SMUSD students engage in the purposeful integration of rigorous academic content and relevant experiences that develop the outcomes in our Portrait of a Graduate. Every graduate leaves SMUSD prepared for the future they choose.

Goal 2: Future Ready Learning Environments

All SMUSD classrooms and campuses are welcoming places where every student feels seen, heard and valued. Learning experiences are engaging and designed to promote academic, social-emotional, and physical well-being.

Goal 3: Future Ready Educators

SMUSD teachers, support staff, and administrators feel valued and supported by hiring, onboarding, evaluating, professional learning, and training practices that enable them to create Future Ready learning environments.

Goal 4: Future Ready System

All SMUSD systems—Business Services, Educational Services, Human Resources, and Governance—are designed to support the successful development of Future Ready students, educators, and learning environments.

“As the parent of two children attending our SMUSD schools, I was thrilled to participate in the process of creating the Portrait of a Graduate. I witnessed such a genuine passion and unwavering commitment from everyone toward our students’ academic success and emotional well being. The bridge between our schools and community is a strong one, and it was so well displayed during our working sessions. I can already see these skills and competencies at work in our schools, and I am enthusiastic about the long-lasting impacts this new vision will have on our students.”

-Vanessa Smith, SMUSD Parent

SMUSD’S STRATEGIC PROMISE GOALS & OBJECTIVES

Goal 1: Future Ready Students

From the earliest ages, all SMUSD students engage in the purposeful integration of rigorous academic content and relevant experiences that develop the outcomes in our Portrait of a Graduate. Every graduate leaves SMUSD prepared for the future they choose.

Objective 1.1:

Create a SMUSD Future Ready Framework that defines the progression of student development and growth, preschool through graduation, to meet the outcomes in our Portrait of a Graduate.

Objective 1.2:

Design and implement a system to gather and report evidence of student development and growth toward meeting the outcomes in our Portrait of a Graduate.

Objective 1.3:

Ensure each and every student has regular opportunities to engage in instructional routines and practices designed to identify and build upon individual strengths and interests in order to inform their future choices.

Objective 1.4:

Ensure each and every student has regular opportunities to engage in deeper learning with a community and/or work-based focus that informs their future choices.

SMUSD’S STRATEGIC PROMISE GOALS & OBJECTIVES

Goal 2: Future Ready Learning Environments

All SMUSD classrooms and campuses are welcoming places where every student feels seen, heard and valued. Learning experiences are engaging and designed to promote academic, social-emotional, and physical well-being.

Objective 2.1:

Implement practices and pedagogy in preschool through graduation to ensure each and every student feels a sense of belonging and connection as they engage in deeper learning activities designed to support growth and yearly progress in the competencies of the Portrait of a Graduate.

Objective 2.2:

Support the academic and social emotional growth of each and every student by integrating wellness practices on all campuses in all classrooms.

SMUSD’S STRATEGIC PROMISE GOALS & OBJECTIVES

Goal 3: Future Ready Educators

SMUSD teachers, support staff, and administrators feel valued and supported by hiring, onboarding, evaluating, professional learning, and training practices that enable them to create Future Ready learning environments.

Objective 3.1: Create an SMUSD Portrait of an Educator.

Objective 3.2: Create an aligned and differentiated professional learning plan that builds the capacity of all staff members to develop the competencies within the Portrait of an Educator and to successfully meet the professional expectations of a Future Ready educator in SMUSD.

Objective 3.3: Align our hiring, onboarding, and evaluation practices to successfully meet the professional expectations of a Future Ready educator in SMUSD.

Objective 3.4: Partner with labor association leadership to create a comprehensive wellness plan that provides preventative and responsive support to the mental health needs of all SMUSD staff.

SMUSD’S STRATEGIC PROMISE GOALS & OBJECTIVES

Goal 4: Future Ready System

All SMUSD systems—Business Services, Educational Services, Human Resources, and Governance—are designed to support the successful development of Future Ready students, educators, and learning environments.

Objective 4.1: Create an SMUSD Portrait of a Future Ready Board Member.

Objective 4.2: Ensure efficiency within and across Business Services, Educational Services, and Human Resources divisions to offer appropriate resources and relevant support to meet the goals and strategies of the SMUSD Strategic Promise.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thank you! We are grateful to the students, teachers, administrators, Governing Board, families, and business and community leaders who collaborated with us to develop our Portrait of a Graduate and SMUSD Strategic Promise.

Governing Board

Stacy Carlson, Board President

Sydney Kerr, Vice President

Jaime Chamberlin, Board Clerk

Sarah Ahmad, Board Member

Carlos Ulloa, Board Member

Portrait of a Graduate Design Team

STAFF

Jeanette Arzate

Cherryl Baker

Cole Baratte

Steve Baum

Katie Buffum

Scott Campbell

Tiffany Campbell

Stephanie Casperson

Steve Chavez

Jamie Cooper

Lori Cummins

Adam Dawson

Nikki DiRanna

Christi Frias

Gabriella Gomez

Adelita Gonzales

James Hayes

Meghan Hein

Andy Johnsen

Patricia Kurylo

Monica LaDell

Danielle Leiva

Jennifer Machado

Whitney McCoy

Jay Mesker

Cliff Mitchell

Petenera Perun

Garth Phillips

Elliott Powell

Claudia Ramirez

Lorie Redivo

Jillian Ryan

Dana Spencer

Daniel Smuts

Oliver Soufi

Robert Terrill

Dan Trujillo

Alex Turner

Amy Ventetuolo

Lezya Weglarz

Peggy Zapata

Gloria Ziegmann

FAMILIES, BUSINESS & COMMUNITY MEMBERS

Kelly Adkins

Dana Albert

Becky Aniversario

Cathy Baur

Michelle Bender

Ashley Black

Cheryl Brown

Kim Capezzone

Stephanie Carroll

Hilary Devrome

Diana Duran

Erika Duran

Gretchen Foster

Meghan Fowler

Wendy Garafalo

Jamila Gowdy

Brenda Hall

Breena Hope

William Hope

Sharon Jenkins

Rachel Jobin

Brian Jones

Rebecca Jones

Erin Kaminski

Jennifer Kerschbaum

Lauren King

Meghan Lillie

Ilona Lind

Scotty Lombardi

Rocio Lopez

Theresa Meyerott

Ed Musgrove

Karen Nicholson

Arcela Nunez-Alvarez

Maria Nunez

Sonja Olson

Esther Ortiz-Stuhr

Susan Pack

Ed Price

Star Rivera-Lacey

Rick Rungaitis

Leila Sackfield

Tess Sangster

Vanessa Smith

Jen Spurlin

K.C. Strang

Lisa Stout

Emelie Swearingen

Adriana Tovar

Randy Walton

STUDENTS & ALUMNI

Yaneli Ceja Ramirez

Abby Coca

Alex Contreras

Emily Crysler

Jada Crawford

Chanel Davis

Jared Diaz Barrios

Emanuel Diaz-Sanchez

Sabrina Esteban

Ben Eyer

Zane Goldman

Erika Gomez

Diego Gonzalez

Ryan Finley

Nikita Jadhav

Brisa Jaime

Andi Meza

Alexiz Montes Ramirez

Axel Navarro

Lori Nishiguchi

Sophia Novelo

Marlenne Perez

Erica Persano

Angela Rico

Giovanny Rodriguez

Sachi Takashima

Sofia Victorio Vero

Strategic Plan Design Team

Matthew Armstrong

Cherryl Baker

Nathan Baker

Steve Baum

Andrea Berning

Juliana Bustos

Tiffany Campbell

Lori Cummins

Adam Dawson

Gary DeBora

Nicole DiRanna

Christine Frias

Erin Garcia

Dana Horak

Andy Johnsen

Danielle Leiva

Alecia Markgraf

Cliff Mitchell

Terri Mitchell

Brandon Moore

Erin Myres

John-Paul Nava

Jocelyn O’Neil

Michael Sawyer

Nicole Scott

Charity Shepard

Dana Spencer

Michael Sterling

Lisa Stout

Robert Terrill

Dan Trujillo

Alexander Turner

Silvia Ventura-Jacobsen

Lezya Weglarz

Approved by the SMUSD Governing Board on October 27, 2022