RMS task force update feb 17,2017
Superintendent’s Community Update - February 17, 2017
2016-17 Redwood Task Force
Highlights from January Survey Data and In-Person Forum Dialogs
Dear Parents/Guardians, Staff, Students and Community Friends, Many of you are aware of the Redwood Community Task Force—which is studying ways to further shape, sharpen and grow the great educational programs at our middle school. The thoughtful work underway will impact both our current and future middle schoolers, so I hope you will take a moment to read this update and consider weighing in with your feedback. First, the Board of Trustees and I wish to thank you — parents, staff and Redwood alumni — who participated in the in-person community forums. We are also grateful to those of you who responded to one of the online surveys to share thoughts and research ideas with the Task Force. We also feel on-going awe and appreciation for the 22 dedicated and hard-working Task Force members, who, in February and March, will continue to:
- review and consider the extensive community input gathered to date
- conduct additional research in our focus areas (wellness, culture, electives, schedule)
- reach out to subject-matter experts
- consider possible site visits to model programs in the Bay Area
If you are interested in learning more about the recent work of the Task Force, please take a moment to view the following update shared with our school board last evening:
This report provides a brief overview and highlights from the January community forums, survey data and initial emerging ideas. All of this material is helping to inform our emerging vision focused on the four key themes. It is important to note that the Task Force is still in the early stages of its work to develop ideas for Board of Trustees to consider late this spring.
There will also be additional opportunities for community input as ideas are refined, at the next community forums scheduled for April 24 and 26, and via another online survey in late-April and early-May.
Members of the community are welcome to share ideas and research with the Task Force at any time by sending an email to: RMSTaskForce@saratogausd.org. Please accept my thanks and appreciation for your partnership in all of our educational endeavors this school year. I am especially grateful for the commitment and tenacity of our employees and families, who have been driving miles and miles around downed trees, sink holes, mudslides or traffic gridlock to get to school during recent stormy weeks. May you travel safely and be re-energized during the Presidents’ Week recess ahead!
Warm regards,
Nancy Johnson, Superintendent