FCASD ADOPTS NEW COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
FCASD ADOPTS NEW COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
The Fox Chapel Area School District’ s new threeyear comprehensive plan focuses on growth, innovation, and opportunity, while being rooted in its pillars of purpose, passion, care, and community.
Among the areas of focus in the new comprehensive plan are determining what key skills students need to learn while in school; identifying additional innovative ideas to elevate the district’ s success; examining the most effective ways of supporting the overall wellness of the school community; implementing practices to make students feel genuinely valued; expanding partnerships and / or collaborations outside of the traditional education setting to enhance student opportunities; and examining ways to strengthen partnerships with families and the community.
Dr. Mary Catherine Reljac, superintendent of the Fox Chapel Area School District, said the process was intentionally collaborative and forward-thinking.
“ Our comprehensive plan represents who we are and what we aspire to be,” Dr. Reljac said.“ It honors the traditions that make Fox Chapel Area special, while ensuring we are preparing our students for a rapidly evolving world.”
The new plan was shaped by a process open to all district stakeholders and followed months of engagement with families, staff, and community and business representatives through multiple steering committee meetings and focus group sessions. Focus group attendees were asked eight core questions about each of the district’ s four pillars, which emerged from the steering committee meetings.
• What is the purpose of school?
• What key skills do students need to learn while in school?
• If you could implement one innovative idea or change to elevate our district’ s success, what would it be?
• How can we be the No. 1 choice for education?
• What do you believe are the most effective ways of supporting the overall wellness of our school community?
• What school practices make students feel genuinely cared for?
• What partnerships or collaborations outside of traditional education could we explore to enhance student opportunities?
• How can we strengthen partnerships with families and with the community?
“ One of our greatest strengths as a district is our willingness to listen to one another and work side by side,” Dr. Reljac said.“ Collaboration is how we ensure every decision reflects our pillars and values, and moves us forward. When families, staff members, and community partners come together with a shared sense of purpose, we don’ t just solve problems – we create possibilities.”
Along with the comprehensive plan, the district will also update its strategic vision. Work on the strategic vision will continue during the next several months.
The Fox Chapel Area School Board approved the new comprehensive plan at its March regular board meeting. The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires all school districts to complete a comprehensive plan every three years.
To view the district’ s comprehensive plan, please visit www. fcasd. edu / about-us / comprehensive-plan. ox Chapel Area
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