Goals

The Merchantville Board of Education approved the following 3-year District Goals at the August 5, 2024 Board of Education meeting. If you have questions about specific goals or wish for additional information, please reach out to Mr. P.  

 

Goal #1: Enhance the overall environment of Merchantville School by integrating Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) into the curriculum, culture, and processes to ensure all students, families, and school constituents feel safe, comfortable, valued, and engaged.

Objective 1a: Establish a comprehensive SEL curriculum across all grade levels that includes lessons on self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. By the end of the 2024-2025 school year, all staff members will complete professional development in SEL and DEI.

Objective 1b: Utilize the DEI committee to review and address DEI-related issues and initiatives within the school throughout the 24-25 school year. Develop and implement school-wide events, workshops, and discussions that celebrate diversity and promote inclusion, encouraging active participation from the entire school community.

Goal #2: Foster a student-centered learning environment at Merchantville School by integrating best educational practices through targeted professional development for teachers. This initiative aims to enhance student engagement and to equip students with essential 21st-century skills to succeed in and out of school.

Objective 2a: By June 2025, design a comprehensive professional development plan, focusing on best educational practices, including but not limited to collaboration, storytelling, critical thinking, empathy, creativity, and innovation.

Objective 2b: By June 2027, encourage teachers to incorporate collaborative learning activities that promote teamwork and communication skills among students, preparing them for future group-oriented tasks in and out of school. Implement activities that challenge students to think critically and solve problems creatively, fostering innovation and adaptability in their approach to learning. Establish classroom and school-wide initiatives that prioritize student voice and choice, enabling students to take an active role in their learning journey and contribute to the school community.

Goal#3: To establish a comprehensive full-day preschool program for the Merchantville School Community, ensuring readiness by September 2028, through the provision of appropriate facilities and the development of a curriculum that aligns with New Jersey Department of Education standards and meets the diverse needs of our students.

Objective 3a: Provide an appropriate space that meets the New Jersey Department of Education standards for full-day preschool and accommodates the diverse needs of our students. Conduct a thorough assessment of current facilities to identify necessary upgrades and renovations. Collaborate with architects and educational facility planners to design a preschool space that is safe, engaging, and conducive to early childhood education.

Objective 3b: Develop and implement a full-day preschool program and curriculum that aligns with state mandates and addresses the diverse needs of our students to be utilized in September 2028. Ensure that the curriculum aligns with the New Jersey Preschool Teaching and Learning Standards and incorporates best practices in early childhood education. Integrate components that address the holistic development of children, including cognitive, social-emotional, physical, and language development into the classroom activities.

Goal #4: Merchantville School District will continue to support the multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) to accelerate the learning for all students in order to increase student achievement and reduce achievement gaps.

Objective 4a: Monitor the multi-tier programs to address the needs of all students. This includes the WIN program for grades K - 5 and providing support for grades 6 - 8 in Essential courses. Reviewing programs and instruction to support student needs, providing summer program offerings, and continuing with initiatives to promote student success.

Objective 4b: Analyze data including but not limited to NJSLA, LinkIt!, and Acadience to identify achievement gaps and develop plans to address the student needs. Develop a long-term plan to address one specific achievement gap. Support the implementation of programs and plans to close the achievement gaps.