Gloucester Public Schools Our mission is for all students in the Gloucester Public Schools to be successful, engaged, lifelong learners. District Principles and Values Our work is founded upon the following principles and values: 1.1 all children can learn; 1.2 all students are entitled to experience a curriculum that is characterized by breadth, balance, coherence, relevance, rigor, differentiation and progression; 1.3 as they mature, students take increasing responsibility for their own learning; 2.1 parents are the primary educators of their children and are respected and involved as such; 2.2 parents have important responsibilities for their child’s readiness for school, for supporting and encouraging their child’s learning out of school, and for collaborating with school staff to resolve problems; 3.1 providing and supporting quality teaching and learning is the primary task of all staff; 3.2 effective schools foster the development of a learning community that is characterized by shared purpose, collaborative activity and collective responsibility. 3.3 effective schools design and implement programs and activities which are developmentally appropriate, and address the academic, physical, social and emotional development of each student; 4.1 an organization which is concerned with the development of people needs to be proactively responsive and empathetic towards diversity in all its forms, and establish a personalized developmental environment for students and adults; 4.2 effective organizations use data to keep the scope and quality of their activities under regular review with the aim of improving them; 4.3 those who work in and for schools have an accountability to students and their families, to their peers, and to the wider community; 5.1 spending on public education services is an essential investment in the future of our community; and 5.2 available resources are used wisely. Approved as a First Reading and a basis for consultation: January 26, 2005 |