Thompson Public Schools Vision 2020 Survey

The Thompson community is currently working on a strategic plan for its school system. As part of the work, the school system has contracted with the education management firm of Martin & Associates to facilitate the strategic planning process. This plan, when complete, will set the steps in action needed to strengthen and improve not just the school system but the community on the whole.

Please take a few minutes to complete this short survey - your input and insight is an extremely valuable part of the process.

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* 1. Providing dedicated and invested leadership from the Board of Education, the superintendent's office, and principals and directors is an important aspect of insuring every student is prepared for success.

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* 2. Creating a quality school system requires community involvement in every aspect of an educational organization.

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* 3. In order to build a high performing school system, it is important to hire and retain an engaged, enthusiastic, focused, and professional team of administrators, teachers, and staff.

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* 4. Quality instruction means using updated lesson plans and curriculums, investing in educational technology, and developing programs that help every student reach his or her potential.

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* 5. Embracing our differences – racial, religious, ethnic, political, and socio-economical – is a key to ensuring student success at all levels.

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* 6. When building a school culture conducive to learning, it is important to create a safe and caring environment for all students.

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* 7. Investing in facilities, especially attention to detail when fixing the little things, impacts student learning.

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* 8. It’s a good idea to study the best use of the current campus, including the old wing of the elementary school and the Tourtellotte administrative building, also known as the 1909 building.

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* 9. We should invest in improving our middle school facility.

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* 10. A key to today’s educational model is implementing an online or virtual learning initiative that expands course offerings to students via the internet.

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* 11. Many organizations, including private companies and public institutions, have emphasized a digital effort that reduces paper usage and saves money. The Thompson Public Schools should make every effort to go paperless and reduce costs.

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* 12. When educating students, it is important to ensure teachers are using a modern K-12 curriculum and not outdated textbooks.

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* 13. It is important to create and implement Individualized Learning Plans that offer a variety of intellectual levels and a variety of topic areas for all students.

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* 14. The Thompson Public Schools should explore, identify, and implement a wider range of offerings to include career/tech, industrial arts, and gifted and talented programs.

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* 15. The Thompson Public Schools should revamp teacher qualifications to ensure they identify, recruit, and hire high quality instructors.

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* 16. Administration should make exploring the campus configuration and determining the best utilization of space on the entire campus a priority.

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* 17. Creating a quality school system includes improving staff and student morale.

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* 18. Improving the Thompson Public Schools includes implementing a concentrated plan of educating the entire town by the Board of Education, the superintendent, the principals, and the directors with a primary focus on working closely with the Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance.

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* 19. Improving the Thompson Public Schools includes an emphasis on encouraging community involvement in all aspects of school operations.

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* 20. Providing students a quality educational program includes appropriate staffing of all school departments.

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* 21. A high performing school system requires an extroverted and enthusiastic senior leadership team committed to success.

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* 22. Providing a quality educational program requires raising performance expectations for both students and teachers and holding all students and employees accountable for success.

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* 23. The Thompson Board of Education, as the overseer of the school system, should be actively involved in state and federal conversations pertaining to educational initiatives.

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* 24. What is the one key area that needs immediate attention within the school system?

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* 25. Given the chance to speak directly with the Board of Education and the superintendent, what is the number one hurdle preventing the Thompson Public Schools from becoming the highest performing school district in Northeastern Connecticut?

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* 26. Which of the following best describes you? 

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