In the spring of 2008, the Strategic Planning Team (SPT) launched three "working groups." The main task of the working groups is to flesh out the big ideas developed through months of data gathering conducted by the SPT.  The Superintendent issued a call for participation in these groups to the community and NPS staff, which resulted in working group team compositions of about 30 diverse volunteers per group.  Teams include NPS teachers and administrators, parents, business leaders, city officials, representatives of the nonprofit sector and higher education, and School Committee members. The working groups met two to three times in the spring and have each narrowed their focus to several major themes. These themes were delved into throughout the summer and the three Teams continue to define what strategic initiatives the Newton Public Schools should consider to get us from being good to being great. Our Strategic Planning process over the past year has also defined new Goals and Core Values, which will inform the work of our staff in all areas of the educational experience (see below).
1. Parent and Staff Survey - late October 2007
2. The "Visioning" Process - November-February 2007
3. Strategic Working Groups - March - June 2008
4. Working Group App. Process
5. .Update on Vision 2020 - March 2008
6..Mission Statement and Core Values - Fall 2008
7. Goals 2008-2010 - Fall 20088.
8. Community Conversations Handouts - February 2009
9. Strategic Planning Pyramids - approved- June 2009
10. Vision 2020 - approved June 2009