Cedar springs waldorf school

Strategic plan 2019

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Introduction: “Youcannotsteptwiceintothesameriver,forotherwatersarecontinuallyflowingon.”-HeraclitusLikelivingorganisms,institutionsgothroughadefinedlifecycle.Thereisbirth,followedbyperiodsofgrowth,adolescence,andmaturity.In2019,CedarSpringsWaldorfSchoolcelebratesitsthirtiethyearofeducatingchildreninPlacerville,California.Fromitsgrassrootsbeginningstothepresenttime,theschoolhasundergonearemarkablestoryofdevelopment.Whatbeganasapioneeringidea,blossomedforthintoasignificantandenthusiasticcommunity,allcommittedtotheeducationofthewholechild.OneofthemostcompellinginsightsinWaldorfeducation,istheideathatachildpassesthoughdistinctphasesofdevelopment.Thecurriculumcorrespondstotheneedsofthechildatagivenstage.Insimilarfashion,theschoolitselfhasprogressed.Therewasconception,followedbyaperiodofrapidgrowthandthenaneventuallevelingoff.Theorganizationhasnowreachedthestageofadolescence,straddlingtheperiodbetweenyouthandmaturity.Likeanyyoungperson,wearenowaskingquestionsaboutidentity,wonderinghowtoproceed,andwhereourfuturedevelopmentmaytakeus.Itisherewherewefindourselves:ayouthinwandering,unabletogobackandyetfacingafuturewithbothtrepidationandhopefulness.Whathasguidedusinchildhoodmaynolongerserveusinthesamemanner.There’retheinevitablepitfallsandobstaclestobeovercome,butfurtherresponsibilityandrewardseemstantalizinglyclose.Ourexperienceovertheyearshasbroughtwisdomandnewinsights;howwillourcollectiveknowledgebenefitournextstageofdevelopment?Lifeisnotstatic.Theenvironmentandconditionsarounduschangeconstantly.Someofthepioneeringmembersofthecommunityfallaway,whilemanynewpeoplecometojoinus.Wehavegrowninnumbers,butwearealsobeholdingtoourfinancialandphysicalresources.Oursite,forexample,isonlysobig,ourabilitytoaccommodategrowthisonlysomuch.Sothereemergestheprimacyofqualityoverquantity.Givenourconstraints,temporaryorotherwise,howwillweuseourresourcestobestdeliveronoureducationalmission?Howcanweprioritizeandbringcohesiontoouractions?Strategicplanningisanorganizationaltoolforansweringsuchquestions.

Vision: “Guidedbycareandrespectforeachhumanbeing,ourvisionistoprovideaWaldorfeducationthatnurturesanddevelopseachchild’smind,body,andspiritthroughimagination,creativity,academicexcellence,independentthinkingandenthusiasmforlife.Wealsoencouragethesequalitiesinthedailylivesofourfamiliestofurtherinspireandsupportourstudentsandourselves.Weaspiretodevelopthinking,caringindividualswhowillchangetheworldthroughtheirthoughts,spokenwords,anddeeds.”Anydiscussionofstrategymustnecessarilybeginwiththevision.Thisisourraisond’etre,ouranimatingpurpose.Itisthe“why”behindourstriving.CedarSpringsWaldorfSchoolhasandalwayswillbefocuseduponthefullandbeneficialdevelopmentofchildren.Everythingwedointermsofpedagogy,community,andbusinessoperationssupportstherealizationofthissacredideal.Borneoutofthevisionisthemissionstatementandourvalues,adeclarationofwhatwedoandwhatwebelievein.

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Mission:

“Inspiringourstudentstoreachtheirhighestpotentialasfree-thinking,creativehumanbeingswhohavealife-longloveoflearning,CedarSpringsoffersWaldorfeducationtofamiliesandtheirchildren,infantsthrougheighthgrade.”-CedarSpringsWaldorfSchoolMissionStatement

Values:

BalancedCurriculum.Integrated,exemplaryacademicsthroughabalancedcurriculum-Wefoster

academicexcellenceandinquirythroughourdiverse,developmentallyappropriatecurriculumandour

teachers’passionatecommitmenttostudentengagementandsuccess.

HolisticEducation.Holistic,developmentallyappropriateeducation-Throughourunderstandingof

Waldorfpedagogy,westrivetoeducatechildrenacademically,artisticallyandphysicallyeachday.

TheWholeChild.Thespiritualnatureofeachindividual;theimportanceofnurturingpositivevalues

andcharacterinourstudents-Werecognizeandnurturethespiritualessenceofeachindividualthrough

thecurriculumcontentandbyourcommunityvalues.Thesevaluesincludecompassion,respect,

honesty,diligence,toleranceandkindness.

UniquePotential.Theuniquegiftsofeachindividual-Werespecttheuniquequalities,talentsand

skillsofeachchild.Throughadiverseeducationalexperience,weinspirestudentstorealizetheirunique

potential.

ReverenceforLife.Reverencefortheenvironmentandalllife-Wenurtureawe,wonderandrespect

forthenaturalworldandmaintainareverenceforlifeinallitsforms.Weencouragethestudentstoact

ontheirloveofthenaturalworldbydoingwhattheycantoprotectandimprovetheirenvironment.

Collaboration.Westrivetocreateacommunityinwhichfamilies,staffandteachersworktogetherto

supportthestudents’andeachother’sgrowthandlearning.Wearecommittedtocommunicating

respectfullyandopenly.

Service.Webelieveinprovidingservicetoaideachotherandourlocalandgreatercommunities.

Diversity.Wevaluetheinclusionoffamiliesfromdiverseracial,ethnic,social,economicandspiritual

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backgrounds.

Consensus.Decision-makingbyconsensus-Webuildcommitmentforourdecisionsthroughfull

participationindeliberationsandutilizingthewisdomofthegroup.

Integrityandaccountability.Wevaluefiscal,legalandsocialintegrityandaccountabilityinallour

actions.

GrowthandDevelopment.Westriveforandsupportgrowthanddevelopmentorganizationally,

professionallyandpersonally.

Ourvision,missionandvaluesareimbeddedinandinformourstrategicpriorities—themajorgoals,or

mostimportantareaswherewewillfocusourenergyandresourcesinthecomingyears.

Strategic Priorities:

PRINCIPLE OF SUSTAINABILITY

Thisphaseinourschool’sdevelopmentleadsustoaturntowardthefuture,andstrivingtoensurewewillbeabletobringWaldorfeducationtoElDoradocountyfamiliesforanotherthirtyyears.Sustainabilityisaprinciplethatwilloverlapandembeditselfineachofourstrategicpriorities,callingustoseek:asoundfinancialpositionthatwillhelpusweatherdownturns;foundationallystrongfacilitiesthatenableustoprovideourprograms;andbalancedandviableenvironmentsinwhichourcommunity—students,faculty,parentsandstaff—canthrive. Strategic priority one: Waldorf Education

“Ananthroposophically-drivenWaldorfeducation,dedicatedtoholistic,integratedlearning.”Werecognizeanthroposophyastheguidingphilosophybehindourpedagogy.Weareanindependent,AWSNA-accreditedWaldorfschoolwithaverysolid,supportivefacultyworkingfromadeepinterestandknowledgeinthedevelopmentofthechildbasedontheprinciplesofanthroposophyandthepedagogicalunderpinningsoftheWaldorfcurriculum. Strategic priority two: Community

“Fosteringenduringconnectionswithinourschoolandthegreatercommunity.”

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Weareaschoolencompassingmanydifferentcommunities,bothinternalandexternal.Westrivetostrengthentheconnectionswithinourschoolcommunity,revitalizingourcollaborationsandsupportforoneanother,andourschool.Wealsoreachbeyondourselvestoconnectinthelargercommunitiessurroundingus.

Strategic priority three: governance and policy

“Clearandunambiguousproceduresanddecision-makingprocesses.”Inordertopromotetransparency,re-enlivencollaboration,streamlineourprocesses,andfosterefficiency,wewillworkintheshorttermtodefine,clarify,anddocumentourroles,responsibilities,policiesandprocedures. Strategic priority four: Site

“Aninvitingandwondroussite,supportingourfinancial,academic,andcommunityobjectives.”CedarSpringsWaldorfSchoolisblessedtohaveinitspossessionabeautiful,oak-shadedcampusintheSierraFoothills.Thewonderofnature,soinherentinoureducationalphilosophy,isonfulldisplaystraightfromourdoorstep!Itisthephysicalrepresentationofourphilosophy,asaplaceofinspiration,learning,andgathering.Inmorepracticalterms,itisourplaceofbusiness.Ourlandandbuildingsserveusinmyriadways,soweshouldcertainlystewardtheminamannerbefittingoftheirgifts.Strategic priority five: finance

“Financialsustainability,enablinglong-terminvestmentsinpeople,program,andplace.”WemustrecognizethatweareequallyaWaldorfschoolandabusiness.Wewillundernoconditionsurrenderouressentialcharacterorfoundingprinciples.However,wealsoneedtomanageourresourcesinanorganizedandprudentmanner,inordertosuccessfullyfulfillourmissionandensureourlong-termviabilityasanorganization.Ourbusinesspracticesshouldbecomplementarytothesuccessofouracademicprogramandviceversa.

IMPLEMENTATION--STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES: Waldorf Education objectives:

Goal:Sustainability,accountability,andexcellenceinthefulfillmentofoureducationalmission.1. TeacherRetention

a. Attractandretainqualifiedteachers

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i. Conductcomprehensivereview,anddevelopcompetitivesalaryandbenefitpackage,asreferencedin“Finance.”Timeline:2nd-3rdQuarter19-20(Mar31,2020.)

1. Enhanceopportunitiesforteacherdevelopment2. Enhanceopportunitiesforteacherbreaks3. Includeteacherloungeinsiteplan,asreferencedin“Site.”4. Workwithotherschools,asappropriate

ii. Evaluatepracticesforrecruitmentofteachers,anddevelopstrategytoincreaseaccessofhiringcommitteetoqualifiedteachers.Timeline:2ndQuarter19-20(Dec31,2019.)

b. ImplementpositionofPedagogicalAdministrator.Timeline:4thQuarter19-20(Jun30,2020.)

i. SupportFaculty1. ImplementpoliciesandguidelinesdeterminedbyCollegeofTeachers2. Increaseopportunitiesforteacherdevelopment3. Provideoversightandensurefollowthrough4. Developsupportplansforteachers5. Ensurequalityandconsistencyofmentoring6. Facilitateadministrativesupportforteachers

ii. Developprogramiii. Supportparentsiv. PartnerwithBusinessAdministratortoprovideleadershipforschoolasawhole

2. CurriculumStandardsa. Implementstandardsforgradescurriculum,asdesignatedbyCollegeofTeachers.Timeline:

1stQuarter19-20(Sep30,2019.)i. AdoptionoftheBonnieRiversrubricii. Trackablemetricsiii. AssessmentplansforK-8thgrade.iv. Conductregularteacherevaluations.

1. Mentor,support,observationsandevaluations 3. EducationalProgram

a. InstituteEurhythmyasanongoingpartourprogram.Timeline:2ndQuarter19-20(Dec31,2019.)

i. InitiallyoffertoK-4thstarting2019ii. Offertoallgrades–spacerequired.Timeline3-5years.

b. Implementextralessonsupport.Timeline:4thQuarter19-20(June30,2020.)i. Developplanforfunding,exploreinternalandexternalsources.ii. ExploreIEPservicesthatcanbeprovided

c. Furtherdevelopprogramforcomputerskillsreadiness.Timeline:4thQuarter20-21(June30,2021.)

i. MakeCybercivicsamandatoryofferingfor6-8thgrades.ii. Exploreotherskills-buildingofferings,i.e.,Typingclass

d. Conductevaluationofspecialtysubjects,anddevelopspecialtysubjectprogramplan.Timeline:4thQuarter19-20(June30,2020.)

i. Considerations1. Objectivesandstandards2. Reviewsandevaluations3. Recruitmentofqualifiedspecialtyfaculty

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e. EvaluateanddevelopplanforexpandingEarlyChildhoodVillageprograms.Timeline:4thQuarter19-20(June30,2020.)

i. Considerations1. Outdoor2. AfternoonKG3. AdditionalPreschoolclass4. Parent-Child

4. Anthroposophya. Evaluateanddevelopparenteducationprogram.Timeline:4thQuarter19-20(June30,

2020.)b. DevelopandimplementeducationalopportunitiesfortheBoardofTrusteesand

Administrativestafftostudyanthroposophy.Timeline:4thQuarter19-20(June30,2020.)Community objectives:

Goal:Broad-basedandmeaningfulinteractioninallrelevantcommunities.

1. Culturea. Reduceattritionratesby20%.Timeline:4thQuarter19-20(June30,2020.)

i. Actionitems1. Createincreasedopportunitiesforsocialbonding.2. Cultivateacultureofgratitude.3. OrganizeGet-togethers,celebrations

b. Developactionplanforseekingandreceivingparentfeedback.Timeline:2ndQuarter19-20(Dec31,2019.)

2. Communicationc. ConductanevaluationofCSWScommunicationpolicy,determiningstrengthsand

weaknesses,andrecommendingpossiblechanges.Timeline:4thQuarter19-20(June30,2020.)

d. Developcomprehensivedescriptionofappropriatepersonforindividualstocontactwithconcernsandquestions,anddistributetocommunity.Timeline:1stQuarter19-20(Sep30,2019.)

e. Evaluatecontent,receptionandpotentialforweeklycommunityupdate,andintegratefindingsintoitsuse.Timeline:1stQuarter19-20(Sep30,2019.)

a. Festivallife3. ParentEngagement

f. EvaluateanddevelopParentEngagementworkplan.Timeline:4thQuarter19-20(June30,2020.)

i. Considerations1. Trackingservicehours2. Connecthourstoenrollment3. School-wide,centralizeddataaboutwhatskills/servicesareneeded,

whatskills/servicesareavailable

4. Alumni5. Successionplanningandmentorship6. Avoidingburn-out

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7. Ensuringappreciationandgratitude4. CommunityOutreach

g. Developcommunityoutreachplan.Timeline:2ndQuarter19-20(Dec31,2019.)a. Considerations

i. Valuepropositionii. Leveragingcommunityadvocatestogetthewordout

1. Enrollmentadvocates2. Boardmembers3. Activefamilies4. Parentsinvolvedasexternalcommunityleaders

iii. Increasecontactpointswithgreatercommunity1. Sportsleague2. SummerCamp3. ParentTot4. ServiceProjects5. Communityevents–FarmDay,etc.

governance and policy objectives:

Goal:Eliminationofconfusionindecision-makingandprocedures.

1. Decision-Making

i. Clarifyrolesandresponsibilities,aswellasdecision-makingprocess,ofCSWSgoverningbodies,includingBOT,COT,PGSC.Timeline:2ndQuarter19-20(Dec31,2019.)

i. Considerations1. EvaluateinfluenceofinterestedpartiesinBoarddecision-

makingasitrelatestomaintainingorganizationalindependence.

2. Continuemonitoringchecksandbalanceswithinorganizationalstructureanddecision-making.

ii. Conductanevaluationofconsensuspracticedbyourdecision-makingbodies.Timeline:4thQuarter19-20(June30,2020.)

ii. Considerations1. Thescopeofconsensus—withingroups,betweengroups2. Appropriateforwhichdecisions/Alternatives3. RoleofopinionleadersonPotentialforConsensus4. Conducttrainingsannually

i. Roleoffacilitatorii. RoleofCommitteerepresentativeregarding

1. Reportingback2. Informing3. Including4. Seekingconsensus

2. Transparency

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iii. ConductanauditofCSWSpolicieswithregardtocurrentpractice.Timeline:4thQuarter19-20(June30,2020.)

i. Considerations1. College–Academicstandards,pedagogy,curriculum2. Board–Financial,legal,humanresources,healthandsafety

a. UpdateBoardhandbookb. AnnualreviewofBi-Lawsc. Allminutesavailableonwebsited. Agendasavailable7daysbeforeBOTmeetingson

website3. Respectiveadministratorstoauthorandreport4. Whenappropriatesituationsarisewherenopolicyexists,

developanddocumentthoroughpracticeintopolicy.3. UnifiedVision

a. Conductreviewandrevisionofmission,visionandvalues.One-threeyears,preferablybyendofsecondyear.(June30,2021.)

4. LegalComplianceiv. Conductacomprehensivehumanresourceaudit.Timeline:3rdQuarter19-20(Mar

31,2020.)i. Considerations

1. Reviewcompliancewithrelevantlaws2. Updateemployeehandbook3. Reviewprocedurefororientationanddismissals

Site Objectives:

Goal:Renewandmakevalue-addedinvestmentsinourexistingcampus.

1. SitePlana. Conductsitestudyanddevelopoverallsiteplan.Timeline:2ndQuarter20-21(Dec31,

2020.)b. Considerations

i. Redesignimpactfulareastoimprovebothfunctionandaesthetics.1. Renewplayspacesandtheathleticfield.2. Addfunctionalandaestheticfencingarounddesignatedareas.3. Frontsignreplacements

ii. Evaluatesolutionstothestorageproblem—makinguseofbothonandoff-sitelocations.

iii. Developfunctionalspacesforacademicandbusinesspurposes.1. Multipurposespaceforeurhythmy,indoorgatherings,parents.(Yurt?)2. Facultylounge/conferenceroom/privateoffice/improvebathrooms3. Expandedfarmandgardeningactivities4. Hotlunchservingplaceand/orkitchen.

iv. Evaluatereplacementofoneorbothportablebuildings.2. HealthandSafety

a. Conductauditofhealthandsafetypracticesandpolicies,anddevelopcomprehensivehealthandsafetyplan.Timeline:2ndQuarter19-20(Dec31,2019.)

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i. Obtainnecessarytraining.ii. Continuetomakeessentialmaintenanceandrepairs,withanemphasison

healthandsafety.iii. Exploreanddevelopstrategyaroundenvironmentalhealthconcerns.

3. Facilitiesa. IncreaseFacilitiesandEquipmentbudgetby25%,thenannually,tokeeppacewith

needforreplacementandincreasingcosts.Timeline:4thQuarter19-20(Jun30,2020.)i. DeterminehowtomanageFacilitiesresponsibilitieswithcontractors,paidstaff

and/orvolunteerstaff,andimplement.ii. Continuetomakeessentialinvestmentsinmaintenanceandrepairs.

4. Traffica. Conductevaluationoftrafficpracticesanddemand,anddeveloptrafficplaninconcert

withenrollmentplantomitigatecongestion.Timeline:4thQuarter19-20(Jun30,2019.)

b. Considerationsi. Evaluatetimingandplacesofreleaseii. Considerobtainingvansforfieldtrips.Timeline:longterm.

5. Expansiona. Conductevaluationofpropertyavailabilityforfutureexpansioninordertobeableto

takeadvantageofopportunisticpropertyacquisitionswhenappropriate.Timeline:2ndQuarter20-21(Dec31,2020.)

finance Objectives:

Goal:Operateprofitablyforthelong-termhealthandviabilityofourorganization.INCOME1. Enrollment

a. IncreaseEnrollmentfornewfamiliesby10%.Timeline:1stQuarter20-21(Sep1,2020.)v. Considerations

1. Increaseoutreachintocommunity,asreferencedin“Community”2. TuitionIncome

a. Conducttuitionanalysis,anddevelopgradualincreaseplantoenableCSWStosustainannualcostsincreases.Timeline:2ndQuarter19-20(Dec31,2019.)

b. Considerations:i. Strivefortuitionthatis

1. Competitivewithlikeinstitutions2. Sustainable

ii. Evaluateimpactoncurrentfamiliesanddevelopstrategytoimplementwithminimalimpactonwell-beingandenrollment

iii. Maintainpricingflexibilityoftuitionupto5%.iv. Evaluateotherareaswhereourfinancialofficecanincreaseconvenienceand

efficiencyinmanagingfamilyschoolexpenditures3. Reserves

a. Buildreservesof5-10%ofgrossincomeannually.Timeline:Beginning4thQuarter19-20(June30,2020,andeveryyearthereafter.)(AWSNArecommendedpg21)

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4. OtherIncome

a. ConductEvaluationofinvestmentoptionsanddevelopstrategytoincrease.Timeline:2ndQuarter19-20(Dec31,2019.)

b. Considerationsi. Short-termcashmanagementii. Stockportfolio

c. Reduceratioofcost/returnforgeneratingdonationsto35%orlower.Timeline:Priorto1stQuarter19-20(July1,2019.)

i. Reallocateexpendituresandconductcurrentfundraisingprogramswithcurrentstaffandvolunteers

d. Increasenewdonorsby1%,returningdonorsby10%,andaverageincreaseinindividualdonationsby1%.Timeline:4thQuarter19-20(June30,2020.)

i. Increaseoutreachtoparentsandcurrent/potentialdonorsii. EvaluateanddevelopParentEngagementworkplan,asreferencedin

“Community”e. Lookforopportunitiestoexpandnon-tuitionincomebyseekinggrantsandbusiness

sponsorships.i. Developcommunityoutreachplanasreferencedin“Community.”

EXPENSES5. Attrition

a. Decreaseattritionratesby10%.Timeline:4thQuarter19-20(June30,2020.)i. Seeactionitemsunder“Community”

6. Reductions

a. DecreaseratioofreductionfromTuitionAssistanceProgramtoasustainablelevelof15%ofgrossincome.Timeline:One-ThreeYears(June30,2022.)(RefBookpg69)

b. Considerationsi. Conductevaluationofotherschools’financialaidprogramsii. Evaluateimpactoncurrentfamiliesanddevelopstrategytoimplementwith

minimalimpactonwell-beingandenrollment7. StaffRemuneration

a. Conductcomprehensivereviewofsalaryandbenefitpackage.Timeline:2ndQuarter19-20(Dec31,2019.)

b. Developnewsalaryandbenefitspackageandplanintimetoimplementfor2020-21contracts.Timeline:3rdQuarter19-20(March31,2020.)

c. Considerations:i. Striveforpackagethatis

1. Competitive2. Equitable3. Sustainable

8. GeneralExpensesa. Evaluateexpenseswithemphasisonreturnandefficiency,andmakeadjustmentsto

upcomingbudget,byendoffiscalyear.Beginning4thQuarter19-20(June30,2020,andeveryyearthereafter.)

b. Considerations

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i. Avoidduplicationofefforts9. OtherExpenses

a. ConductEvaluationofdebt,anddevelopstrategytoacceleratedecreaseofdebtTimeline:2ndQuarter19-20(Dec31,2019.)

b. Considerationsi. Createsinkingfundfortheaccelerationofdebtrepayment.

1. Retirehigh-interest7%notefirst

Monitoring plan:

ItisourintentionthatthisStrategicPlanisaliving,relevantdocumentthatlendsitselftoregularreviewandrevision.Followingdesignatedtimelinesreferencedthroughoutthedocument,thoseresponsibleforimplementationwillreportprogresstotheBoardofTrusteesthroughouttheyear,adjustingtimelinesasneeded.Annually,theplanwillbereviewedandrevisedbytheBoardofTrustees,drivenbyongoingfeedbackfromtheimplementationteams,othergovernancebodies,andcurrentcircumstances.