Professional Community Devotes In-Service Day to Strategic Plan, Accreditation Work

St. Margaret’s professional community had a productive in-service day on Monday, making significant progress on top school priorities.

 

The day started with the professional community all together, revisiting important accreditation work as the school’s self-study report is finalized this fall. St. Margaret’s is in the midst of its accreditation process through the California Association of Independent Schools and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The process includes a yearlong self-study process which engages the entire school community in reflection, analysis and writing.

 

The professional community self-selected into 13 different committees to begin the process last year, and Monday was a time for important revisions and revisiting of the self-study topic of their interest. The accreditation self-study will be completed this fall, and will be followed by an accreditation committee visiting St. Margaret’s in the winter.

 

In the afternoon, the professional community into divisions to focus on implementation of the school’s new Strategic Plan. Some of the activities included:

 

The Early School invited author Ruth Anne Hammond, an expert in relationship-based education, who spoke to the professional community on topics of parent engagement and supporting students’ social-emotional growth. Ms. Hammond also presented to Early School parents at a workshop on Tuesday.

 

The Lower School professional community held three separate professional learning sessions around the strategic priority “to build upon our rich and vigorous curriculum to inspire students through experiential and purpose-driven learning that builds leadership and critical thinking.” Specifically, grades K-2 teachers collaborated to develop accessible and challenging math centers to deepen learning. Grades 3-5 teachers explored professor Jo Boaler and her book Mathematical Mindsets around accessible math opportunities that further develop critical thinking and leadership. Special subject teachers began creating professional lesson portfolios.

 

The Middle School and Upper School teachers collaborated to learn more about the future of experiential education at St. Margaret’s, rooted in the strategic priorities around experiential learning, health and wellness and relationship-building. Stay tuned for more on these programs!

 

In addition, the professional community did a team-building activity around House Leagues, which are now implemented school-wide, and had the opportunity to engage in optional affinity groups in the afternoon.