TUSD 2011-12 Action Plans
* The following are just a few of the district’s 36 plans.
· Begin a new tradition by establishing a district “Music in the Park” festival, whereby the current district music festival moves outdoors, with other student-sponsored vendors and booths set up with the Child Nutrition Department offering food.
· Move forward with technology by adopting online textbooks.
· Establish voter-rights, at-large trustee areas.
· Appointed to the Stanislaus Partners in Education Board, a coalition representing business, labor, government and education to maximize the employment potential of young people and adults in Stanislaus County.
· Participate, monitor and promote district arts and music programs with the idea of preserving an education suited for a well-rounded student. Support the District Music Festival through participation and funding.
· Continue to support athletics to promote a well-rounded student.
Turlock Unified School District Superintendent Sonny Da Marto is proud of the successes the district saw in the 2010-11 school year and is looking forward to an even better — and more tech savvy 2011-12.
Da Marto submitted a report to the TUSD Board of Trustees Tuesday night that listed the district’s accomplishments for the 2010-11 school year — 75 in all.
“If I have to pick one that stands out I think it would be how well the students are doing,” DaMarto said.
Student test scores have improved throughout the district for the past several years. DaMarto said that he was particularly impressed by improvements in identified subgroups, including English language learners and economically disadvantaged and special education students.
“We’re seeing a significant increase with our subgroups’ scores,” DaMarto said.
The superintendent’s report also included a list of goals and action plans for the coming year.
“Making goals keeps us focused. It keeps us all looking at objectives for this year,” DaMarto said.
The 12 goals and 36 action plans are all in line with the district’s Strategic Plan. DaMarto identified goals ranging from expanding use of technology through on-line textbooks to working with the board to establish trustee areas. One goal that DaMarto reiterated at the board meeting was the desire to increase attendance at eCademy Charter at Crane. The charter school is new to the district this year, and it offers k-12 homeschooling and high school distance learning programs.
The 2011/2012 action plans included items that DaMarto would like to personally become involved in, including acting as the district representative in Stanislaus Count’s Choose Civility campaign. Also included in the action plan was the establishment of a district “Music in the Park” festival, where music students would perform outdoors and student groups could participate as vendors.
Overall, DaMarto said that he is excited by the progress the district and students have made over the past few years.
“I would like to continue that progress in this and future school years,” he said.
To contact Andrea Goodwin, e-mail agoodwin@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2003.
