Allentown, PA (May 2, 2017)-As the Allentown School District (ASD) welcomes its new superintendent Dr. Thomas Parker this summer, it will begin a district-wide strategic planning process to chart its course for the coming two to three years.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur goal will be to establish stronger linkages and partnerships between our schools and our communities to improve the quality of education and health status of our students. With a focus on developing career \u2013 or college-ready young men and women,\u201d Mr. Zimmerman said.<\/p>\n
The strategic planning process will begin in July, when Dr. Parker officially takes the helm of ASD, and conclude at the end of September with the delivery of a report to the school board and community. Implementation of approved ideas\/programs will begin immediately, Mr. Zimmerman added.<\/p>\n
Input will be sought from community members, students and their families, local industry, the health and faith communities, school district staff and officials in public forums throughout the Allentown community. Mr. Zimmerman and Dr. Parker will chair these meetings, and Michael Felix, a national community health development specialist from Whitehall, will manage and facilitate the planning process.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe school district\u2019s strengths include its eager students, committed teachers and talented staff,\u201d Dr. Parker said. \u201cWhile we face the same challenges as do many urban school districts, I am confident this process will focus the district in providing a fertile, supportive and healthy learning environment for our students, who are the future of our city.\u201d Dr. Parker added that the new strategic plan will serve to gauge his job performance by the ASD board and community.<\/p>\n
Mr. Felix will implement a community health development strategy during the planning, by integrating demographic data, population health information, environmental and policy trends, regulatory and budget requirements, and current and best educational practices with the community conversations to formulate educational strategies.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis method will seek to gain maximum resident participation through individual interviews and community discussions, as we gather, analyze and prioritize areas of need, interest and advice from our key audiences and partners,\u201d Mr. Felix said.<\/p>\n
Mr. Zimmerman stressed that the health-related needs of the students will be explored and provided for, with a special focus on those that were identified in the recent Community Health Needs Assessment. Mr. Zimmerman stated, \u201cThe community interviews and discussion groups will help us to learn more about the need, interest and opportunity for our schools to house an integrated health access strategy for primary care, oral health, mental and behavioral health and health promotion that serves both the school and resident population.\u201d \u201cAs educators, we are aware that our students can perform best scholastically when they are healthy,\u201d Mr. Zimmerman said. \u201cHealthy students are capable students.\u201d<\/p>\n
A task force comprising school board members and administrative staff, led by David Wildonger, Acting Deputy Superintendent, and Mr. Felix is creating a meeting lineup and schedule, which will be presented at the June meeting of the board.<\/p>\n
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\nInformation provided by:
\nDavid Wildonger
\nActing Deputy Superintendent
\nAllentown School District
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