Submitted Photo Under the watchful eye of Pepper the Therapy Dog, one of three therapy dogs devoted to supporting students’ social-emotional learning at all grade levels, staff of Gowanda Central School District participate in professional development during the 2021-2022 academic year.

GOWANDA — Gowanda Central School District is looking for a group of committed individuals representing the many facets of its school community to unite for a greater purpose. It needs district residents’ input on where the district is, where it should be going and how it can keep growing.

The annual Blueprint Day is scheduled Tuesday from 12:30 to 5 p.m. and the district is seeking volunteers to collaborate on strategic planning. The group assembled will review feedback and the previous plan then provide suggestions to assist in revising the “Blueprint for Success” for the 2022-23 academic year.

Gowanda Central School launched its “Blueprint for Success” for 2021-2022 after soliciting feedback from the community and credits some of its significant success to the influence of previous Blueprint Day volunteers.

“We accomplished many of our goals and made significant, impactful changes in the district,” says Superintendent Dr. Robert B. Anderson. “Participating in Blueprint Day is a great way to have a direct effect and help GCS shape learning, our future, our culture and so much more.”

Gowanda’s strategic plan focuses on several priority areas and action steps that the district works on together with volunteers to continue building on its tradition of excellence.

See GOWANDA, Page A3

It focused on four core goals during the 2021-2022 academic year in thoughtful, creative and measurable ways:

¯ Increasing student and parent engagement: GCS held weekly attendance team meetings, educators were encouraged to make positive connections with students and families every semester. Regular communication increased with updates and good news shared via the district website, newsletter, social media, the local media and direct messaging and texting efforts.

¯ Communicating clear expectations and improving social-emotional development: GCS facilitated monthly “Panther Challenges” for students focusing on positive character attributes while in September it used strategic methods to re-acclimate students to 100% in-person learning. All its staff received professional development in the area of trauma-informed practices and the power of restorative circles in classrooms was emphasized by a student support coordinator.

¯ Providing relevant and actionable professional development that responds to the needs and interests of all staff: GCS embedded expert consultants from Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES and held all-staff learning opportunities. Department leaders attended E2CCB forums and provided support for new staff via a district mentoring initiative.

¯ Engaging all students with enrichment opportunities to build confidence and critical thinking skills: GCS facilitates a summer enrichment program, restructured classrooms, utilized professional learning communities, implemented new math and writing programs and is expanding its high school career planning program called Naviance to the middle school.

“So much of what was successful for us last year was put into action after these meaningful Blueprint Day conversations with our community,” says Anderson. “We always develop better plans when they are representative of the community. We can’t wait to see how we can succeed and grow this year.”

To volunteer, contact Ms. Kathy Ferneza at msferneza@gcslearn.org or call 716-532-3325, ext. 6300. For a summary of the work and to review the plan, visit https://gowcsd.org/blueprint-for-success/