North Pocono School District - Mission Statement

District Mission Statement

The mission of the North Pocono District is to engage all students in an active pursuit of knowledge with a learning environment which:

Maintains high academic standards with an emphasis on the basics,
Stimulates curiosity across the disciplines,
Integrates life's latest technological concepts,
Creates life-long, directed learners and critical thinkers,
Encourages students to become independent, responsible citizens,
Promotes positive self-esteem and respect for others, and
Ensures safety and security within the education setting.

Development of the Mission Statement

Jointly developed by the strategic planning committee - a committee comprised of members of the faculty, community, and administration - the district's mission statement is a vital and required component of the strategic planning process. The committee began the development of the strategic plan by conducting a community survey, the results of which were carefully evaluated. The results informed the development of the district's belief statements, which, in turn, served as a foundation for the entire strategic plan. The district believes:

The purposes of school are:

to prepare students to be critical thinkers
to place emphasis on the "basics"
to provide students with social and communications skills
to prepare students for life in a technological world

All educators should:

conduct schooling practices believing that all students can learn, but at different rates
maintain high levels of expectation for students
be knowledgeable, caring and enthusiastic

All students are:

responsible and accountable for their own behavior
equally important and should be afforded the opportunities to develop their full potential.

With these belief statements and sample mission statements from other school districts at their disposal, each member of the planning committee wrote and presented a draft mission statement. Using these drafts as a basis, subcomittees gradually worked toward a consensus statement adopted by the full committee.

Educational Goals

In 1996, the North Pocono School Board formally adopted the following goals of quality education as stated in Chapter 5, Section 5.201. They have been revised to meet the new Chapter 4 Academic Standards. The primary function of these goals is to guide the district's curriculum, instruction, and assessment programs in concert with the mission and beliefs.

Communications: Each student shall become proficient in reading, composition, listening, speech, understanding, interpreting, analyzing and synthesizing information.
Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking Standards
World Language Standards (Proposed)

Mathematics: Each student shall become proficient in the use of varied mathematical processes and applications to solve challenging problems and to create new ways of understanding information.
Mathematics Standards

Science and Technology: Each student shall become proficient in applying the process of analysis, synthesis and evaluation to the solution of challenging scientific problems and in the application and understanding of technology in society.
Science and Technology Standards

Environment and Ecology: Each student shall understand the environment and the student's ecological relationship with it in order to recognize the importance of the quality of life in a healthy and balanced environment.
Environment and Ecology Standards

Citizenship: Each student shall understand local, state, and United States history, geography, systems of government, and economics and their relationship to the history, geography, systems of government and economics of other countries in the world and shall acquire and have opportunities to practice in the school and in the community the skills necessary for active participation in civic life.
Civics and Government Standards
Geography Standards
Economics Standards
History Standards

Arts and Humanities: Each student shall understand and appreciate the breadth of human accomplishment through the arts and humanities and shall have opportunities to practice creativity of thought and action and to demonstrate talent in the arts.
Arts and Humanities Standards

Career Education and Work: Each student shall explore varied career options and develop the skills and work habits needed to be a productive, contributing member of society and to understand that life long learning is necessary to maintain those behaviors, skills and attitudes.
Career Education and Work Standards

Wellness and Fitness: Each student shall acquire and use the knowledge and skills necessary to promote individual and family health and wellness.
Health, Safety and Physical Education Standards

Home Economics: Each student shall understand and apply principles of money management, and consumer behavior and child health to provide for personal and family needs.
Family and Consumer Science Standards