Our Mission

The mission of the Rice Lake Area School District is to ensure each individual achieves academic excellence and is a compassionate, resilient, productive member of a global society, by creating a safe and caring environment and engaging each student with a challenging education in a collaborative partnership of educators, families and community.

Our Belief Statements
An expression of fundamental convictions, values and character

We believe that:

• All people have worth.
• Education is essential to sustain and advance our society.
• Every individual needs confidence and self-respect.
• All people can learn.
• Education is the shared responsibility of the learner, educators, family and the entire community.
• Learning is a life-long process.
• A safe, caring, and respectful environment is essential for learning.
• Individuals are entitled to the opportunity to achieve their potential.
• Everyone is a teacher and a learner. 

Parameters
The established guidelines within which our district will accomplish its Mission

• Decisions will be made based on what is best for students.
• We will use shared decision- making among students, parents, staff, community and board when appropriate.
• Fiscal notes and suggested priorities must be included with new program proposals to ensure available resources are not exceeded.
• We will always provide a safe learning environment in which people teach and learn.
• Staff and community will receive regular updates of the strategic plan.
• Opportunities to celebrate successes and acknowledgement of areas that need continued growth shall be provided. 

Objectives
What an organization wants to achieve in order to accomplish its mission while remaining true to its beliefs

• All students will consistently demonstrate the character traits necessary to be compassionate and resilient.
• Each student will demonstrate personal academic excellence as measured by standardized assessments and local common assessments.
• Student performance on standardized assessments will be in the top ten districts in the state.
• Each student will graduate and make a successful transition to either a post secondary education option or a meaningful career endeavor. 

The Strategies
The approach our organization will take to achieve its Mission and Objectives
Plus Action Steps for 2011-2012

I   We the Board of Education, administrators, and staff will work collaboratively to build trust and confidence in communication and relationships to improve our culture and create a safe and caring environment. 

• Analyze and implement recommendations from district-wide workplace survey.
• Implement a restorative process to resolve conflicts and restore trust within the district.
• Provide opportunities that will generate increased awareness among BOE, administrators, and staff that workplace environment is directly linked to student learning conditions.

II   We will maximize time and resources to implement a PK-12 curriculum, instruction, assessment and professional development plan.

• Provide time and resources for staff to share, plan, design, and evaluate curriculum and instructional material using Best Practice within collaborative environments.
• Develop effective schedules to maximize opportunities for collaboration.
• Provide up to date technology, training and resources to all staff on an ongoing basis to increase communication and effective instruction.

III   We will build positive connections throughout our community to stimulate ownership and expand our partnerships to improve student achievement.  

• Facilitate two-way communications between the RLASD and the community.

IV   We will integrate and reinforce the identified character traits necessary for individuals to be compassionate and resilient throughout their lives. 

V   We, in partnership with our community, will ensure we have the facilities necessary for achieving our mission and objectives.

 
To accomplish great things, 
We must not only act,
but also dream,
not only plan,
but also believe