Thunderbird Christian Elementary
“Training for Eternity"
Strategic Plan
2022-2023
Goal No. 1 | Spiritual Enrichment
– Goal:
Strengthen the spiritual program at Thunderbird Christian Elementary (TCE) by fulfilling the school mission in that we are “Training for Eternity”.
– Rationale:
TCE is an Adventist educational institution that is above all else, God centered. It is our theme this year to show our love for God through serving. Jesus has dedicated His life to serving us so that we could get a glimpse of what the kingdom of heaven is like. We, in love for Him, should serve others. The staff and students are working to share God’s love with others in our daily lives.
– Objectives:
Provide opportunities for students and staff to build a relationship with God.
Ensure that the yearly school-wide spiritual theme, Serving God, is communicated and used in classrooms, chapels, and weeks of prayer.
Ensure there are opportunities for our constituent pastors and community members to be a spiritual presence on the campus and in the classroom giving worship talks, Bible studies and participating as class pastors.
Ensure that the Reading Buddy program continues and has a spiritual focus.
Facilitate opportunities to partner with local community organizations in serving others.
Goal No. 2 | Educational Excellence
1 – Goal:
Strengthen the educational program at TCE to ensure that all students are motivated to reach their potential.
2 – Rationale:
TCE is an Adventist educational institution that is committed to excellence in all we do. We encourage our students to be motivated thinkers and lifelong learners with a Biblical world view. It is vital that we meet the students where they are and encourage them to reach their potential. We strive to provide a well-rounded education including hands on experiential learning through STEM activities and enrichment programs. We strive to show our students how to be like Christ by using their knowledge and talents to serve others.
3 – Objectives:
Ensure that Standards-Based Education (SBE) is presented to all classroom teachers and that training is provided for them to begin the implementation of SBE at each teacher’s knowledge and comfort level.
Ensure that the needed resources and materials are provided for teachers implementing SBE.
Ensure that beginning in the fall of 2023 through the spring of 2025 that a complete comprehensive curriculum mapping of academic skills in the content areas of Reading and Math is begun, implemented, and then completed.
Ensure that the use of professional development funds is based on needs as evidenced in assessments of students.
Ensure that MAP testing is administered three times each year to all grades and data is used to drive instructional practices.
Ensure that standardized measures such as Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) are used to track student growth in grades 1-4 and to make informed decisions.
Provide remedial reading instruction for students not meeting grade level requirements.
Establish more enrichment programs for students by hiring instructional personnel for art, PE, lower elementary music and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math).
Goal No. 3 | Financial Resources
1 – Goal:
Utilize funds to the glory of God to maximize the educational and extracurricular programming while maintaining the capital investments.
2 – Rationale:
TCE is God’s school and as such, we are stewards of the money that we receive. It is our duty to make sure we are making wise decisions for the school to further our mission of “Training for Eternity”. We are a tuition-based school, but we receive tuition assistance through our constituent churches and state tax credit funds as well as various scholarships. We work to maximize the programming that we offer while not overextending our budget.
3 – Objectives:
Ensure that a budget is created to allow for maximization of resources, an updated Finance and Capital plan, and to align the budget with annual priorities.
Investigate ways to reduce costs and consolidate ways the school is receiving funds.
Ensure that the ____% of the total budget is set aside for capital budget and used for future capital needs. A list of capital improvements is kept, updated and evaluated regularly including the timeframe.
Ensure that a systematic way of evaluating family financial needs is established and reviewed regularly.
Report financial position to the constituency on a yearly basis.
Investigate ways to fund additional staffing for the enrichment programs.
Goal No. 4 | Technology
1 – Goal:
Utilize technology to enhance the learning environment for the students and help them be responsible and glorify God through the use of the equipment.
2 – Rationale:
Thunderbird Christian Elementary strives to teach students to serve God in all aspects of their lives. Technology is a great tool for learning, but it can also be a great temptation. It is our duty to teach our students to use the school technology for learning and growing in God and in academics.
3 – Objectives:
Beginning in fall of 2022, create and implement a technology plan that includes regular maintenance and replacement of equipment.
Ensure there is an active Technology Committee each year consisting of a Board member, IT specialist, and school personnel that: regular reviews and updates a Master Plan for the next two academic years, presents the plan to administration and school board, implements the Technology Master Plan, assesses the quality and use of technology in all aspects for prioritization and improvement, and works with the overarching plan.
Ensure that parents and students are provided updated and regular training opportunities to improve the use of the Jupiter SIS system and other technology-based student resources (i.e., IXL, Reading Plus, etc.).
Goal No. 5 | Advancement & Engagement
1 – Goal:
To promote and advance the school long range goals and to create a link between the school and the community.
2 – Rationale:
TCE strives to create a positive social media following and to communicate regularly with our stakeholders. It is vital to our school that we maintain positive relationships with our churches and families. We also wish to move forward with long range plans to continuously improve our campus and programming.
3 – Objectives:
Ensure that communication with current and potential partners is improved and enhanced.
Ensure regular communication is maintained with each constituent church congregation and the school will establish/maintain positive relationships with church pastors and assistants.
Increase social media followers and website views to enhance communications and exposure to the community.
Ensure that TCE will collaborate with Thunderbird Adventist Academy and Scottsdale Thunderbird Church on a regular basis for unity of vision, voice, and purpose in all areas of campus planning.
Establish processes for the Home and School Association to assist with fundraising for capital improvements.
Goal No. 6 | Facilities
1 – Goal:
Maintain our campus so that it is safe, functional, and attractive for our students and families.
2 – Rationale:
Thunderbird Christian Elementary feels that first and foremost, students must feel safe when they walk on campus each day. A well-maintained campus helps provide safety for our students. As our school grows, we will have a plan to expand our facilities so that we will have the necessary resources to complete our long-range educational initiatives.
3 – Objectives:
Ensure that a master facilities plan is created in collaboration with TAA to explore ways to maximize resources for a shared campus, including ways to save funds by sharing resources.
Ensure that a Facilities Committee is established and it advises TCE administration and board of needs. TCE administration will then prioritize the needs and bring them to the Finance Committee.
Ensure that ways are explored to save funds by upkeep and maintenance of various equipment and by budgeting and prioritizing repairs—i.e. A/C, lighting, etc.
Ensure that there are four walk throughs a year with administration and Facilities Committee.
Goal No. 7 | Safety & Health
1 – Goal:
Maintain an environment that is safe and healthy and to ensure that all stakeholders are informed.
2 – Rationale:
TCE wants all students, parents, and staff members to feel safe when they are on campus whether it be safe from intruders or safe from health issues. We strive to improve our safety protocols in all areas and to make sure that all stakeholders have learned and practiced these protocols.
3 – Objectives:
Collaborate with the Thunderbird Adventist Academy Safety Committee to ensure that the entire campus is safe.
Ensure that exterior fencing around the school is maintained and all locks are in working order.
Ensure all safety and health protocols will be reviewed and improved as needed.
Ensure all drill procedures are established, evaluated, and communicated with all stakeholders.
Ensure that all teachers carry their school phone and have updated emergency release information for all students.
Ensure all registered students have completed immunization records or the state religious exemption form before being accepted.
Evaluate the possibility of installing cameras around the campus.
Collaborate with TAA to make sure that students participating in sports are supervised.