Table of Contents Letter from Board of Trustees
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Letter from Head of School
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Community
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Experience
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Culture
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Communication
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Financial Operations
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Technology
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Campus Environment
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Board of Trustees 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 Tori Adams Laura Bonnell Alexander ’88 Laura Bird Victor Boschini, Ed.D. Marshall Boyd Doug Bratton Beth Caraway Michael Dike ’88 David Ekstrom ’75 Bonnie Epstein John Fant Arthur Ferrell John M. Geesbreght, M.D. Randy Gideon Judie B. Greenman Russell Laughlin George F. LeBus ’77 Alicia Rattikin Lindsey ’78 Bobby McGehee ’88 Steve Palko Frasher Hudson Pergande ’81 Reed Pigman Tom Purvis ’77 Shannon Young Ray ’80 Beth Rivers Lynny Sankary Kathleen Stepp Mary Katherine Tetirick Kelly R. Thompson ’77 Bryan Wagner ’79 Letty Waltrip Mike Waltrip Ex-Officio Members Evan D. Peterson, Head of School Alison Robinson Kay Robinson
Dear Friends of FWCD, On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we are pleased to present FWCD’s Strategic Principles and Goals (the “2008 Strategic Plan”) approved by the Board on August 27, 2008. The 2008 Strategic Plan builds upon the vision provided by FWCD’s first Strategic Plan which was adopted in 2003. With much of the original plan accomplished, the Board recognized the need to update the Strategic Plan and included that as one of the Board’s goals for 2007/08. As such, the Ad Hoc Strategic Planning Committee was established to evaluate FWCD’s Mission, Purpose, Philosophy and Core Value statements as well as create a more current and forward-looking plan. As part of the process, the Board ratified FWCD’s Mission, Purpose, and Philosophy as well as its Core Values and embraced the use of “Defining Statements” to encompass all of the aforementioned statements. The 2008 Strategic Plan serves as a bridge between FWCD’s Defining Statements and its operating plans. As a reminder, the Head of School and staff are responsible for establishing and executing the operating plans in support of the 2008 Strategic Plan. The 2008 Strategic Plan presents seven principles with each principle supported by four or five goals which are intended to guide FWCD over the coming years as it continues in its role as a nationally recognized college preparatory day school striving for excellence in all aspects of school life. The Board recognizes that long-range planning is essential to the success of FWCD and is committed to evaluating, amending and revising the 2008 Strategic Plan, as necessary, to meet the challenges of the future. Respectfully submitted,
Tori Adams President Board of Trustees
Laura Bonnell Alexander ’88 Chair Strategic Planning Ad Hoc Committee
Members of the Strategic Planning Ad Hoc Committee Laura Bonnell Alexander ’88 Bonnie Epstein John Geesbreght, M.D. Randy Gideon Judie B. Greenman Russell Laughlin Evan D. Peterson, Head of School
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A Message from the Head of School Dear FWCD Family: Fort Worth Country Day has a road map and guiding principles in the form of a Strategic Plan that keeps our mission focused on the future, always mindful of where we have been. The years that have passed between our last summary in 2003 and today have shown remarkable growth and improvements. These areas of focus were designed specifically to enhance the education we offer, and I think we have done that successfully. The last summary indicated a concentration of efforts on student life, faculty and administration, programs, facilities and financial resources. You’ll be happy to know that we followed through on all points and did what we set out to do. We have grown as a community and we are now ready to tackle a new set of directions. Today, we take a few of those same concepts and expand upon them, adding new components that will sustain Fort Worth Country Day into the next very competitive decade. We are still keen on developing our Community, but we also want the Experience to be meaningful on so many different levels. We want to explore the Culture of the school and how the school Communicates with all its constituents. Providing Financial Resources is still a huge priority, but we have added Technology and the Campus Environment as well, recognizing that the whole picture is so much bigger than the individual parts. Fort Worth Country Day is doing a lot of things right, but we realize there is always room for improvement. We will utilize the 2008 Strategic Plan as our road map to position us as a leader among our peer schools, making us the school of choice, the employer of choice and the charity of choice. With your help and support, we can make these concepts a reality and push forward as never before. We are perfectly positioned to take the lead, and the points made in the 2008 Strategic Plan show us how. It’s a comfort to know that Fort Worth Country Day is on the right track.
Evan D. Peterson
2008 Strategic Plan Strategic Principles with Goals
Adopted by the Board of Trustees, Aug. 27, 2008 The following principles and goals shall guide FWCD as it continues in its role as a nationally recognized college preparatory day school striving for excellence in all aspects of school life.
Community FWCD will attract, retain and support students, faculty, administration and staff of the highest caliber and character. Goals: • • •
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FWCD will promote the intellectual and emotional wellbeing of all of its community members. FWCD will expand support systems for new students, new teachers and those students entering new divisions. FWCD will compensate its administration and faculty using the 80th percentile of salaries at NAIS Day Schools as the median target. FWCD will have a target enrollment of 1,150. Administrative Team Ellen Fanning, Director of Finance and Campus Services Barbara Jiongo, Director of Admissions Frank Gendusa, Director of Athletics Randy Tierce, Ph.D., Director of Performing Arts Steve Uhr, Director of Technology Joe Breedlove, Director of Breakthrough Fort Worth
Evan D. Peterson, Head of School Steve Stackhouse, Senior Director of Operations Paula K. Parrish CFRE, Director of Advancement Rob Hereford, Head of Upper School John Stephens, Head of Middle School Shari Lincoln, Head of Lower School
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Experience FWCD will offer the finest available curricula and methodologies for achieving excellence in academics, arts and athletics to ensure that the FWCD experience will provide the best possible preparation for future success in college and life. Goals: • • • • •
FWCD will emphasize a cooperative learning environment that integrates practical, real world experiences of leadership, citizenship and community service. FWCD will provide an optimal learning environment for students with a target class size of 15 students. FWCD will emphasize professional development and support appropriate development opportunities for faculty and staff. FWCD will have outstanding facilities to support its academics, arts and athletics. FWCD will affirm its commitment to the college and personal counseling programs.
The mission of Fort Worth Country Day is to foster the intellectual, physical, emotional and ethical development of capable students through an academically rigorous college preparatory program that integrates the arts and athletics.
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Culture FWCD will demonstrate understanding and respect for the individual while offering an environment that values integrity, leadership and service. Goals: • • • • •
FWCD will embody its Core Values. FWCD will promote the awareness and appreciation of the individual and respect for individual differences. FWCD will enhance its unique traditions that create and foster school spirit and loyalty. FWCD will encourage its members to participate in community service activities. FWCD will support those extracurricular activities that teach leadership and service.
Communication FWCD will encourage comprehensive communications that engage the School’s constituencies and enhance awareness of FWCD in the broader community. Goals: • • • •
FWCD will promote effective and timely communications within the School community. FWCD will maintain a strategic communications plan. FWCD will seek constructive input from its community members. FWCD will increase active management of the School’s brand and image in the local community.
Financial Operations FWCD will ensure its long-term financial viability by operating on a sound basis and developing financial resources in support of the School’s initiatives. Goals: • • • •
FWCD will maintain a balanced budget and engage in long-term financial planning. FWCD will preserve the purchasing power of its endowment. FWCD will seek revenue enhancement opportunities to reduce tuition dependence. FWCD will uphold its commitment to financial aid.
Technology FWCD will use technology to promote and enhance critical thinking, effective communications and collaboration within the School community. FWCD will also seek the broad and relevant use of authentic educational technologies. Goals: • • • •
FWCD will review and update its technology plan annually. FWCD will maintain a secure network. FWCD will seek technology that supports and integrates with its curriculum. FWCD will include continuing education in technology as part of professional development. The purpose of FWCD is to inspire the passion to learn, the courage to lead and the commitment to serve.
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Campus Environment FWCD will efficiently maintain its property and facilities as well as evaluate and implement an appropriate sequence of campus enhancements that supports an evolving educational experience. Goals: • • • • •
FWCD will protect and preserve the School’s park-like setting, campus space and the integrity of its boundaries. FWCD will identify and address facility needs as they support the mission, enrollment and programs through regular evaluation and updating of the Facilities Master Plan. FWCD will pursue a sustainable and healthy environmental management system. FWCD will ensure that all facilities are physically safe, secure and aesthetically pleasing. FWCD will continually monitor and implement plant repairs, replacement and special maintenance. The core values of FWCD set forth a standard of conduct that is the foundation of a productive life. These values provide an ethical compass and give purpose to education.
Integrity Kindness Courage Respect Responsibility Scholarship 8
Fort Worth Country Day 4200 Country Day Lane Fort Worth, TX 76109-4299 817.732.7718 www.fwcds.org Š2008