LAWRENCE: 175 residents turn out for schools conversation

More than 175 parents, residents, staff and students turned out last week for the Lawrence Township public school district’s annual Community Conversation, which was intended to gather input as the district prepares to draft its strategic plan.
The district is in the final year of its five-year strategic plan, and is gearing up to write its next five-year plan. At the Dec. 3 session, attendees received a brief update on the district’s progress on its current strategic plan and the moved into one of four breakout groups.
Each group was asked the same question — what are the three to five skills in academic, social, emotional and behavioral areas that students need to learn to prepare them for the future.
The breakout groups agreed that students need to be skilled in communication, critical thinking/analysis, personal management development, executive functioning, creativity, foundational skills, global citizenship and problem solving.
More time was needed for discussion in the breakout groups, so the next step is to "Continue the Conversation" in January.
"I’m very pleased with the kick-off of addressing our next strategic plan," said Crystal Edwards, the superintendent of schools.
"Those who attended the Community Conversation were engaged, gave thoughtful and insightful input, and asked probing questions for consideration," Ms. Edwards said.
Leading up to the Community Conversation, the school district conducted a survey that sought responses from residents, parents, staff, and middle and high school students. As the district attempts to prepare students for jobs that do not exist yet, the school district sought additional feedback about things to consider as it looks towards the future.
More than 1,600 people took the survey, which generally asked questions to discover what people think — on whether the district is doing well, in which areas does the district need to improve, and which skills do the respondents feel are important for the graduates to have as they head into the future.