The International School of Florence
www.isfitaly.org
Contents
03 An Overview of the Strategic Plan for 2013-2016
04 Our goals
ISF Strategic Planning 2013:
06 Mission Statement
07 Guiding Principles
08 The Academic Program
18 Admissions and Enrollment
19 Campus and Facilities
20 Finance
21 Marketing, Development and Fundraising
22 Technology
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The International School of Florence
www.isfitaly.org
An Overview of the Strategic
Plan for 2013-2016
The International School of Florence staff and
community embarked on a mission to better
define its future and to set a path to maintain
academic excellence as its cornerstone and
top priority. This Plan begins with a revised
Mission Statement and Guiding Principles.
The intent was to move to a Statement which
was more succinct, a bit more lofty and,
importantly, memorable, especially for our
students and staff. Virtually all of the Plan
flows from the spirit of the Mission and its
Guiding Principles.
The Twenty Strategic Planning Groups,
comprised of the Academic Program, and
its fifteen sub areas and five importantly
linked components: Technology, Campus
and Facilities, Finance, Admissions and
Enrollment and Marketing, Development
and Fundraising, set forth to establish
vision statements and implementing action
statements. Each is supported by specific
action steps to be accomplished by the
Board, the Administration and the Faculty, as
appropriate, over the next three years.
To create the Strategic Plan, we engaged
a significant number of constituents in
this process over the past school year. In
the fall, as a starting point, we surveyed
parents, staff and selected students to
identify our strengths and to uncover areas
of improvement. We received a surprisingly
strong percentage of responses that allowed
Strategic Planning Groups, made up of staff
and parents, to tackle those aspects of ISF
that revealed what was good, but could be
better. We set a timeline of three years.
For each major Strategic Group (Academic
Program, Technology, Campus and Facilities,
Finance, Admissions and Enrollment and
Marketing, Development and Fundraising),
there is a specific goal attached, as will be
noted in the Plan. And behind these goals,
for each Strategic Area and sub-area, a set
of action steps have been established to
reach those goals over a three year time
span.
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The International School of Florence
www.isfitaly.org
Our Goals
The Academic
Program
The International School of Florence
will build on a rigorous and balanced
academic and extra-curricular program
to ensure the development of the whole
child.
Technology
ISF will develop and sustain a learning
culture that fosters appropriate integration
of Technology into classroom practice
through the use of updated hardware
supported by infrastructure and
professional development.
Campus and
Facilities
ISF will maintain and fully exploit the
school’s Tuscan villas while exploring
alternative future campus options that will
better support the school’s academic and
extra-curricular program.
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The International School of Florence
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Finance
ISF will continue to build the school’s
financial strength, identify ways to create
better value for money, and maintain sound
fiscal management practices to ensure its
long-term financial sustainability.
Admissions and
Enrollment
ISF will increase enrollment so that the
schools function at full capacity while
maintaining high academic and extracurricular standards.
Marketing,
Development and
Fundraising
ISF will continue to strengthen and
promote the school’s reputation in the
larger community and to initiate a capital
campaign to better support the school’s
long-term fiscal standing and to fund
potential relocation.
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The International School of Florence
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ISF Mission Statement
“ISF aims to provide a caring learning environment that promotes
personal, social and academic growth through challenging and
engaging programs, in order to develop respectful, responsible
students who strive to have a positive impact on others and the
world around them.”
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The International School of Florence
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Guiding Principles
The International School of Florence is committed to:
■■ Providing a safe and healthy school
environment.
■■ Recognizing creative expression and
promoting an appreciation of beauty.
■■ Encouraging intellectual curiosity, critical
thinking and enthusiasm for learning as a
lifelong pursuit.
■■ Developing positive moral and social
values for personal fulfilment and for the
good of the community.
■■ Enabling students to realize their highest
potential.
■■ Fostering understanding and respect
for diverse cultures and the differences
between them.
■■ Providing students with depth and breadth
of knowledge, understanding and skills in a ■■ Encouraging appreciation of each student’s
broad range of academic subjects.
heritage.
■■ Upholding appropriate standards for
personal behavior.
■■ Promoting competence in English and in at
least one other language.
■■ Building confidence, self-esteem and
■■ Continuing to attract and retain exceptional
leadership through curricular and
staff.
extracurricular activities, including athletics,
the arts and community service programs. ■■ Ensuring financial sustainability into the
future.
■■ Nurturing intellectual, social and physical
growth while identifying and meeting each
student’s developmental needs.
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The International School of Florence
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The Academic
Program
ISF will build on a rigorous and
balanced academic and extracurricular program to ensure the
development of the whole child.
Vision Statements:
Arts
■■ Explore and enhance the school’s curriculum
by including more local educational sites.
Implementing Action: Plan inter-school
workshop and conference. Completed: Spring 2015.
Implementing Action: Plan and continue visits
from and to local artists and art centers in
Florence. On going.
■■ Promote the visibility of the Arts Programs.
Implementing Action: Create an Arts
page for the ISF website.
Completed: Spring 2014.
CAS/Community Service
■■ Improve accessibility to CAS and Community
Service records.
Implementing Action: Use the “CAS BAC”
program to electronically record, retain and track
student progress for coordinators, students and
parents.
Completed: Spring 2014.
■■ Strengthen communication between teachers
and the community (PTA) at both campuses
regarding CAS/Community Service Activities.
Implementing Action: Coordinate planning and
communication of events through the school
calendar.
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Completed: December 2013.
The International School of Florence
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EAL
■■ Ensure appropriate learning goals for EAL students.
Implementing Action: Establish EAL benchmarks and assessments relative to grade level in relation
to the Junior School core curriculum.
Completed: Benchmarks created in December, 2013.
On going: Establish EAL assestments relative to grade level in relation to the JS core curriculum.
■■ Address the native language literacy needs of the Italian population.
Implementing Action: Establish individual student support with Italian teaching staff.
Completed.
■■ Inform teachers of best practice in EAL.
Implementing Action: On-going series of informational sessions.
Completed: First information session held on November 22, 2013. Specific sessions with different departments held in Fall 2014.
■■ Ensure an aligned and developmentally appropriate EAL program throughout the schools.
Implementing action: Support proficiency based student groupings in accordance with student learning needs and the school schedule. Appoint a school EAL coordinator.
Completed: September 2013.
■■ Establish standards and benchmarks for EAL students transitioning to mainstream courses.
Implementing Action: Formalize exit criteria to facilitate transition to mainstream courses. Wida to be
purchased.
Completed: Exit criteria identified in December 2013 and currently in the process of implementation. A
definitive testing schedule for all incoming EAL and early childhood students completed in the Spring and
Summer of 2014.
■■ Assess and address the academic needs of the EAL students in Science.
Completed.
Ethics and Internationalism
■■ Increase students’ awareness and appreciation of diverse cultures.
Implementing Action: Investigate further ways to integrate different
cultures and nationalities into curricular and extracurricular activities.
In progress: Create a working committee at the JS to establish what current
practice is, and where further opportunities exist.
In progress: At the US, increased integration at curricular, extracurricular,
and inter-personal levels for all teachers and students thanks to a student
committee.
■■ Raise awareness and community recognition of the moral responsibility
to improve the school in terms of environmental sustainability.
Implementing Action: Improve the school’s performance with regard to
environmental sustainability.
Completed: Implementation of a lunch program that uses organic and
biodegradable products in Fall 2014.
Completed: Separation of garbage implemented at the JS and US. Fall 2014.
In progress: Investigation of viable opportunities for futher recycling.
■■ Increase student awareness and appreciation of ethical issues.
Implementing Action: Investigate further ways to integrate different
ethical issues into curricular and extracurricular activities.
In progress.
■■ Ensure that appropriate standards for personal behavior are clearly
communicated and upheld.
Implementing Action: Review content and modes of communication of
standards for personal and moral behavior. In progress.
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Health and Well Being
■■ Provide an age appropriate and academically relevant health and well-being
program to ensure and support the whole
student’s physical, social and emotional
development.
Completed: Human development and
Reproduction in MS.
In progress: Nutrition, Conflict and Stress
Management.
IB DP/PYP
■■ Ensure that the IB PYP Academic Program
best supports the goals of the ISF Mission
Statement.
Implementing Action: Clearly incorporate the
spirit and content of the ISF Mission Statement in the self-evaluation report.
In progress.
■■ Ensure that the ISF IBDP academic schedule
supports IB minimum teaching hour guidelines
within the school day.
Implementing Action: Collect data to confirm
current teaching hours over the two years of
the IB and to investigate suitable alternatives
to the current schedule.
In progress: Pilot of additional weekly hour
alternating between HL subjects. Continued
study of alternative schedule options.
Italian Program
■■ Increase integration between Italian and
■■ Increase professional development and
International Program students.
consider exchanges with other Italian
Programs in other International Schools.
Implementing Action: Increase interdisciplinary projects.
Implementing Action: Establish contacts
Completed.
and opportunities to exchange ideas with
teachers from other International Schools. ■■ Ensure that each student’s learning needs
In progress.
are met.
Implementing Action: Use flexible small
■■ Ensure an optimal transition between
group settings with appropriate staff to
Junior School and Middle School in
address specific student needs. Set a
regards to student readiness and attaining
maximum number of students per class,
future academic objectives.
taking into account school resources and
Implementing Action: Schedule regular
their vertical optimization.
meetings between Italian Program teaCompleted: Flexible small group settings
chers at JS and MS.
Completed.
■■ Ensure an aligned and developmentally
appropriate Italian Program throughout
both schools.
Completed: Learning objectives and curriculum aligned for grades 1 - 5 in Spring 2014.
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with appropriate staff have met specific MS
students’ needs.
The International School of Florence
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Language Arts/English A
■■ Ensure that students follow a comprehensive,
structured, and systematic Language Arts
Program that provides continuity from grade
to grade.
Implementing Actions: Adopt an all-inclusive,
comprehensive K-3 Language Arts Program.
Completed: Adoption of the “Reading Street”
program for grades K-3 in September 2013.
Coordinate, develop, and strengthen the literacy/writing program from grade 4 through 6
by selecting appropriate high quality reading
materials and target writing skills for the
purpose of fostering continuity in the area of
Language Arts.
■■ Improve the Language Arts transition for
grade 5 students entering grade 6.
Implementing Action: Schedule regular meetings between fifth and sixth grade teachers.
Completed.
■■ Ensure continuity in writing skill instruction in
Language Arts from grades 5 through 8.
Implementing Action: Create a comprehensive guide of set outcomes for writing skills
for grades 5 through 8.
In progress.
In progress: Continue to develop curriculum
mapping, focusing on grades 5-8 according
to the established Language Arts curriculum
mapping template.
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The International School of Florence
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Language B
■■ Ensure a comprehensive K - 5 Italian Language curriculum with
specific learning objectives.
Implementing Action: Create a comprehensive K-5 Italian Language
curriculum.
Completed: Assessment criteria and plans have been created and implemented.
Completed: Creation of curriculum in relation to PYP units.
■■ Integrate technology into language class practice.
Implementing Action: Implement real and effective use of Smartboards, iPads and other forms of technology in language teaching.
Completed: First professional development training held in Autumn 2013
and followed by a second session with all JS Italian teachers in February
2014. Additional whole school trainings conducted in October 2014.
■■ Investigate learning support strategies with current staff.
Implementing Action: Purposeful teacher’s assistance for students
with learning Specific needs in Italian (available in the IP if needed)
and other languages.
Completed: Flexible individual student support with Italian teaching staff
fully achieved in Fall 2014
Learning Support
■■ Ensure that students’ unique learning needs will be addressed
in the classroom through modification and accommodations.
Implementing Action: All faculty will provide the recommended modifications and accommodations to ensure success
for each identified student.
In progress.
■■ Ensure a unified and standardized learning support program
throughout the schools.
Implementing Action: Administration and faculty will align and
standardize learning support programs across the Junior and
Upper Schools.
Completed: Creation of individualized check-lists for the use of
administration and teacher staff use and of a common reference
and identification process for both campuses.
■■ Provide students with appropriate learning material to address
their sensory needs.
Implementing Action: Purchase and distribute materials and
equipment appropriate for sensory integration.
Completed: Equipment has been purchased for the JS to support sensory integration and teachers have received appropriate
training by the Learning Support teacher.
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■■ Identify and provide learning support for gifted students in
grades 1 through 8.
Implementing Action: Identified students will be enabled to
meet their academic and social/emotional needs. Scheduled
sessions will be conducted with individuals and groups of
teachers.
In progress.
The International School of Florence
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Library
■■ Provide a physical environment suitable for, and conducive
to, research, study and pleasure reading.
Implementing Action. Investigate alternative structuring of
the libraries to make the best use of limited space.
Completed: The JS library moved to the former mensa area
and redesigned in accordance with its new setting. The investigation at the US has been carried out with no changes to
the present structure given limited space and cost efficiency.
■■ Integrate the Library Information Literacy Program into the
school’s curriculum.
Implementing Action. Create a structure for authentic
integration.
In progress: Continue to support a structure for authentic integration of
the Library Information Literacy Program and research skills into subject
curricula.
In progress:Continue to explore how PYP trans-disciplinary skills can be
supported.
■■ Ensure that materials are appropriate to meet the diverse requirements
of all the library’s patrons and that they support the school’s curriculum
and mission statement.
Implementing Action: Reevaluate the collections/resources and collection development policies to ensure that diverse requirements are met.
In progress.
■■ Encourage the use of library resources by keeping the community informed of their availability.
Implementing Action: Use displays, bulletin boards, parent newsletters,
website and other appropriate means for communicating library news/
concerns to the community.
Completed: A library corner has been established in the e-newsletter.
Completed: New acquisitions have been established on e-Portal
for parent and student viewing.
Mathematics
■■ Increase the opportunities for vertical alignment of the mathematics curricula between the Junior and Upper Schools.
Implementing Action: Provide opportunities for professional
development in terms of teachers visiting the respective campuses and establishing collaboration and common goals.
Completed: Exchange visits have taken place.
■■ Ensure that mathematical methods are aligned between the Junior and Middle Schools.
Implementing Action: Provide additional instruction and practice of the column method for
multiplication, rather than the lattice method, at the Junior School.
Completed: JS are aligned and implementing the use of the column method for teaching multiplication.
■■ Promote communication to improve coordination between Italian math and English math programs.
Implementing Action: Schedule regular meetings between teachers to avoid pedagogical conflict.
Completed: Meetings between 5th and 6th grade math teachers and MS International and Italian Program
teachers took place in 2014-2015.
In progress: Review and adjust 8th and 9th grade mathematics curricula.
In progress: Review the PYP Mathematics scope and sequence documents and Everyday Mathematics
Curriculum.
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The International School of Florence
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The International School of Florence
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Natural Sciences
■■ Ensure a balanced science curriculum from
PS – 12.
Implementing Action: Review current curriculum
and revise/improve scope and sequence.
In progress: Science integration within the PYP units of
inquiry is being established.
In progress: Review of curriculum in grades 8-12 in
light of IGSCE and IB curriculum changes.
Completed: Define grade level content in relation to
human development and reproduction.
■■ Support the science curriculum in grades 1-8 through
increased experiments.
Implementing Action: Ensure internal professional
development to support non-specialist teachers in
implementing a program that incorporates experiments.
Completed. Spring 2014.
■■ Ensure that science is taught in appropriately organized and safe laboratories.
Implementing Action: Identify improvements to
the structure and organization of laboratories, the
preparation room, and storage area.
Completed.
■■ Assess and Address the academic needs of the EAL
students in the Science Program at the US.
Completed.
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The International School of Florence
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Physical Education
■■ Increase students’ intrinsic motivation to gain
the knowledge, skills, purposeful learning,
and behavior in competitive and non-competitive situations.
Implementing Action: Research and
implement best practices in PE which will
increase lifelong learning.
■■ Provide an aligned school Physical Education curriculum designed to provide opportunities for enjoyment, self-expression, and
social interaction.
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The International School of Florence
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Social Studies
■■ Utilize the existing resources in the local
community to enrich learning opportunities.
Implementing Action: Incorporate and
create field trip opportunities, invite guest
speakers, and develop web-based material
to promote learning beyond the classroom.
Completed.
■■ Establish a vertical and horizontal alignment
of the Social Science curricula.
Implementing Action: Modify the existing K –
10 Social Science Program including cross
curricular integration.
In progress: Social Studies Program in PyP
Units of Inquiry is being renewed.
■■ Ensure that all students’ learning needs are
met in the subject area.
Implementing Action: Review, create and
implement use of appropriate EAL and LS
resources.
In progress: EAL and LS teachers have begun
to create support resources at the MS and US
level.
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The International School of Florence
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Admissions
and Enrollment
ISF will increase enrollment so
that the schools function at full
capacity while maintaining high
academic and extracurricular
standards.
Vision Statements:
■■ Review and modify admissions
application documents.
Completed: All admission application
documents have been revised, updated,
and are now complete and ready for
Board review.
■■ Establish a clear admissions procedure.
Completed: A clear admission procedure
was established in December 2013 and is
ready for Board review.
■■ Create a formal written admissions
policy.
Completed: A formal, written admission
policy was completed in December 2013
and is ready for Board review.
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The International School of Florence
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Vision Statements:
■■ Elevate the quality of the campus facilities
regarding delivery of the educational and
extra-curricular programs with feedback
from Physical Education and Marketing.
Implementing Action: Explore and
research ways to make optimal use of
the current sport facilities and continue to
explore more appropriate sport facilities
for both campuses.
In progress.
Campus and
Facilities
ISF will maintain and fully utilize
the school’s Tuscan villas while
exploring alternative future
campus options that will better
support the school’s academic
and extracurricular programs.
Implementing Action: Design a space
allocation plan that is both efficient and
optimal for the educational program.
In progress: Professional planners are
working with administration and the
respective town halls to secure approval for
efficient and optimal space allocation plans.
■■ Continue to uphold and maintain high
safety standards for all students and staff.
In progress: The facility manager and
the maintenance staff continue to place
emphasis on safety for all students and staff
on both campuses with the completion of
a wide range of routine and preventative
projects.
■■ Attain compliance certificates following
completion of approved and required
renovation work at the JS.
Completed.
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The International School of Florence
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Finance
ISF will continue to build the
school’s financial strength,
identify ways to create better
value for money, and maintain
sound fiscal management
practices to ensure its long-term
financial sustainability.
Vision Statements:
■■ Research and implement strategies
for accommodating families in meeting their tuition obligations.
Implementing Action: Develop alternative payment plans of fees.
Completed: Introduced to parents in
Fall 2013.
■■ Explore ways of providing more inclusive services within the tuition.
Completed: The Business Office, in
concert with the Finance Committee,
will propose as an inclusion in the tuition designated annual trips, I.B. exam
fees, and curricular related projects.
■■ Ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the school.
In progress: The Finance Committee
meets regularly with the Business Office to monitor the short and long term
fiscal soundness of the school. Reports
are made monthly to the entire Board
of Trustees.
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The International School of Florence
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Vision Statements:
■■ Ensure that a Marketing and
Fundraising Plan is in place to
enhance the reputation of ISF at a
local, national, and international level.
Implementing Action: Create a
Marketing and Branding Plan.
Completed.
Marketing,
Development
and Fundraising
ISF will continue to strengthen
and promote the school’s
reputation in the larger
community and to initiate a capital
campaign to better support the
school’s long-term fiscal standing
and to fund potential relocation.
■■ Build on and strengthen the
relationships between the school
and the parent community, local and
regional businesses, companies and
institutions.
Implementing Action: Leverage
capabilities of parents, local/regional
business, companies and institutions
to mutual benefit.
In progress: A comprehensive resource
guide for teachers has been compiled
to enable the school to capitalize on the
treasures of Florence and the skills and
talents of its parents. A coordinator has
been established at the Upper School
to identify appropriate visitations and
sites to enrich and enhance classroom
learning.
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The International School of Florence
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Technology
ISF will develop and sustain
a learning culture that fosters
appropriate integration of
technology into classroom
practice through the use
of updated hardware and
supported by infrastructure and
professional development.
Vision Statements:
■■ Prepare students with the knowledge, skills and
confidence necessary to adapt to technological
change.
Implementing Action: Continue to review and
update the schemes of work to take into account
changes in technology.
In progress.
Implementing Action: Continuous review of
curriculum software in order to enable students to
easily transfer files between home and school.
In progress: The group is in the information gathering stage through staff interviews. Technology
staff will be participating in the BETT conference in January and in the State Department annual
technology conference in June.
Implementing Action: Ensure that the software is up to date with the latest patches and consider upgrades to more current versions.
Implementing Action: Ensure that students have access to appropriate technology to enhance
learning.
●●2013: 7th grade students and 5th and 8th grade teachers (including specialists) for PD and
curricular planning.
Completed.
●●2014: 8th and 5th grade students and 6th grade teachers for PD and curricular planning.
Completed.
●●2015: 5th – 8th grade students all deployed. Specific task list for last week of June for computer support tech.
Implementing Action: Audit each grade level and each subject in US to determine how technology is used.
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■■ Use innovative technology to individualize and enhance
the learning experience of our students and faculty.
Implementing Action: Ensure fast and reliable Internet
access for all users on both campuses.
Completed: The fiber optics project to increase band width
has been finalized for the US as of January 2014 while increasing bandwidth at the JS is in progress.
Implementing Action: Research appropriate technologies
that can used by students on both campuses.
Implementing Action: Audit of staff skills and current
hardware and software.
In progress.
Implementing Action: Support the effective and ethical
use of technology through the continuous and comprehensive development of staff.
In progress: PD throughout 2014-2015 in different technology related areas.
Implementing Action: Create a clear computer use and
internet access policy.
Completed: A policy has been created and communicated
to students, staff, and parents at the Upper School and has
been included in all student handbooks in Fall 2014.
■■ Support the effective and ethical use of technology through the continuous and comprehensive
professional development of staff.
Implementing Action: Review school information management system and its use to present
data and alternatives to all members of the school community.
In progress.
■■ Provide access to technology that improves and promotes communication within the school
and the ISF community.
Implementing Action: Ensure fast and reliable Internet access for all users on both campuses.
Completed.
Implementing Action: Plan a maintenance and replacement program to ensure fully
functioning computer equipment in the classroom.
In progress.
Implementing Action: Evaluate communication system upgrades.
In progress.
■■ Review and avaluate the correct school management system.
In progress.
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Junior School
Villa le Tavernule
via del Carota, 23/25
50012 Bagno a Ripoli (Fi), Italy
tel. +39 055 6461007
fax. +39 055 644226
Upper School
Villa Torri di Gattaia
viuzzo di Gattaia, 9
50125 Firenze (Fi), Italy
tel. +39 055 2001515
fax. +39 055 2008400
yea
Strategic Plan
2013-2016