Organization Description

The Redbank Valley School District strives to recognize the worth and dignity of each individual student. The district, after careful deliberation has taken steps to provide facilities that support children becoming all that they can be. The Redbank Valley School Board of Education has committed to providing an organizational structure designed to meet the needs of children. The Redbank Valley School District serves children in grades kindergarten through twelve from Clarion and Armstrong Counties. A total of 1346 children (third day enrollment 2005-2006) are enrolled in these grades.

Elementary education in the Redbank Valley Schools is provided through three facilities. There are 671 children in the three elementary schools. Each serves children in grades kindergarten through grade six.

The Mahoning Elementary School currently has an enrollment of 164 students. Mahoning is located in Armstrong County and draws all of its population from that county.

The New Bethlehem-South Bethlehem Elementary School currently has an enrollment of 264. New Bethlehem-South Bethlehem Elementary is located in Clarion County and serves children from both Clarion and Armstrong Counties.

The Redbank-Hawthorn Elementary School currently has an enrollment of 243. Redbank-Hawthorn Elementary is located in Clarion County and serves children from both Clarion and Armstrong Counties.

Secondary education in the Redbank Valley School District is provided in one facility located in Clarion County. There are 675 students in grades 7 – 12 at Redbank Valley High School.

Physical Plant

In the early 1980’s the Board of Directors of the Redbank Valley School District embarked on a thorough review of the conditions of its various school buildings. After considerable study and deliberation, the Board of Directors determined that consolidation and similar educational facilities would help adhere many of their future objectives. This decision was further based on the Board’s desire to provide quality education and provide facilities that would enable its students to face the twenty-first century.

Over the next five years, consolidation and renovation were the key words for the district. The elementary schools went through extensive transformation as far as upgrading the facilities in terms of major maintenance and energy conservation measures. Instructional areas were added to enhance the art and music program as well as small individual practice areas. Learning Support classrooms were added in order to make mainstreaming more feasible. New library facilities were made available and a computerized circulation system was put into place. In order to provide stage production facilities, a portable stage and lighting and speaking system were made available where they were non-existent. Seminar rooms were added to the building.

Redbank Valley Junior-Senior High School has renovated, updated, and modernized the entire building in order to be in compliance with all laws, rules, and regulations from the Department of Education and the Department of Labor and Industry. The work on Redbank Valley Junior-Senior High School began in May 1994 and was completed in September 1995. The renovation-modernization included building six additional classrooms, updating all science laboratories, expanding the library, expanding the band room and choral rooms, refurnishing the gymnasium, removing all asbestos floor tile and replacement with new surface, and moving the art room into the industrial arts complex.

Currently, the elementary and secondary facilities and grounds are well maintained by a support staff, and all students and staff take pride in the appearance and attractiveness of their respective areas. The buildings are now well cared for and in very good condition.

In spite of the on-going maintenance and the appealing appearance, the age of the facilities is a factor. Plans are underway to repair, replace or renovate all four facilities. The areas of consideration are the boilers, the roofs, the windows, the exterior building surfaces and the parking lots.

Two additional classrooms were constructed in 2005 to accommodate the newly added full day kindergarten program.

Discussion regarding a project to replace renovate and add to the high school continue. The district’s declining enrollment is a great concern regarding any facilities renovation projects with an elementary consolidation being an option.

Mission

The mission of the Redbank Valley School District community is to instill the knowledge, attitudes, and skills needed for each student to become a productive member of society and achieve at his or her highest potential while providing a safe, disciplined, and inviting environment.

Vision

All students will be productive citizens in a technologically advanced global society.

Shared Values

The Redbank Valley School District community believes that people of character consistently demonstrate and act on the following values:

• Trustworthiness – They keep promises, fulfill commitments, and abide by the spirit as well as the letter of an agreement.

• Loyalty – They support friends and their profession in good times and bad times on the basis of positive values.

• Respect – They treat other people fairly, with tolerance, acceptance, and equity.

• Compassion – They show compassion for the well being of others and their environment through acts of caring, generosity, kindness, and service.

• Citizenship – They contribute to the well being of their communities (both locally and globally) as responsible citizens acting in positive and creative ways.

• Work Ethic – They strive for excellence, taking pride in their work, always giving their best efforts, persevering in spite of adversities, reflecting on the results of their efforts and applying what they’ve learned to new endeavors.

• Integrity – They understand, consider, and accept the impact and consequences of personal actions and decisions.

(A modification of the “Universal Values” first identified by the University of Michigan School of Law)

Educational Beliefs

About Students and Learning, we believe that:

-All students have the ability to learn.
-All students learn at different rates.
-All students have the ability to become life-long learners.

About Educators and Teaching, we believe that:

-Teachers are life-long learners, able to adapt to an ever-changing world.
-Clear communication, support, and enthusiasm amongst all stakeholders (teachers, parents, students and community members) should accommodate the success of education.
-Teachers are willing to model high expectations they have of their students.

About Learning Communities, we believe that:

-Communication is important among all stakeholders (teachers, parents, students and community members)
-Parental support is basic to student achievement.
-Everyone (teachers, parents, students and community members) needs to value and reinforce learning.

Technology Beliefs

About Technology and Student Learning, we believe that:

- All students can achieve success when provided with appropriate technology equipment and instruction.
- Technology can enhance student learning and achievement.
- Technology will help to motivate and encourage student learning.

About Technology and Teaching, we believe that:

- The integration of technology into our current curriculum will engage our students in the learning process and provide them with the skills necessary to transition into an ever evolving technological society.
- Teachers will embrace technological advances and incorporate them into their teaching strategies.
- The district will provide continued support and professional development for those technological advances.
- With accessible and reliable technology, teachers will be able to use it as a viable teaching resource to enhance our students’ learning.

About Technology Communities, we believe that:

- Technology will improve student learning and enhance students’ ability to become contributing member of society.
- Skills acquired through technology will continue to be applied in local and global societies.

Goals

Goal: COMMUNICATION
Description: RVSD administration and faculty will establish lines of communication and strengthen the alliance between the school, the parents and the students in order to promote a better understanding for success on the PSSA and to meet the requirements of NCLB.

Goal: CURRICULUM
Description: RVSD will review, revise, develop and use curriculum aligned to the PA standards for math, reading and writing to achieve student proficiency on the PSSA and to meet the requirements of NCLB.

Goal: FACILITIES
Description: To maintain and improve the facilities of the Redbank Valley School District for the purpose of enhancing the surroundings and atmosphere for the students and for the protection of all those who visit and use the Redbank Valley School District facilities.

Goal: FOUR-YEAR GRADUATION RATE (for districts and schools that graduate seniors)
Description: Graduate rate will meet an 80% threshold and/or show growth.

Goal: INSTRUCTION
Description: RVSD faculty will explore, learn and implement pedagogy that will enhance student achievement on the PSSA and to meet the requirements of NCLB.

Goal: MATHEMATICS
Description: At least 45% of all students will be proficient in Mathematics, as measured by the annual state-wide PSSA assessments.

Goal: PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION
Description: Redbank Valley School District faculty will explore, learn and implement pedagogy that will enhance student achievement on the PSSA and to meet the requirements of NCLB.

Goal: READING
Description: At least 54% of all students will be proficient in Reading, as measured by the annual state-wide PSSA assessments.

Goal: STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT- ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Description: RVSD will provide additional instructional opportunities aligned to the PA standards for math, reading and writing for those students who are not achieving proficiency.

Goal: STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT- LOCAL ASSESSMENTS
Description: RVSD teachers will use district and classroom assessments to monitor their students’ achievement and evaluate student progress toward grade level benchmarks to meet the requirements of NCLB.

Goal: STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT- PSSA
Description: RVSD administration and faculty will analyze assessment data to plan for and to improve instruction and students’ achievement on the PSSA to meet the requirements of NCLB.

Goal: STUDENT ATTENDANCE (any school that does not graduate seniors)
Description: Student attendance will meet a 90% threshold and/or show growth.

Goal: STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN STATE ASSESSMENTS
Description: At least 95% of eligible students will participate in required state-wide assessments.

Goal: TECHNOLOGY for ADMINISTRATION & MANAGEMENT
Description: The district will improve the data management processes and procedures.
District personnel will utilize technology to enhance their productivity, decision-making, and effectiveness.

Goal: TECHNOLOGY for COMMUNICATIONS & INFORMATION ACCESS
Description: Technology resources, procedures and practices will be standardized across the district. Establish lines of communication and strengthen the alliance between the school, the parents, and the students.

Goal: TECHNOLOGY for STUDENTS
Description: Technology will be used by students as part of their educational process in achieving success of meeting the academic standards.

Goal: TECHNOLOGY for TEACHERS
Description: Technology will be used by teachers as an instrument to enhance instruction to improve student achievement of the academic standards.