AdvancingEXCELLENCE

Edmond Public Schools2015 - 2016

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Dear Parents, Community Members and Staff,

Welcome to the 2015-2016 school year. I am extremely humbled to be writing this letter to you as your new superintendent. I feel blessed and grateful to have been given the opportunity to lead one of the most highly regarded and award-winning districts in the state.

We are so fortunate to have a school district for which we can be proud—one in which administrators, teachers, support staff, parents and the community partner together to provide the best educational opportunities for our students.

This past summer, the district committed to its annual goals which help to support and enhance our mission of “Empowering all students to succeed in a changing society.” The goals include the following: • Nurturing success through the provision of healthy, safe and secure workplace environments • Advancing excellence through meaningful partnerships, collaborations and sound governance • Ensuring curricular/instruction quality and equity for all students • Focusing resources in support of the district’s mission

Setting annual goals allows us to be specific, measurable and action-oriented in our purpose. My belief is that if we work toward these goals with the mindset of always doing what is in the best interest of students, we will fulfill our mission as outlined above.

I consider it a privilege to be your new superintendent and I will work tirelessly to advance excellence in everything we do.

Warm Regards,

Bret Towne

MissionEdmond Public Schools’ mission is “Empowering all students to succeed in a changing society.” This mission guides our efforts to nurture confident, critical thinkers who are committed to life-long learning.

Vision Our vision is advancing excellence in everything we do.

Pathways to ExcellenceEdmond Public Schools provides students with opportunities that result in high achievement in academics, athletics, fine arts and co-curricular activities. We believe that, by focusing on teamwork, quality and integrity, we empower students to succeed.

By the Numbers Schools: • Three High Schools + Two Alternative High School Centers • Five Middle Schools – Heartland Middle School is scheduled to open in time for the start of the 2016-2017 school year. • Seventeen Elementary Schools + One Early Childhood Center

Students: • 23,969 (PK-12) • Elementary: 11,712 • Middle: 5,214 • High: 7,043

Ethnicity/Race: • White - 64% • Mixed - 18% • Black - 11% • Hispanic - 10% • Asian - 5.1% • American Indian - 2.1%

Membership in instructional programs: • Gifted and Talented - 20% • Special Education - 11% • Title 1 - 16% • English Language Learners - 4%

Employees: • Certified Staff 1454 56.93% • Support Staff 1015 39.74% • School Administration 65 2.55% • Central Administration 20 .78% • Total Staff 2554

These numbers are accurate at the time of printing - September, 2015.

Money Matters Fiscal Year 2015 General Fund Expenditures

Instruction 64.4%

Student Services 8.3%

Facilities Operations 7.3%

School Administration 6.8%

Student Transportation 5%

Instructional Support 4.5%

Central Services 2.7%

General Administration 1%

Instruction andStudent Services

72.7%

Safety & SecurityEdmond Public Schools is committed to the safety and well-being of all students and staff members. The district’s comprehensive school safety strategy includes:• Crisis management and intervention teams in all schools• Comprehensive plans for each school site including the following: evacuation, shelter-in-place and parent communication• Coordination and emergency planning with Edmond and Oklahoma City police, fire, and safety officials • Utilization of interior and exterior cameras to monitor and record video surveillance images 24/7• Employee/visitor identification badges issued through LobbyGuard• Safety drills conducted multiple times during the year

With passage of the February, 2015 bond issue, the district began constructing safe rooms or modifying existing spaces into safe rooms at all schools that do not currently have shelters.

In addition, comprehensive anti-bullying and drug and suicide prevention curriculum and programs exist at all levels. The district also partners with Mercy in Schools to offer the 24-hour hotline CALLSAM (1-855-225-2SAM) to assist students, families and staff members who may be experiencing depression, anxiety or having suicidal thoughts.

Community PartnersEdmond Public Schools is blessed to enjoy exceptionally strong relationships with numerous community partners. These partnerships allow us to provide important services and features to our students and their families. Our valued partners include the following: • Mercy Hospital• Edmond Police• Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce • Francis Tuttle Technology Center• University of Central Oklahoma• Oklahoma Christian University• Integris Health Edmond• Edmond Family Counseling• YMCA• City of Edmond

Indicators of ExcellenceThe district has exceptional community support. Fifty-seven bond issues have been passed over a period of 55 years. In addition, the district has 65 parent groups and booster clubs.

Ten schools in the district have been recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence-the most of any district in the state.

Over the past 11 years, Edmond’s high schools have garnered 79 OSSAA state athletic championships.

EPS has exceptional administrators, including 2015 Oklahoma Middle School Principal of the Year Dana Renner; Assistant Principal of the Year Emily Steele; and Assistant Superintendent of the Year Bret Towne. (Towne has since become Superintendent.)

Edmond students score well above the state and national average in the ACT Composite Test averaging a composite score of 23.4.

Edmond has one of the most robust Advanced Placement programs in the state, offering 27 AP classes.

All three high schools have been recognized as among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, Newsweek and The Washington Post.

National Merit Finalists and Commended Scholars are consistently named at each of our high schools.

Last year, the three high schools raised a combined total of over ONE MILLION DOLLARS for their selected charities. EPS has seven Great Expectations (GE) Model schools: John Ross Elementary, West Field Elementary, Washington Irving Elementary, Frontier Elementary, Cross Timbers Elementary, Centennial Elementary, and Cheyenne Middle School. GE is a research-based reform model that results in high academic achievement and a culture of respect.

Our students excel in the fine arts having been invited to perform in New York’s Carnegie Hall, Baltimore’s Strathmore Center, and London’s New Year’s Day Parade.

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For More Information:Edmond Public Schools

1001 W. Danforth, Edmond OK 73003(405) 340-2800

edmondschools.net