A New Strategic Plan for a New School Year
The 2022-2023 school year has started at Strelitz International Academy (SIA), and to kick off the year, we are introducing a new five-year Strategic Plan. This plan aims to ensure that SIA establishes itself in the local community and the community, promoting a social and global consciousness that encompasses a profound respect for all humanity. Learn more about our new Strategic Plan and how we are achieving these goals.
The 2022-2027 Strategic Plan
The new school year has already started, and work on the five-year strategic plan has begun. To achieve this plan, we want to invite every parent, community member, and friend of the school to join us as we work together to accomplish our vision. As we look to the future, we are excited to implement changes for growth. Over the next five years, we aim to:
- Invest in SIA by creating a Culture of Philanthropy and Maximizing our Strong Financial Position
- Position SIA as the leader of the International Baccalaureate® Primary Years World Schools in Hampton Roads.
- RE-Imagine the SIA campus spaces to inspire creativity and learning.
- Identify and establish reciprocal and sustainable partnerships.
How We Are Achieving These Goals
Fulfilling this Strategic Plan will take work and dedication on behalf of the SIA Faculty, Parents, Students, Staff, Trustees, Campus, JFS, and Federation. However, we are optimistic we can achieve these goals together, as work has already begun.
Investing in SIA
SIA is working to become a leader of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years World Schools in Hampton Roads and is grateful for the support from the Simon Family Foundation, TJF, and the community, which has helped SIA become the only IB World School for the Primary Years in our area.
Positioning Ourselves as a Leader
As the only IB World School for the Primary Years in the Hampton Roads area, the International Baccalaureate World School Program continues to be a globally-minded and progressive way of teaching and learning that has drawn many new families to the program. This year’s enrollment boasts new students in every age group and grade—expanding to include waitlists for many classes. SIA is already scheduling tours and accepting applications for the 2023-2024 school year as the buzz of the IB Program and SIA’s excellent reputation spreads through the community. Parents and students love the hands-on, project-based learning that the IB World School offers. With the enrollment growth over the last few years, SIA is expanding.
In addition, this past summer, Elyssa Brinn, SIA’s Early Years Director was approved to give a presentation at the IBⓇ World School International Conference in San Diego, California. Elyssa’s presentation on “Provocations’, ‘an IB Term used to describe a “hook” when introducing a unit of inquiry to inspire curiosity, wowed the IB Conference committee so much that they asked her to become a regular presenter! We are so proud of Morah Elyssa and her work to help SIA become a front-runner in the IB World!
Re-Imagining SIA
Over the summer, a new Learning Lab in the Primary Years wing was added. The Learning Lab includes a space for the learning specialists to meet with students and includes opportunities for added student academic support and enrichment. In addition, the Early Years Cooking Center got a facelift this summer thanks to a generous community impact grant from the Tidewater Jewish Foundation (TJF).
The cooking center has been a hub of the preschool with student cooking and baking opportunities and daily snack storage. This renovation will also give students an enhanced “farm to table” experience using the SIA garden harvest to create and extend learning opportunities. New classrooms were added to the Early Years space and an activity room for the Early Years students to engage in gross motor development.
Even the SIA school lobby has a fresh new look! Students and visitors to the school are greeted with a colorful tiger wall mural, SIA’s school mascot. The tiger was designed last year by SIA’s 2022 graduating class and is the inspiration behind the 2022-2023 wall calendar and SIA’s 2022-2027 five-year strategic plan.
Establishing Partnerships
Prior to the start of school, SIA’s professional development week for teachers included several IB Global Leaders, including Trevor Mackenzie, author of Dive into Inquiry; Inquiry Mindset Elementary Edition; and Inquiry Mindset Assessment Edition. Inquiry Educator Jessica Vance also presented to the SIA Faculty. With a professional teaching and leadership background in both private and public international schools as an IB PYP Educator and PYP Coordinator, Jessica Vance, brought a unique perspective to her role as Enrichment and Environment Coordinator.
Similarly, SIA’s campaign theme for this year is G2G, from Generation to Generation, highlighting the bridge from past to present and future. SIA is proud of the ways the school continues to honor Jewish traditions and heritage while creating a sustainable and innovative plan for the future.
SIA Going Forth, Embracing Innovation, and Inspiring Global Action
As we look to the future, we are excited to implement changes for growth. We thank each and every person for helping Strelitz International Academy become the community pillar it is today, and we hope that through this Strategic Plan, we can continue for years to come.
Learn more about the IB Primary Years Program at Strelitz International Academy.
