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District School Climate Plan

Waterbury Public Schools District School Climate Plan

2025-26 School Year

Goal 1: CT School Climate Standard 2: Shared School Policies

Specific:
Reduce the district-wide chronic absenteeism rate by targeting disengaged students, families, and staff through consistent policy implementation, community partnerships, and school-based reengagement strategies.

Measurable:
Decrease the chronic absenteeism rate from 25.35% (2024-25) to 22% or less by June 2026.

Achievable:
This will be accomplished through:

  • Monthly school climate committee meetings that monitor and respond to attendance trends, discipline, and engagement data;
  • Implementation of school-based attendance teams using early warning indicators;
  • Launch of a district-wide reengagement campaign targeting students with 10+ absences by January 2026;
  • Increased family outreach via Parent Teacher Organizations and School Governance Councils.

Relevant:
This goal directly supports Standard 2 by implementing shared school policies that address systemic barriers to learning, strengthen family-school partnerships, and promote inclusive practices that reengage all stakeholders.

Time-Bound:
Progress will be monitored quarterly with a mid-year review in January 2026. Final outcomes will be evaluated by June 2026.

Goal 2: CT School Climate Standard Standard 5B: Family/Community Partnerships

Specific:
Ensure all schools establish and actively utilize School Governance Councils (SGCs) and Parent Teacher Organizations (PTOs) as platforms for authentic family and community voice in school climate and restorative practice initiatives.

Measurable:
By June 2026, 100% of Waterbury Public Schools will have an active SGC and PTO that meets at least quarterly, with meeting agendas and minutes reflecting discussion on school climate, student behavior, family engagement, and restorative practices.

Achievable:
This goal will be supported by:

  • District-provided training for school leaders and parent liaisons on launching and sustaining SGCs/PTOs;
  • Creation of a central SGC/PTO toolkit with templates, agendas, and guidance for addressing climate issues;
  • Use of parent and community engagement data to identify and address participation gaps.

Relevant:
This goal directly supports Standard 5(B) by ensuring that all stakeholders—especially families and community partners—have a structured and meaningful role in decision-making, fostering a positive and inclusive school climate.

Time-Bound:
Progress will be reviewed biannually by central office teams, with full implementation and impact evaluation completed by June 2026.

 

Goal 3: CT School Climate Standard 5D: Impact on Results – Progress Monitoring

Specific:
Ensure that all school-based School Climate Committees use School Climate Survey data to monitor progress and inform actionable steps to improve school climate and restorative practices.

Measurable:
By June 2026, 100% of schools will conduct a data review (Winter) using School Climate Survey results, and submit revisions to their school climate plans outlining identified trends, targeted strategies, and follow-up measures based on those reviews.

Achievable:
Support will be provided through:

  • A district-developed School Climate Data Reflection Tool;
  • Quarterly professional learning sessions for committee members on interpreting climate data and linking it to practice;
  • Monitoring by district leadership teams to ensure timely data review and action planning.

Relevant:
This goal aligns with Standard 5(D) by embedding progress monitoring into continuous improvement cycles, ensuring that restorative and climate-related efforts are informed by real-time stakeholder feedback and measurable outcomes.

Time-Bound:
Climate Committees will conduct data reviews and submit updates by January 2026 with the final action plan and summary of impact due by June 2026.

 

Last Updated 7/1/2025