Latest news with #KristinaJ.Hartman
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Windham School District celebrates Second Chance Month
Apr. 16—HUNTSVILLE — In April of each year, Windham School District and its higher education partners, in collaboration with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, recognizes its alumni by celebrating Second Chance Month. This month is dedicated to honoring individuals who accessed and completed rehabilitative programs during incarceration and are now thriving in their communities and lives. Second Chance Month also highlights the importance of entities such as Windham, college and university partners across the state and others that are committed to providing opportunities for people who are incarcerated to engage in academic and career and technical education programs with promising labor market projections in preparation to contribute to Texas communities. Seventeen years ago, on April 9, the Second Chance Act was enacted to help improve the likelihood of life-long success for individuals leaving incarceration. Texas reports one of the lowest recidivism rates in the country, with only 16.9% of individuals returning to incarceration within three years of reentry. Windham and postsecondary partners have contributed to this decrease of recidivism by remaining committed to educational opportunities while cultivating student excellence and transforming lives. "Second Chance Month allows Windham to recognize former students and graduates who worked diligently during incarceration to prepare for productive futures," Windham Superintendent Kristina J. Hartman said in a news release. "These individuals prioritized their education, gained strong career skills and maintained an optimistic outlook resulting in a positive impact to themselves, their families and communities." Through the power of education, Windham fosters successful outcomes by offering a variety of educational opportunities, including life skills programs that promote cognitive behavioral outcomes, academic courses for students to earn their high school equivalency or diploma and dual credit opportunities through partnerships with Lee College and Central Texas College. Additionally, Windham offers approximately 40 hands-on career and technical education (CTE) courses to help prepare students for employment in high-demand jobs. Finally, Windham partners with institutions of higher education for students to continue career preparedness, building upon the skills obtained with the district, through certificate and degree programs. Windham's steadfast dedication to providing success-driven educational opportunities to our students is represented in the district's alumni. According to Windham's 2023-2024 Annual Performance Report, of the 46,648 individuals who rejoined their communities from TDCJ in the 2023-2024 school year, 70% participated in Windham programs. Furthermore, approximately 60% of students enrolled in higher education programs during incarceration were Windham graduates. The district is proud to celebrate the positive impacts of current and future alumni during this year's Second Chance Month.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Windham School District unveils 2025-2029 Strategic Plan
Mar. 3—HUNTSVILLE — Windham School District, serving students incarcerated in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, recently unveiled its 2025-2029 Strategic Plan, a comprehensive, five-year roadmap designed to drive the district's goals and initiatives forward. Alongside this plan, the district introduced a refreshed vision and mission statement, highlighting the commitment to being a leader in education, while fostering lifelong student excellence and motivation. Windham's newly refined vision and mission better reflect what the district strives toward daily. Vision: To be a leader in education by inspiring excellence and transforming lives. Mission: To guide, motivate and empower students through innovative educational pathways. These changes certify that the district prioritizes the academic, career and individual growth of students to assist them in becoming the best version of themselves. "Windham is excited to implement an improved plan, vision and mission that focuses on advancing the goals of the district not only as it relates to our educators and students, but also for the communities we serve," Windham Superintendent Kristina J. Hartman said in a news release. "Our 2025-2029 Strategic Plan sets a bold course for the future, reaffirming our commitment to excellence in education and ensuring that Windham remains a leader in empowering students to achieve their full potential." Windham's 2025-2029 Strategic Plan is dedicated to the delivery of high-quality instruction to students while supporting their transition into apprenticeship, postsecondary education programs or employment. To achieve this, the district aims to recruit and retain highly qualified teachers and staff, enhance the integration of technology in classrooms and strengthen effective communication. Windham plans to accomplish these goals through continual program improvement and annual progress evaluation. The updated Strategic Plan champions improved internet connectivity for students and educators, increasing technology usage and outcomes in the classroom and workforce as the intended result. Additionally, Windham will maximize pre- and post-reentry employment resources for students and graduates by implementing employment and career-centered strategies within the classroom and the community. Furthermore, the district plans to increase the teacher fill rate, currently at 80%. Finally, the 2025-2029 Strategic Plan outlines Windham's goal to enhance communication at the student, internal and stakeholder levels. This will be accomplished by focusing on person-centered language, improving the flow of communication and promoting awareness at the governmental and community levels. "Our goal is to foster clear and open communication on all levels, ensuring everyone feels heard and supported," Windham Division Director of Instruction Kevin Sawnick said in the release. "Not only that, but by placing an emphasis on person-centered language, we create a more respectful environment and empower our students to see their potential and take meaningful steps toward achieving their goals." Windham's implementation of its 2025-2029 Strategic Plan represents a significant rise in educational excellence across all campuses. By focusing on innovative initiatives, the district will enhance the quality of programs offered to students. With a steadfast dedication to providing future-focused education, Windham is poised to create lasting, positive impacts on students, their families and communities throughout the state, the release said. View Windham's 2025-2029 Strategic Plan at the district website.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Windham School District unveils 2025-2029 Strategic Plan
Mar. 3—HUNTSVILLE — Windham School District, serving students incarcerated in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, recently unveiled its 2025-2029 Strategic Plan, a comprehensive, five-year roadmap designed to drive the district's goals and initiatives forward. Alongside this plan, the district introduced a refreshed vision and mission statement, highlighting the commitment to being a leader in education, while fostering lifelong student excellence and motivation. Windham's newly refined vision and mission better reflect what the district strives toward daily. Vision: To be a leader in education by inspiring excellence and transforming lives. Mission: To guide, motivate and empower students through innovative educational pathways. These changes certify that the district prioritizes the academic, career and individual growth of students to assist them in becoming the best version of themselves. "Windham is excited to implement an improved plan, vision and mission that focuses on advancing the goals of the district not only as it relates to our educators and students, but also for the communities we serve," Windham Superintendent Kristina J. Hartman said in a news release. "Our 2025-2029 Strategic Plan sets a bold course for the future, reaffirming our commitment to excellence in education and ensuring that Windham remains a leader in empowering students to achieve their full potential." Windham's 2025-2029 Strategic Plan is dedicated to the delivery of high-quality instruction to students while supporting their transition into apprenticeship, postsecondary education programs or employment. To achieve this, the district aims to recruit and retain highly qualified teachers and staff, enhance the integration of technology in classrooms and strengthen effective communication. Windham plans to accomplish these goals through continual program improvement and annual progress evaluation. The updated Strategic Plan champions improved internet connectivity for students and educators, increasing technology usage and outcomes in the classroom and workforce as the intended result. Additionally, Windham will maximize pre- and post-reentry employment resources for students and graduates by implementing employment and career-centered strategies within the classroom and the community. Furthermore, the district plans to increase the teacher fill rate, currently at 80%. Finally, the 2025-2029 Strategic Plan outlines Windham's goal to enhance communication at the student, internal and stakeholder levels. This will be accomplished by focusing on person-centered language, improving the flow of communication and promoting awareness at the governmental and community levels. "Our goal is to foster clear and open communication on all levels, ensuring everyone feels heard and supported," Windham Division Director of Instruction Kevin Sawnick said in the release. "Not only that, but by placing an emphasis on person-centered language, we create a more respectful environment and empower our students to see their potential and take meaningful steps toward achieving their goals." Windham's implementation of its 2025-2029 Strategic Plan represents a significant rise in educational excellence across all campuses. By focusing on innovative initiatives, the district will enhance the quality of programs offered to students. With a steadfast dedication to providing future-focused education, Windham is poised to create lasting, positive impacts on students, their families and communities throughout the state, the release said. View Windham's 2025-2029 Strategic Plan at the district website.
