With the launch of Croton-Harmon’s new vision for the future, most of the District’s strategic committees have officially convened—beginning a collaborative journey rooted in innovation, reflection, and shared purpose. At the heart of this effort is a belief that bringing together staff members, community members, and students will help move the work of the Vision Map forward and involve even more stakeholders in the next phase of work.

At the start of the school year, faculty, staff, administrators, students, parents, community members, and Board of Education representatives joined together to discuss topics directly tied to the District’s Vision Map. The committees include Literacy Planning; Interdisciplinary Learning and Research; Assessment and Feedback; Technology and Learning for Our Future; Building Planning Councils; Health and Safety; Athletics Advisory; Social Emotional Learning; School Counseling; and What Success Means in Schools.

Among them, the What Success Means in Schools Committee holds a pivotal role in shaping the district’s vision of What School Can Be. “Elevating the concept of student success—drawing on both K–12 and higher education research, along with our own classroom experiences—this committee will be at the heart of our vision work over the next several years,” said Superintendent of Schools Stephen Walker. “It’s about defining, together, what success truly means for our students and ensuring that vision guides every decision we make as a district.”

In its first meeting, the What Success Means in Schools Committee engaged in text-based reflection and discussion of Never Enough, the award-winning New York Times best seller by journalist Jennifer Breheny Wallace. Members examined the text in preparation for exploring how educational priorities have evolved from the 1970s to today and reflected on two guiding questions: How do we determine school success? and How do we define student success? CHHS Principal Dr. Laura Dubak shared, "The text pushed us to look at the real experiences and reflections of students who appear to be successful according to typical markers of success.  Reading and discussing these stories is eye-opening as we take the time to deepen our understanding of where our current frameworks for success come from and look to the wide body of research to enrich our conversations and planning with the committee." 

The Technology and Learning for Our Future Committee also launched its work in October, beginning the collaborative process of shaping the District’s 2026–2029 Technology Plan. The group brought together educators, administrators, and staff to reflect on the evolving role of technology in teaching and learning and to articulate shared beliefs that will guide district priorities in the years ahead. Through activities such as “My Life Through Tech” and “The Great Debate,” members explored how technology can strengthen teaching, learning, and connection across the Croton-Harmon community—while acknowledging both its opportunities and challenges.

During The Great Debate, members examined the dual nature of technology—its power to expand opportunity and its potential to create risk. Educators discussed their responsibility to help students navigate this tension and collaborated to complete the prompt: “Because technology has both power and risk, as educators we must…” The conversation underscored a collective belief that educators play a crucial role in guiding students to become ethical, discerning, and reflective users of technology.

“This meeting laid the foundation for the important work ahead,” said Dr. Ellen Moskowitz, Director of Technology and Innovation. “A deeper discussion emerged from our dialogue about what the committee identified as core educator responsibilities in the digital age. Collectively, we examined the balance between opportunity and risk, access and inequity, pedagogy and tools, and sustainability and obsolescence—continuing to shape a vision for technology that supports every learner in achieving their fullest potential.”

All of the District’s strategic committee meetings will take place four to six times throughout the school year, allowing members to build on collective insights and carry forward their work between sessions.

Board of Education President Ana Teague emphasized the importance of community representation in this process, noting, “We’re so pleased with the progress and dedication shown by each committee. The diverse perspectives of our faculty, families, students, and community members ensure that our shared vision truly reflects the voices of the entire Croton-Harmon community and continues to move forward the work of the Vision Map.”