Vision+of+HHS+-+2013

Here is how the committee sees Heritage in 2013:

 * Every student has a laptop
 * Kids are in classrooms talking with each other and solving problems collectively
 * Classrooms are not teacher-centered. Teachers are learning along with the students.
 * Students are in the senior pit with laptops talking about academics
 * Tables were grouped in classrooms rather than desks in rows facing the front of the classroom.
 * Not all students are working on the same thing at the same time. Project oriented.
 * Students are working in the Student Center on class work.
 * PLC assessments results are being shared freely and without fear. Everyone is doing it, no shyness. There is a real interest in improving instruction.
 * We are using technology and communicating globally (book talks, service projects, etc.)
 * Teachers are sitting with students having discussions outside the classroom.
 * There is an accountability room with a team that changes depending on the student. This team knows the student and hopefully can make a difference with the student's behavior, helping him/her to fail forward.
 * Many students walk around with college t-shirts, not just on College T-Shirt Day. Colleges are from all over the world.
 * Kids are picking up trash around campus.
 * Students are helping each other.
 * Teachers are facilitating on-line courses.
 * There is a Starbucks kiosk where the copiers used to be. (We don't need all that space since we don't use the copiers as much.)
 * Students go on-line to check homework and their progress and essential learnings on teacher web sites.
 * Freshmen and seniors have different priveleges.
 * We have a school TV show that highlights accomplishments, makes announcements, shows clips from activities, that airs daily.
 * Senior work load is more challenging instead of an "easy year." Perhaps they take a Senior Seminar class.
 * Seniors are mentoring other students.
 * Seniors are involved in internships with local businesses.
 * World languages students are interpreting for local businesses and other organizations.
 * We have a community garden.
 * Our Top 100 are our valedictorians.
 * 100% of student graduate.
 * All students are taking an active roll in school through a club, a sport, a committee, etc.
 * We have labs with students, teachers, community members to help with learning outside the classroom.
 * We have good food in the Student Center.
 * Students from Sierra Leone are attending Heritage and some of our teachers and/or students are attending school there.
 * Heritage's population has increased by out-of-district students and we are having to turn people away. We have a very diverse population -- both racially and economically.
 * We have a very professional environment. Students and teachers look neat and respectful.
 * We feel safe and the school feels like "home" for students when they come through the door.
 * Teachers are more relaxed regarding grades because they are not continually collecting assignments that must be graded. Assessments are more meaningful and therefore aren't as frequent.
 * We have a curriculum with a manageable number of essential learnings.
 * We post our essential learnings within our classrooms.
 * The faculty eats lunch together.
 * Teachers are doing book studies on certain skills and are practicing with and observing each other.
 * Students are confronting their peers in a positive manner through a serious situation.
 * We have positive media articles.
 * We have positive informed talk between parents.
 * We recognize the Top Ten Service Projects at the end of the school year.
 * The administration is more visible in the halls talking with teachers and students
 * Administrators are seen more as instructional leaders.
 * We have student artwork in the hallways.
 * We have classical music playing in the Student Center to inspire and calm students.
 * We have school-wide themes during the year that everyone gets involved in. (i.e. - Mad Month - discussions of Africa in social studies, read African literature in Lang Arts, study African art, music, dance, etc., connect with sister school in Sierra Leone in variety of classes, student in Sierra Leone writes article for school newspaper, etc.)
 * C-SAP converstations (by administrators) all the time, every day
 * Students are sitting and talking more with teachers outside the classroom in office areas.
 * Parents and community members are visiting classrooms and helping with instruction
 * Corporations and alumni and helping within the school and describing how their subject is used in a career path.
 * We have community recognition (school-wide) for recognition of accomplishments (weekly, monthly, daily)
 * Students know each others' names in class.