We are in the process of evolving a new Vision Statement for Westlake High School. At present, this process involves identifying some of the ideas and concepts which we would like our Vision Statement to allow for, or to encourage. We are endeavoring to generate meaningful input from our community, and we have begun this process by the creation (through the initiative of Principal Linda Rawlings) of a 25 person Vision Committee which has been meeting at the high school twice a month since September of 2006. Part of this committee's work has been to conduct a survey of successful persons in our community, to determine their views on the skills which make for success in the real world of the 21st Century. Our assumption is that perhaps our new Vision Statement should incorporate an emphasis on preparing young persons for success at real life. Research to date indicates successful persons must have at least the following sets of skills: People Skills, Collaborative Work Skills, and Intellectual Skills.
If Westlake High School's primary task is preparing our students to be successful at acquiring a university education, then perhaps a focus on Intellectual Skills is all that our Vision Statement needs to contain. But if our task should also include preparing young persons to be successful (both socially and economically) at living real life, then our Vision Statement needs to include a focus on developing People Skills and Collaborative Work Skills.
Our hope is to facilitate a community-based series of conversations regarding words, ideas, and concepts which should be included in, or implied by, our new Vision Statement. We plan to begin with a series of small meetings (3-4 persons) over a period of 2 weeks, in coffee shop type settings. Then we plan to evolve to larger groups (first 5-9 persons, then 10-15 persons) in different settings (board rooms, bookstores, cafes, libraries). Attendance, at least initially, will be by invitation, and the composition of the group shall be managed to ensure that persons representing a variety of viewpoints and perspectives will attend each meeting. Our hope is to stimulate conversations around questions such as, "Should Westlake High School focus primarily on preparing students for success in college, or should we also focus on preparing young persons for success in real world work environments?" "How would our high school look different if we focus primarily on preparation for college, as opposed to if we focus on preparing students for real world success?"
Our goal at the present time is not to achieve consensus, but rather to generate interest and stimulate meaningful public conversation in our community.
This is a work in progress. Your thoughts, comments, and suggestions will be welcome.
Landon.
