School-wide agreement about what Westlawn’s new culture would look like was established. From Administration to 6 th grade it was all-inclusive. Every successful group has a mutually agreed upon vision and set of goals. Collective Commitments are part of this. For Westlawn to turn around, collective commitments were essential.
Dennis King met with Leadership Team to facilitate process of selecting our vision, our goals, and our Collective Commitments. The Leadership Team then decided on a preliminary set of Collective Commitments. But that wasn’t enough! It had to be school-wide to promote investment and growth in NEW school culture.
We brought this concept to a school wide staff meeting. The faculty was introduced to the idea of Collective Commitments. The faculty voted to select favorite aspects of new vision and goals.
In the first weeks of school we created a new Student Government Association at Westlawn. Representatives from each homeroom (6 th -8 th grade) plus an Executive Board of students participated. SGA met to create student Collective Commitments.
6 broad categories: Technology Academic Achievement Parental Involvement Professional Development Student Involvement Culture and Safety
It takes a community to raise a child. To turn Westlawn around, we needed everyone to work together and to be invested in our vision. We needed OWNERSHIP and BUY-IN. So has it worked?
Yes! Story from Friday Student who transferred to Westlawn I can learn here I feel more comfortable here than at my old school The teachers challenge me here It has been easier to make friends AND THE DATA SHOWS:
WORD: (war*ri*or*rif*ic ) noun and adjective An outstanding educator who is committed to change and teaching mastery of all common core standards. Their success is demonstrated by students through extraordinary growth on STAR Benchmark. When asked about their determination, commitment, and outstanding growth, WARRIORrifics usually respond by saying, “It’s a Warrior Thing!”