The Student/ Parent Handbook provides a detailed picture of the philosophy, governance, structures, and policies that help shape Vinalhaven's K-12 school-community.
Student/ Parent Handbook (pdf)
Mission/Vision Statement
2007-08 Goals & Assessment of Progress Towards Goals
2008-09 Goals
Mission/Vision Statement
The Members of the Vinalhaven School community are committed to creating a safe and healthy learning environment of which we can be proud. We strive to be effective communicators, creative problem solvers, and life long learners. We respect differences and work together to fulfill individual and community potential. We understand that the school community is constantly evolving. We challenge ourselves to constantly reassess our goals, beliefs, and performance.
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2007-08 Goals & Assessment of Progress Towards Goals
Vinalhaven School worked to achieve two important goals last year:
- Create a rigorous curriculum that engages all students.
- Build connections with the local community that enhances both academic and civic life.
Highlights from the 2007/08 year that demonstrated progress towards attaining these goals include:
- 8th Grade Katahdin Trip
- High School Knowledge Quest
- K-1-2 Cooking in the Community Nutrition Project with Eldercare, Vinalhaven Town Library, and Carver's Harbor Market
- 3-4-5 environmental education hikes on Vinalhaven Land Trust (VLT) Trails with a focus on natural cycles (trees and seed dispersal)
- Through the Community for Rural Education Stewardship and Technology project (CREST), over the past two years middle school students have worked with Bowdoin College and interviewed a variety of islanders to learn about and create a documentary which focuses on "island sustainability"
- Remember Me integrated arts and French performance at Robert's Cemetery
- 20% of high school students completed Advanced Placement or early college courses in 2007/08
- Over 30% of high school students enrolled in Advanced Placement or early college courses for the 2008/09 school year
- Piloted modified block schedule in high school. Adopted modified block schedule for 08/09
- Regularly scheduled Grade Level Team assemblies that showcase student learning, talents, accomplishments
- Increased after-school and co-curricular offerings (Middle School Boys Can Cook club, ACCESS student activities group at the ARC, Zoey's room, Mainly Girls Book Club, Boys, Books and Bagels book club, school newspaper, Little Bridges program, BASIC environmental student group, youth soccer program)
- Launched new school website (www.vinalhavenschool.org)
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2008-09 Vinalhaven School Goals
Vinalhaven School is renewing its commitment to work towards the goals of building a rigorous curriculum and stronger connections with the community. We realize that in order to sustain what we have built and continue to improve we must remain committed to student learning and community.
- Create a rigorous curriculum that engages all students: Vinalhaven’s K-12 curriculum will challenge all students to grow intellectually. Curriculum will incorporate student interests, curiosity, and strengths in order to grab learners’ attention and propel them to higher levels of thinking. Students will think at deeper levels and use their knowledge to help sustain our island community.
a. Students will be able to research a topic and communicate their findings at an appropriate level. Each grade span (K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12) will determine the research projects and expectations.
- Build connections with the local community that enhance both academic and civic life: School and community are interdependent. A cornerstone of our K-12 curriculum is to strengthen and expand learning opportunities that incorporate island people, places, businesses, and organizations.
a. Students will have an awareness of and participate in island civic life. Each grade span (K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12) will determine the civic activities and expectations.
In all these efforts, we recognize it will take staff, students, parents, and community members working together. Simply put, “It takes a village to educate a child.”
Sincerely,
The Leadership Team
Gloria Smith " Elementary School Team Leader
Robb Warren " Middle School Team Leader
Susan Philbrook " High School Team Leader
Yvonne Thomas " Guidance Counselor
Mike Felton " School Leader
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