The vision of Ottawa Hills Local Schools:
Our vision for Ottawa Hills Local Schools is to provide a learning community with a clear, focused mission; a climate of high expectations; opportunities for all children to learn; systematic monitoring of student achievement and progress; strong instructional leadership; a safe, orderly environment; and valued parent/community involvement.
These correlates of effective schools are demonstrated through the following practices:
Clear Focused Mission
- Focus first on student achievement.
- Operate with the belief that all students can learn.
- Maximize and support learning opportunities for every child.
- Promote a culture of continuous improvement by establishing clear/specific goals with measurable results.
- Uphold a tradition of excellence.
Climate of High Expectations
- Set and maintain a climate of high expectations for students, teachers, administrators, staff members, and parents.
- Make decisions on the basis of the best interests of students and on improving student achievement and personal growth.
- Provide a rigorous, challenging curriculum aligned to standards.
- Recognize and celebrate accomplishments of students and staff.
Opportunity for All Children to Learn
- Accept responsibility for every child to achieve at his/her highest potential.
- Align curriculum (what is written), instruction (what/how it is taught), and assessment (what is evaluated).
- Increase time-on-task by limiting interruptions and seeking ways to maximize instructional time.
- Use technology to enhance, extend, and enrich teaching and learning.
- Implement new programs designed to have a positive, measurable impact on student achievement.
Systematic Frequent Monitoring of Student Achievement and Progress
- Systematically monitor student achievement and progress through ongoing classroom, grade-level, and district assessment.
- Use results of student assessment to determine learning goals for every child.
- Use data to direct planning for curriculum, instruction, and intervention.
Strong Instructional Leadership
- Expect the principal to be the instructional leader of the school.
- Foster an attitude of professionalism, mutual respect, collaboration, and teamwork among all staff members.
- Support effective instructional practices through ongoing professional development that supports district priorities and focuses on teaching and learning.
- Lead by example.
Safe, Orderly Environment
- Provide a safe, orderly, and supportive learning environment.
- Expect student, staff, and parental behavior that demonstrates respect for self/others and responsibility.
- Develop relationships through which every child feels valued.
- Promote opportunities for students to practice leadership, teamwork, and service to others.
- Foster the appreciation of the richness of our diverse society.
- Establish practices that support healthy lifestyles.
Parent/Community Involvement
- Encourage and promote parental and community involvement in the schools.
- Encourage and practice open communication among staff, parents, and community members.
- Build an enduring partnership with the community and welcome its citizens into the schools.
- Value and respect the community’s interests and expectations.
- Develop community partnerships to support and accomplish common goals.
