Octorara Portrait of a Brave
WHAT: What is a “Portrait of A Brave?”
Two years ago, during our time with members from the National Center on Education and the Economy (NCEE), the district started working on a project called Portrait of a Graduate. We have now changed this to Portrait of a Brave. The goal was to begin linking the district's efforts and develop a clearer understanding of our mission and its impact on our students. Our hope is that this vision will serve as our guide, shaping our decisions and guiding our students' paths throughout their time at Octorara.
The process of building the Portrait of a Brave is critical; it needs to reflect the thoughts and feelings of our staff, students, and families. So far this year, we have created a Portrait of a Brave Design committee. We have held multiple focus groups with high school students, alumni, elementary and secondary school staff, and parents. The next step is to survey more Octorara stakeholders. We must determine what skills and dispositions are most critical for our students’ success.
WHEN: When will this process take place?
The timeline for this process began in October and continues through the school year with a final presentation for the adoption of the Portrait of A Brave in August, just before school begins.
WHY: Why are we doing this?
Developing a Portrait of a Brave is important for our school district because it provides a clear and shared vision of the skills, knowledge, and attributes students need to thrive in an ever-changing world. Here are several reasons why it’s essential:
Clear Goals: It helps align educators, students, parents, and the community around common educational objectives, ensuring everyone works toward the same outcomes.
Future-Ready Skills: A Portrait of a Brave identifies critical competencies like critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and adaptability that students need to succeed in college, careers, and life.
Informed Decision-Making: It serves as a guide for curriculum design, teaching strategies, and policy decisions, ensuring that all aspects of education contribute to developing well-rounded, future-ready graduates.
Equity and Inclusion: Defining what success looks like for every student promotes equitable opportunities for all students to achieve and develop their full potential.
Community Engagement: Involving the community in creating this vision fosters stronger relationships and a sense of ownership, ensuring that the district’s values and expectations are reflective of the broader community.
Accountability: It provides a measurable framework for assessing student success beyond test scores, incorporating personal, social, and emotional growth into a holistic view of student achievement.
In essence, the Portrait of a Brave helps ensure that students leave the district with the abilities they need to navigate a complex, global society.
HOW: What can I do to help?: Please take a moment to fill out the survey below. Your input will have a direct impact on the students of the Octorara Area School District.