Learning @ Hawthorn

What is the Hawthorn Planning Council (HPC)?

The Hawthorn Planning Council (HPC) was created by the Board of Education to provide a collaborative structure for advancing the strategic plan for Hawthorn District 73. The members of the Hawthorn Planning Council are hereby charged by the Board of Education to:

1. Develop and recommend strategies that promote successful teaching and learning for all Hawthorn learners.
2. Develop and recommend strategies to integrate technology into the District in ways that enhance teaching and learning.
3. Model open and positive communication, and identify ways to promote such communication throughout the entire Hawthorn Learning Community.
4. Identify staff development initiatives that will help to enhance teaching and learning.
5. Provide input on the development of the annual school calendar.
6. Communicate professional policy statements for the district.
7. Administer the Sick Bank Leave policy.

Annual reports are presented to the Board of Education regarding the Hawthorn Planning Council‚s efforts to fulfill this charge.

What is the mission of HPC?

It is the mission of the Hawthorn Learning Community to establish high standards of teaching and learning that all members are expected to achieve.

It is the collective responsibility of the entire learning community to ensure that all its members realize their potential, develop or enhance the skills necessary for lifelong learning, and reflect responsible and productive citizenship.

„Learning for All; Whatever It Takes‰

What are the purposes and goals of HPC?

Our HPC goals are the building and district goals, and are aligned to address student, staff, building, district and state needs as they relate to teaching and learning. They are:

1. Increase the percentage of students who meet or exceed the state standards to 90% or greater and reduce the percentage designated as academic warning to 0% as measured by the Illinois Standards Assessment Test. Further we will maintain or increase the national percentile aggregate score at the 70% as measured by the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills and the Riverside Primary Multiple.
2. Create a productive, collaborative teaching and learning environment.
3. Develop effective communication and partnerships with the Hawthorn community to provide the support needed for continual improvement of teaching and learning.
4. Maintain financial stability for the district.

What is the vision of Hawthorn District 73?

The vision of Hawthorn School District 73 is to become a professional learning community. This requires our schools to use a shared mission, vision, values, and goals. Collective inquiry, collaborative teams, orientation toward action, a willingness to experiment, commitment to continuous improvement, and a focus on results are essential qualities for this to become a reality.

In a professional learning environment, open and on-going communication occurs throughout school, home, and the community to guarantee success for all students. The purpose of this communication is the involvement of the entire learning community in sharing ideas and concerns, clarifying expectations, establishing goals, and making recommendations and decisions.

I. Curriculum and Instruction

The Hawthorn Professional Learning Community provides a diverse and well-balanced curriculum, including knowledge and skills that all students will attain.

Curriculum and Instruction at Hawthorn will be guided by:

1. Research of best practices, goal setting, implementation, and assessment in order to demonstrate the district's commitment to continuous improvement.
2. Clearly stated challenging goals for each grade level.
3. A spiraling scope and sequence.
4. Closely monitoring the academic progress of each student.
5. Support for students requiring additional assistance.
6. Instructional strategies recognizing individual learning styles.
7. Integration of technology to support curricula.

II. Climate

The Hawthorn Professional Learning Community provides a positive environment that is conducive to learning, and values instructional time. Our environment will:

1. Provide an emotionally and physically safe, supportive atmosphere.
2. Show respect and consideration for everyone.
3. Provide clear, consistent, and concise guidelines for student behavior.
4. Appreciate and embrace diversity.
5. Recognizing and celebrate individual efforts and achievement of the professional learning community.

III. Student Learners

The Hawthorn Professional Learning Community focuses all its efforts on the social, emotional and academic growth of its student learners. In order to realize their full potential, students will:

1. Accept responsibility for their learning, decisions, and actions.
2. Set goals, give their best effort to achieve them, and reflect on their progress.
3. Take pride in their efforts and achievements, and encourage others in their efforts.
4. Work cooperatively with other learners to achieve goals.
5. Partner with other members of the learning community in working for the benefit of all.
6. Respect the rights of others.
7. Participate in school and community service activities.

IV. Professional Staff

The Hawthorn Professional Learning Community employs the highest quality educators to lead its students into the future. Hawthorn professional staff will:

1. Share a common mission, vision, values, and goals.
2. Maintain high expectations for student achievement and meet individual learner needs.
3. Collaborate with one another, on a regular basis, to enhance teaching and learning.
4. Model the importance of lifelong learning through a commitment to personal, professional growth.

VI. Home/Community/School Partnerships

The Hawthorn Professional Learning Community maintains effective partnerships within its community. In order to provide its schools with the support needed for continual improvement of teaching and learning,

The parents will:

Take an active role in the education of their children by closely monitoring their social, emotional, and academic growth by working with the teachers to emphasize the importance of education, and modeling a commitment to lifelong learning.

The community will:

1. Provide the resources that enable the learning community to offer exemplary programs.
2. Utilize the resources and facilities available through the district.