Our North Star
Getting anywhere in today’s world seems to be getting more complicated. You wouldn’t think that would be the case, would you? After all, there are a lot of modern conveniences to help us arrive at our desired destinations. Whether you rely on GPS, a map or the stars, few of us set out without a plan. That is why we chose two years ago to assemble a cadre of leaders—our design team comprised of talented individuals representing our business community, alumni, teachers, students, parents and administrators for the purpose of designing a portrait of a Springfield graduate. Our partners assembled to create a dynamic plan to represent a collective vision that articulates our district’s aspirations for all of our students. Together, this team asked and answered hard questions—we considered:
•What are the hopes, aspirations and dreams that our community has for our young people?
•What are the skills and mindsets that our children need for success in this rapidly changing and complex world?
•What are the implications for the learning experiences we provide in our school system?
Designing our portrait of a graduate was challenging— and because of the pandemic most of the work had to take place virtually—yet, we persevered and together framed a new vision for our school system. Now, we take on the next phase of this exciting work— implementing our North Star!
A quick search for details about the North Star provided this wonderful description, “Like the sparks of imagination from which dreams are formed, stars represent limitless possibilities and infinite wonder. Over the years, Polaris, or the North Star, has come to be associated with direction and purpose, glowing bright to guide our heart’s true desires.” So yes, our North Star.
Now more than ever, learning experiences must not only provide for the acquisition of rigorous academic content, but they also must be more intentional about fostering critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity and other 21st century skills our young people need to thrive in this complex, rapidly changing world. In our back to school newsletter, you will find the image and the competencies that the members of design team worked so purposefully to create and define. Their collective, years-long effort now offers to all partners—our students, teachers, families, alumni, business leaders, elected officials and even neighbors whose children are no longer of school age with a clear direction and purpose for our hopes and dreams for every student attending school in the district. As we prepare for the start
As we prepare for the start of the 2021-22 school year, we all have the opportunity to be part of the next phase. There will be countless ways for everyone to engage in efforts to implement the team’s vision and add even more depth to the effort as we move forward.
I would like to thank Sean Abel, Morgan Amick (student), Paulette Baz, Jerry Bell, Brit Bensman, Shannon Brazzil, Robb Brown, Cory Cantu, Cheri Copeland-Shull, Ed Ewers, Dana Falkenberg, Andy Glenn, Karen Humker, Barb and Lee Irons, Kesha Jackson, Keith Kurtz, Ryan Lee, Ryan Lockwood, Lisa Meeker, Taryn Miley, Mary Murray, Ken Musch, Tami Norris, Ashley Palicki, Aryss Ruley (student), Michelle Taylor, Kristina White and Dave Zerbey for devoting their time and considerable talents to this important work. I also would like to acknowledge all of the students at Springfield High School who participated in our surveys and those who contributed their ideas and talents to the image that represents our portrait. As always, if you have
As always, if you have thoughts, ideas or questions about the portrait of a graduate or any of our district initiatives, I will welcome your emails at mattgeha@springfieldschools.org, calls or requests to meet. It’s going to be a great year.
Springfield Schools thanks BatelleforKids for their guidance and insights throughout the creation of our portrait of a Springfield graduate.
