What Makes Winter Hill an Innovation School

In Massachusetts, an Innovation School is an in-district public school that may utilize increased autonomy and flexibility in six areas (curriculum, budget, schedule and calendar, staffing, professional development, and district policies), and is authorized by the local school committee.

Winter Hill has had innovation status since 2012. We have used this innovation status in the following ways:

• Collaborative decision-making model through the Governing Board, comprised of parents/guardians, administration, teachers, staff and community partners as well as whole staff input

• Integrated approach to social-emotional learning called the “Wildcat Way,” which includes Responsive Classroom, Restorative Practices, Positive

• Behavior Interventions and Supports, mindfulness, and Second Steps

• Unique dress code and cell phone policy (see policies at end of handbook)

• Inclusion of Adaptive Specialist classes for our students in our A.I.M. (autism) program

• Collaborative scheduling process to ensure equity for all students

• Inclusion of Drama as a core specialist class for all students

• Focused approach to family engagement

Vision

Having a vision helps you see where you are trying to go! Here is the WHCIS Vision Statement that describes our values and guides the approach we take towards all aspects of our school.

We, the Winter Hill Community Innovation School community, strive to create a warm, welcoming and nurturing environment where all students, of any race, country of origin, first language, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic status or neurodiversity, develop into thoughtful, caring and engaged young adults and community members. We recognize the unique identity, personality and talent of each individual student and are committed to educating the whole child. Our school challenges all students to ensure they make continuous academic gains, develop socially and emotionally, take ownership of and responsibility for their learning, and thrive in a community that actively promotes inclusion, diversity, human rights, global responsibility and local action.

Academic Learning

We collaborate with the district to implement the district curriculum across all content areas and support English language learners and students with disabilities.

At WHCIS, we all engage in a continuous, reflective process of teaching and learning to improve instructional practices and differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all learners. For the 2019-2020 school year, we are focused on building a common language and common understanding of the components of the learning loop--planning, teaching, assessing and reflecting--in order to strengthen our instructional practices. Teachers work in grade level teams to discuss and analyze each component and then apply to classroom practices.

Family Engagement

Family engagement plays a critical role in contributing to the school’s success, and in providing stability for students and families. We strive to be a “Partnership School,” where all families are valued and we do whatever it takes to work closely together so that all students succeed. In the 2018-2019, we focused our professional development on how to communicate effectively with all families and how to discuss student academic progress. Working in close partnership with families, the Winter Hill PTA and various community partners, Winter Hill continues to strengthen the connection between home and school. There are also a number of programs to support all of our families beyond supporting academics. Our counselors and family liaison support such programs like weekend Backpack program which provides weekend meals to students and families in need, and Wildcat Chats, run by school counselors and are often offered in multiple languages to meet the needs of a diverse community. We have also implemented principal coffee hours once per month. Our administrative team is currently developing a family engagement strategic plan as part of the district focus on equity.

Governing Board

Governing Board is our decision-making body that uses a collaborative model to determine important Winter Hill-specific policies. It is comprised of parents/guardians, administration, teachers, staff and community partners. The body relies on faculty and staff input as well as PTA input. If you are interested in serving on the Governing Board, please reach out to Principal Gosselin.

WHCIS 2022-2023 Governing Board Running Agendas and Minutes

Student Information