Mission, Vision, and Values

MISSION: Above All, Care**

Caring requires:

1. A thorough understanding of the one being cared for

• Know thy student.

• Obtain information from parents/guardians.

• Conference with students to determine strengths, areas of improvement, goals, etc.

• It is impossible to care for a student without a thorough knowledge of him/her.

2. Actions to be solely motivated by the needs of the one being cared for

• Fair is not always equal.

• A blanket implementation of a consequence, without understanding specific circumstances, is uncaring.

3. The one being cared for to see the action as caring

• Care is in the heart of the one being cared for. Actions are only caring if the one being cared for accepts the actions as care.

• Be mindful, artful, and skillful in helping students see actions as caring.

4. One to assume best intentions

• Assuming best intentions allows for care.

• Eg. Parent/guardian actions can be seen as an overbearing intrusion or strong advocacy for their child. One point of view supports cynicism; one point of view facilitates care.

5. An acknowledgement of the caring act

• Acknowledgement of care through recognition or an additional act of care continues the caring cycle.

• The acknowledgement can be student-teacher, teacher-student, parent/guardian-teacher, teacher-administrator, administrator-teacher.

• Reciprocity is key to the continuation of care.

VISION

Every staff member, everyday, all day caring about young people and each other

VALUES

Knowing each student…academically, socially and emotionally

Doing what is best for each and every student

Being mindful, artful and skillful in having students see actions as caring

The belief that all students can achieve at a high level

The understanding that fair is not always equal

Having a relentless optimism about each and every student

**Adopted by Hopkinton School Board (June 17, 2014)

** Revisions adopted by the Hopkinton School Board (November 15, 2016)