WCPS looks to its schools and communities for new mission, vision and values
The foundational statements that define what a school division is, and what it strives to be is written within its mission, vision and values statements. It’s been 15 years since Wolf Creek Public School (WCPS) last examined and rewrote those statements.
With the inclusion of two kick-off stakeholder sessions, Feb. 11 and 12 at the Division office in Ponoka, WCPS’s Board of Trustees opened up that conversation and reflection with students, and staff in advance of a larger community engagement.
“I feel heard, and others feel heard. This is a good initiative,” said William Langille, École Secondaire Lacombe Composite High School student, who was involved in the student session.
Now, through Thoughtexchange®️, WCPS is broadening that discussion, reaching out to all its high school students, staff, parents and guardians, and communities at large for input that will help shape these defining statements and give insight for planning well into the future. That outreach includes business and municipal leaders, service club members, neighbours, friends, extended family and interested citizens.
“The end result goes beyond a new mission and vision, or values statement; it creates an enduring guide for years to come,” said Jayson Lovell, WCPS superintendent. “It becomes something that we loop back to our Three-Year Education Plan. This work and its eventual results will trigger an evaluation when creating our education plan, as we will measure our efforts and strategies to ensure they align with our new mission, vision and values.”
The Thoughtexchange will examine the following question:
What do you value most about
Wolf Creek Public Schools and what can we do better to prepare our students for the challenges and opportunities of the future?
“It’s wide open by design, to allow for a diverse expression of thought and feedback,” said Pam Hansen, WCPS board chair. “We want everyone connected to our schools, our division and in our communities at large to feel open and free to comment and share.”
The Thoughtexhange opens February 13 and closes March 1 and operates like an open online town hall. Thoughts are shared anonymously, but participants can react and build off of existing comments as themes and trends develop. The feedback will then come back to the steering committee in April to review and carry forward with the next steps in the process toward drafting and finalizing new mission, vision and values statements.
“The more participation we can get from students, staff, parents and guardians, and our communities the better picture we can get as to what WCPS is and should be. It’s important work, and we sincerely value the feedback,” Lovell.
To participate in the Thoughtexchange please go to: https://my.thoughtexchan