A message from Assistant Superintendent Art Hansen:
In the fall of 2007, this year's Weber School District graduates entered their first kindergarten class. In just two months, these same students will be walking across the stage during their graduation commencement ceremonies. It has been our mission to provide them with educational experiences which motivate each student to become a lifelong learner, develop academic and personal potential, and to be prepared to enter the workforce with the necessary skills. Our focus has been on the whole child and ensuring that they have been safe, supported, engaged, and challenged throughout their journey.
In May of 2019, the Utah State Board of Education released a statewide model (Portrait of a Graduate), that identifies ideal characteristics of a Utah graduate after going through the K-12 system. They call it Utah Talent MAP. MAP stands for Mastery – the ability to demonstrate knowledge and skill proficiency; Autonomy – having self-confidence and motivation to think and act independently; and Purpose – guides life decisions, influences behavior, shapes goals, offers a sense of direction, and creates meaning. Board Member Laura Belnap stated, "The Portrait of a Graduate is about creating a holistic view of what we expect from students in Utah."
The Board has identified key characteristics that begin in the home and should be cultivated in our educational settings. A list of these characteristics can be found on their website. We welcome this whole-child approach following a time where testing and accountability seemed to be the focus, rather than a more child-centered approach. Through the testing and accountability model, Weber School District maintained its vision focusing on the whole child. We have called it the "Weber Way."
We look forward to celebrating with our Class of 2020 this May. They have demonstrated tremendous growth, and we are confident that they are ready to take the next step in contributing to the greater society.
