"INSTILLING EXCELLENCE AND PRIDE"
MISSION STATEMENT
In the Hill City School District 51-2 of Pennington County, South Dakota, our basic belief is that children and youth are invaluable resources to our society; therefore, the school system, programs, and services are intended to function with equal opportunity for the well being of students.
Furthermore, we believe that
- School personnel should seek to develop students within students a desire and respect for learning skills for making learning a lifelong process, and to provide opportunities to apply these skills in experiences of life.
- Instructional programs, activities, and methods of teaching in the schools must be diverse to meet individual needs, interest, abilities, and learning styles of students. Teachers shall be respected for their critical role in providing educational opportunities as directors, facilitators, and models of learning, represented by their pursuit of professional competency, self-evaluation skills, and life long learning.
- Educational opportunities and experiences should be provided for students to develop toward responsible citizenship, undertaking roles of leadership and group participation.
- Instructional programs should emphasize the development of the basic skills that include reading, writing, speaking, listening, observing, critical thinking, reasoning, problem solving and logic.
- Opportunities and experiences should be provided that encourage appreciation, the development of skills, and the exploration of talent in music, art, drama, physical and practical arts. All activities shall be considered an integral part of the curriculum.
- A safe, positive learning environment should be provided in adequate facilities for students to acquire knowledge and skills to enhance their own physical and mental health, enabling them to accept in themselves and others the importance of feelings, dignity, self-worth, and self-evaluative skills.
- Students should be challenged through successful learning experiences at their ability level which will guide them in personal, social, ethical, moral, psychological, physical, and vocational development.
- The education of exceptional children should be an integral part of educational programming for all children in public education, following the principle of least restrictive environment to ensure that, to the maximum extent appropriate, handicapped students will be educated with non-handicapped students.
It is recognized that these beliefs can be realized only through the mutual efforts and cooperation of the community, especially the students, parents, teachers, administrators, other staff members, and school board. This presents a challenge to all who support and utilize the school system, as well as all who work within the schools.
~The Hill City School assures all students the opportunity of a basic education, presented on their ability level, with experiences and expectations to challenge their learning potential.
Adopted May 12th, 1988
EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY
In today's society, education is a continuous process of learning, not only for the present but for the future. Therefore, the Board will provide an educational environment that promotes and enhances learning as a life-long endeavor. In addition, the Board believes that education is not just the development and refinement of mental capacity but a process that assists the students in meeting their physical, social, aesthetic, and emotional requirements.
The Board will strive to provide stimulation and assistance so that each child develops in accordance to his or her individual abilities, interests and potential. The responsibility of the school, therefore, is to help guide the individual in the many and varied educational experiences so that a child can develop into a wholesome, happy and productive human being.
The Board recognizes the importance of the home as an influence upon the child and believes that a sympathetic, cooperative attitude between the teacher and the parent or guardian is necessary in the development of a student's integrated personality.
The total staff of the school system constitutes an inestimable and lasting force in the development of the student. The teacher is the most significant influence in the school and must, therefore, possess and demonstrate dedication, enthusiasm and sensitivity It is primarily the teacher's responsibility to provide the learning environment in the school that fosters maximum student growth and reflects individual differences.
It is further realized that mutual rapport among the home, student, staff, administration, School Board and total community is necessary to implement this policy.
Cross References: IA,Instructional Goals
Adopted: September 12, 2011