Portrait of a WHS Graduate Graphic Released, Adopted by School District

The state tasked the Whitehall School District to create a Portrait of a Graduate. This state-required project began in December and culminated in the graphic shown at right and the five competencies that all graduates from Whitehall High School should possess.

Also known as a Graduate Profile, Portrait of a Learner, Habits of Success, Lifelong Learning Standards, and other expressions, this vision describes the skills and competencies a community agrees its young people need to thrive in learning, work, and life.

Through several virtual meetings, participants - which included students, parents, Whitehall residents, business owners, and interested individuals - pooled their resources and wishes together to create this Portrait. The five selected competencies were COMMUNICATION, PERSEVERANCE, CRITICAL THINKING, TECHNOLOGY LITERACY, and ADAPTABILITY.

COMMUNICATION: Our students will:

• convey thoughts and ideas using effective oral, written, non-verbal, and digital communication skills.

• listen actively and insightfully to decipher meaning, including knowledge, values, attitudes, and intentions.

• use communication for a range of purposes and audiences (e.g., to collaborate, inform, instruct, motivate, persuade, and resolve conflict).

PERSEVERANCE: Our students will:

• demonstrate determination, grit, and resilience in their pursuit of success despite obstacles, resistance, or setbacks.

• embrace the idea that failure is a part of success.

• navigate and overcome adversity to keep moving forward.

CRITICAL THINKING: Our students will:

• continually improve the quality of their thinking by skillfully analyzing, assessing, and reconstructing information.

• apply disciplined thinking that is clear, rational, open-minded, and informed by evidence.

• understand the "bigger picture" and devise solutions that are mindful of the impact they may have.

TECHNOLOGY LITERACY: Our students will:

• leverage appropriate tools to acquire information, create, communicate, connect, and innovate.

• adapt to constant technological advances and appropriately integrate them into daily life.

• act with an understanding of the ethical, legal, and societal norms surrounding the access and use of technology and human-machine interaction.

ADAPTABILITY: Our students will:

• work effectively in a climate of uncertainty and changing priorities.

• respond productively to feedback, praise, setbacks, and criticism.

• understand, negotiate, and balance diverse views and beliefs to reach workable solutions.

• demonstrate flexibility when adjusting to various roles and situations.

After group discussion, 57% of respondents indicated a landscape-driven portrait was preferred for the graphic. Five landscape-driven graphic choices were created; the above graphic is the selected version.

"The Portrait will provide strategic direction for the redesign of the overall educational experience for our students," Superintendent Hannah Nieskens said. She also noted that this Portrait will now be an integral part of a WHS student's career, and the District is excited to implement it.