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EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY / MISSION
Philosophy
As advocates for children, the Acton School Committee recognizes that the thorough and efficient education of children is its primary statutory-based responsibility. To this end, the School Committee considers proper and adequate support of schools to be a civic responsibility shared by all citizens.
Mission
Acton School Department’s qualified and dedicated staff strives to guide students in a Safe, Respectful, and Responsible environment by motivating and encouraging students to reach their full potential. We aspire to create well-rounded students who flourish academically, emotionally, and socially through diversified experiences.
It is our goal to purposefully support and empower our students to develop skills while being imaginative and innovative, and to support them as lifelong learners who serve as confident, resilient, and dedicated members of an ever-changing technologically advanced society.
Beliefs
The Acton School Committee believes that:
Families, schools and communities must work together to support the education of children.
All children have a right to a physically safe, emotionally secure, and supportive learning environment.
High academic and behavioral expectations establish a foundation for children to reach their fullest potential.
All children will grow in self-worth and self-confidence through active participation in their own learning.
Learning is an on-going and dynamic process that takes place in a variety of settings.
Staff development and opportunities for growth are essential to maintain the highest quality of teaching standards.
Rigorous Curriculum
The Acton School Department will provide a rigorous curriculum designed to ensure that all students achieve proficiency on local, state and national standards, as well as develop the knowledge and skills necessary to be critical and creative thinkers, effective communicators, well rounded and active learners, confident and resourceful problem solvers, informed and involved citizens, and responsible and considerate workers.
Shared Responsibility
Educational responsibility must be shared with important community institutions. We know that our school department’s success depends on good rapport and cooperation with our communities and its institutions.
Staff Responsibility
The School Committee recognizes the professional staff as the body that is legally charged with the responsibility of providing education to all children. In fulfilling this responsibility, the staff will seek to ensure the following.
All children will meet the standards of the Maine Learning Results in the areas of English Language Arts, Mathematics, Career Preparation, Modern and Classical Languages, Health and Physical Education, Visual and Performing Arts, Science and Technology, and Social Studies.
Instruction will be provided which is appropriate to each individual.
Students will be seen in their totality as physical, mental, social and aesthetic beings, which requires a knowledge of child growth and development.
A Comprehensive Local Assessment System will be in place to determine each individual student’s achievement.
Staff members, in order to effectively execute their responsibilities, will establish goals for themselves consistent with the philosophy of the School Committee and the Acton School Department. Staff members will engage in a self-evaluation process for the purpose of self-improvement -- the ultimate objective being an improved instructional program for all students.
Policy
The School Committee fully accepts the responsibility of formulating policies and acquiring adequate funding to support the education process. The School Committee will always consider the welfare of students as the single most important factor in making decisions relative to educational policy. It will be the responsibility of the School Committee and administrators to promote sound educational practices and professional development.
Legal Reference: 20-A MRSA, §§ 1001 et seq.; 4511.3, A
Cross Reference: IK - Standard Achievement Learning System (SALS)
Adopted: July 11, 2000
Revised: November 14,2019
