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Portrait of a Graduate

Fenton High School District 100 partners with Bensenville District 2 and Wood Dale District 7 to paint a ‘Portrait of a Graduate”

 
Portrait of a Graduate Graphic
The Portrait of a Graduate is a collection of qualities and capabilities that will empower our students to be "The Best Me I Can Be." The three districts created it to serve as a framework for developing skill competencies, personal attributes, and educational opportunities that will prepare students for an unknown future in a complex, rapidly changing world.
 
Knowing what a community values for its graduates is important to mapping the pathways to get there. Without this clear picture, any road may seem like a good one. 
 
As a “North Star” document, the Portrait of a Graduate will guide the three districts as they align their work with this vision.
And for our students, parents and teachers, the Portrait of a Graduate will clearly communicate that we, as a community, believe these vital skills and character traits will serve our graduates well, no matter the pathway they choose for their lives. 
 
Identified as “empowerments,” they are as follows:
 

SOCIALLY EMPOWERED

  • Communicate effectively
  • Empathize with others by understanding and accepting their diverse experiences
  • Contribute as an engaged citizen in one’s community
 

EMOTIONALLY EMPOWERED

  • Develop self-awareness of one’s emotions, thoughts and values
  • Grow confident in one’s ability to reach a goal
  • Persevere through challenges
 

CREATIVELY EMPOWERED

  • Engage one’s curiosity about the world
  • Take risks to explore new possibilities
  • Demonstrate and contribute innovative ideas and solutions
 

INTELLECTUALLY EMPOWERED

  • Become an independent critical thinker
  • Seek knowledge in order to achieve personal fulfillment and professional aspirations
  • Be growth oriented, recognizing the value of continuous improvement.
 

CULTURALLY EMPOWERED

  • Advocate for one’s self and others by being a voice for social justice
  • Establish a sense of belonging by accepting one’s self and others
  • Collaborate with others, creating a sense of harmony within our interconnected world
 

PHYSICALLY EMPOWERED

  • Understand the importance of self-care and practice healthy routines
  • Appreciate the benefits of physical fitness
  • Value and nurture one’s mental well being
 
PAINTING THE PICTURE: The communities of Bensenville and Wood Dale came together to voice their collective hopes, dreams, and aspirations for their students by creating this Portrait of a Graduate.
The three districts surveyed more than 1,000 stakeholders, who shared the skills and attributes they believed students should possess upon graduating from Fenton High School.
 
A diverse committee of about 50 students, parents, staff, and community members from all three districts studied the survey responses, discussed their recurring themes, and identified six "empowerments" to include in the portrait. 
 
In March 2020, the Boards of Education from all three school districts approved the Portrait of a Graduate, with its inspiring theme of "EMPOWERED: The Best Me I Can Be."