BELLEVUE BIG PICTURE: INNOVATING FOR THE FUTURE
Community Bulletin #3 – April 20, 2024
Below is an update on our efforts to …Read More
Innovating for The Future
The Bellevue Big Picture School Community is embarking on two innovative projects in line with the district’s developing strategic plan and Superintendent Aramaki’s priority of innovation for staff and students: building renovation and programmatic innovation. On this webpage, you will find updates on the programmatic innovation, including email communications and engagement opportunities for our learning community to share feedback throughout this process.
Purpose
With nearly 15 years of learning under our belts bringing Big Picture Learning (BPL) principles to life in Bellevue, it’s time to deepen our practice implementing the ten BPL “distinguishers.” We are so excited to do this collaboratively with our community, learning and growing together. Over the next year, we will explore how to further our implementation of Big Picture Learning design features.
The Approach
An inclusive approach to design is as important as the outcome. We will employ core habits that promote inclusion, clarity and trust.
- Inclusion – Bringing in diverse voices and building a sense of belonging
- Empathy – Understanding the views, feelings, aspirations, and needs of others
- Co-Creation – Working across differences to understand and create solutions
The Process
We will begin with a School Success Study in late February to identify the ways our school is successfully implementing the 10 Big Picture Learning (BPL) distinguishers and gaps that can be improved. As we learn together about the BPL distinguishers, we will iterate as a community on updates to our school design.
The People
Big Picture students, staff and families will all be invited to be involved. The process will be supported by Bellevue School District staff along with project partners who have expertise in Big Picture Learning design and roots in the Bellevue community.
Equity-Driven Decision Making
Decisions will be guided by Equity-Driven Decision Making. This framework helps participants define priorities, barriers, and constraints and evaluate the extent to which the final plan furthers justice and belonging.
The Timeline
The updated design will be completed in winter 2025. Phase 1 implementation will start in the fall of 2025:
- February 2024 – School Success Study
- March/April 2024 – Community connection learning about distinguishers
- May-August – Design options version 1
- September/October 2024 – Feedback on design version 1 with community
- November/December 2025 – Refine design based on community input
- January 2025 – Plan for implementation
- September 2025 – Phase 1 implementation
Contact Us
Please stay tuned for more information on how to get involved. Contact Bethany Spinler at [email protected] with any questions you may have.
News and Events
Innovating for the Future: March 15 Community Bulletin
Read the latest update on our efforts to deepen our practice implementing the ten BPL distinguishers. We recently conducted our School Success Study and are now in the initial phases of forming the Steering Committee.Read More