Welcome to the Portrait of a Titan: A Parent's Guide

Hello, Titan Families!

Welcome to our guide about the Portrait of a Titan! As parents, you play a big role in your child's education. This guide will help you understand how we teach and support students in our school district.

What You'll Find in This Guide

We'll explain what the Portrait of a Titan is in simple terms. You'll learn about six key skills we're helping your child develop, how these skills help them now and later, and why this matters for our school. We've also included easy ways you can support these skills at home.

Why This Matters to Your Family

You might wonder, "Why should I care about the Portrait of a Titan?"

Think about the world your child will enter after school. It's changing fast. Jobs that don't exist today will be common when they start working. And employers want workers who can adapt, talk well, think clearly, care about others, create new ideas, and lead.

The Portrait of a Titan isn't just another school program—it helps prepare your child for success in this changing world. It focuses on the whole child, not just school subjects. When we work together on these skills, your child wins.

What is the Portrait of a Titan?

The Portrait of a Titan is a shared vision for every student in our district, from kindergarten through high school. Our community helped create it based on what we all want for our children.

We call it our "North Star" because it guides all we do. It helps us make sure we're preparing students not just to pass tests, but to do well in life.

The Six Key Skills at a Glance

The Six Key Skills of a Titan

Let's look at each of the six key skills that make up the Portrait of a Titan.

🔄 Adaptable

What it means: A Titan keeps trying when things get hard. They can change their approach when needed. They listen to different views and find solutions that work for everyone.

In simple terms: Your child learns to bounce back from setbacks and find ways to succeed even when things get tough.

💬 Communicator

What it means: A Titan uses technology wisely. They listen well. They know how to speak and write clearly to different people.

In simple terms: Your child learns to share ideas clearly and listen well to others.

🧠 Critical Thinker

What it means: A Titan thinks about how their actions affect others. They look at facts carefully to find solutions. They think clearly and fairly.

In simple terms: Your child learns to solve problems by looking at all sides and making good choices.

❤️ Empathetic

What it means: A Titan wants to make the world better. They respect all people and cultures. They care for our planet too.

In simple terms: Your child learns to care about others' feelings and take care of the world around them.

💡 Innovative

What it means: A Titan finds new ways to solve problems. They work on both local and world issues. They try new ideas.

In simple terms: Your child learns to think of new ideas and make them happen.

👥 Leader

What it means: A Titan works hard to reach goals. They help others do their best too. They build trust and show they care.

In simple terms: Your child learns to guide others well and take charge of their own actions.

How the Portrait of a Titan Helps Your Child

Here are some ways these skills help your child:

🎓 Getting Ready for the Future

The world is changing fast. Many jobs our kids will have don't even exist yet! These six skills will help your child succeed no matter what the future brings.

These are the skills that colleges and jobs look for. When your child can adapt, talk well, think clearly, show they care, create new ideas, and lead—they'll stand out.

🌟 Building All-Around Skills

School isn't just about math and reading. The Portrait of a Titan helps us teach the whole child. These life skills are just as important as school subjects.

We want to build all the skills your child needs.

🤝 Growing Good Character

Character matters. The Portrait of a Titan builds values like being responsible, respectful, and safe. These help your child become not just a good student, but a good person.

When we teach these skills, we help shape young people who will do good things in their families, jobs, and community.

🌍 Using Skills in Real Life

These skills help in real life. For example:

• Being adaptable helps your child handle changes or problems.
• Being a good communicator helps them solve conflicts with friends.
• Critical thinking helps them spot false information online.
• Empathy helps them make and keep friends.
• Innovation helps them solve everyday problems.
• Leadership helps them do well in group projects.

Why the Portrait Matters for Our School District

The Portrait of a Titan helps our whole school community. Here's why it matters:

🔄 Creating a Shared Vision

The Portrait gives everyone—students, teachers, staff, and families—the same goals. This helps us all work together better.

When everyone knows these skills, we create a better experience for students in all grades and schools.

📚 Guiding Our Teaching

Teachers incorporate the Portrait of a Titan in planning their lessons. It helps them teach these important skills along with school subjects.

📋 Helping with Planning

The Portrait of a Titan helps us plan for the district. It guides our choices about what and how we teach.

By keeping these skills central in our planning, we make sure everything we do helps students succeed.

🏫 Building a Better School Community

When we focus on these skills, we create a more positive school. Students who care about others, adapt well, and talk clearly help make a school where everyone can do well.

These skills also help connect school and home. When families support these skills too, they work even better.

How You Can Support These Skills at Home

As a parent, you can help build these skills at home. Here are some easy ways:

Supporting Adaptability

• Encourage your child to try new things
• Talk about how to handle when things go wrong
• Praise effort, not just winning

Supporting Communication

• Have family talks often
• Ask questions that need more than yes/no answers
• Limit screen time and encourage face-to-face talking

Supporting Critical Thinking

• Ask "why" and "how" questions
• Include your child in some family choices
• Talk about news in ways they can understand

Supporting Empathy

• Talk about how book and movie characters feel
• Help others as a family
• Talk about different views on topics

Supporting Innovation

• Give them materials for making things
• Ask "What if?" questions
• Give time for free play

Supporting Leadership

• Give age-appropriate chores
• Thank them when they help others
• Encourage them to stand up for what's right