Hawthorne Elementary is going global. That is to say, the students that attend this school in the city of Ontario are embarking on a journey to become internationally minded thinkers, now that Hawthorne has been recognized as an International Baccalaureate World School candidate. International Baccalaureate (IB) is an approach to teaching and learning that actively engages students while encouraging them to think deeply and take action in their own lives. Becoming a certified IB school is a lengthy and time intensive process that involves careful instructional planning and deliberate changes to the school language and culture. But Hawthorne administrators, teachers, parents and students are up for the challenge.
At the heart of the program is a carefully crafted curriculum framework that is designed by Hawthorne teachers at every grade level. Together these teachers decide how best to organize the California State standards within globally relevant themes that include: Who We Are, How We Express Ourselves, How the World Works, and Sharing Our Planet. In addition to changes in instructional delivery, the students are called upon to demonstrate IB attitudes towards learning such as Commitment, Cooperation, Empathy, and Tolerance. This school wide focus begins with each student exhibiting traits from the IB learner profile; a collection of characteristics that make a clear connection between behavior, learning, and what it takes to thrive as a member of a global community. The learner profile is designed to promote being Caring, Knowledgeable, Balanced, Open-minded, and Principled. To further reinforce these expectations, students are selected by their teachers to be recognized for their “IB qualities” at Student of the Month assemblies. Hawthorne students are embracing this new language and strive to demonstrate these important characteristics. As a result, it is not uncommon to hear a frustrated 3rd grader on the playground reprimand a classmate for being “uncaring” or “unprincipled” during a heated game of handball.
In an effort to provide students with a comprehensive education, as well as give teachers the essential planning time they need, the Ontario Montclair school district has hired supplemental educators for Hawthorne. Music, Spanish Language, and Technology classes, known as “specials,” are available for the students on a weekly basis. Hawthorne’s new mission statement effectively sums up the school’s transitioning focus to “inspire knowledgeable, inquiring citizens who will thrive as global life-long learners.” Hawthorne students are pleased with the recent changes, and continue to embrace the message and mission of becoming globally conscious and action oriented individuals. Perhaps 5th grader Michelle put it best, “The world is a big place. I need to be ready for it.”