The Shared Vision of Torrey developed annually in a process facilitated by the Principal with input from staff and students using a set of criteria approved by the TPHSF Board. The WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) accreditation preparation process was used to discuss priority needs for TPHS.
As the primary parent support organization for TPHS, the TPHS Foundation sees it's role as enriching the high school experience for all students by partnering with the District and the School in maintaining high standards of instruction and a vibrant school community. A community in which students demonstrate a passion for learning and life, teachers are dedicated to the emotional, social and academic growth of students, and parents are involved and supportive partners. The Foundation supports this by assisting and managing the funds of 52 member groups and programs whose parent contributions ensure that the visual and performing arts, academic enrichment, technology and athletic programs are available to our students, and by leading the annual effort of providing support for the Shared Vision.
In the past, TPHSF's Shared Vision support has brought LCDs, computers, wireless technology, online subscriptions in the Library/Media Center, and the Aeries software to our school community. Every student has benefited from this continuous upgrading to sophisticated technology. This technology has created an environment in which students want to learn with the tools of the future.
Building on these efforts and committing to ensuring a total campus environment for students and staff that is conducive to learning and achieving personal goals for excellence, the TPHS Foundation Board working with staff and student leadership are presenting the items below in our 2008-2009 Shared Vision for Excellence.
I. Advancing Instruction and Learning - $47,000
A. Mac Lab $32,000 Upgrading and updating the Mac lab that is used for Imaging and Art for New Media Classes.
These classes use state of the art, industry-standard level software to develop graphic design, computerized art, and technical skills among students who opt for this course as a means to earn Visual and Performing Art credit.
The lab runs 6 full classes of 34 students through it - slightly over 100 students who use those computers on a daily basis, 200 per year. The current lab has computers that are 5 years old and are struggling to support the software needed. The cost would also include a dedicated storage server for the classes - all student work is stored electronically and since these are large files, that take a lot of space. This is a critical item due to the age of the computers.
B. Safari Montage Phase I - $15,000 (Total cost of three phases $65,000) Installation,
software, server, hardware and training for a video on-demand streaming system that will deliver to teachers
in their classrooms videos, film footage and clips, as well as holds the possibility to "stream" the morning announcements
(Falcon Flyer) to classrooms as a visual/morning news show. Instructionally, this allows multiple teachers to show
the same footage or clips without having to physically own multiple copies. Phase I will add LCD projectors in classrooms and
large presentation areas on campus. Safari Montage's fileserver is installed with pre-installed digital media. Groups of teachers
will begin workshops for all teachers sharing instructional use ideas.
II. Providing Resources to the College and Career Center- $15,000
Two years in operation,the College and Career Center
has demonstrated its potential to serve as a resource center for both students and parents for exploring education and life choices after
Torrey Pines High School. With its casual and welcoming environment, students learn how to navigate the many resources that can help them
make choices about the future. The Foundation provides operating and continuing education costs.
III. Developing
Campus and Student Pride - $20,000 Campus Pride - $5,000
Torrey Pines High School is over 30 years old and
unfortunately the campus is tired and worn. The students want to establish a culture of tradition of concern and care for their physical
environment. The Falcon Pride Team of staff and students seeks to invovle the entire school community in beautifying and improving the physical campus environment.
Challenge Days - $15,000. This extremely beneficial workshop served over 400 students, staff and parents. Each Challenge Day brings together
100 to 125 students and 20 to 25 adult volunteers. Highly skilled Challenge Day leaders guide the group through a series of trust-building
exercises and activities that bring profound change in the participants. The walls of seperation that divide people from one another are broken down,
and the participants leave the experience with new levels of respect and communication with their peers, teachers, parents, community and themselves.
The program successfully addresses the issues of violence, racism, teasing,
stereotypes, tobacco, drugs and alcohol within the context of teen life. This program will be open to all staff and students with the goal
that each student participate at least one time during his/her four years at TPHS. This successful workshop benefited over 300 students in January 2008 at Torrey Pines.
IV. Communication - $12,000 For the last ten years the Foundation has supported the school community by providing the printing, collation
and mailing of the Torrey Pines High School and the Foundation Forum, the main source for parent information on campus.