Thursday, February 5, 2015

At the beginning of the year, I blogged our School Improvement Goals. Over the next couple of blogs, I'd like to review these for you. As a staff, we are very proud of our achievements and look forward to even more progression this coming term. Our SIP is divided into the following areas: Literacy, Mathematics, Pathways and Community, Culture and Caring Schools. This week I will focus on Literacy. The following will give you a brief summary of our accomplishments: 

• Our grade ones in need of more support are receiving Early Literacy Intervention strategies by our resource teachers and support staff 
• Staff are using Bloom's taxonomy to promote higher level thinking questions 
• Two staff attended a one day workshop at Rotman on Integrative Thinking and presented at the December workshop with the intention that staff could use the strategies  in the classrooms
• Ms. Kimm and Mrs. Perrin have been chosen to attend another 3-day workshop on I-Thinking at Rotman courtesy of TDSB 
• All classes have computers and library scheduled into their timetables
• Teachers have built in planning time to share best practices and plan as a team
• Best Practices such as Differentiated Instruction, Anchor Charts, Descriptive Feedback, Success Criteria and Co-construction of goals are  implemented within each classroom as we know that all students learn differently
• Literacy Blocks are scheduled as much as the timetable will allow, especially for the primary teachers, to allow for more literacy time
• Parents use on-line reading programs at home (funds for license provided by Parent Council)
• Collection of data (CTBS, EQAO, DRA/CASI, Classroom Assessments/Evaluations, Report Card etc) is used to guide these literacy goals and individual student achievement 

Next week, I will discuss our Mathematics goals to date. 

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the staff for providing for so many enriching activities for the students including coaching, running clubs and planning field trips for the grade teams including our favourite winter past-time-skating. Many of the classes have taken advantage of the local rink and Master Card Center. 

Next week, I'll be starting the grade 4 European Handball Houseleague Tournament. Students have already signed up, but it's not too late in case your child hasn't; just have them see me. Grade 1-3 Houseleague finished up last week. My grade 6 helpers-Doug, Nick, Damon and Dawson-all deserve a round of applause! 

Please remember report cards go home on Monday.

Have a great weekend. Looking forward to Kindergarten Registration next week. 

February 2015

9-Report Cards Go Home

10-Kindergarten Registration; Sr Girl's VBall at Bell
11-Kindergarten Registration; Jr/Sr Hockey game; Middle School Dance; Grade 4 Houseleague
12-Grade 4 Houseleague   

13-PA Day/Interviews; Optional Attendance Deadline 

16-Family Day

19-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Sr Girl's Vball at English 

20-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly

23-Parent Council meeting @ 7:00 p.m.
24-Grade 6-8 Ski Trip 
25th-K-3 Assembly; Grade 8 and Grade 7 Strings at Kiwanis 
27th-Pizza Lunch; Grade 6 Band at Kiwanis 

March 2015

2-Ms. Kimm at Outdoor Ed
6th-Grade 6 Band at Kiwanis 
16-20-March Break

24-Kindie Sharing Assembly
26th-Grade 8 Graduation Photos; Huddle Up at lunch 

27-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly

30-Parent Council meeting @ 7:00 p.m.; New Kindergarten Parent Meeting at 6:00 p.m.; Grade 3 and 6 EQAO Parent Information Night at 6:00 p.m.; Huddle Up at lunch 

April 2015

3 and 6-Good Friday and Easter Monday

20-Parent Council @ 7:00 p.m

21-Kindie Sharing Assembly

28-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly

May 2015

18-Victoria Day

20-Kindie Sharing Assembly

25-Parent Council @ 7:00 p.m

27-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly

June 2015

5-PA Day

12-Grade 8 Graduation

15-19-Grade 8 Quebec Trip

17-Kindie Sharing Assembly

19-Grade 1-7 Sharing Assembly

24-Report Cards Go Home

25-Day 0; Student Assembly; Lunch on Lawn