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Good Spirit School Division

School Community Council SymposiumDecember 6, 2018

Students Come First

Foundational Statement• At the beginning of the 2018-19 school year, Good Spirit School Division

launched its 2018-19 Foundational Statements and Strategic Plan.

• GSSDs 2018-19 Strategic Focus and Long-Term Goals feature two new Student & Family goals - student attendance and Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action.

• GSSD’s four focus areas and goals are reflective of the provincial Education Sector Strategic Plan.

www.gssd.ca

What is the role of the SCC?

A School Community Council is an advisory body whose primary purpose is to support student learning and well-being; and encourage parent and community involvement in the school. The School Community Council works closely with the school administration to provide advice for educational planning and decision-making at the school level.

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Topics of Discussion

• Establishing School Community Councils (SCC)

• Operating Principles for SCCs

• Building Capacity

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EstablishingSchool Community Councils

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Legal Provisions

1. School Community Councils exist by virtue of The Education Act, 1995, Section 140.1 through 140.5 and The Education Regulations, Part V.

2. In addition, School Community Councils work in accordance with Board policy, specifically Board Policy 9.4: School Community Councils, and a number of Administrative Procedures that reference SCCs.

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The Benefit of Engaging Your SCC

• Establish and sustain a school culture that is welcoming of parents and community

• Positive impact on student learning and well-being (emotional, spiritual, intellectual, physical)

• Enhanced communication with parents and community

• Provide an opportunity for community members to network with trustees and senior level staff

• Provide an opportunity for promoting local interests

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Operating Principles forSchool Community Councils

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Resources available to your SCC

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Sample Agenda

Resources available to your SCC

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School Community Council Binder

Resources available to your SCC

School Community Council Webpage

What other supports are required by your SCC?

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Provincial Education Sector Strategic Plan

The Provincial Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP) was developed by educational partners to meet the 2020 targets established by the province. The plan is moving into its

fourth edition.

Division Strategic Plan

Good Spirit’s four focus areas (Student & Family, Internal Process, People Capacity, Financial Stewardship) contain goals which are reflective of the provincial ESSP.

School Learning Improvement Plan

Each school completes a Learning Improvement Plan (LIP) related to the divisions focus areas. LIPs are continually updated and monitored throughout the school year.

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www.gssd.ca

STUDENT & FAMILY FOCUS

GSSD exists to provide the highest level of student learning & well-being. All students will experience learning environments rich in the opportunities and experiences necessary to promote intellectual, emotional and spiritual growth.

GSSD Strategic Plan

There are 10 long-term goals connected to GSSDs Student & Family focus area.

Student & Family Readiness for Learning

Where did the goal come from?

• ESSP: By June 30, 2020, children aged 0-6 years will be supported in their development to ensure that 90% of students exiting Kindergarten are ready for learning in the primary grades.

Why is it important?

• School readiness prepares children for future success as illustrated in benchmarks such as grade 3 literacy levels and high school graduation rates.

• Provides the foundation for language, reasoning, problem solving, social skills, behaviour and emotional intelligence.

Where did the data come from?

• Early Years Evaluation (EYE) administered to all Kindergarten students in the fall and re-administered to selected students in the spring.

www.gssd.ca

By June 30, 2020, at least 90% of students exiting Kindergarten in GSSD will be ready for learning in the primary grades.

Student & Family Readiness for Learning

Suggested questions to ask your Administrator?

• How are you making a connection with parents prior to our children beginning Kindergarten?

• How are you making a connection with local agencies?

• Who are the agencies?

• How are you responding if my child is demonstrating challenges related to readiness for learning?

• What could we, as an SCC, be connected with families/communities to support this goal?

www.gssd.ca

By June 30, 2020, at least 90% of students exiting Kindergarten in GSSD will be ready for learning in the primary grades.

Student & Family Readiness for Learning

Examples of ways SCCs have engaged with this goal:

• Connect with day care providers within the community

• Fundraise to supply recommended resources to local child care providers

• Invite the Regional Kids First Community Developer to speak to parent groups

• Make a connection with the local library

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By June 30, 2020, at least 90% of students exiting Kindergarten in GSSD will be ready for learning in the primary grades.

Student & Family Literacy LevelsBy June 30, 2020, at least 85% of GSSD students in grades 1 to 6 will be at or above grade level in reading.

www.gssd.ca

Where did the goal come from?

• ESSP: By June 30, 2020, 80% of students will be at grade level or above in reading, writing and math.

Why is it important?

• A great deal of emphasis has been placed on the first four years of school to lay the foundation for the literacy behaviours that will be used for future learning.

• Grade 3 literacy levels are predictors for graduation rates.

Where did the data come from?

• Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System administered in the fall and spring.

Student & Family Literacy LevelsBy June 30, 2020, at least 85% of GSSD students in grades 1 to 6 will be at or above grade level in reading.

www.gssd.ca

Suggested questions to ask your Administrator?

• What could we, as an SCC, do to support literacy at our school?

• What are the results of our Grade 1-6 reading data?

• How are we compared to ourselves? Division? province?

• How does the school celebrate the student accomplishments?

• How does the school respond when students are striving to meet grade level?

• How do I share this information with the public?

Student & Family Literacy LevelsBy June 30, 2020, at least 85% of GSSD students in grades 1 to 6 will be at or above grade level in reading.

www.gssd.ca

Examples of ways SCCs have engaged with this goal:

• Host family literacy events at the school

• Invest in literacy kits for families to access

• Invest in classroom libraries

Student & Family Writing LevelsBy June 30, 2020, at least 80% of GSSD students in grades 4, 7 & 9 will be at or above grade level in writing.

www.gssd.ca

Where did the goal come from?

• ESSP: By June 30, 2020, 80% of students will be at grade level or above in reading, writing and math.

Why is it important?

• Foundational to the communication process (method to demonstrate their knowledge)

• Connection between reading and writing

Where did the data come from?

• Provincial and GSSD rubrics

• Outcome based reporting results

Student & Family Writing LevelsBy June 30, 2020, at least 80% of GSSD students in grades 4, 7 & 9 will be at or above grade level in writing.

www.gssd.ca

Suggested questions to ask your Administrator?

• What could we, as an SCC, do to support writing at our school?

• What are the results of our Grade 4, 7 & 9 writing data?

• How are we compared to ourselves? Division? province?

• How does the school celebrate the student accomplishments?

• How does the school respond when students are striving to meet grade level?

• How do I share this information with the public?

• Have you engaged with the Writer in Residence, Sigmund Brouwer

Examples of ways SCCs have engaged with this goal:

• Supporting and hosting an event at the school showcasing the writing

• Host a local writing contest

• Host local authors at the school (bloggers, journalists, communications)

Student & Family Math LevelsBy June 30, 2020, at least 80% of GSSD students in grades 2, 5 & 8 will be at or above grade level in math.

www.gssd.ca

Where did the goal come from?

• ESSP: By June 2019, at least 75% of students will be at or above grade level in math

By June 30, 2020, 80% of students will be at grade level or above in reading, writing and math.

Why is it important?

• Foundational skill for future learning

• Math nurtures our power of reasoning, creativity, abstract thinking, critical thinking, problem solving ability and effective communication skills

Where did the data come from?

• Provincial and GSSD rubrics

• GSSD math screeners

• Outcome based reporting results

Student & Family Math Levels

By June 30, 2020, at least 80% of GSSD students in grades 2, 5 & 8 will be at or above grade level in math.

www.gssd.ca

Suggested questions to ask your Administrator?

• What could we, as an SCC, do to support math at our school?

• What are the results of our Grades 2, 5 & 8 math data?

• How are we compared to ourselves? Division? province?

• How does the school celebrate the student accomplishments?

• How does the school respond when students are striving to meet grade level?

• How do I share this information with the public?

Student & Family Math Levels

By June 30, 2020, at least 80% of GSSD students in grades 2, 5 & 8 will be at or above grade level in math.

www.gssd.ca

Examples of ways SCCs have engaged with this goal:

• Supporting and hosting an event at the school showcasing math

• Host a “math walk” (engage in math problems around the community)

• Host local business people who have careers that utilize math (banks, millwright, store, farmer)

• Host a Math-a-thon

• Fund licensing fees related to math software

• Invest in math manipulatives

Student & Family Well-being LevelsBy June 30, 2020, GSSD will reduce the number of students reporting high levels of anxiety by 5%.

www.gssd.ca

Where did the goal come from?

• ESSP: Strategic Intent – I am ready to learn: I am safe, healthy and hopeful.

Why is it important?

• To teach the students how to differentiate between motivational and problem producing anxiety (healthy and unhealthy anxiety)

• An abundance of research which suggests that anxiety is an emergent problem for our youth (social media, competing interests, sedentary lifestyle, peer relationships, academic demands)

Where did the data come from?

• OurSchool survey tool

• SOSQ survey tool

• Student Senates

Student & Family Well-being Levels

By June 30, 2020, GSSD will reduce the number of students reporting high levels of anxiety by 5%.

www.gssd.ca

Suggested questions to ask your Administrator?

• What could we, as an SCC, do to support well-being at our school?

• What are the results of our SOSQ and OurSchool data?

• How are we compared to ourselves? Division? Province? Country?

• How does the school celebrate the student accomplishments?

• How does the school respond when students are struggling with anxiety?

• Do our students understand the difference between healthy and unhealthy anxiety?

• Are there opportunities for students to share their voice in a formal way with Administration

• Does our school share the OurSchool results and actions arising with the students?

• Does the school educate students on Digital Citizenship?

• How do I share this information with the public?

Student & Family Well-being Levels

By June 30, 2020, GSSD will reduce the number of students reporting high levels of anxiety by 5%.

www.gssd.ca

Examples of ways SCCs have engaged with this goal:

• Host wellness events

• Ensure there are adequate and diverse extra curricular activities

• Arrange for guest speakers

• Advocate with school Administrators and counsellors for participation with Teen Boost

• Make connections with community experts

• Discuss the impact of social media

Student & Family Graduation Rate

By June 30, 2020, GSSD will achieve an 85% three-year graduation rate.

By June 30, 2020, GSSD will achieve an 90% five-year graduation rate.

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Where did the goal come from?

• ESSP: By June 30, 2020, Saskatchewan will achieve an 85% three-year graduation rate.

• By June 30, 2020, Saskatchewan will achieve an 90% five-year graduation rate.

Why is it important?

• Gateway to future opportunity

Where did the data come from?

• Credit attainment data

• Graduation report data

• MyBlueprint graduation plan

Student & Family Graduation Rate

By June 30, 2020, GSSD will achieve an 85% three-year graduation rate.

By June 30, 2020, GSSD will achieve an 90% five-year graduation rate.

www.gssd.ca

Suggested questions to ask your Administrator?

• Do the students in our school use MyBlueprint?

• As a parent, do I have access to MyBlueprint?

• What is our school doing to support students who are off-track?

• Do our students have the opportunity to accelerate or make up credits through Distributed Learning?

• Do our students have access to special project credits?

• Do our students have access to a variety of electives?

• How does our school support the graduation rate of our Indigenous students?

Student & Family Graduation Rate

By June 30, 2020, GSSD will achieve an 85% three-year graduation rate.

By June 30, 2020, GSSD will achieve an 90% five-year graduation rate.

www.gssd.ca

Examples of ways SCCs have engaged with this goal:

• Advocate for Distributed Learning classes for the school

• Sponsor scholarships

• Host parent/student orientation evenings

• Support career fairs and post secondary visits

• Advocate for alternate credits (example – PAA opportunities)

Student & Family EngagementBy June 30, 2020, GSSD students in grades 4 to 12 will report at least a 5% increase in student intellectual engagement.

www.gssd.ca

Where did the goal come from?

• ESSP:

By June 2018, students will report a 5% increase in intellectual engagement as measured by OurSchool

By June 2018, school division will achieve parity between First Nations, Metis and Inuit and non-First Nations, Metis and Inuit students on the OurSchool engagement measure.

Why is it important?

• Measure of effective instructional practices

• Measure of the connection between the teacher and the student

Where did the data come from?

• OurSchool data

• Attendance data

• Student senate

Student & Family Engagement

By June 30, 2020, GSSD students in grades 4 to 12 will report at least a 5% increase in student intellectual engagement.

www.gssd.ca

Suggested questions to ask your Administrator?

• How does our school engage students in their learning?

• Does our school provide varied opportunities to demonstrate their learning?

• Are students provided voice and choice in their learning?

• How does our school celebrate student learning?

Examples of ways SCCs have engaged with this goal.

• Support Student Senates

• Encourage student membership on the SCC

Student & Family AttendanceBy June 30, 2020, all GSSD students will achieve at least a 5% increase in student attendance.

www.gssd.ca

Where did the goal come from?

• ESSP: Strategic Intent – I am preparing for my future: in education, in employment, in my community and in life

• Sector and GSSD literacy and graduation goal

Why is it important?

• Over 90% of the students who attend school 80% or more of the time will graduate within three years (on-time)

Where did the data come from?

• Attendance data

Student & Family AttendanceBy June 30, 2020, all GSSD students will achieve at least a 5% increase in student attendance.

www.gssd.ca

Suggested questions to ask your Administrator?

• What could we, as an SCC, do to support student attendance at our school?

• What are the results of our attendance data?

• How are we compared to ourselves? Division?

• How does the school celebrate the student attendance?

• How does the school respond when students are struggling with attendance?

• Do our students understand the impact of attendance on achievement?

• How does our school share the attendance data with our families?

Examples of ways SCCs have engaged with this goal:

• Provide attendance incentives

• Promote the importance of attendance with the local community

Student & Family Truth & ReconciliationBy June 30, 2020, GSSD will promote empathy, respect, and understanding in teaching related to residential schools and aboriginal history as outlined in the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action (Section 63).

www.gssd.ca

Where did the goal come from?

• ESSP: By June 30, 2020, collaboration between First Nations, Metis and Inuit and non-First Nations, Metis and Inuit partners will result in significant improvement in First Nations, Metis and Inuit student engagement and will increase the three-year graduation rate from 35% in June 2012 to at least 65% and the five-year graduation rate to at least 75%.

Why is it important?

• Truth & Reconciliation tells the untold story of Canadian history

Where did the data come from?

• Truth & Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action (Section 63)

Student & Family Truth & ReconciliationBy June 30, 2020, GSSD will promote empathy, respect, and understanding in teaching related to residential schools and aboriginal history as outlined in the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action (Section 63).

www.gssd.ca

Suggested questions to ask your Administrator?

• What action is our school taking to promote Truth & Reconciliation?

• What are we doing to tell the untold stories in regards to Truth & Reconciliation?

• Does our school invite Elders or Knowledge Keeper to the school?

• How does our school incorporate Indigenous culture? (example – dance, beading, storytelling)

• How are Indigenous world views reflected in our school?

Examples of ways SCCs have engaged with this goal:

• Invite Indigenous representatives to join the SCC

• Participate in a blanket exercise

• Plan an event for the National Indigenous day on June 21st and Orange Shirt Day on September 30th

Building Capacity(strengthening your SCC)

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SCC Symposiums• In the spring, Regional symposiums were held in each cluster (North, Central, South)

to unpack the 2018-19 budget

• Today, the focus areas included: Establishing an SCC; Operating an SCC; Building Capacity

• Regional symposiums will be held in each cluster in February 2019. Topics for discussion will include Parent Engagement, Direction Setting and Budget Input.

– North Cluster: February 26, 2019 at 7 pm (Kamsack Comprehensive Institute)

– Central Cluster: February 27, 2019 at 7 pm (Yorkdale Central School)

– South Cluster: February 28, 2019 at 7 pm (Davison School)

• Regional symposiums will be held in each cluster in June 2019 to unpack the 2019-20 budget

– North Cluster: June 10, 2019 at 7 pm (Preeceville School)

– Central Cluster: June 12, 2019 at 7 pm (Columbia School)

– South Cluster: June 13, 2019 at 7 pm (Esterhazy High School)

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Is the current process working?

• Based on the symposiums held in the spring, today and events which are proposed for February & June of 2019

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Communications• The “In Focus” contains information within

each of the four strategic focus areas.

• This communication tool is published bi-monthly.

• Each “In Focus” is emailed to the Board of Education, SCC Chair, Administrators, Central Office Staff, Media, Local MLAs, RMs, Villages/Towns/Cities, Ministry of Education, Public Section and Saskatchewan School Boards Association; shared on Facebook, Twitter, division and school websites.

• GSSD is proud of the accomplishments made by staff and students and look forward to showcasing a variety of the successes throughout the year.

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