St. Gabriel Catholic

Primary Years Program School Plan for Continuous Growth

2018-2021

Act justly, love tenderly, walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8)

August 2018 Page 1

St. Gabriel PYP Plan for Continuous Growth 2018-2021St. Gabriel School Mission: We seek to create a caring, compassionate community of diverse life-long learners where all are welcome. Through 21st century learning, students are inspired to develop their gifts and talents in all aspects of life while permeating the Gospel teachings to guide actions as contributing global citizens.

St. Gabriel School Vision: We seek to create an inclusive and diverse faith-based environment that encourages students to unlock their full potential in becoming the best version of themselves.

St. Gabriel School Charism:St. Gabriel school is a place where all members of the school and local community are invited and welcomed to share in the continuous growth and development of each members’ Catholicity as well as spiritual, emotional, and academic journey. All members are equally valued and recognized as having unique passionate missions and important gifts to share; the school will always be at its best and most vibrant when everyone is empowered to be their authentic self.

St. Gabriel School Context: The following school demographic information is important towards establishing the context within which we as a staff community construct and work towards specific school goals:

• St. Gabriel School is located in the Capilano community and serves the neighborhoods of Capilano, Gold Bar, Terrace Heights, Forest Heights, Strathearn, Fulton Place, Riverdale, and Cloverdale. • Economic status of the school community is lower to upper socio-economic.• We are currently a candidate school for the IB with a focus on the Primary Years Programme. • We are home to the district’s Generations Program of Choice at the elementary level. • Enrollment at St. Gabriel is 132 students this school year • Grades range from Pre-Kindergarten (100 Voices) to grade 6 • Currently we have 1 class at each grade level, save for a 5/6 split class. Our Generations students are included in their age-appropriate general classrooms as well as activity appropriate ones.• All classrooms have supports in place for students including Educational Assistants for DIV. I and II as well as a TA-BT for the whole school• Classrooms with students enrolled in the Generations Program of Choice are supported through Educational Assistant time and/or additional certificated staff time as deemed appropriate. • We have 19 English Language Learners; 7 in Early Learning • We are home to 21 FNMI students; 3 in Early Learning St. Gabriel had lost 45 students over the 16-17 and 17-18 school years. Although we are only

down 6 from the end of last year, the loss of students continues to have a huge impact on the school. Going forward we will need to determine if this is just an aberration due to unforeseen

August 2018 Page 2

circumstances or a trend as parents begin to realize that perhaps amalgamation was the best option for their children.

St. Gabriel also had a significant turnover in staff over those two school years. This had made it difficult to get real footing in our attempt to become an I.B. school and has left a negative impression within our community. Last year we lost only 2 teachers (one to pregnancy and one to a change in program) and with the continuity are very confident in our I.B. Application and changing the community perception of the school.

Review of Previous Year’s Goals: (brief is better, delete the green text)Goal Achieved/continue Modify Evidence/data used

Goal 1: As part of our commitment to Catholic education, St. Gabriel School will collaborate and increase our involvement with Assumption-Resurrection parish. Our District Chaplain will work towards increasing faith development opportunities for all students while working with staff to ensure permeation of our faith remains central to everything we do.

We will continue with this goal with some modifications and introduce some new actions, so parents are aware of what is happening in the school.

We will ask staff what they would like to be doing in the school as they also felt we could be doing more.

Satisfaction surveys from both our parents and staff show that they feel we can improve in this area.

Student data suggests that they know we are Catholic, and it is of great importance to us, so how do we get that message to other stakeholders?

Did not complete all our Actions from the 17/18 Growth Plan

Sub Goal a) In keeping with Mark 2 of “The Five Marks of Catholic School Identity”, St. Gabriel School will continue to make our Catholic Faith evident throughout our school environment as we grow in our ability to imbue a Catholic worldview into our school’s visible and tangible spaces.

Many of our actions were achieved/met however due to parent responses on the satisfaction survey, some of these actions will be continued or modified combined with some new additions.

Satisfaction surveys from Students very positive.

Parents do not seem to be aware of all the actions taken.

Many actions were observable and were completed.

Will still need to take action to make sure parents are aware of these actions.

Goal 2:By June 2018, all teachers (classroom, learning coach and administrators) will increase their instructional repertoire of how to be a teacher of literacy and numeracy through deepening knowledge and skills in the areas of: a) fostering a collaborative culture which promotes a growth mindset for high achievement and, b) engaging in authentic literacy and numeracy practices across and within their disciplines. Success will be visible through student progress and success and reported stakeholder feedback.

All actions were completed but will continue or be modified as we work on improving teacher practice

New additions to focus on assessment and common practice among grades.

Emphasis on students who could/should be in the range of excellence.

Data from Our School showed a significant increase in students who were interested and motivated in learning.

They also value schooling outcomes.

Below acceptable standard versus the province in LA and Science

Below the Standard of Excellence average when compared to the province in LA, Science, and Social

Sub Goal a) St. Gabriel School will offer school wide literacy intervention

Some of these actions are complete Did not complete all actions We will continue with some of these

actions, modify some and introduce

Overall the percentage of students on our struggling reader list was down and 5 students moved off of it, but we

August 2018 Page 3

some new ones still have about 14% of our students on it.

Were below the acceptable standard and standard of excellence when compared to the province in LA

Sub Goal b) St. Gabriel School will offer school numeracy intervention

Some of these actions are complete We will continue with some of these

actions, modify some and introduce some new ones

Had a difficult with Part A of Computational Math

Goal 3: St. Gabriel School will become fully authorized as a designated focus school for the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program by the spring of 2019. In the process our teachers will become fully committed and confident in delivering this program.

All actions were completed but will be continued or modified as we prepare for our April 2019 Authorization visit.

Two new teachers on Staff need training

New POI as well as curriculum being introduced, school’s Program of Inquiry will need to be modified.

Still need to complete some planners for the authorization visit.

Ensure teachers are aware of standalone units outside their units of inquiry

Goal 4:St. Gabriel School will take intentional direct action to become a more safe and caring school where everyone (student, staff and parents) feels welcome and that they are a vital part of our school and its culture.

Many of these actions were completed but we will continue with many and modify some in order to have consistent data among our students, parents and staff

District satisfaction Survey Our School Survey Anecdotal Parental feedback

Data Analysis: Areas to celebrate

Accountability Pillar High Achievement Measures Safe and Caring Program of Studies Education Quality

Improvement Measures Education Quality Parental Involvement School Improvement

Overall Measures Safe and Caring Program of Studies Education Quality Pat Excellence Work Preparation

August 2018 Page 4

Citizenship Parental Involvement School Improvement

District Satisfaction Survey

5 scores that are highest above the District Parents:

Level of satisfaction with the cleanliness of the school Inclusive Education- Overall how satisfied are you with the

programming and progress of your child with special education needs

Overall how satisfied are you with the quality of education in Alberta Response Rate

Staff I have appropriate opportunity for input into decisions that affect

my job Our schools is providing the necessary supports for children with

special needs Feedback that I hear from the greater community reflects a

favorable opinion of our school district I have appropriate opportunity for input into school/site level

decisions that affect my job I receive the resources required to do my job given the limits on

school/department and district resources School/Department finances are being allocated in keeping with our

core value of fairnessStudents

I enjoy learning about the Catholic faith Student behaviour is handled fairly I feel safe on the playground during school hours What I learn in religion class helps make me a better person I know how well I am doing in my school work

Regression Analysis Regression Analysis Language Arts = Mathematics = Science = Social =

PAT/Diploma analysis Above Provincial Average Math Social (significant Improvement)

Our School Survey Our School Survey Higher than the District Average Student participation in school sports Student Participation in school clubs Students with a positive sense of belonging Hours per day students spent watching tv during a typical week day Students that value schooling outcomes

August 2018 Page 5

Students do homework for their classes with a positive attitude and in a timely manner

Students who are interested and motivated in their learning Students meeting and nearly meeting Canada’s Food Guide Students consuming less than 5 sweet or fatty foods per day Feel Safe Attending this School Positive Learning Climate Students agree that religious celebrations and prayer are important

at their school Students agreed that attending a Catholic school helped them to

explore their love of God and service to community5 Marks of Catholic School Identity Assessment

Mark Two: Catholic Worldview Every class celebrates Eucharist at the local Church four times a year Prayer is done four times daily, with a child created prayer and the

daily gospel starting our day on broadcast Excellent relationship with the parish:

o Ken Bracke (former ECSD Religious Consultant) comes to the school monthly speaking to all classes on different monthly religious topics.

o Janet Campbell works with the school and students to prepare and encourage the students to receive the different sacraments including those who have not received it previously

o Father Philip (new priest at our parish) visits each class monthly

o Parish has a table at our Back to School Barbeque along with our two Student Conference times

Celebrated school wide St. Gabriel Retreat dayAreas to target for growth

Data Source Measures Goals in response to dataAccountability Pillar

Measure Category Evaluation All Acceptable

Achievement Measure Evaluation PAT Excellence

Improvement Measure Evaluation All Acceptable

Overall Measure Evaluation PAT Excellence

Will address this through Goal 2 and 3. We will target students that should be in the excellence range across the school. We will work on Common language, practice and Assessment practices so we are better at helping students define the target and their ability to get there

District Satisfaction Survey

5 scores that are furthest below the District Students

I show respect for others in my school My school teaches me to make healthy food

choices and to be active My school teaches me to show respect for

other cultures and religions

Will be addressed in Goal 1 and Goal 4 as we work to make all students better Catholics who in turn are more caring and accepting in their daily life

August 2018 Page 6

Parents My child's school has a positive reputation in

the community Ongoing professional development of staff is

a priority in my child’s school My child’s school demonstrates care for the

environment At school my child is developing technology

skills that enhance his or her learning Level of satisfaction with your opportunity

to access information about resource allocation

Staff Edmonton Catholic Schools delivers the

Alberta program of Study within a Christ-centered learning community

Our School/site focuses on learning and teaching within a Catholic Context

Prayer and celebrations add meaningful dimension to the Catholic Identity at our school

Our students collaborate through a variety of learning approaches

People of all Faiths and Cultures are welcome in our school/site

Through Goal 1 and 2 and the intentional sharing of information, parents will become more knowledgeable about the learning, Catholicism, activities and great work that is occurring at St. Gabriel

Through Goals 1 and 4, staff will be afforded an opportunity to discuss why we feel this way and what changes can be made to improve the school experience at St. Gabriel for students and staff

Regression Analysis

All Regression scores were all = and none had declined from last year

We are confident that the results can be addressed by the composition and complexities presented by the Grade six class

Our scores in the category of excellence will be addressed in Goal 2 as we target students and work at getting as many as possible into the excellence range

PAT/Diploma analysis

Below the provincial average in or declined significantly over last yearAcceptable Excellence LA -3.5 LA -7.9 Science -5.1 Science - 7.9

Social -20.4

Our School Survey

Our School Survey Lower than the District Average Students with Positive Relationships Hours that students spent on computers and

video games during a typical week day Students with Positive Behaviour at School Students with moderate or high levels of

anxiety Bullying and Exclusion Positive Teacher-Student Relations Expectations for Success

These will be addressed in Goal 1 and Goal 4 as we continue to make St. Gabriel a safe and caring student. We will have our FSLW work with many of our students and have our LC make mental health referrals when necessary. We will look at using a “Focus on Self-Regulation” school wide

5 Marks of Catholic School

Our School Survey data suggests that the students feel we have a very Catholic School

District Satisfaction Survey suggests,

This will be addressed in Goal 1. Our data shows that our students are aware of the Catholicity of our

August 2018 Page 7

Identity Assessment

however, a discrepancy in how Parents and Staff see Catholicism in our school.

St. Gabriel staff are committed to growing in our ability to create and coordinate genuine service projects as well as increase, through support and encouragement, our number of students who receive sacraments. We want our parents and staff to see the Catholicism in our school and celebrate it with us

school. However, many parents remain unaware of how we are working with the parish and what we are doing as a school. We will make sure our actions are getting out to the greater community

Goals:

Goal 1: As part of our commitment to Catholic education, St. Gabriel School will continue to collaborate with Assumption-Resurrection parish. We look forward to having Father Philip visit the school.Our District Chaplain will work towards increasing faith development opportunities for all students while working with staff to ensure permeation of our faith remains central to everything we do and getting that message out to our community.District Correlation: ECSD Catholic School District Goal: Live and enhance the distinctiveness of Catholic education

1.1 Demonstrate the distinctiveness and advantages of Catholic education. a) Continue to cultivate home-school-parish relationshipb) Cultivate and support a Catholic ethos/environment within each sitec) Demonstrate a way of life rooted in the Catholic Christian call to discipleship and

serviced) Ensure that permeation of faith remains central in all our day to day practices

1.2 Promote and foster the presence of Edmonton Catholic Schools in the education, Church, civic, business and government communitiesa) Create opportunities to be a visible presence in the broader community including

evangelization of our familiesd) Create opportunities to engage the Catholic community in discussion on Catholic Educatione) Provide opportunities for relevant and authentic student engagement

1.3 Demonstrate commitment to and excellence in Catholic educationa) Deliver and support our Religious Education programs to all students as a spirit-filled lived experienceb) Continue a focus on faith formation learning opportunities for all staffc) Expect the same practice of excellence, professional preparation and quality of resource materials for Religious Education instruction as for other academic instructiond) Continue to develop the role of the school-based chaplain to support the faith formation of students and staff and support sacred-space environments.g) Continue to enhance and strengthen our Catholic identity through revisioning the Five Marks of Catholic School Identity Implementation Plan (2015-2018) (Five Marks of Catholic

August 2018 Page 8

Education) and continue teacher faith formation through the Five Marks of Catholic School Identity and the Excellent Catholic Teacher (The Excellent Catholic Teacher).

Sub Goal a: St. Gabriel will continue to further cultivate its relationship with Assumption-Resurrection parish and work in partnership to demonstrate the distinctive advantages of Catholic Education.Strategy 1:- School Chaplain along with the staff and local parish to lead/supervise activities and initiatives that promote the Catholic Faith at St. Gabriel. We will work on making sure parents are aware of all the work that is being done in connection with the Resurrection Parish.

Actions

Recognizing students who have received sacraments during school celebrations. Create a bulletin board and have the students on the broadcast

Invite Father Philip to Opening Barbeque, to visit school monthly, and to all celebrations

Use agenda to have teachers annotate in when the students have gone to church or participated in a religious activity or celebration

Will use Swift K12 in addition to the newsletter and calendar to ensure parents are aware of our masses, celebrations, and activities done in conjunction with the Resurrection Parish

Measures/ Evidence of effectiveness Bulletin Board and

Broadcast both celebrate students who have received the sacraments.

Father Philip has a visible, vibrant presence in St. Gabriel

Teacher are asking parents in the agenda to have their child “tell me about church, (celebration, activity,) today

Add Ken Bracke’s summaries to the student’s agendas when he visits

Swift K12 being used to let parents know about the different religious activities, celebrations, and cooperation that are ongoing with the parish

Parents demonstrate a better knowledge of all the Catholic permeation at St. Gabriel as shown in satisfaction survey

Sub Goal b: In keeping with Mark Two of “The Five Marks of Catholic School Identity,” St. Gabriel School will continue to make our Catholic Faith evident throughout our school environment as we grow in our ability to imbue a Catholic worldview into our school’s visible and tangible spaces.

August 2018 Page 9

Strategy 1:As a staff we will complete the Mark Two: Imbued with a Catholic world view evaluation to determine what actions can be taken to make sure we have or are increasing a visible and tangible Catholic vision throughout the school.

Actions Complete Standard Two of the Five Marks evaluation as a

staff Purchase art, items and signage to increase Catholic

presence Purchase cloths to properly clothe all prayer tables to

properly mark the liturgical seasons. Also purchase items for our front table to ensure people are greeted with a Catholic atmosphere upon arrival

Purchase more decorative items and art to increase Catholic worldview across the school’s physical interior.

Through IB have children are showing the connectedness between I.B. attributes and Catholicism

Increase prayer time during the school day and do implicit teaching of said prayers

Have a School Catholic News section in the newsletter. Have Rich Horning from Catholic Social Services come to a

staff meeting to explain all the different Sign of Hope Charities that the school could support

As a school adopt one of the Sign of Hope Charities to support. Student Leadership Team to make presentations to the entire school and the students will pick the charity that they wish to support (St. Joseph’s Home).

Introduce the Rosary and say the Hail Mary during the month of May on announcements

Measures/ Evidence of effectiveness 5 Marks evaluation

completed October and gives us an indication of areas where we can grow in a visible and tangible Catholic vision

Use allotted SAC monies to purchase coloured liturgical cloths to match the proper liturgical season for all school prayer tables.

Items have been purchased to make the Catholic worldview more evident

Students will produce art and work to be shown throughout the school that shows our Catholicity and the connection between Catholicity and I.B. Attributes

Minimum of three prayers a day. Introduce French prayers. Implicit teaching of prayer with “think alouds” so that students truly understand the reasons they are praying

Add school Catholic section in the Newsletter starting in December

Rich Horning comes out to a staff meeting to do a presentation

Student leadership team presents the different

August 2018 Page 10

charities supported by the Catholic Social Services and the students pick a charity to adopt/support

Parents and Students know that we are supporting St. Joseph’s home and we are helping them with different social justice actions

Parents demonstrate a greater knowledge of all the Catholic on goings at St. Gabriel as demonstrated on the Satisfaction survey

Students are more familiar with and using the Rosary

Sub Goal c: As part of our School’s Professional Development we will look at the religious curriculum and our teaching of it to ensure the highest possible quality religious education is being delivered at St. Gabriel.Strategy 1:St. Gabriel will focus on common practice, common language, and assessment in Religion Actions Hold professional development sessions that focus on the

common language, practice and assessment that we are using in our religion curriculum

Each grade will share with grade above and below the concepts being taught so teachers have a greater understanding of the religious curriculum of the surrounding grades. As with math and literacy determine what foundations must be taught at each grade to ensure a successful transition to the next grade

IB Attributes will be linked to Catholic curriculum. This will help our students understand that being a Global IB Learner who takes action is very connected to being a Catholic person of faith

Measures/ Evidence of effectiveness Teachers have a better

understanding of what the curriculum of the surrounding grades comprises

Teachers can talk about their religious teaching and assessment more readily and confidently

Students have a greater understanding of the connectedness of being an IB learner and being a Catholic. This is demonstrated in the Our School Survey

August 2018 Page 11

Review Date 1: December 6, 2018

Review Date 2: May 2, 2019

Goal 2: By June 2019, all teachers (classroom, learning coach and administrators) will increase their instructional repertoire by: a) fostering a collaborative culture which promotes a growth mindset for growth and high achievement, b) engaging in authentic literacy and numeracy practices across and within their disciplines. c) looking at effective assessment practices to enable students to hit targets.District Correlation: ECSD Goal One: ECSD students are successful

1.2 Identify and implement best practices that align with excellent early learning pedagogy and learning environments while developing a strong foundation in literacy and numeracy. A strong start to learning necessitates a focus upon developing competencies, i.e. communication, growth and well-being, creativity and innovation, critical thinking, problem solving and management of information.

1.3 Ensure that flexible and responsive programming meets the diverse needs of all learners.

Sub Goal a: Through professional development and dialogue, St. Gabriel staff will have a better understanding of curriculum, common language, common practice, and effective assessment practices.

Strategy 1:St. Gabriel will plan, attend, and engage in Professional Development that targets the above goal as well as engage in constructive professional dialogue during levelled I.B meetings and one on one meetings with the I.B. Coordinator.Actions School PD will focus on:

o Connections between I.B learning and good teaching strategies

o Teachers will discuss common practice and language in Language Arts, Mathematics, and Religion

o Teachers will have discussions with surrounding grade colleagues about the curriculum and strategies that need to be in place for students to have success in their grade year

o Teacher will engage in professional dialogue to ensure innovative assessment practices are keeping pace with innovative teaching practices. Are teachers:

Triangulating Assessment

Measures/ Evidence of effectivenessBy June 2019: St. Gabriel teachers have

gained in their IB knowledge and are using it more confidently and successfully

Success is seen in our data results along with student and parent feedback from district and provincial surveys.

Teachers are more knowledgeable about the curriculum in the grades

August 2018 Page 12

Giving students voice by co-constructing criteria

Ensuring student action is a part of assessment

o Intraschool PD where our teachers can see what their colleagues are doing with IB portfolios and how they are teaching IB attributes and concepts.

Continue to attend district IB PD (four times a year) Send our two new teachers to IB Level One training so

they are prepared for the authorization year Bring in District Consultants to help with best practice for

Math and Literacy Literacy PD to be given to staff by Learning Coaches

furthering our understanding of Fountas & Pinnell and its proper usage

The St. Gabriel Therapeutic Assistant- Behavioural Therapy will work with teachers and students to teach and model what “Ready to Learn” looks like. This will become a school wide approach where we are again using common language

above and below them Teaching practice and

language is changing as St. Gabriel determines best common practice and develops a shared language

Teachers will report increased confidence in communicating grade-level standards and the assessment of them to parents and students

Assessment keeps pace with innovative teaching as teachers ensure they are using triangulation and having students co-create criteria giving them more voice and choice

Teachers have visited other classrooms within the school to look at practice, language, and assessment

All teachers attend district IB PD

Our two new teachers attend Level One training for IB

By June 2019, St. Gabriel has brought in District Consultants at least 4 times to help with Math and literacy. Specifically working on common language, practice and assessment

Teachers have a better understanding of Fountas and Pinnell and its proper usage

Teachers are using ‘Ready

August 2018 Page 13

to Learn’ cues and management

Students have demonstrated a universal understanding of what “ready to learn” looks like. There is less time being spent on classroom management and more time on instruction

Sub Goal b: St. Gabriel School will continue to offer school wide literacy intervention

Strategy 1:Data from district and St. Gabriel school will be used to target students in need of support.Actions

St. Gabriel will offer LLI intervention to targeted students from our struggling reader data and school data

Observation surveys done on grade one students. Students. Students with letter and sound knowledge gaps will be targeted with extra reading/letter/sound/word work time

As part of School/IB PD St. Gabriel will examine what are the important parts of a Literacy program

o We will investigate: Word Walls Word work Phonics Guided Reading Independent Reading Read Alouds Literacy across the IB planners

St. Gabriel will set up a parent reading program to allow more reading opportunities for some of our students

Measures/ Evidence of effectivenessBy June 2019 St. Gabriel will have a(n): Reduction in our

struggling readers list Improvement in PAT

results in the Reading Section

Teachers will report increased confidence in communicating to students and parents what a good literacy program looks like and the components that are involved

St. Gabriel will have started a volunteer parent reading program enabling more children to have supported independent reading time

Sub Goal C)St. Gabriel School will offer school numeracy interventionStrategy 1:St. Gabriel will support a school wide numeracy program with the intent of increasing math understanding and creating positive math attitudes while having students and teachers using

August 2018 Page 14

a common language when it comes to math.Actions

PAT analysis done to find areas requiring growth All classes will begin Math journals with their students School will purchase manipulatives for all rooms so base

10 language can be used throughout all grades Mathletics purchased for the entire school All classes will work on computational facts and the

continued practice of them Teachers will use common language, practice and

Assessment in the area of mathematics

Measures/ Evidence of effectivenessBy June 2019 St. Gabriel will see: PAT analysis done Improvement in PAT

results (particularly Part A)

Improved understanding of math concepts in class.

Better student attitudes as determined by a pre and post Math survey

Teachers and students can speak more confidently about grade level standards and the assessment of them

Review Date 1: December 6, 2018

Review Date 2: May 2, 2019

Goal 3: St. Gabriel School will become fully authorized as a designated focus school for the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program by the spring of 2019. In the process our teachers will become fully committed and confident in delivering this program.District Correlation: ECSD Goal One: ECSD students are successful

1.2 Identify and implement best practices that align with excellent early learning pedagogy and learning environments while developing a strong

foundation in literacy and numeracy. A strong start to learning necessitates a focus upon developing competencies, i.e. communication, growth and well-being, creativity and innovation, critical thinking, problem solving and management of information.

1.3 Ensure that flexible and responsive programming meets the diverse needs of all learners.

1.4 Develop a plan to increase participation in the Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate high school programs.

Sub Goal A)St. Gabriel will continue professional development of teaching staff in the I.B. philosophy.Strategy 1:

August 2018 Page 15

St. Gabriel will allocate time and resources for continued professional development of teaching staff in the I.B. philosophy.Actions

New teaching staff will receive IB level one training I.B. Coordinator will have gone to IB workshop on Inquiry School timetable will be created so that every teacher has

30 minutes a week of one on one time with the I.B. Coordinator

Each month will have two I.B Thursday afternoons. One will have teachers work on collaboration time, the other the staff will work on I.B. pedagogy that will be linked to common language, practice, and assessment (see Goal 2).

Parent I.B. committee is increased to include more than one parent. They are given PD as well, so they are more knowledgeable about the Primary Years Program and can help with the authorization process

All staff to attend the two-district led IB specific Professional Development

Measures/ Evidence of effectivenessBy June 2019 Both teachers have taken

the two-day level one workshop

IB Coordinator has completed Inquiry Workshop and is sharing that knowledge with staff at PD

Teachers are meeting one on one with the IB coordinator at least 3 times a month

Teachers feel supported in their learning journey and believe that I.B. Authorization is an attainable goal

All staff to attend District designated I.B. Professional Development

Parent I.B. Committee increases in number and knowledge. Parents report increased confidence in reporting what a Primary Years Program is and the advantages of it for their children

Sub Goal B)Admin and staff will become more adept and fluent in the Primary Years Program with the long-term goal of authorization for St. Gabriel and more students eventually entering I.B. in High School in ECSD.

Strategy 2:Through collaboration St. Gabriel staff will meet as a community of practice improving our understanding of the Primary Years Program as well as making connections between I.B. and good teaching and assessment practice

August 2018 Page 16

Actions

One Thursday afternoon a month is devoted to IB collaboration

IB Book study done as a staff on Experience Inquiry Teacher share planners and ideas as well as how they are

creating students IB portfolios. Administration and IB coordinator visit other schools to

look at digital portfolios. Reflection box of the planner will be focused on during

collaboration. Deliberate connections will be made between IB inquiry

and good teaching practice. Teachers will examine common language, practice, assessment, differentiation, and choice in product and determine what that looks like in their planners (also see goal 2, sub goal a, Strategy 1).

IB actions are demonstrated in Portfolios:o Weekly reflections on the monthly attributeo Students pick the order of the IB attributeso Continue to give students more voice and choice

St. Gabriel holds a Literacy/Math/IB night where the connections between all three are made apparent to parents and how IB is an effective way of delivering strategies and concepts to students.

Tech Coach and teachers work with students to create an understanding of Academic Honesty.

Measures/ Evidence of effectiveness.By June 2019 St. Gabriel Staff will: Teachers report

increased confidence in communicating objectives of the Primary Years Program and its delivery

Experience Inquiry has been completed as a book review and teachers report a better understanding of Inquiry and how to use it effectively

All reflections are done in the planners and teachers report a better understanding of the reflection piece and its merits

Teachers can articulate how their instruction in the planners is being driven by assessment and good practice

Parents are more knowledgeable and comfortable speaking about IB and its ability to deliver curriculum in engaging and innovative ways

Students show an understanding of what Academic Honesty is and why students need to be careful with sources (especially with internet sources)

Strategy 3:Paperwork submitted, and Planners completed by the necessary time lines in order to

August 2018 Page 17

become fully authorized.Actions

Paperwork completed in order to submit application by the end of September.

3 or 4 planners completed by the end of September in order to submit our application for authorization.

4 Unit Planners will be completed in 100 Voices and Kindergarten and 6 Unit planners completed in Grades 1 through 6.

Authorization visit to take place in the Spring of 2019

Measures/ Evidence of effectiveness Application for

authorization is submitted by the end of September

Planners are completed in time for the appropriate deadlines.

School receives full authorization in the Spring of 2019

Review Date 1: December 6, 2018.

Review Date 2: May 2, 2019.

Goal 4: St. Gabriel School will continue to take purposeful directed action to improve as a safe and caring school. Everyone (student, staff and parents) will feel welcome and know that they are a vital part of our school community and its culture. These actions will be communicated to the community.

District Correlation: ECSD Goal Three: ECSD respects diversity and promotes inclusion 3.1 Implement the Inclusive Education Policy Framework by ensuring that schools focus on the creation of welcoming, inclusive, caring, respectful and safe learning environments for all students and staff.Strategy 1: St Gabriel Staff will take direct action to ensure St. Gabriel is a safe and Caring school. We

will do this by: o Following Gospel values and the teachings of Christ o Respecting everyone who enters our building.o Dealing with everyone in a respectful mannero Using an IB and Catholic form of disciplineo Continue to work on effective measures from last year

It will be observable from the moment you enter our doors, that St. Gabriel is a “welcoming” place.

Actions Build our August School Opening Meeting around the

book “Imagine a World” and engage in process work on

Measures/ Evidence of effectiveness Teachers are engaged

August 2018 Page 18

how to imagine a St. Gabriel where everyone wants to be. Tie the School book to the ten IB attributes

From Imagine a World teachers will create essential agreements reflecting about what staff imagine St. Gabriel will become

From this process work, teachers will take Imagine a World back to the classrooms and do similar process work with their students to determine how they will “Imagine a World.” From their work and discussions students will create Essential Agreements for their classroom

“I want to make things right” IB reflect/Choose/act form will be tied to Catholicism and used in discipline situations

BT-TA works with targeted students and classes on different social skills to ensure catholic values are being maintained and taught to help keep St. Gabriel a safe and caring school

St. Gabriel will take part in the We Care Challenge by adopting one of the Sign of Hope Ministries. (Also, part of Goal One)

during the Book ‘Imagine a World” presentation, and see the natural links to the IB attributes

Book is then presented to the student in the first few days of school to set the tone for the year. Imagine a school…

Seeing an improvement in students and classes that are targeted for specific skills

Improved Accountability/School satisfaction data.

Continued retention of staff and students with the ultimate goal of increasing student population

Parents and Community change in perception in demonstrated in district data as well as anecdotal information

Adopt one of the Sign of Hope Ministries (St. Joseph’s home) and are praying and doing different social justice activities for them

August 2018 Page 19