2020/21 School Goals Update
In the fall of 2019, staff began our work with our school plan. We engaged in incorporating technology (math and literacy focus) through teacher iPads. Teachers collaborated and determined how to incorporate a variety of apps in their classroom.
We then engaged with Tawnie Hildebrandt, our expert District Mathematics helping teacher. We launched into our school goal by learning how to engage students with “number talks” into our classroom. Mrs. Hildebrandt also discussed how to use Learning targets around Mathematics, number talks, and general classroom practice.
Throughout the Fall of 2019 and into 2020, many teachers engaged their students in numbers talks. The school held a number talks contest as we encouraged families to try as well. A PAC meeting in the fall saw Mr. Colbert lead parents through a number talk. We really began to see some momentum form until the pandemic hit before spring break.
In the Spring of 2020, we met as a staff to discuss Social Emotional Learning as we found several students having many challenges around self-regulation. We investigated “sensory walks”, re-designing our sensory room, and discussing strategies at staff meetings. We contacted our Social Emotional Helping Teacher, Adriana Belsher, along with our District Occupational Therapist, Alex Thompson. We began planning with them just prior to Spring Break of 2020. The goal was to engage staff in “best practice” as they needed to be given the tools to successfully work with students who couldn’t regulate, along with providing training to ensure a sensory walk/circuit could be utilized correctly and effectively.
When meeting with staff, we wanted to emphasize that this wasn’t a change in course from our Mathematics goal, but something to support it. We felt fortunate to have the opportunity to work with our SEL Helping Teacher and O/T and thought this was something we could not pass up. They presented “classroom breaks” at our September 2020 administration day. We continue to work with them on this initiative.
In terms of Indigenous Education, we had some staffing changes and welcome Elder Tina Lakey to our staff. She has provided us with a wealth of knowledge and passion when it comes to Indigenous Learning for all students. Our Indigenous students entered the “Math Catcher” contest at SFU and are preparing to make Elk Hide drums in the new year. Elder Tina has presented First Peoples Principles of Learning in some classrooms and will continue to do so this year. We have also had “Tea with Elder Tina” in where staff volunteered to meet with staff about equity and systemic racism. Elder Tina is also scheduled to meet with the PAC in January as well.
New for 2019-20: Math Goal
Auguston Traditional Elementary is a Kindergarten to Grade 5 school located in the fast growing Auguston community development. Our school is a vibrant and diverse school community that has strong parental involvement along with a highly collaborative teaching and support staff. Some changes to our school in 2020-21 is that due to an increase in population in the Auguston area, we will no longer be a school of choice. All catchment students will be attending Clayburn Middle School and parents who are out of catchment will have to make an out of catchment request (we no longer have a Kindergarten Lottery system).
In 2019-20 the staff in consultation with parents, decided that we would be changing our school plan. The new school plan will provide a framework for staff to unpack the new Curriculum, assessment practices, and teaching methodolgy. We also looked at current school data and current FSA Results. We are looking forward to continuing on a new journey to improved student achievement in the area of Mathmatics.
For further information regarding our school plan please click on the School Plan PDF below.