Highlands School Plan 2008/2012

Background Mandate: The Ministry of Education requires that every school in the province establish a School Planning Council Highlands original plan was developed through a consultative process in 2002/2003. SPC Role: Is to consult with the school community to develop, monitor, review and revise a School Plan for improving student achievement Currently there is no teacher representation, however, teachers continue to implement core strategies

Highlands SPC Members School Principal Janey Cameron School parents’ reps Kim Kopchuk Alicia Haneine Claire Freyvogel

The Process Review current plan Review data (both qualitative and quantitative) –Foundation Skills Assessment –Satisfaction Survey –Year End Performance Measures; –TOPA –Safe and Caring Schools Audit –Social Responsibility Survey. –Parent Feedback Survey, teachers and students (74 from potential 295 families) Create new plan –This year the NVSD implemented a restructuring of the plan: Format of content and connections with the district achievement goals

NVSD Goals 1.To increase reading proficiency in students 2. To improve success in mathematics 3. To improve the success of Aboriginal students 4. To provide safe and caring school learning environments

2007/2011 School Plan Goals-Update 1.To achieve high success rates in reading Highlands continues to maintain higher than average reading scores over the last 6 years. Scoring above district averages and well above provincial averages at all grades levels. 2.To achieve high success rates in mathematics Highlands continues to achieve high success rates in mathematics. 3.To provide a safe and caring school learning environment We are showing an overall improvement with respect to high satisfaction and last year’s focus was on Violence Prevention, Code of Conduct and Behavioural Intervention Strategies to continue to improve in this goal area.

2008/2012 School Plan Goals 1.To improve reading proficiency in students who are less than fully meeting expectations at each grade level. Objective 1.1: To ensure that all children who are less than fully meeting expectations in reading at each grade level are identified by September 30 th of each year for additional support. Objective 1.2: To ensure that all children who are identified as less than fully meeting expectations in reading receive additional reading support during the school year. 2. To provide a safe, caring, communicative and responsive school environment. Objective 2.1: To encourage a school culture that values diversity and engages in proactive violence prevention by promoting an understanding of individuality, gender, ability, culture and learning styles.

2008/2012 School Plan - Notes Highlands has not identified an Aboriginal goal, as student enrollment is fewer than 5, however, Highlands continues to implement strategies that foster and build awareness of the Aboriginal culture (ie: Big House/First Nations Book Bin). The removal of the goal to achieve high success rates in mathematics was due to the success rates based on the current strategies in place. The school will ensure that the high level is maintained.

FSA Data Highlights – FSA 2007 Report ReadingGrade 4Grade 7 School 92% 93% District 86% 81% Province 77% 72% Writing School 100% 100% District 94% 91% Province 90% 86% Math School 98% 100% District 90% 89% Province 86% 82% Grade 4 reading performance has increased from87% in 2006 to 92% of children now meeting/exceeding expectations. Kindergarten TOPA and numeracy test results showed strong improvement from January to June for at risk learns.

Parent Survey - Highlights Questions that caused some concern were: The student discipline strategies at the school are fair and consistent. - There were thirteen responses “didn’t know” The school actively works to develop a sense of empathy in students. - There were ten responses “didn’t know” Strategies: Provide more accessible information to parents to ensure that they are informed and aware of school policies. - Website - Encourage attendance at the HPAC meetings

For more information… Draft 2008 / 2012 plan will be submitted for approval to the Board by May 1, 2008 and is: –School website –Bulletin board outside the office –The approved plan will be posted on the website by September 2008.

How Can I Get Involved? Parent representatives needed on SPC for 2008/2009 Role: Meet about 3-4 times in the school year Review data Make recommendations Communicate SPC to parents