DR. F.D. SINCLAIR ELEMENTARY PRIORITIES FOR STUDENT LEARNING

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1 DR. F.D. SINCLAIR ELEMENTARY PRIORITIES FOR STUDENT LEARNING School Context: Dr. F.D. Sinclair Elementary School is located in the West Newton area of Surrey. The school opened in 1956; since that time, several families have had multiple generations proudly attend the school. There are currently 490 students and 20 divisions at Dr. F.D. Sinclair. Over 80% of our students come from a home where English is not their first language. Other than English, Punjabi is the most common language spoken by Sinclair families; Hindi and other Asian and African dialects are also common. 53% are designated ELL. There are 11lowincidence special needs students with 6 Special Education Assistants at this school. We have 8 high-incidence students including 1 intense behaviour student. The Canadian census data from 2006 indicates that the median family income in our area is $45, 404 while the median income for our lone parent families is $29, 228. There are many strong and well-established annual traditions at Dr. F.D. Sinclair including: the family Terry Fox Run (in conjunction with a school open house); an Eid and Diwali celebration with a school-wide catered lunch and student performances; a grade 7 Christmas play; school-wide concert, Science Fair, Speech Festival, school wide Janet Witt writing competition, Jack Cooper scholarship, annual gr.7 camping trip and gr.5 Victoria trip, and swimming lessons among various grades. Dr. F.D. Sinclair staff foster a positive community for students. Students understand the school s clear expectations and motto Be the Best You Can Be. Interestingly, in , both the Fraser Institute and CD Howe Report, identified Dr. F.D. Sinclair as one of the highest achieving public elementary schools when compared to other schools with similar socio-economic ranking. Parents work as active partners and are part of our learning community. Our PAC is enthusiastically working with the school s administration to be an active part of the school community. In addition to raising funds to support learning initiatives, the PAC supports the school in a variety of events. Areas of strength: High academic and behaviour expectations Variety of extra curricular activities: cross country, soccer, volleyball, basketball, ultimate, and track and field Annual in- line skating and tennis lessons school wide Eid/Diwali celebration with school- wide catered lunch and student performances Grade 7 Christmas play and a school- wide music concert

2 Page 2 of 5 Areas staff are currently working on or exploring include the following initiatives for the 2013/2014: The Numeracy Project (4 th year) ILD 3 project with the implementation of mobile technology Action Research project in the area of numeracy Design Thinking Goal #1: to improve student achievement in numeracy with emphasis on improving students abilities to use multiple strategies for problem solving. Objectives: The number of students from the Not Yet and Approaching grade level expectations in math will increase to by at least 5% on the report cards Students will gain depth and breath of understanding in both numeracy and problem solving Students general math skills in Kindergarten to Grade7 will improve Rationale: Focus changing to teaching math through problem solving versus for problem solving FSA Numeracy Participation Not Yet Exceeding FSA Numeracy Participation Not Yet Within Exceeding 2012 Gr.4 86% 6% 73% 7% 2012 Gr.7 90% 7% 62% 21% 2013 Gr.4 90% 7% 74% 19% 2013 Gr.7 95% 1% 77% 22% The following areas require focus: Targeted emphasis on problem- solving and building of a common numeracy language Increased use of concrete and manipulative based instruction Intentional and internalized use of pictorial numeracy explanation Emphasis on basic understanding/recall of basic facts, place value, and number sense

3 Page 3 of 5 What steps are we planning to take to address the needs of the Dr. F.D. Sinclair learners? Numeracy Project since 2010: plan activities that share and develop lessons pertaining to problem solving and manipulative based instruction Besides the main math goal, three inquiry based questions staff are looking at in 2013/2014 school year: o ILD3 Inquiry based question: How can the integration of mobile technology increase student engagement and enhance student learning in the areas of literacy and numeracy (problem solving) o Action Research Project: How can we help our students struggling in numeracy improve their number sense, operations, and problem solving skills? (A look at Leaps and Bounds by two teachers) o Design Thinking Committee: What is the impact of design thinking on existing culture of a school? (exploration process with the staff) Many staff attended two summer pro- d days and the September pro- d looking at the above two inquiry based questions as well as numeracy assessment provided by the district Upper intermediate teachers using the online Gizmos, a web- based science and numeracy program. Through computer simulations, students solve a variety of experiments and number problems. The program has promoted engagement in learning and creative problem solving. Teachers are able to track student progress, the frequency of program use, and student achievement. Gizmos consequently promotes student engagement in learning beyond our school day Collecting baseline data for all students from Grade 3 to Grade 7 using the Island Net Numeracy Assessment (INNA) Monitoring student learning through regular assessment, report card data and other relevant data from our classroom teachers, Learner Support Team and School Based Team Exploring strategies that address diverse learning styles through professional development and the Numeracy Project Provision and use of various mathematical manipulatives, games and other resources that support best practice in math Math Word Walls being introduced to all students via librarian and most classroom teachers

4 Page 4 of 5 What structures and resources will support our school plan? Great ways to Differentiate Mathematics Instruction by Marianne Small provided to all interested staff 10 document cameras & projectors purchased to support differentiated instructional strategies. Math manipulatives for each classroom (dice, double sided counters, cuisiare rods, fraction bars). Math Makes Sense Numeracy Games provided to grade groups. 12 ipads2 and 24 ipads4 purchased for the integration of technology and apps that supporting the math curriculum Participation in the SD36 Numeracy Project and ILD3 Project (support from George Vanier Elem) Professional Development Days devoted to numeracy related learning and teaching practices and integrating mobile technology On- going formal and/or informal team teaching, modeling, observation and collaboration What will be our assessments and evidence of student success? School- wide, base line data will be collected in Jan to assist in determining all students skills in numeracy and problem solving using the Island Net Numeracy Assessment tool Teachers will conduct on- going assessment for learning to determine student success Grade 4 and 7 students will write the Foundation Skills Assessments in February 2014 Report card data pertaining to numeracy will be reviewed with each reporting period Teachers will adjust student learning opportunities to meet the recognized needs of students (determined by on- going formative and summative assessment) Based on our assessments and evidence, how do we plan to monitor, reflect on and adjust, where necessary, our impact on student learning? Our current goal around numeracy was collaboratively selected and reviewed during the School Planning Day in May Through the review of available data, progress made on previous school goals, and professional dialogue, it was concluded that Dr. F.D. Sinclair students would benefit from a continued focus on numeracy and problem solving skill development. In reviewing FSA and report card data, a need to continue with best practice in math is evident. Student who exceed expectations in numeracy will also be addressed; various opportunities will be provided (e.g. extension activities or possible consideration for the Challenge program)

5 Page 5 of 5 How will we communicate and celebrate student success? Student report cards Meet the Teacher Night/Open House, Parent Teacher s and Student Led Conferences Presentation of student work (to buddy classes, other classes within the grade group etc.) Classroom and hallway displays At the end of the year, share at the district level as part of the ILD3 process How will we engage all members of the school community to ensure sustainability of student success? Dr. F.D. Sinclair is a community that is motivated by student success. Teachers will meet regularly in various capacities to ensure student success. Capacities may include: School Based Team, Numeracy Committee, ILD3 Committee, grade groups, full staff, Professional Development Committee etc. Teachers will continue teaching the many curricular subjects required by the Ministry of Education; however, our focus will be upon numeracy and problem solving The insight, suggestions, opinions and recommendations of our School Planning Council and Parent Advisory Council will be carefully considered Aspects of our school goal will be communicated with the school community via newsletter, PAC meetings, and the website. Signatures of School Planning Council: Principal: Parent: Parent: Teacher: Parent: Assistant Superintendent Approval: Date: