(Staff) In what ways have we successfully supported student learning? (Staff)

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A focus on inclusion, a continued emphasis on universal design and quality instruction despite barriers, and ongoing support for diversity with the help of indigenous educators, LSTs, SLPs, OTs, PTs...

Flexibility, flexibility, flexibility. I strongly believe through this last year, we have truly learned as a Division, that by putting all students' needs at the front of decision-making ensures good healthy strategies are implemented and learning can occur in the toughest of times.

Supportive admin in regards to students that have gaps in learning from pandemic. Support put in place to help the younger students in our division to fill those gaps.

Staff has been very supported - provided time to make transitions, time to do planning, time to work collaboratively with colleagues (in-house or other schools), and not participated in the new curriculum. This has made staff feel heard while navigating a very noisy world.

Prioritizing mental health

Flexible expectations

Connections made with students

During PL days we can use time to collaborate with colleagues on subject specific content.

Staff have been accessible through teams

Focused on safety but also realistic in what we can and cannot do in the classrooms.

-full time counselling positions at elementary schools...MENTAL health!!

Focusing on intervention and addressing the learning gaps in our young readers through the BOOST program.

Cohort structures have had many benefits

Understanding the stresses of COVID and making changes to reflect the current climate

Emphasized the importance of strong relationships with students and families while encouraging in-person learning.

we have purposefully designed opportunities to communicate with students and parents in ways that fit them, rather than creating systems that work for us but are not two way communication.

Focus on thinking classrooms and cultures of thinking. A continued focus will support engaged learners who think for themselves.

in person learning for students

BOOST (literacy and numeracy)

having the opportunity to pivot to online learning or in-person learning (last year) -the opportunity to have a full year online schooling option tied to a school home with some in person learning and such is positive for some that thrived on it

Offering programs of choice - Montessori, Spanish, French, Faith Based

We have partnered well with community agencies and organizations to attempt to find creative collaboration in meeting needs

Held standards very high for students and staff while being flexible and responsive to pandemic challenges.

We have acknowledged gaps that have occurred due to COVID and not pushed an agenda. Instead we have been provided the ability to meet our kids where they are at without any negativity.

Attention to quality resources and equitable dispersement amongst schools. For example, LLI resources, Math fact Fluency kits.

Tremendous growth with regards to flexible learning environments

We have gotten curious about what is not working for students and asked their perspectives before designing our supports and moving forward

I appreciate all the wrap-around supports available to our students which help them be ready to engage in their learning. Inclusive education supports and services, counselling, ESL support team, Family Support Workers and so many others all play a vital role in helping our students feel safe and ready to learn.

By having a culture of sharing that allows for connection throughout the division

Division has been so flexible during the pandemic allowing us time during transitions, and helpful while required to teach from home if quarantined.

Ensuring that school with identified needs have full time support interns of student support/ teacher counsellors

Navigating the pandemic has allowed for teachers to build relationships with students, and in classrooms as a whole, centered on wellness and empathy and to navigate the pandemic as a collective group supporting one another. In many ways, we have helped students realize that they are buffalos running into storms and coming out stronger than they could have ever imagined. While this has been difficult, students have built skills beyond what they think they can do.

By focusing on universal supports to allow for as many students as possible to be helped.

We are paying attention to the needs that are arising and we are specifically designing programming and opportunities to respond to the needs

By making all possible cuts forced by government fiscal restrictions to areas with the least impact to students as a whole.

The use of teams and recording lessons has given students chances to go back and watch the lessons if they did not understand. It also provides an avenue for students missing school to catch up or contact the teacher directly. It has made it easier to contact parents electronically.

Strong relationships!!!

Providing BOOST program and allocating the funds for BOOST quickly

Sound leadership from board of trustees. Last years trustee group was ASTOUNDING. Really optimistic and hopeful that the support, care and concern continues.

Relationships!!!!! The ability for teachers to build positive supportive relationships is key to helping students engage in academic content. Without these key connections, students engagement is reduced and therefore less invested in wanting to "show up"

From a high school perspective, TEAMS is a platform that has helped students take ownership and build independent skills that will help them beyond school; time management, communication, working at own pace or own timeline, ability to check in with teachers digitally and with chat function, etc.

E-Learning programs-a great alternative and quality education for many students

"Slowing our roll" - doing what we see is what's best for kids regardless of what surrounding divisions are doing. And sticking to it!

By putting the students first. There are resources and supports that are spread throughout the division that has allowed for students at all levels and needs find success.

More opportunities for students with e-learning; provides more pathways to anytime, anyplace learning

Embracing opportunities to empower students' voices and taking opportunities to allow for meaningful learning tasks

Literacy and numeracy lead teachers- huge supports to build capacity for learning.

Advocating for high quality curriculum standards when reviewing the elementary draft curriculum that was proposed earlier in the year.

Being flexible and adapting as the circumstances around us are changing.

Collaborative communities

The ability to build strong relationships with students and them with their peers because of smaller cohorts. They really have to learn how to work together with the people around them.

Alternatives and innovation to create opportunities for students to show their understand beyond standardized tests (through multimedia projects, oral or spoken projects, etc)

The genuine caring team in the Ed Centre that provides outstanding support.

Creating positive environments where students feel safe and comfortable to be who they are.

Online learning and the flexibility to learn at any time regardless of the circumstances. Having access to an online platform where learning materials can be shared.

Greater emphasis on collaboration and using the grade level teams to work together through our units of study.

The creative ways in which teachers and Admin teams and division communicated with families through out the pandemic. Information and knowledge are settling for all. The more confident and comfortable students, staff and parents are in an unsettled time, the better off students are.

Focusing on creating an authentic learning experience and using authentic assessment for students.

Moving from the shared year plan for elementary and allowing teachers to follow the plan that best fits the needs of their classes was an important and helpful change for teaching and engaging my learners.

Focusing on mental and physical health

Creating learning activities that allow students to access the material from different points in their understanding and backgrounds.

Focusing on students well being first.

Meeting the students where they are at

Adminstration have been more aware of the amount of stress put on teachers.

Through the literacy and numeracy Boost program. These programs have helped our low kiddos help to jump up and help build those critical skills. It is a program I would like to see be workshopped and continued in upcoming years, as there is always a need to support students in a more individualized way.

Colleague collaboration and support has been essential as we navigated through online learning, and changing teaching assignments to new grade levels.

Caring and supportive classrooms and schools

Creating spaces where students feel safe and cared for helps to reduce worry/anxiety therefore allowing students to be ready for learning.

flexibility of staff to adapt throughout the whole experience of the past year and a half

I think our monthly admin meetings are really crucial and have great topics that keep us focused on what is important as leaders

I appreciate the division led decision to move all classes to Teams for the online portions of schooling. It has made planning and communication so much easier for students, families and teachers.

Meeting students where they are at. Providing a range of opportunities for students to find their passions

A broad range of services being provided to families

Our inclusive head department (headed by Ann) and supported by our district psychologist (the fabulous Anjana) does a great job of supporting our wide range of diverse learners and their needs within the division

Being responsive and flexible to the needs of our students and their families.

Team atmosphere from central office down to the individual schools

Monthly administration meetings to help cascade ideas into the classroom

the efforts made for extra curricular to take place

The people interacting with the kids never stop caring and never stop giving it their all.

Adjusting as needed - learning is thinking

After online experience, it's easier to contact parents electronically!

Boost programming in literacy and numeracy

The incredible effort made to connect with each student and build relationships while facing limitations due to covid

We have equipped students with use of amazing digital tools, which even young students now use to communicate. There has been top-down modelling for how to be flexible, handle stress, and how to maintain a good attitude in the face of challenges, this is not something that students will likely forget and will hopefully carry forward!

The division wide focus on thinking classrooms - a fabulous move forward in terms of authentic student learning

The Division has allowed for flexibility and patience while navigating the online/in-person changes and that flexibility has in turn been passed on to families who, in some cases, could have multiple young children attempting to learn from home.

Staff connections to students. Getting to know all aspects of who they are so that we can teach them how each individual learns.

No pressure for teachers to "hurry up" their students

Much clearer expectations and information streams online this time

BOOST (Literacy, Math)