GREENDALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

1. GREENDALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Major School Change Brief 2010-2011

2. Greendale Elementary School prides itselfon its partnership with its professionals, families and community. Its community-oriented philosophy creates a unique learning environment. Greendale has distinguished itself and has evolved to meet the challenges of today’s society where students are given the tools to prepare themselves for the future.

3. Greendale is a bilingual school that welcomes all students in a stimulating, structured and safe environment. Its dress code creates a further sense of belonging and strong school spirit. • Unlike many schools and projections, Greendale’s population has grown. • 2008 -2009 291 students • 2009-2010 Projected population: 268 • 2009-2010 FACT: 312 students Based on today’s philosophy in designing new schools, the Ministry is suggesting that capacities not exceed 400-450. Greendale has a population of 312 students and is continuing to increase.

4. Greendale is surrounded by a large green space, five soccer fields, a baseball diamond, two playground areas accessible to students, and the 4-plexe Arena where the students of our Sports Enhanced program play.

5. FRENCH COMPETENCY It has been recognized that there is a need to improve French competency. However, at Greendale, we feel that there are strategies to accomplish this goal that do not simply involve increasing the number of French minutes given and reducing the opportunity to have English learning. We are creating richer programs and activities within our school to immerse our students in the French experience. We believe that it is these quality programs that will attract more families to our schools. The parents of the Greendale community have deliberately chosen a bilingual program for their children. It is important to allow them to have a choice.

6. There is a need for bilingual programs: For families who move to Quebec, it is easier for children to adapt, and parents can better understand the curriculum and help their children with homework. Not all children do well in an immersion program. Developing competency in their mother tongue is important. Some parents want their children to be educated in an English school. In addition, if we only have immersion programs, parents may feel that there is no difference with the French school board. Why stay in an English school if everything is in French? Other parents who want bilingual schools will switch to private schools. It is important to offer a choice of both programs to parents. Finally, there is some difficulty concluding that an immersion program is better than a bilingual program since the factors of Special Needs and IEP’s may create differences in the results across schools.

7. Greendale is attracting new families due to many unique academic experiences available in our school:

8. Sports Enhanced Program An enrichment package for students to combine academics with an intensive sports program . Our hockey partner, Nadeau-Leblanc Hockey, provides the training in French and furthermore, we are partnered with a French school on the ice, Jonathan Wilson, 3 days per week. Kindergarten for 4 year olds This year, we have been able to provide both a 4 year old program as well as the option for an extended day. Our 4 year old students follow both an English and a French program on alternative days. They each have a laptop and activities developed specifically for their age group.

9. French Theatre Music Band with Instruments Dance Leadership training Peer Mediation Musicals and Plays

10. PARTNERSHIPS Partnerships have been developed and our relationships will continue to grow with a variety of people and groups. These solidify our programs and give the students a concrete and real approach to learning not only in the classroom but across the world.

11. China Project A unique experience was offered to one elementary school (Greendale) and one high school (Riverdale). As a result, an exciting partnership has been created with two sister schools in China. Global environmental issues are being explored via video-conferencing. Plans for exchange visits in the future are also being discussed. Turkey Space Camp An invitation to teachers to visit the Turkish Space Camp in July led to a project being created by our Grade 6 teacher. Video conferencing will also be used to link our Greendale students with Turkish students. The theme of Space will lead the topics explored. LBPSB Interactive Community Partnership continues to be our liaison with communities around the province (Nancy Battet).

12. FREE THE CHILDREN Free The Children is the largest network of children helping children through education. Not only does the organization seek to free children from poverty and exploitation by employing a holistic development model- Adopt a Village, we also seek to free young people from the idea that they are powerless to effect social change. We believe that youth are the leaders of today.  We are honoured to work with our youth, families and schools to: empower them to make a difference, educate them about social issues, equip youth with leadership skills, and engage them in actions to create change. Greendale is empowered by this new partnership. The students KNOW that they can and will make a difference on a global level.

13. LES SCIENCES ET TECHNOLOGIE Greendale School has been striving to develop a more hands-on approach with science (I,e. experiments, Science Fair). A partnership with the National Science Center, Let’s Talk Science and McGill University (I,e. Engineers without Borders) has been created. The sciences are done in French and the students have been involved in their own activities. A Science classroom has been created to provide a functional lab environment. We are slowly improving our science equipment over time. A French Science Club has recently been formed during lunch-time and has attracted over 60 students. This is yet another example of increasing their language skills. Creating Global Citizens is certainly a goal for our students.

14. Let’s Talk Science National Science Center Isabel Deslauriers, Let’s Talk Science, has adopted our school and will be working with our Cycle 2 students to enhance our Science initiatives in the classroom. Speakers and presentations will be made throughout the year (I,e. Engineers without Borders, water units, Earth Day, planetarium visit, etc.).  Media Literacy Our computer lab is equipped with 29 computers. Our Smart Boards are being integrated in the classrooms to promote interactive lessons and further improve language skills.

15. RATIONALIZING THE SCHOOL NETWORK At Greendale we already rent our school premises in the summer to the city of Pierrefonds for their summer camp. We are exploring renting our facilities at night to other organizations. We would like to offer language courses as well. Greendale has a solid infrastructure: an enriched science program, a sports enhanced program, a strong Music/Arts curriculum, peer mediation/leadership programs in a modern, spacious, energy efficient building (Johnson Control – including a new furnace) strong local community partnerships, national and international partnerships and a dedicated team of staff and volunteers . We are one of the best elementary schools in Quebec, and with our infrastructure in place, are poised to grow and thrive in the future

16. Greendale’s future vision • Greendale will enrich French language competencies through a variety of experiential learning environments. Our projects will develop language skills at all levels. • Sports Enhanced Program • Science and Technology • K-4 Bilingual • Partnerships will continue and strengthen our educational objectives and benefit our students’ future endeavors. Greendale is changing to meet the needs of all of its students and community. Its dynamic approach to learning and focus on academic excellence leads us to consider a change in our name, Académie Greendale Academy.

17. Greendale’s future vision remains inspiring to its students .  Always evolving in the right direction and introducing the children to a variety of stimulating programs that provides them a promising bright future. Greendale is essential in this growing community with young families continuously moving into the neighborhood and choosing Greendale as their school of choice for many different reasons.   Parents can have their children walk to school, feel safe and know that they are going to a place where the teachers care.

18. As a " new member" of the Greendale family, and a mother who's son plays hockey, I can genuinely say that "we" are so delighted with Greendale and it's community partnership with the Nadeau-Leblanc hockey program.     As a family with a son who's passion is hockey, we didn't really think twice about the program itself, as Nadeau-Leblanc has an outstanding reputation. However, we were faced with a very important decision, changing our son's elementary school! This was not a decision to be taken lightly, as our son had made many good friends throughout his four previous years...     ...We promised our son it was his decision and we were going to base this on our experience with the "Open House". Our whole family fell in love with the school, it's warm atmosphere, the teacher's & staff, the display of student's artwork throughout the school and the overall exemplification of "School Spirit". We knew, after this visit, that however challenging this transition would be, we would find ourselves well supported and embraced within a strong Greendale Community.     Since becoming a part of this Greendale family, our son has quickly made friends, enjoys his teachers, continues to do well academically and even reports that "bullying is not a part of this school!" In addition, he has ample opportunity to release and channel his abundance of physical and nervous energy, through his Sports Enhanced program. As a result, we have all experienced a great deal of harmony! Greendale truly is a gem, to be cherished always. Submitted by a mother of a grade 4 student.