Belfast School

1. Belfast School Moving Forward Together June 2010 Alberta Education Accountability Report Results

8. Essential Questions: How can Fine Arts and Technology best empower learners to access their potential? How does self-awareness of personal learning profiles impact a student's ability to achieve their potential? How can student academic achievement be improved? How can Belfast School stakeholders work better together to provide meaningful learning opportunities for students? School Processes: 1.   Democratic principles are exemplified through decision making models, conflict resolution, class discussion groups, partnership with “Citizenship Judge” and BLAST (Belfast Leaders Are Students Too). 2.   Project and Inquiry based learning models are employed throughout the school. 3.   Focus on Learning through integration of Fine Arts – fine arts option program, Artists in Residence, partnerships with James Fowler H.S. and Sir John Franklin School (Arts-Centred Learning Schools), complementary music program, creative journaling and arts infusion in the classroom promote learning through the arts. 4.   Focus on Learning through integration of Technology – technology option program, SMART boards in each classroom, multiple portable laptop computer labs, and digital cameras used to infuse technology into all aspects of learning.  Creation of student e-portfolios and implementation of D2L.

9. 5. PLC Work Focuses On: • Personalized Learning - differentiated learning methodologies • UDL • exploring ways to extend teaching practice through integration of Multiple intelligences and “Minds”-exploration of students’ strengths and areas for growth • goal setting-personal and academic • critical analysis of student writing • school-wide summative assessment of reading – Fountas and Pinnell • visual artist study “Yo Leonardo” • Ends reporting protocols and school wide assessment practices • Learning through fine arts and technology • system leadership…  “exploring formalized leadership avenues with staff” • Aqua Family common PD 6.   AISI Learning Leader works collaboratively with teachers to support our focused, job-embedded professional development. 7.   Active and engaged School Council 8.   Focus on student enrichment and whole child healthy living: • Utilizing a French Specialist • Partnership with Big Brothers and Sisters • Partnership with Calgary Reads • Partnership with before and after school care program • Student Health Committee • Intra-mural program • Inter-school volleyball tournaments

10. School Priorities: • Improve student writing. • Have every student meet the acceptable standard on PATs. • Increase the % of students achieving the Standard of Excellence on PATs. • Have every student meet or exceed grade level expectations. • Improve access to French instruction for students in grades 3 through 6. • Improve parental, student, and teacher trust in the school.

11. Gaps Analysis: 1.  Not all students at Belfast meet provincial Acceptable Standards on PATs: Grade 3 ELA Writing, 84.2% of students met Acceptable StandardsGrade 3 ELA Reading, 89.5% of students met Acceptable StandardsGrade 6 ELA Writing, 96.7% of students met Acceptable StandardsGrade 6 ELA Reading, 96.7% of students met Acceptable StandardsGrade 6 Social Studies, 86.7% of students met Acceptable Standards 2.  Few students achieved provincial Standard of Excellence on PATs:Grade 3 ELA Writing, 10.5% of students met Standard of ExcellenceGrade 3 ELA Reading, 52.6% of students met Standard of ExcellenceGrade 6 ELA Writing, 13.3% of students met Standard of ExcellenceGrade 6 ELA Reading, 40.0% of students met Standard of ExcellenceGrade 6 Science, 26.7% of students met Standard of ExcellenceGrade 6 Social, 6.7% of students met Standard of Excellence 3.  Parents and teachers have lost confidence in the school and the CBE regarding maintaining the fine arts focus at the school:In the New Principal Survey parents and teachers indicated that they were concerned about the integrity of the fine arts programming at Belfast.In the Pillar Survey 59.7% of respondents indicated "that their school and schools in their jurisdiction have improved or stayed the same the last three years".

12. Unique Characteristics • Focused learning through Fine Arts and Technology integration • Strong sense of democratic principles and student voice • Student choice through Fine Arts options in Visual Arts, Drama, Dance, Music, etc. • Technology: Mac environment, school server, wireless labs / SMARTBoards in every classroom • Library / Art Gallery • Multi-age classroom groupings with teaching teams • Active Belfast School Council: Established September 1996. Members meet monthly • Mentorship Programs, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and 'Calgary Reads' • BLAST Program (Belfast Leaders Are Student Too) • DeVry Partnership • Comprehensive School Health Program • Area II AISI Project- Personalization of Learning/UDL • Integration of whole school Artists-in-Residence programs • Before/After School Care - Belfast Child Care

13. Highlights • Strong Student Governance Model • A community of families and learners committed to excellence through experiential learning • Focused work in the Fine Arts • Fine Arts trained/experienced teaching staff • Regular school performances and celebrations • Strong Technology Focus • Utilization of Artists in Residences • Weekly Fine Arts Option Blocks for whole school • Strong student and parent voice grounded in democratic principles • Active Parent Group

14. Outcome 1.1 – School System Meets Students Needs and Supports Society and Economy Strategy 1.1.01 Provide Access to Quality Programs Belfast Actions • Create school wide fine arts and options • Provide artist in residencies focussed on improving writing.

15. Outcome 1.3 – Jurisdiction Demonstrates Effective Working Relationships Strategy 1.3.03 – Create informed, positive school cultures through PR, communication and participation Belfast Actions • Develop a more user-friendly website • Improve communication through using a variety of different modalities. IE. Parent email lists, on-line newsletters, lunch with the principal, school signpickatime booking . . .

16. Outcome 2.1 –Student demonstration of high standards in learner outcomes Strategy 2.1.19 change this Dedicate time for PLC work focused on instructional improvement Belfast Actions • Formation of common PLC committee time • Create PD committee

17. Outcome 2.1 –Student demonstration of high standards in learner outcomes Strategy 2.1.25(went under 2.1.22) Identify and develop a framework of best instructional practices based on current research Belfast Actions • Improve student writing by creating a school wide pre and post standardized writing test • School wide PD and practice revolved around standard setting and assessment of writing

18. Belfast Actions • Improve student writing by creating a school wide pre and post standardized writing test. • School wide PD and practice revolved around standard setting and assessment of writing • Employ the services of Artists in Residences focused on script writing. • Provide multiple access points to the writing process through the integration of different learning intelligences. Ie. Visual learners may engage in writing through the use of Inspiration. • ……..what else are we going to do.

19. Belfast Actions • Develop a personalized reading program for each student that uses Fontas and Pinnell data to inform instruction. (Improve standard of excellent scores, acceptable standard scores and grade level acheivement) • Provide more opportunities for enrichment activities for high achieving students. • Improve French Instruction by hiring a French Specialist and focus second language learning through an arts based integration model.

20. Outcome 1.4 –The Jurisdiction demonstrates leadership, innovation and continuous improvement Strategy 1.3.001 – Create informed positive school cultures through public relations, participation and communication. Belfast Actions • Provide opportunities for all stakeholders to have a voice in school governance. • Create open lines of communication. • Adopt transparent decision making processes that honour democratic principles.