Staff
J.W. Walker School will receive the Rainy River District School Board’s “Recognition of Excellence” at its regular meeting tonight for a number of initiatives used to increase “student voice.”
“Increasing ‘student voice,’ and ensuring the students recognize that not only are their voices heard but they are acted upon, is a new area of commitment this year in order to support our school Community, Culture and Caring Goal,” said a reported submitted to the board by principal Kevin Knutsen.
He noted a number of initiatives were organized and implemented to support the well-being of students in different ways, as well as to provide more opportunities for students to communicate their needs and ideas to staff.
The initiatives include:
•Student Voice Forums
Representatives from each class room from Grades 4-8 meet with administration, teachers, and education assistants to discuss what is working well in the school, what could be improved, and what our school climate data is telling us.
•“I wish my teacher knew . . .” activity
Staff “Mental Health Champions” organized an activity that allowed all students to communicate (anonymously) anything they felt was important for their teachers to know about them or about something going on in their life.
All information was collated and shared directly with the appropriate teachers.
•Natural Helpers Group
Fifteen students from Grades 6-8 receive ongoing training and support in how to recognize and interact with students inside the school and on the playground who may be lonely or need support in getting involved with others.
This group also will provide support to new students.
•“Speak Up Grant—Circus Club”
A group of students got together last fall and wrote a proposal to the principal and the Ministry of Education to start a Circus/Unicycle group in order to raise self-esteem and confidence.
The group is now one of the most involved clubs in the school and continues to expand.
•Student Success Room
An alternative, positive learning space (classroom) was created to provide a pro-active option to the regular classroom for students who would benefit from a different environment at certain times in the day.
The room also is a “safe place” during nutrition breaks for some students and a hub for games and positive social activities for others.
It is accessed by all students, from all grade levels.
Also at tonight’s meeting, trustees will:
•review a letter from board chair Dianne McCormack to the Northwest District Catholic School Board, requesting their board’s interest in discussing and exploring the opportunity for a shared school space within the Rainy River High School/Riverview School K-12 consolidated school;
•hear a presentation from Heather Bridgeman, Early Years Primary Division co-ordinator, about the Early Years program;
•approve policy 1.10 (Board Goals and Commitments);
•rescind Policy 1.00 (Statement of Board Mission, Beliefs, and Vision);
•approve policy 2.65 (School Code of Conduct) for stakeholder consultation;
•consider the recommendation to address the over-capacity issue at J.W. Walker School by moving the Grade 7 and 8 students to Fort Frances High School, effective Aug. 29; and
•approve the 2016-17 Modified School Year Calendar.
The meeting will get underway at 7 p.m. at the Education Centre (board office), following an in-camera session at 6 p.m.
