Carisbrooke Newsletter
January 2024
In this January issue of the Carisbrooke newsletter:
- Important Calendar Dates
- Principal's Message
- UBC Research - The Early Development Instrument ( EDI )
- Student Learning Survey
- Carisbrooke School Plan
- New Kindergarten Classroom
- Spotlight on Intermediate Students
- Ski Program
Please mark these dates in your calendar.
Gr. 5 Parent Late French Immersion Information meeting at Argyle at 6:30 pm Tuesday, January 23
Gr. 7 Parent Information meeting at Carson Graham at 6 pm Wednesday, January 24
School -Based Professional Day Friday, January 26 SCHOOL NOT IN SESSION
NVTA Professional Day Friday, February 16 SCHOOL NOT IN SESSION
Family Day Monday, February 19 SCHOOL NOT IN SESSION
Pink Shirt Day Wednesday, February 28 Wear PINK!
Collaboration Day Wednesday, February, 28 EARLY DISMISSAL 2 pm
Principal's Message
After a mild December, we wondered if winter would ever arrive. Well, it certainly did! And, although adults had to navigate icy roads and family schedules, students were thrilled to finally see the SNOW! This is great news for our local mountains, especially for Carisbrooke's ski program.
With the first and longest term behind us, we head into Term 2 with students ready to learn, ready to work hard, and ready to meet personal learning goals. Not only do students have goals, but our school does as well. In this issue of the Newsletter, you will see a poster of our school plan. January is also a time for data collection and surveys. Read about two ways children are supported in BC by UBC's Early Development Instrument and the Ministry's Student Learning Survey.
Next month, we celebrate Pink Shirt Day. Students and staff will wear pink on Wednesday, February 28. This special day is about anti-bullying, kindness, empathy, caring, and respect. Next month's newsletter will focus on mental health, well-being, and social emotional learning.
Stay tuned, and I hope you stayed safe and warm this week!
Early Development Instrument ( EDI )
This month, kindergarten teachers from across the province will assist UBC with early learning data through a questionnaire called the Early Development Instrument (EDI). The EDI provides insight into the factors affecting a child's early development in neighbourhoods across the province. The information helps researchers identify trends and patterns in child development. Currently, 32.9% of kindergarten children in BC are vulnerable in one or more aspects of their development. Without additional support, vulnerable children may experience future challenges in school and society. The EDI helps ensure necessary supports are provided so every child in the province has the opportunity to thrive and flourish.
For more information on the Early Development Instrument click here https://earlylearning.ubc.ca/monitoring-system/edi/parent-caregiver-info/
Student Learning Survey
Students and families in grade 4, 7, 10, and 12 are also involved in data collection. Each year, the Ministry of Education and Child Care conduct surveys on student learning. Student input is collected at school via the Student Learning Survey. Parents and guardians of children in Grades 4, 7, 10, and 12 are also invited to participate in the survey. An invitation link for parents to participate in the survey will be sent this month on January 25 in the Superintendent's Report. The survey will be open until May 3. Surveys are confidential, voluntary, and available in English and French. The parent survey is available in 18 languages.
Carisbrooke School Plan
Creating a school plan is a group effort and includes everyone's voice: teachers, support staff, students, and families. A school plan is usually a 4 - 5 year process, from identifying values, creating goals, choosing action items, and communicating progress. Carisbrooke's plan aligns directly the North Vancouver School District Strategic Plan 2021 - 2031, posted on the school district website.
Why do schools have plans? Every journey needs a direction, and so too, does education. All schools in North Vancouver have a school plan. All aspects of the curriculum are important, and no academic subject or age group is put aside or forgotten if it's not in a school plan. School plans simply highlight areas that may need attention or are identified as areas to further explore and strengthen. A plan guides teaching and instruction in the classroom, professional development, budget expenditures, and most importantly, school community and culture. You can learn more about Carisbrooke's school plan, and the planning process, on the school website under the 'About Our School' and 'Parent- Celebrating Learning ' tabs.
The New Kindergarten Classroom
Early Learning and the Classroom Environment
One of Carisbrooke’s school plan goals is to spotlight Early Learning. Carisbrooke staff chose this goal because early learning experiences establish the foundation for all learning, K –12. This is especially true for literacy. Educators know that if a student is not reading fluently by the end of grade 3, they will find the rest of their school journey challenging. At Carisbrooke, primary teachers, learning service teachers, and education assistants have looked closely at early literacy in the last three years. We have studied brain research, purchased new literacy resources, attended reading workshops, read BC’s Early Learning Framework, and, as a team, worked together to create the best instructional practices and services for our students as possible.
Knowing how critical the early years (birth to age 8) are for growth and development, staff wondered what more can we do for our early learners? We asked “How important is the classroom environment and, what would we see in an ideal early learning space? Kindergarten staff visited early learning spaces at Queensbury Elementary School and Capilano University Children’s Centre, both with outstanding learning spaces for young children. We saw how children’s learning experiences are shaped by their relationships with space and materials. We saw that a room that is calm, clutter-free, organized, and adorned with natural materials has a positive impact on the imagination, creativity, and well-being of children – and teachers too. “The importance of the early care and learning environment- sometimes referred to as the ‘third teacher’ cannot be underestimated in shaping the experiences of children and adults. (British Columbia Early Learning Framework, 2019, p. 22)
With proceeds from a district Collaborative Inquiry Grant and monies from the CPAC, we redesigned one of the kindergarten classrooms. We looked very closely at everything: lighting, furniture, carpet, clutter, wall colours, materials, and toys and got to work. We decluttered the room, removed plastic toys and chairs, and painted neutral colours on the walls. We bought soft cloud lights and sky-blue silks for the ceiling. We purchased objects and materials that children can experiment with and investigate in ways that are meaningful to them. We purchased toys that invite creativity such as coloured silks and storyboard materials. Our goal was a clean, simple space that invite children to fully explore, create, and play without distraction.
The difference is profound. For students, the wooden play arches have become a store front, a forest, and a castle entrance to visit the Queen. The benches have become logs at a campfire, a stage for puppets, and a spot for three friends to work together side by side.
Environments are integral to well-being and learning. Children learn in relationships with the people around them but are also profoundly affected by their relationship with spaces and materials. The objects and materials in a child’s learning space truly makes a difference. We hope that every child who begins their education journey at Carisbrooke will benefit from a beautiful early learning environment.
For more information on BC’s Early Learning Framework click here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/education/early-learning/teach/earlylearning/early_learning_framework.pdf
A. Lawson
Spotlight on Intermediate Students
Intermediate students have been BUSY! Division 1 students, as well as those in 2 and 3, are picking up on the leadership opportunities in the school. Every morning the students are presenting announcements on the Public Announcement (P.A.) system to share news of the day, guests, student birthdays and tips that help all students understand the code of conduct expected in the school. Please help your child come to school on time so they can hear these daily announcements at 8:55 am.
Intermediate students in Division 2 are working on Biography Cubes. They are connecting their multiple intelligence strengths with people in the community. In addition, the class is working on robotics for Applied Design, Science and Technology and participating with other classes on debate competitions
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Division 3 students have started short stories and they are focusing their efforts on debates that include moral conflicts in society, such as topics of war, drugs, stereotyping and racism.
Division 4 students are creating comic strips to show their learning of the digestive system. Another creative project are the perimeter maps of the students’ bedrooms.
Division 5 students are experimenting in science with kitchen chemistry, helping buddy classes with Matific, our new math learning app, and diving into new novels in their literature circles.
All students in Gr. 4-7 are hoping to take in the fun of science at Playland in May, however parent driver availability forms need to be handed in by January 25th so we can see how many students can be transported. Sadly, the bus companies are all busy the day in May we have tickets to attend, so we need to rely on parent drivers. Please get your driver availability form into your child's classroom as soon as possible.
Ski Program
Forty students went skiing on Grouse Mountain and enjoyed their first lesson on January 10. The second lesson was postponed due to too much snow, but everyone looks forward to excellent terrain conditions and continuing lessons next week. Wednesday's postponed ski lesson will be rescheduled, and information will go to families shortly. A big thank you to the parents who accompanied Ms. Ehling and Ms. Walker to ensure everyone was safe, having fun, and accounted for at the end of the day.
Lesson time
Beautiful city lights!
Ms. Walker is happy to be on the mountain!