Supporting learning achievement for all
All children are welcome and safe at New Westminster Schools thanks to the adoption of a Sanctuary Schools Policy in 2017…
Highlights of our Learning Journey 2017-2018
Good news for learning…
Empowering educators to better understand the challenges students face is a step in creating a school community where everyone feels safe, seen, heard, and supported…
July 2018 – It was a big moment for learning at New Westminster Schools: Our Board of Education recently announced a good news budget for the 2018-2019 school year that means we can make an “incredibly important set of investments” in our students’ learning achievements.
Research and evidence shows how we can make targeted and timely interventions that will make a difference in supporting stronger literacy and numeracy outcomes, and in closing learning gaps.
Empowering educators to better understand the challenges students face is a step in creating a school community where everyone feels safe, seen, heard, and supported…
Thanks to a budget surplus of $1.2 million, new money is being invested in a host of educational priorities, programs, and resources that will strengthen learning outcomes for all our students – particularly our most vulnerable.
Our Community Schools programs strengthen family and school connections and support student success…
Removing barriers to achievement…
Across the district, we are also implementing strategies that empower our students who live with behavioral, learning, and sensory challenges to manage their emotional and physical needs and to benefit from options that help them get ready to learn.
With proper training and supports, behaviours can be managed and every student can thrive and learn.
The “Zones of Regulation” is a program that associates emotions with colours and provides strategies to help students cope with feelings. It is fast becoming a shared language among teachers, students and staff members at New Westminster Schools.
For students with sensory challenges, a visit to the brand new sensory room at Lord Kelvin elementary school is helping children reduce agitation, anxiety or hyperactivity. The room features calming lights, soothing sound and relaxing smell and touch.
Even a basic change in seating can make a huge difference. Students who feel fidgety and jittery might prefer to sit on a Hokki stool rather than at a standard row of desk and chairs — it’s designed to wobble and help active learners to better focus. At New Westminster Schools, we are supporting a move to flexible learning spaces that give students a choice in the kind of learning space that works for them.
In supporting academic success for our Aboriginal students, we are addressing numeracy and literacy in Grades 4 and 7 and taking steps to identify readers at risk.
We know that early intervention matters. Digital literacy resources, ‘leveled’ reading books and other resources will help.
We are also providing support with the help of transition and graduation coaches who will guide students through major shifts from middle to high school. In addition, an exciting student peer mentorship and youth leadership program will go a long way to helping students feel a sense of connection and belonging.
Safe, engaging and inclusive…
Our community partners are vital in promoting the well-being of children, youth and families in more vulnerable neighbourhoods. Our Community Schools program offers subsidized after-school programs that build student connection to schools and strengthen our students’ success. Volunteers in our schools are a further welcome connection to the community. And this coming year, our Board of Education is supporting a district-wide school nourishment program to ensure access to nutritious food for all students, a major initiative that can support healthy eating and enhance learning.
We continue to ensure our schools are inclusive, safe and welcoming. We are expanding resources on SOGI 123 to support students of all sexual orientations and gender identities, and will be welcoming a school lead in the coming year who will enhance compassionate and positive relationships.
At New Westminster Schools, we want our students to learn in a safe, engaging and inclusive environment – and for all of our students to come to school with a joy for learning!
