School District #44 North Vancouver Teachers and Administrators create a “Community of Learners”. AS North Vancouver teachers and administrators work to improve curriculum and instruction in the schools, it is evident that we have both staff and students involved in learning. The mest important outcome of this district. project is improved academic achievement for the students. The follewing articles (excerpts) demonstrate the opportunities for student benefits as teachers involve themselves in staff development. DISTRICT FOCUS AREAS OF ‘89/00: With so much cnergy and enthusiasm for curriculum these days, we have tried to narrow our district emphasis to: Reading * @ Information Technology © Fine Arts; and © Math e Career Programs ° ESL ‘with an emphasis on Instructional Diversity in all our classroom activities. * Various CURRICULUM TEAMS AND THEIR CURRENT INITIATIVES © Information Technology in-service for teachers ® Physical Education introducing the gymnastics kit © Language initiatives ° Fine Arts implementation of the new IRP e French Immersion introducing “La Grammaire” and the translation of Reading 44 materials ¢ Assessment and Reporting discussing the feasibility of a District report card * Social Studies implementation of the new IRP SECONDARY DEPARTMENT HEAD MEETINGS All secondary department heads had an opportunity to meet in district-wide, subject-specific meetings during the past two months. Discussion centered on pressing issues common to all schools including: Arts supporting reading ¢ Technology needs of senior science courses ¢ Shared use of Physical Education facilities © Digital media in visual art courses ® Career prep in all departments *® Resources for Math 1] and the Geography Strand of Socials 11 * Assessing the oral component of senior languages ® English course offerings given the diverse ability levels in classes. in-sei vice sessions, resource development and problem-solving meetings have been planned before the final meetings take piace in May. PILOT PROJECTS SEEM TO WORK FOR NORTH VAN TEACHERS Gur schcols seem to thrive when they can identify the curriculum areas they want to focus on. We are currently running the second year of the Reading 44 project in 25 out of our 34. We have more course Ta: GULF ISLANDS Film & Television School + SPRING’COURSES Fro-B Weekend for Media Educators. (ne [ March 10-12" www.youthfilms.com offerings comiag up in the new elementary schools. This is the first year of the Integrating the Web in the Classroom. This pilot project in 17 of our schools (including two secondary schools). Each of these projects involve teacher leaders at each school who will meet several times over the school year and will keep the project moving at each school by encouraging the professional conversations and engaging teachers in required feedback. ‘Thank you to ail professionals involved in these curricular initiatives. WHAT'S NEW 'N ESL Service Deiivery Model The District’s new service delivery model is approaching its final form. It details best practices in the areas of assessment, placement, programming, services, instructional principles, and reporting. Extended Assessment of ESL Special Needs Ways are being explored to provide School Based Resource Teams with high quality assessment information to promote effective interventions on behalf of ESL students who need individualized programming. Diversity in the Classr6éom Learning environments that support differentiated instruction will be the focus of in service offerings currently being developed in Pilot Projects K-i ESL assessment project Family of Schools English Language Intensive Program at Lynn Valley Elementary Secondary English Language Intensive Program at Carson Graham. Multicultural Committee A district committee involving a variety of educational partners will be struck to examine proactive ways to discourage racism and promote multicultural awareness. NEW LOCALLY DEVELOPED RESOURCES AVAILABLE: During the summer of °99, North Vancouver teachers wrote and developed resources in the following areas: © Elementary Gymnastics Kir © Secondary Tech Ed resource: “Safety Sense” ¢ Reading 44 at Primary, Intermediate and Secondary © Primary Immersion Levelled Book List (still in production) In-Service to introduce them continues ia the New Year with: . Elemen' Dance: February 17th, 3:45 to 6:00 pm Elementary Gymnastics: ¢ Primary at Capilano © Two Sessions on January 18th ® Intermediate at Highlands _~ and February 9th Rea Intermediate Literature on January 20th- Mearingfal Independent Work for tie Primary Classroom: « “Literacy Centres and More” on January 25 © Assessment Practices in Reading. on February 18th , © Intermediate Guided Reading on February 18th . . COURSES PROVE SUCCESSFU This Fall we have been thrilled with the registration of 110 elensentary teachers in the Visual Art course offered by Barbara ~ Sunday and Margaret Scarr. This is 2 joint organizational initiative of Pro: Services :. and “Artists for Kids”. Thanks, Bill!: We have more course offerings coming up in’ the new year. . : { Spring Greak course for Teans or Adults. | Includes one extra day in post-production. Super8, : Animation, Dramatic Video, Acting on Camera. ‘(March 19-25 ~ 7 ‘Write-shoat-edit: Complete production week — “go home with a finished video for your portfolio. April 16-22 os ’ } How to become an indlapandant Filmmaker. One month, 23 students, 16 instructors. May 15-June 9 : : Supera/temm week. Includes hand processing, scratch animation. . . : dune 18-24 _Suramer week-long fifi camp programs. Starting June 25 a : OO eth 4. Watch for the Raeis on . Wheels mobile theatre in North Vancouver for the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival. No admission fee. ; ‘Mention this ad for 10% .OFF tuition pom Wateh burs ‘videos onlind! At Sylvan, our teaching methods are’ proven to help your child succeed. 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