Measures of Student Achievement and Success
Our school follows the guidelines set out in the Parent Guide to Assessment,Evaluation and Reporting.
Our Grade 3 students participate in the annual provincial EQAO assessment.
In order to increase and encourage student achievement, staff continues to work on accessing and determining next steps to increase student progress. Teachers use evidence-based instructional practices and ongoing assessment and evaluation practices in a balanced literacy framework. Teachers gather information about student learning and performances, using a variety of sources over time, including:
• EQAO Results
• Check lists
• Daily student work
• Self and peer evaluations
• Culminating performance tasks
• Tests and quizzes
• Oral demonstrations
• Teacher observation and feedback to students
• Anchor charts
• Rubrics
• Partner and group projects
• Diagnostic and standardized tests
• Teacher mediation of student work
• Teacher student conferences
• PM Benchmarks
• CASI
• Formal educational assessments conducted by the Learning Support Teacher
Student results are used in determining the focus of school improvement plans, resource allocation, professional development, and instructional and assessment practices. This year, based on a variety of data sources, our school improvement focus is in the area of numeracy which is also the priority of the Board School Improvement Plan for Student Achievement (BIPSA).
School Improvement Plans and Initiatives
As well as analyzing the annual Detailed School Results from our grade 3 EQAO results, we review student learning profiles, student portfolios, report card marks and learning skills comments, PM benchmarks for students in senior kindergarten to grade 3 inclusive, CASI results for students in grades 4 and 5, as well as the progress of our English Language Learners and students with special education needs. Staff also track and monitor attendance and late arrivals. All of these data sources inform staff of next steps to determine our school improvement initiatives.
We have a large group of dedicated teachers who have formed a ‘school improvement plan for student success’ committee (SIPSA). This committee meets regularly to review and revise the plan for student improvement and success. Some features of our plan include the following:
• Three Part Math Instruction
• Use of exemplars
• Accommodation, Modification
• Use of manipulatives
• Anchor charts
• Group work and partner work
• Application of problem solving strategies
Character Education
Through our Character Education Development focus, attributes such as acceptance, cooperation, responsibility, empathy, respect, perseverance and optimism are emphasized by staff throughout the instructional day. The teaching and reinforcing of these attributes are integrated in all school activities.
Language Arts Planning and Co-teaching
We are proud of our Language Arts program at Carson Grove. Support staff plan and assist every homeroom teacher with the delivery of Balanced Literacy. Teachers work in open-concept teaching areas and willingly share their expertise with one another. Our inclusionary model allows for all students to remain with their peers while receiving intensive staff support.
Technology Plan
Over the past year, two additional homeroom classes have been fitted with the Smart Board technology. There is also the use of one Smart Board that is mobile for staff to utilize. A self-contained computer lab is located in one section of the library. Students visit the lab on a regular basis for instruction. The integration of technology at Carson Grove is growing through the use of new iPads recently purchased. Digital cameras have been purchased to further promote technology.
Supports for Students in Need
Our students are provided with the following programs:
• Breakfast/nutrition program
• Snowsuit/boot/mitten/hats etc.
• Funding for field-trips
• Dictionaries provided by the Rotary Club
• Subsidies for many programs such as MASC(Multicultural Artists in Schools and
• Communities) and Writers Program
• Evening meetings with parents and our MLO (Multicultural Liaison Officer) support.
• Support form Councillor Tim Tierney (funding)
• Ottawa Food Bank
• ONFE (Ottawa Network for Education) funding
• Volunteers for Speech Program for students
• Volunteers for reading support for students
• Volunteers for math support for students
Celebrate Diversity and Encourage Understanding
Our students represent more than 40 countries worldwide. We celebrate diversity of culture, language, and religion. We continue to increase the number of multicultural and dual language books and resources in the classrooms as well as in the school library. The following are some of the programs implemented to promote understanding:
• Meet the Parent Barbeque
• Holiday Concert
• Music program (a variety of cultural based tracks played over the PA system
• Martin Luther King Junior event at City Hall
• Black History Month
• Brummit-Taylor Music Program
• Tea with Students
• Asian Heritage Month
• Museums (Art, History, Civilization)
• NAC for the Arts
• Partnership with the Aboriginal Centres (Odawa Centre, Wabano)
• Field trip to Turtle Island
• Annual multicultural potluck dinner with our families and community members.
Welcome Community Volunteers and Student Teachers
Community volunteers support many of our initiatives. Our caring and trained volunteers provide early intervention with student who require extra support and who are learning English as a new language. There is also a group of volunteers that has been trained to provide speech and language support to various students. Co-op students from local high schools assist in many of our classrooms and student teachers from the University of Ottawa and Nipissing University are engaged with students and associate teachers.
This year we have welcomed early year educators and youth and child worker students from Algonquin College and Herzing College. We are always excited to host international teachers from various countries who bring cultural richness. Employees from Encon, a local business, volunteer their time to read with our students on a weekly basis. This support further advances our students’ confidence in reading.
Carson Grove established the Reader Leader initiative which trains high school students from Gloucester High School in evidence-based reading strategies. The primary goal of this program is to embed the love of reading with students. Another initiative that we are very proud of is our community partnership with the Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre located at 1240 Donald Street.
Volunteers also assist with many other clubs and programs throughout the year. Our Breakfast Program runs smoothly thanks to our efficient and friendly volunteers.