Measures of Student Achievement and Success
Our school follows the guidelines set out in the OCDSB Policy and Procedures for Assessment, Evaluation and Reporting, available on the Board's website. We also adhere to the practices in the Growing Success, Assessment, Evaluation, and Reporting in Ontario Schools, first edition covering grades 1-12 inclusive and published by the Ministry of Education 2010. Student achievement is measured through a variety of assessment tools such as portfolios, rubrics, student-led conferences, observations, peer and self-assessments, written tests, oral presentations, anecdotal records, checklists, student logs or journals, projects, audio or video tapes, etc. Our teachers utilize the Early Literacy Observation Tool, Levelled Literacy program, Empower for decoding, PM Benchmarks, GB+, and evaluation rapide as part of the reading assessment, and our students participate in the Grade 3 Provincial Testing (EQAO).
We assume responsibility for the success of all our students. Our Year 2 Kindergarten students take part in the EDI (Early Development Instrument) screening in the early spring. Any students who require additional support and assistance are referred by their classroom teacher to a School Based Team Meeting. The team, which includes the Principal, Learning Support Teachers and the classroom teachers, assess the needs of the student and determine a course of action in consultation with the parent. This includes further observation or assessment, accommodations and modifications within a regular class setting, additional support from one of our Special Education team, or referral to outside specialists. Our Special Education Team works closely with classroom teachers to assist in planning for the needs of their students.
Student Leadership and Community Involvement
Students demonstrate strong leadership skills in numerous school and community activities such as reading buddies, lunch monitors, leadership groups, school tours, social service club; students demonstrate a strong commitment to charitable activities, raising money for underprivileged members of society at the regional, national and international levels (Youth Bureau Services, Boys and Girls club, hat and mitten drive for schools in need, raising money for a school in Ghana Africa, and the Education Foundation).
School Improvement Plans and Initiatives
Our Literacy and Numeracy goals are developed after carefully reviewing EQAO results, our PM Benchmark, the results of our pre- and post-tests of School Improvement goals, along with daily observation and assessments, report card results, OurSCHOOL Parent Survey, demographic factors, and other available resources. To achieve our literacy goals we have a number of literacy initiatives. These include; the early literacy program, reading buddies, the home reading club, and public speaking activities. We have recently expanded our library resources in French, English and dual language books. We have also expanded our collection of levelled books for classroom use. In an effort to further improve our student achievement, teachers incorporate the four branches of literacy: shared/guided reading; self-selected reading; writing, and working with words.
An Inclusive, Safe and Caring School and Community Team has been established as part of the Ministry and School Board mandate. An anti-bullying school wide program (WITS) has been established. Last year our school council provided funding for mindfulness workshops; a cyber bullying parent workshop in April and Luv 2 Groove dance workshops for all students.
This year our School Learning Plan is focusing on the Fundamentals of Math. Teachers will continue with their ongoing efforts in building students' knowledge and skills in mathematics. It focuses attention on the content of expectations in The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 1-8: Mathematics, 2005 that deal with fundamental mathematics concepts and skills (specifically, expectations in the Number Sense and Numeration strand and expectations that relate to the number properties in the Patterning and Algebra strand).
In January 2019 we will be introducing 'Wolf Packs' as part of our Wellness goal is to support our students’ emotional and social development. Once a month students will travel in packs of about 25 from all levels, JK to 5, to experience new activities and interests. Students will have the opportunity to meet and work with students from all other grade levels which will help them to develop new relationships and foster a positive school community. Activities include: photography, STEM, cooking, paper quilting, and board games.
School Council supports our student community by providing additional technological resources. Another school initiative focuses on student self-management through positive behavior strategies and on promoting a safe and caring school, in which all of our students feel valued. We work on achieving these goals with a focus on conflict resolution, anti-bullying, environmental stewardship, family, multiculturalism and anti-racism. Forest Valley promotes an environmentally friendly use of resources. Our school operates a successful recycling program. It is a tradition at Forest Valley to generously support a number of charitable organizations each year. The purpose is to teach our students the importance of sharing, developing empathy for others and to increase their awareness of various types of physical conditions in people.
Other Initiatives:
We pride ourselves on the variety of special programs and activities that are sponsored by our School Council such as our Book Fairs, the Valentine Family Dance, and a special Moving Ahead activity for our grade 5 students. Our students, staff and families have organized various philanthropic events that have supported; the homeless, impoverished children, the Terry Fox Walk, the United Way, and the Food Banks.