Assessment of Student Learning

Achievement and School Improvement Planning

Measures of Student Achievement and Success

Students are assessed according to Ministry of Education provincial standards and expectations. We follow the fundamental principles stated in the “Growing Success Document: Assessment, Evaluation, and Reporting in Ontario Schools (2010). Teachers use ongoing assessments, through student/teacher developed rubrics, anchor charts, math journals, homework assignments, tests and quizzes, oral presentations, classroom observation, partner and group projects and standardized tests in order to evaluate student progress and plan appropriate next steps for student learning. Student reading and understanding are assessed using diagnostic tests such as The Early Literacy Observation Instrument for Kindergarten students (ELOT), PM Benchmarks (Progress with Meaning), GB+ (Groupe Beauchemin - French benchmarks). Junior Classes use CASI (Comprehension Attitude Strategies Interests) and Trousses d’evaluation. Many students maintain a portfolio of their work. The portfolio is shown to their parents in a student-led conference. Expectations for individual students are modified according to Individual Education Plans developed in agreement with students' parents/guardians. Each spring, grade 3 and 6 students participate in the EQAO provincial assessment of Reading, Writing and Mathematics. This assessment takes place over several days and individual student results are sent home in the fall.

School Improvement Plans and Initiatives

The School Improvement Plan for Manor Park is reviewed twice a year. Each cycle builds upon the previous plan to ensure a continuum of progress. The goals for our school community are driven by data: scores, feedback, and surveys. The plan is developed in consultation with staff, school council, parents, and students and includes major initiatives that reflect those of the Board Improvement Plan.

Our focus this year is on Proportional Reasoning in Mathematics. The teaching staff is engaged in exploring, practicing, and refining teaching strategies which will support student learning across the curriculum. Our Improvement Plan focuses on creative, innovative, and critical thinking and problem solving to improve student achievement across the curriculum through a focus on ongoing assessment and feedback.

Literacy:

Language development and language skills are the essential building blocks of all literacy and numeracy skills. All teachers (classroom, ESL, LRT, LST) and support staff (EAs) take an active role in teaching Language Arts during specified times, following a Balanced Literacy approach that includes the following components: read aloud, shared reading/writing, guided reading/writing, and independent reading/writing. All students are present in the classroom for the shared reading/writing component. The further development of students’ ability to extend their understanding of the author’s Big Idea by making inferences, connections, judgements and/or drawing conclusions. Literacy is integrated in all subjects to encourage students to become Creative Critical Thinkers needed for the 21st Century.

The Ottawa Reads Program provides additional literacy development opportunities to our early primary classes as does our Borrow A Book and Reading Buddies programs. Our students participate in the Ontario Library Association’s Forest of Reading programs each year as well. Our staff takes advantage of the many literacy and technology integration workshops that are offered on a regular basis and work hard to incorporate what they learn into their teaching practice.

Numeracy:

In Mathematics, we focus on developing skills in the areas of problem solving, the application of concepts and the communication of mathematical knowledge. The Bansho and Three Part Math Problem Solving methods are used on a weekly basis in our classes. Math manipulatives are used by both primary and junior level students on a daily basis to help develop a better understanding of math concepts. We also help students make the connection between abstract concepts and real life by participating in such programs as Engineers-in-Residence and Scientist’s in The School program.

Daily Physical Activity:

Manor Park teachers understand the important role that daily physical activity plays in the physical and mental health of children and in their ability to maximize their learning opportunities. As such, they are committed to ensuring that each child participates in twenty minutes of sustained physical activity each day and eagerly seek out opportunities to further develop their knowledge and expertise in this area.

Technology:

We continue to build our bank of technological tools to enhance student learning and encourage student engagement. Staff has access to 8 Elmo document projectors, 8 media carts which include laptops and projectors, 3 mounted projectors and a newly renovated computer lab with 28 student computers. The school now benefits from wi-fi technology and we are committed to updating equipment on an annual basis.

Healthy Active School:

Our school has partnered with Ottawa Public Health (OPH) in the Healthy Active Schools Program. Healthy Active Schools (HAS) is designed to promote healthy, active living, create healthy school environments and ultimately prevent diseases such as Type 2 diabetes. The goal of H.A.S. is to enable children to make healthy choices about food and physical activity on a daily basis. Many of our students have anaphylaxis to peanuts and nuts, and some to dairy and eggs. We support these students by encouraging a peanut/nut free school. Nursing and Child Youth Worker students from Algonquin College have provided health and community support for our students during the College placements. Medical students from The University of Ottawa provide presentations on Healthy Nutrition for our grade 4-6 students.

Litterless Lunches - REDUCE – REUSE – RECYCLE (LUNCHES)

We strive to educate the children to become aware of the garbage they are creating and encourage them to use recyclable containers. Litterless lunches encourage children to pack healthy food. Many of our teachers have an active composting program in their classrooms.

Website by SchoolMessenger Presence. © 2024 SchoolMessenger Corporation. All rights reserved.