Educational Leadership Conference 2012

1. Successful Children, Thriving Families, Vibrant Communities: The Story of Community Schools in Southeast BurnabyDave StarrDave RawnsleyJennifer GriffinIha FarquharMischa Greenwood

2. Educational Leadership Conference 2012 Imagine the possibilities…. When parents and local residents become involved as volunteers, instructors, participants and leaders to create a neighbourhood centre for learning and growth for all ages. When the unique and complex characteristics of a neighbourhood are seen as strengths in the development of a dynamic and innovative learning community When the school is the centre of community strength and the place where all stakeholders come together to create a strong and caring community

3. Community Schools in Burnaby • Video

4. The Kingsway Corridor: A Context • Families in our community come from over 70 countries. Students arrive as first generation from 40 • The community has one of the highest poverty rates in Metro Vancouver (28%) • Over 60% of our students come from homes where English is a second language • 2005- 30% of G.A.Rs to B.C. came to Burnaby • Most of them settled along the Kingsway corridor and came to Edmonds Elementary and Byrne Creek Secondary • Countries of origin- Afghanistan, Iran, Liberia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan, Somalia, Sierra Leone, Congo

5. Guiding Principles • Mindset…not a framework • Teaching from the heart… Meeting the needs of each learner • Commitment to thoughtful, integrated and sustainable practices and programs

6. Moving From…. Implementation To Sustainability To Culture

7. Implementation: Schools, district and partners are committed to thoughtful, integrated and sustainable programming. • Community outreach and needs assessment • Formal and informal collaboration • Building from student and family strengths • A commitment to on-going professional growth and development • Targeted resources and support

8. Key Considerations • Understanding the journey • Creating a safe, trusting environment • Developing connections with families • School acculturation • Identifying and Addressing Barriers • Responsive Programming • Assessment Cycle

9. Unique and specialized programs have been designed and implemented to meet the needs of our learners • ESL “Entry” • P.A.W.S. • Later to Literacy • Success Program • Fast ForWord • Independent Directed Studies These programs are part of a comprehensive educational program which includes: • Athletics and Physical Education • Honours and Advanced Placement • Student Voice and Leadership • Visual and Performing Arts • Ace-It and Industry Training • Applied Skills

10. Targeted Literacy Supports • Reading Recovery, Later-to-Literacy, Fast ForWord • Developed in response to high number of students arriving who were pre-literate or 5-6 grades below in reading • Targeted, one-to-one

11. P.A.W.S. Paving A Way forSuccess • Transition program for immigrant and refugee youth • Focus on workplace and essential skills • Originally developed at the school level to meet the needs of late-arriving refugee youth. Now, a comprehensive program provided in partnership with School District, Immigrant Services and Mosaic Cultural Services. • Two teachers, Youth and Child Care Worker, Work Placement Coordinator and PTSD Counsellor

12. Student Voice and Leadership • Building from student strengths and interests • Innovative and intentional programming to “fill in the gaps” • Boys Leadership Class-response to promote male leadership and positive role modeling in the school • Girls Fitness Class- a class for girls to set fitness goals and consistently develop their fitness throughout the year • LEO Club – Over 170 members. Committed to community service, leadership and sustainability Over 25% of our students take a formal leadership class or receive leadership training through clubs and committees

13. Sustainability: • Our schools are committed to community partnerships that are aligned with school and community goals • Community partners providing services such as: early literacy initiatives, meal programs, tutoring, recreation programs, counselling, mentorship, leadership development, general interest • Alignment with classroom practice and instruction • Differentiation • Assessment • Literacy • Social Responsibility • Social/Emotional Health

14. Edmonds Community School Educational Strategies • Keeping class sizes as small as possible • Focus on early intervention and significant ESL and Learning Assistance balanced with students feeling like important members of their class Social Emotional Strategies • 1.7 FTE counselling staff that work with parents and children • Focus on problem solving • Art Therapy in school • Partnership with Counselling agencies • Connect Worker Community building strategies • A focus on creating community within the school • A focus on creating partnerships within the greater community

15. Edmonds Partnerships Ministerial Funding Province of BC • Financial support for Community Schools, Youth and childcare workers and school meal program • StrongStart Centre • School Settlement Workers – welcoming and assisting new families to our country, Welcome Dinners, workshops in pertinent information • Healthy Fruit and Vegetable Program City of Burnaby • Financial support for Community School in Burnaby (Parks & Recreation) • Afterschool programming • Family gym Fraser Health Authority • School nurse • Screening in StrongStartCentres (3 yr olds) – developmental and dental fluoride • Immunization clinics • Tooth Trolley (UBC Dental Students)

16. Edmonds Partnerships Partnerships with agencies • South Burnaby Neighbourhood House – afterschool programming, summer daycamp, community kitchen, neighbourhood outreach worker (0-5 yrs old), cultural dinners • Burnaby Community Connections – subsidy programs – Parks & Recreation Credits, Christmas Bureau, Camperships – provision free or low-cost services for families • Immigrant Services Society – Afghan Seniors and monthly meeting • Burnaby Family Life – classes in StrongStart Centre • Night Hoops – free youth basketball league • Balloholics • Camp Jubilee • PASS Soccer • Cameray Centre – counseling support for families, dinner/homework club • Spirit of the Children – Aboriginal Programming

17. Edmonds Partnerships Volunteer Organizations • Journey Home – support for refugee claimants • Dancin’ Stars (free Hip Hop classes afterschool) • Helping Families in Need • Southside Community Church • Deer Lake Rotary Club • Burnaby Rotary Club • Burnaby Optimists • Elks • Edmonds Lions Club • Sons of Norway • Friends of Simon (homework club offered by SFU students) • Read and Run (Byrne Creek student leaders)

18. Edmonds Partnerships Granting/Donation Organizations • Breakfast for Learning/Hadden Family Foundation • ArtStarts BC • Artist in Residence • Supporting Burnaby Youth Society • Government of BC Direct Access (Council) • TELUS – backpacks and carepacks • Costco – food donations weekly and backpacks • Harbour Lights – Salvation Army – food donations • Tzu Chi Foundation- books, field trip support, Educational and Parent Support Partners • Canuck Family Education Centre- Adult Grad proposal, Partners in Education • Bitmakaly Women’s group • Newcomer PALS group

19. Culture: The staff, students, parents and community are committed to flexible, caring and responsive educational opportunities for all of our students. We have a mindset of increasing the life chances of each learner. • We attempt to develop an greater understanding of our community and the world beyond the walls of the school • This commitment embraces the idea of learning without boundaries: the arts, athletics, applied skills, community service…creating your own learning journey.

20. Panel Discussion/Q+A • Jennifer Griffin – Principal, Stride Community School • Iha Farquhar – Community School Coordinator, Byrne Creek Secondary School • Mischa Greenwood – Community School Coordinator, Edmonds Community School

21. Moving Forward: We envision our schools as the hub of community learning and development • Open 7 days a week, 12 months a year • Programs for Pre-K, students and parents • Integrated Day school, night school, continuing education, intersession/summer session and on-line options • Programs: Early Literacy, Graduation, ESL, Community Interest • Integrated Family Support Services

22. Challenges: Increased flexibility is required in order to achieve these goals • Resource Allocation • School Calendar • Curriculum • Timetabling • Instruction and Assessment

23. Learn along with us… • www.byrnecreek.sd41.bc.ca • www.edmonds.sd41.bc.ca • www.stride.sd41.bc.ca • http://thecommunityroom.wordpress.com/ • Twitter: @byrnecreekss • david.rawnsley@sd41.bc.ca • Iha.farquhar@sd41.bc.ca • david.starr@sd41.bc.ca • jennifer.griffin@sd41.bc.ca • mischa.greenwood@sd41.bc.ca