How does a school with more than 400 students make certain every last one of them feels welcome?
That’s the question facing administrators at École McIsaac School, who have identified enhanced student engagement as a top priority this academic year.
During a presentation on Wednesday, McIsaac principal Steve Lytwyn detailed how the school plans to ensure students feel positively connected to their school, classroom and learning.
Addressing the Flin Flon school board, Lytwyn spoke of initiatives such as attendance certificates and “Caught You Caring” awards for students who display positive behaviour.
Another relevant program is Roots of Empathy, which sees students regularly interact with a new mom and her baby.
The school also participates in Bullying Prevention Week, complete with a Day of Pink celebration where everyone wears that colour.
Improve skills
Another top goal for McIsaac this year is improving literacy and numeracy skills among students.
The objective: to have 95 per cent of students at or above their grade level in those two areas. For students below grade level, at least one year’s growth should be achieved by June.
The third and final top priority is to promote the concept of sustainable development, teaching students that the planet has finite resources and that it is up to humans to reduce their carbon footprint.
More plants, extra recycling bins and a lunchroom compost program are among the components of the school’s approach.
