Macdonald School Handbook is shared with all families.  Hard copies provided to all new families (Kindergarten & New Enrollments).

Copies of Student Transportation Guide for Students & Parents will be provided to each family in September.  Admin “Bus Talks” will also happen in Nov. to review transportation guide.  

Cell phones in schools AP followed and Macdonald School policy will be shared with students.  

GSSD screeners are implemented, reviewed, and used to guide instructional practices/ interventions for students.  

Kindergarten - JYL

Literacy supports - Jolly Phonics/ UFLI/ Lindemore/Heggerty

Early Years Evaluation

LeNS - winter & spring 

Family engagement opportunities

Learning Stories - Edsby

Grade ½ - MS

UFLI instruction divided into Gr. 1 and 2 to teach the proper scope and sequence to grade level.    Involvement of SST/CCT.  

UFLI centres developed to differentiate instruction and respond to gap and enrichment areas.

Quick free writes 

Guided and modeled writing

Math screeners used to guide instruction and Tiered intervention.  

MathUp

Spiralling of math concepts

Grade ¾ - SH/SD

Following Yr. 3 Literacy Block “Fogarty Learning Centre” 

Implement Bug Club Morphology

ELA stations with SST/CCT.  (guided reading/word work/independent reading.  Word work includes:  word ladders, vocabulary, grammar, individualized irregular word practice)

Quick writes and use of “Idea Jar”

Implement the MathUp program and the use of IXL

Generate “everyday life math problems” using Magic School AI.

Grade 5/6 - KN

Structured Literacy Block - mini units incorporating explicit curricular outcomes taught at the beginning of the year.  Shifting to writing workshop once units have been taught.

- Jennifer Seravello reading and writing - anchor activities

Choice based - Reading/Writing assignments -cross curricular

D.E.A.R to end the day.  Independent reading.  
Teacher conferences with students.

Word Study- UFLI program “fil the gaps” ujntil 2026/27 Focus on spelling/punctuation

Cross curricular units - centred around the 5 contexts.  Meaningful contexts and questions for deeper understanding weaved throughout year and in thematic intercurricular .

Math Up implementation.  Mix up Builidng Thinking Programs into the lessons with MathUP.  IXL program supports home practice and drill and practice. Helps communicate what is being learned in math that is parent friendly. 

Spiralling of math concepts. 

Art - feedback from students 

Grade 7/8/9. SS, AO

AO ELA 7/8 -Building reading comprehension through independent reading and guided task sheets.  

Encouraging students to foster a love for reading.

Literature circles (summarizing, visualizing, connecting, questioning, vocabulary).  Implementing different ways for comprehension.  Audiobooks/Podcasts as a group and individually.  

Spotlight examples of writing from GSSD exemplars. Bump it Up exercise.  

Incorporating Daily 5 (read to self, read to someone, meet with teacher, vocabulary, 

Quick writes. Grammar. 

Strategic smaller grade groupings 

A0 teaching Gr. 7 math

Math Up implementation.  Mix up Building Thinking Programs into the lessons with MathUP. Utilizing Moodle resources from Jessica Smith as well.

Grade 9 ELA - Follow 4 Essential Studies framework from Penny Kittle & Kelly Gallagher (Art of Essay, Poetry, Book Clubs & Digital Composition). Cross-curricular assessments with Science and Health. Quickwrites to build stamina. Writing without worrying whether or words are “the right words” or “good words,” but understanding that the best teacher of writing is the writing process.Building the skill of “sitting in the struggle.” Understanding that writing is not something that unfolds without effort, time and patience. I model this struggle by quickwriting with them, under the document camera so they can see my process as well. Utilizing GSSD UbD units from the portal.

Review the “Inspiring Success” document in January staff meeting.  MJ 

Use of Under One Sun & Take Action for Reconciliation resources will be used in ELA and/or Social Studies when possible.  ALL 

Treaty 4 flags, metis flag will be displayed in entrance and gymnasium alongside Canada and Saskatchewan flags.  MJ. LP

Sept. 30 - Orange Shirt Day Celebration - MS, JYL

94 Calls to Action - each grade will choose and commit to providing information and  from each grade at assembly for presentation - All teachers

Assembly - not just a treaty acknowledgment.  More in depth and thoughtful intention when acknowledging land and treaties.

Gr. 7-9 students will attend Treaty celebration in Fort Qu'Appelle in September 2025.  AO, SS

Staff Meetings - each teacher will share “what reconciliation means to them” and will do a land acknowledgment at staff meetings.

SCC Meetings - land acknowledgment to begin each meeting MJ 

Tree planting: students will be taking part in giving back to mother earth by planting donated trees around the town. MS

Nutrition in Schools Program Development

FRIENDS curriculum delivered to students in Gr. 1-6.

A Little Spot resource used in Kindergarten and Grade ½ classrooms.  

Early Literacy changes implementation

MathUP

Social Emotional Learning - whole staff PD

Grayson/Macdonald PAA opportunities

Students are provided a variety of opportunities in PE and “alternate environment activites” to experience wellness opportunities and to promote being physically active by exploring a multitude of physically active opportunities. 

Grade 7-9 students participate in a number of Practical and Applied Arts classes including: carpentry, photography, design, cosmetology, cooking, sewing

1-1 Chromebooks for Grades 5-9.

Kindergarten - 1-1

1/2 iPads 

3-9 - chromebooks  

Professional Growth Plans - Teachers will meet with admin 3X/year.  Use PD continuum.

Professional Learning Communities (PLC's) meet to review SLP and discuss.  Meeting minutes are recorded with notes and action items.  

Professional Development opportunities.

GSSD Service Commitments reviewed at staff meetings

MAC meeting norms developed in September and reviewed at each staff meeting.  

MENTAL WELLNESS SCOPE AND SEQUENCE ACROSS GRADE LEVELS

    K - Little Spot, We Thinkers (JYL)

• ½ - Little Spot, FUN FRIENDS, We Thinkers Vol. 2

  ¾ - FRIENDS resilience, MindUp, Daily check in - Little Spot

  5/6 - Growth Mindset & Goal setting (FRIENDS, Social Thinkers, Energy Bus). Alternating friends curriculum with energy bus.  Teen Boost with school counsellor.  

  Minecraft Club/eSports

  7/8 - Digital check ins, Project Alert, Class Pet - support animal.  

  9 - Digital check ins, Depression Education & Cognitive Distortions:  Mixed check-ins (digital & in person)

   

  The Big 5 plus 1 - Mental Health Literacy - Mental Health Literacy.org

   

  PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

  Cross Country Running - AR

  Volleyball - MS, AO

  Basketball - JYL

  Curling - KN

  Badminton - MS, MJ

  Track and Field - AO, MJ

  Outdoor Classroom - recess

  Recess Guardians - student leaders

  Intramural program - Gr. 5/6 & 7/8/9

   

  HEALTHY EATING

  * Nutrition in Schools Program

  * Breakfast Program

  * Holistic Nutrition snacks

  SOCIAL CONNECTIONS

  * Outdoor Learning - All Staff

  *  eSports MJ, CE

  * Intramurals - 5/6 & 7/8/9

  * Masterchef - JYL, SH

  * Gym Blast - JYL, AO, MJ

  HELPING OUT

  Monthly citizenship awards for each grade at assembly 

  Recess Guardians

  Apprenticeship/Student Leadership Programs:

  * Student morning announcers

  * Student receptionists/first aiders

  * Shed Managers

  * Door Greeters

  * Snow Removal

  * Recycling Program

  * Waste removal

  * Recycling helpers

  REDUCE SUBSTANCES

  * Project Alert in Gr. 7/8 - counsellor support in delivery

  * Nurse Practitioner

  RESTORATIVE SLEEP

  * Gr. 9 sleep unit

  * Family engagement - speaker

  * Mindfulness/meditation/relaxation moments in our days to promote wellness and educate the importance of resting and learning how to find a state of calm for everyone's wellness.  

   

  INTERVENTION PROGRAMS

  * Superflex/Individual programming based on student need

  * CCT/SST teacher support

  * RTI programs will support Mental Wellness

  * Elementary and Jr. High Wellness Rooms

   

  OUTDOOR EDUCATION

  * Commitment to teach in the out of doors at least once monthly Sept. - June.  Staff will share one outdoor experience on social media.

  School Counselor - aka: SC will work collaboratively with nurse practitioner to ensure students needs are met. - ALL STAFF

   

  SCHOOL COUNSELLOR

  * SC will provide classroom supports and presentations as requested by staff for health classes.  

  * SC will post resources for students and parents on Edsby as they become available.

   

   

   

   

   

Macdonald School will work to develop welcoming entrances that support diversity, equity, and inclusion.  

Gymnasium changerooms are a priority and need to be renovated/reconsidered to be “Safe Spaces”.

Staff meetings to review and develop action items for GSSD TIPS sheet at October and February staff meetings.  

Macdonald School will work to develop "safe spaces" for all students during recesses and unstructured times.

Macdonald School will support having a "healthy" playground area for K-6 students and "healthy" outdoor space for Gr. 7-9s.

GSSD TIPS sheet will be analyzed by staff and SCC. 

Learning Commons - Diverse Literature.  Budget allocation.  

Spirit Day Considerations (inclusive themes & alternate suggestions)

Cell phone policy from ministry, gssd, and tailored for Macdonald School.

Physical Education Safety Guidelines are followed and reviewed by all staff.

Attendance Monitoring and actions with teachers and administrator.  

Response to intervention for all grades K-9.

Admin provides coverages so teachers are able to participate in Professional Learning Communities - Grade alike partners will meet every 6 weeks.  K-6, 5-9.  

Improving experiences for:

STUDENTS:

Online resources for all students.

Community supplies in each classroom

STAFF:

Initial 1 on 1 meetings with SST - Allison Rice at the start of the year to develop initial RTI plans.  

COMMUNITY:

Crop for Community learning opportunity in September incorporated into Orange Shirt Day activities.  

Garden Market & Welcome back Barbecue - proceeds re-invested in garden project for next year.

SCHOOL:

School improvement Goals:

*Finish final 2 classroom renos (Kindergarten & Gr. ½)

* Gymnasium floor needs to be replaced.  Gymasium needs to be painted.

* Gymnasium physical education equipment upgrade.

Gymnasium floor replacement plan - December 2025

Gymnasium painting - December 2025

Changeroom renovation - December 2025

*Gymnasium safety mats on end walls. 

*BAND chairs and stands replaced.

PLC's will meet every 6 weeks throughout the school year.  Aligning practices will support the continuity of our programming.

RTI staff meetings keep our practices current for the best interests of all students.

PAA partnerships with MACDONALD SCHOOL & GRAYSON SCHOOL.  Students and staff connecting.  

EHS transition planning in spring.  Student visits.  Gr. 9 orientation with families.  

JUNE - all students transitioning to next teachers/classroom will go through a transition plan to support the move.  Meet with their upcoming teacher and see what being in the next grade is like.  

Partnering up with other grades. Ex.  Grade 9's with other grades for art. 

Student Led Conferences - parent engagement. 

Input from students - trusting staff relationships.  OurSchool/ SOS-Q survey.  Meetings with students.

Input from families:  SCC meetings, trusting relationships with admin & staff

Community - immersing within community.  Ex.  Trade Show, Potluck, Christmas Concert. 

Sharing the celebrations through social media.  

Drama Production will happen in spring.

Assembly Awards each month for each grade:  growth mindset, citizenship, student engagement.    

All teachers will use Edsby as the main source of communication.

Admin Assistant will connect with families who have not engaged with Edsby to help them navigate the download of app and how to access and use it.

Gradebook for Grades 1-9.

Learning Stories in Kindergarten.

Grade 9 Parent Package

Newsletters/monthly and weekly updates with each classroom.  

Macdonald School Facebook celebrations and connections. 

Daycare/Macdonald School Connection.  Allison Rice and Melissa Johanson will work to develop a relationship with younger children/families in the community.

Daycare joining with Macdonald School in events such as Garden Market/BBQ, Christmas Concert.  

SCC connection and invitation to school.

Village of Stockholm relationship.

Crop for Community