This is my story

PLC (Professional Learning Communities) were established with 2 groupings.  K-6, 5-9.  Throughout the year, time was provided for teachers to meet and collaborate around structured learning plan.  Topic areas included:  

RTI, aligning curriculum between grades, mathology, UFLI & UFLI interventions, printing improvement, gradebook, student mental health and wellbeing, math teaching practice, building thinking classrooms, Indigenous education.  

Teacher RTI team K-9 teachers and admin met every 6 weeks to review intervention block.  New referrals are reviewed and team determines intervention for next round.  Academic, attendance, and mental health are all addressed during this time.  

Record of Adaptations are provided for students requiring adaptations in specific areas.  ROA's are a great way to record what students require to be successful in class.  Sometimes ROA's will continue with students for years, other times it may only be required for a few months.  Meeting students where they are and providing opportunities to support them to be successful at school. 

UFLI programming for K-2 was very successful.  Students are demonstrating much growth and success with this program.  

By providing a well-rounded foundational education program is crucial for preparing students with a solid academic base.  Strong programming allows students to work through challenges, builds stamina, and fosters critical thinking.  This is important to support students with the development of essential life skills and an understanding of the world.  

K-9 Teachers

Administrator

School Counsellor

• Screener Data
• IXL Online Grades 1-9
• Mathology
• GSSD ELA, MATH, WRITING RESOURCES
• Word Study
• Jennifer Serravallo Resources
• Google Read and Write
• GSSD Reading, Writing, Math - Look Fors
• Writing Conferences -Carl Anderson
• Ministry Module 4 - Writing Expression
• GSSD Anchor Resources
• Building Thinking Classrooms
• Math Classroom Checklist K-8
• Math Classroom Checklist 9-12
• Math Common Assessments
• GSSD Math Interventions Page
• Number Talks
• Math printouts
• Math Word Wall

Macdonald School has accomplished many school renos over the past 5 years.  Listening to student voice, community and parent voice, we have made some structural changes to our school and program.  

Leo's Learning Commons - the heart of the school is where it all began.  Our School, Community, and GSSD worked together to complete this first renovation.

This sparked a drive from staff, SCC, GSSD, to complete 4 more classroom renovations. 

We are 3 classrooms and the hallway from a complete renovation.  Unfortunately, GSSD was not able to commit to completing the final 3 room reno.  Hoping for the 2024/25 school year.

Sportscourt has been taken on by a separate committee.  Mac school supports this pursuit.

GSSD Facilities

Superintendent

All Staff

SCC

Community Members 

GSSD Facilities Team

Macdonald School's Mental Health & Well-Being Journey

Our journey begins as our youngest members of our school start at Macdonald School for their first day.  Kindergarten is a pivotal year for these students.  It is important that as our Kindergarten students enter, they are welcomed into a kind, caring, and nurturing environment.  It is also imperative that parents/guardians feel welcome at Macdonald School.  That a family connection is made with the school's teachers, administrator, and support staff.

As our students progress through their elementary years, they will build on their knowledge, strategies, and skills for their mental health & wellbeing.  Kind and caring adults will use "teachable moments" to address social/emotional learning during class time, transition time, and at recess. Explicit teaching through resources will support the work around important mental health topics.  These are pivotal years with much to learn.  Nurturing young minds and providing knowledge around mental health, wellness, mindfulness, social/emotional skills, and resilience sets our students up for success as they transition into their teen years.  

By Grade 9, our students become the mental health ambassadors of our school.  They have a wealth of knowledge and experiences.  When leadership opportunities arise, our ambassadors rise to the occasion and can be trusted to help with fostering a supportive environment.

Our school will thrive as a community that understands & embraces mental well-being.  Memories and experiences will be created that can leave a lasting impact of empathy, resilience, and kindness.

RTI - all RTI meetings addressed attendance and mental health concerns.  RTI team worked together to problem solve and work toward improvement/support for students.  

K-2 students worked through “A Little Spot” program. ½'s also worked through FRIENDS program.

SC completed Project Alert throughout the year.

SC offered book club in partnership with EHS parents. 

SC actively posted opportunities on Edsby for parents information.  

RCMP liason officer was active at Macdonald School.  A positive relationship with students has been established.  

Teachers

Administrator

Support Staff

School Counsellor

Macdonald School SCC

RCMP Liason

MAC Mental Health Continuum

Social Thinkers

We Thinkers

A Little Spot

Superflex Resources

MindUp

FRIENDS

Zones of Regulations

Buddy Bench

Playground - Shed Managers to provide equipment and safety equipment for students.  Multiple hockey nets for all ages to play sports.  Update sportscourt to provide a tennis net, basketball options.  Construction Zone for our students who like to build, construct and be creative.  Pop-up surprise themes - ex.  fairy garden materials, christmas themes, easter eggs for easter, etc.  Art area for students who like to draw and be creative.

Outdoor Classroom - for our explorers.  Supervision required.  Trees to climb safely.

Gr. 7-9 - Cross Net Volleyball, Hockey nets for hockey, patio benches for gathering, outdoor volleyball court.

All Staff

SCC

Students

Leo's Learning Commons is the heart of the school.  It is a place that all students, staff, our SCC, and community gathers.  

Together as a Macdonald School Staff and SCC, we will continue to develop an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment in our Learning Commons.

The consideration of the Learning Commons environment transformation will be the catalyst that sparks a more critical eye throughout our entire school environment.  Librarian follows Checklist “Year at Advance” and follows recommended themes.  

2 staff meetings focused on diversity and inclusion.  Support from Chelsea Moseski at one staff meeting.

In June, both pride month and national indigenous peoples day was recognized.

Melissa Johanson:

• Week Aheads will also provide professional development around equity, diversity, and inclusion.  
• February - All Staff Meeting (Learning Resources, Professional Development). 
•  

Inspiring Success Document:

• https://publications.saskatchewan.ca/#/products/90278

Welcoming Schools Website/Resources & Starter Kit

• https://welcomingschools.org/
• https://greatlakesequity.org/resource/starter-kit-introductory-materials-welcoming-schools

Cultivating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Education Environments

• Diversity, Inclusion, Equitable environments

GSSD PD Continuum

• https://pd.gssd.ca/

Macdonald School teachers used data to inform instruction and set goals for students as whole group or individual goals.

Response to Intervention teams and Professional Learning Committee's contribute to the success of all students.

Attendance tends to be one of the biggest barriers in student success.  Working with parents/students/staff and outside agencies is key to the improvement of attendance resulting in success of students.

All Teachers

Student Support Teacher

Administrator

Support Staff

Saskatchewan Curriculum

GSSD resources

Teachers received and have read through Inspiring Success document.  

All classrooms, main entrance, and learning commons have Treaty 4 flags displayed.

Treaty 4 flag has not been hung in gymnasium yet.  This is tabled for the 2024/25.

February staff meeting was professional development and collaboration around diversity and inclusion.    

All staff

Inspiring Success Document

Wyatt Johanson attended PHE Leadership conference in September.

Sam Smart-Sondergaard attended OPAC conference in November.

Laura Petracek completed training in FRIENDS courses.

Sam Smart-Sondergaard attended working group for Gr. 9 math with GSSD.  

Melissa Johanson & Wyatt Johanson attended National Physical Health and Education conferece in Saskatoon.  

All Staff

Communication is key with staff and parents.  Communication platforms were accessed and used.

All staff implemented safety guidelines into PE/Outdoor/field trips and activities.

All Staff

GSSD Administrative Procedures

All teachers reviewed PGP's midway and at the end of the school year with Administration.

GSSD PD modules were accessed individually and as staff.

Communication platforms for staff were established and professional development shared.

After attending PD, teachers shared their learning with staff at staff meetings.    

All staff

Inspiring Success

Every 6 weeks, teachers K-9 met for RTI meetings.  Provides support and insight into the best interests of students.

PLC's K-6 and 5-9 happened every 6 weeks to provide collaboration time and professional development.  School Level Plan goals were leading discussion points.  

Macdonald and Grayson partnership continues to strengthen.  PAA programming provides more options for students.  GSSD supports transportation for this endevour.  MAC and GRA teachers collaborate at Jan. PD session.  MAC hosted this year.  MAC and GRA teachers attended First Aid and CPR session together at Grayson.

EHS connection:

EHS intramural curling, Gr. 9 transition meeting invitation.  MAC Gr. 9 tour was completed with EHS staff and Gr. 9 students and teachers.  

Teachers

Administrator

SCC supported the White Hatter at Student Led Conferences.  A parent session and classroom sessions were provided.  Seemed to be well received.  MAC received many comments from families who were grateful for opportunity.  

SCC met 6 times throughout the school year.  Classroom reps attended meetings when they were available.

Administration and teachers reach out to SCC reps for feedback on topics often.  Parent voice is a huge contributor to the success of Macdonald School.  

Staff reviewed and analyzed data from Our School survey.  

MAC and Community relationship is strong.  There is always a good turn out for events that involve community:  Garden Market, Welcome Back BBQ, Halloween Parade, Christmas Concert, Christmas Community Potluck.

Teachers committed to sharing events to celebrate on Social Media.  

All Staff

All teachers used Edsby as main form of communication and worked diligently to learn the Gradebook program and make use of it.  This is a work in progress but we have a good start.  

MAC has an excellent uptake of Edsby with parents.  Thanks to Laura Petracek who supports families in using this platform.  

All Staff

MAC Families

Cree was a language explored in Gr. ½.  This was well received by students and their interest.

Outdoor education remains a priority at Macdonald School.  Weather helps make learning outside more conducive. 

Connection to Indigenous Schools were not made unfortunately.  

Administrator attended Cultural Event in August.  

Megan Schreiner

All teachers

Administrator