Community, Culture and Caring – pillars of Student Success

Why we do the work? We believe that:

• Recognition of success fosters students’ self-confidence and resilience
• Timely and effective supports for students at risk improve their engagement in school and result in increased personal success
• Strong support teams include students, teachers, support staff, administrators, parents and community agencies
• Flexible school structure/timetables and “pyramids of intervention” are important for the inclusion and engagement of students at risk
• A positive classroom/school climate is created when individual differences of students are recognized and celebrated
• Transition programs and caring community help students connect with their school & their future

How the work looks? We take action to:

• Encourage the celebration of student success
• Support school-based Student Success Teams
• Develop and/or provide support for differentiated instruction and after school programs
• Refine and support the UGDSB Transitions Plan
• Support school based programs that assist and support students in order for them to achieve their OSSD
• Encourage and support the empowerment of students
• Provide professional development opportunities to teachers & support staff in order to enrich their abilities to meet the needs of students

How do we measure effectiveness? We measure effectiveness by:

• Evaluating data on attendance, suspension, retention, student achievement, work habits, and student engagement in school life
• Surveying parents and student awareness of academic supports at schools
• Reviewing input from community partners and agencies