ACE PLAN
Iron Ridge Junior Campus
2023-2024
Assurance - Collaboration - Engagement
Iron Ridge Junior Campus
22 Staff
2 Administrators, 14 Teachers, 6 Educational Assistants, 1 Administrative Assistant, 1 SSW, 2 Caretakers
Blackfalds, Alberta
Population - 11,530 people (2021)
Grade 7 = 107
Grade 8 = 103
Grade 9 = 90
Student Recognition (SOM & Storm Chasers)
Student “Caught-Ya’s”
Breakfast Program of Canada
Weekly school-wide nutrition
School Social Worker
Community Partners & Supports
School Resource Officer
First Nations Inuit and Metis awareness & Education
Elder Support Program
Student Leadership
Big Sisters, Big Brothers
Extracurricular clubs & sports
IRJC is home to 300 students from grade 7 to 9. We are located in the rapidly expanding community of Blackfalds.
IRJC School Supports
WCPS Priority Areas
We are collectively responsible for all students. We believe that all students can learn and that it takes a village to ensure a child grows and learns to their full potential. Together, in partnership with community partners and service providers, we work together to ensure that we provide specialized supports to our students. In Wolf Creek Public Schools, we celebrate diversity and build inclusive learning environments where all students succeed.
Supporting
ALL Students
Doing whatever it takes to meet the needs of all students
Supporting All Students
Alberta Education Assurance Measure Results (AEAMR)
Alberta Education Assurance Measure Results (AEAMR)
2022
Successes
Opportunities for Improvement
Alberta Education Assurance Measure Results (AEAMR)
(Ab Ed) Percentage of teacher, parent and students who agree that their learning environments are welcoming, caring, respectful and safe.
Alberta Education Assurance Measure Results (AEAMR)
Pg 56
(WCPS) Percentage of teacher, parent and students who agree that their learning environments are welcoming, caring, respectful and safe.
Alberta Education Assurance Measure Results (AEAMR)
Pg 56
(WCPS) Percentage of teacher, parent and students who agree that their learning environments are welcoming, caring, respectful and safe.
66.2%
60.6%
60.6%
(WCPS) Percentage of students who show growth on literacy benchmark and diagnostic assessments (STAR Assessment).
Alberta Education Assurance Measure Results (AEAMR)
(WCPS) Percentage of students who show growth on literacy benchmark and diagnostic assessments (STAR Assessment)
Renewed focus on providing literacy interventions.
Annual Education Results Report (AERR)
*Decrease in urgent intervention (fall to spring) 10%
*Increase in at or above (fall to spring) 2.13%
(WCPS) Literacy and Numeracy Skills
Annual Education Results Report (AERR)
Parents are satisfied with Literacy & Numeracy instruction.
(Ab Ed) Percentage of teachers, parents and students satisfied with the overall quality of basic education.
Successes
Opportunities for Improvement
Alberta Education Assurance Measure Results (AEAMR)
(WCPS) Percentage of teachers, parents and students satisfied with the overall quality of basic education.
Alberta Education Assurance Measure Results (AEAMR)
(AB Ed) Percentage of students in grades 6 and 9 meeting or exceeding the Acceptable Standard on Provincial Achievement Tests.
Successes
*These results are a celebration of returning to our achievement levels prior to covid and what were typical result trends in the past
*Reflects strong teaching that aligns with curriculum
*Reflects the strength of our collaborative teams in lesson design and assessment strategies
Opportunities for Improvement
Alberta Education Assurance Measure Results (AEAMR)
(Ab ED) Annual achievement results indicate a reduction in the achievement gap between self-identified First Nation, Métis and Inuit students and all Wolf Creek Public Schools students.
Alberta Education Assurance Measure Results (AEAMR)
Analysis of Success & Opportunities for Improvement
(Ab ED) Percentage of teachers, parents, and students who agree that students are engaged in their learning.
Successes
*Overall strong scores that show consistency in maintaining student engagement.
*Overall school community & stakeholders feel satisfied with level of student engagement
Opportunities for Improvement
*Explore a variety of methods for measuring student engagement (office referrals, student attendance, student satisfaction surveys, etc.)
Alberta Education Assurance Measure Results (AEAMR)
(WCPS) Percentage of teachers, parents, and students who agree that students are engaged in their learning.
Alberta Education Assurance Measure Results (AEAMR)
(WCPS) Percentage of teachers, parents, and students who agree that students are engaged in their learning.
Alberta Education Assurance Measure Results (AEAMR)
Student Attendance: There are a growing number of concerns with attendance for some of our students. Our priority is to engage students to want to attend while at the same time, work with parents to ensure students are attending on a regular basis.
*How does engagement of students impact attendance?
Annual Education Results Report (AERR)
(AB Ed) Percentage of teachers, parents and students who agree that students have access to the appropriate supports and services at school.
Successes
*Promotion & communication with parents about support & services available through our school
*Strong results reflect the responsiveness of our entire school team - Program Plans, Social/ Emotional & Basic Needs Supports within our school, and connecting with outside services.
*Building community partnerships
Opportunities for Improvement
*Continue to advocate for more supports & services in Blackfalds to meet the growing needs of youth and families
*Continue to work with the Youth Coalition in building community supports
Alberta Education Assurance Measure Results (AEAMR)
(WCPS) Percentage of teachers, parents and students who agree that students have access to the appropriate supports and services at school.
Alberta Education Assurance Measure Results (AEAMR)
60.6%
64.8%
School Supports (Basic Needs): The trend we continue to see is the increase in numbers of students who require basic needs support (food programs) to supplement what they can/ cannot access at home. This is a direct reflection of the financial and emotional stress that continues to grow with our families and the current economic state.
Breakfast Club of Canada ($12,000.00)
We have approx. 300 students and all have access to this universal program. Students receive nutritious breakfast choices at our canteen.
Currently, our team shares the purchasing of all grocery items and our SSW serves breakfast from our canteen each morning in the gathering area. All students have access to fresh fruit, yogurt, healthy granola bars, cheese, etc. On average approximately 50-75 students access the program daily.
We also use these funds to provide school wide breakfast for students on celebration days (Christmas, Pink Shirt Day, etc).
We have made parents aware of the Breakfast Program in our monthly newsletter.
We have purchased blenders to make healthy breakfast smoothies, in addition to our regular universal breakfast items.
Nutrition Grant ($4,850.00)
The intention of this grant is to provide universal nutrition to our 300 students. This grant also covers a 0.1 staffing for this program.
Although we have approximately 25 students who have been identified as needing to receive daily lunches (sandwiches, soup, fruit, vegetables, juice, snacks, etc), we know there are many others in need who may be embarrassed to access. These lunches are provided as ‘grab and go” out of our canteen. We also provide lunch for any student that needs it on any particular day.
Students have access to our meal program through the office during recess and lunch breaks or during class when necessary.
For student who have been identified as requiring daily lunch, parents have been contacted to provide verbal consent. There has been an overwhelming response of gratitude from parents.
Annual Education Results Report (AEAMR)
(WCPS) School Social Worker program data including satisfaction with the support received, feeling more connected as a result of support received, caseload and referral data.
We have an ambitious plan to engage all stakeholders, including community partners, agencies, and supports within our greater Blackfalds community.
Annual Education Results Report (AERR)
School Social Worker Data
(WCPS) School Social Worker program data including satisfaction with the support received, feeling more connected as a result of support received, caseload and referral data.
Annual Education Results Report (AERR)
(WCPS) School Social Worker program data including satisfaction with the support received, feeling more connected as a result of support received, caseload and referral data.
Annual Education Results Report (AERR)
(WCPS) School Social Worker program data including satisfaction with the support received, feeling more connected as a result of support received, caseload and referral data.
Annual Education Results Report (AERR)
(WCPS) Percentage of teachers, parents and students who agree that students have access to the appropriate supports and services at school.
Alberta Education Assurance Measure Results (AEAMR)
74.6%
59.2%
(WCPS) Students have access to the appropriate supports and services at school through program plans.
Students with LSP = 54 Students with IPP = 23 Students with BIP/Safety = 2
(AB Ed) Percentage of teachers and parents who are satisfied with parental involvement in decisions about their child’s education.
Successes
*Maintained level of parent involvement
Opportunities for Improvement
*Explore new opportunities for parents to be engaged and involved
*Collaboration with community partners to seek new strategies to encourage parents to connect with our school (Supports & Services)
Alberta Education Assurance Measure Results (AEAMR)
(WCPS) Parental involvement in decisions about their child’s education.
Alberta Education Assurance Measure Results (AEAMR)
EXPLORE
DEVELOP
TAKE ACTION
EVALUATE
*Transition Meetings IRIC & IRJC, Grade to Grade
*CRM (revised)
*Classroom Profiles
*S.I.T. Weekly meetings (SSW)
Area of Focus:
Continuum of Supports
*How do we best support the needs of all students?
*How do we use a continuum of supports to meet the needs of all students?
*How do we use CRM to meet the needs of all students?
*Identify needs
*Create LSP/ IPP/ BIP
*Student Inventories
*Classroom Profiles
*RTI - interventions (literacy & numeracy)
*Student Success - classroom, midterms, finals, PATs
*Student engagement - office referrals
Iron Ridge Junior Campus SUPPORTING ALL STUDENTS FLOURISHING GOAL | |
Success for All Learners 100% will be at at or above the provincial on Grade 9 PAT’s | Evidence & Engagement What evidence tells you this is an area of focus? What does the evidence tell you about how to approach this focus area? What evidence will you use to know the work you are doing in this area is making a difference? |
We want all students at or above the provincial average on the grade 9 provincial achievement exam in order to give them the most opportunities in high school
As a staff we are collaborating, disaggregating data in order to assess and respond to gaps in knowledge. We embrace “they are all our kids” attitude. Excellent Learning Environments - criteria.
We are focused on putting students on a path which will set them up for academic success and positively influence their high school academic stream and completion.
Access to junior high interventions programs (literacy & numeracy). Collaboration during PD days, release time for teachers to meet with other teachers in the division. Teacher walkthroughs within our own building.
Student engagement and attendance are factors interfering with student success. To identify needs and implement timely interventions. Access to quality interventions & supports to improve reading and writing skills.
Prioritizing collaboration during PD, timely interventions, timely communication with parents regarding attendance. Maximizing student options to align with CTF Clusters & Occupational Areas, interventions, and “Catch Up Club”. |
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Iron Ridge Junior Campus SUPPORTING ALL STUDENTS FLOURISHING GOAL | |
Success for ALL learners 100% of students are invested in creating a safe and caring culture | Evidence & Engagement What evidence tells you this is an area of focus? What does the evidence tell you about how to approach this focus area? What evidence will you use to know the work you are doing in this area is making a difference? |
We have an upward trend of office referrals as it relates to treating each other poorly.
Demonstrating genuine care and respect for the well-being of others in our building.
A positive school community where students feel safe to thrive.
School Enhancement Team (students & staff). Regular character education program/approach. A cohesive unity among staff. Social Emotional Programs, promoting student leadership (options and recognition programs), connection with community supports and partners (AHS addictions counseling & Peer Influential Generation, Youth Coalition).
Severe gaps in student empathy, lack of parent support & skills, lack of community based programs, youth addiction and positive connection to the community
Partnering with parents, community supports, and Youth Coalition. Creating in-house opportunities for students to build their sense of belonging. Strong support with SRO.
| -Behaviour Matrix (POI updated) -Character Education (ie: 7 Sacred Teachings) -Classroom profiles -School Social Worker referrals -School Resource Officer -Parent Teacher Interviews -Parent Survey -Creation of a School Enhancement Team -Increase opportunity for students to become part of school community (ie: clubs, sports, leadership, options) -CRM -Student Intervention Team -*Health Behaviours Study Results |
Iron Ridge Junior Campus Assurance Plan- Supporting All Students | |
Action Plan : Supporting All Students (include strategies and timeline below) | Evidence & Engagement What evidence tells you this is an area of focus? What does the evidence tell you about how to approach this focus area? What evidence will you use to know the work you are doing in this area is making a difference? |
Planning & Differentiation
| -Individual Student Profiles (September) -STAR assessments (September) - Team IPP/ LSP Collaboration (October) -Central Alberta Child Advocacy Center - Trauma & Creating Safe Learning Environments (October) -Parent-Teacher Interviews (October) -PGP Meetings (November & May) -Ongoing EA monthly meetings -Ongoing consultation with Behaviour Consultant (W.C) -Ongoing weekly S.I.T. meetings (identify students of concerns & strategies) *CRM - Exploring best practices to support all students |
Iron Ridge Junior Campus Assurance Plan- Supporting All Students | |
Action Plan: Supporting All Students (include strategies and timeline below) | Evidence & Engagement What evidence tells you this is an area of focus? What does the evidence tell you about how to approach this focus area? What evidence will you use to know the work you are doing in this area is making a difference? |
Instructional Delivery & Student Engagement: Planning & Instruction for Supporting All Students
| -August-June ELE Professional Development (entire staff) -January -February – Classroom Observations - Differentiation Defined -Ongoing – Research & PD opportunities on Supporting All Students and Best Practices in Instruction, Differentiation, and Student Engagement -Increased student attendance |
Accountability Pillar Data Strategic Planning
Area of Issue, Concern, or Focus ACADEMICS | Identified Improvement Target | Specific Strategies | Indicators of Success |
All four core subjects - to maintain or increase to AT or Above the provincial average:
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| All Core Subject teachers will: *Collaborate with grade/subject teachers to share/support best practices. *Create common midterm and year end cumulative exams and reported on report card. *Exam Analysis - collaborative *CRM Meetings *Math interventions - KeyMath *LLI or other Reading Interventions |
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Accountability Pillar Data Strategic Planning
Area of Issue, Concern, or Focus School Climate & Culture | Identified Improvement Target | Specific Strategies | Indicators of Success |
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| *Clear, specific, and consistent Student Norms & Expectations (revised handbook) *Monthly Recognition program *Increased admin supervision and walkthroughs *Frequent parent communication *Create inclusive school environment (Cultural Sensitivity Training, Character Education) *School Social Worker *Addictions counseling *Social Emotional Learning program *Elder Program (re-starting Fall 2023) *QSA (weekly) *Access to Restorative Justice process |
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Accountability Pillar Data Strategic Planning
Area of Issue, Concern, or Focus Strengthen Parental Involvement & Community Partnerships | Identified Improvement Target | Specific Strategies | Indicators of Success |
Improving Parental Involvement to be at or above the provincial average. | *To improve parental involvement and ownership in their child’s education. *In hopes of reducing the dichotomy between parents’ satisfaction with their opportunity/ability to be involved and their dissatisfaction with their lack of involvement. | *Establish a Parent Council *More parental feedback (surveys) *Continue to use a wide variety of means to communication (Social Media, Power Announcements, Newsletters) *Purposefully demonstrating that we highly value parent/school relationships ie. Open-House, Monthly Assemblies, Coffee with the Principal (new year) *Ongoing fostering of important Community Partnerships *Continued open communication with parents. | *School Council Attendance *AEAMR data *Independent survey Parental Involvement survey results *Positive parent communication tracking *Student Initiatives **Blackfalds Social Needs Assessment (2022) |
AEAMR Data Strategic Planning
Area of Issue, Concern, or Focus | Identified Improvement Target | Specific Strategies | Indicators of Success |
Academics | Continue to increase overall PAT results | *Staff Collaboration *Programming planning *Class & School Profile | *Increase in Midterm, Finals, & PAT results |
Build & Strengthen Positive School Climate & Culture | Student Behaviour & Treatment towards others | *School Norms & Expectations (handbook) *WCPS - Social Emotional Learning lessons *Student Leadership *School Enhancement Team *Cultural Sensitivity Training (staff & students) | *Increase in Attendance *Decrease in Office Referrals *Anecdotals *Student Satisfaction (survey January 2024) |
Strengthen Parental Involvement & Community Partnerships | Increase parental involvement (day to day, school events, parent advisory) | *Welcome Back event *Creating parent advisory *Continued involvement in Blackfalds Youth Coalition | *Parent Survey *AEAMR Data *Blackfalds Social Needs Assessment |
Areas of Focus for 23/24 school-based learning plan: Supporting All Students
WCPS District Professional Development Continuity:
23/24 Learning Plan
School Improvement
The results tell the story of the level of needs in our school. Students are coming to us with more and more critical needs, yet we have less and less available resources to support their needs (mental health, addictions, family supports, parent apathy).
In order for us to focus on school improvement, we need to know what WCPS supports are available to address our top priority areas of concern.
Priorities:
-What is happening before they reach us that is contributing to this gap?
-How are we addressing this gap as a district?
-The severity of behavioural needs is increasing. How are we planning to address this increase and provide sound educational and behavioural programming to support the future development and success of these students?
2023-24 PRIORITIES
School Improvement
School improvement is a focus this year - repairing, building, and strengthening our school culture and community. We need to extend our connections within our own walls and beyond to our community partners and parents. The community of Blackfalds needs our schools to be a source of support, guidance, networking, and partnership. Our families need to know that we will do anything to support their children and their families.
Priorities:
*Collective Responsibility & Commitment to reculturizing our school. Our students deserve the best we have to offer. We need the support of our Board to advocate for our community.
-How can our District continue to advocate for the needs of our students and families?
-Opening of IRSC - this will have a huge impact on Blackfalds - how are we partnering with the community to prepare?
2023-24 PRIORITIES
Successes
Opportunities for Improvement
2023-2024 Reflection