Superintendent's Monthly Message

November 2007

As we embrace the fall weather and witness the arrival of cooler weather, let us also appreciate the great weather we have had for the past few weeks - lots of opportunities to use our outdoor facilities, many days for outside recesses and lunch breaks, and great days for the various fall sports such as soccer and cross country. Let’s hope such weather continues!

In thinking about our schools and the busy schedules that characterize our school days (and evenings and weekends), I thought it may be useful to take a look at the many curriculum and program initiatives that are underway in our schools. In a recent meeting with Department of Education staff, we reviewed, on a grade by grade basis, those initiatives that are in Pilot phase this year, those enjoying their first year of school implementation as a New Authorization, or those continuing (i.e. Maintenance status). The following list (while not 100% complete) captures the scope of these changes and is indicative of the impact on staff and schools as efforts are made to find new, more meaningful programs for our students.

ELEMENTARY

Literacy Place for the Early Years - new program to Grade 1 and piloting in Grade 2 this program represents a significant change in approach and emphasis on learning as we seek to have all children reading by the end of Grade 3.

Social Studies - a new program and resources for Grades 2 & 6 projected to enter our classrooms this school year; similarly, a new program is being prepared for other elementary grades, some to be introduced later this year.

Math Makes Sense - a new offering for Grades 3 to 6 which is being piloted and/or implemented in our elementary schools this year.

Mental Math - intended for Grades 4 - 6, this is an activity-based, fun approach to basic skill development for our students.

Technology Education’s Journey On is also being introduced and/or continuing implementation in most of the elementary grades and focuses on integrating technology into routine lessons.

A new Health program is being piloted in Grades 4 - 6.

In French Immersion at the elementary level, there are new initiatives - in Grade 1 & 2, an intervention program in Reading & Writing; a new Math resource in Gr 4-6, and a new Social Studies resource in Grade 6.

The Common Assessments in Primary Literacy and soon-to-be launched Elementary Language Arts will also impact our elementary classrooms as well as many of those teachers who are involved in the creation and compilation of the assessments during the coming year.

JUNIOR HIGH

Visual Arts will be piloted in all three grade levels (7, 8, & 9).

The Health program is a new authorization for all schools.

Mathematics and Language Arts program continue their implementation while a new Social Studies program will be introduced at Grade 9.

The Tech Ed Journey On program will be piloted in Grade 9.

In French Immersion, a new Family Life program has been implemented and a new Social Studies programs is being piloted at Gr 8 with the Gr. 7 level continuing implementation. Also at the Grade 7 level, pilots will start in Enhanced French and Core French courses.

The Intermediate Math Assessment, introduced province-wide in 2007, will again continue this year to provide direction for further program improvements and fine-tuning.

HIGH SCHOOL

Included in the pilot courses for 2007-08:

• English 421X
• Physics 521A
• Writing 521A
• History 621B
• Welding 801A,B,C,D
• Automotive 801A,B,C,D,E
• Carpentry 801A,B,C,D
• Core French 421A
• Math (French)
• 611A (Pre-Calculus)
• English as an Additional Language (up to 5 courses)
• Tech Ed CIT Integration - Science Guide & Social Studies Guide
• Core French 521A Accounting (French) 621

New authorizations for high schools across PEI:

• Biology 521A, 621A, 801A
• Math 801A
• Geography 521A, 621A
• Law 521A,531A
• Canadian Studies 401A
• Music 801A
• Co-op Work Studies 502A/B, 602A/B

The magnitude of this list serves to illustrate the dramatic impact of our efforts to improve curriculum and programs for our youth. The obvious demands placed upon teachers to take on these new programs and, at the same time, employ new instructional strategies while attending to the diverse needs of our student population demonstrate the complexity of the work before us. Working hand in hand with Department specialists, our classroom support personnel, and the many individuals who work in our Board as well as our parents and communities, it truly requires a team effort to provide students with “relevant, high quality learning opportunities that will prepare them to become adaptive, successful citizens of the global community”. [WSB Mission Statement, 2006]

Dale C. Sabean, Superintendent of Education

Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much.
Helen Keller (1880-1968), American Writer