A Community of Learning Community schools have the potential to: open minds change lives enhance the learning experience expand the learning experience

A Community of Learning

Community schools have the potential to:

• open minds• change lives• enhance the learning

experience• expand the

learning experience• build a community of support


“It takes a whole community to raise a child and build a future.”


Introduced in Saskatchewan in 1980 to help children experiencing the impact of:

• poverty• substance abuse• lack of nutrition• domestic abuse• crime• neglect

A Community of Learning Learning is a profound

educational and social experience.


Our Model A collaboration of many . . .

creating schools that help children and youth succeed in classrooms and in life.

A History and Legacy

Rich history in Canadian Provinces:

• tradition of “extended family”• traditional ceremonies, barn raisings, and one-room school houses exemplified the potential of people gathering to respond to needs of family

and communities


Rich history around the world:• originated in Michigan in the 30s• founded by Frank Manley• supported by Charles Mott• Brazilian Paulo Freire

developed theories in Popular Education


Took hold in North America:• more and more community schools• CIDA helping Thailand and Egypt

develop Community Schools• first Canadian school founded in 1966


Saskatchewan framework:• developed program to address urban

Aboriginal poverty• Saskatchewan Education established 17

schools by 1982• 26 schools and pre-K program by 1996• Northern Saskatchewan adopted the

program from 1996 to 1998 - 10 schools added

• five more school in Southern Saskatchewan by 1999


Saskatchewan Community Schools today:

• largest expansion in 2001 – 83 Community Schools

• Community Schools make up 10% of Saskatchewan Schools

• serve 33,000 students• expanding into rural communities and high schools

Saskatchewan Reality

Over 40% of students experience: • poverty• teen pregnancy• substance abuse• violence• family breakdown• inadequate housing


Poverty is the biggest concern.


Community Schools work to counteract the potential effects of

poverty.


Children and youth in poverty may experience:

• behavioral problems• low self-esteem• less motivation to learn• delayed cognitive development• lower achievement• less participation• lower aspirations and expectations• increased risk of dropping out• lower literacy attainment


Children and youth have demonstrated individual abilities and gifts - characteristics that make them resilient:

• self esteem• trust• optimism• independence• problem solving• socializing with others• life, play and work skills• coping for oneself and others

The Answer Lies in Our Efforts

“We found out that everything is so interrelated, physical health, mental health, emotional health, education, the curriculum, the teaching, the family, the everyday living, and so on, so that you can’t pull them apart and say that any one segment is going to take care of these social ills. So I thought the best chance we might have is if we brought all these forces together …As soon as you get one community started and they begin to believe in each other and have a better understanding, then you can spread that out in a little wider circle . .”

The Circle is Growing

Number of schools growing:• in 2001 41 to 83• soon 33,000 students

Our Approach

Four Components of Support

Our Approach

Students at the heart with:• integrated services• learning programs• parental and

community involvement

• community development

Looking Deeper

Service integration is integral to Community Schools:

• school divisions• health districts• Social Services offices• recreation boards• tribal councils, bands or locals• justice• local agencies

Looking Deeper

Service integration allows Community Schools to branch out:

• counseling and supporting students and family• improving local housing and facilities• welcoming people with community rooms• promoting community policing and crime

prevention• addressing child hunger through nutrition

education• working together to create leadership

opportunities for youth • acknowledging and exploring anti-racism

Looking Deeper

Respect for all cultures:• significant percentage of students are

First Nations or Métis• opportunity to

increase understanding of all cultures

Looking Deeper

We celebrate different cultures with:

• culturally affirming and appropriate curricula

• integrated cultural values and beliefs• Aboriginal language programs• cultural celebrations• cross-cultural and anti-racism training• elder and outreach programs• equity policies• Aboriginal positions

Learning Programs

We follow the provincial curricula – and go beyond by offering:

• tailored programs• varied programs• programs to meet

community needs

Learning Programs

Our School Programs

Learning Programs

Early Learning ProgramsShort-term benefits:

• improved cognitive functioning and language development

• increased social skills• increased health• higher self-esteem

Learning Programs

Early Learning ProgramsLong-term benefits include:

• lower rates of juvenile crime• fewer failed grades and drop-outs• fewer teen pregnancies• fewer referrals for special education

Learning Programs

Pre-kindergarten ProgramThree and four year olds learn through

play:• language development• problem solving• cognitive skills• motor skills• socialization• self-esteem

Learning Programs

Pre-kindergarten ProgramThe environment:

• experimental learning in cheerful rooms• learning centres• imaginative programs

in a prepared environment

• activities built around experiences, interests, needs and ideas

Learning Programs

Pre-kindergarten ProgramFamily involvement:

• partners in education• join adult and family

programs• opportunities to

develop skills

Learning Programs

Planting Dreams For every seedling planted Weyerhaeuser donates to the

Planting Dream Fund.

Learning Programs

Planting Dreams $200,000.00 provided for

Community Schools with special emphasis on pre-kindergarten programming. Has assisted:

• implementation of Readiness to Learn Backpack Program

• support cultural activities• promotion of

community schools

Learning Programs

Adult Learning Programs:• life is a learning process• become involved• promote family literacy• varied programs

– GED, Adult 10, 11 and 12– introductory computer courses– nutrition workshops– keyboarding– sports– culture– family skills

Shared Responsibilities

Leadership is a collaborative effort involving:

• Community School Council• the Principal• the Coordinator• school staff• student• school division• school board • parent and community volunteers


Parental and Community Involvement

Everyone has a role to play and something to contribute.


Teachers Teachers focus on the students:

• teach the curriculum• participate in extracurricular activities• affirm different cultures• invite and encourage parental

involvement• host different individuals to provide

broader life lessons


Teachers Community school teachers

have the ability to recognize and use the gifts of people within the community to enhance the learning experience of their students.


School Staff Many school staff bring gifts and value:

• teacher associates• caretakers• secretaries• nutrition workers• learning assistants• librarians • outreach workers/counselors. Social workers• professional shared services staff• administrators and Community School

Coordinators


Students Take responsibility:

• offer peer support• contribute in the

classroom, school and community

• participate in leadership


Parents Become active partners involved in

their children’s education:• get them to school• provide a stable environment• volunteer• provide leadership• create an environment of hope and

caring• model lifelong learning


Community School Council Actively share visioning, planning and

facilitating actions that demonstrate the philosophy:

• contribution creates a community of learning• representatives lead a response to the needs

of the whole child, family and community• participation contributes to shared learning• involvement creates a shared Community

School Plan


Community School Council Reflection of a population including:

• parents• students• the Principal• the Community School Coordinator• school staff• other service organizations • the community


Community Involves many:

• parents• school staff• students• elders and seniors• business people• community at large

Activities

Community Schools are community centers of activity with:

• gym nights• community kitchens• clothing depots• potluck suppers• festivals and carnivals• family computer nights• health fairs

Activities

Child care and day care:• child care at most events• some Community Schools have day cares

on-site offering:– accessible– affordable– quality care

Activities

Our Schools Activities

Our School Activities

Making a difference outside the school:

• playground improvements• inner city sports leagues• housing and food security programs• summer activities for local children• art contributions• helping seniors • addressing environmental concerns• incorporating restitution programs

Different but the Same

Community Schools intent – foster family and community involvement with a variety of activities:

• coffee with the principal• parent parties• parenting programs• Womenspeak• round dances• school musicals• youth conferences• school calendars

Dispelling Prejudices

Different backgrounds are an opportunity:

• embrace cultural differences• provide cultural role models• provide greater

exposure to different lifestyles

• encourage participation

Dispelling Prejudices

Ongoing exposure to different races,

cultures and opinions overcomes suspicion

and prejudice, builds respect and fosters friendships.

Outcome

With shared responsibilities we help to develop and empower communities.

Outcome

“When you come on something good, first thing to do is to share it with whoever you can find; that way the good spreads out where no telling it will go.”

- Little Tree

Have a Voice

Parents, children and youth, school staff and you . . .

Community Schools are for everyone.

Saskatchewan Community Schools acknowledges the support of Saskatchewan Education and

Weyerhaeuser.

What Can You Do

Insert individual school requests here (content is added by the respective community schools)

Documents

A Community of Learning Community schools have the potential to: open minds change lives enhance the learning experience expand the learning experience