Charlie Lake Elementary School gives framework for enhanced student learning

CHARLIE LAKE, B.C. — The School District 60 (SD 60) Board received a presentation regarding Charlie Lake Elementary School’s student learning strategies at its December 2nd meeting.

School principal Glen Longley and Vice-principal Allison Finter presented the board with its framework for enhanced student learning.

The report focused primarily on mathematics strategies and social development for students. 

Finter says the math program should focus on communicating and representing how the students show their mathematical thinking.

“Students just have a lack of ability to justify the thinking that goes on in their minds around mathematics,” said Finter.

According to the presentation’s data, 57 per cent of students are proficient in communicating and representing their math skills. 

The principal and vice principal said the school’s strategies to improve proficiency include developing students’ understanding of how to represent math concepts and providing more whiteboards in the classroom and to individual students. 

The presentation showed that many students are not very social outside of school. 

“A lot of [students] do not do things outside of school. We are a rural school. It doesn’t always feel like it, because we’re close to town, but if you look where everyone lives, a lot of them don’t have neighbors, so you’re not walking out of your house to play with someone,” said Longley.

The data showed that 70 per cent of students do not participate in cultural activities outside of school and that 61 per cent of students play less than two days a week with other students outside of school. 

Another notable figure in the report was the number of absences, which Longley found concerning. 

A total of 91 students (29 per cent) missed 10 to 20 days of school, 61 students (19 per cent) missed 20 to 30 days of school, and 54 students (17 per cent) missed more than 30 days. 

Longley explained that the students with the most absences were due to factors outside the school’s control, such as vacations, specialized/part-time programs, and special events. 

Another highlight from the report was that the school took part in Operation Christmas Child by Samaritan’s Purse, putting together over 30 shoe boxes.

The full committee of the whole agenda package can be found below: