Selwyn

1 Selwyn Avenue
Toronto M4B 3J9
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MY SCHOOL REVIEW 2008
Vision Document
Selwyn Elementary School

A bit about Selwyn…
• Gifted program
• Selwyn Community Child Care Centre offered onsite
• ITLC program
• Recognized as a Silver Eco School

The following themes listed below were identified as skills or areas that were prioritized in the visioning for the future for children and community of Selwyn Elementary School. The reasons that they were important follow each theme. In addition, the programs, structures and practices that would be needed to support the areas which were important for the group are listed.

1. Focus on Character Development -- i.e. flexibility (understanding people who are different), empathy (getting along with others), good manners, tolerance

Reasons:
▪ for children in developing personal skills which would assist them in viewing themselves as part of the broader community (familiarity with those in community is important)
a place where they can feel they belong;
▪ to help children to learn how to interact with a wide network of people in a positive way;
▪ CD provides kids with the tools to solve problems and/or avoid problems;
▪ will help build integrity;
▪ help diminish violence.

The programs / practices /structures that would be needed to support the theme:
▪ utilize existing resources of the Province’s initiative to support Character
Development e.g. province recently had a trade show on character development
▪ create a buddy system with G.A. Brown (pair children in mentoring relationships)
▪ encourage integration to GAB as the feeder school
▪ tighten relationships with community groups (seniors, disabled, etc.) so that children
get to know people who are different
▪ create a community support network where children will feel safer and can interact
with a wider group of people
▪ create “a welcoming” culture between schools, especially among gifted kids

2. Physical fitness, including health and nutrition

Reasons:
▪ physical fitness builds life long skills
▪ it should become a habit
▪ nutrition is very important
▪ nutrition ties into environmental awareness
▪ children are nurtured through interaction with nature

The programs / practices /structures that would be needed to support the theme:
▪ Selwyn already has a good physical fitness program
▪ possibly become a Field to Table School
▪ trade our concrete for green space
▪ incorporate the garden / green space with nutrition
▪ create a garden club that helps find and take care of greening & gardens
▪ increase after school programs and expand sports programs i.e. ball hockey
▪ set up a swimming program for Selwyn students at GA Brown
▪ for better health and nutrition, have teachers act as mentors as well as parents to
supplement current curriculum
▪ start a Grannies-in-the-community cooking program
▪ expand ITLC program

3. Literacy and numeracy

▪ groups recognized these as the foundation of learning and education and that they are
already a Ministry priority
▪ could explore ways of making learning more “fun” and ways to use skill of community
members to augment basic learning

4. Integrate art, drama, music throughout the curriculum

Reasons:
▪ help integrate different styles of learning
▪ recognize differences in learning and find ways to help reiterate lessons so children
can learn
▪ use different ways to teach the same lesson

The programs / practices /structures that would be needed to support the theme:
▪ access teachers’ talents and abilities
▪ use existing resources in the community – teachers, parents, community members to
make this happen
• increase after school programs – especially given that schools are free to use between
3:30 pm and 6 pm – Monday to Friday – perhaps incorporate art, drama and music;

▪ start a community ARTS DAY as one possibility

5. Creating Community Connections

Reasons:
• To make more links to the community
• To promote a sense of belonging
▪ To encourage community members (vs. just parents, especially given that 70% of the paying public do not have children in the TDSB) to become more involved in the school
▪ to make community people feel welcome

The programs / practices /structures that would be needed to support the theme:

▪ access and share existing resources (ie: teachers, parents, community members)
▪ use of school as community centre -- could be especially useful for people living in
apartments – provide safe, warm place for various activities
▪ Use the schools from 3:30pm onwards (especially since there’s no fees between 3:30pm- 6pm)
▪ use community resources to help the school – volunteer, and expand and the ITLC program
▪ advertise that the school wants and needs community members to enrich learning
environment for students
▪ submit articles to the local papers (free) on e.g. ITLC program, request more volunteers,
etc.
▪ use School Bill-Board to share current information with the community on a regular
basis – could use volunteers to take on this task
▪ could explore using teenagers as volunteers – contribute to their community service
curriculum requirement – could be “reading buddies” or help younger kids with math

6. Other areas highlighted –

• school needs to challenge students to use all their abilities – recognizing multiple intelligences/different learning styles -- to strive for excellence
• teach kids to understand that it is okay and important to make mistakes in order to learn and grow – can be challenged to learn how to do things differently if first attempt fails
• need to be aware of need to keep challenging students – have a high expectations list of “must know” and “challenges”

My School Review is a project sponsored by Trustee Sheila Cary-Meagher www.trusteesheila.com and the Toronto District School Board.