Ellison Elementary is a safe, caring, respectful and responsible learning community. This reflects the values and beliefs held by students, staff, and parents. Ellison Elementary School has a population of 350 students in grades K-7, and includes an Aboriginal community of over 60 students. Almost all of our Aboriginal students live within the urban area surrounding the school. We are proud to work together with a dedicated staff of over 40 (teachers and support staff) who care deeply for our students and their families with an understanding of the diverse needs of our community.
Our staff encourage parent helpers in classrooms and around the school in various capacities which brings our community closer. Once each term we host “Fireside Chats” where parents have a meal together and learn about ways to support students. We often feature a guest speaker, who is an expert in their field, to teach our community and answer questions they have about helping their children learn.
We are located near the Fulton Wetlands, a natural environment that is used regularly by most grade levels to help their students experience the nature and place-based learning.
Our Mission Statement is to foster a caring and innovative community, which encourages kindness and supports all learners to be the best that they can be.
Our Belief System that Ellison Eagles SOAR to “Be the Best that they can Be, reinforces our school goals.
S – Safety – a safe and healthy lifestyle
O – Cooperation – a collaborative approach to learning
A – Achievement – promoting academic excellence
R – Respect and Responsibility – empathy, compassion and life long learning
We foster a caring community that provides opportunities in all areas to promote growth. Students at Ellison take ownership of their learning. They are supported through open dialogue, individualized learning opportunities, and security knowing that we are all part of one learning community.
1. Promoting and supporting a healthy lifestyle by;
The milk program
Fruit and vegetable program
Breakfast club
Snack and lunch program
Daily physical exercise
Extra curricular activities
Outdoor play
Variety of field trips
The staff at Ellison believe in promoting a healthy lifestyle. Students are welcome to breakfast every morning which serves approximately 60 to 80 children each morning. Morning snack is provided for about 150 students each day. We provide lunch for approximately 45 students on a regular basis.
We are supported with a dedicated PAC Executive and many hardworking and committed parents. We are generously supported by community associations and service organizations.
2. Students are surrounded with a safe and caring environment where they are developing within learner-centered classrooms.
We see growth in Literacy and Numeracy which are supported by many different learning experiences.
Daily 5
Reading intervention
1 to 1 reading
After school reading program
Guiding teaching practice from phonological awareness and reading assessments
Differentiated instruction in reading and numeracy
Community volunteers reading with students
Buddy reading
Guided reading
Early interventions for high-risk readers
Small reading group blitzes
Team teaching
Chess club
Knitting club
Individual, small group and large group reading
Educational forums for parents on reading and numeracy skills and strategies
3. We use relevant data to guide our instruction while focusing on the social-emotional and intellectual well-being of everyone in our community.
Our Kindergarten team has been using a team teaching approach which allows for more interaction between teacher and student, ensuring that more students will be engaged with a focus on individual growth academically, emotionally, and socially.
We utilize small group reading instruction, project based learning, and support the development of educated citizens with 21st century skills.
One of our school goals is to improve reading so we surround students with books. Throughout the day there are opportunities to enjoy stories and practice the learned reading strategies. Our classes participate in Reading Blitzes daily, where staff work with small groups targeting specific reading strategies as well as Literacy interventions with the classrooms.
We are fortunate at Ellison to have a dedicated and hard-working group of volunteers for our Reading Together tutor program. Adults work with our students to help develop reading skills each day. We also host the After School Reading Program, Summer Reading, and we have one of SD #22 Reading Intervention Teachers working on a Reading Intervention model with several students.
Many of our Primary classes utilize “Daily 5” in the classroom, including listening stations for reading, reading to self, and reading to others.
Ellison also hosts “Fireside Chats” so parents and staff can break bread together with a dinner and a guest speaker who presents strategies that can be used at home to help students in all areas of learning.
Whole school gatherings
Whole school assemblies provide opportunities to develop a positive school culture where students learn intellectual, social, and emotional skills that they need to develop in order to engage in deeper understanding and life-long learning. Our staff takes time to build strong relationships with all students and their families, as they collaborate together to improve student success.
Staff all believe in using positive reinforcement to teach self-regulation and respectful behaviours.
Collaboration/Professionalism/Dedication/Positive Reinforcement and Modelling
We continue to develop capacity in our staff through collaboration and Professional Development with the new curriculum. Our staff participates in continuous analysis of our school data in order to plan for the ever-changing needs of our school community.
We will reinforce the behaviours and expectations set out in our Ellison Eagles S.O.A.R.S. Matrix, and use formative assessments to guide instruction in order to help students achieve their best!
Team Teaching
Differentiated/Small Group instruction
Incorporating First People’s Principles of Learning
Ellison students work with Aboriginal teachers and elders to better understand First Peoples Principles of Learning in context. Students read leveled Aboriginal stories from Strong Nations Publishing, and our Kindergarten classes have First Nation play centres to teach about Aboriginal culture. Two of our staff members have also participated in the SD #22 Cultural Safety Professional Development Day sessions to deepen understanding of First Nation views and how to incorporate them into our classrooms and school.
Our staff responds to the individual needs of our unique students and differentiates instruction to meet those needs. We use relevant data to guide our instruction while focusing on the social-emotional and intellectual well-being of everyone in our community.
Our Kindergarten team has been using a team teaching approach which allows for more interaction between teacher and student, ensuring that more students will be engaged with a focus on individual growth academically, emotionally, and socially.
We utilize small group reading instruction, project based learning, and support the development of educated citizens with 21st century skills.
We have monthly Aboriginal displays created by our students, and we embrace and honor Mother Earth.
Our school is located in a unique place in our city where students get to enjoy the wetlands and experience nature to augment and enhance learning.
Students have the chance to go on numerous nature walks to interact with their environment. For example, our Kindergarten class adopts the Oak tree in our school yard. The kids name the tree “Oakley” and learn about the cycle of nature by observing Oakley’s changes throughout the seasons while using their senses to understand Oakley’s differences at various times of the year.
Love of technology
Our students used coding to program lego robots and create specific movements that followed a plan.
We love play-based learning
Field trips that provide new opportunities
Some of our student learning happens out of the classroom. The rock-climbing wall is a fun and engaging activity our grade 7 students get to do at Eagle Bay Outdoor School.
Our students have the chance to go on many field trips throughout the year to learn in a hands on way.
We will continue to use consistently gathered data to guide our teaching practice so we may continue to focus on specific areas in Literacy and Numeracy that require more guided instruction.
We will continue to encourage, invite, and celebrate:
Our strong community support
Our athletes
Our Intermediate students participate in track and field in the Spring where they learn about various sports and skills.
Students also learn about bike safety and exercising for a healthy lifestyle.
Our musicians
All of our students have the opportunity to develop a love for the arts through drama, dance, and music. Our Music program brings our school together for performances, choir, and at our Winter or Spring Concerts. We also host a talent show so kids can demonstrate their excellence in various ways.
Our love of nature and play
Our love of reading
Our love of writing and numeracy
Our love of building and creating
Giant Jenga teaches students about spatial awareness, problem solving, teamwork and gravity! It is also a great way to have fun on a rainy recess day.
Our love of teaching and learning
Our students get the chance to teach skills they have mastered to others. We believe in an “open door” policy for families to discuss ideas and share knowledge with the staff, and encourage dialogue between families. Our warm and caring climate welcomes parents with opportunities to visit each other on the chairs in the hallways, picnic tables outside our school where parents and students can chat, as well as our always popular “Back To School BBQ” where our community comes together to set the positive tone for the year.
And our love and support of each other
At Ellison, we have caring students who help one another and contribute to our school and community in a positive way. We have improved our parking lot to help students be safe, and we even have staff members who give out stickers to those students who use the crosswalks.
Our “Walking School Bus” program helps students get to school and home safely each day, as a parent volunteer walks with groups of students who meet at a specified location each day so they can all travel together.
Our Intermediate students serve as lunch monitors in primary classes, office monitors, and peer helpers which promotes empathy and community here at Ellison.
Ellison Elementary is a safe, caring, respectful and responsible learning community. This reflects the values and beliefs held by students, staff, and parents. Ellison Elementary School has a population of 350 students in grades K-7, and includes an Aboriginal community of over 60 students. Almost all of our Aboriginal students live within the urban area surrounding the school. We are proud to work together with a dedicated staff of over 40 (teachers and support staff) who care deeply for our students and their families with an understanding of the diverse needs of our community.
Our staff encourage parent helpers in classrooms and around the school in various capacities which brings our community closer. Once each term we host “Fireside Chats” where parents have a meal together and learn about ways to support students. We often feature a guest speaker, who is an expert in their field, to teach our community and answer questions they have about helping their children learn.
We are located near the Fulton Wetlands, a natural environment that is used regularly by most grade levels to help their students experience the nature and place-based learning.
Our Mission Statement is to foster a caring and innovative community, which encourages kindness and supports all learners to be the best that they can be.
Our Belief System that Ellison Eagles SOAR to “Be the Best that they can Be, reinforces our school goals.
S – Safety – a safe and healthy lifestyle
O – Cooperation – a collaborative approach to learning
A – Achievement – promoting academic excellence
R – Respect and Responsibility – empathy, compassion and life long learning
We foster a caring community that provides opportunities in all areas to promote growth. Students at Ellison take ownership of their learning. They are supported through open dialogue, individualized learning opportunities, and security knowing that we are all part of one learning community.
1. Promoting and supporting a healthy lifestyle by;
The milk program
Fruit and vegetable program
Breakfast club
Snack and lunch program
Daily physical exercise
Extra curricular activities
Outdoor play
Variety of field trips
The staff at Ellison believe in promoting a healthy lifestyle. Students are welcome to breakfast every morning which serves approximately 60 to 80 children each morning. Morning snack is provided for about 150 students each day. We provide lunch for approximately 45 students on a regular basis.
We are supported with a dedicated PAC Executive and many hardworking and committed parents. We are generously supported by community associations and service organizations.
2. Students are surrounded with a safe and caring environment where they are developing within learner-centered classrooms.
We see growth in Literacy and Numeracy which are supported by many different learning experiences.
Daily 5
Reading intervention
1 to 1 reading
After school reading program
Guiding teaching practice from phonological awareness and reading assessments
Differentiated instruction in reading and numeracy
Community volunteers reading with students
Buddy reading
Guided reading
Early interventions for high-risk readers
Small reading group blitzes
Team teaching
Chess club
Knitting club
Individual, small group and large group reading
Educational forums for parents on reading and numeracy skills and strategies
3. We use relevant data to guide our instruction while focusing on the social-emotional and intellectual well-being of everyone in our community.
Our Kindergarten team has been using a team teaching approach which allows for more interaction between teacher and student, ensuring that more students will be engaged with a focus on individual growth academically, emotionally, and socially.
We utilize small group reading instruction, project based learning, and support the development of educated citizens with 21st century skills.
One of our school goals is to improve reading so we surround students with books. Throughout the day there are opportunities to enjoy stories and practice the learned reading strategies. Our classes participate in Reading Blitzes daily, where staff work with small groups targeting specific reading strategies as well as Literacy interventions with the classrooms.
We are fortunate at Ellison to have a dedicated and hard-working group of volunteers for our Reading Together tutor program. Adults work with our students to help develop reading skills each day. We also host the After School Reading Program, Summer Reading, and we have one of SD #22 Reading Intervention Teachers working on a Reading Intervention model with several students.
Many of our Primary classes utilize “Daily 5” in the classroom, including listening stations for reading, reading to self, and reading to others.
Ellison also hosts “Fireside Chats” so parents and staff can break bread together with a dinner and a guest speaker who presents strategies that can be used at home to help students in all areas of learning.
Whole school gatherings
Whole school assemblies provide opportunities to develop a positive school culture where students learn intellectual, social, and emotional skills that they need to develop in order to engage in deeper understanding and life-long learning. Our staff takes time to build strong relationships with all students and their families, as they collaborate together to improve student success.
Staff all believe in using positive reinforcement to teach self-regulation and respectful behaviours.
Collaboration/Professionalism/Dedication/Positive Reinforcement and Modelling
We continue to develop capacity in our staff through collaboration and Professional Development with the new curriculum. Our staff participates in continuous analysis of our school data in order to plan for the ever-changing needs of our school community.
We will reinforce the behaviours and expectations set out in our Ellison Eagles S.O.A.R.S. Matrix, and use formative assessments to guide instruction in order to help students achieve their best!
Team Teaching
Differentiated/Small Group instruction
Incorporating First People’s Principles of Learning
Ellison students work with Aboriginal teachers and elders to better understand First Peoples Principles of Learning in context. Students read leveled Aboriginal stories from Strong Nations Publishing, and our Kindergarten classes have First Nation play centres to teach about Aboriginal culture. Two of our staff members have also participated in the SD #22 Cultural Safety Professional Development Day sessions to deepen understanding of First Nation views and how to incorporate them into our classrooms and school.
Our staff responds to the individual needs of our unique students and differentiates instruction to meet those needs. We use relevant data to guide our instruction while focusing on the social-emotional and intellectual well-being of everyone in our community.
Our Kindergarten team has been using a team teaching approach which allows for more interaction between teacher and student, ensuring that more students will be engaged with a focus on individual growth academically, emotionally, and socially.
We utilize small group reading instruction, project based learning, and support the development of educated citizens with 21st century skills.
We have monthly Aboriginal displays created by our students, and we embrace and honor Mother Earth.
Our school is located in a unique place in our city where students get to enjoy the wetlands and experience nature to augment and enhance learning.
Students have the chance to go on numerous nature walks to interact with their environment. For example, our Kindergarten class adopts the Oak tree in our school yard. The kids name the tree “Oakley” and learn about the cycle of nature by observing Oakley’s changes throughout the seasons while using their senses to understand Oakley’s differences at various times of the year.
Love of technology
Our students used coding to program lego robots and create specific movements that followed a plan.
We love play-based learning
Field trips that provide new opportunities
Some of our student learning happens out of the classroom. The rock-climbing wall is a fun and engaging activity our grade 7 students get to do at Eagle Bay Outdoor School.
Our students have the chance to go on many field trips throughout the year to learn in a hands on way.
We will continue to use consistently gathered data to guide our teaching practice so we may continue to focus on specific areas in Literacy and Numeracy that require more guided instruction.
We will continue to encourage, invite, and celebrate:
Our strong community support
Our athletes
Our Intermediate students participate in track and field in the Spring where they learn about various sports and skills.
Students also learn about bike safety and exercising for a healthy lifestyle.
Our musicians
All of our students have the opportunity to develop a love for the arts through drama, dance, and music. Our Music program brings our school together for performances, choir, and at our Winter or Spring Concerts. We also host a talent show so kids can demonstrate their excellence in various ways.
Our love of nature and play
Our love of reading
Our love of writing and numeracy
Our love of building and creating
Giant Jenga teaches students about spatial awareness, problem solving, teamwork and gravity! It is also a great way to have fun on a rainy recess day.
Our love of teaching and learning
Our students get the chance to teach skills they have mastered to others. We believe in an “open door” policy for families to discuss ideas and share knowledge with the staff, and encourage dialogue between families. Our warm and caring climate welcomes parents with opportunities to visit each other on the chairs in the hallways, picnic tables outside our school where parents and students can chat, as well as our always popular “Back To School BBQ” where our community comes together to set the positive tone for the year.
And our love and support of each other
At Ellison, we have caring students who help one another and contribute to our school and community in a positive way. We have improved our parking lot to help students be safe, and we even have staff members who give out stickers to those students who use the crosswalks.
Our “Walking School Bus” program helps students get to school and home safely each day, as a parent volunteer walks with groups of students who meet at a specified location each day so they can all travel together.
Our Intermediate students serve as lunch monitors in primary classes, office monitors, and peer helpers which promotes empathy and community here at Ellison.
Checking
First Year With New Goals
At Ellison, we care for others
At Ellison, we celebrate our learning
Checking
First Year With New Goals
2018-2019 is the first year that Alexis Park has its current inquiry questions. We are not yet at the checking phase. Although we are continuously tracking data throughout the year, our true checking phase will start in June 2019.
At Ellison, we care for others
Our staff and students are continually building a positive climate and to support the social and emotional development and well-being of everyone at our school.
At Ellison, we celebrate our learning
Students are encouraged to reflect on their growth and development, and to set goals that they work towards and achieve through hard work, support, and perseverance.
Scanning
At Ellison, we love literacy.
At Ellison, our staff collaborates.
At Ellison, we respect Aboriginal knowledge.
Scanning
At Ellison, we love literacy.
One of our school goals is to improve reading so we surround students with books. Throughout the day there are opportunities to enjoy stories and practice the learned reading strategies. Our classes participate in Reading Blitzes daily, where staff work with small groups targeting reading strategies as well as Literacy interventions with the classrooms.
At Ellison, our staff collaborates.
We have a dedicated and caring staff who works together to improve student success. Staff meetings, collaboration blocks, and staff learning sessions allow for conversation and strategizing to meet the needs of our individual students.
At Ellison, we respect Aboriginal knowledge.
Ellison students work with Aboriginal teachers and elders to better understand First Peoples Principles of Learning in context. Students read leveled Aboriginal stories from Strong Nations Publishing, and our Kindergarten classes have First Nation play centres to teach about Aboriginal culture.
We are excited that our grade 2/3 class is piloting The Story Of Our Ways.
Focusing
At Ellison, we are problem solvers.
At Ellison, we learn like Scientists.
At Ellison, we are student centered.
Focusing
At Ellison, we are problem solvers.
At Ellison, we learn like Scientists.
At Ellison, we are student centered.
Our students often get one on one attention and hands on instruction in reading and math strategies to help them decode, problem solve, and develop habits that will improve comprehension and learning.
Developing a Hunch
At Ellison, we think critically and creatively.
At Ellison, we involve our Community in learning.
At Ellison, we work to be well-rounded
Developing a Hunch
At Ellison, we think critically and creatively.
Students learn about their strengths and challenges and have the opportunity to grow and develop at their own pace.
Ellison Elementary Staff has decided to continue a focus on improving students’ reading, using BC Performance Standards, WCRA data, Assessment For Learning practices and teacher observations to guide their conversations about where and how to focus instruction.
At Ellison, we involve our Community in learning.
We also invite guests into our classes to give students authentic learning experiences.
At Ellison, we work to be well-rounded
Our Primary staff utilizes various assessments throughout the year to check in about student learning in literacy, and we have reading buddies and tutors to supplement reading skills and strategies. Our students also get to use technology to develop well rounded skills as learners.
Learning
At Ellison, we learn in different ways.
At Ellison, we are curious about the world
At Ellison, we have diverse experiences
Learning
At Ellison, we learn in different ways.
We also get to experience nature on field trips and learn how to take care of the world we live in.
At Ellison, we are curious about the world
Our staff recognize and agree that a school wide focus on behavior and positive problem solving will have an important impact on the culture of the school as well as our student’s ability to apply these skills in daily situations in and out of the classroom.
At Ellison, we have diverse experiences
Our staff is continuing to build a positive climate and to support the social and emotional development and well-being of our students.
By participating in “Orange Shirt Day” we make strides in healing and understanding how decisions from the past affect our interactions today.
Taking Action
At Ellison, we use technology
At Ellison, we are always trying to improve.
At Ellison, we rise to challenges.
Taking Action
At Ellison, we use technology
Our students used coding to program lego robots and create specific movements that followed a plan.
At Ellison, we are always trying to improve.
We allow students to explore their world.
At Ellison, we rise to challenges.
Students have the opportunity to set goals and reach for them through challenging work and activities. In the picture below, our staff engages students in a provocation to enhance their writing dressed as a character from the Magic Tree House while combining math number sense using playing cards.