From the Principal’s Desk
 Fall 2009
From the Principal’s Desk
EQAO: It is what’s behind the numbers that count!
As a principal I have the wonderful advantage of seeing the big picture in relation to what is happening in the school, both this year and over time. Every year we wait with great anticipation to find out what our EQAO results will be for our Grade Three and Grade Six students from the previous year. We know it is just one assessment of many that take place during the year. EQAO is a snapshot of student achievement during those two weeks in May. However, EQAO results are taken very seriously by our board and by the Ministry of Education. We have much to learn from the data. Data always helps us to drive our instruction.
In a small school sometimes one student can represent as much as 4%. That is true in the case of our Grade Three’s from last year. We are inclusive in our school by nature. The only students that we do not have write the test are the ones that we feel are not emotionally able to cope with writing the test due to their challenges. I am very happy to report that our results this year mirror what is happening on a day to day basis.
(Results below indicate the percentage of students that are achieving a Level 3 or greater.)
Grade Three Grade Six
Reading 88% Reading 81%
Writing 88% Writing 81%
Math 83% Math 84%
There are many other indicators in addition to EQAO that tell me as an administrator how well the school is functioning. Some of these indicators are:
- quality of work displayed in the classrooms, performance on board assessments
- frequency and type of behaviour related to visits to the office
- teacher planning within divisions and in individual classrooms,
Student time on task
- Effectiveness of our accommodations and modifications
- quality of relationships between students
- quality of relationship between students and teachers
- quality of relationships between adults in the building
- quality of relationships between administration and staff
- communication between teachers, parents and administration
- report card results
- volunteer involvement within the school
- observable laughter and smiles within the building.
I am thrilled to say that all indicators tell us that we are a school that is making a difference for students. It is a school where everyone is valued and supported. We are teaching students that fair doesn’t always mean the same in the classroom setting. We try to provide students with what they need to be successful.
We are also happy to announce that Beavercrest has been featured as a School on the Move: Lighthouse Program by the Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat which is a division of the Ministry of Education. It is a huge recognition of our efforts to reduce gaps in student achievement, improve public confidence in public education and to promote high levels of student achievement. Our profile can be found at http://www.curriculum.org/LNS/schoolsonthemove/index.shtml
Despite all of the challenges our community has recently had to face we can look to our students as a sign of hope. They are the phoenix rising up and over obstacles to show us anything is possible if we maintain our focus on student achievement and work together to make it happen.
As usual, we are looking for new volunteers to become part of our learning community at Beavercrest. If you can spare a few hours a week please contact the school. Volunteers do make a difference in our school. Thank you to everyone.
Leigh Morris
Principal
Beavercrest Community School
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