What have we learned…. Our strengths.

We have many strengths as a Learning Community:

• The parent community is committed to supporting our school & learning initiatives .
• The Learning Community has a voice and input into the Common Purpose and school  governance.
• A large selection of programs and choices for students.
• Broad learning and counselling support system for all students.
• Students feel safe and find a place for themselves in the community.
• Students see themselves as members of the Learning Community and contribute to our school culture through their service, leadership capacity and ambassador skills.
• Many of our students are successful through awards in languages, fine arts, applied skills, mathematics, athletics, contests, performances, etc.).
• Staff see themselves as Learners and as Team Members.
• Our staff are passionate about teaching and learning.
• Our staff believes that everyone can learn –”Common Learning Beliefs”.
• Our staff focus is on “Student Achievement for All Students”.
• We are recognized for a strong academic program with a graduation rate of 90% in June 2011.  Our graduation rate ranges from 89% to 91% each year.

What have we learned… About how we learn?

We have some staff, students, and parents who are process oriented and some who are product oriented.

* In other words, some of us like these discussions and are content with the speed of this process, whereas others feel that we’ve talked enough and want to get to the actions now.  It’s a good thing we have both on staff!  It’s not wrong to be one or the other.  What’s important is that we’re patient with the process and that we recognize that our efforts to build and implement this vision will be seen in small successes over the next 5 years.

What have we learned… About the Journey?

• We all want to be a part of a success story, but we all have different ideas about how to create “our success story”. …..so, we need to continue to share, review and celebrate our progress on the Themes and Focus Groups.
• We are getting closer.  We now know what is important to us in developing our students.  Over the last 3 years we have defined what is important to address learning and different types of learners, as well as, take on the challenges to improve school structures and programs.

What have we learned… About the “Work in Progress”?

• Our Common Purpose is a “work in progress”.  
• We must come back to it over and over again. 
• We must communicate and share our work.
• Revisit our decisions and documents we have created.
• We must incorporate it into what we do in our daily practice, our “Best Practice.”
• We must re-evaluate our Common Purpose every 4 or 5 years to ensure that these are the directions that the Learning Community still value. 
• Our world will continue to change, and parts of our common purpose and PMSS Graduate Profile for our students may need to change with it…..in order to meet the needs of our 21st Century Learners.

What have we learned… About Ourselves?

• You do so much for kids……you have them in the forefront in your teaching.
• You work long hours…….you are committed to your craft.
• You do “improv” when we would all rather have a finely rehearsed performance …….you are good at being flexible.
• You work in a system that has a multitude of demands on you as an educator…….you can multi-task, prioritize and go with your gut.
• You get tired……..but you get charged up by working with learners.
• You like food, especially doughnuts!  Although “healthy foods” are becoming in vogue!
• You accept the challenge to find ways for all students to learn, especially “struggling learners”.  You take the time to find out what makes them tick…….you are a caring professional.
• You wouldn’t have chose this profession if you didn’t see it as being purposeful ……..you know that you make a difference for each learner.
• As challenging as things sometimes seem in this profession, you remain hopeful because you see wonderful changes in students as they grow. Into themselves.  Is this why we all come back year after year?
• We make mistakes.  We regroup.  We make adjustments.  We move forward.
• This is new process for us…thanks for being patient and working together.