McGirr Elementary SD#68 Nanaimo-Ladysmith

I. General Information

School Name: McGirr Elementary

School District: SD#68 Nanaimo-Ladysmith

Inquiry Team Members:
Kim Dawson kdawson@sd68.bc.ca
E-J Boyd
Michele Kraft
Laurel Lovstad
Tanya Peace
Leah Paziuk
Jeff Schultz
Kris McDonald
Bob Brooks
Andrea Doak
Tamara Mark
Carla Nickel

Inquiry Team Contact Email: kdawson@sd68.bc.ca

II. Inquiry Project Information

Type of Inquiry: NOIIE Case Study

Grade Levels Addressed Through Inquiry: Primary (K-3), Intermediate (4-7)

Curricular Areas Addressed: Other: SEL

Focus Addressed: Social and emotional learning

In one sentence, what was your focus for the year? How can we ensure that we all (students and staff) have a sense of belonging?

III. Spirals of Inquiry Details

Scanning: We had a hunch that all of our students and staff did not have a sense of belonging. This was confirmed when approximately 30% of our students could not identify 2 adults that believe they will be successful in life. We also found that approximately 5% of our students did not feel that they are given the opportunity to express their thinking. Most of our students had difficulties connecting what they were learning with the core competences. We understand how learning is holistic, reflexive, experimental, and relational. Our findings showed we needed to seek knowledge, explore options and take action to ensure all our students feel supported and have a sense of belonging.

Focus: Our school has grown steadily over the past years, welcoming learners from all over the world. We have over 20 languages spoken at our school. Engaging in a group inquiry, we hoped that our students would experience more joy, which would hopefully lead to feeling accepted, valued, and a sense of belonging.

Hunch: The steady growth of population, our Indigenous students and the high number of languages spoken, made us think that not all our students could feel connected and a sense of belonging,

New Professional Learning:
“Ensouling our Schools” Jennifer Katz – Together we read and discussed the text. An in-depth discussion of Universal Design for Learning, mental health and well-being, reconciliation and Indigenous perspectives were explored. School-based professional development days were designed: SEL a school-wide approach and SEL through the arts.

Taking Action:
Activities to ignite joy:
– Creating assignments that allow for different forms of student expression
– SEL learning programs supported throughout the school (open parachute)
– Nature Mandala: school-wide project inspired by the Coast Salish Spindle Whorl
– Personal “Joy” project and joy parade
– Joyful learning stations

Checking: A survey was conducted in the fall and spring. The data has shown moderate growth towards feeling a sense of belonging and more of our students expressed having two adults in the school who believe they will be successful. Staff have offered many joyful opportunities which have positively influenced our students and staff. We are definitely on a positive path and we look forward to continuing with this inquiry over the next 2024/25 school year.

Reflections/Advice: We quickly realized that this inquiry needs to continue next school year. We hope to take our nature mandala project into the community. An art installation at our local beach is our dream and vision. This would help connect our school community to our neighbourhood and our local Snaw naw as community. Conversation with the city has begun. By continuing to build community through joyful experiences, we hope to enrich the lives of our students, staff and families.