Building Collective Efficacy: What process did your school take in developing your School Growth Plan?
VSS took the 2022-2023 school year to research and analyze data to determine what our school goals would be. Parents, students and staff were involved in this process. We also did a needs/wants activity to get a better understanding of what we want VSS to encompass.
Evidence-Informed: What data is driving your goal(s)?
Data was collected from: Learning Survey, Literacy and Numeracy Assessments, Youth Development Instrument, and "How are we Doing?" data
Student Success
keyboard_arrow_downStudent Success To provide many pathways for all students to pursue and achieve desired outcomes.
Strategic Plan Goal(s):
District Strategic Plan
- Close the Achievement Gap
- Improve Middle Years Grade Success and Transitions to Secondary
- Ensure all students have a 3 year grad plan
- Support student wellness and improve student voice and choice
- Ensure all students graduate with an understanding of Truth and Reconciliation
- Ensure all schools are welcoming places to learn and work
- Empower students to support climate action and have a positive impact on the environment
- Improve literacy and numeracy
- Increase percentage of post-secondary transitions.
Actions: What will we do to support all learners?
• Regular grade 8 and 9 teacher meetings to implement strategies for success Common study skill strategies for our junior classes • Credit recovery teacher for our Indigenous students • TV in Commons highlighting students achievements • Library & computer orientation for grade 8’s in September • Middle Year Advisors for semester one in both grade 8 and 9 classes • Weekly ISW/Admin meetings to discuss students • All students have completed a 3 year grad plan on myBlueprint • Displays of student work throughout the school • Newsletters highlighting student achievements • Staff focused wellness committee • Active Student Voice committee • Active SOGI Group • Variety of Indigenous courses offered for students in grades 10-12 • New "Sustainable Futures 12" course offered • Self reflections and goal setting completed by all students • Scholarship information sessions for grade 12 students and families • Career Programs Parent Information Night • Academy Showcase Evening • Students enrolled in Dual Credit Programs and trade programs • Connection Program offering Adult Graduation • School clubs to engage students and allow for success in various ways • Summits program involving students in coffee cart purchases and recycling program • Vocations program available to meet student’s needs • Winter Orientation for our Grade 7 Feeder schools • Updated Attendance Policy March 2024 • Support for ELL students
Reflections & Results:
• Grade 8/9 teacher meetings are bringing teachers together with like minded goals for these students and showing an increase in organizational skills, literacy/numeracy skills and executive functioning. Teachers have reported that students have more focus in class and behaviors have improved. It has also promoted cohesiveness amongst our middle year teachers. • We have worked on improving showcasing of student works throughout the school with a new hanging system in our main hallway displaying student artwork and also showcasing student work on our TV in the commons • More follow up needed on unexcused absences • New no cell phone policy is going well but as a school we need to stay focused on this so that it doesn’t become an issue again.
Next Steps:
• Revamping June Orientation of our grade 7 students to make it more meaningful for all • Continue with our middle years’ advisor for 2025-2026 • More follow up needed on unexcused absences • New no cell phone policy is going well but as a school we need to stay focused on this
Leadership Excellence
keyboard_arrow_downTo empower all staff to contribute to organizational excellence in the service of student success.
Strategic Plan Goal(s):
District Strategic Plan
Actions: What will we do to support all learners?
• Discretionary staffing proposals • Mentorship programs • Residencies • Extra-Curricular activities for our programs such as Shakespeare Festival and Vertigo Art Gallery Exhibition • Increase in staff functions • Numerous athletic teams and clubs • Recognizing positive contributions of staff at monthly staff meetings • Sharing out celebrations of success by staff members at staff meetings • Funding assigned to help with teacher collaboration opportunities • Active and positive pro d committee • Presentations by district leaders to staff on various district initiatives • Supporting Professional Development opportunities for teachers • Friday staff lunch games to create opportunity for relationship building • Increase in chrome books • Staff wellness pickleball event and dinner January 2025 • Use of student assessments and surveys to form decisions for VSS • CHIMO week and fun activities at lunch organized by staff
Reflections & Results:
• More multi-cultured activities to build engagement and awareness • Large group professional development activities bring more involvement from staff • Student involvement in staff meetings emphasizes student leadership • More technology is still needed • District Professional Development is too elementary based • Professional development committee is improving and has more participation
Next Steps:
• Improve visibility of board of trustees and superintendent within our schools • More general district leader meetings needed to encompass more subject areas
Community Connections
keyboard_arrow_downTo build strong relationships amongst all community members in the service of student success.
Strategic Plan Goal(s):
District Strategic Plan
- Commit to the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action
- Fulfill our public responsibility to Indigenous communities
- Commit to the BC Human Rights Code - an environment free of racism, biases, and all forms of discrimination
Actions: What will we do to support all learners?
• 31 Community Coaches for our sport teams • Great parent participation in both our PAC and Grad Committees • Connection students helping out in our community in various ways • Art students participating in Vertigo Art Gallery show • Students worked with Caravan theatre to do a walking tour with classes and learn about the Scempec people • Collaborating with Okanagan Learning Foundation for Food for Thought • Foods classrooms participating in Spuds in Tubs and planting daffodils around the school • Focusing on Indigenous Education and participating in field trips to Komasket, Kamloops Residential School, and Sncewips Heritage Museum • Social Justice class having projects encouraging students to work with the community such as with transition house and Upper Room Mission as well as food drives to help our community • Guest Speakers in classes • Whole school assembly on Anti-Racism and SOGI • Whole school pancake breakfast made by staff • Summits students making dog cookies that are sold throughout the community • Bottle drives • Hosting sport tournaments • Community sponsorships • Post secondary visits • District chess tournament • District Project Scholarships • Terry Fox Run/Fundraiser • Academies/Dual Credit Courses • Composting program • Drama performances open to public • Band Concerts to include our feeder schools • Local artwork displayed throughout the school • Teaching students on walking field trips to respect and interact with the environment
Reflections & Results:
• Guest speakers bring a new voice to the subject area and allow students to see things from different perspectives • Educators are unclear on how to get Indigenous Elders into classrooms and cost can be a barrier • Land acknowledgements are a regular and accepted occurrence at gatherings
Next Steps:
• More funding to help with Indigenous speakers coming into our schools • Share resources to better support people with organizing activities both within school and district • Neighborhood clean up incentives