People for Education Conference 2012

1. School as the Heart of the
Community
George Webster
A Model School for Inner Cities

2. George Webster ES
“Achieving together to
build a better world.”

3. School Overview
• Approximately 550 students
• More than 30 different language groups
• 70 percent of students born in Canada
• English is the language spoken in 47 percent
of George Webster homes
• Majority of families living in poverty
• 79 on Toronto District School Board (TDSB)
Learning Opportunities Index
• Currently K-5 but growing K-8

4. Model Schools for Inner Cities
Five Essential Components
1. Innovation in Teaching/Learning and in School
Structure
2. Support Services To Meet The Social,
Emotional and Physical Well Being of Students
3. School As The Heart Of The Community
4. Research, Review and Evaluation of Students
and Programs
5. Commitment To Share Successful Practice

5. Innovation in Teaching and
Learning
“In a culturally responsive
classroom, effective
teaching and learning
occur in a culturally
supported, learner-
centered context,
whereby the strengths
students bring to school
are identified,
nurtured, and utilized
to promote student
achievement.”
http://www.nccrest.org/Briefs/Diversity_
Brief.pdf

6. Support Services to meet the
Social, Emotional and Physical
Well-being of Students
 PFLCs– 18 month check-up
 Healthy Child Screening
 Healthy and nutritious food
 Harnessing local resources
 Partnerships with CDI, EYET, TPH
 Opportunities for enhanced learning and
recreational experiences
 The establishment of Pediatric Clinics in our
schools

7. School as the Heart of the
Community
Joyce Epstein’s Six Types of Involvement
• Parenting
• Communicating
• Volunteering
• Learning at Home
• Decision Making
• Collaborating with the Community

8. Learning as We Go/Grow:
How Do We Know What’s Working?
Research
Tracking of Achievement School Engagement Social, emotional Family Background/
Data
Absenteeism Well-being and
CAT 4,EQAO,Report
Tardiness Resiliency- Grade 5
Experiences
Card, DRA, CASI,
Special Ed, Etc Suspension Survey, EDI 2008 Parent Census
Health School Community School Perceptions External Reviews by
Process Data And Culture
Vision and Hearing Staff surveys Student, Staff and
Visiting Consultants
Screening On-line surveys Parent Surveys
External Research Overall Tracking of
OISE Model School Summer School
York University Team Surveys Students

9. A Typical Week at GW
TOP 10 REASONS TO COME TO GW THIS WEEK...
1. Adult ESL [Collaborating]
2. The Gender Respect Project – English/Cantonese/Bengali
[Parenting]
3. Tour our Danish Visitors [Volunteering]
4. School Council And Action Team for Partnerships [Decision
Making/Communicating]
5. Play Leaders [Volunteering]
6. Visit the Clinic for Flu Shots [Collaborating]
7. CPAC Meeting [Decision Making/Collaborating]
8. Visit the Parenting Centre [Parenting/Collaborating/Learning at
Home]
9. Visit the Parent Resource Drop-In Centre
[Parenting/Collaborating]
10. Morning Meal Program and Lunch Program [Volunteering]
Coming up soon...
Diwali Tea with Principal [Communicating]

10. Parent Workshops
[Parenting]

11. Parents Share Information with
the School
[Communicating]
Through “Tea with the
Principal,” Faith
Celebrations, and
Community Walks,
groups of parents
have provided
information about
their home culture,
faith celebrations, and
aspects of our local
community.

12. Volunteer Training
[Volunteering]

13. Supporting the Social, Emotional,
and Physical Needs of Children
[Volunteering]

14. Open Houses/Muffin Mornings
[Learning at Home]

15. School Council and
Action Team for Partnerships
[Decision Making]

16. Parent Academy
[Decision Making/Collaborating]

17. Community Partners Get Involved
[Collaborating with Community]

18. Everyone Learns at George Webster
[Collaborating with Community]