2020-2021 School Year
The focus of the 2020-2021 was to provide a safe and engaging learning environment for all students and staff at Bankhead Elementary School. The year challenged the school community to be flexible and adapt to the many changes that occurred throughout the year due to COVID-19. There was also a focus on Indigenous learning and ways of knowing through inquiry projects and making connections to the Four Food Chiefs. The use of Growth Based Assessment, Communicating Student Learning, and Reporting continued to be part of the focus during the 2020-2021 school year.
The Bankhead Social Emotional Learning (SEL) team was instrumental in helping students, staff, and parents work through the many challenges that this year posed. Members of the team worked alongside teachers to co-plan and co-teach lessons, worked with small groups of students on different needs, supported individual students, and supported the social emotional needs of staff and parents.
On Implementation Day in early October, we had an opportunity to learn from the land, working with members of the district Collaborative Learning Support (CLS) team. The morning focused on exploring the land near the school at Redlich pond. The staff learned how to identify Indigenous plants and make connections to the curricular areas they teach. The afternoon focused on connecting to Indigenous literature through the process of metisage. The final weaving is proudly displayed in the entrance of our school.
During the year, there were various inquiry projects occurring in classrooms throughout the school. An example of an inquiry at BHE was a year-long inquiry in a grade 4 classroom. Two members of the district CLS team worked alongside the classroom teacher and students through this journey. The class started the year in September with the question "How might we make the world a better place?" They reflected on "What does it mean to be kind to others, ourselves, and the world?" Through these questions and regular walks to Redlich Pond they learned more about themselves, each other, and the environment. They visited Redlich Pond throughout the year and experienced the beauty and complexity of the pond in different seasons. As part of the culminating activity, they created a website: https://www.weloveredlich.com/
During our staff meetings, there was a continued and collaborative focus on using Growth Based Assessment and Communicating Student Learning. The staff and students were in the third year of using growth-based assessment and are confidently using it to communicate with each other and parents.
The school community is applauded for persevering together through an uncertain school year. The students, staff, and parents all did their part to create a safe, flexible, and engaging environment for all learners at Bankhead.