It’s another student success story — this time from a Port Elgin school.
St. Joseph’s Elementary is being recognized by the Bruce Grey Catholic School Board for a dramatic turn around in literacy scores.
In the last year, Grade 3 and 6 students increased their reading scores by 30 per cent and writing by 20 per cent.
This puts the school’s literacy marks well above the provincial average.
St. Joseph Principal Valeeta Walsh says it took a real team effort from staff and students.
Walsh says the keys to success were belief, focus and collaboration.
She says they boosted student confidence by constantly reaffirming staff’s belief in each students ability made an incredible impact.
Walsh says a heavier focus was placed on teaching and data analysis to identify the gaps — and they created new strategies to address those areas of weakness.
And struggling students received small group instruction with tailored made lessons that appealed to their interests such as sports.
Teacher Natalka Pucan says it was about getting to know the students, building a personal relationship with them and honouring their strengths while building upon their weakness.
Students were assessed every 4 to 6 weeks, the data would be analyzed and new strategies would be developed.
St. Joseph School now serves as a model to other schools struggling to boost their literacy scores.
