Edgehill has heart It’s easy to tell that relationships are important to students and staff at Edgehill Elementary School. “Our school motto says: We take care of ourselves, we take care of others and we take care of our place,” says Grade 2-3 teacher Shelly Carson. “This is my second home,” says Grade 1 teacher Mary Payne. “It’s like we’re one big family.” Shelly and Kindergarten teacher Tina Crookshank agree. “It’s the relationships that make our school so special,” says Tina. Most of Edgehill’s staff have been there for many years. They’ve taught the sisters and brothers of the students they are now teaching. “We don’t just deal with the kids in our classroom. We get to know the whole family,” says Shelly. They know that sharing meals brings people closer, which is why Edgehill does pancake day, a kindness soup day (that has each child add a
Kindergarten Education Experts When asked what makes Edgehill such a special school this is what they said:
“Giving people hugs.” - Kaia James “Saying kind words.” - Liam Robbins “Love.” - Talitha Hamilton “Playing with friends.” - Sarah-Ann Watmough
handful of vegetables to the pot on pink shirt day) as well as a spaghetti lunch in April. Because family is important at Edgehill, many parents and siblings spend time each morning reading and helping the little ones get settled. “We firmly believe that readers are made in the laps of their parents,” said Mary. Relationships with teachers continue after students move to higher grades. When the bell rings and the last of the Kindergarten students leave, two older students come bouncing into the Kindergarten classroom. “We’re here to feed the guinea pigs and hang out,” they announce. The staff is committed to providing as many extra-curricular opportunities as possible. They offer after-school floor hockey, cross country
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• april 2016 • prliving.ca
running groups, interschool sports teams, and they even have a rock band. Older students set up the big equipment in the gym once a week for the primary students to play on. “We work together so there is a continuum of learning here and we can do that because there is a collaboration of staff,” said Mary. Not only is that continuum of learning carried from grade to grade but it is taken outdoors. “We’re starting the process of building a new outdoor learning classroom,” said Tina. “It’s still in the early stages but we are working with the School District and volunteers to create a nature classroom.” Edgehill will apply for a “wild school” designation which means it will receive resources from Wild BC to integrate into their new curriculum. Mary is proud of how they focus on increasing cultural awareness and diversity at Edgehill. “We hold Chinese New Year celebrations and Dr. Vidushi Melrose came to talk us about Diwali, (the Hindu Festival of Lights).” As well, the new curriculum includes more of a First Nations focus, which will enable teachers to incorporate more of the First People’s Principles of Learning into their teachings. Action breaks help keep students focused on their learning, Shelly explains. Most of our classes are engaged in daily action breaks and follow the Mind-Up curriculum. This is all part of dealing with the whole child. “We’re dealing with their social and emotional needs as well as their academic needs,” she explains. Edgehill honors and values music as an integral part of every child’s school experience. Caring for themselves and each other is important at Edgehill. “We are a vibrant community of learners, teachers, educational assistants, and a supportive group of parents who work together to establish a strong sense of community, where every child succeeds,” says Principal Tawnie Gaudreau.
THE RIPPERS: One of the coolest additions to Edgehill is a bike club called the Edgehill Rippers. Named after the Edgehill Rip, one of the trails behind the school, the club has students, staff and parents all come out for weekly mountain bike rides. “Many of our staff came out for our last mountain bike ride and most come out weekly,” said Shelly Carson, who teaches Grade 2-3. The Rippers is all about getting kids active. “We’ve had up to 45 kids at a time,” she added.
SWEETHEARTS: On Pink Shirt Day (Kindness Day) in February, Kindergarten students made cards and love notes for residents of Willingdon Creek.
Want to learn more? Contact us. School District #47 4351 Ontario Ave 604 485-6271
www.sd47.bc.ca