boc ‘gults," hb =e ASNoy D7 ind 11/1004, 1:53:57 PM “Reading . Writing . “Numeracy” Reading Writing. Numeracy. Writing, Coast ‘designed. 10 give . a “parents Vand the ministry. with:an’ ‘indication, od of. how well students: are. Mastering... oar basic skills. ot “sm “Theyre designed | to provide. eve a ‘érybody associated. with. the system. “os witha Snapshot. view of. where ‘our ~.- kids are, in.relation. to ‘provincial 7 standards,” assistant superi tendent a Rob Gréenwood: says. school: districis, “schools, ° For’ instance, the “FSAS piovid an school ‘districts with a-baseline to”, _ ‘compare. ‘student improvement over . os time. 02. 0: 4 . Since 1999/2000, vs ‘been piven °per. cent in: writing, ; ** “ahd 88'per cent meet RUMeracy’ BX, cov results. don? t provide a lot of: infor ~-“niation on how. individual, Students : - are faring over. time, “peclations... Cee Sixty-nine per centof Grade stu 7 dents i in the Coast Mountains School. - = District are meeting expectations for °. ve ‘Feading, 81, et cent for writings and | Literacy still job oi “By JENNIFER LANG. - ter, .director’ ‘of : instruction . at” . Sthool: District 82.: "! "They. sée someone: open’ a book ° 7 “ahd. read,” She. says: “It looks easy, ut that) ‘person’ is.Using strategies,” moe done’ around instructional strategies” ‘From «a school-wide. - writing : exercise 19. screening ‘Kindergarten students: for signs of: potential reading ° : trouble, the: district: “is. taking. active. 77 ~ steps toimprove lileracy.and Support a | students. who need more help,” 00": “When. - “trustees: “learne ~~ than one-third “of studenis’ tested: ein a “provincial assessment : weren't meeting: expectations for’ reading — ~~" gomprehenston,: that pronipted- "the. ©. ~ . school board to. champion literacy’ is” “ ‘the: distr ct’s number-one CAUSE. , ky _eomponent ofthe’ district's: untabilily contract. an annual: : 7 p dge to: parents: arid’ the ministry ~ ‘outlining. the district’s goals. i -¥ Literacy : ‘has. emerged. aga, top’. ©). “ptlority” in the so-called “growth - "plans". developed:for: each. school ye "School planning council ae Keer F'And, according to. Foster, A . use for opiimism | beralute: the talk. HEN IT comes. to | the basics of. reading, ‘and “math, ° wa - Mountains ° . "students. aren't showing. any. major: . ‘improvements overall. ; 7 2 Phe: latest Foundation Skills ‘As. , , Sessment results, based on'the, 2003°.. ||. “academic year, show students: heré are faring about the same On the.édu- “ ' Js. “cation ininistry” ’s annual ‘snapshot of . «BE, ‘Students ¢ as. they were five years LS ere ago. We ae > Byen as’ ‘the district takes sleps, to.: address. concerns, about literacy, ICs “hard to. find | anyone who ‘champions : "wide. picture, . ae ‘doesti't.” tell” ‘very Touch,” he. vy vadded,: ‘the. Grade 4-dis-. © still: the: case.” It's ‘isa. “GRADE 7 students at work at Clarence k ichiel Elementary Schoo 80, per’ cent. in iumeracy; which has” ~ shown a constant. improvement over” ~_ the: past five. years,; when it Was just .67 per cent,” ath tee ; _-Province- wide 80 per ‘cent, Of; og: Grade 7s: ‘meeiing “or e ceeding ‘expectations: for,’ "reading comprehension, 90. per cent for writ:.: ing, and 83. per cent in numeracy, - -In the Coast. Mountains: district, “69: ‘percent of Grade-7, Students are ° ‘theeting: or. exceeding. reading. “OR pectations, 80 per ‘cent ‘for. writing, and ‘68 per cent in-numericy... ; = School by school breakdowns; ate “available, as: are- individual, student” -results, which are made available to: parents ‘Upon: ‘re broad assessment ‘categories: — not meeting... Or exceeding expecta: tions, “eoliber groups,’ thal swroti the’ vassessineiit™ in -200:% ‘2001, and again in 2003/04, to’see:. “if-they'ye. improved’ ‘as. they “move.” “through the system, ae Nevertheless, Greenwood bays. he: “believes: the district is.starting to see. ‘some. inetemental, ‘pains, particularly - In numeracy, “But ‘the drawback of the: agscas- merit: is it! doesn’ t explain: Why... . For instance; : _ yesiilts “On adistrict- oh money." lag -teferring:. “tO-ShOW” a small: “The data show we. decline - in: write ‘need to. spend more. e school: district, StI, the BSA to’ one example, verall’ improvement: . But, a8 Grecnsiood points, out, the “Nor: does it show how. many’ stu dents have, shifted’ within the. three" on _ is. being ‘backed up by: action. . iu THEABILITY 10 read is a frustrating . > Inystery toa child who is struggling “49 lear: how, explains Christine. Fost “We're seeing: some realiy: ‘Bood |. * progress ‘this year," " Foster says. “Our: - teachers and principals, are working . _ together.” Foster says there i is a coordinated effort district wide to improve literacy: ” and. treading comprehension,» ». “ SLots-of focused -work ‘is. being’ “ — because that’ 3 the one. e thing We, can. Pye: been a | teacher for 25 years and: this is. : - the first. time I’ve. seer. “this evel of focus. Boe ‘control, ” she says. me ‘Identifying ‘childien’ who. have” fast entered the, school: system: who" ~ may. be at risk of slipping. through ihe ‘educational cracks is just one of the: ways teachers, school principals, and”. district officials. are: working’ together in. order ta pmake a difference, “In” some. - cases, ag: -avith the. *Kindergarieh assessment by teachers; _, “ithe solutions are being developed “in . house’; using’ people.and. fesources ~_ already within the district. eer Bat A Etat etna SN Ae mt ag “Ws relatively” broad ‘but: up-to-date “SI shows”! us ‘some: apparently ° : conflicting things,” , y assioom: = are ‘lore. S "involved, she says. we " studentsinall I2grades “has its uses... ..Forone thing, : information that. helps | build a larger. tools: “And those combined results help: the “cash- -conscious ‘ district ensure: ‘staffing levels are adequate. Jo We’ re _ using data - to. Suppo. * Other ‘literacy ” als — such? as’ “the Gates. McGinitie ‘reading - comprehension, assessment, : oF. the °. -Jerty. Jones diagnostic. assessment,” = which enables teachers who take’ thie * ; the * year=to-4 year. 8 Appear: . “ing. skills ‘in. “the: Coast Mountains“ ; when-considered alongside a hostof: , -, other. data, ‘fiom: test. Scores and: re port card marks, to othe assessment “= of Grade 4 students took. the Jiteracy : ~ exam lasts Spring. ° oO * “Our ‘participation’ rate is pretty. = “high. That's: really good. We have a - sf es large number. of children ‘taking he, ii assesment: oul} . one for schools ‘|. downright stupid. By, having: ‘these ferries built ‘overseas, | ” me “will be paying, a 25: ‘per cent import’ ‘duty. which is'about: |: ©: -] $125. million, a total loss of $200 million. ‘Not to. mention comer > the'workers taxes: arid: contributions’ to the « economy. =o": " teachers and. Lids in ii clasieg’ ” Greeti: : ‘wood dding t ye ps wood says, adding, those combined . “giveaway program :is that the: imporied American CEO™: ..; oy “OF the Terry: corporation,” “Mr. Hahn, ‘will attend a ‘confer- cee : ence ifthe Bahamas (6 promote sales of smaller BC Ferry 0 ‘). Toutes to private biisiness, Makes | you wonder if these-fer-°" “cries will be flying flags of convenience, Perhaps the Prime ; Minister. would: be intérested? me indicators help. the district make. the “case when assigning extra. support to” individual ‘classrooms and Mevising - classroom staffing es “The - data * show,” need to spend more money.” Greenwood and other district'of-'.” ., ficials also look at individual ‘school ° results, which vary widely. a ‘Uplands Elementary ‘in: Teinive: a ie . for instance, routinely scores. high , on the FSA: . co, The: latest’ results, show: 92 per | -centof. Grade 4s-and 88 per cent-of-—-} _ Grade: 7s. at. Uplands: are. meeting. ° Or exceeding: expectalions, when it. comes, to reading comprehension. . : . << Contrast ‘that: to other shools in. : ” Terrace, where as many’ as 30-to-40 -: percent of students: tested on the (|. FSA ate failing toread at their grade -:] _level;: suchas Cassie -Hall ‘or Clar- - - ence. Michiel. schools. “The. “district-vide" “resulls” algo: don’ t rovide a@com atison between. hoa aa W denis Who. Greenwood : nd advance to the next ‘prade: -.. “we're. : “tion Christine Foster for: further in.» 1° “” formiation,. He Urges. parents to. gel ak informed; aid: get. involved. in, ‘their have: no younger children... -piclure. on: how ‘studénts are: ‘doing, « ‘child's education. . 7 - Christine Foster i is enccuraged ‘by: ihe. fact that more-thart 87 per cent. ‘Auslas, r ‘ll run, around the track a couple limes, rust for’ gs “at other schools i in the district. - Last -year, -Wainingo identify ab taht ‘in’ their, ‘Standardizéd. ~ Foster ° “says. “one. , “elementary school sels. f aside a specific time. “every. day’ to-devole lo. ‘teaching reading. “Nothing interrupts . ‘this precious. time. vand - everybody. . gels. - “In-laté: September, ‘at Bear Valley: school in Stewart took’ part. in 28. school wide “wrlte”,: an’ exercise: that ‘allows: ‘eackers 10" ‘monitor. and assist students. | “We're “really * ‘able to- caiefully “doctiment improvement over.time,” :: Teachers: there, she'says,. ‘know. ‘what: “exercise in n January, Foster’ says. « eel This’ i. an: example of soning | Sane Poster, ‘improved. by. offering parents. : ~ “Qur development,": ‘BAYS: a . ‘nace warcorelvaban ae am maven ssractneaheer mats et an __Bouneil (the: ‘Liberal. farm’ eam) is’ taking, ove -[° “You are -hired‘ads’." “cneck. with Newfoundland. having the highest’ unemploy-,_ _ “smeat'and the most: people leaving.: ‘The plirase; “You are : *./ployees, shutting down ‘offices; closing hospital: beds and. oo _.p Schools, they have now finally hired 2,000 | shipyard work: an ate unfortunately they are all living in Gérmany. 7 ferties:i is: nol ‘only; a slap i in. the’ face: of. British Columbia -";.: o eee us s that passenger, safety is the Feason for: not meu [allof our exisling ferries’ were bait in BC and. none have ve : “Greeinvcgd ‘told: school trustees last: month, “we° Deak Sirs: 1: 2004, There should be clarification on.whd Mr. Williams’: made, up of people who live if. Kitivanga and. :Gitsegukla. Bs . " (Gitanyow Hereditary: Chiefs office) as the -Gitanyow *. » band. Me, Williarns i is not ‘fepistered: wilh olir band neither . ; “v=. With Gut consultation of our. chiefs and band members. : ‘There arc: seth variables 2 We: have. ee oh that we, the People of deena ita OF, drehot telires part Sb ibeir treaty negotiation: hey have «ghange cach year. «they Brow’ ‘older, > Faincurred aslarge debt that has to be repaid and But here in-the Coast. Mountains ae watil 10:be held responsi ble for.it. ‘district; students have had several big’ - changes. to-adjust "= _ from’ school “elosures and: the® massive ‘staffing. . changes: that “have. resulted.: from’. ‘budget-rélated - class ‘size increases: : vs : ; to changes i in curriculum: 0° an ie ‘cautiously ~, Optimistic. a “about: ‘where ‘this is going. We ar. “seeing results,” Greenwood said... -- District and individual school re- ” * stilts: from the Foundation Skills As- ~ sessment are available dn-tine-at the. B, C. government ‘website, * Greenwood: ‘also invites: parents. * jo contact their child’s: principal and . teachers.” Parents can alsd- contact '* Greenwood, -or director: of instruc-.° “Deai-Sir:. ee ‘Foster and: school principals began “‘Theeling . regularly, 0.'Compare ‘notes .6i° how. literacy could’ be Danes MATTE ‘Founday we week vote explained | Dear Sir: "The district i ‘is also. entering’ ‘partnerships. with service’ agencies: “school space for Kindergarten:*: readiness and arly : literacy programs’ for” preschoolers . cand’ their : 2 larger’ class size, " Lp tion. "district | : - schools ate completely . - focused . “on., literacy” ‘Fosier “| z “Te, been as | . teacher’ for 25° years. : and this is ‘the first timé Pr ve'seen this : “+ Jlevel of focus." a - This fall is seeing: the foindstion ~ of. ‘ao new: Iheracy. research “team” Of teachers of students. in’ | Grades 4-9, based ‘on expert Susan’ Close’ s SMART reading strategy. ©": o“This'team:can work with other. a teachers 1 next year, reducing our need, L ‘to rely on, outside experts." me m - Fou’: can fax us :at-250; 638-8432. oF @- » newsroom @ lerracestandard.coin.Noattachments, please, The Terrace Standard, Weclnesday, November 17: 2004 - AS - ang etereeeprrerrepreayeneer arena apererireenpend ‘ _ CORRESPONDENCE. FOR THE TERRACE STANDARD _The Mail Bag __ Jobs? | What jobs? “Dear Sirs. _ vo AN. endless’ string. of dds): paid for. by. ine, ielling me; how’ the provincial government. will. improve -educalio: ; -aheaitheare: “job creation ete; in 10:to 15: years, if-we e “then i) May; is'slowing: down, a “Before | have time to recuperate ‘Lind that the, nisi Jo While itis ‘ensy to. ‘under an ‘vty busineasiie “such. o as Jimmy: Pauisén is.involved, itis less transparent why... someone like ihe president oft Northwest ‘Community. Cole. lege: is, After-all, this-collége region is running ‘neck-and “222 hired” has 4 very hollow-ri ing here.- ! OE "How, about the Liberal governmeni’ § record i in. nthe fire ing department? After having’ fired thousands. of their em: - Not to allow British: ‘Columbia Shipyards ta. build: ‘the oe | shipbuilders. and -their: workeis, it is also” ‘economically: a = BoC. will: forfeil.a- $75. million ‘federal, contribution and 7 To addi injury ‘tg insult Auomey General Geoff: Plant is “been'sinking so far... 7. i-" ioe 5 ~The lalest. news. in this- government’ s ; privatization and. Bed John, Jensen, 7 Terrace, B, c on hs “They dont speak for us — Re: article “G ilanyow’ warn ‘off timber bidders” Oct, 26, | is speaking ‘On -behalf- of, It certainly is nol the Gitanyow * band or:the people’ who live in. Gitanyow.. We have fever”. : ig “been consulted when decisions ‘of this nalufe are ‘made. - Pape ~The’: ‘majority’.of ‘the: Gitanyow: ‘hereditary. | chiefs are... at believe they. are misrepresenting: their Organization <. ‘ are his: fellow. negotiators, -° There*is much- concern: by. ‘Gitaityow: band members who actually: live in Gitanyow: regarding: decisions’ made “Our peaple-have: not: ‘been included jin tks much tess . "consulted: According :10 their. “hereditary: ‘OWnership™. | errr * Will only’ be their. house’ groups ‘thal will benefit: ‘and nat pa 4 Pathe people: of Gilanyow:. _ Delbert. Good, Sitanyon Band Conn : - Off. on 1 the wrong: track Dear Sirs." mt Tell me heard right, We have. a ‘possible: $30: 000 that “appeared, like: magic, that-‘could be used as ‘the gigantic 7 . j jump slatt to gel,the Skeena School track rubberized. mat _And then: did somebody. say that somehow. we ‘could ae ‘And after that, all we need is an infrastructure’ grant (what- ws - Sever that:i8) of $160,000 and bingo. We: shall: have arub: berized: track at the Skeena_ school: - * There’ are thost who’ say. the. money. coll be better” ; o 7 a spent ‘elscwhere, but T think: these. ‘are only. people ‘who ae “Ferrice cannot: pul:in'a.bid 19 ‘host ithe: BC "Seniors ” Games, as: Prince: Rupert: ‘did: in-1992,. aittil we “have a ‘proper: track: lam-over 80 years ‘old, but-to. show. iny Che fun.» . Bob Goodin, Teirice, B.C. le. “More on Rosanna. Rioux . iE would, ke to. correct ‘some errors and” Sits. ~“contdinéd "in the Noy,’3-arti¢le ‘on: Rosanna Rioux, my =: ‘children’s great great. grandmother. Firstly, the spellings ©. ~ ” of Chantelle ‘Rioux, and: the: sixth: generation. Elizabeth °.:" 7 : Gina-Rosanna.T would also like to point out that although. Se | ‘being done ‘at one school to improve“ “Helen Haselmeyer.i is.a great grandmother t ta: Elizabeth, ” Iiteracy that couldeasity be dup licaled:. “ibéen mentioned as the proper lineage of Rosanna i in- this mt “Mrs, Gisele Rioux (the late’ Gilbert Rioux) should | shave: _ varticle, aa a . Gisele Rioux ‘had known Rosanna Rioux ‘shinose al her ae lifes before marrying R Rosanna’ $:prandson, 02. Tackle Riou, Prince George a = Recently’ you 1 mentioned I Yoted apainst the 4-day school Weeki l-originally. voted against.the.4-day. school.” - “week but’ after the consultative process, the * inessage was: ~ ¢lear-from-parents’ and ° employees “‘as -bad ‘as the: 4-day ; ‘week: was it-was bellér than school closufes, lay’ offs, and) At the! Anat vole [ changed my: posi- an “You also. mentioned: Li arn’ ‘a: union: activist. 1 am: nol : » offended by'the statement 1 am’ ‘a’ past president and 1 | “don’t hold:a union offices. ‘Fam an employee and family - assistant's rep. at Eurocan.: We are.a Joint none: partisan’ « . company: and ‘union program. ta “help: with: ‘personal and “fone work-related 1 issues: Also if requested iby the: union, : cee I will handle arbilration cases, : : 7 om , Peter G: 7 Kirig, School Testes Kitimat, BC. ve ~ About the. Mail Bag pe ‘Our is-3210. Clinton: Ste. Terrace, BC. VEG" 5R2. mail us at + Terrace “Stavidard:. welcomes » Letters, - ~ Name, address ss and phone mune requited for verification, , ata! cebge S-,