Family Groups:

Belonging and Connection at Janet Johnstone School

Every year, our school creates a School Development Plan with actions that staff take to support student success and achievement. In addition to our academic goals to increase student engagement and achievement in writing and mathematics, we focus on student well-being.

Some of the strategies that we use to support student well-being, belonging and connection include:

·       Embedding teaching about the 5 Social Emotional Learning Competencies in daily classroom routines

·       Learning about different cultures through curriculum and from community members

·       Whole-school assemblies to celebrate and learn about other ways of thinking

·       Whole-school events such as Carnaval and Family Cultural Night

·       Teacher Professional Development on Social Emotional Learning, Trauma Sensitive practices, Indigenous ways of knowing, physical activities to support student well-being

·       Spirit Days

·       Classroom buddies

·       Family Groups (see below)

What Are Family Groups?

We started Family Groups on Friday mornings this spring. Family Groups are mixed groups of students from all grades and the French Immersion and English programs. Each Friday, groups meet in the same classroom with their animal groups. The animals are based on Indigenous teachings of the Medicine Wheel. Teachers rotate through the groups and teach lessons related to Social Emotional Learning, Indigenous ways of knowing and outdoor learning.

Family Groups are another way that our staff works together to help students feel that they belong and are connected to our school. Learning with other children and adults helps students increase their self-confidence and builds more friendships. Ask your child which animal group that they are in and what they have learned in Family Groups!