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Coalition for Community Schools National Forum 2010
Learning Across the Community
Dave Hutchinson, Rod Allen, Allen Lefebvre
Cornerstones of the Learning Model
Project Based Learning (PBL)Service Based LearningAuthentic Internships & Cognitive Apprenticeships offered through an integrated, inquiry driven curriculum based in the community.
Key Structural Philosophies
• Flexible teaching arrangements and instructional groupings
• Teacher collaboration
• Interdisciplinary and inquiry-based teaching and learning
• Inclusive practices
Student Progression
GRADE 9
PBL
Projects – what they are, how they’re doneMove from teacher directed to more student directed
SBL
Develop a relationship with our partnersMay be at the “low end” of SBL i.e. Community Service etc.
GRADE 10 - 11
PBL
Projects become more student initiatedGroup projects have more student individualityDesigned to meet Learning Outcome for credit
SBL
Expectation to tie at least one project to shared outcomesMore involvement from facility partners More reach (rigour) to projects
GRADE 12
PBL
Projects student initiatedDesigned to meet Learning Outcome for credit
SBL
Expectation to tie to shared outcomesExtended involvement from facility partners
InternshipsGraduation requirementRequirement for Adult 12 students
Current Programs
• Grade 9• Hip Hop Project – U of R• Math that Works – Business Community• Paul Martin Entrepreneurship Program –
Chamber of Commerce / U of R / SIAST• Photojournalism Project – SIAST & U of R
• Pathfinders Project – Students chose from 6 credit offerings – Variety of stakeholders
Structures Developed
• Grade 9 - 3 advisors who stay with group all morning. Integrated and flexible groupings
• Grade 10 – largest and most transient group. 6 advisors, group divided into two teams that are flexible. Transitions are key
• Grade 11 – 2.5 teachers assigned. Integration of Humanities for next year
• Grade 12 – 3 teachers assigned. Continuation of Pathfinders project
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The proposed North Central Shared Facility will be a unique facility that will co-locate Scott Collegiate and key community agencies, and integrate programming and operations at an unprecedented level.
The opportunity exists due to a one-time convergence of needs, opportunity and desire.
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• The goals of the school have converged with the broad community development goals of the agencies
• Anchored in the community vision: “By 2020, Regina North Central will be a safe, healthy and caring community and a source of pride for the area's residents.”
• The community wants this!• Involves visionary co-operation among community stakeholders
and all levels of government • Innovative approaches for program delivery• Addresses the unique cultural and physical needs of North Central• Learning Across The Community, focused on partner outcomes
Key Elements
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Partners
• City of Regina• Government of
Saskatchewan (several Ministries)
• Government of Canada• File Hills Qu'Appelle Tribal
Council
• Regina Public Schools• Regina Catholic Schools
• Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region
• Two Childcare Centre’s• Regina Police Service • Regina Public Library• Community Based
Organizations
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Health, education and safety issues are a complex inter-connected web.
Solutions require breaking down the silos of traditional services.
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Integration: What does it mean?
•More than simple co-location•Merging and sharing of organizational outcomes•Relationships are paramount! Action cannot occur without trust, and trust is only built through relationships•Examples:
• Combined library: Scott and Albert Branch• Food education programs, greenhouse
•Just getting started …..
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Integration: How?
•Understanding each organizations outcomes•Joint programming is the default condition: the norm not the exception•Significant community involvement in planning•Regular and effective environmental scanning enabled through larger critical mass•Joint communication vehicles (calendars and newsletters, exterior and interior electronic signage)•Joint funding applications for integrated programs•Creating a joint pool of internal funding for integrated programming. •Common services delivered centrally (shipping and receiving, maintenance, marketing & communications, IT) utilizing existing expertise among partners •All staff within NCSF support and live within the model and principles, “I come to work in this building not just my organization”•Joint orientation processes and staff development programs
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Site Plan andExisting Buildings
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First Floor Second Floor
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www.northcentralsharedfacility.ca
