North Vancouver School District
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News Item

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Communicating Student Learning (Reporting)

September 18, 2018

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Subject: Communicating Student Learning

The North Vancouver School District is continually reviewing and enhancing how we communicate student learning to parents/guardians. We are pleased to share with you a number of items which not only support and enhance the implementation of the new BC Curriculum K-10, but also provide greater clarity for families and meaningful communication between students, parents and teachers.

1.  Reporting Dates 2018-2019*:

First Reporting Period                         Report cards published December 10-14 

Second Reporting Period                    Report cards published March 4-8 

Summative Reporting Period              Report cards published June 26

*For all schools except Sutherland Secondary, which has a semester system.

 

2.   Report Card Changes:

  • To indicate the student's level of performance in relation to the curricular standards, performance standards will be used in grades K-3, letter grades will be used in grades 4-9, and percentages will be used in grades 10-12.
  • Although there are three distinct reporting periods, grading is cumulative so that each reporting period reflects your child's growth in the subject over the course of the year, from September to the reporting date. Grades from September to June are not averaged.
  • The enhanced report card format provides additional space for curricular comments, enabling teachers to comment on student learning in relation to the new curriculum. Comments will consist of what the student knows (content), can do (curricular competencies), understands (transfer of big ideas and concepts), and ways to support further development.

3.   Report Card Online Access:

  • Parents/guardians must log into MyEducation BC to access the report card. Report cards are no longer printed.
  • Prior to the end of each reporting period, an email will be sent from the school informing parents/guardians when the report cards will be published online.
  • Parents/guardians are required to reset their password every three months as per the regulations set out by the Ministry of Education and FIPPA (Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act).
  • Instructions on how to reset passwords and other information pertaining to report cards can be found at this link: https://www.sd44.ca/District/Communicating/Pages/default.aspx
  • All parents/guardians new to the North Vancouver School District will receive an email with their MyEducation BC parent portal account information (login and temporary password).


4.  Self-Assessment of the Core Competencies:

  • Students work on self-assessment of the Core Competencies throughout the year.These competencies are integrated into lessons on a daily basis and are embedded in the big ideas in all curricular areas.
  • Students describe themselves in relation to the Core Competencies, set goals, and gain ownership of their learning. Students describe who they are as learners, document their progress, and share their accomplishments. Self-assessment of the Core Competencies brings together learning in a way that profiles the uniqueness and individuality of each learner.
  • In May, students complete a self-assessment of the Core Competencies and upload it to their Scholantis portfolio. Parents/guardians will receive information from their child's school about accessing the self-assessment.
  • The year-end (summative) report card will include a comment that acknowledges that your child has completed the required self-assessment of the Core Competencies.
  • We encourage families to review the self-assessment with their child, focusing on their accomplishments and future goals.

 

5.  Parent Teacher Conferences:

  • Parent Teacher Conferences occur twice a year. Dates vary for each school. Please check the school website for current information.
  • Parent Teacher Conferences provide an excellent opportunity to share examples of student learning, reflect on areas of strength and identify areas for further growth. Teachers share their insights and observations of the student's progress and discuss how best to support the student's learning.

 

6.  Reporting Pilots:

There are two reporting pilots this year:

  • Online portal portfolios:

Kindergarten classes in five schools (Cove Cliff, Dorothy Lynas, Larson, Seymour Heights and Upper Lynn) are demonstrating learning on an ongoing basis to parents by posting regular updates to online student portfolios.

  • Family conferences:

All elementary schools in the Carson Graham Family of Schools will hold a Family Conference (student-parent-teacher) in November. The Family Conference provides an opportunity for students, parents and teachers to collectively evaluate and reflect on student learning, with an increased emphasis on student self-reflection, goal setting and metacognitive awareness. The schools involved are Braemar, Capilano, Carisbrooke, Larson, Norgate, Queen Mary and Westview elementary schools. Additionally, within the Carson Graham Family of Schools (FOS), all students are assessed throughout the year using performance standards that are unique to the Carson Graham FOS. Brooksbank Elementary is also holding a Family Conference.

 

Parents can access further Communicating Student Learning information at: https://www.sd44.ca/District/Communicating/Pages/default.aspx

For more information about the Core Competencies:

https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/competencies

Additional information about the new BC curriculum and assessment framework can be found at: https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/

 

Sincerely,

Mark Pearmain

Superintendent

North Vancouver School District