Healthy Schools Network Story Template
Date: April 24, 2015
School Name: Jaffray Elementary Junior/Secondary School
School District: School District #5
Contact Name: Laura-Lee Phillips
Contact Email/Phone Number:[email protected]
Did you receive an Activity Grant or an Inquiry Grant? Activity Grant
PART 1: Tell us about the learners at your school. (Gathering Evidence/Scanning)
(E.g. what did you notice about the experience of your learners that was most important to your
work? Are you a rural, urban or new school?)
Jaffray Elementary Junior Secondary is situated in the centre of the village of Jaffray.
The school has been the heart of the community for many years. It is often the place
where community members gather to visit, celebrate or just play. Our school enrolls
approximately 175 students in Kindergarten to Grade 10 and draws from three other
rural communities.
Our students enjoy daily physical activity in the gym and outside. We have a school
wide, elementary DPA program. Because of the wide interests and skills of our students,
we wanted to expand our DPA program with the purchase of a variety of DPA
equipment, more specifically cross country skis.
Our school runs a successful DPA program because of our teachers and parent
volunteers in our small community.
1
*This template is adapted from the Spiral of Inquiry (www.noii.ca)
PART 2: What did you do? (Focus and Plan, New Learning)
(What keys areas of health and learning did you focus on? What were your driving questions?
What contributed to the need to address health and learning at your school? What did you do
to make things better? What tools/resources did you use?)
As a school we wanted to focus on Active Living and Personal and Social
Development. Students will develop the competencies needed to be healthy and
active citizens. A requirement of DPA is for students to participate in moderate to
vigorous physical activities for health benefits and enjoyment and to develop skills
through practice. Students will also learn to develop strategies for identifying and
managing mental wellness issues such as anxiety, stress, and depression and realizing
that DPA is strategy to help in life wellness.
PART 3: How did it go? (Taking Action)
(E.g. What actions or strategies did you decide on? Who was involved? What type of support
did you gather? How were students involved? What new areas of professional learning did you
explore? What difference did this make for students and the school community? How did this
impact students’ learning?)
Our students enjoy daily physical activity in the gym and outside. We have a school
wide, elementary DPA program. Because of the wide interests and skills of our students,
we wanted to expand our DPA program with the purchase of a variety of DPA
equipment, more specifically cross country skis.
The cross country ski idea started when the Grade 5/6 class cleaned out our portable
and found some cross country skis. The class went skiing, but a lot of the equipment
was in ill repair. Another school in our district purchased new cross country ski
equipment and generously donated their old equipment to us. The Grade 4/5/6 classes
went through and organized the old equipment, and are excited to ski next year. We
are still in need of skis for our younger elementary students. The students in the upper
elementary classes have organized and have been enthusiastic about skiing.
Professional Development: RSA day is a special professional development
opportunity organized collaboratively by local teachers for K-12 staff from across the
East Kootenays. With internationally known keynote speakers and local teachers sharing
their expertise and specialized skills with each other. This grass roots approach to
professional development helps develop local capacity and meaningful connections
between staff. Staff from all districts in the East Kootenays are welcome to attend. The
key note speaker was Bruce Kirkby, a wilderness writer and adventure
photographer, he is recognized for connecting wild places with contemporary issues.
2
*This template is adapted from the Spiral of Inquiry (www.noii.ca)
With journeys spanning more than 80 countries and 2000 days, Bruce’s
accomplishments include the first modern crossing of Arabia’s Empty Quarter by camel,
a raft descent of Ethiopia’s Blue Nile Gorge by raft, sea kayak traverse of Borneo’s
northern coast, and a coast-to-coast Icelandic trek. Kirkby spoke about healthy and
active living.
There was also a variety of DPA seminars, hiking for health, DPA games, climbing wall,
yoga, which teachers could sign up for.
Parents also play an important role in our DPA program. We have many
parent/community members who volunteer their time to make our program a success.
Our activities are not only school activities, but are a part of the community. The
community of Jaffray helps make our school what it is today.
To assess the component of the activity we used the Quick Scale Healthy Living: Grades
K-6. Teacher helped their students in a self-evaluation after the winter/ term 2 in the
aspect of Active Living.
Our school will continue to focus on active living and healthy choices. Our grade 4/5
class just completed the Action Schools Healthy Eating and Action Schools Playground
Leadership training and we are going to be providing workshops in K-6 class which will
focus on Healthy Eating, Active Living, Healthy Relationships and Healthy Practices.
3
*This template is adapted from the Spiral of Inquiry (www.noii.ca)
PART 4: What are your reflections and how can you build on your efforts? (Reflect &
Evaluate)
(E.g. what change was evident? What did you use as a baseline for evidence of change? What
did you learn from the inquiry? What is most important for you to learn to build on your efforts to
sustain changes for your students and in your school? What advice do you have for others?)
To assess the component of the activity we used the Quick Scale Healthy Living: Grades
K-6. Teachers helped their students in a self-evaluation after the winter/ term 2 in the
aspect of Active Living.
We noticed an improvement in students’ attitudes toward DPA and active living and
healthy choices. All students participated in the DPA program, and acquired the skills in
the active living. All students were meeting expectations according to the Active Living
Performance Standards.
Please share this story on the Healthy Schools BC Stories Map. Remember to share pictures
and/or videos too!
4
*This template is adapted from the Spiral of Inquiry (www.noii.ca)