At Oxford Regional Education Centre our mission is to proactively engage stu-dents in the learning process in a manner which reflects a fundamental shared com-mitment to the concepts of respect,

learning atmosphere and safety.

We are a Primary to Grade 12 facility totally committed to academic achieve-ment with social emotional needs at the forefront and promote a healthy active

lifestyle in all we do.

From Primary to Grade 12 students are encouraged to take advantage of our extra curricular offerings. We promote healthy active participation all through the grades. OREC is well know for its

sportsmanlike, yet competitive nature.

Our senior basketball teams have taken home four Provincial Championships in

the past five years!

We offer something for everyone from the athletic to the academic student. For the academic student we offer: two month club at noon, Envirothon, Math club, Astronomy, Choir, Dance / Drama, Art as well as a variety of com-

mittees and clubs.

For the athlete we offer soccer, basket-ball, track, running club, badminton and softball. We also have a wonderful fit-ness room where high school students can spend their lunch hours and or en-joy afterschool. For the younger stu-dents, we offer skiing, equestrian, swim-ming, skating and partner with the YMCA to carry out an afterschool fit-

ness program.

We are committed to our students and grateful for our very supportive com-

munity.

SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY

SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNSCHOOL ADVISORY COUNSCHOOL ADVISORY COUNSCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCILC ILC ILC IL

O. R.E.C. School Advisory Committee

In the past year, the SAC had input in all aspects of school activities. At monthly meetings we discussed items of importance to all stakeholders. We had direct input into parking issues, smoking issues, prom date and safe grad, bursaries, and liaison with R.C.M.P. coordinated events. Student Council representatives keep the com-mittee up to date on all student activi-ties in the planning stages and staff also keep members informed on needs,

activities and program innovations.

The SAC has ongoing participation in the school improvement process, budget concerns, and staffing needs. We also have a Home and School rep that keeps us up to date on matters

of mutual concern.

I would encourage all interested persons to volunteer for this important committee. We are always looking forward for new viewpoints. We need two parent reps for the next session and a new chairperson. If you cannot serve on the committee be sure to find out who serves and share your ideas or concerns with them. We have a very active and well represented

committee. Please help us keep up this record.

Bob Hunsley, SAC Chair

Inside this issue:

School and Community 1

School Advisory Council 1

Safe and School Environment 1

CSI Goals and Action Plan 2

Student Engagement 4

Professional Development 3

Planning for Improvement 4

Additional School Supports 3

OxfordRegionalEducat ionCentre

CONTINUOUS SCHOOL

IMPROVEMENT

SAFE and Orderly EnvironmentSAFE and Orderly EnvironmentSAFE and Orderly EnvironmentSAFE and Orderly Environment

OREC has had a number of ac-

tivities and presentations this past

year on anti bullying. One of the

highlights of May was a presen-

tation by Tad Milmine called

“Bullying Ends Here”. Tad spoke

from the heart and impacted many

students from grades 6 to 12. For

more information, you can reach

Tad on line at:

www.bullyingendshere.ca@tadmi

lmine

2

CONTINUOUS SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT

At the start of 2012 we began by analyzing our data from the Provincial assessments, classroom assessments and the DOE surveys to arrive at our goals. The data showed that over the past few years our reading levels in grades 3 and 6 could use improvement. For three of the past five years the percentage of students meeting expectations in those

grades was lower than the percentage of students meeting expectations at the Board levels.

From the DOE surveys in we recognized that there were a large number of parents and students primarily from the high school levels that suggested our communication between home and school needed improvement as well as our ability to meet the social emotional needs of some students. As a result, in consultation with staff and students our CSI

team identified the following for our Continuous School Improvement goals:

Our Academic Continuous School Improvement Reading goal is to:

• “Increase by 5% the number of students reading at or above grade level in grades P-7 by June 2015

as measured by site-based assessments.”

Each year, in November, February and June students from Grades Primary to 7 have their reading level assessed. Dur-ing our initial assessment in November 2012 OREC had 67.7% of students meeting expectations. This past June, 69.7% of the students attained the expected level. That represented an increase of 2%. This year we will be working hard at

implementing strategies and professional development to work towards our goal of a 5% increase.

The Provincial assessment for 2013 / 14 showed that our overall reading perform-ance for Grades 3 were above both the Board and the Province. In Grade 6, al-though our overall reading results were slightly below the Board, we scored higher

than the Province.

68%73%

68%74% 74%

70%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Nov 2012 Feb 2013 June 201 Sept 2013 Feb 2014 June 2014

% meeting

Expectations

Dates of Assessments

OREC Literacy Levels (GrP-7)

3

SCHOOL CLIMATESCHOOL CLIMATESCHOOL CLIMATESCHOOL CLIMATE

Enthusiastic students from all grades contributed to this painting, which appropriately celebrates youth. This would not have been possible without the lead artists Katie Reid, Kathryn Hickman, Charlotte Fresia, Landon Stewart, and Haillie Harrison. They worked well as a team, each bringing their own ideas and skills to the project. We finally settled on a style in-spired by First Nations artists, with a Picasso twist. On the big day, the lead artists sketched out a design and did the fine black line work. They were instructed in the required brush-work by another team of artists, which included Taelor Richards, Lynn Matthews, Katie Adams, Rayann Roberts, Carly Turner, and Jung Ju Lee. This instruction was critical to the success of the painting.

See more at: http://www.goldenbears.ca

Our Continuous School Improvement

School Climate goal is to:

“Increase by 5% the number of students and parents that respond positively in regards to school climate by June 2015 as

measured by a school generated survey”.

During 2012/13 our School Climate PLC met throughout the school year to choose questions that would best describe our school climate. By the end of the school year 4 sets of school climate questions were cho-sen and a questionnaire drafted. A set for each of the students in grades 3-6, 7-9, 10-12 and a set for parents. , October 9th, all students from grades 3-12 filled out a stu-dent survey to begin our data collection. The overall results of our school climate survey were very positive and on track with our goal. When comparing the initial base-line data collected from our Department of Education (DOE) Survey with our 2013/14 survey, we saw an overall increase of 5% in positive responses across the all groups. (students & parents). The initial DOE survey had a 64% positive response rate and the latest survey moved up to a 69% positive response rate. There results demon-strated a move in the right direction and we

look to continue this positive trend.

Throughout 2013/14, we promoted safety, anti bullying and supported this with a num-ber of activities and presentations to all stu-dents from P-12. We continued with our reading buddies, middle and high school stu-dents helping elementary classes with out-ings, field days and activities and continued to work cohesively as a P– 12 family. The painting on the right illustrates one of the

projects.

In the spring of 2014, surveys will be distributed for the next round of data collection. All students from grades 3-12 will be asked to fill one out. Only one parent survey per household though needs to be filled out. For each parent survey that is turned in to the office , your chil-dren’s name (all in the household) will be entered into a

draw. Don’t miss your chance to win!

.

School Climate Survey Results

Group

2012/13 DOE

Survey

2013/14

School Survey Change

All Grade 3-6 74% 77% 3%

All Grade 7-9 51% 60% 9%

All Grade 10-

12 56% 61% 5%

Parents 73% 78% 5%

TOTALS 64% 69% 5%

4

COMMUNITY COMMUNITY COMMUNITY COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE/BBQOPEN HOUSE/BBQOPEN HOUSE/BBQOPEN HOUSE/BBQ

Our school has adopted the school wide theme of “Connections” for the upcoming year. The overall theme involves connec-tions with students, amongst staff and with the community. Each class will be taking on project to create connections with our com-munity and develop citizenship and positive virtues amongst our students. As launch to our “Connections” theme, OREC in collaboration with the Oxford and area community hosted a Free Community BBQ and Open house on September 17. Some of the events included school soccer games, free BBQ sponsored by the Lions Club, displays by community groups (Public Health, Cumberland YMCA, Oxford Frozen Foods, Fire Department, EHS, Dept. Natural Resources, Maggies Place, Parenting Jour-ney). The public had the opportunity to walk about and tour the building as well as teach-ers and parents had the opportunity to share curriculum and classroom plans for the upcoming school year. It was extremely well attended and there was a great deal of positive feedback from all involved.

What is WITS?

WITS is a holistic program that addresses peer victimization. The intention of the program is to “bring together schools, families and communities”. Together, we can create a differ-

ence.

What we are doing? In the spring of 2013 elementary teachers became accredited to deliver the WITS program. On May 23rd, we held the offi-cial WITS kickoff with RCMP, community, Fire fighters, Lions members, parents and three very special guests from the Ca-

nadian Football League.

Teachers are using the WITS resources in their classroom. As a school we are adopting the WITS language and helping

students solve peer conflicts.

What you can do? Talk to your children and encourage them to use their WITS. Familiarize your self with the language and problem solving steps. Come see us for suggestions on books to read with

your children.

Please visit www.witsprogram.ca for your online parent re-

Community ConnectionsCommunity ConnectionsCommunity ConnectionsCommunity Connections

5

In June 2014 100% of our Academic and Advanced Math 12 students passed the Provincial exam. For the past four years, our mean mark has been consistently higher than the Board and the Provincial mean. With the ex-

ception of 2013 when no Provincial was conducted.

In June 2011 and in June 2012, 100% of our Math 10 students passed the Board exam. In June 2013, 94% of our Math 10 students passed the Board exam. For the past four years, our mean mark has been consistently higher

than the Board mean.

In order to continually improve upon our math scores, we are encouraging multiplication math fact learning from grades 6-10. Three times per year students from grades 6-12 are assessed on their math facts. Through-out the year teachers utilize math facts through their mental math portion of their lesson. Please encourage

your child to practice their math facts at home.

true team spirit, devotion and skill. Many thanks to Head Coach Peter Swan, Assistant Coach Kendall Black and team manager Tracy Swan for a great season once again.

This is the third year in a row that OREC’s Senior Girls took the Provincial Championship title for this division and the fourth time in total over the past five years. Well done Senior Girls. Once again, we are very proud of you! During this truly exciting game, the girls showed

A MESSAGE FROM STUDEA MESSAGE FROM STUDEA MESSAGE FROM STUDEA MESSAGE FROM STUDENT COUNCILNT COUNCILNT COUNCILNT COUNCIL

OREC SENIOR GIRLS BAOREC SENIOR GIRLS BAOREC SENIOR GIRLS BAOREC SENIOR GIRLS BASKETBALL PROVINC IALSKETBALL PROVINC IALSKETBALL PROVINC IALSKETBALL PROVINC IAL CHAMPIONSCHAMPIONSCHAMPIONSCHAMPIONS

DO YOU KNOW YOUR MATDO YOU KNOW YOUR MATDO YOU KNOW YOUR MATDO YOU KNOW YOUR MATH FACTS?H FACTS?H FACTS?H FACTS?

OREC Girls Take Provincial Championship for the third year in a row.

As Student Council Co-Presidents, we had a lot of fun this year making memories for students and grade 12 graduates. We appreciate the help and support from students and teachers this year. This year, we hosted a

lot of dances, had music in the cafeteria throughout the year at lunch time

for all P-12. We also had lots of dress up days and award ceremonies every month. This year we are very pleased to announce that we raised enough money to purchase a school mascot, our own golden bear.

We hope that everyone here at OREC had a great year!

Ashley O’Brien and Kyle O’Brien, Student Council Co-Presidents, 2013 / 14