Dr. Jody Dennis, Angelia Eadie-Gyori and Carolyn Massel are celebrating the final pieces in the Division’s intensive Literacy Framework project. (Photo supplied)

By Chinook's Edge School Division

near-decade’s long project

Conclusion of literacy project just the beginning of life-long success for Chinook’s Edge students

Oct 1, 2019 | 10:22 AM

Capturing the scope of a near-decade’s long project is almost impossible in a few paragraphs, but the conclusion of the Chinook’s Edge School Division (CESD) Literacy Framework project warrants an attempt!

The Framework, which can be viewed on the Learning Services section of CESD website, outlines four foundational pillars in Literacy: Reading Readiness, Word Recognition, Comprehension and Writing, all built upon an oral language foundation. It is constructed to dig down into multi-layered information that includes links to research, strategies and best practices, identified competencies and outcomes, and more.

The model doesn’t exist anywhere else in the province and involved several people in the seven years it took to build. But three key leaders who have been central to the project from the beginning are Principals Jody Dennis (Penhold Elementary), Angela Eadie-Gyori (École Steffie Woima Elementary in Sylvan) and Carolyn Massel (Westglen School in Didsbury).

“At our school, the literacy work began as a school-wide project,” said Angela. “We had teachers who were adamant that we needed a common practice and common language in how we approached literacy throughout the grades and in every subject. Our teachers needed us to be clear and consistent, because literacy is the foundation for all other learning. We mapped it out and set a high bar for ourselves and our students, because we know it’s possible.”

After years of work by a group of individuals who are passionate about literacy, the result is research-informed strategies that K-12 teachers can implement, whether they are teaching Grade 1 reading or Grade 12 Math or anything in between.

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“Literacy is our #1 Division goal, and we know this is vital for student success,” said Carolyn. “Results show a huge improvement in our students’ reading levels and a steady measure of upward success. We are so excited with the results today. Now all our teachers have this data, they know high levels of success are possible for our students and we’re reaching it together in Chinook’s Edge! This has impacted every school.”

The Framework allows teachers to support each student in attaining higher skills, no matter where their individual literacy journey begins. The group will continue to meet twice each year to address updates in research and strategies.

“The coursework is one thing, but we want kids to read for pure enjoyment,” said Jody. “Love of literacy is the goal – if we create kids who love to read, they will reach success. The process honoured what the three of us were so passionate about and it has been such an exciting project. But it all comes back to Dr. Lissa Steele (Associate Superintendent of Learning Services), who had a clear vision of how we could grow as a Division. She persisted and supported moving this forward, and this is a legacy piece for her because she made it a reality.”

(Sandy Bexon – Chinook’s Edge School Division)