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  • Special Education Programs

    Special Education Programs

    Special Education Programs(Pre-Kindergarten and Individual Support)

    Pre-Kindergarten

    Play is the Work of Children

    Elmwood Early Education Program offers a play-based learning environment, provides the foundation for learning, and encourages:

    • positive social interaction
    • literacy skills
    • scientific and mathematical reasoning
    • imaginative play
    • confidence and self-esteem
    • a positive attitude toward learning  

    Individual Support Program

    live…laugh…learn

    The Individual Support Program at Elmwood School provides programming for students in grades one through six who experience severe to profound developmental disabilities. Students may experience physical, medical and sensory needs as well as behavioural challenges.

    Individual Support programming is specially designed to enhance the quality of life of the student, and to increase the student’s functional skills in the areas of communication, social interaction, concept development, self-management and personal pursuits. Individual Support programming emphasizes meaningful life experiences for students. Features of programming include:

    • structured, routine-based programming using natural contexts for learning and practicing functional skills;
    • targeting of specific goals and objectives embedded in activities throughout the student’s day;
    • support for and encouragement of student participation in various activities and environments meaningful to the student;
    • a multi-disciplinary approach and collaboration with community agencies and support service providers;
    • provision of medical interventions as required throughout the day; and
    • regular home-school communication.

    The students in our ISP classroom are a valued part of our larger Elmwood School community. There are many opportunities for ISP students to join in school activities, assemblies, class activities, and field experiences. In addition, peers from grades 3 to 6 are actively involved in our “Buddy Club” and join students in the ISP class during their recess time.

     

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  • Alternative Programs

    Alternative Programs

    Alternative Programs: Sciences K-grade 6 OR Chinese (Mandarin) Bilingual K-grade 1

    Sciences Program

    "The important thing is to never stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.”
    ~Albert Einstein

    Learning through Inquiry

    Inquiry engages learners in a dynamic process of being open to wonder as they come to know and understand the world around them. As a way of learning, inquiry is woven throughout all aspects of life and is essential to the way in which knowledge is constructed.

    In the Sciences Program, students work collaboratively to explore new concepts and deepen their learning in the sciences. They pose questions, research, explore, solve problems and make claims based on relevant evidence. Learning outcomes across the curriculum are carefully woven together to shape authentic and diverse learning tasks with real world connections.

    As student interest is foundational to success in learning, teachers support students in designing inquiry projects linked to curricula. For example: All students are expected to learn about life-cycles in Grade 3. Rather than all learning about the same animal, students in this program investigate an animal that inspires their interest. In order to deepen learning as well as explore scientific practices, part of the inquiry would involve bringing in animals to study, posing questions, finding answers and observing and classifying different animals (insects, mammals, fish). It could involve working alongside scientists who study animals or going on location to examine the habitats of different animals. Students, on a field trip or an outing with their family, will make connections between the inquiries at school and the world around them. Out of the wealth of information gathered, the students, with the support of their teacher, peers, and family, engage in critical thinking, making reasoned judgments and drawing conclusions. Ultimately, students gain a much deeper understanding of how knowledge is created in the science community.

    Literacy through Scientific Inquiry

    Inquiry based learning naturally enhances the development of literacy skills and places emphasis on  the communication of ideas throughout the learning process. Reading and writing is the foundation to all scientific literacy learning and is nurtured at both school and home. Using reading, writing, and a variety of technologies is critical to the development of multiple literacies and is vital to an inquiry-based approach to learning. Students are supported and encouraged to become confident, capable and responsible users of information. This includes:

    • Interpreting tables, graphs & diagrams
    • Filtering information on the internet
    • Gathering relevant resources from the library
    • Interviewing significant individuals
    • Accessing home and community sources of information

    At the completion of an inquiry project, students communicate what they have learned using a variety of multimedia formats, including:

    • Technology (photography, SMARTboards, video, google applications, SeeSaw, etc.)
    • Models and diagrams
    • Written reports
    • Artwork
    • Engaging videos and interactive websites

    Reflection is an integral part of inquiry and often leads to new inquiries, discoveries, curiousities, wonders and learning goals.

    Student Characteristics

    There are some common characteristics which are evident in students who learn best through science inquiry and project-based learning. These include some or all of the following:

    • Imagination and curiosity
    • Flexible thinking
    • Strength in collaborating and communicating ideas
    • Ability to work independently and interdependently in diverse group settings
    • Persistence—the drive to understand the world
    • Creative and critical thinker
    • Socially skilled
    • Adaptable to change 
    • Open to working with a variety of tools, technologies, methods and sources
    • Perseverance when faced with new challenges
    • Passionate about animals and the environment
    • Think with their words, their drawings, their heads and their hearts

    As a Science Alternative Program within the District, a scheduled meeting and school tour with the principal is provided to assist parents in determining whether an inquiry approach to learning is appropriate for their child. 

     

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  • Registration

    Registration

    Learn more about our school

    K-Grade 6 Sciences:

    For our Sciences Program, we do not have an attendance area. If you live in Edmonton, you can attend Elmwood School. We want parents to make an informed decision when choosing a school. For Sciences, all new families will meet with the principal to discuss the teaching philosophy of the sciences inquiry program to help parents make a school decision. We provide information requests for parents to complete.

    We'd be happy to answer any questions that you may have.

    Give us a call.
    Book a school tour.
    Attend our Open House.

    Sciences Kindergarten Registration

    • Registrations for kindergarten is accepted beginning February  1, 2020, for children who will be five years of age on or before December 31, 2020.
    • Please contact the school office if you are interested in registering.
    • Please attend the Open House and make an appointment with the principal.
    • Please bring your child’s birth certificate, Alberta Health Care card and immunization record.
    • Please bring 2 documents for proof of residency (e.g., lease agreement with your address, a utility bill with your address, etc.)
    • If the child was born in Canada, you will need to bring in their original birth certificate.
    • If the child was born outside of Canada, you will need to bring in citizenship documents (id: PR. Card, Temp. Res. paperwork, etc.)
    • Parent work visa must also be accompanied by student study permit or visitor record
    • Registration Form

    Chinese Bilingual Kindergarten:

    • Registration for kindergarten is accepted beginning February 3, 2020, for children who will be five years of age on or before December 31, 2020. 
    • Please bring your child’s birth certificate, Alberta Health Care card and immunization record.
    • Please bring 2 documents for proof of residency (e.g., lease agreement with your address, a utility bill with your address, etc.)
    • If the child was born in Canada, you will need to bring in their original birth certificate.
    • If the child was born outside of Canada, you will need to bring in citizenship documents (id: PR. Card, Temp. Res. paperwork, etc.)
    • Parent work visa must also be accompanied by student study permit or visitor record
    • Registration Form

    Pre-Kindergarten: Please call the school to book a child screening and/or program information appointment.

    General Registration: If you would like to find out more about registering your child with Edmonton Public Schools please visit us at www.epsb.ca

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Welcome

Welcome to Elmwood School! We are a diverse school offering four programming options: Sciences, Chinese (Mandarin) Bilingual, Pre-Kindergarten, and Individual Support Program.

Inference, experiment, describe, classify, observe, interpret, compare, analyze, predict, conclude, investigate, explore, explain, justify… are just some of the words you will hear in our classrooms and hallways on a daily basis.  These words directly relate to the scientific inquiry teaching approach that Elmwood School prides itself on but are also used to span across the entire curricula! As a school philosophy, we design and embrace science inquiry learning so that students learn through in-depth studies of real-world problems that they care about and are interested in. This teaching approach gives students the opportunities to harness their passion and explore real-life problems. This passion and exploration leads to innovative solutions and deep learning. We encourage critical and creative thinking through a science lens.

The English-Chinese Bilingual Program at Elmwood School will be established in the 2020-2021 school year, beginning with kindergarten at first (or Kindergarten and Grade 1, depending on demand during pre-enrolment). As the first group of students moves to the next grade, we’ll expand the program by one grade level. The program is designed to provide children an opportunity to learn the Chinese language, in addition to the regular curriculum and to experience the richness of both western and eastern cultures.

Elmwood School also offers two programs that provide programming for students with developmental delays or disabilities. Our Pre-Kindergarten program supports children who have a first language other than English or mild, moderate or severe delays in their development to build their strengths and skills in a playful, language-rich environment. Our Individual Support program supports students with severe to profound developmental disabilities in grades 1-6. Elmwood's inclusive school community provides numerous opportunities for all students to interact with one another - through classroom activities, buddy groups, school-wide assemblies, and special events.

Elmwood School is an exciting place to be! We look forward to learning with you and your child.

 

 

Principal's Message

I believe that students learn through ownership of their learning through targeted provocations that challenge students’ wonder and understandings of their world. I believe that each student has the opportunity to thrive and demonstrate personal excellence. I am delighted to be the principal in the dynamic learning environment at Elmwood. Teachers create environments that engage students’ curiousity, challenge their thinking to consider complex perspectives, and empower students to take responsibility for their learning. Students engage within and beyond their classrooms to make a difference in our world.

I believe that each one of us - staff, parent, and student - all impact student success. With teamwork toward student achievement, I believe we create a learning space for students that promotes wonderment, achievement, curiosity, and a desire for life-long learning.

Learning Together,

Auriana Burns

 
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