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We all know how important our pals are in our life. They’re the ones who encourage us, listen and offer support in all we do. That’s why PAL (Partnership Approach to Literacy) is the perfect acronym for the non-profit program operating out of Coalhurst Elementary School (CES).
PAL connects students needing extra support with reading buddies who can encourage them to become life-long readers as they listen and support literacy; just like any good pal would do.
The program which has been operating since 1998 has historically searched for adults in the community to become reading buddies. Program coordinator, Lori Walker says there has been a constant need for buddies to be paired with students.
This school year, the program took a more targeted approach to recruitment when they invited seniors to become involved in PAL.
Beth Barclay is a local senior who served as the CES custodian for 27 years and has been a PAL since its inception. She proposed the idea of approaching seniors who have free time during the day and a passion for reading.
A two month pilot project began in the fall of 2009, assigning eight seniors with reading buddies. It was an instant success and seven of the eight have continued on for the entire school year.
Barclay also approached the Town of Coalhurst to get permission to use the Community Centre for the program. Access to the centre is easier for the seniors and the students appreciate the change of scenery. Every Thursday both seniors and students enjoy eating lunch together and spending some quality time reading.
Barclay believes the PAL program goes well beyond just reading. “I think the attitude of those students involved really changes. They are more caring and respectful towards seniors.”
Walker says it’s great to see the excitement and bond between the seniors and students. “The kids light up when they see their buddies.”
The success of the project has been great and Barclay already has seniors interested in returning next year.
“I think everyone who signed up to become a buddy did it because they love reading. We want to show the kids the secret of what you can find in books.”
PAL also enlists grade six students to volunteer as “tutors in training”. These extra readers offer help to students in lower grades. Becoming involved at a young age will hopefully inspire students to continue volunteering into their high school years, adulthood and maybe even retirement!
Twenty one team members, 10 weeks in, 198 lbs lost, 908 hours of activity. These would be impressive statistics for a season of Survivor; instead they describe the first half of a health challenge implemented amongst Coalhurst Elementary School (CES) staff.
Grade 3/4 teacher, Pauline Peddle has introduced her colleagues to a new way of looking and health and wellness. In January, 21 staff members formed three teams of seven and joined the CES Biggest Loser challenge named after the popular TV show.
“If you had told me I would be doing this five years ago, I would have said you were crazy,” says Peddle. “I didn’t have the energy to get out of bed.”
Inspired by a fellow co-worker who had made a major health and fitness transformation, Peddle decided to challenge the rest of the staff to do the same.
She developed a points system with log sheets for each competitor. The challenge includes a weekly weigh-in with one point awarded for each pound lost and five points for every 30 minutes of exercise.
“We wanted to make the challenge relevant for everyone, even those who didn’t have a weight loss goal,” says Peddle.
So a weight maintenance option was added to the game. For those already at their goal weight, points are awarded for maintaining that number on the scale.
The teams also partake in fun challenges every few weeks. Health quizzes and fitness tests all add up to more points.
Peddle says working as teams has helped to keep everyone motivated.
No ones weight is ever reported individually, only team results are shown. This has created a lot of positive energy and interest in the staff room.
“We now sit and talk about the best kind of low fat cheese we have found,” jokes Peddle
She says this positive energy also flows over to the class room. Peddle herself has been successful in losing a significant amount of weight and embracing an active lifestyle.
“It shows the kids that the teachers are excited about fitness and we talk about making healthy choices.”
Principal Laurie Wilson says the challenge has been great for participants on an individual basis but also as a team building experience.
There are no fancy school uniforms or secrete handshakes and the same smiling faces still meet you at the door but Coalhurst Elementary is now a member of a very elite club.
In the fall of 2009, CES was nominated for not just one, but two Garfield Weston Awards of Excellence in Education from the Fraser Institute and the W. Garfield Weston Foundation.
CES placed in the top five for both, Determination in Academic Achievement and Improvement in Academics and is now recognized as a school of distinction.
“We are so excited about this recognition,” says Laurie Wilson, CES Principal. “It’s a real reflection of the commitment we have from our staff, students, parents and the entire community.”
CES was one of just five schools in Alberta to receive a nomination in both categories, a long way to come from being labeled a school of priority just a few short years ago.
“When I first started as vice principal in 2006 we where under achieving in the provincial exams,” says Wilson.
She credits some very devoted teachers and a collaboration project for bringing the school so far in such a short time.
In 2006 the school enlisted the help of the University of Lethbridge to create collaboration groups for the staff. These groups continue to help teachers share ideas and build on common themes across all grades.
Wilson says becoming a school of distinction has served as a positive reinforcement that the school is moving in the right direction but also as a motivator to keep everyone striving for excellence.
In November, eight CES staff members traveled to Calgary to a gala event and awards ceremony to celebrate this special recognition. The awards are currently on display at the main entrance of the school.
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It was a fun filled day of Olympic spirit and Canadian pride when the Vancouver 2010 torch relay visited Coalhurst January 17th.
With face painting, crafts, tattoos, food and of course lots of Canadian flags, the celebration had something for everyone. Although it wasn’t as winter white as the planning committee had hoped, the warm weather was perfect for outdoor games and most importantly, getting a good look at the Olympic flame.
Coalhurst Elementary School and the Town of Coalhurst had the special honur of playing host to the afternoon rest stop for the relay team.
CES students put extra effort into making the school shine for the festivities. “Go Canada Go” banners, Olympic rings and Vancouver 2010 memorabilia decorated the halls.
Paralympic medalist, Joanne Kelly hosted a wheelchair basketball demonstration and displayed her many awards and accomplishments in sport. Joanne is a truly inspirational athlete who embodies the Olympic spirit.
An entourage of event sponsors and police escorts guided the torch bearers into town and to CES for a short ceremony. Staff, students, parents and community members lined the streets to cheer on the flame and joined local dignitaries at the gym to celebrate this special event.
The torch continued on its way through town with various participants taking their turn to run a leg of the relay before continuing into Lethbridge.
We have all had to try new and creative ways to make or kids eat their vegetables, to clean their rooms and practice their lessons. It’s no different when it comes to school. That is why CES strives to provide a variety classes, activities and events for students.
When Coalhurst Elementary introduced the band program for grades five and six students in the fall of 2008, it also opened up new options for students to choose from.
“Band offered a great opportunity for students to explore music,” says Principal, Laurie Wilson. “But it did involve a cost which wasn’t possible for all students.”
That’s when Wilson says the teacher created other options to be offered opposite band. These options now change with every reporting period and include classes such as art, drama and outdoor education. If there is a class option you would like to see offered at CES please let staff know.
Other activities available for students include: • Mini volleyball • Mini basketball • Hand bells and hand chimes • Choir • Running club • Intramurals
The school is also a buzz this year with “Pod” activities to match the “Whale of a school” theme. Most recently the Sea of Literacy Day saw students partake in literacy stations throughout the school.
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If you would like more information about any of these activities please contact the school office.