2020-2023 School Focus

In 2022/23, Ferris will continue developing a cohesive school-wide approach to Social Emotional Learning. We have applied for and received an Innovation Grant to continue to investigate our two key inquiry questions:

1. If we develop a cohesive SEL framework, will it positively impact the social, emotional, and intellectual engagement of students?

2. How can we support the growth of our students in the area of Personal Awareness and Responsibility?

Since the 2019/20 school year, the staff at Ferris has identified SEL as a key focus for our students and a main area for professional learning. This compliments and supports our School Story and Focus which centres on the Core Competency of Personal Awareness and Responsibility (self-advocacy, self-regulation and well-being).

The following SEL indicators have been identified by Ferris staff as being areas of focus for growth:

1. Explicit SEL Instruction

2. Authentic Parent/School Partnerships

3. Staff and Student Well-Being

Over the past three years, we have worked with Connie Easton (Curriculum Coordinator for SEL) and have built our capacity to implement strategies that support SEL in our classrooms. In the Spring of 2022, Connie Easton conducted focus groups with students from four classes with teachers participating in our inquiry project. We found that students in these classes could articulate a strong understanding of the importance of SEL and their own efforts to identify and regulate their emotions. The data we have collected has encouraged us to continue our inquiry for a fourth year, with a greater emphasis on implementing more SEL strategies school-wide.

2018-2020 School Focus

How can we support the growth of our students in the area of Personal Awareness and Responsiblity?

Personal awareness and responsibility includes the skills, strategies, and dispositions that help students to stay healthy and active, set goals, monitor progress, regulate emotions, respect their own rights and the rights of others, manage stress and persevere in difficult situations. Students who demonstrate personal awareness and responsiblity demonstrate self-respect and express a sense of personal well-being.

1. Self-Advocacy          2. Self-Regulation         3. Well-Being

2017-2018 School Focus

The Core Competency of Social Responsibility

Helping our students to build more personal connections with both students and adults in the school, and to develop a stronger internal motivation and understanding of our HEART Matrix.