To share information with staff across the district, a Board-wide newsletter was created. Focussing on four or five schools each month, the newsletter highlights activities and best practices, as well as teachers and teacher support staff who have demonstrated a leadership role. The Internet is also an important resource for Grand Erie schools. Electronic conferences have already been set up for administrators. Now, we're focussing on the teachers.
Communication is critical for success.
Teachers also have the option of attending after-school training. So far, we've had great attendance. After reviewing the language arts programs in its elementary schools, the Toronto Catholic District School Board developed a program called Balanced Literacy. A flexible and responsive approach to literacy, the program's goal is to have all children reading and writing to their full potential by Grade 3. The program is being implemented in all of the district's elementary schools in three phases.