Cougar Creek »

Cougar Creek Elementary, a K-7 school has welcomed students from this area of Newton in Surrey, B.C., Canada now for 24 years. Cougar Creek is a multi-cultural mosaic of learners which values diversity.  We have many students who have recently emigrated from other countries.  Our students are very proud to be members of the Cougar Creek community and work and play together, eagerly learning from and about one another. Teachers are quick to share examples of keen learners who work hard daily to embrace learning opportunities that build on their understanding of the world around them and about themselves. It is often shared how welcoming and helpful Cougar Creek students are to new students, visitors and other community partners. Our students are often seen engaged in helping visitors, providing directions, and inviting new students to join in break activities. One visiting teacher shared, “When I arrived this morning I was barely out of the parking lot with my hands full when a pair of students asked me if they could help me carry my stuff and opened the door for me. I’ve never felt so special and welcomed by students before in my career. This is a friendly school and I enjoyed my day.”

Like our students, our teachers and staff also embrace a culture of care and learning. A very positive energy exists in this staff that works hard to creatively meet the needs of the students at Cougar Creek. The staff at Cougar Creek are committed to providing a safe and caring working environment for their students. Everyone gives their time and talents to build an amazing learning environment that is focusing on delivering the new curriculum in a fun and innovative way that provides opportunities for our learners to build their core competencies. This energy, commitment and care creates a collaborative and caring culture. The staff is dedicated to improve their practice and exploring new and innovative ways to help their students learn. Literacy will always be a focus for our teachers, across all grade levels, especially in the areas of reading and writing we are shifting gears to a closer look at SEL (Social Emotional Learning). Though we have amazing students with many diverse gifts, we do find that many of our students struggle with self-awareness, self-control and the ability to self-regulate.

Our parents support our school community by actively engaging in special activities for our students such as walking field trips, noisy reading and fine arts performances like talent shows or cultural celebrations. All of these activities contribute to our positive school community culture. Cougar Creek parents are also engaged in their children’s learning and many parents volunteer on a regular basis both in classrooms and on field trips into the larger community. Their strong, active presence in our school adds value to our learning culture and a sense of belonging that permeates throughout the building.

Our students are unable to reflect on their behaviors and make the connection between their choices and the consequences of their actions. Whether it be frustration with learning or having difficulties with others students the resulting inability to access core social-emotional skills such as problem solving, self-talk, emotion management, active listening, and empathy is limiting. Many of the student referrals to the office are a result of poor choices and the students struggle to articulate why they are frustrated or stressed.

We understand students learn better and respond more reflectively when they are self-aware and can monitor their senses. By learning how to understand and use self-regulation strategies, by developing attention to oneself and others, by fostering social and emotional awareness this enhances psychological well-being and promotes successful learning.

• How can common SEL strategies positively impact student behaviour?

•  On-going opportunities for staff to engage in Professional learning sessions to develop a better understanding of Self-regulation: Copies of Stuart Shanker’s book Calm, Alert and, Learning; Mind Up workshop and resources; Zones of Regulation workshop and resources.
•  On-going opportunities for staff to engage in team teaching, modeling, observation, and collaboration

• We began by focusing on some core virtues with school-wide participation and launch assemblies put together by teachers and students to promote the chosen Virtue.  We have focused on the virtues of Kindness, Empathy, and Self-Control and teachers are watching for and catching students displaying one of the Virtues. These students are recognized and celebrated at the next assembly.Connecting our exploration of Mind Up and Zones of Regulation and observing our learners,
• Connecting our exploration of Mind Up and Zones of Regulation and observing our learners,
• On-going professional development experiences around SEL and Self-Regulation.
• Provide resources and tools for staff and students: Stuart Shanker’s Book Calm Alert and Learning, Mind Up books, Zones of Regulation books, monthly lessons, check-in posters, wiggle cushions, focus tools, balls, egg chairs, tents.
• Create Zones room for whole school to use, which includes Zones of Regulation Posters, specific strategies, and many sensory tools; such as rocks, sand, blocks, books, puzzles, mini trampolines, tunnels, tents, balance balls, music, soft lighting,
• Promote Zones of Regulation common language from students and staff
• Demonstrate Zones during school wide assembly October 2017
• Collaborate with SEL teacher 2016-2017, who works in gr. 4/5 classes
• Whole school DPA (daily Physical activity) during the first 15 minutes of school day followed by student/staff Zones check in
• Provide information to staff regarding SEL in service and pro d opportunities
• Explore a variety of brain breaks to include in our classrooms
• Provide guest speakers as professional development opportunities
• Connect with core competencies and big ideas.