École Riverdale 25-26

At École Riverdale Elementary, our focus is on developing the whole child by intentionally balancing strong academic learning with social-emotional growth and a deep sense of belonging. We are committed to building students’ capacity to be self-aware, resilient, and confident learners who approach challenges with independence, curiosity, and a growth mindset.

A central priority in our work is strengthening student achievement in literacy by fostering a lifelong love of reading, writing, and learning. We believe literacy is more than a set of skills—it is the foundation for learning, communicating, and making sense of the world. Through rich and meaningful learning experiences, we aim to develop strong readers, writers, and communicators who can think critically, express their ideas with confidence, and engage deeply with a variety of texts.

Our reading achievement data helps guide and inform this work. While Riverdale students have demonstrated many areas of strength over time, recent Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA) Literacy results indicate an opportunity to strengthen reading comprehension across the school. 41% of Grade 4 students and 60% of Grade 7 students were identified as On Track or Extending in Literacy. These results suggest a need to focus more intentionally on helping students make meaning from text, think critically about what they read, and communicate their understanding effectively. While we recognize that FSA data provides only one measure of student learning, it reinforces the importance of creating consistent and engaging literacy experiences that support growth for all learners.

Our work will focus on strengthening reading comprehension through explicit instruction, thoughtful discussion, and authentic opportunities for students to respond to and interact with texts. We want students to see themselves as capable readers and writers while developing the skills needed to make connections, ask questions, infer meaning, analyze ideas, and communicate their thinking. At the same time, we want reading to remain joyful, meaningful, and connected to students' interests and identities.

We also recognize that a love of reading grows when literacy is celebrated and shared. Throughout the year, we will engage students in school-wide literacy experiences that build excitement, connection, and a sense of community. Reading Under the Stars will bring students and families together to celebrate reading in a memorable and engaging way. Masked Reader will spark curiosity and encourage students to use inference and comprehension skills as they identify mystery readers. The Top Reader Title challenge will celebrate reading growth, perseverance, and personal achievement, while Literary Trivia will provide opportunities for students to deepen their understanding of books, authors, and literary concepts through collaboration and friendly competition.

Cozy Corner at Reading Under the Stars

Land of Forts at Reading Under the Stars

As a staff, we will continue to work collaboratively to provide engaging, inquiry-based learning experiences that foster a sense of wonder about the world around us. Through reading, writing, discussion, and exploration, students will be encouraged to ask questions, pursue their interests, and develop as critical thinkers, creative problem solvers, and active contributors to their learning communities.

Creating inclusive and responsive learning environments where every student feels valued, supported, and connected remains at the core of our practice. Through a strong focus on literacy, we aim to nurture joyful, confident learners who experience a sense of belonging and develop the skills, curiosity, and passion for learning that will serve them throughout their lives.

At École Riverdale Elementary, our next steps reflect our commitment to fostering a lifelong love of reading, writing, and learning while continuing to build a school culture where every student feels connected, supported, and empowered to grow. As we move forward, we will deepen our focus on literacy through meaningful learning experiences that strengthen reading comprehension, spark curiosity, and nurture a sense of wonder about the world around us.

1. Strengthening Reading Comprehension

We will continue to refine our instructional practices to support students in becoming confident, capable readers who can think deeply about what they read. Through explicit instruction, rich conversations, and engagement with a wide range of texts, students will strengthen their ability to make connections, ask questions, infer meaning, reflect on their thinking, and communicate their understanding. We will continue to use evidence of learning to guide instruction and respond to student needs.

2. Fostering a Lifelong Love of Reading and Writing

Creating joyful and meaningful literacy experiences will remain a priority. We want students to see themselves as readers and writers and to develop positive reading habits that extend beyond the classroom. School-wide literacy initiatives such as Reading Under the Stars, Masked Reader, the Top Reader Title challenge, and Literary Trivia will provide opportunities for students to engage with reading in fun, collaborative, and memorable ways while celebrating literacy as a community.

3. Nurturing Wonder, Curiosity, and Inquiry

Literacy provides a powerful opportunity for students to explore their interests, ask questions, and develop a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them. Through inquiry-based learning experiences, students will be encouraged to think critically, explore diverse perspectives, and pursue their curiosities through reading, writing, discussion, and reflection. Our goal is to foster learners who are engaged, inquisitive, and motivated to learn.

4. Building Connection, Belonging, and Well-Being Through Literacy

Stories help us understand ourselves and connect with others. We will continue to use literature and shared literacy experiences to support social-emotional learning, helping students build empathy, resilience, self-awareness, and positive relationships. Creating inclusive and responsive learning environments where every learner feels valued, supported, and represented will remain at the core of our work.

5. Strengthening Inclusive and Responsive Literacy Practices

We will continue to ensure that students have access to diverse and meaningful texts that reflect the identities, experiences, and perspectives within our school community and beyond. By incorporating culturally responsive practices and Indigenous ways of knowing and learning, we will create literacy experiences that honour student voice, identity, and belonging.

6. Learning Together as a Professional Community

Our staff will continue to work collaboratively to examine student learning, share effective literacy practices, and engage in ongoing professional learning. Through collective inquiry and reflection, we will strengthen our capacity to support all learners and ensure a consistent and engaging literacy experience across the school.

Our Direction Forward

Together, these next steps will help us continue to build a strong literacy culture at École Riverdale Elementary—one that inspires a lifelong love of reading, writing, and learning. By strengthening reading comprehension, fostering curiosity and inquiry, and creating meaningful opportunities for students to connect through literacy, we will support every Riverdale learner in developing the confidence, skills, and sense of belonging needed to thrive both in school and beyond.