Senator Reid Elementary 24-25
OUR CONTEXT
Senator Reid Elementary
Established in 1961, Senator Reid Elementary is located on the traditional territories of the Kwantlen, Katzie, and Semiahmoo First Nations, as well as other Coast Salish peoples.
Programs
Senator Reid is proud to offer a variety of programs that enrich student learning and foster personal growth:
BLAST
The BLAST program provides children and youth with a safe, engaging environment to develop social-emotional skills, physical literacy, and leadership. Students build positive peer relationships and connect with their community through daily and weekly activities, out-trips, and visits from community leaders.Canada Scores
Aimed at students in Grades 4 and 5, this program promotes healthy, active lifestyles through soccer instruction and enhances communication skills through poetry. Canada Scores partners with schools to deliver a high-quality, team-based after-school program that integrates soccer, poetry, and service learning.Check and Connect
This initiative supports students aged 6 to 12 who are absent 10% or more of the time or have 10 or more late arrivals. The program helps improve attendance and engagement.The Next 100 Years
In collaboration with the Surrey RCMP Diversity and Indigenous Peoples Unit, this program fosters identity and community through mentorship. High school students are trained as peer mentors and lead bi-weekly sessions in April and May, focusing on culture, identity, and community.School Meal Programs
Senator Reid offers both a Breakfast Program and a Lunch Program to ensure students are well-nourished and ready to learn.Scores in Action
A continuation of the Canada Scores program for Grades 6 and 7, this initiative allows older students to mentor younger peers while developing leadership skills.SPARK
A lunchtime program designed for boys to build positive relationships, receive mentorship, and develop leadership and self-esteem.StrongStart
A free, drop-in early learning program for children from birth to age five and their caregivers. StrongStart supports early childhood development through activities like story time and play, aligned with the BC Early Learning Framework. It also helps parents and caregivers discover ways to support learning at home while connecting with others in the community.Yo Bro / Yo Girl
This program promotes health, fitness, and skill-building while connecting students with positive role models. It empowers at-risk youth with tools to build resilience and avoid negative influences such as drugs, gangs, and violence.
These programs have played a vital role in helping students build confidence, form meaningful connections with adults, and find a sense of belonging at school.
— Intermediate Teacher
OUR LEARNERS
At Senator Reid Elementary, our focus on integrating Literacy and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) reflects our belief that students learn best when they feel safe, connected, and confident in expressing themselves. This dual focus is essential because literacy empowers students to understand and communicate their thoughts, while SEL equips them with the emotional tools to navigate relationships, challenges, and growth.
Strength-Based Evidence of Student Learning
Our students demonstrate their learning in diverse and meaningful ways:
All students are developing strong communication skills, both written and oral, through daily literacy activities that encourage self-expression, critical thinking, and creativity. Whether through storytelling, poetry, or reflective journaling, students are learning to articulate their ideas and emotions with clarity and confidence.
Students show empathy and understanding by engaging with texts that reflect a wide range of human experiences. They ask thoughtful questions, make personal connections, and participate in discussions that highlight their growing social awareness.
Collaboration is thriving in classrooms and across programs. Students work together on literacy projects, peer-editing tasks, and group discussions, building relationship skills and learning to value diverse perspectives.
Resilience and self-regulation are evident as students set personal goals in reading and writing, reflect on their progress, and celebrate their growth. They are learning to persevere through challenges and take pride in their achievements.
Leadership and mentorship are emerging through programs like Scores in Action and SPARK, where older students support younger peers in both literacy and social-emotional development.
Our learners are not only becoming capable readers and writers—they are also becoming compassionate, confident individuals who are ready to contribute positively to their communities. Their growth in literacy and SEL is a testament to their strengths, the support of our staff, and the inclusive, nurturing environment we strive to create every day.
OUR FOCUS
Integrated Focus: Social Emotional Learning Through Literacy
At Senator Reid Elementary, we believe that literacy and social emotional learning are deeply interconnected. Our Student Learning Plan is designed to foster both academic achievement and personal growth by embedding SEL principles into literacy instruction and practice.
Why This Focus Matters
Literacy is more than reading and writing—it’s about understanding, expressing, and connecting. When students engage with texts that reflect diverse experiences and emotions, they build empathy, self-awareness, and critical thinking. Similarly, when students are equipped with emotional intelligence, they are better able to communicate, collaborate, and comprehend complex ideas.
Our Approach
We intentionally integrate SEL into literacy learning by:
Using literature to explore emotions and identity
Students read and discuss stories that highlight themes such as resilience, kindness, inclusion, and perseverance. These texts serve as springboards for conversations about self-awareness, empathy, and social responsibility.Encouraging reflective writing and expression
Through journals, poetry, and personal narratives, students process their thoughts and emotions, building both literacy skills and emotional insight.Fostering collaborative learning environments
Group reading activities, peer editing, and discussion circles promote communication, active listening, and respectful dialogue—core SEL competencies.Providing targeted support
Programs LST support students who need additional help with literacy and emotional regulation, ensuring equitable access to learning and growth.Empowering student voice
Students are encouraged to share their stories, opinions, and ideas in a safe and supportive environment, helping them build confidence and a sense of belonging.
Our Goal
To nurture students who are not only skilled readers and writers, but also compassionate, confident, and resilient individuals. By weaving SEL into every aspect of literacy instruction, we prepare students to thrive both academically and personally.
OUR NEXT STEPS
Evidence of Student Learning
Within our current cohort, we’ve seen strong evidence that students are growing both academically and emotionally through our integrated focus on literacy and social emotional learning (SEL). One powerful example is our boys buddy reading group, where Grade 5/6 students were paired with Grade 1 students to read together regularly. This initiative not only supported reading fluency and comprehension for younger students, but also fostered leadership, empathy, and connection for the older buddies.
The impact extended beyond the classroom—students from both grades were observed interacting positively in the hallways and on the playground, demonstrating authentic relationships and a sense of belonging. This kind of cross-age mentorship highlights how literacy can be a bridge to deeper social-emotional development.
Across the school, students are:
- Engaging more confidently in reading and writing tasks.
- Demonstrating empathy and collaboration in group work and discussions.
- Taking pride in their learning and showing increased motivation when literacy tasks are connected to real-life relationships and experiences.
Continued Focus and New Learning Goals
As we move forward, we will continue to build on the success of integrated literacy and SEL initiatives. Our next steps include:
- Expanding cross-age literacy partnerships, like the buddy reading group, to include more students and diverse formats (e.g., storytelling, shared writing).
- Deepening student reflection through journaling and portfolio work that connects literacy tasks to personal growth and identity.
- Enhancing culturally responsive teaching to ensure all students see themselves reflected in the texts they read and the stories they tell.
- Developing student-led literacy events, such as reading circles or author days, to further promote voice, agency, and leadership.
Our new learning goal is to intentionally design literacy experiences that foster identity, connection, and community, ensuring every student feels seen, heard, and empowered in their learning journey.
Surrey Schools
Formed in 1906, the Surrey School District currently has the largest student enrolment in British Columbia and is one of the few growing districts in the province. It is governed by a publicly elected board of seven trustees.
The district serves the cities of Surrey and White Rock and the rural area of Barnston Island.
