For the past few years we have been exploring the following question:

How can we help students strengthen their sense of self and their place in the world using the Personal & Social Core Competency as our guide? There was particular focus on the following facets of the Positive Personal and Cultural Identity sub-competency:

• Understanding relationships and cultural contexts
• Recognizing personal values and choices
• Identifying personal strengths and ability

As a continuation in our journey to identify personal strengths and ability, we recognize there may be particular areas of learning, such as math and/or literacy, where students to not feel like they belong.  

Our hunch:

Not all students see themselves as belonging in math and/or literacy settings.

Action statement:

1. Identifying which areas of learning students least feel like they belong

2. Emphasizing the three sub-competencies in our planning and teaching in these particular subject areas 

3. Having students self-assess in these areas regularly

4. Making the school community aware of our focus through regular examples of the school story in action

Evidence statement:

We know that our work with learners is making a difference when students are able to articulate what they are learning and demonstrate growth.