Student Reading Coaches Celebrate Successful Program

Student reading coaches from OHS met with their Hubbard students for the last time this year. Again, the program has been a huge success! The reading coaches have been trained in our school-wide reading strategies and have easily applied their learning to their work with students. Hubbard students have looked forward to their coach’s visits and thanked them today with a special treat of pizza. Each of the reading coaches received a certificate for participating in the program. Thank you to all of the OHS students who did such a fine job with our boys!

School District 18 Interested in Implementing Parent Reading Coach Program

Principal Chris Treadwell, Park Street Elementary School, met with Tiffany Bastin Friday, May 16th to examine the possibility of implementing the Parent Reading Coach program at his school. “You have experienced tremendous success from what I’ve heard and we’d like to try this program at our school, remarked Mr. Treadwell.

Park Street Elementary is known for its active parent participation and innovative approaches to education. This program will offer another way for parents to contribute to their child’s education in a meaningful way.

Tiffany Bastin will present the overview of the program implementation to the staff of Park Street in September 2008. The launch of the program will occur shortly thereafter.

Parent Reading Coach Program Expands to Ridgeview Middle School

Ridgeview Middle School invited Tiffany Bastin to present an overview of the Parent Reading Coach program to their PSSC. Principal Terry Currie was pleased to hear the program can be applied in a middle school setting. “It sounds like a good program for our school,” stated PSSC Chair, Lee Russell. Tiffany has been invited to present a half day session to the staff of RMS in August.

Student Reading Coaches CLARIFY with Bookmarks

Today our student reading coaches from OHS used the CLARIFY strategy with their students. “You clarify when you don’t understand a word or can’t read it” Bennett shared. Our students are familiar with Hubbard’s bookmark of common reading strategies so the coaches were impressed with their efforts. “Josh did a great job, even on his own, he could figure out the words,” Jayme noted. Next week we will be looking at the SUMMARIZE strategy!

Minister of Education Visits Hubbard

Kelly Lamrock, Minister of Education, visited Hubbard today to make a public announcement regarding positions for physical education, art, and music specialists. Minister Lamrock visited the literacy room and commented on the homey atmosphere for students. Parent Reading Coach, Valerie Delory was also on hand for the Minister’s announcement.

Student Reading Coaches Try Book Introductions

On Wednesday, April 23rd, reading coaches from OHS tried introducing a book to their students. All reading coaches have been trained in how to introduce a book and had previously practiced with their partners. Today they tried out this techniques with their students. “It’s fun reading with my coach,” Benny said at the end of the day’s session.

Local Paper Features Hubbard Students’ Success

After viewing the project team’s presentation on Tuesday evening, the Daily Gleaner published a story detailing the positive achievements occurring at Hubbard Avenue Elementary. After the presentation, Superintendent Marilyn Ball, had this to say about the school’s growth: “It gives me chills to see what can happen when you have everyone on board in support of learning,” Ball said. “Hubbard Avenue has high expectations for all kids with a focus on the individual learner. They are consistent, committed, driven and successful. It’s the district’s goal to see that replicated in every school.”

To read the entire Daily Gleaner article, click here. 

Hubbard Teachers Present to District Education Council

On Tuesday, April 22nd, members of the project team (Lusinda Frost, Cindy Moore, Kerry Laviolette, and Tiffany Bastin) and the principal, Bev Loker-French, presented some of our school’s strategies for success. Many elements of our literacy program and success were shared. The ideas were well received and members of the team were interviewed by the press.

Parent Reading Coaches Deliver In-service to Teaching Assistants and Oromocto First Nations Tutors

This past Monday, April 14th our parent reading coaches delivered an in-service to Hubbard’s teaching assistants. The content of the in-service included our bookmark decoding strategies and our five comprehension strategies (PREDICT, QUESTION, CLARIFY, SUMMARIZE, and VISUALIZE). The session was highly interactive as our TAs are familiar with these strategies and had many comments and reflections to offer. Two tutors from the Oromocto First Nation were happy to attend and will be using these same strategies in their after-school program offered on the reserve. “The session went very well,” explained Noella Owens, resource teacher. “The coaches were very strong in delivering their message.” Big thanks to Mary Buchanan, Charlotte Thurber, Stacey Long, and Valerie Delorey for again sharing their knowledge with others.

Pan-Canadian Interactive Literacy Forum

I just returned from the  Pan-Canadian Interactive Literacy Forum. A full report will follow soon!

The Telegraph Journal also ran a story on the conference here.