Brownell School is a wonderful school in a welcoming and supportive north-end community of Saskatoon. We welcome the opportunity to share with you some of the strengths of our learning community.
At Brownell, our focus is on student learning. We are deeply committed to meeting the learning needs of each child, and regularly upgrade our professional skills in curriculum and instruction to make the learning environment even better. Consistent and well-communicated behavioural and learning expectations are consistently applied to make our school a safe and welcoming place. To meet the needs of all learners, our teachers constantly work together to learn and apply research-based practices in assessment, inquiry, math instruction (including Professional Resources and Instruction for Mathematics Educators -- PRIME), English Language Arts curriculum renewal, and technology use in the classroom. Learning needs and styles are further met by our resource teachers, our Read to Succeed classroom, and our staff who teach English as a Second Language / English as an Additional Language (EAL / ESL). Our large library adjoins our well-equipped computer lab for student learning and research.
Brownell is fortunate to have extraordinary parent involvement and support. Our School Community Council and Parent Council are dynamic and involved actively in many important aspects of school operations. These groups proudly sponsor such activities as our Welcome Back BBQ, Breakfast and a Book, Math Fun Night, author visits, family movie night, and many other worthwhile events that support learning for students and families. Parent volunteers are integral elements of our learning community. Parents are always welcome in our school.
Our school is home to the Northern Heights Cooperative Preschool and the Russell Road Before and After School Program, both of which are operated by parents.
Teaching and learning at Brownell embodies the best of educational research and teaching practices in effective ways. Our professional staff shares a long tradition of carefully examining various approaches to educational innovation and incorporating best practices into classroom action. This year, four major innovations were part of school life. Two technology innovation projects examined the use of new software and hardware to improve student learning in our Functional Life Skills classroom and in small-group instruction. Our entire teaching staff took part in a project developed to improve math instruction, and all of our staff participated by increasing their knowledge and practice in improved literacy instruction. Brownell has a strong tradition of constant improvement of instruction, skills and practice.
The Functional Life Skills class is one program of which Brownell is particularly proud. The students in this class interact wonderfully with other students in the school by participating in Care Partner groups, special projects (such as Destination Conservation), recycling and daily play at recess. This classroom is currently piloting a technology project exploring the use of Smart Boards in special needs classrooms.
The fine and performing arts hold a special place in Brownell. Our arts specialist teacher and other talented staff present a full slate of performing groups and events each year. During the course of this year, we held a vibrant winter concert and a major spring musical. We held several concerts featuring a show choir, the school band, and a senior drama production. We organized several smaller concerts, too.
At Brownell, we boast a quality facility and school grounds. The school is well-built and maintained, with large classrooms, two gyms, and an expansive children's playground. Our school backs onto a spacious community park which the City of Saskatoon plans to upgrade in 2010.
The Brownell community is growing. More and more new Canadian families are choosing our school and neighbourhood. Increasing diversity means students learn more about other cultures, other countries, and other ways to experience the world. The addition of an ESL/EAL teacher and classroom has enabled new students to feel supported in their language acquisition and classroom learning. Brownell's increased enrolment is a sign of continued excellence in education for our students and community.