Welcome to Sutherland School
Students have been receiving high quality educational programming at our school for over 100 years. We have a highlight diverse population of learners from across the world, and all over our great province.
Creating a Respectful and Peaceful School
Our students are very respectful. This leads to a peaceful school climate. Visitors to our school will frequently notice students demonstrating respectful mannerisms, greeting adults in our building and being courteous. As well, our building conveys a sense of warmth, generosity and enthusiasm as children, parents and staff are eager to smile and make all those who enter our school feel welcome.
Student Academic Success/Pride
We are committed to providing a safe, positive learning environment for our students. Our motto, Working Hard to Be Our Best!, suggests an important element of education. It reflects the effort we encourage each of our students to put into his or her learning.
We take pride in working hard to motivate each student to do his or her best. Our Staff is also dedicated to doing their best. Working together with students and parents, we strive to ensure that each individual student has the opportunity to develop to their full potential.
Community Engagement/Forging Strong Bonds
We believe in strong communication between the home and the school. Classroom newsletters, phone calls, home visits and meeting and greeting parents within our building are ways that teachers communicate with families.
Our School Community Council and "Friends of Sutherland School" are very involved in what happens at Sutherland School. Our parents are engaged in curricular matters. They help develop our school planning document which directs our learning priorities and improves student learning.
Early Childhood Education
We promote a solid foundation to early learning through our Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten programming. We have proudly implemented the Reggio Emilia Approach which encompasses a natural aspect of children at play and environmental learning.
At Sutherland School, children are seen as capable learners who construct their learning rather than have constant instruction. Their learning environment becomes an additional teacher.
Through our partnership with the YMCA, Sutherland School is able to provide a Before and After School Daycare in our building beginning at 7:30 a.m. and ending at 6:00 p.m.
Technology and Innovation
We offer an array of technological programming. We have digital projectors installed in all classrooms, as well as a computer lab in our Learning Resource Centre. Teachers and students also make use of iPads, school lap tops and student owned devices to facilitate their learning. We often post students power-point productions on our television screen near the office.
Diversity and Cultural Responsiveness
We boast a diverse student population representing many different cultural groups. Our students, regardless of their cultural status, say they feel respected in our school. We ensure that every child feels accepted, loved and cared for. We aim to ensure that every child feels a good sense of cultural and familial belonging within our school climate.
We take pride in honouring all who enter our school community and teach not only the mandated Aboriginal Education curriculum, but include the teaching of the impact of residential schools on our First Nations and Métis peoples and the Treaties of Saskatchewan and Canada. This important education is taught to students in the middle-years grades.
Green Values
Our students and staff members share a strong desire to lessen our carbon footprint. We monitor our schools energy and water usage with the aim of reducing our consumption. Our school has been recognized for environmentally-friendly student projects, such as The Little Green Thumbs Project and Saskatoon Public Schools' Destination Conservation Program.
Opportunities for Student Leadership
Our student leadership team provides students with opportunities to develop leadership skills by initiating and working on activities and special events for our student population.
Valuing the Arts
Our school implemented a more refined and exciting Arts Education Program in the 2010-2011 school year. Students in Kindergarten to Grade 8 thoroughly enjoy Music, Visual Art, Dance and Drama. They take pride in their skill development in all strands. Students also enjoy a great band program offered in Grades 6, 7 and 8.
Character Education
Character education is embedded in our teaching. Students frequently revisit character virtues with their teachers and at school-wide assemblies.
Supporting all Learners
We have adopted and implemented Literacy for Life learning strategies so all students are engaged in reading, writing, processing, and representing literary concepts. Strategies such as the Picture Word Inductive Model (PWIM), Read to Succeed, Just Read, Literacy Inquiry Strategies, and the use of classroom libraries, are continuously incorporated into our learning program and school plan.
We have 1.5 Resource Teachers. They work cooperatively with classroom teachers to support students learning and improve students academic, personal, and social behaviours.
We offer ongoing and constant enrichment to those students who excel at the curriculum standards.
Offering Options
We offer a variety of extracurricular programs before school, at noon, or after school. These include team sports for middle years students, such as Cross-Country Running, School Track Team, Volleyball, Basketball and Floor Hockey.
Students are also welcome to participate in a range of noon-hour clubs, including the Krafty Kids Club, the Student Leadership Club and the Zoo Club. These extra options are offered at different times throughout the year, thereby appealing to diverse student interests.
Emergency Procedures
If an emergency occurs where the school must be evacuated, teachers will accompany children to St. Matthew's Anglican Church (located at 135 - 109th Street; their phone number is (306) 374-8088. Information for parents will be broadcast on the radio and parents will be telephoned. In the event of such an emergency, please listen to the radio or come to the safe site location. Do not telephone as our phone lines will be inaccessible. Phoning tree lists have been established. We will never send children home unless we can assure ourselves of their safety.
