School Success Plan

To guide students to success, our schools must have the support of all Quebecers, young and old. They will obtain this support only if the mission entrusted to them is generally known and agreed upon. Without a consensus, ambiguity will persist and our schools will continue to attend to demands which are likely to distract them from their purpose. We must therefore better define our schools' sphere of activity.

Provide Instruction with renewed conviction

Schools play a vital role in the transmission of knowledge. To reaffirm this purpose, we must recognize the importance of students' intellectual development and mastery of knowledge. In today's knowledge-based society, the development of students' minds must be a priority for all schools.

Socialize in order to learn how to live together better

In a pluralistic society such as ours, schools bring people together. Our schools must not only help students develop a feeling of belonging to the community but also teach them how to "live together." In doing this, they must pay attention to students' concerns about the meaning of life. They must promote the fundamental values of democracy and prepare our youth for their role as responsible citizens. They must likewise prevent exclusion, a phenomenon which jeopardizes the future of too many young people.

Provide qualifications through a variety of options

Schools are responsible for enabling all students to undertake and successfully complete studies or to integrate into society after having mastered occupational skills. For this purpose to be fulfilled, the State must set the standard basic curriculum and educational institutions must diversify their offerings to suit the interests and abilities of students, particularly beyond the compulsory basic portion of their education. The time has come to pay closer attention to student guidance and counselling, and to reinstate vocational education as a valid educational option.

Gouvernement du Québec
Ministère de l'Éducation, 1997 – 97-0541
ISBN 2-550-32226-6
Legal Deposit – Bibliothèque nationale du Québec, 1997

Educational Project 2006-2007

Vision

Together, we envision and are committed to the following Vision Statement:

“Dr. S.E. McDowell students are the primary focus of our school.  Every student has the potential to learn.  Dr. S.E. McDowell must protect the student’s rights to be a learner.  The students are entitled to learn in a safe and caring environment.  To better the school’s environment – parents have the right and responsibility to actively participate in their child’s education.  Our school system thrives in an environment where cooperation, collaboration and teamwork are essential.  Our school strives for academic excellence by providing opportunities and encouragement for creative and independent thought.  Our school fosters the skills and attitudes required to become lifelong learners and contributors in our society.  The principal, teachers, students and parents are an integral part of the school’s community.  The educational efforts of our school are strengthened through partnership with the home and community.”

School Success

The Dr. S.E. McDowell Vision can be seen in the goals we have for school success.

Priorities include a focus on literacy in all cycles, increased use of Web Pages to enhance competencies in cross-curricular projects and activities, and deeper involvement of students through use of their own portfolios.

Attempts will be made to track student success more effectively through rigid testing and evaluation procedures.

Teachers will receive professional development help in areas such as language arts and mathematics, language and mathematics processing difficulties, the Quebec Education Plan itself and integration of computer technology in the classroom.

Linking to the community, teachers will be encouraged to recruit volunteers for classrooms.  Parents will be connected through the use of an agenda for information and communication.  An active Home and School Association offers support to the school, and workshops for parents of this and other schools.

School life will emphasize a safe playground and encouragement of good social skills.  The underlying theme will be that of respect.  In a school population the idea of mutual support and respect is paramount.  All people in the school, be they child or adult, need to be able to count on the support of colleagues to be able to achieve their potential.

Sports and cultural activities will provide opportunities and challenges in those areas.

While the Educational Project may be appropriate for this time, it must not be interpreted as a static and constant direction.  It will evolve with changing times, needs and the natures of the individual students for which it is designed.