A School Development Plan (SDP) in the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) is a strategic document that outlines how a school intends to improve student learning and overall school performance. The goal of the SDP is to ensure that the school is continually improving to meet the needs of all students. The plan is informed by data collected through assessments, student feedback, and other performance indicators. By looking at this data, the school can identify areas of strength and areas that need attention. While the SDP focuses on the current school year, it is also part of a longer-term effort to build a sustainable path for ongoing growth and improvement. It helps guide the school in making decisions that benefit students both now and in the future. In the CBE SDPs run in three-year cycles.
We are in our second year of our SDP and continue to focus on teaching Linguistic and Academic Vocabulary which refers to the specialized words and phrases that students use to engage with and understand subjects in school.
- Linguistic Vocabulary: This is the set of words we use for communication in general, including speaking, reading, and writing. It includes everyday words and expressions that we use in daily life.
- Academic Vocabulary: These are words that are commonly used in school subjects like science, social studies, math, and English Language Arts. They are necessary for understanding lessons and expressing thoughts clearly. These words may not come up in daily conversations but are critical for schoolwork.
For example:
- Words like "analyze," "compare," "interpret," or "evaluate" are academic vocabulary. They help students talk about concepts, ideas, or information in more detailed ways.
- In a math class, words like "formula," "equation," "variable," and "solve" are part of the academic vocabulary.
- In science, terms like "hypothesis," "experiment," or "photosynthesis" are used frequently.
These words help students think critically, follow lessons, and do well in school because they help students understand new information and express their understanding more precisely. Encouraging students to practice using academic vocabulary can improve their reading comprehension and their ability to explain complex ideas clearly.
You can be involved in our School Development Plan by:
- Reading the School Development Plan (SDP): School Development Plan 2026-2026
- Reading the Evergreen Weekly where we will share examples of the strategies we are using in classrooms to support student learning.
- Attending school council meetings where we often share further classroom/student examples of our SDP in action, welcome your questions about our SDP and seek feedback about the work we are doing with students.
- Sharing feedback: Families can provide insights based on their observations of their child’s experience to their child's teacher or Administration.
- Talking to your child about what they are learning at school. When you hear them use academic vocabulary ask them to explain to you what it means.
Sincerely,
Angela McPhee
Principal
Evergreen School