Our School Story Inquiry Question is... 

How can we continue to incorporate social emotional learning (SEL) and design learning environments which will  improve student self-regulation, social connections and meaningful engagement in learning?

Our explorations within this important area of learning continues - and was the impetus for our focus on the McKay CARES acronym, which highlights ways for us to be:

• C OOPERATIVE
• A CCEPTING
• R ESPECTFUL
• E MPATHETIC
• S AFE

during the first few weeks of school. For example, during the first week of school, all students in Grades 1 to 7 rotated through 5 learning stations, each with a focus on one letter of the CARES acronym. At the end of each station's learning activity, each student created a post-it note suggestion and visual, describing how they could demonstrate CARES behaviours/actions, while at McKay. The ideas from all of our students was then displayed on a bulletin board in the front entrance hallway, creating a powerful visual that captures all of the voices and input from our amazing students.

This school-wide focus connects with the Personal and Social Core Competency, and is aligned with the District's Strategic Plan Priority 1 of "Inspired Learners" and Priority 2 of "Equity and Inclusion". We believe that McKay is a wonderful place to call home, but we also know that we can all learn to make life and learning more equitable and inclusive. We also believe that, as members of the McKay Mustang family, we have the individual and collective power and responsibility to ensure that all of our students feel safe, secure and connected.