TFS - Canada's International School

18 Parents' Handbook 2019 – 2020 TFS is defined as being "une école exigeante" in the sense that we believe that our attitudes and practices as educators should model, enable and nurture academic ambition. The school's senior academic leadership team (Conseil de pédagogie) works closely with the school's middle leadership (Department and Grade-level Coordinators) and teachers in order to ensure that instructional and assessment practices align with our beliefs about effective learners and learning environments. We focus, primarily, on two domains, namely, the consistent development of instructional practices and the constant monitoring of student progress. For example, by seeking ways to vary learning engagements to inspire and motivate students, teachers strive to help learners become tenacious in acquiring knowledge, skills and dispositions. They also engage in meaningful dialogue with students to provide timely feedback during the learning process in order to ensure continuous progress. Students are also encouraged to be cognizant of, reflect on and monitor their own learning. In creating an environment for learning that encourages problem-solving, decision-making and developing habits of mind, we equip our students with the tools to be responsible world citizens. RANGE OF PROGRAMS The school operates programs from Jardin d'éveil, age 2, to pre-university, is inspected by the Ontario Ministry of Education, accredited by the Ministry of National Education in France (PK to Level II) and authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization from PK through Level V: the Primary Years Program from PK - Grade 5; the Middle Years Program from Grade 6 - Level III; and the Diploma Program in Level IV and V. Our Introductory French program, offered up to and including Grade 7 (subject to availability), effectively integrates students with little or no previous knowledge of French into the regular program after one year. THE LEARNING FORUM/LE FORUM D'APPRENTISSAGE Through classroom instruction and other resources, The Learning Forum offers information, academic clinics and workshops designed to support students in: social-emotional learning, academic growth, career exploration and the successful transition to university, as well as in research and literacy through the library, where technology supports are also available. The School-Based Support Team at each grade level meet regularly to update and monitor individual student progress. THE LEARNING FORUM MANDATES 1. To support academic ambition by developing strong social, self-regulation and learning skills in students as they become healthy, multilingual, reflective citizens. To accomplish this we: - Integrate instruction of learning strategies and skills for all students throughout the curriculum; - Implement support plans for students when needed and for those with an educational evaluation that has been administered by an educational psychologist or other qualified professional; - Facilitate individualized and small group lessons and workshops for students enhancing excellence in literacy, numeracy and learning skills; - Train and coach peer tutors and mentors; - Coordinate tutoring or other specialized support; - Create and share virtual tools providing student access to individualized, interactive learning opportunities. - Support student and staff use of instructional technology.; - Partner with teachers to individualize learning through differentiation; 2. To support families and our school community as partners in learning within a complex, transforming, technology-rich world.

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