Mission, Vision, Beliefs, Goals, and Learning Expectations

These have been developed with the Sunchild First Nation community and Council

Mission

Working together to educate and teach our children respect and responsibility with parental involvement and community support.

Vision

The Sunchild School is dedicated to providing students with educational opportunities of the highest quality in an academic and social environment. The school recognizes that the cultural background of the students is fundamental to their education.

Sunchild School blends the best of the Native and non-Native worlds, in ways that enhance the full potential of each student.

All partners (parents, education committee, Chief and Council, staff and students, and community) in the process of educating the children are expected to give their fullest.

Sunchild School will create a safe environment where students feel free to maintain their identity and to pursue and fulfill their dreams.

Sunchild School will provide students with the education that will help them become productive citizens now and in the future.

Beliefs

Every child has the right to an education.
All students can learn and achieve success.
Each student should be prepared to pursue further education according to their abilities.
The school will provide a safe, secure, and supportive learning environment.
By developing and maintaining partnerships in the education process, everyone can succeed.
Educating children while preparing them culturally through language and history will help ensure a secure future for the community.
North American First Nations history should be taught in schools.
Cultural understanding is essential to a child’s development.

Goal

To implement an approach to curriculum delivery and student evaluations at the elementary level that focuses on student success and eliminates the concept of failure.
To teach the Alberta curriculum and ensure that, at all times and in all subjects, students’ learning experiences are relevant and high standards are maintained.
To improve the percentage of students meeting the Provincial standard of achievement on the Alberta Student Achievement Tests.
To increase the number of school-hosted activities involving community members, thereby enhancing the parent-school relationship.
To develop and offer credible programs to students in the Cree language and local culture and history.
To increase the number of senior matriculation graduates.
To increase the number of students participating in post-secondary education programs.
To develop and implement a career exploration program for high school students.
To continue utilizing online learning commons programming to benefit students.
To introduce strategies that enhance parental involvement.

Learning Expectations

All Students will:

Come to school prepared and ready to learn
Value their education
Attain high standards of prescribed curriculum outcomes in a rich and challenging program
Utilize appropriate learning resources
Achieve graduation requirements
Learn to understand and speak Cree
Know the history of Sunchild as it relates to other First Nations, Treaties and First Nations issues
Know the three levels of government (Band, Provincial and Federal) and the political process
Understand, appreciate and respect other world cultures
Be knowledgeable in basic computer technology
Have a strong cultural awareness
Know the basics of a healthy lifestyle and accept responsibility for their well-being
Appreciate and respect others and their roles, especially Elders
Protect and care for Mother Nature, the Environment
Make successful transitions to post-secondary education and/or employment