MacLean Memorial School's Educational Project
MACLEAN MEMORIAL SCHOOL
EDUCATIONAL PROJECT
1. Principal's Note
2. School History
3. Mission Statement
4. Philosophy of the School
5. Implementation of the Educational Project
6. Strategy of Realization
7. Role of the Student
8. Role of the Parent
9. Role of the Teacher
10. Role of the Principal
11. Relationship to the Community
12. MacLean Memorial Crest
13. Our School
PRINCIPAL'S NOTE
December, 1998
For the past two years our teachers, staff, School Committee
and Governing Board members have worked together to describe
the reality of our school. A special thanks to Isabelle
Lachapelle, Suzanne Albert and Maureen Tanguay for their
efforts in realizing this project.
They have completed a plan, which we hope will continue to
provide an atmosphere, which is conducive to growth for both
our present and future pupils.
It has been a pleasure for me to have coordinated these
efforts. I am grateful to both parents and teachers for
their involvement with this project. May we continue to
strive for excellence for our children - our most precious assets.
Steven Dopheide,
Principal Back to top
SCHOOL HISTORY
1956 Chibougamau Protestant School opens.
1977 A contest was held to rename the school. Catherine Parceaud,
a secondary student won the contest choosing a dedication in memory
of Donald M. MacLean, a prominent community leader and one of the
founding fathers of Chibougamau.
1989 MacLean inaugurates its Study Centre in the evenings at the
Cree Indian Centre. This offered students a place to study and get
help in the evenings. It closed in 1992 due to lack of financial resources.
1990 In a ceremony, students, teachers and staff declare the school
and its grounds a "No-smoking" area.
1997 Construction of a new addition replacing two temporary
classrooms. The administration is now located at the entrance of
the school.
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MISSION STATEMENT
"MacLean Memorial provides an education consisting of respect,
responsibility, and accountability for the present and future,
fostered through encouragement and collaboration in a safe, caring
environment."
The teachers, parents and principal are committed to the above
mission statement.
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MACLEAN MEMORIAL GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Throughout their school life, students are encouraged to exercise
the following principles. The teachers and administration are
bound to these principles as well.
- be accountable
- be respectful
- be responsible
- work together with others
(unity)
- do your best
(achievement)
- demonstrate motivation
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PHILOSOPHY OF THE SCHOOL
The purpose of MacLean Memorial School is to provide for the cultural,
intellectual, moral, physical, and social development of each student,
co-operatively with the home and community, according to the student's
individual potentialities.
It should be the aim of the school to provide a climate in which, the
student, may become aware of their own worth and may learn to appreciate
the value of life, thereby enabling development of a mature and
responsible approach to adult life. This school should offer an
opportunity to develop other interests for both constructive and
creative use of leisure time.
It should strive to teach the fundamental skills necessary for
successful performance in the world of work and also prepare you
according to your abilities and interests for continuing education and
advanced training. It should strive to impress upon students the value
of continuing education for both employment and self-satisfaction.
Each student should acquire an appreciation of our national and
cultural heritage including the ideals, standards and techniques of
good citizenship. Students will also be encouraged to appreciate and
respect the heritage of others.
The curriculum should be broad enough to offer each individual the
program best suited to the students needs and interests. The
administration, staff, and parents should be ready to experiment,
revise and alter techniques to adapt to a changing world.
It is for these reasons that MacLean Memorial exists - for the
benefit of the youth of our school.
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IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EDUCATIONAL PROJECT
Positive encouragement and recognition is given to pupils for improved
performance and high academic achievement and high improvement.
Plaques are placed in the entrance hall to recognize such performance.
Each year, the various partners choose values, which are acceptable to
the school community. These values are chosen to promote desired
behaviour.
Agenda books are mandatory encouraging students to better organize
their commitments and for responsibility and accountability.
The guiding principles of the school are displayed in each of the
classrooms to remind students what the school stands for.
The MacLean Memorial discipline policies reflect the guiding
principles of the school.
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STRATEGY OF REALIZATION
The Régime Pédagogique and program of Studies are followed.
The profiles of each child's progress are released to the parents
5 times a year.
Star Reading tests are administered twice a year and these results
report the pupil's progress in Reading.
Allowances are made for differences of growth in individual children,
as much as is possible within the framework of the school.
The services of a counselor, psychologist and both elementary and
secondary nurses are available for students with special needs.
The teachers receive regular in-service training to be able to
teach the ministry program, learn new teaching techniques and
to maintain professional standards.
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ROLE OF THE STUDENT
1. To acquire a sense of responsibility in keeping with his age level.
2. To be accountable by using the agenda and in the high school,
recording of his or her marks.
3. To acquire critical judgement according to the various stages
of development as he or she grows.
4. To become independent in performing the various academic tasks.
5. To respect the school classroom rules in all his social interactions.
6. To respect fellow students and staff.
7. To develop a sense of democracy and responsibility in contributing
to the life of the school.
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ROLE OF THE PARENT
1. To keep the school informed concerning the child's personal,
social and physical well being and any changes which occur.
2. To provide a proper atmosphere for the child to do his assignments.
3. To aid the school in matters of discipline by encouraging the
children to abide by school rules as approved each year by the
Governing Board.
4. To contribute financial and human resources for extra curricular
activities. Financial resources/books.
5. To participate in decisions concerning the orientation, values
and standards of the school.
6. To aid in the motivation of the child.
7. To ensure that the child comes to school with all the necessary
conditions conducive to work (i.e. well rested, proper food and
clothing and necessary materials).
8. To ensure the child's attendance and promptness at all times.
9. To keep in touch with the teachers to understand the program
and teaching methods within the classroom and to keep abreast of
their child's progress.
10. To support and encourage the various projects proposed by the
Governing Board.
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ROLE OF THE TEACHER
1. To aid the student to grow to his utmost potential physically.
2. To ensure good discipline in the class and school.
3. To aid the students in developing motivation and creativity.
4. To inform the parents of their child's progress.
5. To communicate with the parents concerning their child's problems.
6. To counsel parents concerning their children.
7. To help and advise children when necessary.
8. To participate in decisions concerning pedagogy, school discipline
and the general orientation of the school.
9. To prepare and evaluate all pedagogical activities within the classroom.
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ROLE OF THE PRINCIPAL
1. Supervision of all pedagogical activities in school.
2. Organization of all pedagogical and social activities.
3. Ensure adequate communication between teachers, parents and
school board.
4. Manage human, physical and financial resources in the school.
5. To represent the school in the community.
6. To ensure that the parents are adequately informed concerning
all school activities.
7. To encourage creativity and change.
8. To encourage the participation of parents in the school.
9. To regulate disciplinary and pedagogical problems in the school.
10. To encourage good communication between teachers and parents.
11. To regulate transportation problems.
12. To represent the school at the board level.
13. To ensure use of community resources.
14. To participate actively in all school activities
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RELATIONSHIP TO THE COMMUNITY
MacLean Memorial School attempts to be a positive part of the
Chibougamau community and welcomes students from surrounding communities.
Advantage is taken of the municipal library, local businesses,
swimming pool, arena, bowling alley, beach and other community facilities.
Our programs include bicycle, pedestrian, bus and water safety
with the collaboration of the local police and fire departments.
MacLean Memorial makes use of social services from the "Centre
Regionale des Services Sociaux". This includes regular visits
from a dental hygienist, elementary and secondary nurse and psychologist.
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MACLEAN MEMORIAL SCHOOL CREST
The links in the chain represent the interlocking partnerships
so important to the success of our school: the students, the
parents, the teachers, the school board and the community.
The inner part of the crest is divided into three parts
representing the triad of students, parents and teachers,
the heart of our school. The school house gives proof that
we are proud to be a small school with large dreams. The
scroll with the torch carries values, which are important
to us. We strive to work together, to motivate ourselves
and others so that we may all achieve our goals. The beaver
is our school mascot. The Latin name for beaver in Canada
is Castor canadensis. Castor refers to the beaver family
and canadensis recognizes Canada as the beaver's home. One
of the first yearbooks of our school was called Amik, the
Algonquin word for beaver; Algonquin being the base of the
language spoken by most Canadian Natives. Beavers are hard
working, peaceful animals who enjoy a social life and have
a strong parental concern for their young.
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OUR SCHOOL
(A poem written by a MacLean parent for a School
Success Symposium, March 1993)
The crowd that you see here is down from Chibougamau
We try to keep warm up there so as not to turn blue!
MacLean Memorial School is our concern right now
And you can help us to improve it - how?
We come from the north - parents, teachers, and students alike
In the hope of putting our school just right.
We need ideas and plans for the future, you see
These are extremely important to how our school will be.
With a mix of cultures - French, English and Cree
We try to capture the best of all three.
Our school goes from Kindergarten to Secondary Five
And we instill in our students both knowledge and drive.
Already, thanks to our meetings, new ways have been found
To bring in music, art and other activities closer to the ground.
When the weather is good we will play team games
And despite differing abilities no one will be called names.
We need your aid to keep our students in school
To do their homework must be a golden rule.
And if all our parents also do their part
Then surely the students will become very smart.
With after school hours study and the practical "hands-on" approach
We can work hard, with time off to play basketball - Coach.
We all love our school and we want to proceed
And we know that with your help we will succeed.
We would like to say how grateful we are for this chance to
come here and give you a song and a dance!
By Penny Setterfield, parent
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