As we wrap up our school year, we reflect on the various ways in which we have put our school focus of connection and belonging into action in this last part of the year. Our Student Leadership group continued to be a big driver in various activities that foster connection and belonging. Through their planning and leadership of our Family Teams activities in preparation for Sports Day, cross-grade and cross-class relationships continued to be built and strengthened. 

This Spring, we also gathered student voice from a Grade 6 Student Focus Group. While the main focus of the focus group was to gather input for the new Strategic Plan, our Grade 6 students also engaged in conversation about our school learning story focus of connection and belonging. Our students shared that they felt connected and supported by the adults at school in various ways and felt connected to our McNeely Community. They felt engaged and supported in their academic and social-emotional learning. 

Our Spring Crochet Club was a new offering this year. Led by a group of teachers at lunch, this was a welcome and well-attended weekly activity. Students across many grades connected over learning to crochet. All skill levels were welcomed and students had a wonderful time coming together to learn a new skill. 

As we look ahead to shifting our School Learning Story focus to include a literacy component, our work on connection and belonging will continue to be the foundation that we build upon to move students' literacy learning forward.