The principal of Parkview School is innovative and community-focused. She takes the initiative to offer more than just academic instruction in the building during traditional school hours by opening her school both during and after the school day to allow various community resources to be situated within the school facilities.

Although all specialists are in great demand at this school, social work needs are especially prevalent with so many families faced with heavy economic and social needs. Parkview serves a sizeable population of students who are often marginalized in society, and are impoverished youth living with disenfranchised adults in economically depressed situations. The quantity of available social work service is not adequate and Parkview staff are regularly faced with helping parents with personal problems, supporting students with a variety of emotional and behavioural concerns, and working with agencies in relation to these and other issues.

The school and teachers in this study were assigned pseudonyms to protect their identity. A description of the key school participants: the principal, resource teacher, and the grade 1, 2 and 3 Core French teachers is given in the next chapter.

School Goals

Literacy is a primary school goal at Parkview School, and it is pursued with vigour. Clearly, it is a focus that is not to be forgotten. Children will use the word literacy in conversation to describe a project they have completed. The students appear to know that there is something unique happening at their school that can be a lot of fun. As one walks through the school hallways, there are banners with encouraging expressions to point out to students the value of school and literacy. Classrooms also contain a number of literacy mementos.