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Waverley’s one of a kind
Mar 7, 2008 By: Moya Dillon(Originally published Feb. 22, 2008)
BOWMANVILLE -- The design of Waverley Public School, the only one of its kind in its school board, is so unique that the building has been recognized by the Bowmanville Historical Society, despite only having been open since 1980.
The design uses the library as the central focus of the school, which is fitting since Waverley’s principal calls reading “the centre of education.”
Despite the celebrated design, principal Cheryl Brown says she is looking forward to the school’s new addition. It will be started sometime later this year and will foster a more inclusive environment by eliminating portables and help the staff in their two main goals: improve student achievement and build and reinforce good character.
“I think students have gained more of an understanding of what makes good character and can recognize it more easily,” Mrs. Brown says of the results of character education at the school. “Generally speaking it improves overall behaviour and the atmosphere of the school.” As part of building character the school has created recognition programs aimed at highlighting and celebrating students who display positive character traits. Among these are the Homework Reward program, where the names of students who consistently complete their homework are entered into a monthly draw. At the end of the term those students get to attend a “reward time” with special activities.
The school also has a Caught You Caring program, where pupils are nominated by fellow students or staff for displaying small acts of kindness. This program has daily winners whose names are read over the announcements and put into a draw.
“The kids react really positively,” Mrs. Brown says of the programs. “They work really hard to be recognized, even just to have their name put in the hat. They’re absolutely delighted when they’re chosen and their names are announced.”
Waverley has formed close partnerships with other organizations in the community, such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bowmanville, which runs an in-school mentoring program at the school.
The program, which was started by Mrs. Brown when she first came to the school six years ago, matches students with adult mentors from Big Brothers or Big Sisters, who work with students for an hour each week.
The school also participates in the Durham Regional Police’s Champions For Youth program, which gets students out working with mentors in the community.
“They love it, they really blossom,” Mrs. Brown says of students in the mentoring program. “They become happier students and are much more settled.”
