What does it mean to be a Partner in Education?

We’re glad you asked! The PIE program is a partnership between you and your school (us!) that offers a unique blend of learning opportunities. Through the PIE program, your child will have some of the benefits of a classroom learning experience including social development, interaction with peers, large group activities, the building of a classroom community, and the personalized, face-to-face attention of a committed Christian teacher. Your PIE teacher will plan the classroom work and follow-up activities, thus taking some of the burden from you in the heavier content areas. In addition, you and your child will have the support of a teacher for your at-home program.

Being part of the PIE program means you have time for home learning blended with the benefit of an affordable Christian education.

How the PIE Program Works

Planning of Program

Your child’s PIE teacher will direct and assess the full coverage of Science, Social Studies, Language Arts, and a newer subject in BC called Applied Design, Skills, and Technology. Throughout the year, your child will submit work to your PIE teacher who will assess your child’s learning and write a report card for these subjects. There are parent and teacher meetings in Terms 1 and 2 and an orientation meeting at the beginning of the year for new families, so you will be informed and involved throughout.

Weekly Classes

In the PIE program, your child will attend weekly face-to-face classes (30 classes and 3 field trips). Each week there will be assignments and activities to complete in response to the previous week’s teaching or in preparation for the upcoming class. It is imperative that each stage of a project is completed on time since there is only one day a week that the group works together.

Weekly Assignments (Practice & Project Work)

Through our online platforms the PIE teacher will post assignment details, downloadable resources, and helpful weblinks for the parent on mYrcoa and for the learner on FreshGrade. You will work with your child to review the Practice & Project assignments and plan the week so the work is finished before the next class.

Coverage of Science & Social Studies

The PIE teachers at each location base each term on Science and Social Studies themes, providing a full year’s program in a rich, multi-grade format. These overarching themes run across the grades and are adapted for each level. This means that families with learners in any level of the PIE program will have continuity at home when completing the Practice & Project work. Our Community Class topics and PIE Class themes are coordinated as much as possible to avoid duplication and maximize coverage for students that attend both.

Coverage of Language Arts

The PIE teacher directs the informational reading, writing, and oral presentations for Language Arts within the term topics and themes.

Language Arts will also be a key focus at home, including daily reading activities to develop fluency and comprehension. Samples of progress are uploaded to an online platform called FreshGrade, where the teacher and learner can have learning conversations. Families will be assisted by the PIE teacher in choosing programs and resources to support their learning in the following areas:

Kindergarten – Grade 2: a reading program (e.g., phonics), and letter formation practice
Grades 3-4: a reading program, spelling practice, and grammar and editing skills as it relates to their writing
Grades 5-7: 2 novel studies chosen by the learner, spelling practice, with grammar and editing skills as it relates to their writing

Coverage of Applied Design, Skills, & Technology

Applied Design, Skills, & Technology is a subject that highlights children’s interest in exploring, creating, and sharing what they have discovered. Although a full program of ADST will be part of PIE's project learning, we recognize that more opportunities will naturally happen through home, community classes, and community activities. We welcome you to share those through FreshGrade as well!

Participation

If your child is ill or cannot complete the necessary work, we ask that you contact your PIE teacher right away. If your child did not complete the previous week’s work or weekly classroom work, those activities may need to be added to the following week’s assignments and may need extra support from you to make sure it is complete. This “catch up” work would only be what is essential to your child’s program.

Details as well as subject coverage and direction:

30 face-to-face classes of 5.5 hours each
3 field trips
Language Arts
Science
Social Studies
Applied Design, Skills & Technology

Participation requires:

consistent use of a reading program
weekly project work directed by PIE teacher (approximately 2-4 hours per week)
use of an online system to monitor and complete assignments (including downloading information and following weblinks)
field trip transportation (can’t be provided by the school)
parent chaperoning for at least 1 field trip
attend parent/teacher meetings
timely communication if your child is ill or unable to complete Practice & Project work

In addition to the PIE program, you will have a home learning program that is overseen by a Home Learning Support Teacher.

How the Home Learning Support Program Works

Student Learning Plan

Your Home Learning Support Teacher (HLST) is like your child’s homeroom teacher and your main contact for questions, concerns, and support. He or she will meet with you to collaboratively plan your child’s Mathematics, Physical & Health Education, Career Education, Arts Education, and French (or another chosen language) programs. Together you will write a Student Learning Plan (SLP), which is a flexible framework for the learning you plan to do and can be changed and updated as the year progresses. Throughout the year, your child will submit work samples to the HLST who will assess your child’s learning and write a report card for these subjects. The SLP will list the online subscriptions and curriculum you are planning to use in each subject area. Due to the timeline of ordering curriculum, your HLST will help you choose Language Arts curriculum, but it will be overseen by your PIE teacher.

Weekly Communication & Samples

Your HLST and your child will keep in touch weekly, through conversations on an online platform, called FreshGrade. FreshGrade is where you can help your child upload his or her work samples or write notes, and this will set the stage for the conversations between your child and the HLST. You will be involved throughout, helping direct the conversation and doing the typing when needed. Through these conversations, your HLST will encourage, coach, teach, direct, and celebrate your child as well as help ensure your child’s learning and the Student Learning Plan are in sync. If your child participates in community classes, samples of your child’s work and community class reports should be uploaded to FreshGrade as well.

Home Visits

You and your child will meet with the HLST twice during the school year for a home visit. During this visit, your child will be able to do some activities and share learning with your HLST. It is a nice time when you can enjoy each other’s company face to face! If your child also participates in community classes, this is a good time to share those learning experiences.

Importance of Email

You are welcome and encouraged to be in contact with your HLST through email to discuss things such as changes in learning goals, results of doctor’s visits, or to share struggles and get encouragement. HLSTs are committed to being a support to both you and your child in this learning journey!

Details as well as subject coverage and direction:

2 home visits
weekly work samples and/or notes through an online platform (FreshGrade)
weekly conversations between child and teacher through FreshGrade
Math
Physical & Health Education
Career Education
Arts Education
French (or another chosen language)