 | Principal - Karin Seiler
Welcome to Sister MacNamara School, a place where students,
staff and community members work together to create a dynamic learning environment.
We are located in the heart of downtown Winnipeg, at Sargent and Balmoral. We
are an elementary school and we have approximately 600 students in Nursery to Grade 6.
In the fall of 1989, our school opened its doors for the first
time to the residents of downtown Winnipeg. The parents and community worked very
hard to build a school in the downtown area. It was with great pride and
anticipation that the reality of a new school was accomplished. Our school was named
for Sister Geraldine MacNamara to honour her work and dedication to the inner city people
of Winnipeg.
Fifteen years later Sister MacNamara School continues to be a
thriving and caring school with a very unique student and community population. Our
strength is in the diversity of cultures that come together to make up our school.
There is representation from every continent on the globe within our teaching and
student population. We welcome the diversity of experiences and cultures that
contribute to a climate where children come to learn. This is a truly unique school
where a caring staff and community work together to create a positive learning environment
for all children. |
| Vice Principal - Lucy Schnaider
Welcome to Sister MacNamara
School's web site. Our school is a wonderful exciting place to
learn. We have many special programs such as the French exposure
program for our Grade 4 to 6 classes and the Computer program where our
specialist helps students to expand and integrate their learning through the
use of technology. We have an extended Physical Education Program
where students participate in a number of exciting activities such as rollerblading, cross country skiing, and swimming. We also have a terrific
Art program where the art specialist works in collaboration with classroom
teachers to enhance the learning of our students through integrated art
lessons.
Sister MacNamara School offers many opportunities
for students and parents to participate in the school. We present a
Winter and a Spring Concert as well as the Spring Fun Fest each year.
We offer parent involvement programs such as the Mother Goose Program, and
we invite all our parents to participate in our Parent Council. We
also now have a school support worker who runs regular parent
activities. Please drop in and see her in the Parent Room. |
| Early Childhood - Margo Berger, Robyn Curtis, Carla Pajonk
The Early Childhood program is experiential. What this means is
that the children learn by doing. The environment is set up so that children can
learn basic concepts, math skills, literacy skills and readiness skills for all subjects
through play. Socialization, learning to get along with others and enjoying school
are of primary importance.
In the Kindergarten year, we add standard curricula in Language
Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Health and Physical Education.
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Grade 1 -
Muriel Chisholm, Jennifer Forsyth, Angela Perez,
Cathie Webster
Our Grade 1 team uses a balanced
literacy, activity based approach. This includes shared and guided
reading in conjunction with Literacy Centres. We are implementing a
Math program based on our understanding of children's developmental stages
in Numeracy. Other subject areas are integrated according to
Manitoba curricula. Our urban school reflects our culturally diverse population.
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Grade 2 - Aldo Furlan, Bernadette Healey,
Angela Perez, Kate Wallis
Our grade two program develops
curriculum through the use of themes and interest units. The use of
themes enables us to connect Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies,
Science and Art in a child centered activity based program. |
| Grade 3 -
Roberta McAlpine, Lauren Stearns, Mingdi Zhao
Sister MacNamara School has three grade 3
classrooms. Our school population is made up of a variety of ethnic backgrounds. Our
program is literature and language based, using a variety of multicultural materials. We
have an integrated curriculum, incorporating science, social studies, health, art and
computer technology. We are in the process of using a new Western Canada Mathematics
curriculum. We use many concrete materials in our classrooms with a focus on problem
solving, critical thinking and life skills.
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| Grade 4 -
Jodi Munn, Lauren Stearns, Kathy Tang
The grade four program at Sister MacNamara is activity based. A
thematic program is used. The themes are chosen from various curriculum areas. Literature
forms the basis of the language arts program. The grade four teachers use a student led
conference approach as part of the reporting period. This has proved to be very
successful in the community. |
| Grade 5 - Michelle
Bevan, Herb Fields,
Stu Kearney, John
Tabar
The grade five programs at Sister MacNamara are a continuation
of the early years philosophy of child-centered, activity-based and cooperative learning
strategies. Reading and writing are a daily activity within the classrooms. There is an
emphasis on writing process, novel studies and daily reflective journals. Children's
literature and trade books are the core of the reading program. Math continues to stress
understanding through manipulation of materials. Problem solving is a common thread
running through the program. Social Studies looks at Canada today - its people, landforms,
commodities and government. The grade five classrooms also participate in classes of
French Phys. Ed., Music, Art and Technology. Each of these areas can at times compliment
what is happening in the classrooms by further adding another dimension to a unit of
study. |
| Grade 6 - Michelle
Bevan, Stuart Kearney, James Waytowich
Grade six is an important, challenging year for the students of
Sister MacNamara School. In order to meet the needs of a diverse population in the
integrated grade six area - enriched, regular, special needs, special education and
E.A.L., the students receive instruction in various models. Students' instruction on
the whole is delivered through multi level instruction in the classroom. However,
for one hour three times a cycle, students are streamed in ability levels for novel
studies. This targets their reading comprehension range. Students also receive
instruction in mathematics three times a cycle. Some special education students have
small group instruction daily for functional skills. After school support for
students interested in science fair activities is provided once a week from January to
spring break. Technology Club as well as various sports activities are set up for
students during the noon hour throughout the year. |
| Art - Cathy Woods
The Art Program at Sister MacNamara, we believe that art can and
should be integrated into every area of the curriculum. Give
Cathy a subject and
she will
connect art into it. The art which students produce is of a very high standard.
In addition to being displayed in our hallways, student artwork is often
displayed outside the school community e.g., city hall, downtown library and Portage
Ave. |
| Arts - Jennifer
Bomback
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| Student Support - Kathy Kozak
The major focus of the student
support program at Sister MacNamara
is to support teachers, students and parents in their efforts to help the
children reach their potential.
The
student support role
at Sister MacNamara School revolves around the personal and social needs of
the students.
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| French - Allison Koots
The students in grade 4, 5, and 6 at Sister MacNamara
School receive French instruction 3 times/6 day cycle.
Themes that reflect the student's daily experiences and
interests are presented through a variety of listening, speaking, reading,
and writing activities. Students are encouraged to speak in French
through games, songs, and various activities. |
| Music - Paula Walker
All students from Nursery through six at Sister MacNamara
receive one (N, K) or two (1-6) music classes per six day school cycle, from
a qualified music specialist. Students explore music through singing,
listening, playing instruments, visual recognition, and movement.
Grade 4 - 6 students also incorporate recorder playing into their music
time. We hold two concerts per year, one in winter and one in spring,
where the entire school gets a chance to perform. There is a lunchtime
choir group which meets to perform at assemblies and in the community.
Music is also incorporated into the classroom curriculum wherever possible. |
| Physical Education - Zenia Grosbrink,
Lloyd Rana,
The physical education department consists of two teachers,
Zenia Grosbrink and Lloyd Rana. Sister MacNamara has had a platinum
QUALITY DAILY PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM for five consecutive years followed
by two diamond awards.
This is accomplished by pairing two classes who always have gym together and
a classroom teacher teaming with one of the specialists. We find this
is giving great results in increased skills, fitness and interest in school
with daily fitness activities.
Additionally, there is some flexible time for one
of the physical education specialists to plan and operate special projects which may
vary from 30 minutes to all day. This time has been used for
Leadership Training, Sport Tournaments, Field Days, Cross-Country Skiing,
Swimming and Clinics in many sports including Tennis, Handball, Field Hockey, Inline
Skating, and Track and Field. Classes have been able to visit and work
with students at University of Manitoba and University of Winnipeg.
Intramurals are led by Grade 5 & 6 student leaders most noon hours.
For the upper grades, a variety of seasonal interschool tournaments such
as running, soccer, volleyball, basketball, softball, and track are held. In addition, there is a Spring Outdoor Camp for
Grade 5 students.
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| Support - Trudy Burdy, Karen Burgoyne,
Yohanna Koncan, Michelle Namaka, Joséfa Villafana, Marion Wiedmann
This resource department consists of four support teachers and
two teacher assistants. They work collaboratively with classroom teachers in programming
for the needs of the students. At times, the support teacher and classroom teacher team
teach in the classroom while other times a group is withdrawn based on an observed need.
Classroom teachers and support teachers plan together to best use use teacher assistant
time. Support teacher monitors teacher assistants and makes changes to programming when
necessary. Support teacher and teacher assistant alternate grade levels every 5 weeks. In
addition, Resource and classroom teachers program for Special Ed. students which is
carried out on a regular basis by the teacher assistants.
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For more information, contact the