Vedder Elementary Focuses on School-Wide Approach to Writing

August 13, 2026

The team at Vedder Elementary School (VES) focused on writing stamina and skill development in the 2025/2026 school year. Literacy is one of the student success goals in the Chilliwack School District’s strategic plan. 

VES staff worked to improve student proficiency in reading, speaking, and writing by implementing a consistent schoolwide approach. For students, this meant daily writing across subjects. Each day, staff provided instruction in writing skills and gave students feedback to help them improve. Teachers intentionally created more opportunities for writing in the classroom. 

Staff also shared strategies to support writing as part of the school’s weekly update to families. 

The school invited experts from the Provincial Outreach Program for Autism and Related Disorders (POPARD) to participate in a staff meeting. The folks from POPARD shared literacy strategies and resources for all learners. This included information on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). VES staff are enthusiastic about further professional development to support student writers in the new school year. 

Vedder Elementary also held an Author Share Assembly where one student from each class shared a piece of writing with their schoolmates. The assembly highlighted how everyone is an author. It helped staff and students see the progression of writing across grades. In May, the school participated in Drop Everything and Write (DEAW). Having every class writing at the same time created a sense of connectedness throughout the school. 

Schools in Chilliwack continue to uphold student success as the district's most important priority. Providing equitable, engaging and high-quality learning environments promotes academic success and nurtures the unique strengths, interests and aspirations of every student.