Student Services & The Engagement Space

At Samuel W. Shaw School, our approach to Student Services is grounded in the Calgary Board of Education’s commitment to providing a continuum of supports that enable all students to access and engage in their learning. These supports are designed to be responsive, flexible, and connected to the classroom, ensuring that students can make progress within their regular learning environment.

Our work focuses on supporting students as learners—developing the strategies, independence, and regulation needed to successfully engage in academic tasks and classroom expectations. Supports are coordinated in collaboration with teachers and families, and are aligned with classroom programming and student learning goals.

The Engagement Space

The Engagement Space is one part of our broader network of supports for students. It is designed as an extension of the classroom—an additional learning environment that students may access when it supports their ability to engage with their work.

The Engagement Space:

• Provides an environment that supports student regulation for learning
• Is staffed throughout the school day by administration and our resource teacher
• Is accessed through collaboration with classroom teachers, based on student need
• Supports students in continuing their current classroom learning tasks in a more focused setting

Use of the Engagement Space looks different for every learner. Students may access the space never, occasionally, rarely, or frequently, depending on their individual needs at a given time.

This space is not separate from the classroom experience—it is an enhancement of it. Students remain connected to their coursework while receiving the support needed to sustain engagement and continue making progress.

A Connected Network of Supports

The Engagement Space is one element within a larger, school-wide approach to supporting student learning. Through collaboration and ongoing monitoring of student progress, we:

• Respond to emerging learning needs in a timely and flexible way
• Provide targeted support aligned with classroom instruction
• Support students in building self-regulation and independence as learners
• Ensure students remain connected to their learning and their classroom community

At Samuel W. Shaw School, supports are designed to be fluid and responsive—meeting students where they are, while keeping them meaningfully engaged in their learning.