The new year is a good time to reflect on what ethical decision-making means to the board of education from the perspective of governance. What ethical principles guide our decisions and how do we ensure we are aware of the impact on students, families and community?
January is a key month. It is the start of a new calendar year; however, it also moves us from reflecting on our vision, mission, and affirmation statements into our six value statements. A vision communicates our goals and inspires us. A mission defines our purpose. An affirmation communicates what we believe to be true. And our values communicate our philosophy about what we do and how we do it. Values help create our school district culture and we rely on them to inform key decisions.
What a year 2021 was for SD46! We spent the year setting a foundation for many years to come, even amidst adversity. We were able to:
The start of another school year has come and gone here in SD46. As we approach the holiday season, we are reminded of all of the great work done by our staff, students and community to make the past three months as successful as they have been. We are proud of our vision – we are a community engaged in lifelong learning and educational excellence.
The month of December brings the end to the calendar year. It is a natural time for reflection and visioning. This December our board focuses on our work of our affirmation. What is an affirmation and its purpose for a school board you might inquire? Affirmation: a statement or proposition that is declared to be true.
In October board chairs met in Vancouver where a key focus of our work was discussing the importance of strategic planning in supporting student achievement. The Framework for Enhancing Student Learning (FESL) is intended to formalize the strategic planning that boards do to support equity in student achievement by requiring that all boards to have strategic plans and report outcomes annually. This meeting prompted a reflection on the importance and benefit of a mission statement as part of the process.
October is our month to focus on vision. A vision statement is intended to anchor our desired future state and create purpose in our daily work. It describes what is in front of us and up close as well as what is on the horizon and out of focus. A vision statement is also intended to inspire and move staff, students and key stakeholders towards a place where what is currently on the horizon comes in to focus
Near the end of August, Vice-Chair Maria Hampvent advocated for additional funding and supports for schools as part of the provincial budget consultation. View Vice-Chair Hampvent’s presentation to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services here.
September is the only month in the Board’s schedule without a theme from our strategic plan to focus our reflection and work. Naturally when I thinking about preparing for our first board meeting and the start of the school year I turn to beginnings.
Having the board focus our reflection and work this month on beginnings will allow us to re-imagine our work as a board, and a district, as if brand new. We have many opportunities to harness this idea and be open to the possibility it creates.
The end of the school year brings the ritual celebrations of graduation, retirement and the last day of school. The graduation ceremonies have been recorded and trustees have given their speeches. Families have celebrated the milestone achievement by their children together and we are coasting towards the last day of school!
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