Category: Chair’s Update

Once again, my Board Report remains in the virtual world. Thanks to technology, we have actually had a very busy month. This month has been chock-full of emails and Zoom meetings; Keeping in constant contact with the Superintendent on district happenings, listening to the Minister of Education on plans to re-open schools in a safely phased plan, keeping the board up-to-date on all the goings-on and listening to concerns from parents and students. It has been an ever-changing scenario, and while we sit back and wait, we still have to keep moving

With all the craziness of the last few weeks, I find writing about the activities of the Board a little daunting. Yes, we have been kept in the know, we have been a part of the virtual meetings and have made sure that despite delving into the unknown, the district’s goals, values, and of course, policies, are being adhered to. Having already set in place these guidelines through our Strategic Plan, I honestly feel that our district has the navigational needs it requires.

The month of February was focused on our value, Inclusion, and we are now heading into Collaboration and Equity. How better to model this than by participating in a team-building retreat. On the 21st of February, our board spent the day together with senior staff at the beautiful Botanical Gardens in West Sechelt, discussing ways to further connect our team and enhance our work on the board by opening up the communication channels and setting a place at the table for all.

Usually, the Chair’s Report is an update on the recent activities of the Board. Each activity, concert, seminar and meeting that trustees recount is the story of our commitment to our schools, to our students and to the fostering of relationships with stakeholders throughout the community. This month, I will move the telescope out a notch or two to share with you what a board of education does as a whole and why.

This short month was filled with affirmations and celebrations! Many of the trustees started off the week before Christmas at the second annual Women in Politics dinner. This was a fabulous opportunity to discuss, in a casual setting, how we’ve done over the last year. A way to make a place at the table and offer encouragement and to lift each other in our roles. It was a very affirming gathering and we look forward to next year

It was a month full of listening and learning, sharing ideas and projects with our staff, our community and our fellow elected governments. The list is long, but all are noteworthy. The role of a trustee is an important one, and we all take that role seriously.

Our mission states that we support and inspire each student to experience joy and fulfillment in realizing their potential as a knowledgeable, confident, and contributing citizen in the global community. We, as a board, have to mirror that mission in ourselves. This last month has been testament to that. Following are some of the events and opportunities the board took part in, in an effort to gain knowledge and contribute locally, provincially, nationally and yes, in some cases even globally.

There are a few changes to the Board Report this month. In addition to just the Chair reporting updates, the trustees themselves will have a voice in their own official activities. Our trustees work hard to walk the talk of our vision, mission and value statements.

After a short hiatus, the Board is eager to get back to work. Our staff, of course, have been busy behind the scenes, keeping everything running like clock-work. This month’s agenda-setting was chock-full of reports and items for discussion and updates for the board. Luckily, through our communications plan, which follows our values and goals as set out in the new Strategic Plan, we are able to see what goes where and when.

I’m afraid I don’t have a lot to report in regards to May. I would like to thank Vice-Chair Leech for taking over the helm whilst I was away for the better half of the month. During that time the District of Sechelt hosted the Intergovernmental meeting, to which we were a part. It is always good to be able to share ideas, and to keep the lines of communication open with our fellow elected officials.