“In what continues to be a year like no other, we find ourselves in the midst of a provincial election. The sustained spotlight that has been held on public education since March 17 has provided boards of education with an opportunity unlike any previous provincial election in recent memory […] It is vital that we make certain public education is both a short-term and long-term priority for whatever party forms government. […] As co-governors of our province’s public education system we must continue to do our part to ensure stable, sustainable and predictable resourcing of the public education system remains a priority.”
~Stephanie Higginson, President, BCSTA
The last few weeks have been a time of transition. Students transitioning back into the school system after, for some, the longest Spring Break ever; Teachers and Educational Assistants transitioning back into the classrooms with new health and safety guidelines, as our students work through the usual back-to-school sniffles and sore throats, but now with enhanced attention. Our new Distance Learning staff have been working with families and IT to create learning programs for those who have chosen to not return to the in-class setting. Our Custodians, and Maintenance workers have been keeping our schools clean, our areas accessible and our communications open. And of course, our Leadership Teams are working diligently from dawn till (well past) dusk making sure that these transitions go smoothly, with as little interruption to students as possible. As best they can in these unprecedented times.
Everyone is doing their part to keep our district moving forward, to keep our schools safe and healthy. To make these transitions as painless as possible for our students.
With the recent call for a provincial election, more transition is expected, regardless of who wins. Changes to the balance of power could mean changes to our relationship with the Provincial Government. This could possibly mean changes in our Capital Funding, our COVID-19 guidelines, funding and implementation of our Mental Health and Wellness Plans and our progress on Indigenous Education. We have worked very hard to get our students through this unstable period, with as little disruption as possible… It will be important at all candidates’ meetings to ask the candidates what plans their party has to ensure a safe successful school year for students and staff.
I’m not going to tell you who to vote for… but please… VOTE. #EducationMatters