Circle Of Care: Students
- The Ministry of Education is now officially known as the Ministry of Education and Child Care. This change, effective April 1st 2022, fulfills Government’s commitment to move child care into our Ministry to help ensure a more successful and seamless transition for B.C. children into the K-12 system. It is a natural and fitting transition, ensuring responsibility for child care rests together with K-12 education and recognizing early learning and child care as a foundational part of every child’s learning journey. In SD46 we are so fortunate to have such a rich foundation in this work that with the expertise and knowledge of staff we will ensure we are able to continue, strengthen and grow during this transition. (1b)
- Lawrence Hill Author Visits: Last week renowned Canadian author Lawrence Hill zoomed in to 29 SD46 classrooms. Lawrence is the author of The Book of Negroes, Beatrice and Croc Harry and the Illegal. (1d, 1h)
- The Minister of Education in collaboration with the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) will be implementing an Indigenous-focused graduation requirement as part of the province’s commitment to truth and reconciliation. This is an important policy decision in the education sector on truth and reconciliation that is inclusive of all students and shows the importance of the work and learning for each student in their future to be an educated citizen. Implementation of the new requirement is expected to involve a phased-in approach that would come into full effect in the 2023/24 school year. (1h)
- April is Earth Month and on April 22nd we celebrate Earth Day! The Environmental Education and Climate Action Committee has prepared many offerings and resources for staff and students this month. The committee has established a network throughout the district of Environmental School Leads as a next step in creating action and change. Annually, the SOS Students on Shorelines Cleanup is an opportunity for students and staff to make a difference in our community during Earth Month. The committee has also created an Earth Day Resource Kit: Going Green Menu of Ideas for staff and an E3 Online Atlas with shared lessons outside on the Sunshine Coast to help students and staff to get outside. (1i)
- Secondary ArtStarts Performance of Tiny Islands: Secondary schools were treated to a jazz performance from Tiny Islands recently. These performances are made possible by funding from ArtStarts and SD46. (1k)
- Junior Firefighters Academy: The SD46 Junior Fire Fighter Academy had 10 students participate over 8 days. The training was in two parts with Community Fire Fighting for five days under the supervision of Dwight Davison, the Assistant Chief of Operations and Training at the Sechelt Fire Department, and many volunteers from the Sechelt Fire Department and the Gibsons Fire Department. The second part of the training was in Forestry Firefighting and was supervised by Stephen Gemmell, the Sunshine Coast Fire Zone Wildfire Technician and two members of the team.(1l)
- Exploring Careers in the Trades: Approximately 275 students from 3 schools and 11 classes had a hands-on experience using tools and skills of a sheet metal worker recently. Cathy Gordon, SD46 Career Coordinator, organized Rene Ragetli from Skills Ready, Construction Foundation, and the ITA to speak to student about how a career in the trades is rewarding and very much in demand. The students then had the opportunity to make either a copper bracelet or an aluminum bowl. Comments from the students where that they really enjoyed the experience, it is fun, and they loved watching the colour change in the copper as it heated up! (1l)
Circle of Care: Staff
- Service Recognition: This month, staff who have 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 years with the district are receiving a gift to acknowledge their service. (2a)
- We were very pleased to hold our Level 1 VTRA (Violent Threat Risk Assessment) training on March 30th and 31st. VTRA is a comprehensive three stage prevention model that addresses all forms of violence. It is both trauma informed and intervention based. Maggie Scott and Carolyn Spence facilitated the training. 23 participants met in person to either learn the model for the first time or to refresh their skills. Participants included: principals, counsellors and ISTs along with RCMP and Child and Youth Mental Health Clinicians. The training was both engaging and excellent. Next steps will include follow up sessions with our counsellors and our core district team. (2b)
- Softening the Edges with Katie White: Softening the Edges by Katie White explores choosing soft edges over hard edges to deliver assessment for learning and student engagement. It supports us to smoothly guide students so confidence grows and their experiences are positive and relevant. The district has the privilege of hosting 4 sessions with Katie this spring. (2b)
- The government-wide Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act) Action Plan, released on March 30, identifies goals and outcomes for the long-term vision of implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in B.C. under the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. What this means for us in SD46 is that we will be working alongside the Ministry and Indigenous Rightsholders to address priorities and goals over the next 5 years (2022-27) which focus on 13 education-specific outcomes. Our journey with Ensouling our Schools, the Equity Scan and the care and work over the years to acknowledge and strengthen our commitment to Indigenous learners has provided us with deep roots from which we are in an excellent position to embrace next steps in the implementation of UNDRIP. (2d)
Circle of Care: Community
- Covid-19 Health and Safety Updates: staff, students, and their families received updates regarding the easing of K-12 setting guidelines upon the return from Spring Break. (3a)
- Community Schools Meeting: Twice a year, in the fall and spring, SD46 Ed Leadership Team meets with Community School Coordinators to discuss the work of the partnership and further planning between our organizations. On April 12th, we met and are excited to be working on a number of collaborations with one another. (3c)