Circle of Care: Students
- Beebots and cutebots: Careers Coordinator Cathy Gordon and Inclusive Technology Teacher Pam Kaatz collaborated to purchase additional coding robots. Based on recommendations from the District’s TETT Committee (Teachers Empowering Teachers Through Technology), Cathy and Pam have added six of the new versions of BeeBots complete with a charging “hive” and 15 Cutebots that are programmable with our existing Microbits. We are looking forward to seeing all the wonderful ways staff and students will use these robots to not only explore the Career and ADST curricular competencies, but also all of the core competencies. (1c)
- MDI & Parent/Caregiver Communication: The Middle Years Development Instrument is kicking off this month in SD46 schools for grades 5, 6, and 7’s. The Middle Years Development Instrument (MDI) is a self-report questionnaire that asks children in Grade 4 to Grade 8 about their thoughts, feelings and experiences in school and in the community. It is a unique and comprehensive questionnaire that helps us gain a deeper understanding of how children are doing at this stage in their lives. Researchers working at the Human Early Learning Partnership (HELP) are using results to learn more about children’s social-emotional health and well-being. In addition, the MDI is being used by the district to support collaboration and inform policy and practice. Parent/caregiver communications were sent home before the winter break. (1f)
- District Grade 6/7 Volleyball Playday at Elphinstone Secondary: On Friday, December 9th, Grade 6/7 students from across the district came together for a day of volleyball at Elphinstone Secondary as part of the annual Elementary Sports schedule organized by the district’s Elementary Physical Health and Education Committee. Many thanks to staff and volunteers for making this happen! (1g)
- Indigenous Grad Requirement Update: As part of the Province of British Columbia’s commitments to truth, reconciliation, and anti-racism, the Ministry of Education and Child Care (the Ministry) is implementing an Indigenous focused graduation requirement for all students starting in the 2023/24 school year. The Ministry has prepared parent/caregiver communication tools to help families learn more about this new requirement and the district has also developed an information one sheet to support in this transition. (1h)
- 2021/22 Graduation Rates Released:The results are in for 21/22 six-year completion rates and SD46 is at the top of the provincial range in all four categories: B.C. residents, Indigenous, Special Needs, and All Students. In 2021/22, 90% of All Students graduated, with B.C. residents at 92%, Indigenous students 81%, and special needs students (students with individual education plans) 78%. (1l)
Circle of Care: Staff
- Communicating Student Learning Staff Support Update: In response to feedback from teachers across the district, After School Sessions with In-School Support are being offered this winter to further support staff in their Communicating Student Learning skillsets. After School Sessions will establish the foundation for working together during the in-school time, through the support of experts, examples and resources. In-School Sessions will focus on descriptive feedback and other elements of Communicating Student Learning. (2b, 2d)
Circle of Care: Community
- Nicholas Sonntag Marine Education Centre (NSMEC) Programs: Annually, the district and schools work with our partners at the NSMEC to support classes in attending the following programs: Sea Stars and Friends (K and Grade 1), Biodiversity of the Salish Sea (Grades 2/3/4), and Human Impacts of the Salish Sea (Grades 5/6/7). The programs are delivered in 3 parts (in-class visits as well as visits to the Centre), providing a comprehensive experience, and allowing a discovery of our local marine biodiversity. In the fall, the Human Impacts of the Salish Sea was offered and the Biodiversity of the Salish Sea is about to start this month. (3c)