1. Students
a.Students and staff reflected on the pain of past and current conflicts at Remembrance Day Ceremonies that were held in all of our schools on Friday, November 9.
b.Shannon Hanson, regional coordinator for the Industry Training Authority, spoke with Foods and Auto Service Tech classes to let them know more about careers in Trades.
c.Twenty Four Grade nine students from Elphinstone Secondary participated in a “Job Shadow” activity this term as part of their Career 9 class. All grade 9 students at Elphinstone will participate in this activity this year.
d.Eleven of our International students participated in a walking tour of Vancouver on October 24. We have two staff providing regular activities for these students throughout the year.
e.We have an ever increasing number of Work Experience and Apprentice students out in the workplace. Our District Career Coordinator supports students and the employers to provide these opportunities and help students gain valuable career skills.
2. Staff
a.Teachers and Principals continue their work on “CARE” teams at each of our elementary schools. Through training, collaboration and practice, teachers hone their skills in the teaching of reading and writing.
b.Teachers and Principals developed professional skills at the Primary Math CAMP with facilitator Sandra Ball.
c.Teachers explored strategies for working with people at the first of a series of Leadership sessions.
d.Staff learned how to support provide initial mental health support to students at a two-day Mental Health First Aid workshop.
e.Many of our Principals and Vice Principals are further developing their leadership skills in the BCPVPA, “Creating a Culture of Learning 2” program. Following a Sunday workshop, they attended Cedar Grove Elementary to visit classrooms, observe lessons, practice and deepen their observation and support skills.
f.Secondary Principals joined Metro colleagues to develop their skills and share strategies in the delivery of effective secondary programs.
g.Senior staff attended training opportunities on Human Resource management (BCPSEA), school safety (School Safety Association of BC, SSABC), system leadership (BCSSA), Communications, Indigenous Education (Ministry), Graduation Program (Ministry).
3. Community
a.The October DPAC meeting was well attended by representatives from most PAC. Parents learned about mental health supports from Director White.
b.We are pleased to work with five dynamic Community School Associations which deliver before and after school support for our schools. Nutrition programs, homework programs, skills programs, empathy programs (Roots of Empathy) and much more are provided for our students.
c.Thanks to our partners at Child and Youth Mental Health (CYMH), especially Eva Pedersen, for organizing a joint learning session through BC Children’s Hospital on ADHD on November 7th.
d.Staff meet regularly with Habitat for Humanity to plan for the Spring Carpentry Youth Train in Trades (TRN) program.