Circle Of Care: Students
- Communicating Student Learning Communication Plan for Families: Communicating Student Learning was presented at DPAC, the District Family Engagement Committee in September and all SD46 families have been invited to attend a webinar on October 26th to learn more. School newsletter inserts, all family emailers and a dedicated district website page have also been prepared to support families to understand the changes. (1b)
- District Counselling Time: We are very pleased that this year we were able to fill our district secondary counselling position. Sue Bailey is our District Secondary Safe Schools Counsellor. Sue will continue to build capacity in socio-emotional learning and mental health as part of the Mental Health in Schools Strategy. Additionally, she will be coordinating with counsellors in the areas of consent and sexual health education, substance use prevention/health promotion, and will be instrumental in further developing student and staff understanding of MDI/YDI. (1f)
- Active Travel Weeks: Students, families and staff are encouraged to choose active travel to and from school/work from September 20th to October 28th. We want students, families and staff to be enabled to ride, walk and roll to school more often. Active Travel to school has many benefits. It improves students’ health, well-being, and academic achievement. It also reduces traffic volume, congestion, air pollution and climate change impacts. And Active Travel creates opportunities for friendship, a sense of belonging and healthy independence. Spring GoActive Travel feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Over 1/3 of families participated more than before. Half of students walked, biked or rolled. Half traveled actively 1⁄2 of the time or more. 80% of parents joined in, and most enjoyed the fresh air, time to connect with their children and less driving. (1g)
- Elementary Sports – Cross Country Fun Run: There was an incredible turnout to the annual District Elementary Cross Country Cliff Gilker Park Running Event held in late September – with over 100 students and staff attending from 8 elementary schools! (1g)
- Running for Terry! Annually at this time of year, Sunshine Coast Schools participate in Terry Fox runs in support of the Terry Fox Foundation. The Foundation shared with us that last year our family of schools raised $11,511.34 for cancer research (WOW!) We are so grateful for the leadership of the SD46 Board to continue encouraging philanthropy. Thank you to our entire Learning Community for getting involved in supporting cancer research and building incredible school spirit. (1g)
- Jess Dance: All elementary schools started the year off with some moves! Jess Dance spent a day residency at each school this past month as part of the ArtStarts and District-funded program that brings art and performance experiences annually to schools. (1k)
Circle of Care: Staff
- New Staff Orientation: Over 40 new staff attended a joint SD46, SCTA, and CUPE New Staff Orientation at Chatelech Secondary on October 6th. The event provided a chance to connect faces with names, an HR overview and notable Union specific details. (2a)
- Staff Appreciation Week: The week of October 2nd was a time of celebration of the incredible staff that make up the district. Facilities and custodians were celebrated on International Custodian Day. Teachers were celebrated on International World Teacher’s Day. District, school, classroom support staff, administration staff, and leadership (October is National Principals’ Month) and exempt staff were also celebrated during the week. (2a)
- September Pro D Day | Beginning the Year with Hope | Ensouling our Schools Year 2: All staff attended a virtual keynote from Monique Gray Smith and participated in site-based activities centered around the theme of the braid. This time was rich with connection and learning. During the Maintenance Department’s collaborative working session, an employee suggested that all SD46 vehicles have an ‘Every Child Matters’ sticker on them. This idea immediately moved forward and is now present on all our vehicles. (2b)
- District-Wide School Open Houses: All schools opened their doors in September to welcome back families to their spaces and provide an opportunity to meet the staff and connect with their school community. A prepared keynote from Monique Gray Smith title Bridging the Gap to School was shared with all families and every school offered a welcoming event unique to their school culture.The events were well attended and many shared their appreciation for this district-wide effort. (2e)
Circle of Care: Community
- National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: All SD46 students, staff and school trustees took the time during the week of Truth and Reconciliation to learn, reflect – and to remember. It was at this time of year that First Nations, Inuit and Metis children were taken from their homes and forced to attend Indian residential schools, industrial schools or day schools The District Student Leadership Team invited everyone to join for a district wide moment of silence on Tuesday, September 27th – to think about the children who did not come home, and to honor the residential school/day school/hospital survivors living in this community and across Canada. Also, on September 30th SD46 staff, students, and families walked alongside our shíshálhNation partners for a day of activities in honour of survivors on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. (3c)