Nicomen Island and Cade Barr Properties to be Sold

For further information, please see: New Release Sept 21, 2016

Board Policy Development Committee

At the September 20th Public Board meeting, it was announced that a Board Policy Development Committee meeting has been scheduled for 3:30 pm, Tuesday, September 27, 2016 at the District Education Office (downstairs).

This meeting is open to the public.

We welcome partner and public participation in the development of policy.

For further information, please see: BPDC Agenda September 27, 2016

Transportation Funding Announcement:

On August 10, 2016, the Ministry of Education announced new funding totaling $14.7 million under the new Student Transportation Fund.

This funding is intended to support School Districts in improving the affordability of transportation services as well as ensuring more equitable and affordable access to BC families.

Each School District is expected to develop and submit a funding plan to access this new funding in addition to following Ministry guidelines prior to September 30, 2016.

Upon approval of School District plans, it is Government's expectation that current transportation fees charged to eligible riders for standard bus service to catchment schools be eliminated for the 2016/17 school year. Accordingly, the School District will work diligently to refund fees already paid by families, in due course.

For your information:

• The School District collected $135,448 in transportation fees during 2015/16 school year.
• The amount allocated to our School District pursuant to the Ministry's new Student Transportation Fund is $188,900.

For complete information regarding the Student Transportation fund, please visit the Ministry of Education's website:

https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2016EDUC0076-001429?WT.cg_n=Hootsuite

On Behalf of the Superintendent of Schools:

After a proposed recommendation by the Superintendent of Schools and with unanimous Board approval, we are pleased and excited to announce the appointment of our new Assistant Superintendent of Schools, LARRY JEPSEN. A passionate educator and leader, Larry has devoted his career to numerous committees and associations to improve School District and student successes. Please join us in congratulating Larry to his new role effective August 1, 2016.

Disposal of Properties:

We thank the many groups and individuals who have expressed interest in the potential disposal of School District properties.

At a Committee of the Board held on June 7, 2016, a report provided by Staff was received for information.

In the best interest of the School District, the Trustees have agreed to defer the matter to the Fall where further options will be explored.

The School District will continue to receive expressions of interest during this time.

We thank you for your understanding and patience as we work through this very important decision-making process.

On Behalf of the Board of Education:

After numerous interviews, consultation with partner groups, Board deliberations with the Superintendent and a unanimous vote, the Board of Education is pleased and excited to announce the appointment of our new Secretary Treasurer, CORIEN BECKER.
Corien  is a former Kootenay resident originally from the Creston Valley who currently resides in Vancouver. She holds a CPA, CGA accounting designation, with a certificate and diploma in Local Government Administration and a Bachelor of Commerce degree (public sector).  
Corien began her career in local government in 1991 with the City of Cranbrook and has held Chief Finance and Administrative Officer roles with the municipalities of Prince Rupert, Elkford, Squamish and Powell River, BC. She is passionate about the service side of public administration and strives to make a difference in the communities and organizations where she works.
With an eye on service, Corien has held numerous volunteer positions on many boards and committees and is the current Past President of the Local Government Management Association of BC. Corien's passion has also led or inspired many initiatives, including an award winning marketing and branding campaign that has been modeled by communities in BC and Alberta, an award winning customer service program recognized by the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators, and a project that was documented in a United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change publication. 
With a work hard, play harder motto, Corien enjoys mountain biking, hiking, and golf as well as attending concerts and sporting events in the lower mainland and beyond. With two adults sons and other family members scattered across BC and Alberta, Corien and her partner Marc take to the road when time permits, exploring BC, Alberta, and ball fields to cheer on the NY Yankees.
Corien will be in the office a few days in May, and will be in the role full-time on June 20th.
Please join us in welcoming Corien to the School District upon her arrival ~ we look forward to introducing her to you over the coming weeks!

Bus Transportation Registration for 2016-17

Families are advised that registration of students for bus transportation for the 2016-17 school year will run from May 3rd through June 30th, 2016. In order to ride a district school bus, all new and returning riders must complete a registration form each year.

Registration can be initiated by using our online bus registration form, or in person at the Transportation Department (NEW LOCATION) located at 33919 Dewdney Trunk Road, during the business hours of 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. M-F. Please note, registration is not considered complete until full payment is received. If you are using the online form, you will be contacted directly by the Transportation office regarding payment arrangements.

Students who qualify to use district transportation services but have not registered by June 30th, or students who are cross boundary students, are not guaranteed transportation as it will depend on availability of service.

Any registrations received after the June 30th deadline will incur a 20% surcharge.

The Transportation office will be closed between July 1st and August 19th, 2016. Online registrations may still be submitted during this time.

Please click here to access the bus registration page.

On Behalf of the Board of Education:

After lengthy interviews, broad consultation with partner groups, Board deliberations and a unanimous vote, the Board of Education is pleased and excited to announce the appointment of our new Superintendent of Schools, ANGUS WILSON.

Angus grew up in Vancouver and completed university degrees at both UBC and Sussex before becoming a teacher through the rural based West Kootenay Teacher Education Program. His experience includes teaching at all grade levels in SD 52 (Prince Rupert) and 50 (Haida Gwaii), then worked as a Vice-Principal and Principal at the elementary and secondary levels and has served as the Superintendent of Schools for SD50 for almost 8 years. During this tenure, he also held the position of Secretary Treasurer for three years. As a passionate educator, he advocated for pedagogical shifts in Indigenous, Place Based, and Culturally Responsive education, and is a strong supporter of both early education and real world applied skills. He has worked with numerous provincial committees and associations over his career to improve student success, particularly in rural school districts. One of his career highlights has been supporting SD50 staff to massively increase school completion rates and post-secondary success over the past decade. An avid reader, amateur historian, and movie buff, Angus is the proud father to three kids, aged 11-18, and stepdad to a 13 year old maltipoo. He spends his off time visiting his children, painting very small bits of plastic, exercising, or on practising his sous chef skills. Angus will be available to us on a part-time basis assisting with the role of selecting the Secretary Treasurer with an anticipated full-time commitment to commence early June.Please join us in welcoming Angus to the School District upon his arrival ~ we will work diligently to introduce you to him over the coming weeks!

POTENTIAL DISPOSAL OF SCHOOLS AND PROPERTY

The Board of Education ("Board") has indicated its intent to dispose of four school sites and associated property. These schools are not required for district educational purposes, either now or in the foreseeable future.

The four sites are:

 Stave Falls Elementary
 30204 Brackley Avenue
 Mission, BC

 Durieu Elementary
 11620 Seux Road
 Mission, BC

 Cade Barr Elementary
 33447 Dewdney Trunk Road
 Mission, BC

 Nicomen Island School
 40071 Nicomen Island Trunk Road
 Mission, BC

The School District is undertaking broad consultation both within the community and beyond and is specifically soliciting your comments on:
 a. The disposal of these properties, and/or;
 b. Whether you have any interest in the acquisition of any of these sites.

More information on these properties is available from the School District. Please address any and all comments before Wednesday, June 1, 2016 to the attention of:

 Mr. Ray Seifert, Director of Facilities
 School District No. 75 (Mission)
 33940 Dlugosh Ave
 Mission BC V2V 6B2

All comments will be summarized and presented to the Board of Education on June 1, 2016. Following review of all appropriate comments, the Board may apply to the Minister of Education for disposal of any or all of these four properties.

Should the Board apply to the Minister of Education and approval to proceed be given, then a public disposal process will be undertaken. Any agency who has expressed an interest in acquiring these properties will be individually notified of the process steps and timelines.

Please click here for more details about these properties.

2016/2017 School District Calendar

Schools Opening Day for Students ................................................................................ Tues. Sept. 6, 2016
Non Instructional Day .......................................................................................................... Fri. Sept. 23, 2016
Thanksgiving ........................................................................................................................ Mon. Oct. 10, 2016
Provincial Professional Development Day ........................................................................ Fri. Oct. 21, 2016
Non Instructional Day .......................................................................................................... Mon. Oct.24, 2016
Remembrance Day ............................................................................................................... Fri. Nov. 11, 2016
½ Day Assessment/Evaluation (PM only, Elementary, Middle, Secondary) ......... Thurs. Nov. 10, 2016
Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences (Elementary, Middle, Secondary) ................... Fri. Nov. 25, 2016
Last Day before Winter Break ............................................................................................. Fri. Dec. 16, 2016
Schools Reopen .................................................................................................................. Tues. Jan 3, 2017
Family Day ........................................................................................................................... Mon. Feb. 13, 2017
Provincial Professional Development Day ....................................................................... Fri. Feb. 17, 2017
½ Day Assessment/Evaluation (Elementary PM only) ................................................... Fri. Feb. 24, 2017
Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences (Elementary only ............................................... Fri. Mar. 10, 2017
Spring Break ......................................................................................................................... Mar. 13 - 24, 2017
Schools Reopen ................................................................................................................ Mon. Mar. 27, 2017
Good Friday ............................................................................................................................. Fri. Apr. 14, 2017
Easter Monday ..................................................................................................................... Mon. Apr. 17, 2017
½ Day Assessment/Evaluation (Middle, Secondary) ................................................ Thurs. Apr. 13, 2017
Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences (Middle, Secondary) .......................................... Fri. Apr. 28, 2017
Non Instructional Day ......................................................................................................... . Fri. May 19, 2017
Victoria Day .......................................................................................................................... Mon. May 22, 2017
Last Day of School for Students (Elementary, Middle, Secondary) ...................... Thurs. June 29, 2017
Administrative Day ............................................................................................................... Fri. June 30, 2017

(New) 2016 Non-Instructional Days

Due to changes in the new curriculum the following two dates have been added:

   DISCOVER A NEW WAY for your child to learn French:
                           
   INTENSIVE FRENCH PROGRAM     

This is not a French Immersion program but rather an alternative language acquisition program for those students interested in building their French language skills more rapidly.

In Today’s World Bilingualism is an Asset!
• Don’t miss your chance; space is limited! Registration will begin
  on Wednesday, February 17th for students entering Grade Six in  
  September, 2016. The program takes place at Windebank Elementary School.
• Intensive Core French is part of the Mission Public Schools system.
• Parents do not need knowledge or background in French language.
• There is no cost to participate.
• Learning French as a second language opens many great opportunities such as
   traveling, public speaking, French entertainers and much more.
• Improves the ability to learn further languages.

For more information about the Intensive Core French Program, you are welcome to attend our Parents Information Night.

Tuesday, February 16th, 2016
Windebank Elementary School
33570-11th Avenue,
Mission, BC

Time: 6:30 pm in the library

 Or visit: www.mpsd.ca

email Ghislain Michaud
District French Coordinator, Mission Public Schools

FRENCH IMMERSION INFORMATION

Please see this link to the proposed new French Immersion Boundary Catchments map.

The following recommendation will be brought to the Public Board meeting on January 19th for Board approval:

THAT the Board of Education adopt the Superintendent of Schools recommendation to implement the attached Elementary French Immersion school catchment boundaries for Ecole Christine Morrison and Ecole Mission Central for the 2016-2017 school year ensuring the Board's education goals and guiding principles for the two dual-track schools are also met.

Presently, it is suggested you register your children as you normally would in your school catchment area.

If the proposed French Immersion catchment boundaries are approved, the following list will be your French Immersion catchment school:

WEST – Ecole Christine Morrison

- Cherry Hill

- West Heights

- Silverdale

EAST – Ecole Mission Central

- Albert McMahon

- Windebank

- Hatzic

- Dewdney

- Deroche

Communities in Bloom School Program

At the November 3, 2015 Education Committee, the School District was presented with a plaque in recognition of its efforts for the participation in the Communities in Bloom School Program. The presentation was made by Bill Elliot, Bert the Moleman and Kerry Bysouth to Bill Fletcher, Superintendent of Schools and Tracy Loffler, Chairperson of the Education Committee.

Football Comes to Hatzic Middle School and Heritage Park Middle School

For the past eleven years the Mission Roadrunner Football team has worked hard to establish itself as one of the perennial contenders for the AA championships. During that time the program has earned four provincial championships at various levels and three other appearances in the final game. These results were achieved due to the efforts of the athletes, coaches and parents. With the creation of two middle schools in 2015, it is the opportune time to introduce football programs at Hatzic and Heritage Park Middle Schools. These programs will be open to all students who will be in grades 7 or 8 in September. Grade 9 students will have the option of playing at their Middle School or for the Mission junior varsity team.

With your help, we can start new traditions at our Middle Schools and continue the program that was established 11 years ago at Mission Secondary. For more information, please pick up a brochure at your child's school office and return the completed registration forms to the school they will be attending in September.

Registering prior to the end of this school year would be appreciated as it would allow us to order the necessary equipment in time.

Football Registration Brochure

Bus Transportation Registration for 2015 - 16

Families are advised that registration of students for bus transportation for the 2015-16 school year will run from May 4th through June 30th, 2015. In order to ride a district school bus, all new and returning riders must complete a registration form each year.

Please click here to access the bus registration page.

2016-17 Kindergarten Registration

Information regarding Kindergarten Registration for Neighbourhood Schools & Programs / Schools of Choice can be found here.