Superintendent's report on School District function during the Pandemic
The Superintendent provided an update on the school district function during the CoVid pandemic. Currently, we are in stage 3 with the re-entry of students. Our childcare sites are amalgamating to one site as the need for childcare has decreased with the re-entry of students. Other areas of discussion focused on cleaning sites, PPE supplies, and an outlook for September. If infections remain low over the summer, we will mostly be in Stage 1 or 2. We will be waiting to hear from the Ministry on updates regarding this status in August.
Superintendent's Yearend Report
Despite the tumultuous year we have faced, it has been a privilege to navigate the District through this year, and I am very pleased with the fantastic work teachers, principals, support workers, and district staff have put in to help ensure that our students have lives filled with choice, dignity, and contentment.
Successes for this year include the adaptability of staff through the pandemic, meals provided to families and food donations by MSS, continued work with the Complex Trauma Team in training our Staff, support from unions and the successful completion of bargaining, a new wellness page, and implementation of Boardmaker.
Challenges include the overall 6-year completion rate of 75% and the aboriginal rate of 70%. These rates are lower than the rates of boarding school districts. Between the snow days, sewer pump issues at Albert McMahon, and the coronavirus, our school district lost a number of school days. This year has had significant financial challenges. Between the initial shortfalls, uncertainty around enrolment of international students and spiralling CoVid related costs, amazing work has been done by the Secretary-Treasurer, Assistant Secretary-Treasurer and other staff.
2020-21 Board Meeting Schedule
Public Board of Education meetings
| September 22, 2020 - Fraserview LC | February 16, 2021 - Windebank |
| October 20, 2020 - Hatzic Elementary | March 9, 2021 - École Mission Central |
| November 17, 2020 - Heritage Park Middle School | April 20, 2021 - Silverdale Elementary |
| December 15, 2020 - École Mission Senior Secondary | May 18, 2021 - Riverside College |
| January 19, 2021 - École Christine Morrison | June 15, 2021 - Cherry Hill
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Regular and Special Committee of the Whole meetings
| September 15, 2020 | February 2, 2021 |
| September 29, 2020 – Boundary Review | February 23, 2021 – 2021/2022 Budget Priorities |
| October 6, 2020 | March 2, 2021 |
| October 27, 2020 – Boundary Review | March 30, 2021 – 2021/2022 Budget |
| November 3, 2020 | April 6, 2021 |
| December 1, 2020 | April 27, 2021 – 2021/2022 Budget |
| January 12, 2021 | May 4, 2021 |
| January 26, 2021 – Amended Budget | May 11, 2021 – 2021/2022 Budget |
| | June 1, 2021 |
The Trades & Training Advisory Committee
| October 27, 2020 | April 13, 2021 |
| February 9, 2021 | |
Board Authority Authorized Courses
The Board approved several courses that will allow Riverside College to re-open the Esthetics program. More information is available on page 7 of the agenda package.
#DifferentTogether Pledge
The Board took the #DifferentTogether. British Columbia's Lieutenant Governor, Janet Austin is encouraging leaders in BC to pledge and uphold the Canadian values of diversity and inclusion and to oppose racism and hate in all its forms. We are stronger when we are #differenttogether. The Board of Education values Working Together, Lifelong Learning, Thinking Beyond Today and Doing the Right Thing. The #differenttogether pledge is representative of these values. Taking the pledge demonstrates the Board's commitment to being leaders in embracing diversity and acting against racism.
