Assessment practices, Equity Scan project among early themes for School District year

As School District 52 prepares to welcome it's newest members to the Board of Education, the District has provided some notes on their work of September and October, with a review of some of the findings from the first two Board meetings of the year.

The notes posted to the SD52 website offer up a look at how the start of the school year has gone and some of the projects that educators are working on in these early stages.

The September observations noted that the school year openings went well with a preliminary look at enrolment showing an increase of 2 students from last year and 28 more students than budgeted for. 

To address the increase in enrolment, additional classes have been put in place at École Roosevelt Park Community School and Lax Keen School.

Transportation funding was also addressed at the start of the year with the yellow bus service operated by the District of Port Edward, students and parents were also reminded of the discount bus pass program which is in support of families in need and for school field trips.

The School Board also heard of a new self regulation floor design in place in the main hallway of École Roosevelt Park Community School, with Principal Andrée Michaud and Vice Principal James Zlatanov explaining for the board how the pilot project works and how it has been received by students so far.

The School District has also outlined a pilot project that SD52 is participating in called the Equity Scan project, which assist the district in identifying and addressing bias, racism and low expectations for Aboriginal students. As part of the project, specific students will receive support to enable them to complete their graduation within 6 years of commencing Grade 8.

The October Board meeting also received a presentation on the current process of classroom assessment practices, with Ms. Griffiths-Zahner's Charles Hays classes the subject of the discussion on the process.

As we outlined on the blog last month, the Charles Hays instructor was part of a provincial information video on the subject, which outlined the goals and ambitions for the assessment process in British Columbia Schools.

At the October meeting, the Board of Education saluted the work of  Ms. Griffiths-Zahner and the process in place in her classroom.

“The Board of Education commends Ms. Griffiths-Zahner on her personalized approach to assessment,” ... “We understand the importance of strong relationships between students and their teachers, and this approach provides students with considerable flexibility in demonstrating their proficiency.” -- School Board Chair Tina Last

At the October meeting, the Board also announced that Carlyle Shepherd and Company had been appointed as the School District auditors for 2018-19.

You can review the notes from the School District below:

October meeting

September meeting

The next School District meeting is set for November 7th, at which time the newest elected members will take their seats and begin the work ahead for their four year term.

The results from the October 20th have delivered two new faces to the Board, with Kate Toye and Kristy Mair the newly elected members to office, they will join trustees Bart Kuntz, Tina Last, James Horne,, Louisa Sanchez and Janet Beil who were returned to office.

You can review the notes from the School District election here.

For more items on education on the North Coast see our archive page here.

You can also review some of the notes of interest on education from around the Northwest here.