Superintendent’s Report – October 2023

Oct 13, 2023

Framework for Enhancing Student Learning (FESL)

** click here to see the full Framework Plan

Intellectual Development

A reminder to everyone about changes that are being made around reporting. 

Information has been sent out to parents and can be reviewed on our website:

Report Card Renovations Learning Updates

 

 

Human & Social Development

Supporting Inclusion & Behaviour in SD60

The following slide deck was shared with the District Parent Advisory Council and contains systemic information on the programs and processes that support students and staff in our schools.

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Careers & Skill Development

Post-Secondary Mini Fair at NPSS

Recruiters from 12 colleges and universities in British Columbia were present at NPSS on September 26, talking with students about their post-secondary school options and opportunities.

Click on the above image to read the entire article from Alaska Highway News.

 

 

Operations / HR

October Professional Development opportunities – Curriculum

Learning Services Curriculum is hosting two numeracy workshops on October 20th:  one geared to support staff and the other to teachers.

Math Tools to Visualize Concepts + Deepen Understanding

Math Fact Fluency for LATs & RTs

 

 

October Professional Development Opportunities for Inclusion 

POPARD has a variety of VIRTUAL training opportunities scheduled for October, including:

POPARD Half-day workshops exclusively for BC school employees (FREE)

  • Oct 20 (9am-12pm) Meaningful & Functional Programming for Elementary Students w/ASD
  • Oct 20 (9am-12pm) Introduction to Eden Autism Assessment & Curriculum Series
  • Oct 20 (12:30-3:30pm) Helping Students w/ ASD Build Friendships
  • Oct 20 (12:30-3:30pm) Resources, Policies & Guidelines to Support Inclusive Education in BC Schools
  • Oct 20 (12:30-3:30pm) Supporting Girls with ASD

 

POPARD 1 & 2-day workshops ($25 registration fee)

  • Oct 19 & 20 (9am-3pm) Functional Skills
  • Oct 19 & 20 (9am-3pm) Self-Regulation Skills

 

POPARD courses ($50 registration fee)

  • Oct 16-20 (8:30-4pm) Introduction to ABA (5-day course)

 

POPARD 1-hour Family School Liaison workshops (FREE) – designed for parents & families of students with ASD, but school staff may also attend

  • Oct 3 (3:30-4:30pm) or Oct 5 (12-1pm) Supporting Executive Functioning Skills for Children & Youth
  • Oct 12 (12-1:00pm) Academic Supports & Accommodations
  • Oct 17 (3:30-4:30pm) or Oct 19 (12-1pm) Girls on the Spectrum
  • Oct 24 (3:30-4:30pm) or Oct 27 (12-1pm) Sexual Health Education: Considerations for Autistic Students
  • Oct 31 (3:30-4:30pm) or Nov 2 (12-1pm) Mental Health Services and Supports for Autistic Children/Youth

 

POPARD training events (and registration links) are posted on our website at https://autismoutreach.ca/upcoming-training-dates/ (we suggest bookmarking this page so it’s easier to find in the future).

POPFASD Provincial Pro D Day – October 20, 2023

This year we have a couple great options for educators in your district:

LIVESTREAM (9-11:30 am) – 

    • POPFASD’s 2 ½ hour presentation, Supporting Complex Learners, is designed for all BC educators, but open to everyone (caregivers, community supports, health professionals, etc). Based on current research and recommendations, this presentation will provide a foundational understanding of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and its educational implications. Using an FASD-informed approach, we will share universal strategies that support all students, including complex learners such as those with FASD. As well, participants will walk away with targeted strategies that focus on areas often impacted by prenatal alcohol exposure (regulation, memory, executive functioning, mental health). Resources and certification of participation will be provided. A flyer with information about this presentation will be sent out next week.

Registration Link – https://live.fasdoutreach.ca/register/115913624868257

 

FASD 101 On-Demand Course – 

    • Free, six-module, introductory level training available to educators in British Columbia, Canada (teachers, EAs, administrators, student services staff, etc.). This online course is self-paced and takes around 3 hours to complete. After completing the course, participants will receive a certificate of completion. The FASD 101 course was updated over the summer and now features two sessions with Myles Himmelreich.

 

Northern Teacher Virtual Professional Learning Series

As a result of our work with the Northern Inquiry Pilot, we are supporting a series of professional learning workshops for new teachers across the North, including for teachers in SD60.  The funding for these workshops comes from the initial Ministry of Education and Child Care grant to this project. 

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Truth & Reconciliation

Every Child Matters

Thank you to Jaimelia Turner (teacher at MMMCS) for making this wonderful read aloud resource.

Every Child Masters — book reading

 

 

Bones of Crows Film

The  PRNTA/PRNTA Social Justice Committee has organized a screening of the film Bones of Crows on October 20th open to all staff.  This unique opportunity will continue to support increasing understanding and engagement with Truth and Reconciliation, and foster a workplace that values culture, diversity, inclusivity, and respect.   Bones of Crows is the first Indigenous and female produced, written, and directed film about the residential school experience in North America. 

“Removed from their family home and forced into Canada’s residential school system, Cree musical prodigy Aline and her siblings are plunged into a struggle for survival.  Bones of Crows is Aline’s journey from child to matriarch, a moving multi-generational epic of resilience, survival and the pursuit of justice”

Check out more about the film at https://bonesofcrows.com/.

 

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“Take 3”

Duncan Cran Elementary

At Duncan Cran, we have been learning about Orange Shirt Day, the significant impacts of residential schools and what Truth and Reconciliation really means.

Today, we saw a field of orange as Miss Amanda led our school in a round dance, walk and school photo.

Griff Peet, Principal, Duncan Cran Elementary

 

 

C. M. Finch Elementary

Students and staff participated in a school-wide rock moccasin painting activity and story walk to learn about Truth and Reconciliation.  Students set out their projects and guided their parents around our school sharing the story walk as part of the schools Open House Event on September 25th.

The school also participated in Orange Shirt Day on Friday, September 29th.

Troy Lang, C.M. Finch Elementary

 

 

Bert Ambrose Elementary

Bert Ambrose Elementary had the privilege of having Rik Leaf join our school for a week-long residency from September 22-29.   This year marked the 11th year that Rik has joined our school community and we, once again, thoroughly enjoyed the sessions he shared with our classes.  Rik is a talented musician/poet and his passion, enthusiasm, and energy is contagious!   The highlight of this year’s residency was Rik working with every class individually to create a collective “anthem” for our school entitled “1, 2, 3  Let’s GROW!”   Our week with Rik finished with an afternoon assembly, where final footage for the video to accompany our new Bert Ambrose School song was filmed.  We are thrilled to incorporate this new song into our school community as it embodies the heart and soul of our school while capturing important values such as growth mindset, respect, acceptance, perseverance, and working together.
Rik also worked with Mrs. Hagen’s Grade 6 class to write slam poetry about our school and Mrs. Lee’s/Mrs. Hofstrand’s Grade 5/6 class wrote poetry about the importance of honouring Truth and Reconciliation and what wearing an orange shirt really means.  This was also shared during the assembly.

It is always a pleasure having Rik Leaf return to Ambrose and we want to thank our PAC for their continued support of this opportunity.  Rik always creates a wonderful and positive way to bring our Ambrose community together.

Laurie Wright, Principal, Bert Ambrose Elementary
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