Framework for Enhancing Student Learning (FESL)

** click here to see the Framework Report that outlines the goals, strategies, targets, and resource allocations for student success in all areas.

Student Learning – Intellectual Development

Six Year Completion Rates to June 2025

Further data is now available on the BC Student Success Website.

Grand Opening of Wonowon School!

Trustees, staff, stakeholders, and students took part in an opening ceremony and school visit at Wonowon School on Tuesday, April 7th. 

The students are now settled in the new classrooms, and the additional work on the gym has tied together the facility very nicely. 

CBC news was present and followed up with this article, which also included some information on the Dr. Kearney Middle School addition.  

Student Learning – Human & Social Development

Emergency Preparedness Information for Parents. 

At this time of year, we are highlighting procedures for responding to emergencies and reunification plans.  You can find the full document here.

Student Learning – Career & Skill Development

Career Week was March 9-13 at Duncan Cran Elementary School

It was about much more than just asking kids, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

It was a strategic effort to connect the dots between the classroom and the “real world” while students are still in their most imaginative years.

Even though college, trade school or career choices are years away,  Career Week plants a “seed of purpose.” When a child finds a career path that excites them, it can lead to increased engagement in school and a more positive attitude toward learning in general.

Over the course of the week we had 70 class presentations for all types of careers.

Superintendent of Schools, Stephen Petrucci, along with School Board Trustees Helen GIlbert and David Scott-Moncrieff were just 3 of the 24 presenters that took time to assist in this event.

We are very thankful to all the presenters that helped “Light our Kodiaks Future”.

Griff Peet, Principal, Duncan Cran Elementary

People Development

Recruitment & Retention Update

• Hiring Incentives.  $500,000 has been confirmed for the 2026-27 school year.  SD60 has submitted its application and we should be able to apply several incentives to our postings that are hardest to fill.  Over the past three years, these incentives have made a big difference in our staffing of rural schools.

• Field Placement Bursary:  We continue to benefit from the placement of students from outside our district into local classrooms for their long practicum.  The students receive an $8000 bursary to cover travel and accommodation needs.

• Return of Service Pilot:  SD60 is one of five northern districts that are approved to receive student teachers who received $18000 to cover tuition and other expenses in their final year of study.  In return, they sign a contract to commit to three years in the District.  This model is based on the Alberta program that I brought to the Ministry several years ago.  There are five current students who will be available for positions this September in the five pilot districts.  It has also been confirmed that the program is continuing and will offer 14 bursaries for students entering the workforce in September 2027.

• Changes to Letter of Permission (LOP) hiring:  Effective this September, districts can apply to extend the tenure of LOPs to three years as opposed to the current one year limit, without having to repost.  There are certain criteria such as the nature of the position and the posting history, that are part of the application process.

Literacy Learning Resources Pilots

We continue to work with groups of teachers this year and would like to expand our pilots to others for the 2026/27 school year.  Please find attached informational posters that include the dates for informational Zoom meetings about each pilot project.  

There are THREE pilots being offered at this time:

Scholastic Language Foundations program which includes short read decodable text as well as Read-to-Know Text Sets.  This is open to primary teachers only.

Bug Club Morphology.  This is open to teachers in grades 4 through 7.

Scholastic magazines.  This is open to middle grades, 7 through 9.

Truth & Reconciliation

Indigenous Learning Day – Friday, May 8, 2026

All BC school districts have one day each year dedicated exclusively to learning about Indigenous education in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action.

“Take 3”

Taylor Elementary

Our School “Racing to Read” reading challenge is complete.

Altogether, our students and staff read for 77,196 minutes which works out to 1287 hours and 54 days!

Way to go Taylor Tigers!

Congratulations to Ms. Jones K/1 class who was in first place every week and are the winners of the reading challenge!  In a very close second place is Mrs. Browett’s grade 2/3 class, followed by the staff in third place, with Miss Gullason‘s grade 1/2 class in fourth, Mrs. Austin‘s grade 4/5 class in fifth and Mrs. McDonell‘s grade 5/6 class in sixth place.

Thank you to everyone who participated!

Nancy Maxfield, Principal, Taylor Elementary

Taylor Elementary

An Indigenous Games afternoon was held on the last day before Spring Break.

We were truly blessed with beautiful sunshine this March afternoon as our students gathered for our Indigenous Games.  It was an incredible afternoon of physical activity, cultural learning, and community building.

Náchá’ą́ (Thank you) to the educators, students, and PAC who made this event a success. These games are a vital way for us to honour local traditions and foster a spirit of inclusivity and respect within our school.

As we concluded this term, we wished all of our families a safe, restful, and rejuvenating spring break.

Gų̄ sani lą́. (Stay well/Be good.)

Nancy Maxfield, Principal, Taylor Elementary

Dr. Kearney Middle School