School District #53 (Okanagan Similkameen)
BOARD REPORT
Student Achievement
Secondary School Apprenticeship: Over the past three years the district has benefitted from a grant ($15,000) from ITA to enhance participation in SSA. As a district we have done exceptionally well with 23 SSA’s in 08/09, 34 in 09/10, and we’re up to 18 this year. We will once again apply for this grant, the amount of which is not yet known.
Read/Rhyme and Rec: We will again be offering our very effective summer intersession/intervention reading program to K/primary students. All schools are on board and school administration will begin the consultation process with staff and parents over the next few weeks.
Donation to SOSS Basketball Team: The Oliver Parks and Recreation Society kindly donated $500.00 to the SOSS Senior Boys’ Basketball team to aid in the tournament expenses in the Provincial AA championships.
Innovation / Initiatives
DISTRICT‐BASED INITIATIVES
2011‐2012 School Staffing Process: Staffing allocations for 2011/2012 were provided to principals/vice‐principals on Monday, April 18th, 2011. Formulas were created that were student driven to create transparency and sustainability given fiscal challenges.
Enhancement Agreement Forums: at 6:30 pm
• Tuesday, April 26 Osoyoos Secondary
• Thursday, April 28 Okanagan Falls Elementary
Aboriginal Staffing and Budgets: Although a draft budget has been completed, Mr. Insley will need to consult with principals and firm up numbers before taking recommendations to the Aboriginal Education Advisory Council in May. Once approved, schools will receive the preliminary allocations of staff and budgets. Of course these may again be adjusted in September when final student numbers are known.
Pow‐wow: The district Pow‐wow is coming up fast, on:
Friday, April 29 starting 10:00 am and going to 10:30 pm with supper break at 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 30 starting at 12:30 to 10:30 pm with supper break at 5:00 pm (also, breakfast is served from 9:00 to 11:00 am).
The AEAC is sponsoring buses so that all grade 4 and Aboriginal ancestry students from around the district can attend the morning session on Friday. Helen Gallagher is arranging the bussing. The Pow‐wow is not only educational for students, staff and parents in understanding the Okanagan/Aboriginal culture, but the event also brings the culture into the schools creating a greater sense of belonging for our Aboriginal students as we show value for their past and present way of life. We encourage trustees to find time to attend this event, even for a brief period. You’ll find it to be interesting and fun. Bring your family and friends and the dinner is free!
Literacy Now Task Group Meeting: this meeting will be held on Thursday, April 28th at 1:00 pm in our School Board Office Annex. School administrators, trustees, and staff are welcome to attend.
Grade 1 Book Give‐A‐Way: Reminder that this is to happen during the week of May 2nd. All the books are in the schools.
SCHOOL‐BASED INITIATIVES
BC Green Games: Once again BC students have shown they can go green! 139 entries from 39 school districts across the province were received. Congratulations to Tuc‐el‐Nuit Elementary School for receiving Elementary Honourable Mention for their project on ‘Salt of the Earth’ and ‘Winging It’.
Operations
March 2011 Enrolment Report: The March 18, 2011 enrollment report indicates that student enrolment is 2,245 which is a decrease from September 2010 of 22 students, and a decrease from February 2011 of 3 students.
School Calendar: The Board passed the school calendar for 2011‐2012. Legislation dictates that the school calendar be sent out to parents prior to the end of May. Schools will receive this shortly.
Twenty‐One Years of Service: Board Chair, June Harrington, was presented flowers in honour of her twenty‐one years of service as trustee for School District No. 53. June was recognized this past weekend at the annual BCSTA AGM.
The Next Board Meeting is Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at the SBO, starting at 7:00pm