October 26, 2011 – Meeting of School District #53 Board of Trustees
Student Achievement
Staffing: Due to increased enrollment and district class size average compliance, most schools received additional staffing in teacher time, preparation time, support time and clerical time. Thank you to Susan Trower, Human Resources Manager, for leading this and working through the process with school principals at this very busy time.
Innovation / Initiatives
World Teachers’ Day: World Teachers Day was October 5th. In recognition, School District No. 53 and the South Okanagan Similkameen Teachers’ Union made a joint contribution to Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan. Donations contributed to teacher salaries, training, and education resources to increase the quality and access to education for Afghan women and girls.
Apple I-Pad Project: We have entered into discussions with Apple Canada about ways to support teachers and learners at SOSS in light of reduced teaching resources and no library. Apple Canada is going to lend us 50 I-Pads for our grade 12 students to use throughout the year, and will come down to assist with inservice for students and teachers. Teachers involved will receive their own I-pad to enhance their teaching and engage students. We are still waiting for the arrival of these I-pads. We will provide an update once we know more and see how they can enhance the educational program at SOSS.
Okanagan College Mobile Welding: Although not yet official, Okanagan College (OC) will be holding their mobile welding program in Oliver using the Munckhoff Manufacturing facility beginning in January 2012. Our Career Prep coordinators are signing up interested students. SD 53 is guaranteed 4 seats, but others may be available. We are very happy that OC has chosen our district. Rod Kitt is to be commended for his work in helping convince OC that this is a good idea! The district pays for students to participate in the programs using tuition fees and students receive credits towards graduation as well as post-secondary credit.
Early Years:
Ready, Set, Learn: Once again schools will be funded for Ready Set Learn programs. Schools will plan these occasions and advertise in the community. Only part of the funding is required for RSL allowing the rest to go to support of other early learning initiatives such as the Welcome to Kindergarten program. All of the funds must be used to support early learning (0 – 6 years). Principals collaboratively plan the use of these funds with ECE’s, community members, and Kindergarten teachers.
Day Care Expansion at Tuc-el-Nuit: At this time, the district is exploring the possibility of expanding the daycare services at Tuc-el-Nuit Elementary to include a toddler care program. This has been initiated by the fire at SOSS, which was to have a day care program as part of the Neighbourhoods of Learning. A proposal will be coming to the Board in the near future.
Hub: The district is working with Community For Kids and Success by Six to explore the possibility of putting a Hub into one or more of our schools. Schools being considered are Tuc-el-Nuit Elementary, Oliver Elementary and Okanagan Falls Elementary. A Hub is a centre which provides “one-stop shopping” for families with various agencies and support groups providing services there.
We Day: Leadership students from SESS and OSS attended Free the Children We Day 2011 at Rogers’ Arena in Vancouver this month. We Day is a movement of young people initiating local and global change. This year, youth and their sponsors from all over North America met to celebrate the positive actions they are taking. The event brings inspirational speeches to young leaders. Students then bring that energy home to take action on local and international issues.
Operations
September 30, 2011 Enrolment Report: As indicated in the enrolment report, student enrolment is 2,393.50 which is an overall increase from September 2010 of 26.75 FTE. Elementary schools have increased by 24 FTE, secondary schools have increased by 4 FTE. YouLearn is down by 2 FTE from September 2010.
SOSS Update: A news release was distributed on Monday, October 17, outlining the return of all students to classes on site and confirming the submission process to the Ministry of Education and Treasury Board. Members of the Ministry of Education capital staff are in the district on Friday, October 28 visiting the site, reviewing the rebuilding options with district staff, and reviewing the submission to the Ministry.
Joint Use Agreement Meeting with OK Falls: On September 29, Lynda Minnabarriet, Secretary-Treasurer and Mitch Van Aller, Director of Facilities, met with Lisa McCall, Mark Woods, RDOS, Janet Black, Program Director, Okanagan Falls Recreation; Larry Ferguson and Bob Daly of the Okanagan Falls Parks and Recreation Commission, to review the OK Falls Elementary Joint Use Agreement.
There was discussion regarding the following items:
• Responsibility for irrigation around the portable and tennis court. It was agreed that SD No. 53 maintenance will turn the water on and off and winterize the line in the fall. OK Falls Parks and Recreation will be responsible for maintaining the lawn and for the operation and maintenance of the irrigation system.
• School security and fire alarm: work required in the community part of the school will be directed through Mitch. Only school district maintenance personnel are to work on the alarm system.Combining information from previous joint use agreements and letters of understanding into one document for ease of use.
The next Board meeting is Wednesday, November 23, 2011
at the School Board Office starting at 7:00pm