November 28, 2013
On November 14th our Aboriginal education department presented a cultural awareness workshop to district administrators and Aboriginal support workers. Nan Allison (USIB), Carol Allison (LSIB), and Robert Edward (LSIB) presented on the history of the Okanagan and Similkameen people. Leon Louis presented on cultural celebrations and traditional ways and Angie Todd-Dennis on the residential schools and their impact on our aboriginal people. This session was very well received and most of us were deeply touched by the stories. The Aboriginal education department will now develop a similar workshop for teachers during for the August 2014 professional development week. We feel that it is necessary for all of our staff to understand our Aboriginal people’s culture.
I have now visited most schools in our district and I am glad to report that administrators and staff are very excited about the Team Inquiry Model and schools are working hard to align their focus with the inquiry work, their school plan, the District Achievement Contract and the vision themes for the district. We hope that this will lead to greater student success for all of our students and are looking forward to hearing from our schools on their progress at the learning forum next May in Osoyoos. Trustees will also engage in a Spirals of Inquiry workshop to be held on January 22nd before our regular board meeting at the board office.
The Choirfest was held at OSS theatre on November 26th and choir students from all of our elementary schools attended for a workshop, followed by a mass choir at 11 am. It was wonderful to hear a mass choir with so many beautiful children’s voices.
The grand opening of SOSS will be on February 6th, 2014 with the Minister of Education attending. The theatre will be closed and no further tours will take place until the official opening on February 6th. Details of the grand opening will be advertised.
The District is engaging in discussions with the Town of Oliver and the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen (RDOS) regarding the operation of the Frank Venables Theatre. Discussion items include the governance structure, operating budget and staffing. An operating agreement will outline the functioning of the theatre. We are anticipating a news release with regard to this agreement soon.
Trustees, Superintendent Bev Young and Assistant Superintendent Jim Insley met with PAC chairs and one other representative from all schools in the district. At the meeting we received valuable feedback with regard to communication with the Board of Education. We also discussed establishing a DPAC to further enhance communication with the board and also to ensure parents’ input into policies, hiring of senior staff and the budget process. We find these meetings very valuable and our board is committed to continue these conversations with our Parent Advisory Councils at least on a yearly basis as we regard them as important partners in the work that we do.
The Town of Osoyoos and SD53 are drafting an operating agreement to manage infrastructure and system responsibilities for the use of reclaimed water at Osoyoos Secondary School. Once the agreement is complete, this item will be referred to the Policy Committee.
We will hold our second YES-2-IT program for our grade 6 and 7 students from January 27th to 31st. This year the focus will be on the culinary trades and students will participate in meat cutting, pastry making and food preparation under the leadership from local chefs. These students will spend half a day at their local secondary schools exploring the culinary trade.
Latest enrollment numbers indicate that student enrollment is 2,3672.75 which is an overall increase from September 2013 of 6.0625 FTE. Enrollment in our elementary schools show no change, secondary school enrollment decreased by 10.1875 FTE and YouLearn enrollment increased by 16.25 FTE.
At our regular Board meeting held on November 27th the Board approved Policy No. A-6 Board of Education Committee Structure. This policy deals with committee structure and revisions to this policy open our education committee structure to principal, parent, teacher and CUPE representatives. Our board is striving to be inclusive and transparent. Bylaw No. 21 Procedural also received a second reading. The reason for the revision to this bylaw is to allow for a public forum at regular meetings. A public forum will give someone the opportunity to address the board on a particular agenda item for up to 30 minutes before the board receives the report from administration.
Most trustees will be attending the BCSTA academy in Vancouver next week. Trustees find these academies very valuable. This is our opportunity to hear about the latest trends in education and to collaborate with other trustees across the province.
Should you have any questions, please contact me at mtarr@sd53.bc.ca or 250-498-1333.
Submitted by Marieze Tarr, Chairperson
School District No. 53 (Okanagan Similkameen)