School board briefs
Monday, 20 February 2012 00:00
Local students ‘ACE IT’
Superintendent Bev Young reported there are 10 students signed up for ACE IT (Accelerated Credit Enrolment in Industry Training) and duel credit programs.
In Okanagan College programs, five students have been accepted into the Oliver welding program, while two are in the residential construction program in Penticton.
One student is in dental office administration, and one is entering BCIT’s electrician program at the Burnaby campus.
Another student is attending the esthetics program at the Okanagan Cosmetology Institute in Penticton.
Assistant superintendent Jim Insley recognized career preparation teacher Rod Kitt for spending his Christmas holidays putting this advanced esthetics course together.
School trustee Sam Hancheroff suggested taking Grade 6 and 7 students to see the woodworking and metalworking classes at SOSS in order to “whet their appetite.”
School celebrates Rick Hansen
Tuc-el-Nuit Elementary School has been selected as a site to celebrate the launch of the Rick Hansen 25th anniversary relay on May 8.
“It’s really an honour for them to showcase the wonderful things the school is doing,” said district superintendent Bev Young.
The school is now in the process of choosing a worthy student as the medal bearer, a symbol of hope and determination.
Enrolment decreases
District enrolment in December was approximately 2,380 full-time equivalent students.
This is an overall decrease of 13 students (from September 2011).
Elementary schools have decreased by seven students, while enrolment at secondary schools has declined by 31 students.
YouLearn, however, has increased by 25 students since September.
Strike affects school visits
It was reported that the teachers’ job action is affecting school planning councils and their visits.
Each spring trustees visit schools in the district to talk about learning plans. But because of the strike, meetings with teachers are not happening.
This has resulted in these visits being modified.
Technology waits for no one
School trustee Rob Zandee attended a recent symposium where technological change was discussed.
Zandee questioned how the district will prepare its students for the shift in technology when it changes so fast.
“Fifteen years ago the World Wide Web did not exist. Now we have it in the palm of our hands.”
Board to acknowledge First Nations
The board passed a motion to acknowledge First Nations people at its public meetings.
Trustee Myrna Coates introduced the motion, saying she wanted to acknowledge that these meetings take place on the traditional territories of First Nations.
“We recognize and honour their attachment to this place.”
Coates noted she was born and bred in the Similkameen and was raised to appreciate First Nations people.
Read and Rec programs having impact
Assistant superintendent Jim Insley reported that the Read and Rec and Rhyme and Rec programs are having a significant impact on students.
He said the programs help prevent students from falling behind and enables them to be closer (in reading levels) to their classmates in September.
He noted many students who enrol in these programs gain several levels during the summer.
Trustee Myrna Coates said the more often we have contact with students, the greater they learn.
“This is so vital to students who are having trouble (reading). In the summer most students stop all academic learning,” she noted.
Trustee Sam Hancheroff said the district needs more money to hire more educational assistants to work with at-risk students.
Trustee Rob Zandee wondered aloud if there is the willingness to have a continuous school year to enhance learning.
Insley said the district has identified 20 per cent of the student population that should participate in these programs but don’t.
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