Board News: Tuesday, January 30, 2018
February 1, 2018
Superintendent’s Reports:
Framework for Enhanced Student Learning: Student Leadership
District Teacher, Student Leadership Lenny Yun was joined by leadership students Yilian Zhao and Prab Wickramaarachchi to share with the Board the amazing leadership initiatives students are participating in within the Langley district. In addition to classes and clubs at secondary schools there are a number of District-wide leadership opportunities that including:
- Table 35 – This student group comes together 5 times per year to share their thoughts around educational change in the school district. Table 35 also provides opportunities for students to network and explore ideas on how they can facilitate improvements to school climate.
- Social Justice 35 – These students address social issues within the community to promote the wellness and safety of others. The initiatives are driven by the students. They are currently working on a district wide event that aligns with Social Emotional Learning.
- Humanitarian 35 – Students collaborate on ideas that they can take back to their schools in terms of supporting global needs and becoming globally socially responsible.
- Positive School Culture 35 (Red Cross Anti-Bullying) – A group of youth facilitators that have been trained by the Red Cross to facilitate workshops around bullying, communication, conflict resolution and discrimination prevention education.
- CSLC and BCSLC Conferences – Students have the opportunity to attend these national and provincial conferences where they can meet like-minded students from across the province and country to further their leadership journey in their individual passion areas.
- *Positive Mental Health 35 – this group worked for the past 2 years in partnership with our district counsellor, Gail Markin on improving mental health awareness. (*This group has recently merged together with the Social Justice 35 group).
Early Learning in Langley – StrongStart Programs
StrongStart BC programs provide rich learning environments designed for early learning development focussing on the areas of language, physical, cognitive, social and emotional skills, which enable preschool children to successfully transition into Kindergarten. Qualified early childhood educators employed by the Langley School District lead learning activities where children find opportunities to make friends and interact with others of similar ages. StrongStart Centres provide parents/caregivers and their preschool children the opportunity to play, learn and grow together. The centres are operated in school settings to allow the parent or caregiver and the child to become an important part of the school community before the child enters Kindergarten. Director of Instruction Dawne Tomlinson provided the Board an overview of the Langley StrongStart programs and shared successes and challenges.
Naming Process for the Future Middle School in the Willoughby Area
Once construction of the new RE Mountain Secondary School is complete, the current RE Mountain Secondary School will be converted to a middle school and as a result, will require a new school name. The school, which is located at 7655 – 202A Street, will have a capacity for 725 students.
School District No. 35 (Langley) is now accepting submissions from the public for the name of the future middle school in the Willoughby area. The school is scheduled to open in Fall 2019, at 7755 – 202A Street. Names should reflect the geographical area or names of prominent persons, including deceased persons.
Submissions should include the name and contact information of the person or group making the suggestion and a rationale for the suggested name, including any background information that you have.
Policy 4004 – Naming of Schools: PDF download | Online
Submissions must be returned by April 9, 2018 to the Office of the Secretary Treasurer at the School Board Office, 4875 – 222 Street, Langley, BC V3A 3Z7. Submissions may also be emailed to Laurie Mason at the following email address: lmason@sd35.bc.ca For more information, please call 604-532-1476.
Secretary Treasurer’s Reports:
Action Item: Policy No. 1204 – Bylaws of the Board
The Board of Education passed a motion to amend Policy No. 1204 – Bylaws of the Board. Revisions of this policy were presented in the form of a Notice of Motion on November 21, 2017.
Information Item: Capital Projects Update 2017-2018
Secretary Treasurer Brian Iseli updated the Board on the three capital construction projects currently underway in the district: the seismic upgrading and partial replacement of Langley Secondary, the eight room expansion of RC Garnett Demonstration Elementary and the secondary school being built in Willoughby (R.E. Mountain).
Secretary Treasurer Iseli was also able to share this walkthrough of LSS: