Board Meeting: November 19, 2024
November 18, 2024
The Regular Meeting of the Langley Board of Education was held in-person and streamed online.
Superintendent’s Report
Communications Plan 2023-2026 Update
Communications Director Joanne Abshire provided highlights on the District’s Communications Plan 2023-2026 Year 2 Update. Abshire started the presentation by acknowledging the work of her team which includes Communications Specialist Nick Greenizan. She shared the pillars of the Communications Plan and then gave an overview of overarching goals regarding improvements needed. The update focuses on improving communications for internal and external staff, building capacity of audiences, and continuing to promote Truth and Reconciliation, diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as promoting the actions of the District’s Strategic Plan and Framework for Enhancing Student Learning (FESL). Abshire went through each pillar and summarized achievements and actions in progress. The Communications Department has seen an increase in content, social media growth, and positive traditional media stories covered in the last school year. The Communications Department will work on increasing the use of Linkedin and developing strategies to share stories that demonstrate the actions of the Strategic Plan and the FESL. The Communications Department will continue to review and educate staff on branding guidelines and improving staff and community satisfaction with communications. When it comes to health, safety, and wellness in our schools, the Communications Department has made progress in reducing response times when communicating in emergencies. The District has also increased efforts in sharing health and wellness information thanks in part to community partner Fraser Health. As a growing District with increasingly new families, the Communications Department will continue to communicate and streamline new emergency procedures to ensure all audiences have a baseline knowledge. Abshire informed the Board about the establishment of a staff and community newsletter in the last school year which aimed to help strengthen relationships with internal and external audiences. In the last school year, the District has worked on building the capacity of internal and external audiences. She touched on how change management processes require a need for new communications and instructions for staff and families, the shift to online registration in January 2024 for elementary school was an example of that. Abshire talked about the efforts made in promoting stories that capture the District’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation and diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how some of those stories ended up being the most popular stories of the year. She ended the presentation with comments on her passion for sharing stories and her appreciation of the District for valuing and supporting the efforts in celebrating positive stories.
Recommendation: That the Board of Education receives the update on the Communications Plan 2023-2026 for information, as presented.
The Board approved the report as presented. The video above will begin on this agenda item.
Student Leadership
ACSS teacher Ashley Ross began the presentation by talking about the team of students that represented her school at a recent student leadership conference held in Abbotsford. It was a four-day conference where secondary leadership students from all over the province gathered to learn through speakers’ sessions and workshops as well exchange information among one another. Ross introduced the students who were assisting with presenting and provided a brief overview of the make-up of their team. As she described, the team was comprised of a diverse group of students from different clubs in the school, resulting in unique interests. She noted the experience was powerful for many, not only as individuals but also as a group, as they learned about making goals and bringing that knowledge back to the school community.
ACSS student Riley shared their experience about what they had learned from the conference. Riley said he learned about different ways to make school a fun and entertaining experience. He said that activities like pep rallies and spirit days are not always needed. You can find other ways to build community such as promoting new and more diverse sports to give students awesome opportunities.
ACSS student Sartaaj shared their experience about what they had learned at the conference. They learned about not letting failure stop one from growing and trying out new things. They explained how the conference encouraged them to try new things, even activities that they might not be good at.
ACSS teacher Emily Polastretti closed the presentation by talking about some of the long-term and short-term goals developed by the group after the conference. Long-term goals include developing a cohesive plan and an expanded course in the timetable to bring back Table 35 (District wide student meeting), and regional meetings. She thanked the District for supporting her students and the other groups from Langley schools as the conference has inspired them to do great things moving forward.
Recommendation: That the Board of Education receives the report on Student Leadership for information, as presented.
The Board approved the report as presented. The video above will begin on this agenda item.
Secretary Treasurer’s Reports
Smith Campus Right of Way Bylaw
Recommendation: That the Board of Education of School District No. 35 (Langley) – Smith Public Access and Utilities Right-Of-Way Bylaw 2024 be given first reading.
Recommendation: That the Board of Education of School District No. 35 (Langley) – Smith Public Access and Utilities Right-Of-Way Bylaw 2024 be given second reading.
Recommendation: That the Board of Education of School District No. 35 (Langley) unanimously approves having all three readings of Smith Public Access and Utilities Right-Of-Way Bylaw 2024 at tonight’s meeting.
Recommendation: That the Board of Education of School District No. 35 (Langley) – Smith Public Access and Utilities Right-Of-Way Bylaw 2024 be given third reading, passed and adopted on the 19th day of November, 2024.
The Board approves the above motions. The video above will begin on this agenda item.
Policy Committee
Notice of Motion: Policy 3 Appendix A: Services, Materials and Equipment Provided to Trustees
Recommendation: That the Board of Education serves Notice of Motion to the District’s education community and its education partner groups that it intends to adopt the revisions to Policy 3 Appendix A: Services, Materials and Equipment Provided to Trustees.
The Board approves the above motion. The video above will begin on this agenda item.
Trustee Comments