Board News: Tuesday November 19, 2019
November 19, 2019
The Regular Meeting of the Langley Board of Education is streamed live beginning at 7:00pm. A link to the video is posted here in Board News.
Superintendent’s Report
Truth and Reconciliation Update
Haida Gwaii “Islands of the People” Report from Brookswood Students
Brookswood Secondary students accompanied by their Vice-Principal Jeff Keen and Aboriginal Support Worker Pam Goldsack shared experiences from a recent trip to Haida Gwaii. The trip’s goal was personal for each individual, many pointing out connecting with their Aboriginal heritage, cultural understanding, and healing as part of the journey to Reconciliation. Students shared stories of activities such as fishing, swimming in the ocean, carving, and learning about the cultural teachings of the Haida Gwaii people. For some students the trip highlights were about creating memories, overcoming obstacles, connecting with nature, respecting the environment, and bringing back lessons to take back to their school and District.
The students closed their presentation with recommendations they developed from the trip to take back to their school and District related to the Truth and Reconciliation. Recommendations included labelling rooms in traditional language, have more student art on display, more indigenous activities like drumming, and learning how to pronounce territory names, and more presentations.
The Board approves the report as presented. The video above will begin on this agenda item.
Ensouling Our Schools Report
Director of Instruction Dawne Tomlinson, Director of Aboriginal Education Mike Pue, Director of Learning Support Services Mike Morgan, presented the District’s strategy called Ensouling Our Schools; a strategy focused on student safety, wellbeing and Reconciliation. The strategy is based on the book Ensouling Our Schools by Jennifer Katz which focuses on a holistic approach to mental health, wellbeing, and Reconciliation in schools. The three directors presenting make up a team leading administrators, teachers, and special education assistants in this strategy.
The strategy focuses on inclusive instruction based on a three-block model. The District’s goal is to ensure we have a compassionate learning community and to ensure every single child feels a sense of belonging. All of the strategies in the model ties back to the District’s strategic plan. The directors outlined some of the strategies.
The Board approves the report as presented. The video above will begin on this agenda item.
Secretary-Treasurer’s Report
Budget Process and Timeline (2020-2021 Preliminary Operating Budget)
Secretary-Treasurer Brian Iseli gave an overview of the 2020-2021 preliminary operating budget. He explained factors that influence the budget development such as consultation with stakeholders, development of enrolment projections, and funding from the Ministry. He noted how the school district generally starts with a status quo budget concept which includes expenditures. A timeline of important dates for reporting enrolment projections was presented. Iseli explained how the District is already working with schools on the budget for 2020-2021.
The Board approves the report as presented. The video above will begin on this agenda item.
Trustee Comments
Question Period