From the District: Have a Happy Holiday!
December 16, 2022
Dear Parents/Guardians, Students and Staff:
With winter break upon us, I wanted to take this opportunity to share an update with our community. This has been a busy term for our system with some transitions, highlights, and challenges.
Transitions and Highlights to Celebrate
The District is pleased to have been able to return to more traditional learning opportunities, events, and activities at our schools. The District has welcomed new and existing trustees to the Langley Board of Education. The Board is already at work and preparing to develop a new strategic plan that meets our education goals and maintain a healthy, safe, and positive learning environment for all students. As part of this work in creating the plan, the District has reviewed recent data for our 6-year completion rates and is excited to report a rate of 95.1 per cent for students graduating in grade 12 (as of June 2022). This is higher than the provincial average of 91.6 per cent. The District is also seeing increases in completion rates for Indigenous students, students with diverse abilities, and children and youth in care. We recognize we have more work to do but we also want to celebrate and thank staff working together with families in supporting our students, helping meet their social and emotional needs, and encouraging them to strive for excellence. As our District continues adopting trauma-informed practices, we believe this will help support all students reach their learning goals, graduate, and pursue ambitions beyond our system.
Challenges: Growth, Staying Healthy and Affordability
It was another unprecedented year for growth. At the start of the school year, the District welcomed 1,200 new students to our schools which brings us to a total of approximately 24,500 students. Our District and school staff are continuing to work hard and find creative ways to manage this growth and ensure students are provided the best education with the resources we have. We know with growth comes opportunities. We will continue to advocate and work with the Ministry of Education and Child Care to support our growing District.
This has been a difficult cold and flu season with illnesses and absences impacting our system. Thank you to everyone; students, staff, and families for your cooperation, collaboration, and patience while we work to manage staffing challenges. As always, we appreciate your support in staying home when sick, being health aware, and practicing proper handwashing and respiratory etiquette. In alignment with public health, the District is encouraging anyone who is eligible to get vaccinated as it is way to protect our community. The Fraser Health Authority is sharing an important message with our community about vaccinations here.
We are hearing more and more from our staff about the struggles families are facing with affordability due to inflation and the lingering effects of the pandemic. The District has begun rolling out its Student and Family Affordability Plan, which is a one-time provincial grant of $2.1 million to support our students and families in need during this difficult time. We first consulted our schools, PACs, local First Nations, the Langley School District Foundation, and community groups and agencies. The District then developed a multi-pronged plan with a focus on food insecurity. The bulk of the funds ($1.4 million) will be distributed to schools to support families with food insecurity, school fees, and supplies, prioritized by need. We are fortunate to have Enhanced Support Teams comprised of volunteer staff in our schools who will work to determine how to meet the needs of students and families. These teams were in place during the pandemic and will continue to help families access support for things like food, transportation, and student fees. Approximately, $500,000 will be distributed as grants to local community agencies that offer food programs. Remaining funds will be used by the District for capital expenses to start new and expand existing food programs in our schools. We are optimistic this will benefit our families.
Season’s Greetings and Happy New Year
As we head out for winter break, Board of Education is sharing a special message here. To mark the end of my first year as Superintendent, I look back and reflect on all of the amazing things happening in our district – everything from supporting a former ACSS grad competing at the World Cup, to students painting bright-coloured sidewalks, and the families treated to a pancake breakfast by staff. There is so much for us to be proud of and thankful for. You can read more about these good news stories here. The District is looking forward to the new year and renewing our commitment to ensure that every child matters as we continue on the journey of Truth and Reconciliation. I close with more of my reflections in this blog post here. Have a healthy, safe, and happy holiday!
Take care,
Mal Gill
Superintendent of Schools