International education
School District No. 46 (SD46) is working on expanding its international education program, director of instruction, human resources and secondary programs Paul Bishop told the board at its March 8 regular school board meeting.
This year SD46 enrolled 18 international students and those students have been able to take part in a variety of programing that’s benefited both international and local students, Bishop said. SD46 would like to see the program grow in the future.
“The program right now is definitely small,” Bishop said, noting the school district lost one of its international education agents last year, which impacted the ability to recruit international students.
“But we’ve managed to find other groups to supplement that, which has been excellent, and we’re developing capacity within the program to have additional staff to support students in the school to really cement a program in place.”
Next steps for the program include creating a dedicated website for international education at www.learninbc.ca and having Bishop attend an international education conference in Vancouver to make more connections and help get the word out.
Early Years Fair
The Early Years Fair is coming up on April 1 and it’s a fun opportunity for parents to connect with SD46 and find out what the district has to offer kids from birth to age five.
The free event takes place from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Sechelt Early Years Centre (5538 Shorncliffe Ave.) and offers a petting zoo, pony rides, a farmer’s market, health information, developmental screening and information about what SD46 can offer preschoolers and their parents. Preschoolers will also receive a free gift just for attending.
There’s bus service to and from the event with pickup/drop-off locations at various schools between Langdale and Davis Bay. Those who need service from the West Sechelt, Halfmoon Bay and Madeira Park areas can call 604-885-6787 to arrange it.
Find out more at www.sd46.bc.ca/index.php/spark.
Condom machines
Condom machines will be pulled out of schools, the board decided unanimously at its March 8 board meeting, when it officially repealed the regulation that stipulated the machines be placed in high schools on the Coast.
The board made the decision after hearing the machines hadn’t been used for years due to condoms being made available for free – discretely placed in counsellor’s offices for students to take when they want.
Learning grant
The board decided to push a one-time funding grant from the ministry out to schools to use as they see fit. The Student Learning Grant will result in an additional $50 per pupil funding this year. “This is to support curriculum supplies and instructional supplies,” secretary treasurer Nicholas Weswick said. “The sooner we can get those funds out to schools, the sooner they start planning for them and get them spent.”
Electoral areas
The board hasn’t been getting much feedback on the proposed changes to trustee electoral areas. So far the board has only had a handful of residents show up to public meetings on the issue.
There is one meeting left to voice your opinion, on Wednesday, March 29 from 6 to 7 p.m. at Chatelech Secondary School.
SD46 is proposing two new electoral area options to more fairly represent the Sechelt Nation at the board table. The two options keep the same number of trustees, but redistribute them between either three or four new electoral areas.
See the options and learn more at http://www.sd46.bc.ca/index.php/news-releases/679-tea-public-hearings.
