School District 51's (SD51) board had its meeting on Jan. 10 in Midway at the Boundary Learning Centre. Here are some topics that were discussed.
Social media
To promote open communication, SD51 is looking into accessing social media and creating its own Facebook page.
“In Canada alone it’s not being taken up, but in the United States it’s going crazy,” said trustee Rose Zitko. “I did check out a lot of Facebook sites that schools have been using in the states. It’s not a personal Facebook page, but things they were using it for (includes) using it for putting up their meeting dates, reminding parents about Kindergarten registration.”
Zitko pointed out several of the sites have comments from superintendents promoting the district, as well as a place for notices on snow closures, late buses and exam dates.
“Only five out of the 60 districts in B.C. are doing something with social media so it is very new to our province,” explained Zitko. “Those who have gone down this route have decided it was because they need to improve communications with the public.”
A motion to create an ad hoc committee to pursue the issue of social media as a communication tool and report to the board was proposed by trustee Vicki Gee.
SD51 to apply for membership with regional chamber
SD51 has decided to apply for a membership with the Boundary Country Regional Chamber of Commerce (BCRCC).
“I think this is a good idea,” said trustee Vicki Gee. “I asked why would a community club be a part of something like this and found that some of the projects that they’re undertaking are common websites (that link to one another) and to keep track of events in the community.”
Chair Teresa Rezansoff agreed. “There have been discussions for the school board to participate in different forums. Basically we have the interest of our area in mind so that we can get families moving and the industry and businesses moving into it. I don’t see any worry about us buying into anything particular. It’s a membership, not a voting right, so that we have access and permission to be a part of something that they are putting together.”
BCRCC aims to build a strong business network that will promote the Boundary Country, and encourages business and community development.
BCSS Spirit club
The Boundary Central Secondary School (BCSS) Spirit Club was created to complement the efforts of student council in promoting school participation and empathy.
“I wanted to make sure that (the spirit club) was a place for students to go, so they would have somewhere to go to and always feel welcome,” said BCSS Principal Louise Bayles. “This way they can also do a lot of positive things in our school to promote empathy.”
Starting with four students in the first year, the club has grown to include nearly a third of the students in the school.
“We talk to the kids about what we’re going to do,” explained Bayles. “We believe in the leadership aspect but we also want to mentor the leadership piece so that they know what a leader is; we teach them on how to be leaders.”
Now that the club has grown, Bayles pointed out that the students had to be split into grade groups.
From there, each grade will have to create, plan, promote and clean up after an event.
“The kids are really proud of the spirit club,” concluded Bayles. “Everything is attached to a teaching moment. We don’t push it down anyone’s throat, but it’s definitely there.”
The club has participated in and contributed to various fundraising ventures including 30-hour famine, big bang balloon contest and cupcake give-aways.
Adult education
Selkirk College, Community Futures and Grand Forks Secondary School (GFSS) considered the possibility of co-ordinating a cooking course in September 2012.
“This has been a conversation that we’ve been having with Selkirk College since September,” said Jeanette Hanlon, SD51 secretary treasurer. “One of the programs that we’re bringing to GFSS is the cooking program.”
GFSS’ kitchen is waiting to be inspected before the course would be approved.
School maintenance and projects over break
Sound systems for special education students were installed in classrooms at Hutton Elementary School during winter break.
“Teachers really value and appreciate them,” said Maxine Ruzicka, SD51 director of instruction. “It’s a system where the teachers wear a microphone and there are speakers in the room. Students sitting at the back in the room or especially for those (students) who have a hard time filtering out noise, can hear the teacher speaking clearly beside them. Teachers find that they also don’t need to raise their voices.”
Ruzicka stated the system is recommended for some students.
“We’ve had eight or nine systems in the district school classrooms,” she said. “The older systems were redeployed to other schools and the ones at Hutton replaced.”
Other projects included an installation of a projector and smart board at Big White Elementary School, gym lights at West Boundary Elementary School and polishing the gym floor at GFSS.
Budget consultation
SD51 debated the best way to involve parents, students, staff and community members on seeking consultation for the 2012/2013 budget process.
“We did try ranking and we did receive responses because it was simple,” said Hanlon. “It’s a good thing to know what people’s priorities are before we cut anything.”
Previously, a list of questions was also provided to determine what programs should be kept or disbanded.
“That’s why we did it in January (last year) so we could have their responses before and know what’s important to them,” added Hanlon. “When you’re going through the process of having to make decisions on cuts, you’d know what people’s priorities were.”
Trustee Ken Harshenin pointed out the board needs to collaborate with administration.
“You have to work with administration and work with them to see what’s needed,” Harshenin said. “We don’t have that full knowledge of what’s needed in different schools. If you ask three teachers, you’ll get three different responses.”
Trustees are considering various options, including having a brief meeting to explain to the public various courses and programs that the district currently uses, the use of Survey Monkey, an online survey website, and a change-up in questions.