There are plenty of changes for students in the Delta School District as a new year is now underway.
In an interview with the Optimist last week, Board of Education Chair Val Windsor went over some of the highlights as students return to a more normal-looking system, which had been altered due to the pandemic. That return to normal includes regular class setups and a return to all field trips and extracurricular activities.
Outdoor learning, however, will continue as much as possible.
The district is also continuing to focus on Vision 2030, the guiding set of principles which lays out Delta’s new strategic plan. It’s an update on a previous Vision document, having input from an advisory group comprised of a range of education partners including Musqueam and Tsawwassen First Nations.
Those priorities include, among other things, powerful and inspiring learning environments and strong foundations in literacy and numeracy.
Windsor said the district is emphasizing research-supported instruction that builds foundational skills and knowledge in key areas. Several schools are committed to try the new practices in those areas.
Also at the district level, a committee will be organized to focus on reading success at the secondary level.
“People assume it’s just the elementary schools that teach reading, but the reality is we’re teaching reading right through to the end of Grade 12,” said Windsor.
As far as anti-racism and SOGI initiatives, the focus will continue to be having safe schools. The district this year will be reviewing its SOGI procedures, first approved a decade ago, and that review will involve students, families and staff.
When it comes to ensuring equity and success, the schools district’s Journey Canoe will have its celebration launch on Sept. 23.
It is part of the Indigenous Education department’s new mentorship program, Paddling Together, for students in grades 5 to 12.
The program is to inspire positive identity of urban Indigenous students, help develop leaders and bridge relationships throughout the community. Delta students will be able to take trips in the canoe, all part of the district’s Truth and Reconciliation initiative to build intercultural understanding, empathy and mutual respect.
The district through the department has also developed a program for grades 10 to 12 students with Indigenous ancestry. The inaugural event for that program will be Sept. 29.
Also, when it comes to Indigenous education, the district for the past year has had a K-12 satellite school at the Tsawwassen First Nation’s youth centre and it has been well received.
The district is also working on a new Indigenous education requirement, stemming from a provincial announcement this spring that all students will be required to take at least one Indigenous-focused course. Any students in Grade 11 or younger will eventually be required to take a course as a condition for graduation. That will likely be starting next year.
On another front, Delta is also one of 23 districts in the province to have been granted a licence to be a provincial Home Quest program online provider for K-9 students throughout B.C.
As far as kids with diverse learning needs, the district is working on new prevention programs, committing to a three-year study with an evidence-based program called PrePVenture.
It is a program that uses targeted interventions to promote mental health and delay substance abuse among youth, teaching cognitive behavioral skills to help youth cope with challenges including academic stress and peer pressure.
“The whole idea is to reduce substance use and mental health-related issues for our students. I’m grateful we’re going to be doing this and we’re starting with Grade 10s. The goal is to open it up for our earlier grades once the study is complete. We’d like to help kids get set on the right path to deal with different types of life challenges,” said Windsor.
Having several new people in key administrative positions, the district is also working towards new training and mentorship opportunities for educators who are interested in pursuing a leadership position, including becoming principals and vice-principals.
While COVID-19 restrictions for schools have been eased province-wide, the school district is keeping its fingers crossed the provincial health authority won’t be forced to once again order restrictive measures.
Wearing a mask will continue to be a personal choice, and that choice will be supported and respected. Windsor is encouraging parents to have their children vaccinated and keep up with their boosters.
