It’s an exciting time full of anticipation for Delta School District staff and students as the 2024/25 school year starts today (Tues, Sept 5).
In an interview with the Optimist, assistant superintendents Brad Bauman and Jane Macmillan, and school trustee Joe Muego, talked about what is new for the district and what students and parents can expect.
“I just think it’s such an exciting time for staff and for families. I’m always conscious this will be someone’s first day of kindergarten, someone’s first day of high school or someone’s first day in a new country and a new school, and seeing the energy of staff….the facilities and maintenance folks worked hard to get the schools ready, staff have been getting classes ready and now we’re just so excited to have the kids,” said Macmillan.
The new cell phone policy begins, a mandate by the provincial government for all districts to ban cell phones “bell to bell” starting this year.
The Delta district’s new Feeding Futures program will be entering its second year.
Receiving funding from the province, based on student enrollment numbers, about 40 per cent of the funding will be distributed to schools to support families in need directly.
Bauman said the district is pleased to finally receive government support for Integrated Child & Youth Teams, with Delta to have three teams to provide multi-supports in partnership with various community partners.
“Like the title says, its integrated supports that would typically have been fragmented in the community. Through child and youth mental health, or through substance and addictions counsellors, we would have to pull those groups independently, or families would have to try to reach out and find them themselves. It’s like a wraparound hub where we work with those teams, with district representatives, to case manage some of our students who require a multi-disciplinary support network,” said Bauman.
Muego said many families would not know where to even start to find additional supports, but parents will now be able to have better connections with various advocates and resources.
Macmillan said once families reach out for services, various services will all be aligned to provide a “reach-in” coordinated approach, with a reduced need for children and youth to re-tell their stories as team members will share information.
As far as student enrollment, projected to be in the 15,600-range this year, Bauman said early reports from several schools, including within Ladner, indicate additional student registration than anticipated. The number of students in the International Student Program is also up slightly, currently at around 670 kids.
Noting the district has benefitted greatly with its close collaboration with the City of Delta, Muego said he is also particularly excited about the board’s review of the district’s strategic plan, which will eventually help shape an updated District Vision. The revised strategic plan is to be in ready in 2025.
Bauman added they are looking forward to reconnecting with parents and students as part of the focus revising the plan and its series of goals.
Meanwhile, the Delta School District will also be holding its first Truth & Reconciliation Walk, involving all schools, on Sept 27. The district also plans to hold a related event at the Delta Manor Education Centre.
