Local initiative evolves into virtual teacher training
Teachers in first or second year of teaching reap benefits of pilot project
School District 60’s work with the Northern Inquiry Pilot program has turned the initiative into a virtual professional learning series for new teachers in the North, according to Superintendent of Schools Stephen Petrucci.
The virtual learning series is for teachers in their first or second year of teaching, as well as teachers on Letters of Permission. The courses were developed following a survey of new teachers and LOPs throughout the North as part of the pilot program, Petrucci explained.
“This specific initiative was based on a survey we had with new teachers, around what they would like to see,” he said. “It was targeted in terms of content and audience.”
The first session, Wellbeing 101 for Teachers took place on October 3. The second session, Indigenous Education in British Columbia is scheduled for November 7. There are three more sessions planned for December, February 2024 and March 2024.
Trades Opportunities for Students
Board chair Helen Gilbert said she was struck by the common themes around recruitment, retention and trades between School District 60 and the information put forward by ICBA president Chris Gardner at the recent Chamber of Commerce AGM.
Gardner talked about students who want to be entrepreneurs, being urged to take a business course. “Whereas being in the trades and some of the trades where you’re running your own business is a real opportunity for entrepreneurship. He suggested there needs to be some connections made that way,” said Gilbert.
Trustee Thomas Whitton asked if throughout the school year, any local businesses are highlighted that are willing to bring students into trades.
“There are a number of dual credit and trades channels and pathways that students learn about at the school, through counsellors and specific career teachers,” said Superintendent of Schools Stephen Petrucci.
Northern Lights College partners with the district on the dual credit program, which involves students studying a trade at the college for a semester. Students take their regular coursework at NPSS in another semester, earning credits towards graduation on both campuses, while also gaining experience and knowledge of a trade.
School District working on new strategic plan
Like local governments, every five years School District 60 creates a strategic plan, outlining the mission and goals of the District for 2024-2029. Superintendent of Schools, Stephen Petrucci gave the Board of Trustees an update on the process so far, at the October 16 regular board meeting.
Creating the Strategic Plan is a process which, in addition to planning on the part of the district, involves considerable public engagement. “We’ve begun work with Urban Matters to revise the initial proposals on the contract and plan,” said Petrucci.
So far, the district has created an engagement kit, which Petrucci described as a series of activities at both an adult and student level. The engagement kit has provided some good initial feedback.
“We’re now starting to plan the actual workshops, and the Open House is tentatively set for November 30,” he said.
In the meantime, the staff workshops will look at the engagement kits, and plan reach-outs and mini-workshops with Parent Advisory Committees, the District Parent Advisory Committee and other interest groups in the district.
Board chair Helen Gilbert suggested that trustees go out to the rural communities in pairs, with staff for mini-open houses.
“Things are going to happen quite quickly,” said Petrucci. “We want to make the November 30 event as big and meaningful as possible.”
There will also be an online survey, for those who cannot attend the Open House.