January 27, 2023 Message to Members
As a building Principal, I used to remind my staff that the period between the winter holiday and spring break is like the meat in the sandwich – a peak learning time! The fall term centres on relationships, review, and routines, while the spring term is about the sprint to June and – like the weather – can be filled with all kinds of learning distractions. It is the winter term where teachers typically see the most growth and development in student learning. Even in semester schools, the transition from Semester One to Semester Two can be packed with optimum learning. It’s a great reminder that this is the time to help your teachers maintain focus and optimize this growth period.
Here in the BCPVPA office, the return from winter break was like a plane taxiing to the runway, with the engines firing on, that brief roll to start, and a very rapid gain in speed and momentum. We are now – literally! – airborne, and I am happily juggling meetings here in Vancouver with Chapter visits around the province.
Before I left for the Cariboo last week, I had a whirlwind tour of several SD 44 (North Vancouver) schools. Special thanks to Chapter President, Rick Chan, Principal-Westview Elementary, and Argyle Secondary Principal, Kim Jonat, as in just over 2 hours, we managed to visit four schools:
· Westview Elementary – Principal Rick Chan, VP Bruce Sled
· Mountainside Secondary – Principal Lucas King, VP Jennifer Tieche & District P of Inclusive Education Amelia Poitras
· Larson Elementary – Principal Dean Yeo, VP Cathy Jefferson
· Argyle Secondary – Principal Kim Jonat, VPs John Crowley & Laura Ames
· And, a touch-down at the Education Services Centre, where I met many of the District Principals and Vice-Principals who support schools, including:
o Greg Hockley – District Principal, Careers, Curriculum & Assessment - Secondary
o Sandra Singh – District Principal, Curriculum & Assessment - Elementary
o Allison Kerr – District Principal of Arts Education & Director, Artists for Kids
o Daylen Luchsinger – District Vice Principal, Arts Education
The tour ended in the Argyle Library with a well-attended Chapter meeting, where I co-presented with Magdalena Kassis, Director of Member Support Services, about how the BCPVPA supports members. The evening ended with a lovely dinner with the NOVA (North Vancouver Administrators) Executive in the Shipyards District at the Quay. While I didn’t snap any photos, I hope to return to capture a few ‘Selfies with NOVA’.
After our January 13 and 14 Board of Directors meetings, I began my winter tour of the Cariboo on January 16, touching down in Prince George and then heading off to Quesnel and Williams Lake. Thankfully, residents of the Interior are experiencing a mild January this year, and this certainly made my road travel quite easy.
Brian in Prince George
Brian with Chapter President Corry Climenhage
SD 28 (Quesnel) Chapter President, Corry Climenhage, organized the Highlights of Quesnel Schools Tour where I met this small and tight-knit group of dedicated and enthusiastic individuals. Thanks to Corry’s plan, I managed to visit five schools throughout the day. We wrapped with a Chapter meeting and meal, where I presented highlights of the provincial scene, answered questions, and generally shared how the BCPVPA, a member-driven organization, supports members’ needs.
Brian with Chapter Co-President – Jan Bauer
With VP-Shane Mummery
My road trip continued to SD 27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin), based in Williams Lake where Chapter President, Yvonne Davis arranged a schedule of school visits. While I wasn’t able to visit an out-of-town school, I was still able to experience the flavour of the district, and it was wonderful to end with a lovely dinner with the Chapter Executive.
Brian with Chapter Pres. Yvonne Davis
SD 27 – Chapter Executive (From L to R):
Curt Levens, Ty Lytton, Holly Zurak, Yvonne Davis, Brian, Craig Munroe,
Hattie Darney, Crystal-Dawn Langton, Kelly Glen
Brian with President Kelly Glen
Brian with President Matt Cullum
Brian with VP-Tess Riley
Even with an overnight snowfall, I was able to return to Prince George, squeeze in a quick visit with Board Director Sid Jawanda at Duchess Park Secondary, and climb into the last seat on a planeload of fans flying to Vancouver for a Canucks double-header weekend.
Brian with Julie Pearce
Brian with John White
That short flight home gave me some time to reflect on my visits with our members, and on an unexpected moment from the trip. While geographically we are spread over vast distances, education in BC is really a small community. This was brought home to me when, over a meal in Williams Lake in the middle of January, I spotted at the next table my retired former Coquitlam (and Vancouver) Assistant Superintendent; Julie Pearce, retired Burnaby Director of Instruction John White (who also taught me at Langley Secondary School, a lifetime ago); and DeDe DeRose, BC’s first Superintendent of Aboriginal Achievement. They were enjoying a meal together with the other members of a visiting Ministry team. A small world, indeed!
Have a great weekend,
Brian