Brian and Diane McGonigle in Nanaimo
While this short week began with Family Day, and despite some cold and snowy weather, I was able to keep to my schedule of Chapter and school visits. Many thanks to Past Chapter President, Diane McGonigle, for organizing my tour of SD 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith).
We started the day bright and early on Tuesday with a visit to Nanaimo District Secondary School. This 1950s-era building is iconic, with a high student population. Many Nanaimo-area staff and parents attended NDSS themselves, and regard the building as an institution. Thank you to the NDSS Admin Team – Principal Jane Reynolds and Vice-Principals Katie Marren, Shawn Shahi, and Shelley Gvojich – for hosting my visit.
Diane McGonigle, Brian, Katie Marren, Jane Reynolds
After a great visit with Superintendent Scott Saywell and Secretary-Treasurer Mark Walsh, I met Principal Brett Hancock at Learning Alternatives, located in a re-purposed former secondary building that houses several alternative learning programs. As part of Brett’s tour, he introduced me to several of his students with an infectious enthusiasm for both his students and their programs.
Brian and Brett Hancock
At my next stop – Rock City Elementary, with Principal Mike Lundine and Vice-Principal Jackie Borosa – Jackie took over tour-guide duties. I know Jackie well from her role as a BCPVPA Board Director; she made a big move last year from SD 92 (Nisga’a) to SD 68, and was proud to host a walk-about in her new school before I moved on to syuwen’ct Elementary School (formerly known as Coal Tyee).
Brian and Jackie Borosa
Like many schools and places in our province, this school has undergone a name change in consultation with local Indigenous leaders. A local First Nation artist designed and crafted a hand-carved cedar box and magnificent display case for the entranceway to syuwen’ct. Thank you to Principal Diane Charles and recently appointed Vice-Principal Margaret Westaway for sharing with me the journey of their school from Coal Tyee to syuwen’ct.
Margaret Westaway, Brian, Diane Charles
At a Chapter dinner that evening, I had the chance to share the current provincial scene and hear from Nanaimo members about what is happening on their part of Vancouver Island.
I had one more school visit before I headed south the next morning, arriving at Fairview Elementary School just as Principal Cindy Haack had returned to her office after shoveling the walkway. Fairview is another Nanaimo school with a high student population, and Cindy is working with a community that faces many challenges. The budget announcement about substantial dollars for School Food Programs will be appreciated by all school communities, including the Fairview community.
Brian & Cindy Haack
That afternoon, I was honoured to be part of the Pink Shirt Day ceremony at the BC Legislature. Minister of Education and Child Care, Rachna Singh, acted as Master of Ceremonies for the annual event. This year’s Pink Shirt Day theme was ‘Belonging and Empowerment’, and marked the 16th anniversary of Pink Shirt Day. The event opened with a moving song by some students from Surrey, and included speakers Premier David Eby and Carol Todd, founder of the Amanda Todd Legacy Society and a Coquitlam digital literacy educator.
Surrey Students
Premier David Eby
Carol Todd
Carol encouraged teachers and parents to access the excellent resources on the ERASE (Expect Respect & a Safe Education) website to create awareness and prevent bullying, cyberbullying, exploitation, and sextortion. The site supports education to encourage positivity, mental health and wellness, and digital safety with online safety. The event took place in the Hall of Honour, and was attended by all of the education partner groups – BCSTA, BCSSA, BCASBO, BCTF, CUPE, BCCPA, FISA, FNESC, and Metis Nation BC – as well as the Speaker of the House, most Cabinet Ministers, and MLAs from both sides of the House. As you can imagine, the event was a sea of adults wearing pink; it was a proud moment to be an educator in British Columbia.
On a more personal note, my week ended with a thrill-of-a-lifetime as I attended as a family member the retirement of NHL player Patrick Marleau’s #12 jersey in San Jose. It was a great experience to see a fellow Canadian honoured, and the NHL sure knows how to throw a party!
Brian, Patrick Marleau, Brett Marleau
Have a great weekend,
Brian