I enjoy Chapter visits, and the opportunity to meet members in their second home: their school! While I am not able to visit all of the nearly 1,600 schools province-wide, I do get a good sense of the schools in any one district thanks to my connection with Chapter Presidents.
Jeff was my host, tour guide, and Chapter President in SD 48 (Sea-to-Sky), home to three very diverse communities. I started my tour mid-morning in Squamish at Jeff’s school, Mamquam Elementary. I met several staff members before moving outside to see the very expansive school garden where a variety of vegetables are grown and distributed to members of the community in need. It’s a marvelous way for the students to learn about plants and nature, and about giving back to the community.
Our next stop was the beautiful St’a7mes School tucked under the chin of ‘The Chief’, the striking granite rock formation that dominates the entrance to Squamish. St’a7mes is an Indigenous name that comes from two words – ‘river’ and ‘head’ – a fitting name for what is really two schools in one building. The K-6 program is called Cultural Journeys, and the Grade 7-12 program is called Learning Expeditions. Both programs are ably led by Principal Alysa Patching. During my visit, I observed a local Indigenous carver as he put the finishing touches on a totem pole that will be erected at Porteau Cove – a popular spot on the Sea-to-Sky highway – in recognition of the sacred lands of the local Indigenous people. Students at St’a7mes witnessed the creation of this totem right in their school.
The next stop on my Sea-to-Sky tour was the community of Brackendale, famous as the home to the largest eagle population in North America. En route to Whistler, most people stay on the main highway; Brackendale is a lovely little community that is nestled next to – but away from – Highway 99. Our stop was at Don Ross Middle School, led by the administration team of Principal Dr. Graham Jackson, and Vice-Principals Nicholas “Nick” Allen, and Jenelle Kresak. Jenelle had just returned from a ‘Learning and the Brain’ conference in New York, while Graham had attended and presented at the uLead conference in Banff a few weeks before. This team does not let the grass grow under their feet as they lead this very busy middle school!
Brian, Jenelle Kresak,Graham Jackson and Nick Allen
For the next leg of our journey, we hopped into Jeff’s electric car for the drive up to Pemberton and a visit to Signal Hill Elementary School. It has been almost two years since I was last in Pemberton, and, like many communities, this community is growing fast. Signal Hill is now surrounded by newer houses, and new families. Principal Krista Brynjolfson, a proud Pemberton resident, gave us a tour of Signal Hill, where we also met Vice-Principal Cam Strudwick, who recently moved to SD 48 from the Lower Mainland.
Brian, Krysta, and Jeff at Signal Hill Elementary
Brian learning about engineering from Cam’s Gr. 7 students
Jeff and I trekked back to Whistler. At Spring Creek Elementary, Principal Mario Tenisci was setting up for our Chapter meeting, where I shared the BCPVPA story and heard from SD 48 members about their challenges and successes.
A week later, I flew to Prince George – the gateway to the north – where I picked up my ‘hot car’ and headed to Burns Lake, home of Board Director and Principal Heidi Grant.
After a tour of Lakes District Secondary School, and a chance to meet her newly-minted Acting Vice-Principal Steve Little, Heidi gave me a personal tour of Burns Lake and the surrounding community. We made a stop at William Konkin Elementary, where I met Principal Karie Evans and Vice-Principal Mariah Donnelly. Karie is in her second year at Konkin since she moved to Burns Lake from Alberta.
We then drove out of town to the picturesque four-room schoolhouse Francois Lake Elementary School, led by Principal Sigrid Solbach and Vice-Principal Marian Mills. Sigrid, another leader originally from Alberta, is also the Principal of Decker Lake Elementary School. It was a delight to later join the Chapter meeting in Sigrid’s home with the small but passionate Burns Lake team.
The ‘two Brians’ (Cross and Leonard) and the furry mascot of Fraser Lake Elementary-Secondary School
The next morning, I headed east to Vanderhoof. Along the way, I stopped in Fraser Lake, which is half-way between Burns Lake and Vanderhoof. Fraser Lake Elementary-Secondary serves students grade 4 – 12 and is led by Principal Brian Cross and Vice-Principal Mike LeDuc. Brian serves as his Chapter’s Contract Chair and is on the BCPVPA’s Contract Advisory Committee. In between setting up students for the Learning Surveys, Brian gave me a tour and some of his precious time for an update.
I then traveled on to Vanderhoof to meet my next host, Principal and Chapter President Ken Young. Ken has deep roots in the community, as he was born and raised in Vanderhoof. Ken graduated from Nechako Valley Secondary, and is now the Principal there. Serving 610 students from grades 7 -12, NVSS proudly hosts a unique Middle Years program within the school. Ken shares leadership of NVSS with Vice-Principal Erin Baker. Erin is in her first year as VP, having served NVSS as the Counsellor, and is enjoying the transition to her new role.
Brian in Ken Young's office
Ken walked me across the street to WL McLeod Elementary, which also houses EBUS Academy, where I had a very informative chat with the EBUS team - Principal Brian Naka and Vice-Principals Barb Ziler and Mia Moutray. Established in 1993, EBUS is a distance learning school that currently enrolls 3000+ students from Kindergarten through to Adult Education, including a cohort of students that have case managers for their specific diverse needs.
Brian with Mia Moultray and Barb Ziler
The ‘Two Brians’, again! (Leonard & Naka)
After our EBUS chat, Ken and I returned to NVSS and hopped into Ken’s truck for a quick tour of Vanderhoof. We made a brief stop at Evelyn Dickson Elementary, where I met Principal Wade Fitzpatrick and moved on that evening’s Chapter meeting.
The next morning, I returned to Vancouver having experienced the diverse communities and wonderful hospitality of the folks that lead schools in SD 91 (Nechako Lakes).
In the weeks ahead, I am on the road to Richmond, Powell River, Saanich, and Nisga’a for school and Chapter visits. If you would like me to visit before the end of the year, or in the fall, please reach out to Sharon North to get your Chapter on the list.