From Quarterway, we returned to Cilaire, where I picked up my car, for the drive south to North Oyster Elementary. Principal Danielle Ashworth-Clarke was away attending the same Health & Safety Training session as Arlette, but Vice-Principal Jackie Borosa was an excellent host. Jackie, who also serves as a Director on the BCPVPA Board of Directors, gave me a quick tour, as I had to step into Danielle’s office for a Zoom meeting with BCPSEA. Thank you, Danielle, for the use of your office!
My first day in Nanaimo-Ladysmith ended with a well-attended Chapter dinner, where Lisa shared highlights and provided some details from the recent Chapter Council session, and I followed her with an update about some of the key collaborations taking place with our sector partners, including the Ministry of Education and Childcare and BCPSEA.
As I stated at the outset of my column, for me, visiting schools is the most satisfying part of the role of BCPVPA President. With this in mind, on Wednesday, prior to my drive south to Victoria, I managed to squeeze in two more school visits while in SD68.
I was very honoured to be welcomed to Qwam Qwum Stuwixwulh School, by Principal Sean Walsh. Qwam Qwum Stuwixwulh School is a unique co-governed and operated partnership between the Snuneymuxw First Nation and the Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District. Sean is a young and engaging leader that is proud of his own Indigenous heritage, and he freely relates how his own family’s trauma history informs and shapes his leadership style for the benefit of his student community, and the community he serves. He has developed a trusted relationship with local Indigenous leaders. The desire of those leaders is that the school forms part of an ongoing journey to restore a sense of place and to connect students to the knowledge and language that is rooted in the sacred lands of the Snuneymuxw. Qwam Qwum Stuwixwulh is an example of reconciliation in action.
Principal Cindy Haack
Last year, my visit to Nanaimo was impacted by snow, and when I visited Fairview Elementary, Principal Cindy Haack had just finished shoveling snow and clearing a pathway into the school. Thankfully, my visit this time was less eventful and afforded me a chance to have a quick check-in with Cindy and the chance to talk about her leadership of this very busy inner-city type of school – a role that she clearly loves and is well-suited for.
Lake Hill Elementary School
After an uneventful drive over the Malahat, I arrived on the outskirts of Victoria and made my way to Lake Hill Elementary School. At Lake Hill, I had the wonderful opportunity to re-connect with an old friend, and former BCPVPA Director, Principal Brett Johnson. Brett is an engaging and consummate storyteller, and, on this visit, he didn’t disappoint. He also talked about the challenges and rewards unique to schools in the capitol region. We were so engaged in our conversation, that I almost made Brett late for an appointment, so he missed Brian’s obligatory school-visit selfie with the principal. Sorry, Brett, just me in front of your school!
Magdalena and Brian at the Budget Lock-up
Acting Executive Director, Magdalena Kassis, and I spent most of the day last Thursday (Budget Day) reviewing briefing books filled with endless tables and columns of numbers (representing millions and billions of dollars), interspersed with brief conversations with business leaders, community partners, and government officials, in the “Budget Lock-up”. Participants are released from the “lock-up” once the Minister of Finance, Katrine Conroy, rises in the Legislature to deliver the Budget, thereby making it public. After such a day, I was more than ready to get together with educational leaders to hear and talk about educational issues from the school perspective.
As soon as we were released from the “lock-up”, I managed to get out of Downtown Victoria before the rush and made my way to Langford for a SD 62 (Sooke) Chapter meeting. If you haven’t been to Langford recently, you are in for a big shock. Construction and development in this Victoria suburb rivals that of Surrey, due to affordability issues and the soaring price of real estate in Greater Victoria. And just like in Surrey, enrolment pressure in the Langford part of Sooke District is huge.
Thanks to SD 62 (Sooke) Chapter Co-Presidents, Kendra Laidlaw & Mark Johnston, I had the chance to meet many members of the Sooke Chapter, including BCPVPA Director Renee Hislop. Once again, I was able to provide an update about some of the key collaborations taking place with our sector partners, including the Ministry of Education and Childcare and BCPSEA, relating to workforce issues, the work of the BC Teachers’ Council, and the SOGI Collaborative.
Vice-Principal Michaela Mistal and
Principal Darren Russell
Centre Mountain Lellum Middle School is a stunningly beautiful school. With special thanks to Principal Darren Russell and Vice-Principal Michaela Mistal, I was given a tour of the school at the conclusion of the meeting. Built high on a cliff, overlooking Langford Lake, and surrounded by mountains, the setting is most dramatic, as the meeting took place in the multi-Purpose Room which had several large windows that captured the view. I opened my talk by declaring it was like presenting in the Swiss Alps! Inside, the building is equally impressive and well-designed, with lots of light and wood finishes – a school where students can take pride in their learning spaces. Although Michaela had to leave for a family activity, Darren and I continued the conversation. Darren may be preparing for retirement in June; however, he continues to provide exemplary leadership and energy to his school community.
My “Island Week” ended on Friday with two events. First, a great visit with former Executive Director, Kit Kreiger, who has relocated to Victoria, to be closer to family and enjoy his well-earned retirement. Although Kit is “retired”, he remains an Elder Statesman of education in BC, having worn many hats in our sector.
The second event was a facilitated meeting to provide input and discussion about the Ministry of Education & Childcare’s K-12 Workforce Action Plan that is currently in development. It was the second of two sessions where the ideas explored, presented, shared, and discussed, provided some exciting possibilities for the K-12 education sector. Some of the initiatives suggested last spring, and currently being implemented (e.g. targeted funding for hiring incentives, and incentives for Northern & Rural Practicum placements) have already been incorporated into the budget, so hope is on the horizon, and positive change is underway.
Have a great weekend,