Focusing On The District Educating our young people is a collaborative effort among many partner groups in our district. All partners provide input prior to any major decisions that our Board of School Trustees make, and all partners serve on each of the district committees. The partner groups in our district include: • Parents – represented by the Richmond District Parents Association (RDPA). 604-668-6311 • Teachers – represented by the Richmond Teachers’ Association (RTA). 604-278-2539 •School Administrators – represented by the Richmond Association of School Administrators (RASA). 604-668-6000 •Support Staff – represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Local 716. 604-273-1651 The Richmond District Parents Association The Richmond District Parents Association (RDPA) is a non-profit organization which consists of representatives from each of the school PACs and an executive committee. Some of the purposes of the RDPA are: • to encourage parental involvement in the education and safety of students. • to be effective advocates for parents, children and youth within the school community. • to advise the school board about parents’ views concerning school district programs and policies. The RDPA produces a monthly newsletter for parents of all Richmond students, sends representatives to district committees, holds parent education sessions on educational or parenting topics, and hosts meetings to bring together parents and other partners to discuss current issues in the district. See their website at www.rdpa.bc.ca. The Richmond Teachers’ Association The Richmond Teachers’ Association (RTA) is the governing body that serves as an advocate for the teachers in our district. Under the Labour Relations Code, the RTA’s role is to represent teachers, ensuring due process in any disputes that might emerge. Some of its activities include providing professional support for classroom teachers, mentoring beginning teachers, and working with the universities to support pre-service teachers. The Richmond Association of School Administrators The Richmond Association of School Administrators (RASA) is the professional body that represents principals and vice-principals in our district. Some of its activities include initiating and supporting administrative study groups focusing on school culture and curricular leadership, and conducting in-service sessions with other partner groups on effective working relationships. The Canadian Union of Public Employees The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Local 716, is the collective bargaining unit for our district’s support staff. As the official representative for these employees, it participates in district processes on their behalf and ensures that they receive due process in the event of any dispute. In addition to the school-based support staff, CUPE includes secretaries and clerical staff at the board office handle finances, purchasing, payroll, and continuing education. Maintenance staff assist in the renovation and construction of new schools, repair and maintain heating, electricity and plumbing in over fifty buildings, build and repair furniture, and look after the school grounds and playgrounds. The engineers, building service workers, and rental custodians who make up our Operations staff, keep the buildings clean and safe. The Role of District Administrators Administrators at a district level include: • The Director of Instruction (Technology and Information Services), who is responsible for the development, coordination and management of technological and information systems and infrastructure within the district. • The Director of Instruction (Learning Services), who oversees the Learning Services Department and coordinates staff development programs and support services for all students with special needs within the district. • The Director of Instruction (Continuing Education) who coordinates Summer School and Adult Education • The Director of Instruction (Personnel Services) who is responsible for employment of teachers and non-teaching staff • One or more principals or vice principals may be assigned to assist district management in the board office as required. We call these District Administrators. • Assistant Superintendents, who are members of the District Management Committee and the District Educational Leadership Team, supervise and support school administrators and are the primary connection between school and district. • The Secretary-Treasurer, who oversees the business and facilities functions of the district. • The Superintendent, who serves as the district’s Chief Executive Officer and oversees the general organization, administration, delivery, supervision, and evaluation of all educational programs. He is also responsible for the financial and technical operation of the district. The Role of the School Board Richmond’s Board of School Trustees consists of seven elected citizens. Every three years, eligible citizens in Richmond vote for the trustees of their choice. Trustees act as an interface between their community and the education system, establishing policies to govern the district and overseeing district management. Trustees are expected to represent the public interest in public education, ensuring that the diverse values and priorities of the Richmond community are reflected in the core purpose of education: student achievement. In Richmond, they do this by collaborating and consulting with staff, parents and members of the community. Here are some of their key responsibilities: • carrying out the School Act established by the BC Ministry of Education. • making rules regarding the establishment, operation, administration, and management of schools, educational programs, and district facilities and vehicles. • preparing annual reports. • developing local policy. • permitting people other than students to useboard facilities, equipment, and personnel. • making rules regarding student conduct,suspension, and attendance. How to Become More Informed About Our District An informed parent is more effective in supporting a child’s learning, and more able to obtain the resources needed to be an effective advocate for the child. There are many ways to become more informed about our district. The list below offers a number of suggestions. You are invited to choose those that suit your needs and your schedule: • Talk to the school principal. Ask a lot of questions. • Attend Board meetings. • Watch the Board meeting televised by Shaw Cable 4.         For times, contact the school district at 604-668-6000. • Get to know one of the trustees so you can call and ask questions. • Visit our website at www.sd38.bc.ca  • Read our annual newsletter. • Attend our district information meetings. • Read newsletters – from the school, the Richmond District Parents Association, etc. • Read Notebook, a highlight sheet that comes out after each meeting of the Board of School Trustees. It can be found on the district website. • With the fall and spring report card, you may receive report card inserts which include an update on school district news, programs, and activities. • Talk to your Parent Advisory Council (PAC) chairperson. Your school can provide the name and phone number. • Read letters, notices and memos that come home from the school. • Check the PAC bulletin board at your child’s school. • Talk to your child’s teacher. • Talk to a member of the Richmond District Parents Association (RDPA) executive or attend an RDPA meeting. Check out their website at www.rdpa.bc.ca. • Check your local newspaper for information about Richmond schools. Official notices include this symbol: • If you are a member of a community group, ask your group to contact the district office at 604-668-6000. We can provide speakers for your meetings to exchange ideas about education. • Read your school handbook. • Read district “Hot Topics” pamphlets and other Discussion Papers on a great variety of topics. • Read this handbook! How Parents Can Affect Board Policies Here are some ways that you and other members of the community can influence policies that affect how our schools operate: • Attend Board meetings and ask questions or comment on topics on the agenda. You can also make a short statement or present a brief to the Board about any initiatives, issues, or concerns that you think the Board should be considering. • Participate in Standing Committee meetings such as the Education Committee and Personnel and Finance Committee, both of which are open to the public. • Write to the Board chairperson or to chairpersons of the Standing Committees. • Respond to requests for input on drafts of district policies, regulations, proposals, and position statements. These are available at your local school or at the board office. • Contact individual trustees directly. You can get their numbers by calling 604-668-6000.