SPOTLIGHT ON SCHOOL AND DISTRICT Focusing On The School Schooling in Richmond is organized around three educational programs: • The Primary Program, from Kindergarten to Grade 3 • The Intermediate Program, from Grade 4 to Grade 9 • The Graduation Program, from Grade 10 to Grade 12 For details about what is being taught and how you can best support your child’s learning, be sure to contact your child’s teacher. The Role of School Administrators School administrators, which include principals and vice-principals, are responsible for: • providing educational leadership • supervising teaching and learning activities in the school. • supervising student evaluation, assessment, and reporting to parents. • ensuring the maintenance of school records. • supervising the general conduct of students. • performing the supervisory, management, and other duties required or assigned by the Board, including reporting on the work of a teacher and the classroom learning situation. • performing teaching duties. • administering and supervising placement and programming of students in the school. Because our society has become more complex, much more is required of a school administrator than in the past. In addition to keeping up with administrative tasks, serving as a curriculum leader, and dealing with disciplinary issues and other daily emergencies, an administrator must also be versed in mental health issues, public relations, team-building, conflict resolution, multiculturalism, communication skills, and creating an inclusive school climate. School leadership now involves sharing decision-making and sustaining a common vision amongst a diverse community of students, parents, and staff. The Role of School Support Staff Non-teaching employees perform many different roles in support of school programs and services. These include: • Educational assistants to help teachers support students with special needs or behaviour challenges and those learning English. • Noon hour supervisors. • Career counseling assistants, who provide secondary students with information on post-secondary programs, and administer interest assessment programs to help students find out what their skills are. • Chef and kitchen aides in the teaching cafeterias. • Library technicians, who assist in managing secondary school libraries. • Media technicians, who maintain the district computer systems. • Laboratory technicians, who help set up labs in the secondary schools’ science and technology programs. • Youth support workers, who work with students at risk. • Clerical staff who ensure the smooth daily functioning of schools. • Transportation staff, including bus drivers and bus attendants. Extracurricular Activities In all of our schools many teachers volunteer to sponsor extracurricular programs, which enhances students’ learning and provides opportunities for enjoyment. There are clubs to support a range of interests – fine arts, hobbies, academics, athletics – as well as social activities to give students opportunities to make friends and to interact with their school-mates outside of the classroom. To find out what programs are available for your son or daughter, contact your child’s neighbourhood school. If you want to know about athletic programs being offered at the secondary level, contact the school Principal, the school Athletic Director, the District Athletic Facilitator at 604-668-6000 or see our website at www.sd38.bc.ca and click on Programs. . Code of Conduct In our district, discipline encompasses self-discipline, empathy, and citizenship. We try to create a culture in our schools that supports respect, responsibility, and safety. There is a District Code of Conduct that stipulates that all members of the school community, including staff, students, parents, and guests will: • respect the rights of others. • respect the health and safety of others. • respect the property of others – private and public. • respect the legitimate authority of the school administrators and staff. • respect and take pride in the school’s physical facilities. • respect the diversity of the school community. • respect the non-smoking environment in district schools and property. • respect the individual rules within each school. • behave in an ethical and lawful manner. • behave in a considerate and courteous manner. • behave in a safe and responsible manner. • not threaten, harass, intimidate or assault, in any way, any person within the school community. • not be in possession of weapons, dangerous articles, alcohol, or illegal drugs while in school or at school functions. There are also separate district policies concerning dress code, student possession of a weapon, vandalism, smoking, alcohol consumption, drugs, conduct on school buses, and suspension. In accordance with these district policies, all schools establish their own codes of conduct with corresponding rules and expectations for student behaviour. These are developed in cooperation with parents and students. Parent Handbooks Some of the schools in our district provide a parent handbook or calendar that outlines the activities, events and practices particular to that school community. This also offers suggestions for how parents can get involved in the school. How to Become Involved in the School The provincial School Act allows every school to have a Parent Advisory Council (PAC), which is a group of parents who meet regularly to learn and offer advice about school programs and activities. All parents or guardians with children enrolled at the school have the opportunity to participate. Some PAC activities include participating in a school’s planning process, conducting parent education evenings, helping plan school events such as dances and graduation celebrations, fundraising etc. For more details about PAC, you can pick up a brochure at your child’s school or at the district office. The School Planning Council The School Act requires each school in the province to have a School Planning Council, the purpose of which is to formally acknowledge the importance of parental involvement in improving student achievement. The role of the SPC is to prepare a school plan for improving student achievement in the school and for other matters contained in the school board’s accountability contract relating to the school. The SPC must submit its school plan to the school board by a date set by the board. The board must approve a school plan for every school in the district. Members of the SPC are: • the principal of the school • one of the teachers at the school, elected annually by secret ballot by the teachers who teach at the school • three representatives of the school PAC elected annually by secret ballot by the PAC. Each PAC representative must be a parent or guardian of a student enrolled in  the school. One of the representatives must be an elected officer of the PAC. None of the representatives may be employed by any school district in the province. • in schools that enrol grade 10, 11, or 12 students, one student of school age enrolled in one of those grades. The student is appointed annually by the principal \after consulting with the students enrolled in those grades. In addition, other members of the school community may attend SPC meetings as observers or advisors. Parent SPC members report back to and take direction from the Parent Advisory Council (PAC). 15 Reasons to be involved in your Child's School 1. You can meet other parents with children at the same age and stage. 2. You will have the chance to observe your children in another setting. 3. You will have a better idea of what your children are doing in school, so you will know what questions to ask if needed. 4. You will get to know your children’s friends and see them in the school setting. 5. You will see some interesting projects, art activities and games that you can try at home to reinforce what your children are working on at school. 6. Your children will see that you are interested in their education and will likely be more motivated. 7. You will have the chance to chat informally with many school staff members, get to know them better, and feel more comfortable when you want to ask questions or raise issues. 8. You will have an opportunity to become familiar with the full range of behaviour, emotion and intellect of children at the same developmental stage as your own, as well as get tips on how to respond to each. 9. You will feel valued and will probably discover skills you didn’t know you had 10. You will come to appreciate the role of the teachers and will feel more confident that you have chosen the right place for your child to learn. 11. You will learn about current education theories. 12. You will be a more informed advocate for your child and his school, whennecessary. 13. You will learn about the resources that are available at the school. 14. Your child will feel special. 15. You will have fun! How to Build a Good Relationship with the School Although your relationship with your child’s teacher is of central importance in your child’s education, getting involved at a school level not only helps your child, it also benefits you and your family. Feeling a part of the school community makes school much more enjoyable for your child and for you. Here are some steps you can take to build a good relationship with the school: • Get to know the school’s administrators and other staff, along with your child’s teacher. • Offer assistance in the classroom – driving students to sites for field trips, counting money, cutting and pasting, etc. • Offer assistance in the school – reading to children, helping at book fairs, sharing special talents and skills as a guest speaker, translating materials for the school, acting as an interpreter for parents with less English fluency, fundraising, helping with Food Days, driving teams to sports games, volunteering with the Multicultural Friendship Club, etc. • Help to organize school carnivals, dances, and other events that build school spirit. • Offer assistance at the district level – helping with interpretation and translation of non-confidential materials, serving on district committees. • Attend PAC meetings or serve on school committees such as the School Planning Committee. • Attend Fine Arts nights, Remembrance Day ceremonies, Science Fairs, Awards nights, etc. These kinds of events give you a bigger picture of the school than that seen through your son or daughter’s eyes. •A working parent can serve on the phoning committee, do translations or help out at evening and/or weekend events.