Regional office, Barrhead –

School board sets direction for 2017-18
Literacy, numeracy, diversity of student needs and student-teacher relationships will be the division’s focus for 2017-18. The school board approved the 2017-20 Education Plan priorities and key strategies which will focus on:

• Developing professional capital: The division will allocate resources to and sustain structures to support professional learning for teachers, support staff, administrators and school board and system administration.
• Supporting student diversity: In support of students with diverse educational, physical, mental, social, emotional and/or cultural challenges, the division will allocate resources to and sustain structures to provide a balance of prevention and recovery strategies

See page 1-3 of the minutes for more information.

Board allocates $600,000 to key strategies
In support of the Education Plan, the school board will use $600,000 from its Co-op Pool Operating Reserve to support initiatives, including:

• A literacy coordinator to advise and support school administrators in monitoring the fidelity of literacy programs and interventions; guide literacy interventions and develop staff knowledge
• A part-time lead teacher to advise and support school administrators and coordinate new teacher supports
• Two mentor program assistants to develop and sustain the capacity of support staff who work with classroom teachers and other student services staff
• Creating a pool of release time for staff who are learning about literacy, numeracy, diversity of student needs and student-teacher relationships

The complete list of projects is here (page 2).

Early Learning Program coming to Dunstable School this fall
At the request of the Dunstable Playschool Society, and in consultation with the Dunstable School Council, the school board approved establishing a school-based Early Learning Program at Dunstable School, starting this fall. The school will offer a combined preschool-Kindergarten class two mornings a week. In the afternoons, the Kindergarten students will join the Grade 1 & 2 class.

The next school board meeting is on Wednesday, April 12 at the Regional Office in Barrhead starting at 9:30 a.m. The public is welcome to attend.