School District Approves Accountability Plan

Tuesday, October 24, 2006 08:29 PM

The Board of Trustees for School District 57 has approved its Accountability Contract.

"This is OUR plan " says Bonnie Chappel, the Director of School Services, "This is the Board’s plan and it is long term" she says there is no interest in "flavour of the month objectives."

The contract sets out the goals the Board has set to improve student achievement and it must be submitted to the Minister of Education.

School District 57 has a total student population of 14,980 enrolled in 36 elementary, one middle school, 2 junior highschools and 8 high schools, as well, there is a Centre for Learning Alternatives.

The District’s annual budget is $121,392,000 and it employs 902 (full time equivalent) teachers, and 551 (F.T.E.) support staff.

Here are some of the areas which are the focus of the contract:

The plan outlines strategies to improve pre-reading skills of 3-5 year olds and early primary students. It also plans to put the focus on boys and aboriginal students in an effort to improve student achievement in reading comprehension in grades K-9.

When it comes to math, the 5 year trends show skills in numeracy /mathematics are consistently below the provincial average. Strategies include Parent workshops, math mentors and expansion of the Math project

When it comes to social responsibility, the District says there needs to be an improvement of student understanding and practice of respect for self, others and the environment. The District’s plan outlines how it will continue to reduce incidents of bullying and harrassment, encourage empathy, and improve the ability of students to make healthy choices for diet and lifestyle.

42% of aboriginal students do not graduate in the same year they enter grade 12. That is nearly twice as high as all other students. The District hopes to help students complete their grade 12 by increasing all students’ sense of belonging to their school.

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Posted on Tuesday, October 24, 2006 08:29 PM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: YamaDooPolCat on October 24 2006 10:10 PM

42% of ab/native students not graduating has nothing to do with the school. It's the widening of contacts and the opportunities to experiment and have fun. It's a ridiculous target for the school board to mess with.

Until the belief that the government and their white trash are responsible for the welfare of any native, is erased, the situation will continue. It's a very seductive role for anyone to slide into. If you were always told that the government is responsible for your lot in life, would you worry about an education? Or just drop out and have fun.

Posted by: Runner46 on October 24 2006 10:49 PM

Although I agree with you somewhat, it is about choices and opportunities. The stronger the message that there are choices and opportunties, the better the decision.
Risk is tough at any age for all colours, and the less risky the choices the more likely the better choice will be made. We all need to be comfortable with who we are and where we are.

S.D. 57 is doing its part in addressing the issue. The test will be walking the walk.

Posted by: Chadermando on October 25 2006 3:00 AM

I think the Editorial by Dave Paulson in todays Citizen is the first good editorial I've ever read from the man. It really makes one wonder why politicians in this area run for politics when the obvious 10,000 Lb. elephant is siting in the room.

I agree fully with his concept of a ring road for PG, and the sense that our political representatives are silent on the issue.

IMO we need to get loud to the federal and provincial government so they get serious about federal and provincial infrastructure in these parts.

Posted by: Foo738 on October 25 2006 9:57 AM

Good Editorial and good comment Chadermando. ALL of the people that were elected were for the Cameron Street Bridge and were not remotely interested in a ring road.
That is why Dan Rogers wasn't elected:he had more vision than the others.

Posted by: owl on October 25 2006 2:51 PM

I agree that Dan had a lot of vision, but he really took too long to make a decision. Just thinkg, if he had been Mayor, the new Cameron street bridge would not be under construction yet.

;-)

Posted by: owl on October 25 2006 3:06 PM

Actually I have found that Dave Paulson has been writing a number of good editorials recently.

BTW ... it is not his concept as you know from reading the article. It has been around for at least 3 decades. I superimposed it on a Google Earth aerial view image several months ago.

Just ask Steve Sintich. He knows all about it since it goes through or by his property and he is waiting ... and waiting .... and waiting .... :-)

As far as I am concerned, they can shove the 4 laning of the stretch to Cache Creek, build a few more passing areas, and build bypasses in both Prince George and Quesnel which address the reality of both of those cities today.

The per person impact would be far greater and the safety and health of people would be increased to a greater degree and property loss rate reduced to a greater degree.

In fact, the twinning of the existing bridge should be stopped and the bridge further down built instead and the money used for that. There is a large population base in the College Heigths area and, as more residences get built, it is likely there will be more there than in any other part of the city. A fourth Fraser crossing there may even reduce the commute time for those living in the Heights and working in the BCR.

Posted by: owl on October 25 2006 3:09 PM

Just to stay on topic .... school buses could use the road as well .... and some people living in the Tabor Lake area may find the ring road handier to get to the school they teach in.

;-)

Posted by: Harbinger on October 25 2006 4:42 PM

We will get city hall to do some thing about that ring road, just as soon as they have finished revitalizing downtown. Yawn.

Posted by: owl on October 25 2006 4:50 PM

I put the image I spoke of on the web to view. For those who are not familiar with that site, click on the "all sizes" icon to the top left of the image to see a larger version.

If you want to see a direct overhead view of it, click on the smaller image to the right.

http://flickr.com/photos/26306372@N00/279423994

Notice how much closer it is for those in the southwest sector to get to the BCR, airport, and to points south and even east.

The drawings follow existing right of ways more or less. Some straightening out could likely be done by highways planners based on existing land ownership maps.

I'll find some school pictures to put on to keep with the topic.

;-)

Posted by: YamaDooPolCat on October 25 2006 8:31 PM

Dan R as Mayor? What for? The guy sees so many sides to everything you'd think he was born in a round room! And naturally he can't find the door so everything just goes round and round and nothing gets done.

Posted by: Chadermando on October 25 2006 9:30 PM

Owl nice shots of the location. I think they would have to take the road grade into acount and straighten the thing out a bit as well. But that is only half the job. The more uncertain part will be the Northern connection through Fraser Flats to Salmon Valley.

It makes sense to take the heavy traffic off Queensway, Victoria St, and 5th Avenue, and greatly reducing this kind of traffic on Central Street, the Fraser Bridge and Peden Hill. All those trucks are no longer in the airshed at all, and the city center becomes more livable.

Posted by: owl on October 26 2006 12:19 AM

YDPC ... read my post again VERY carefully., especially the second and last sentence:

"Just thinking, if he had been Mayor, the new Cameron street bridge would not be under construction yet."

Get it????? It takes a while sometimes .... :-)

Posted by: owl on October 26 2006 1:38 AM

I laid out an approximate route for the Northern component of the by-pass as I recall it being discussed. I never saw any concept drawings, which does not mean they do not exist somewhere in a report or the MoH offices.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26306372@N00/279699007/in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26306372@N00/279699010/in/photostream

Posted by: owl on October 26 2006 1:47 AM

BTW ... this takes care of vehicular traffic wishing to bypass the city, as well as improving the access for those living in Pineview to the southwest of the city, it does nothing for those who work downtown and were using the Cameron Street Bridge as a commute short cut. So, there may be some unhappy people who will have to take 4.25 more minutes to get home.

Other than that, the Cameron Street Bridge would likely be reduntant.

The "ring" road is, of course, a 10 to 15 year project which would likely be done in stages, with some of the grade separations not even put in until traffic would warrent the additional expense.

So, a short term repair of the existing Cameron Street Bridge may be a frugal choice if the City wanted to seriously pursue such a by-pass project.