Blog Posts

Most of us understand that time is a precious commodity. There is no going back when a moment, a week, or a year has passed. So how we spend our time ought to be a key consideration. What is more, the demands of life and career are such that it can often feel as if there is not enough time to do the things we want or need to do. Time pressure is real, and I am certainly not immune.

At École Clearbrook Elementary, we understand that students’ emotional well-being is the foundation of learning and success. When a student feels regulated, safe and has a sense of belonging at school, building literacy and numeracy skills takes flight. Teachers at Clearbrook intentionally target and teach social-emotional learning skills and strategies that positively impact our students’ social-emotional well-being.

At Semá:th Elementary, we encourage all our students to become lifelong learners and take responsibility for their learning. A big part of what we do here is build strong literacy skills through engaging and interactive activities. We also focus a lot on self-regulation, teaching kids how to understand and manage their feelings and actions. In our classrooms, we use group discussions, teamwork, and personalized feedback to help students see what they’re good at and celebrate their achievements.

At Kandal, we are committed to strengthening our family partnerships in our school community. It’s no secret that the more parents are involved in their children’s lives, both at home and at school, the more they will be in the ‘know’ about how best to support their children. To this end, our kindergarten and grade 1 teachers and our English Language Learners (ELL) teachers initiated the “Parents as Partners” program.

Many years ago, as I trained for my first marathon, one of my mentors—a seasoned runner with countless marathons behind him—shared invaluable wisdom about the importance of finishing strong. He emphasized the need to maintain enough energy to cross the finish line with a smile and a strong pace, regardless of how the race began.

I can still recall his words echoing in my mind: “Remember, it’s not about how you start the marathon; it’s about how you finish. Finish strong.”

As part of the district’s unwavering commitment to Indigenous Education, Blue Jay is dedicated to expanding our understanding of Indigenous ways of learning. The last part of May and the beginning of June, known as tem’elile or Salmonberry Time according to the Stó:lō Seasons of the Moon calendar found on the Indigenous Education website, marks the start of the berry season and the return of the Salmon to their home.

An important part of giving back to the profession is when veteran teachers become mentors to new teaching candidates.  I am thrilled to highlight the significant role and benefits of hosting student teachers at Irene Kelleher Totí:ltawtxw. Currently, we have the pleasure of hosting six teacher candidates from the University of the Fraser Valley who are diligently navigating their long practicums alongside amazing educators within our building. As we embrace this opportunity, it is essential to recognize the profound impact that hosting student teachers has on our school community.

At Harry Sayers Elementary, one of our goals is to strive to “Increase parent and community engagement” as part of our School Plan and the School District Strategic Plan. During the pandemic, parents were not able to volunteer or be part of the school community like they once were.

I think it is important for a Superintendent to try and stay connected to what is happening across the district and the broader community. While there are never enough hours in the week, I do my best to make regular rounds and to take in community events. And wherever possible, I like to share the good things I see.