School District No. 20 (Kootenay-Columbia) SPECIAL OPEN BOARD MEETING NO. 5 Monday, March 11, 2019

Agenda

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AGENDA SPECIAL OPEN BOARD MEETING NO. 5 Monday, March 11, 2019 School Board Office 2:00 pm

1. CALL TO ORDER We acknowledge all of those that have historically and traditionally walked the lands of our area. 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Moved by: Seconded by: That the Board approve the Special Open Board Meeting No. 5 agenda as presented.

3. CORRESPONDENCE

3.1 For Action

3.2 For Receipt

• (2019 01 16) Minister of Education to SD20 re: Unspent 2017-2018 Aboriginal

Education Funding $57,749 (p. 3-5) • (2019 01 21) City of Rossland to Trustees re: Long Range Facilities Plan Vote (p. 6) • (2019 01 22) City of Rossland to Trustees re: Long Range Facilities Plan Thank You (p. 7) • (2019 01 22) Sabine Bruckmeier to Board re: LFI-S (p. 8-9) • (2019 01 22) Lisa Bruckmeier to Board re: LFI-S (p. 10) • (2019 01 22) Emma Bruckmeier to Board re: LFI-S (p. 11) • (2019 01 22) Kalum Power to Board re: LFI-S (p. 12) • (2019 01 22) Jennifer Sirges to Board re: LFI-S (p. 13-14) • (2019 01 23) Tabatha Webber to Board re: LFI-S (p. 15) • (2019 01 25) SD20 to Ministry of Education re: Unspent 2017-2018 Aboriginal

Education Funding $57,749 (p. 16) • (2019 01 31) SD5 to SD20 re: CBT partnership proposal (p. 17-18) • (2019 02 03) SD20 to KC Educational Heritage Society re: Response (p. 19) • (2019 02 15) SD6 to SD5 Trustees re: CBT partnership proposal (p. 20) • (2019 03 03) SD20 to Rossland PAC re: Music Teacher (p. 21-22) • (2019 03 03) Christine Venus to SD20 re: Rossland Grade 8 and 9 Relocation (p. 23-24)

4. OLD BUSINESS

4.1 Calendar Amendment a) Calendar Briefing Note (p. 25-26) b) 2019-2020 School Calendar Option A (p. 27)

School District No. 20 (Kootenay-Columbia) SPECIAL OPEN BOARD MEETING NO. 5 Monday, March 11, 2019

Agenda

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c) 2019-2020 School Calendar Option B (p. 28) Moved by: Seconded by: That the Board approve the 2019-2020 School Calendar as presented. 5. QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC PERTAINING TO THE AGENDA 6. NOTICE OF MEETING

a) Regular Open Board Meeting No. 6: Monday, April 8, 2019 – 6:00 pm – School Board Office – Rm 210

7. ADJOURNMENT

Moved by: Seconded by:

That the Special Open Board Meeting No. 5 be adjourned.

Phone 250 362 7396 Fax 250 362 5451 Email cityhall@rossland.ca Web rossland.ca 1899 Columbia Avenue, PO Box 1179, Rossland, BC V0G 1Y0, Canada

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

January 21, 2019 Dear SD20 Trustees, I have just learned that there is to be a vote at the January 21, 2019 meeting concerning long-range facilities planning. I have not seen the staff report but understand it to recommend leaving grades 8 and 9 for all programs that currently exist in Rossland in place at this time. This is a very sensible recommendation because JL Crowe is already at capacity and our communities continue grow and to attract more families with young students. Putting students in portables is not conducive to an ideal learning environment. It is also completely unnecessary given there are existing, adequate and permanent facilities available in Rossland. Rossland City Council and the community of Rossland strongly support the staff recommendation to maintain the current configuration of educational opportunities on offer in Rossland. Thank you for putting the best interests of all of our young learners first. Best regards,

Mayor Kathy Moore

Phone 250 362 7396 Fax 250 362 5451 Email cityhall@rossland.ca Web rossland.ca 1899 Columbia Avenue, PO Box 1179, Rossland, BC V0G 1Y0, Canada

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

January 22, 2019 Dear SD20 Trustees, On behalf of Rossland City Council and the community of Rossland I want to thank you for agreeing to maintain K-9 in Rossland in your long-range facilities plan. It was the sensible, fiscally responsible choice and one that supports our entire school district and all of our families. With our growing population, this decision will enable more families to move to our area and enrol in our schools, thus benefiting the entire region. This decision enables our district to offer a variety of educational options and provides quality, permanent facilities for our kids’ learning experience. I applaud the fair and open-mindedness of the majority of Trustees who voted in favor of following the staff recommendations and saw the benefit in putting children first AND voted for the best financial choice as well. Well done! The six-to-three vote was gratifying. It shows a solid majority of Trustees are willing to work for the greater good of our whole Lower Columbia area and have the vision to consider the future. I am hopeful that we will see more opportunities where the Trustees work together and think regionally. We are too small a school district to engage in any other approach. Thank you. Best regards,

Mayor Kathy Moore

Bill Ford, SuperintendentTrustees of School Board 20School District Kootenay-Columbia 2001 Third Avenue Trail BC V1R 1R6

January 15, 2019

Re. Late French Immersion, district south-end (LFI-S)

Dear Superintendent and Trustees,

I am the parent of two LFI-S students and write to express the following:

I encouraged my children into LFI because I believe that learning another language is very important these days. My daughter Lisa is now in Grade 10 and has enjoyed the program as well as the teachers at RSS very much. She has transferred to JL Crowe last September and shortly after that, I realized that maybe it has not been such a wise decision letting her participate in the LFI program.

Here are my reasons why: 1.) LFI students at RSS have been lacking teaching of English, Science and Math Examples: • Last year at RSS grade 9 LFI students have been able to re-do maths tests as many

times as they liked to achieve an A in math (this does not make any sense to me), now at Crowe they only have one chance for each exam (the way it should be)

• There has literally been no teaching of science whatsoever at RSS now those grade 10 LFI students are challenged in biology, physics and chemistry (some students didn’t even know the difference). Teachers have been saying to the students “oh right, you are from RSS, you can’t possibly know that”

• While I realize that because of LFI my daughter would be lacking English, I wasn’t aware that she would be far behind in this subject and not have the slightest idea of writing essays, characterizations, poems etc.

2.) Social aspect / After school/sports opportunities • My daughter and some of her friends have had a difficult time integrating into JL

Crowe. While all other district children come together at Crowe in Grade 8, it has been just a group of 10 LFI students (from 30 LFI students in Grade 6) that transferred to Crowe from RSS. At the beginning of the school year, she was terrified, scared of so many students, the crowding in the hallways etc.. By now she is enjoying the school very much, and asking her, she thinks it would have been great starting Grade 8 with all other students at Crowe (with the LFI program).

• While some activities at Crowe have been offered to Grade 8 & 9 students at RSS, students from RSS did not know about most of the after school activities, clubs, sports teams they could have joined, would they attend Crowe.

My younger daughter Emma is now in the Grade 7 LFI program at RSS, and while I wish for her to continue the program at RSS, I am worried that she will have to go through the same difficulties as my oldest. Emma actually wants to transfer to Crowe because she has been observing her sister.

RSS is a wonderful school with great teacher, and both of my daughters loved this school and I do realize that RSS is following the new curriculum and that Crowe is just adjusting to this, however I do believe that grade 9 LFI students at RSS have NOT been prepared for Grade 10 at Crowe. I am concerned about the present model of LFI being taught at RSS and recommend the board to consider offering LFI at JL Crowe in Grade 8.

Thank you for considering my concerns.

Yours truly,

Sabine Bruckmeier, Rossland, 250 231 4066

Bill Ford, Superintendent Trustees of School Board 20 School District Kootenay-Columbia 2001 Third Avenue Trail BC V1R 1R6 January 17 2019 Dear Superintendent and Trustees Re. Late French Immersion, district south-end (LFI-S) I am an LFI-S student and write to express the following: I have been in late french immersion since and grade 6 and I am now currently in grade 10 so therefore I can say I have completed over half the way to be able to graduate with a double dogwood. I wanted to participate in french immersion because it meant learning a new language which would be a key factor for when I am older and why not, it was an option so why not take it. The program is great especially because you get to work on all the most important parts of learning a language: speaking, reading, writing, however though the program may have taught me a language but my other classes were completely forgotten about. Even though we did some things for each subject such as science or math, none of the provided information was useful or were things we needed to know for when we would go down to Crowe. Therefore I am finding it extremely difficult to catch up on all of the work because it is basically learning grade 8 and 9 as well as 10. I sit at home and do homework for hours on end just to understand the basics that I should already know. It is very important that the late french immersion students are able to go to Crowe in grade 8 just like all the other kids to be able to stay caught up with the work, be able to participate in sports make new friends, the highschool experience everyone wants! I wish the school board would take this to note because it is a problem many others are suffering with as well and if we don’t fix it eventually no one will want to participate in such a great program. Thank you for considering my concerns. Yours truly,

Lisa Bruckmeier 250-362-9033

Bill Ford, Superintendent Trustees of School Board 20 School District Kootenay-Columbia 2001 Third Avenue Trail BC V1R 1R6

January 16, 2019

Re. Late French Immersion, district south-end (LFI-S)

Dear Superintendent and Trustees,

I am an LFI-S student and write to express the following:

I would love to go to JL Crowe next year, even if I have to quit the LFI program because there are many things that interest me such as different subjects, sports and after school activities. My sister went down for grade ten and has a lot of homework each day. My best friends’ sister went down for grade eight and when I asked her she said that she does not have much homework and can easily catch up in what they are doing. I think this is because of the way we learn RSS - Crowe has very different learning systems. I want to go down early so I can learn their way and know what to do in advance for exams and stuff in the future. RSS has many good things like I live close all my friends are there. But I overall wish that if I could continue the LFI program at Crowe in grade eight or, if I have to stay at RSS that they will prepare us properly for JL Crowe.

Thank you for considering my concerns.

Yours truly,

Emma Bruckmeier 250 362 9033

Bill Ford, Superintendent Trustees of School Board 20 School District Kootenay-Columbia 2001 Third Avenue Trail BC V1R 1R6

January 18, 2019

Dear Superintendent and Trustees,

Re. Late French Immersion, district south-end (LFI-S)

I am an LFI-S student and in grade 8 right now. I was wanting to go to JLCrowe for my grade 8 year but my parents convinced me (told) me that I should stay for at least one more year at RSS. I wanted to go to Crowe for grade 8 so that I could get settled there because I knew that I had to go down there eventually. My sister and brother are already at crowe, not in French, and they both said it was hard enough going there in grade 8. This is super stressful because I know that graduating with French is an awesome thing and a helpful way to start off in life but at the same time I don’t want to stay at Rss for another year because I want to get the move over with so I can get settled and make friends. It would be too stressful to go down in grade 10 when all the other kids have been there for two years and have their friends, sports squads and are already set in their social groups. I would really want to continue with LFI-S in grade 9 if I moved to Crowe because it has advantages. I am also worried that if I wait until grade ten that I will not be ready for all the tests, homework, exams and hard school work because we don’t do much of that now. Grade ten is important because the marks show up on transcripts and if I wait until grade ten to go to Crowe I won’t have had a year of harder work in grade 9 and may not be ready and prepared for bigger expectations. I wish the school board would please consider having grade 9 French immersion so that I can continue French but also get the move over with. LFI is a very good class and I really have enjoyed learning another language. Many of my friends feel this same way and want to go to Crowe too. This is a really big decision and really stressful because of those reasons. Please consider LFI 9 at crowe. You will probably have a lot of interest.

Thank you.

Yours truly,

Kalum Power (and Michelle Power)

Jennifer Sirges 208 LeRose Street, Trail BC V1R 3L8

11 January 2019

Bill Ford, Superintendent Trustees of School Board 20 School District Kootenay-Columbia 2001 Third Avenue Trail BC V1R 1R6 Dear Superintendent and Trustees,

Re. Late French Immersion, district south-end (LFI-S) I am immensely appreciative of the Late French Immersion program now available in the south-end of the district: it is a fabulous opportunity for students seeking to expand their learning and their horizons. I have one child who is an LFI grad from Stanley Humphries, and one presently in LFI10 at JLCrowe. Without question, LFI continues to have a tremendously positive influence on each of them. As 2019 will herald the first graduates of the LFI-South program, I respectfully ask the Board of Education to undertake a public evaluation of the LFI model in this end of the district. Implemented in 2013, the model presently has LFI from grades 6-9 at Rossland Summit School, and grades 10-12 at JLCrowe. This model is different from the LFI program in Castlegar (6-7 at Twin Rivers and 8-12 at SHSS), and also varies the otherwise prevalent district-wide pattern of students entering high school at grade 8. From my experience and observation of LFI-S, I am concerned that the configuration of 6-9 + 10-12 is not the optimal configuration to meet the academic and social needs of adolescent learners. Further, it is my concern that the present attrition rate – possibly a reflection of program design and not the program itself -- could lead to long term unsustainability of the program. For details of my perspective, please see points on the attached page. Involved in LFI conversation since before its south-end implementation, I have been asking for opportunity to provide parent input to program evaluation for 5 years: I have asked this at the RSS Parent Advisory Council, from RSS Principal Patrick Kinghorn, from Director of Instruction Kristi Crowe, and from Superintendent Bill Ford. Not once has my input or experience been invited. I now respectfully ask the Board of Education,

Please ask the parents and the students how LFI-S is working for them.

Evidence may suggest the program design could benefit from some adjustment. Yours truly,

Jennifer Sirges, parent (see attachment 2nd page)

Attachment to letter to Board of Education from Jennifer Sirges, 11 January 2019 LFI-S Impact on academic/social needs of learners:

A. Students do not receive high school experience while at RSS.

➔ Insufficient music instruction to allow them to enter JLC band at grade 10 = fails to optimize student musical

gifts/potential, also deleterious to JLC music program development

➔ Sports teams not available for developing adolescent bodies. Insufficient numbers in small cohort to allow

competition, skill development, team dynamic … even if inter-school competition were provided.

➔ Elective rotation is limited to small number of students, small instructor pool. Eg. Rotation of limited

electives repeated grades 7-9.

➔ Personal experience of French-language instruction single-term only (gr 8), failure to provide immersive

French instruction due to small cohort mixing for PE, electives etc.

➔ Personal experience that students are ill-prepared for homework demands of JLC.

B. Social benefits of high-school are reduced/delayed:

➔ Strong peer group development begins with high-school entry in grade 8. By the time LFI10’s enter JLCrowe,

many friend circles are already strongly established and hard to join.

➔ Benefit to larger high-school numbers is increase in peer circle which provides healthy academic

competition and allows for dispersal of unhealthy peer cohorts. Not available in insular (single-class) RSS

secondary program.

➔ As LFI 8/9s are the only secondary students in SD20 to be required to attend gr 8/9 at a middle school, an

“ivory tower” effect is reinforced for this special program, increasing integration challenge at gr 10.

➔ Small population reduces demand for adolescent-specific needs of secondary-age students, which can be

overshadowed by the whole-school approach generally taken at RSS.

Rate of attrition infers LFI program might not be sustainable in south SD20. However, this attrition is likely due to

program design – correctable -- not student interest. Consider:

A. High attrition rate when students opt out of LFI in order to attend JLC with peers at grade 8: that is,

RSS students sometimes “vote with their feet” even against their parents’ wishes.

→ Question: do more LFI students leave RSS at the end of gr 7 than leave Twin Rivers?

➔ Question: have there been detailed exit-interviews for withdrawing students/parents to determine their

reasons for leaving LFI?

B. Original concern was that “nobody is interested” in LFI in the South end of the district – judging by program

subscription thus far, that is not true. Would there be even greater interest if students from Trail and Beaver

Valley had only a 2-year commitment to RSS before rejoining friends at JLC? Existing transportation options to

RSS are poor and extend the school day by two hours or more: a 4-year commitment may be a deterrent for

some within the feeder area.

→ Questions: What proportion of new LFI students transfer in to RSS from other schools? How does this

compare to new LFI students entering Twin Rivers? Have LFI students from outside the Rossland area left LFI

sooner? had younger siblings join LFI? Have they been asked why?

C. Grade 9 attrition may be magnified because of the option to attend Seven Summits for grades 10-12. If LFI

transferred to JLCrowe at grade 8, those students might be more likely to stay in district.

JS.

Bill Ford, SuperintendentTrustees of School Board 20School District Kootenay-Columbia 2001 Third Avenue Trail BC V1R 1R6

January 23, 2019

Dear Superintendent and Trustees,

Re. Late French Immersion, district south-end (LFI-S)

I am the parent of two LFI-S student and write to express the following:

I am concerned that the LFI-S program is not easily accessible to all students. As we live in Fruitvale and it is not possible for me to drive my children to school each day, therefore the transit bus is my children’s only other option. My daughter is currently in her second year at RSS and has to leave the house by 6:50 in the morning and does not return home until 4:30. That means she must leave an hour and a half prior to school and returns home nearly 2 hours after school ends.

I understand that their was discussions at the last board meeting in regards to facilities planning and there is a very vocal group from Rossland that want to keep the students at their school but the LFI-S is a district wide program and should be in a factuality that is central and not at one end or the other. If the LFI-S program is to stay in Rossland please consider an alternate method to give children a bus that allows them to spend a reasonable amount of time traveling to school.

My oldest son is in the very first LFI-S class and is currently at Crowe. It was a challenge to keep him in the program due to the distance to school. I am very grateful that our district offers this program and think it is a valuable experience for the children involves. Please reconsider your decision or have another discussion on the LFI-S as it impacts my children immensely as we live on the other side of the district.

Thank you for considering my concerns.

Yours truly,

Tabatha Webber Mother of Calix and Meadow Webber (250)231-4867

Supporting Success for All!

School District No. 20 (Kootenay-Columbia)

2001 Third Avenue, Trail, BC V1R 1R6 Tel: (250) 368-6434 Fax: (250) 364-2470

January 25, 2019

D. Scott MacDonald Deputy Minister PO Box 9179 Stn. Prov. Govt. Victoria, BC V8W 9H8

Dear Mr. MacDonald,

In response to your letter dated January 15, 2019 (Ref: 205890) sent to Teri Ferworn, Board of Education Chair, School District 20 (Kootenay-Columbia) would like to communicate how we will meet the variation of direction pursuant to section 106.4 (2) of the School Act.

As per our letter dated September 25, 2018, the unspent 2017-2018 Aboriginal Education Program Funding totalled $57,749. Underspending was caused by unforeseen circumstances:

• 3 Aboriginal Support Staff who were away from work for long periods of time • Inability to fill Aboriginal Support Worker job postings to replace existing staff

The lack of staff resulted in underspending in our supply budget, as planned projects could not be completed. Please see below for summary report of how the targeted funds were spent in the 2017-2018 school year:

Fund Budgeted Expended Underspent Salaries $381,123 $339,342 $41,781 Support Worker Replacement Budget $15,000 $6,693 $8307 Professional Development $36,714 $36,714 - District Learning Initiatives $45,734 $45,734 - Cultural Programs $10,914 $10,914 - Supplies $42,298 $34,637 $7661 Learning Resources $51,149 $51,149 - Travel $13,301 $13,301 - Total $591,542 $533,793 $57,749

Keeping Indigenous student achievement in mind, we plan to purposefully spend the 2018-2019 Aboriginal Education Funding (including underspent funds, $57,749), with the goal of strengthening our district’s academic results for our indigenous students.

If you would like a further breakdown of the 2017-2018 budget summary, or have any further questions regarding the above-mentioned summary, please contact Teresa Berdusco, Director of Instruction – Learning Services by email at tberdusco@sd20.bc.ca or by phone 250.368.2236.

Sincerely,

Teresa Berdusco Director of Instruction – Learning Services School District No. 20 (Kootenay-Columbia)

Cc: Bill Ford, Superintendent of Schools Natalie Verigin, Secretary-Treasurer Teri Ferworn, Board of Education Chair Cloe Nicholls, Executive Director, Learning Division, Ministry of Education

Supporting the journey of all learners

School District No. 20 (Kootenay-Columbia)

2001 Third Avenue, Trail, BC V1R 1R6 Tel: (250) 368-6434 Fax: (250) 364-2470

The Kootenay-Columbia Educational Heritage Society 1300 Frances Moran Road Trail, BC V1R 4L9 February 4, 2019 Dear Mr. Gregory- On behalf of the Board of Education, I would like to thank you for your recent letter where you request a trustee be assigned as a committee representative to your organization. Unfortunately, at the last meeting of the Board of Education, the Board determined that your request was not feasible and moved that I write you to let you know of its decision. Please note that the Board also wished for me to extend a note of encouragement for the work your organization is engaged in. Thank you. Sincerely, Teri Ferworn, Chairperson, Board of Education (Kootenay-Columbia School District #20) cc. Board of Education Sent via email

District

Administration Office

P.O. Box 430

620 – 4th Street

Invermere, B.C.

Canada

V0A 1K0

Telephone

(250) 342-9243

Facsimile

(250) 342-6966

Golden Zone Office

P.O. Box 1110

Golden, B.C.

Canada

V0A 1H0

Telephone

(250) 344-5068

Facsimile

(250) 342-6966

Kimberley Zone Office

P.O. Box 70

Kimberley, B.C.

Canada

V1A 2Y5

Telephone

(250) 427-2245

Facsimile

(250) 342-6966

February 15, 2019 Mr. Frank Lento, Chairperson Trustees, School District No. 5 (Southeast Kootenay) 940 Industrial Road #1 Cranbrook, BC V1C 4C6 BY EMAIL Dear Mr. Lento and SD5 Trustees:

Re: Your letter to Rick Jensen, Chairperson of Columbia Basin Trust The Board of Education of School District No. 6 (Rocky Mountain) reviewed and discussed your letter in our In-Camera Meeting held on February 12, 2019. An outcome of that discussion was that the Board passed a resolution requesting that I write you a letter expressing the specific concerns of the Board that were shared. We are not asking that this letter be entered as correspondence on your Regular Meeting Agenda, only that it be distributed to Trustees for your information and consideration. Our Board agrees with some of the viewpoints you express in the letter, in particular that schools are the heart of a community and that there is clear value in the relationship that exists between Districts and the CBT. However, we are concerned about the following:

The letter requests that the CBT consider capital funding for 7 School Districts when we know it is stated in the CBT grants program information that any project that “relieves any level of government of its obligations” is ineligible for funding

School District No. 6 was not consulted about the letter and yet we are included in

the request

You offered to meet with Mr. Jensen without inviting the participation of any of the other Districts

We know that in addition to providing a significant number of annual grants to districts, the Trust has been a key funder of environmental education initiatives across the region, is currently supporting a physical literacy initiative and supported a capital project that allowed the Golden Community Resources Society, in partnership with our District, to open up a significant number of child care spaces in that community. None of these projects would have been an obligation of the Ministry of Education, and it is precisely those initiatives where the CBT plays a significant role in enhancing both educational and other community services. Our Board would be concerned that funds be re-directed from these types of projects to Capital infrastructure projects that are in fact the responsibility of the Ministry of Education. We are not seeking any specific action from you at this time. However, we do ask that in the future our District is appropriately consulted before it is included as a party in similar communications. Yours truly,

Amber Byklum, Chairperson Copies: Boards of Education: School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake) School District No. 10 (Arrow Lakes) School District No. 19 (Revelstoke) School District No. 20 (Kootenay Columbia) School District No. 57 (Prince George)

Supporting success for all!

Office of the Superintendent School District No. 20 (Kootenay-Columbia) 2001 Third Avenue, Trail, BC V1R 1R6

Tel: (250) 368-6434 Fax: (250) 364-2470 January 20, 2019

Robson Community School PAC Re: A Teacher for Performing Arts Dear Jane, Hanna, Michelle, Julie, and Deborah: Thank your for you letter dated Jan. 18, 2019, where you advocate for a Performing Arts teacher, and in particular a band teacher. The Board has asked that I respond. Having been a band student myself in high school, and in a community band at one point as an adult, I know fully well the positive impact being in a band program can have on individuals. Unfortunately, band is not a requirement for students in our K-12 system; it continues to be an elective choice for students at our two secondary schools.

The new curriculum provides an Arts Education program for students. In this curriculum, dance, drama, music and visual arts are explored. With regard to music, it is the attributes connected to music (beat, rhythm, tempo, etc) that are explored. There is no requirement for band to be part of this curriculum (the curriculum can be viewed at https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/curriculum/arts-education/5 ). Band was never part of the elementary school experience in the district until the middle schools were closed in 2002/03. At that time, the Board of the day decided that the instruments would go to the elementary schools. Providing a band experience to students occurred in all of our elementary schools for a few years, but over time and for a variety of reasons, that is no longer the case. Currently, only two of our seven elementary schools include band as part of their music program (TR and KE). With the imminent retirement of the band/music instructor at KE, that will soon be only one school. That means that in the majority of our elementary schools, the Arts Education curriculum is being delivered by the classroom teacher. Schools have the ability to determine what emphasis they will put on particular learning experiences, based on student needs and interests. For example, when the music/band teacher retired at Fruitvale Elementary School, the school decided that rather than replace that teacher with a music specialist, they would shift that focus to the ADST (Applied Design, Skills & Technologies) curriculum. As a result, all music was then delivered by the classroom teacher, there was no more band experience provided, and a new ‘maker space’ learning area in the school was created and cultivated by a teacher who supported learning in this curricular area. All of the band instruments in storage at FES have been sent to Crowe Secondary School; instruments from Webster and Glenmerry Elementary schools have also been sent to Crowe. In the past, District’s were allowed to charge for items like instruments if they offered a band program. This has changed, and now Boards of Education must supply such equipment if they offer a program. Costs also involve repairing the equipment, buying sheet music, etc. As you know, these costs end up competing with other cost items in the budget, and Boards must make difficult decisions about where the limited funds get spent.

And so, in summary, we will not be prioritizing recruiting a band teacher for RCS. I understand that this is not the answer you were looking for. Instead, we will continue to expect all of our teachers to deliver the required curriculum for their grade, including Arts Education. We will continue to prioritize the recruitment of the best generalist elementary teachers and the best specialist teachers for secondary school teaching assignments (like senior sciences, senior math, shops, French, and so on). Band will continue to be supported by the Board as an elective choice for students at our secondary schools. Thank you. Sincerely,

Bill Ford, Superintendent of Schools cc. Board of Education (SD 20 Kootenay-Columbia) Denise Laurie, Principal, Robson Community School Marcy VanKoughnett, Assistant Superintendent (Human Resources)

Christine Venus March 1, 2019 To: School District #20

Chair and Board of Education Trustees Regarding: Rossland Summit School (RSS), Grade 8 and 9 Students In a recent board meeting, there was an agenda item addressing the relocation of all Grade 8 and 9 students, including LFI RSS students, to J.L. Crowe Secondary High School as soon as possible. From the meeting discussions, it was clear there were board members in support and those opposed to the move. Personally, three main points emerged; social, student electives and fiscal responsibility. For our family, our daughter has never missed out on any social aspects, and she has been a student for 5 years at RSS. Since day one, the school has promoted and encouraged classroom, grade level, and district interaction through multiple environments including: assemblies, field trips, guest speakers, Aqua Van, ski days, district track meets, and volleyball/basketball game. We have watched our daughter thrive and flourish, build strong social relationships and connections that carry into our community because of the social responsibility encouraged and demonstrated at RSS. Focusing on electives, our daughter is not without. As I write this letter, I asked what electives do you currently have access too? Being in Grade 7, she responded International Foods, Dance, Art (2D & 3D), Outdoor Education – Summer and Winter, Leadership Program, Cultural Dance and Wood Working, which she acknowledged she missed a few. Each year there are new offerings all which support our children’s growth to be a well-rounded student and citizen. So if this is her Grade 7 electives, again not worried about her choice of electives in the next few years at RSS. Next, fiscal responsibility, the 1 million dollar investment was mentioned as the approximate cost of relocating all Grade 8 and 9 RSS students, from a classroom, to individual, new portables on J.L. Crowe Secondary High school property. Attention was drawn to other district portables which are in desperate need of repair. This raises questions as to the best way to utilize the one million dollar price tag: update, replace, or renovate existing portables, or move students from a perfectly great school to new portables then allocate monies for existing portables to the next budget year? In addition, busing costs were not even factored into the 1 million dollar approximated budget; therefore, the relocation of RSS students would have a much higher price tag than one million dollars. Finally, with reference to the Long Range Facility’s Plan which encouraged and recommended keeping students out of portables, this relocation option is clearly in opposition to the recommendation made by many individuals who engaged in the round table discussions. Those individuals considered many facets and viewpoints to this Long Range Facility’s Plan including fiscal responsibility, the best interest of students, teachers and community in order to provide guidance on the best option for all involved now and in the future. As you are aware, the vote resulted with RSS’s Grade 8 and 9’s, to remain at RSS. For our family and many, this was the right decision.

Thank you for taking the time to read my letter and being vigil in wisely supporting all students in our District so they can receive the best education possible. Christine Venus Parent of Rossland Summit School Student

B r i e f i n g N o t e

To: Board of Education From: Bill Ford, Superintendent Date: March 10, 2019 Re: Draft 2019-20 calendar Context A consultation meeting to discuss a draft 2019-20 District calendar was held with representatives from the KCTU, CUPE, DPAC and the KCPVPA. A draft 2019-20 District calendar was created and presented for approval in principle to the Board. The Board approved the draft calendar, in principle, at the Feb. 25, 2019, Board meeting. The next step in the calendar approval process was to send the approved draft calendar out for feedback. Feedback was solicited from staff and parents and other community members via a survey. The feedback process closed on Friday, March 8th, 2019. Feedback 1) There were 84 respondents to the survey: 55 were parents/guardians (65%); 29 were school district

staff (35%). Of the 84 respondents, 50 provided comments. Themes noted in the feedback include:

• The presented calendar is acceptable (6 comments) • Clerical errors noted (for example, colour August to indicate school is not in session). (6

comments) • Move the Oct pro-d day in order to avoid having a 3 day school week. (17 comments)

One or two comments made on the following: • Secondary teachers need more turn-around days • No pro-d day in Sept; move it to Nov or April • Move Pro-D days to Mondays • Too many days off • May long weekend is the Creston Powwow. May 15 should not be a pro-d day so that

classes could attend. • Should get out earlier for Christmas. • Elementary school should end the same time as secondary school • First day of school should be of regular length • Teachers shouldn’t be allowed to take pro-d days off in order to have a long weekend • School should be out way earlier in June • There should be no early dismissal days

2) CUPE – no formal response 3) KCPVPA – no formal response

4) KCTU – formal response included support for the draft calendar but with a request that consideration be given to moving the Sept pro-d day to November

Draft Calendars A. Draft calendar A is as presented to the Board for approval in principle, with the following change:

• Oct. pro-d day moved to Oct. 25th (provincial pro-d day) B. Draft calendar B is presented for Board consideration. It includes:

• Oct. pro-d day moved to Oct. 25th (provincial pro-d day) • Sept. 27th day moved to Sept. 13th in order to bring Ross Greene in as a presenter (availability

and willingness to come confirmed on Friday, March 8th) o Dr. Ross Greene is the author of two books that we are using to assist with growing

our understanding of how best to address the behavioural and social/emotional needs of our children: The Explosive Child, Lost at School, Lost and Found and Raising Human Beings

o Dr. Greene’s problem solving model continues to be introduced and implemented in schools across the District, with Katherine Shearer’s teams support, particularly Devon Palmer, District Educational Psychologist, and Tammy Wilde, District Inclusion Support Teacher; his work was explored with Principals/VPs at a recent District Leadership Team meeting

o His messages are accessible and applicable to all educators and support staff o We have rec’d funding from the Ministry that would eliminate the costs associated

with bringing him here o Kelowna brought him there and the full-day workshop sold out; they added a second

day, which also sold out o We are hoping to have an evening presentation for families on the evening before

Recommendation That that Board of Education approve Draft Calendar B for the 2019-20 school year, as presented.

S M T W T F S S M T W T F S1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8 9 10 11 12 13 1411 12 13 14 15 16 17 15 16 17 18 19 20 2118 19 20 21 22 23 24 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

Weekends* 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 29 30Statutory Holidays*School Vacation Periods*Extra Vacation Day* S M T W T F S S M T W T F SAdministrative Day** 1 2 3 4 5 1 2District Pro-D Days** 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 3 4 5 6 7 8 9School-based Pro-D Days** 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 10 11 12 13 14 15 16First/Last Day of School 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 17 18 19 20 21 22 23Semester Completion Day (Secondary) 27 28 29 30 31 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

S M T W T F S S M T W T F S5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4

28 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 5 6 7 8 9 10 1129 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 12 13 14 15 16 17 182 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 19 20 21 22 23 24 253 29 30 31 26 27 28 29 30 31

271425 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S11 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 720 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 8 9 10 11 12 13 1423 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 15 16 17 18 19 20 213 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 22 23 24 25 26 27 286 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 29 30 31

23-242714 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S17 1 2 3 4 1 213 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 3 4 5 6 7 8 916 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 10 11 12 13 14 15 1627 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 17 18 19 20 21 22 2330 26 27 28 29 30 24 25 26 27 28 29 3010 31131518 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S24 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 425 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 5 6 7 8 9 10 1126 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 19 20 21 22 23 24 2528 29 30 26 27 28 29 30 31

First day of school (shortened day)

Semester completion day

June Administrative DayLast Day of School (shortened day)June

June

JULY 2020

March Schools re-openApril Good Friday statApril Easter Monday statMay School-based Pro-D DayMay Victoria Day Stat

JUNE 2020

Semester completion dayJanuary Schools re-open

MarchSpring Break

to March

February District Pro-D DayJanuary First Day of Second SemesterJanuary

MAY 2020

March Last day of school before spring breakFebruary Family Day stat

APRIL 2020

**school not in session - staff only in attendance

OCTOBER 2019 NOVEMBER 2019

*schools closed DECEMBER 2019 JANUARY 2020First Day of Second Semester (Secondary)

School District No. 20 AUGUST 2019 SEPTEMBER 2019(Kootenay-Columbia)

2019-2020 SCHOOL CALENDAR

August BC Day StatSchool-based Pro-D Day

September Labour DaySchool-based Pro-D Day

DecemberWinter Vacation

MARCH 2020

November Remembrance Day statDistrict Pro-D Day

FEBRUARY 2020

to January

District Pro-D DaysOctober Thanksgiving Day stat

December Last day of school before winter vacation

School District No. 20 (Kootenay-Columbia)

2019-2020 SCHOOL CALENDAR

Weekends* Statutory Holidays* School Vacation Periods* Extra Vacation Day* Administrative Day** District Pro-D Days** School-based Pro-D Days** First/Last Day of School Semester Completion Day (Secondary) First Day of Second Semester (Secondary) *schools closed **school not in session - staff only in attendance

August 5 BC Day Stat 28 School-based Pro-D Day 29 School-based Pro-D Day September 2 Labour Day 3 First day of school (shortened day) 13 District Pro-D Days October 14 Thanksgiving Day stat 25 District Pro-D Day November 11 Remembrance Day stat December 20 Last day of school before winter vacation December 23

Winter Vacation to January 3

January 6 Schools re-open January 23-24 Semester completion day January 27 First Day of Second Semester February 14 District Pro-D Day February 17 Family Day stat March 13 Last day of school before spring break March 16

Spring Break to March 27

March 30 Schools re-open April 10 Good Friday stat April 13 Easter Monday stat May 15 School-based Pro-D Day May 18 Victoria Day Stat June 24 Semester completion day June 25 Last Day of School (shortened day) June 26 Administrative Day

AUGUST 2019 SEPTEMBER 2019 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S

1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 29 30

OCTOBER 2019 NOVEMBER 2019 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5 1 2 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 27 28 29 30 31 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

DECEMBER 2019 JANUARY 2020 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 29 30 31 26 27 28 29 30 31

FEBRUARY 2020 MARCH 2020 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S

1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 29 30 31

APRIL 2020 MAY 2020 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 1 2 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 26 27 28 29 30 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

31

JUNE 2020 JULY 2020 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 28 29 30 26 27 28 29 30 31