On behalf of the Strait Regional Centre for Education, I would like to sincerely thank all students, families and staff for your unwavering support and cooperation during this very unique school year as we adapted to learning, teaching and working from home and our changing circumstances due to the pandemic. It definitely takes a team effort to make the best of challenging circumstances and to successfully respond. I continue to be impressed and inspired by everyone’s adaptability as we continue to navigate our way through unchartered territory in our world history. Thank you to everyone in the SRCE for stepping up to do their part during very different and uncertain times.

I extend my congratulations to all students in the Strait Region on their successes achieved in classrooms, in gymnasiums, at sports events, on the stage, as well as at regional, provincial, national and international events during the 2019-2020 school year. To the Graduates of 2020, you have persevered and succeeded through a very different experience than graduating classes before you. I commend you on your many achievements throughout your learning journey and for your determination and resiliency. You are at one of the most exciting times of your life – a time of accomplishment, great discovery and endless possibilities. Your high school diploma is a major accomplishment to be celebrated. I know for certain our future is in very good hands with the Class of 2020. I extend sincere best wishes to you for continued success. For more celebratory photos of graduation recognition events held at the ten SRCE high schools, please see Page 3. Sincere thanks to school staff for making these events special and memorable celebrations for our very deserving graduates. To our families, I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation for everything you have done at home to support the continued learning of your children. In many cases, you were trying to keep your children engaged in learning while working from home as well. I greatly admire how you adapted to our changing circumstances and thank you for your understanding and flexibility shown during this time. I would like to thank SRCE staff for your professionalism and dedication as you responded quickly to the circumstances that the COVID-19 pandemic presented. Thank you to our school administrators and teaching staff who adapted to new and different ways to connect with students and families to learning at home. I also extend my gratitude to our regional and school-based support staff who adjusted their work routines and found new and innovative ways to support schools. All of you worked extremely hard to support students, families and school communities while balancing working from home and your own personal circumstances. Your significant contributions to supporting and enhancing the learning and work environment are very much appreciated. I would also like to recognize the support of our many education partners who contribute in a variety of ways to our students and schools, including school advisory councils, volunteers, community organizations, businesses and our municipal and provincial partners. Your involvement enriches the learning opportunities for all students. Please continue to take good care of yourselves, families and neighbours; and continue to follow all of the public health COVID-19 protocols. By doing so, we are protecting our health care and frontline workers, and the most vulnerable in our communities. Accurate and up-to-date information is available at:

• https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus

• https://canada.ca/coronavirus As a reminder, the SRCE Regional Office may be accessed by calling 902-625-2191 or by emailing srce@srce.ca where you will be directed to the appropriate staff member. I wish students, families and staff a safe and an enjoyable summer. Sincerely,

Paul Landry Regional Executive Director

Paul Landry Regional Executive Director

of Education

304 Pitt Street, Unit 2 Port Hawkesbury, NS B9A 2T9;

www.srce.ca; srce@srce.ca; 902-625-2191/

1-800-650-4448 (P) 902-625-2281 (F)

Follow us on Twitter @SRCE_NS

Regional Executive Director’s Report

to School Communities in the Strait Region

May/June 2020

Contents

Thank You and Congratulations 1

Looking Ahead to September 2

Summer Fun Editions of the NS

At-Home Learning Package 2

Registration Information (All

Grades/Pre-primary Program) 2

Congratulations SRCE

Graduates of 2020 3

SRCE Operating Budget

2020-2021 4

SRCE Academic Calendar

2020-2021 4

School Transportation Policy 4

Celebrating Service 2020: 5

Congratulations to the SRCE

Retirees

Upcoming Dates/Events Thursday, September 3, 2020 School Orientation/Organization Day

(staff only) Friday, September 4, 2020 Regional In-Service Day (staff only) Monday, September 7, 2020 Labour Day Holiday Tuesday, September 8, 2020 First Day of Classes for Students

Follow us on Twitter @SRCE_NS

Thank You and Congratulations!

2

Looking Ahead to September 2020

Registration for all grades, including the Pre-Primary Program and Grade Primary, for the 2020-2021 school year is ongoing in the SRCE. Access this link for additional information. Please also see the registration information below for Grade Primary, Pre-primary and Grades 1 to 12.

Grade Primary Registration in English and French Immersion

Families who wish to pre-register children for Grade Primary may begin the registration process by completing the online Grade Primary Registration Form.

Did You Know?

✓ There will be two summer fun editions of the Nova Scotia At-Home Learning Package.

✓ They will be published the weeks of July 6 and August 10, 2020.

As our communities do their parts to reduce the spread of COVID-19, we know that students, families and staff want to know what our plan for school in September will look like. At this time, we do not know what September will look like in terms of the spread of COVID-19, but as an education system, we are developing plans that will continue to give quality education for all students.

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is working with us, teachers, principals, educational leaders, and unions on a reopening plan. Before a plan for September can be announced, it has to be reviewed and approved by public health officials to ensure it will support the safe return for our students and staff. This plan will include input from parents/guardians, students, and School Advisory Councils, about their at-home learning experience.

The Department is aiming to release a reopening plan for the end of July with Public Health approval.

We recognize the uncertainty that you may be feeling. We are committed to sharing information when we have concrete information to share. We want to thank our students and families for their dedication to at-home learning and to our teachers for adapting quickly to continue providing a quality learning experience for our students. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we plan for September.

Registration for All Grades (including the Pre-primary Program) is Ongoing in the SRCE

Pre-primary Program Registration Information

Families who wish to pre-register children for the Pre-primary Program may begin the registration process by completing the online Pre-primary Program Registration Form.

Grades 1 to 12 Registration New families to the SRCE who wish to pre-register children in Grades 1 to 12 may begin the registration process by completing the online Grades 1 to 12 Registration Form.

Busing Eligibility

In the SRCE, busing is available to all pre-primary children to Grade 12 students who are eligible to receive bus service. Please contact the SRCE Transportation Department staff at 902-747-3645 to determine your eligibility to receive bus service.

3 Congratulations to the SRCE Graduates of 2020!

#SRCEProud #SRCEGrads2020 #NSClassOf2020

Dr. John Hugh Gillis Regional High School

Dalbrae Academy

Fanning Education Centre/Canso Academy

Chedabucto Education Centre/ Guysborough Academy

East Antigonish Education Centre/Academy

Cape Breton Highlands Education Centre/Academy

Inverness Education Centre/Academy

Richmond Education Centre/Academy

SAERC

Photo Credit: Bob Martin Photography

(photoshop image)

St. Mary’s Education Centre/Academy

Congratulations from the SRCE

Graduation Message from Mi’kmaw and Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers

4 SRCE Operating Budget 2020-2021

The Strait Regional Centre for Education (SRCE) budget for 2020-2021 has been completed and approved by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.

For the SRCE, the budget for 2020-2021 has increased by $1,371,297 or 1.4% over last year’s budget for a total budget of $97,735,154.

The Strait Regional Centre for Education wants to give our students the tools and support they need to succeed. That’s why every year, we work closely with Schools, Regional and Department of Education and Early Childhood Development staff to ensure we match funding to our region’s needs.

The SRCE budget for 2020-2021 budget includes both new and continued support for students and families in our region, and is highlighted by:

• Class caps. These will stay in place for Grades P-12 continuing our focus on keeping classes small.

• Improved student to teacher ratios, specifically for specialist positions such as guidance, resource, speech-language pathologists and school psychologists. These positions are more important than ever as they provide tremendous support to students.

• We know students rely on a network of professional and paraprofessional support. That’s why, in September, there will be eight (8) more people in non-teaching positions including child and youth practitioners; community outreach workers; Mi’kmaw student support worker; SchoolsPlus facilitator; and teacher assistants in our schools.

• All grade 1 students in the English Program at 14 elementary school locations will continue to have access to the Reading Recovery Program. This program gives specialized support to students who are struggling with reading.

• All schools will continue to have access to SchoolsPlus. This program helps students and families make connections to support services like social work, justice, mental health and recreation services and is especially important in helping students and families navigate the unprecedented times we find ourselves in due to COVID-19.

• The Pre-primary Program will continue to be available at 14 elementary school locations. This means that every 4-year old in our region has access to pre-primary – a play based program that has demonstrated incredible success in helping students transition to school. In addition, busing is available to all pre-primary children eligible to receive bus service.

For detailed information on the SRCE Operating Budget for 2020-2021, please access the following link:

SRCE Operating Budget 2020-2021

SRCE Academic Calendar 2020-2021

Did You Know?

✓ A new student transportation policy will come into effect September 2020.

✓ Access the new policy at School Transportation Policy.

✓ As noted in the Policy, the SRCE will maintain its existing distance criteria.

✓ SRCE Transportation staff will communicate directly with families if there is any impact to current service.

✓ Please contact the SRCE Transportation staff at 902-747-3645 to determine your child’s eligibility to receive bus service.

New School Transportation Policy

As with many events in our personal and professional lives, this year, we were not able come together with our retirees to personally recognize their many years of dedicated service and significant contributions to students, families and school communities in the Strait Region. We are celebrating and thanking them virtually by sharing this important recognition in this Report, on the SRCE website and twitter account @SRCE_NS.

On behalf of the Strait Regional Centre for Education, I sincerely thank our retirees of 2020 for the many contributions you have made to public education throughout your distinguished careers. I extend my deepest gratitude to you as you conclude one chapter of your life and begin the next exciting phase. People who choose careers in the field of public education are more than just employees. Regardless of the position you hold, all retirees have had a tremendous impact on the lives of our students and families. Your commitment and leadership have played an important role in our students’ achievement and success. Your devotion to our students, your colleagues, our school communities, and to the public education system in the Strait Region as a whole has made a meaningful difference in our students’ lives, now and well into their future. Although there have been many changes in public education over the years, one very important factor has remained constant. Students still rely on, and need the guidance, wisdom and support of you, our staff. There is no substitute for a competent, caring adult when it comes to helping our children and youth achieve their success. The students whose lives you have touched are making tremendous contributions to our communities, our province, our country and indeed the world, and you are in no small part responsible for their success. Thank you for being mentors and caregivers to our future leaders. I extend to each of you my sincere congratulations and may good health and happiness be yours in your retirement years. You will indeed be missed. Sincere best wishes to the SRCE retirees of 2020!

Celebrating Service 2020: Congratulations to the SRCE Retirees

5

The honourees of 2020 are:

• Shelley Anderson, Teacher Assistant, Dr. John Hugh Gillis Regional High School

• Wes Anstey, Bus Driver, Antigonish Area

• George Baxter, Bus Driver, Antigonish Area

• Joan Bona, Executive Assistant to the Regional Executive Director

• Doreen Boudreau, Teacher Assistant, Fanning Education Centre/Canso Academy

• Raymonde Burke, Teacher Assistant, East Richmond Education Centre

• Lawrence Cameron, Teacher, Cape Breton Highlands Education Centre/Academy

• Phil Doucette, Teacher, St. Andrew Junior School

• Sherman England, Director of Operations

• Sadie Fee, Secretary, Whycocomagh Education Centre

• Danny Hart, Bus Driver, Chedabucto Education Centre/Guysborough Academy

• Diane Hoben, Teacher Assistant, SAERC

• Tammy Landry, Teacher, Antigonish Education Centre

• Sally LeBlanc, Teacher Assistant, Richmond Education Centre/Academy

• Carroll MacAdam, Bus Driver, Antigonish Area

• Sharon MacCuspic, Director of Programs and Student Services

• Peggy MacDonald, Cleaner, St. Andrews Consolidated School

• Donna Machin, Teacher, Richmond Education Centre/Academy

• Margaret MacKenzie, Teacher, Dr. John Hugh Gillis Regional High School

• Michelle MacMillan, Janitor, Dalbrae Academy

• Julie Murphy, Teacher Assistant, Inverness Education Centre/Academy

• Gary Pace, Janitor, Tamarac Education Centre

• Hubert Pettipas, Building Operator, Chedabucto Education Centre/Guysborough Academy

• Beverly (Bev) Pond, Janitor, Bayview Education Centre

• Judy Reeves, Janitor, St. Mary’s Education Centre/Academy

• Connie Sampson, Teacher, SAERC

• Nancy Samson, Teacher, Richmond Education Centre/Academy

• Ronda Stewart, Library Technician, St. Andrew Junior School

• Ann Marie VanBerkel, Secretary, Antigonish Education Centre