At the June 9 Public Board Meeting, Chair Val Windsor delivered the following end of academic year message.
As we approach the end of the 2019/2020 school year, I think it’s safe to say none of us could possibly have imagined that this year would turn out the way it has.
In his back to school message last September, Superintendent Sheppard talked about how healthy relationships and a strong sense of connectedness, not only in the classroom between our learners and their educators but with parents and beyond the classroom into the greater community, are key to student learning success. I think his words are even more relevant given what’s transpired in recent weeks and months. At the beginning of the 2019/2020 academic year, we witnessed a number of significant events such as:
- Students attending the climate change strike in Vancouver.
- The unveiling of a Truth and Reconciliation Pole at our head office in Ladner in recognition of our working relationship with Tsawwassen First Nation and our commitment to ongoing reconciliation.
- In January, many of our elementary students raised money to help animals affected by the wildfires in Australia.
- Students from North Delta Secondary School hosted the Student Voice Forum. More than 200 students, many from other school districts, joined together to discuss important topics and develop suggestions for administrators and educators that could make a positive change to influencing their education. The Student Voice organizers subsequently delivered a report summarizing their ideas and suggestions at the public board meeting in March.
At the end of January, I attended a non-instructional day at North Delta Secondary and Richardson Elementary schools where the focus was on indigenous education. There were a number of workshops and discussions aimed at helping educators learn more about reconciliation. It was a valuable and memorable learning experience.
These important events seem a world away now. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, our way of life, including school life, has been turned on its head. Who could ever have foreseen that in-class instruction would be suspended, and that students and teachers would have to adjust quickly to a remote learning model?
I am so proud of the way our administrators, educators, staff and students have responded to this situation and risen to the many challenges it has presented. Although the pandemic has brought its fair share of obstacles and disappointments, it has also taught us that we are more flexible, resilient and innovative than we may have realized. I am humbled at the support and kindness shown across the district. Everyone has pulled together and I think we have a far greater appreciation of the deep and meaningful impact we have when we work together. I have seen examples of our values of caring, respect, responsibility, community and excellent in action each and every day.
In the midst of the COVID-19 response, important negotiations were underway between the BC Teachers Federation and the Ministry of Education. On May 1, BC teachers ratified a new three-year collective agreement. CUPE 1091, K-12 support workers who had also reached a tentative agreement in 2019 also ratified a new three-year deal. This was welcome news and provides a measure of certainty for all involved.
To our 2020 graduates, I share in your disappointment that you haven’t been able to celebrate in the traditional way. But I am so impressed at your willingness and creativity to mark this milestone moment in alternative ways, and I know our administrators and district staff are working hard to find additional ways to honour your achievements. We are proud of you and hope you are proud of yourselves. Congratulations graduates of 2020!
To the children that are experiencing significant transitions this coming September, such as starting Kindergarten or entering high school, please know that we are here to support you through the uncertainty of the upcoming school year. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your new school or the district should you have any questions or concerns.
On that note, we are committed to ensuring that our students feel connected and supported. That applies to each and every one of our students. The mission of the Delta School District is to enable all learners to succeed and contribute their full potential to the future. Part of our vision is for our schools to nurture caring relationships, connections and a sense of belonging to our local and global communities.
Recent anti-black, anti-Indigenous and anti-Asian violence in communities across North America has highlighted the systemic racism that exists in our society. Clearly education must play a pivotal role in tackling this issue. Delta School District has taken important steps to address diversity within its curriculum but there is far more we can do to relating specifically to the Black Lives Matter and other anti-racism movements.
It is our duty to listen to and learn from the experiences of black people and other people of colour. We must understand our own biases and privileges, and use this knowledge to create an education and a future that is equitable, inclusive and accepting of all people regardless of their colour. All members of our school communities must feel safe, valued and respected.
Last week, we were pleased to hear Education Minister Rob Fleming address the need for the BC curriculum to address anti-racism. I am pleased to report that staff within our district are already enhancing our anti-racist curricular resources for the fall. We are committed to being part of the solution and taking action to correct past prejudices.
In closing, I would like to thank our students, parents, staff and community partners for their hard work, dedication and commitment as we bid farewell to this strangest of school years. While I hope we might return to some sense of normalcy next year, I fear we are destined for another year of uncertainty and change. However, we should all take great comfort from knowing that what we have weathered over the past few months has prepared us well for whatever the future has in store.