Success for All
Happy Holidays from the DAC & FAC
On behalf of Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools, we want to wish our students, their families, and all our staff a very Happy Holiday season! See you in the new year!
Educators, School Staff, District Leaders and Trustees
As we near the end of 2023 and the beginning of winter break throughout B.C., Minister of Education and Child Care Rachna Singh would like to wish everyone in the education system a wonderful holiday season. View the letter.
Environmental Stewardship in Action
In partnership with the Nanaimo Area Land Trust (NALT) and the City of Nanaimo, syuw̓én̓ct Elementary School is taking real action for the environment. The focus is on taking care of the Northfield Marsh. Classes have been working hard to clean up the area on the marsh’s bluff side next to the school. They are removing yard waste and other materials that have been dumped there. They are also tackling invasive plants that are harming native ones.
The second stage of the project involved the entire school personalizing door hangers that were delivered to the neighbouring homes, educating the community on why dumping yard waste harms wetlands.
Principal Diane Charles said, “This is a really positive and exciting endeavour for us. This is year 4 of our partnership with NALT and this work is extremely impactful for our students!”
Partnership Leaves Lasting Impact
The partnership between Growing Opportunities and Wellington’s Community School Coordinator initially began as the gracious acceptance of a hot pepper donation and has since blossomed into a series of engaging food preservation workshops. In the Indigenous Education classroom, students delved into the intricacies of traditional salmon preservation methods. Their educational journey included learning about various salmon species, mastering the art of filleting, and understanding the meticulous steps involved in preparing salmon for smoking.
The culmination of their efforts came to life as students actively loaded a smoker with their prepared salmon and, with anticipation, savored the fruits of their collective creation. This collaborative initiative not only instilled valuable skills but also fostered a profound connection to cultural practices and the local environment, leaving a lasting impact on the students involved.
Regular Board Meeting
At the Regular Board meeting on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, the Board approved the following:
- SOFI Report for the year ending June 30, 2023
- The addition of Policy 2.15 - Trustee Criminal Record Check
- The addition of a general policy review
- The reduction in the Accumulated Operating Surplus to local capital transfer
The Board of Education adopted the revised Policy 2.22 - Public Interest Disclosure; accepted the report of the ad hoc Student Voice Committee; received the draft revised Policy 2.5 - Board Committees Representation and Annual Work and circulated a 30-day notice of motion. The Board also supported staff pursuing a prefabricated/modular expansion option at NDSS.
Board of Education seeking feedback
The Board of Education seeks feedback on the draft revised Policy 2.5 - Board Committees Representation and Annual Workplan (see changes in red). Additional information can be found on the action sheet. Please provide feedback via email by January 22, 2024.
DAC Closure
During the Winter Break, the District Administration Centre will be closed from Monday, December 25, 2023 until Friday, January 5, 2024, reopening on Monday, January 8, 2024. The Facilities Department will be closed from Monday, December 25, 2023 until Friday, December 29, 2023 (available by appointment only from December 27 to 29, 2023). The Facilities Department will reopen on Tuesday, January 2, 2024. If you have any payroll concerns, please email payroll@sd68.bc.ca.
Art Classes and Camps
The Arts Council of Ladysmith and District hosts art classes and camps in the New Year. There are after school visual arts programs, clay for kids and spring break camps for students ages 6 to 15 years.