http://britishcolumbia.compareschoolrankings.org/pdfs/Fraser_Institute_Report_Card_on_British_Columbia%E2%80%99s_Elementary_Schools_2014.pdf

Some useful links that discuss the Fraser Institute methodology, and debate around these scores:

http://www.bccpac.bc.ca/news-blog/finding-information-about-bc-schools

I recently interviewed a Vancouver realtor about how house-hunting parents obtain information about K-12 schools. He said those relocating within the province often get advice from friends and relatives, but many families moving to B.C. from elsewhere use the Fraser Institute’s report cards.

Although controversial, they offer the only overview of B.C. schools, he said.

That’s not entirely true.

Earlier this year, the Education Ministry created a website (discoveryourschool.gov.bc.ca) in response to parents’ requests for more information to help them make educational choices. A news release went out in March, but based on conversations I’ve had with several people, I don’t think it circulated well.

The website provides data about class size, the school’s seismic rating, student and parent satisfaction and results from the annual Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA) in Grades 4 and 7. Unlike the Fraser Institute’s report cards, it does not rank schools and – not surprisingly – doesn’t mention shortcomings. It also includes this qualification:

“The data shown here is just a starting point. The best way to get to know a school is to go there. Talk to the principal. Meet the teachers. Get a feel for the school first hand. Go to the school’s website, which will give you much more detail about what is going on.”

The ministry says the website is evolving and it welcomes feedback about what other information should be included. What do you think parents need to know about B.C. schools?

http://www.bclocalnews.com/news/153687255.html?mobile=true

Parents need to make an informed enrolment choice. On April 30, the Fraser Institute released its 2012 school rankings, a controversial report of public sector and independent schools in B.C.

The first consideration parents should make when selecting schools, said Helen Raptis, researcher into the history and sociology of education at the University of Victoria, is to disregard the rankings.

The rankings are a distortion of the foundation skills assessments, tests administered in Grades 4 and 7 to measure basic reading, writing and numeracy skills, Raptis said, noting how factors such as number of students who abstain from writing the tests are combined with test results to determine a school’s ranking.

Raptis uses the example that in 2011, Torquay elementary scored higher than Pacific Christian in FSA test scores, but ranked lower in the Fraser Institute rankings than the independent school.

“Despite the flaws, (the rankings) have managed to have credence over the last 10 years,” Raptis said. “Parents continue to rely on flawed information … (The Fraser Institute) adds variables that haven’t been tested to have any merit in terms of measuring student achievement.”

Know your child

Is your child thriving in their current setting? And if they’re doing well academically, but are unhappy, is that OK? Monitoring achievement is an integral step in the process of finding the right educational fit.

Schools, public or private, are generally interested in opening their doors to prospective students, but before parents take that step, Raptis said, they should already know in which arts, sports, or academic pursuits their child is most interested and which schools have a proven reputation in those areas.

“There’s nothing worse than having a bad school experience and having a bad fit,” she said. “We want our kids to thrive and pursue goals, to come out of their experience contributing positively to society. They can’t do that if the fit isn’t right.”

Raptis warns of switching a child out of any school – public or private – should they be enjoying a positive social setting.

 

 

A DPAC member also wrote an interesting report on the Fraser Institute reports last year: http://sd57dpac.ca/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Fraser-institute-report.pdf

The 2014-15 Calendar was approved by the school board on February 25, 2014.2014-2015 Calendar, approved

During each Professional Development Day, the City of Prince George helps to coordinate a listing of all the fun activities for children to enjoy during their day off school.  This is an opportunity for kids, parents and educators to discover all of the great events and programs that are available on Pro D Days.

Children can stay active, meet new people and learn some cool things by participating in all sorts of programs, special events and activities put on by our favourite local organizations and businesses - especially for kids on Pro D Days!

Pro D Days 2013/2014 are September 27th, October 25th, November 29th, January 31st, and April 4th and Spring Break (March 17th to 28th).

http://www.princegeorge.ca/cityliving/recreation/youthprograms/Documents/Spring%20Break%20and%20April%204%202014%20flyer.pdf

PAC Cafe flyer 2014

For parent advisory council members in the
Prince George School District

The following is a press release, sent to DPAC.

“Teachers care deeply about our schools, our students, and our communities. We don’t take a strike vote lightly,” said Iker. “However, this government seems incapable or unwilling to let the BC Public School Employers’ Association negotiate fairly with teachers. Christy Clark, her government, and BCPSEA are insisting on rollbacks, freezing wages, and ignoring the Supreme Court of British Columbia.”

Iker said he was incredibly disappointed and frustrated as teachers have worked hard this round to create a sense of calm and purpose at the bargaining table. While the last round was dominated by government acting in bad faith, this time teachers were hopeful that new players and a new framework agreement would help both parties reach a fair and reasonable deal.

Since January 27, when the BC Supreme Court released its ruling that found the Christy Clark government had acted in bad faith, BCPSEA has tabled unreasonable proposals:

·         New language that would yet again strip all provisions on class size, class composition, and staffing levels for teacher-librarians, counsellors, special education, and other specialist teachers.

·         A salary offer that starts with a 0.5% increase on the date of ratification. The increase is not retroactive. Because the previous contract expired last June, this means zero for all of 2013–14 school year to date. The proposal is followed by another zero for 2014–15 school year and then various ones and point fives over the next four years. The last four years of the 10-year term, an idea teachers rejected in June by a province-wide vote of 96%, features an ill-defined indexing scheme that even BCPSEA’s negotiators could not explain.

On the salary front, BCPSEA’s offer means BC teachers are being asked to take up to two more years of zeros after no salary increases in 2011–12 and 2012–13.

“Despite most other public sector workers receiving increases in the range of 3.5 to 4% over two years as part of the co-operative gains mandate, the government has directed BCPSEA to pursue a totally different agenda with teachers,” said Iker. “Trying to force wage freezes on teachers for another two years is not reasonable or fair, given what the government negotiated with other workers in the public sector. Teachers are asking for an increase that addresses the rising cost of living and a market adjustment that reflects how far we are behind other teachers in Canada. We believe that’s fair and reasonable.

“BC teachers cannot sit back and let Christy Clark and her government talk about labour peace in public, while trying once again to provoke teachers behind closed doors. We will do everything we can to secure a fair deal for teachers and better support for our students.”

Strike vote information

On the call for a strike vote, Jim Iker said: “For teachers, our only recourse in response to the unfair, unreasonable, and deliberately confrontational proposals at this point is to apply pressure through a strike vote. Such a vote, however, does not mean imminent school closures.  We will consider all job action options and timing very carefully. Our goal is to reach a negotiated deal at the bargaining table without having to resort to job action.”

Once a strike vote is taken, a union has 90 days to activate it with some sort of job action.

The BCTF strike vote will take place on March 4, 5, and 6, 2014.  Results will be announced on the evening of March 6.

Job action, if needed, will occur in stages, but any initial action will not:

·         include immediate school closures or disruption for students.

·         stop teachers from participating in extracurricular activities.

·         affect report cards or communication with parents.

http://www.bctf.ca/bargainingAndContracts.aspx?id=31832

We would specifically draw to the attention of every parent and guardian of children in the BC education system to selected quotations made by Justice Griffin in her judgement.  They have been placed in a powerpoint to provide direct access to her findings, buried within the 160 page ruling:

http://www.bctf.ca/uploadedFiles/Public/BargainingContracts/2014CourtDecisionQuotes.pps

From the Globe and Mail:

In announcing the government’s appeal of the Supreme Court ruling in favour of the B.C. Teachers’ Federation (BCTF), Education Minister Peter Fassbender said it would cost taxpayers “upwards of $1-billion” to restore classrooms to the contract language that existed in 2002.

However, with 60 school districts, each with different needs, budget issues and contract language, the cost of such a restoration is a complex calculation. The BCTF says the province has lost close to 1,400 specialist positions.

Here is a link to a BCTF microsite:  http://afairdeal.ca/

It gives information to parents regarding funding.  I think it would be a valuable read for parents.

This next article is an analysis re:  Court Ruling.

 

District Parent Advisory Committee

SUPERINTENDENT’S SPEAKING NOTES

2014.02.03

1. Secondary Second Semester
   1. Please review your child’s course schedule
   2. Please ensure you are discussing class curriculum and progress
   3. Please contact your child’s teacher with any questions or concerns – be involved early in the semester

1. The “Big Three”:
   1. Superintendent’s Report on Achievement
   2. District Achievement Contract
   3. SD57 Budget Process

-       There is a linkage between each of these 3 documents.

-       You should see each document reflected in the others.

1. Crime Watch Canada – Tips for Parents About the Internet
   1. “Know what your kids are doing online!  Negotiate what sites and social networking are acceptable
   2. Teach you kids all about the internet and its anonymity – people can lie about anything
   3. Tell children to discuss with you situations where they want to give out their personal information so you can make a decision together.  Remind them that anything they write or post is now potentially public domain forever.
   4. Discuss sex and the net and sexual predation.  Tell them that someone who deserves their trust will never ask for sexually explicit photos or talk about sex in uncomfortable detail nor will they tell them to hide things from their parents.
   5. Tell them that they must always talk to you about meeting someone in person that they met online.  Tell them that you or another trusted adult must accompany them to the meeting.”

1. Social and Emotional Learning

One of the district’s eight (Essential Eight) key areas for staff and student learning. Anchored in research and intended to develop ability for students to:

i.   Understand emotional needs.

ii.  Respect self and others.

iii. Develop cooperative relationships.

Social and emotional learning enhances academic achievement, helps students develop self-management and self-control, improves relationships, reduces conflict, improves classroom management, and helps young people’s health and success at school.