Dear North Vancouver School District Community:
Subject: Thank you to the outgoing Board of Education and Welcome to the new Board
I would like to take this opportunity to offer thanks on behalf of the North Vancouver School District to the outgoing Board of Education, and to welcome the incoming Board. Over the past four years our school district has done incredible work to support student learning. We are proud of all that has been accomplished in collaboration with our partners in education.
The North Vancouver School District's vision is to provide world-class instruction and a rich diversity of engaging programs to inspire success for every student and bring communities together to learn, share and grow. This vision is supported by four values – Trust, Respect, Responsibility, and Collaboration. To achieve our vision and uphold our values, we have six strategic goals:
- Expand the availability of best instructional practices and enriched curriculum.
- Develop and promote innovative and sustainable programs.
- Encourage the growth of collaborative, adaptive and personalized learning environments.
- Provide leadership in environmental education and sustainability practices.
- Nurture an inspiring and healthy work environment.
- Strengthen and expand reciprocal community relations.
Areas of focus that support these goals include Indigenous education, new curriculum implementation, enhanced assessment, supporting diverse learners, social emotional learning and mental health, sustainability and learning in nature, technology in the classroom, career development for students, and professional learning for staff. As a governance body, the Board of Education is crucial in establishing strategic direction and supporting educational priorities. Over the last term, the Board of Education has overseen important policy developments, such as Policy 412: Supporting Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Gender Expression. The Board has also secured grant funding for initiatives such as a mental health curriculum pilot project at Mountainside Secondary. Argyle Secondary School and Handsworth Secondary School both received approval to be rebuilt as a result of the Board's efforts; Argyle is currently in construction and the design phase for Handsworth is moving along steadily. Significant work has also been done towards Indigenous education, reconciliation and building strong government-to-government relationships with the Skwxwú7mesh Nation and Tsleil-Waututh Nation. The outgoing Board of Education can be proud of the accomplishments achieved over the past four years in our strategic goal areas.
Thank you to Barry Forward, Susan Skinner, Jessica Stanley, and Franci Stratton for your years of service and support.
We look forward to continuing our great work under the guidance of our incoming Board of Education. Welcome to Mary Tasi Baker, Devon Bruce, Cyndi Gerlach, Megan Higgins, Kulvir Mann, Christie Sacre, and George Tsiakos. The inaugural meeting of the incoming Board of Education will take place on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. at the Education Services Centre. The community is invited to attend as we officially welcome the new Board of Education.
I look forward to continuing to learn, share and grow as a school district over the next four years.
Sincerely,
Mark Pearmain
Superintendent
North Vancouver School District
