It is hard to believe that we are already a little over a third of the way through the school year. As a system, our collective attention continues to be focused on the successful implementation of the SRCE System Improvement and Educational Business Plans for 2019-2020. Both of these plans focus on goals and priorities that will raise the bar and close the achievement gap to address the needs of all learners in all schools in the SRCE. The following four overarching goals guide our work:

1. To improve student achievement in literacy; 2. To improve student achievement in mathematics; 3. To foster student well-being through the creation of positive,

safe and inclusive learning environments; and 4. To promote the stewardship of resources.

In this month’s report, I am pleased to share good news stories highlighting initiatives that are improving student learning, achievement, well-being and overall success.

As always, I encourage you to keep an eye for some of our school and regional celebrations in print, on our website (www.srce.ca) and via the SRCE twitter (@SRCE_NS). 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

November/December 2019

Contents

SRCE Staff Attend Culturally

Responsive Practices (CRP)

Training Session 1

Child and Youth Care Practitioners

Integral to Student Success 2

Participation in Unified Sports®

Basketball Initiative Grows 3

Skilled Trades Centres Coming to

CBHEC/A and EAEC/A 4

Before and After Program

Parent Survey 4

SAC Provincial Meeting 5

Staff Performance Appraisals

for 2019-2020 5

Information on Class and/or Bus

Route Cancellations Due to

Weather and/or Road

Conditions 6

Merry Christmas and All the

Best in 2020 6

Who Do I Contact With

Questions or Concerns? 6

Upcoming Dates/Events Friday, December 6, 2019 National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women Friday, December 20, 2019 Last Day of Classes Prior to Holiday Break Monday, January 6, 2020 Classes Resume

Follow us on Twitter @SRCE_NS

SRCE staff, along with colleagues from across the province, continued their training on culturally responsive teaching and learning with Dr. Sharroky Hollie on Thursday, November 7, 2019. The focus of this session was to provide staff with strategies and practices that they can use as they continue to provide leadership in their schools on culturally and linguistically responsive practices that support our students’ success. Three SRCE schools (Chedabucto Education Centre/Guysborough Academy; St. Andrew Junior School; and Whycocomagh Education Centre) are piloting the next phase of incorporating culturally responsive practices in schools. This session builds on the professional development session Dr. Hollie facilitated for approximately 750 staff of the SRCE in October of 2018. Dr. Hollie, a leading researcher and practitioner in culturally responsive teaching and practices, focused on increasing our understanding of what it means to be culturally responsive in meaningful ways, changing mindsets and developing skillsets; all of which can be immediately used in classrooms and schools to support our students’ achievement, well-being and success. Being culturally responsive is all about using the cultural knowledge, backgrounds, life experiences and learning styles of our diverse student population to make learning more relevant. When students feel a sense of belonging in their learning environment, they become more engaged and successful at school. This training supports the goals, priorities and implementation strategies included in the 2019-2020 SRCE Educational Business and System Improvement Plans.

SRCE Staff Attend Culturally Responsive Practices Training

Session

2

Child and Youth Care Practitioners Integral to Supporting Student Learning, Well-Being and Overall Success

The seven Child and Youth Care Practitioners (CYCP) in the SRCE are fulfilling an integral role in supporting student achievement and well-being. These positions were included as part of the new inclusive education supports to ensure students have the help they need to be more successful in school that were announced by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development during the last two years. The CYCP’s support all schools in the SRCE.

Leadership Committees in action with support from CYCPs in the SRCE.

Working in collaboration with school teams, the Child and Youth Care Practitioners are providing support to students through a variety of interventions and programming focused on promoting positive behaviour and healthy relationships, developing social emotional learning skills and good mental health and wellness. The type of programming offered is based on the students’ and school-based needs, and may involve working directly with classes or groups of students. Some examples of the programming offered includes:

Positive Effective Behaviour Support (PEBS);

Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies (PATHS);

Behavioural expectations;

Digital citizenship;

Playground Leadership Student Committees; and

Supporting guidance and SchoolsPlus staff in specialized programming focused on developing social emotional skills.

The CYCPs in cooperation with other staff, SchoolsPlus and community partners also participate in activities after school, during March Break and over the summer.

Our CYCP, Renee Hodgson, has been an important part of the teacher support team at our school. In response to identified needs, she has supported both students and classroom teachers in implementing a variety of programs and initiatives that are focused on improving student well-being. We are very appreciative of the support she has provided and will continue to provide in the future. Jeff George, Principal Fanning Education Centre/ Canso Academy

Our Child and Youth Care Practitioner, Kim Chiavari, is working in classes on several topics including cyberbullying, stress and exams. She has also been instrumental in providing a framework to our “Eight Pillars of Physical and Mental Health” initiative where we roll out one thing children and families can do to promote positive mental and physical health each month. Kim has designed information packages and collected ideas for teachers to implement in their classes in various curricular areas. This support has been a tremendous help in implementing the initiative at the three SRCE schools in Richmond County, EREC, FMEC and REC/A. Lois Landry, Principal Felix Marchand Education Centre and Richmond Education Centre/Academy

Did You Know?

All schools in the SRCE now have a leadership committee where older students are leading games outdoors for the younger students.

The focus of these committees is to increase physical activity, help resolve conflict, build positive relationships and help students make positive choices. The CYCPs support these committees through PATHS training with the students.

At SAJS, CYCPs are co-facilitating interventions for classroom routines and expectations with our school psychologist. The CYCPs support students in the classroom, using small group and whole class work while fostering the PEBS philosophy. In addition, they are co-facilitating with our school guidance counsellor on projects such as organizational skills to support students’ social emotional learning and well-being.

Joanne Landry, Vice Principal St. Andrew Junior School

Antigonish Education Centre held a playground leadership workshop for Grade 4 peer helpers. School Guidance Counsellor, Kim Grant, provided PATHS language and connections; CYCP, Jillian MacLeod, facilitated the workshop in partnership with Health Promoting Schools Consultant, Scott Goyetche.

Child and Youth Care Practitioner, Kim Chiavari, discusses “Stress and Exams” with the Grade 9B class at Richmond Education Centre/Academy. The students gained meaningful strategies to use before, during and after test taking.

3 Participation in Unified Sports® Basketball Initiative Grows to Seven (7) SRCE Schools

I had the pleasure of attending the Unified Basketball Jamboree held at SAERC earlier this fall and I am extremely pleased to see how the Unified Sports® basketball initiative is growing in the SRCE. This year with Dalbrae Academy joining, there are student athletes from seven schools taking part: Chedabucto Education Centre/Guysborough Academy, Dalbrae Academy, Dr. J.H. Gillis Regional High School, East Antigonish Education Centre/Academy, Tamarac Education Centre, Richmond Education Centre/Academy and SAERC. Unified Sports® is a program through Special Olympics that supports an increase in physical activity for all participants and provides students of varying abilities an opportunity to experience team sports. Unified Sports® promotes acceptance, respect and human dignity for all students and social inclusion through shared sports training and competition experiences. The Program is inspired by a simple principle: training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding. As the Special Olympics website states, Unified Sports® is built upon the premise that in order to have the greatest impact the change process needs to start with youth. Staff at each of the schools invited interested students to join their school-based teams and are at various points in their implementation. Once the teams are formed, students attend weekly practices held at lunch time. The practices start with icebreaker activities to determine each student’s skill level. The goal of the ice breaker activities is for socialization purposes. Students learn each other’s names by coming together in a circle with a passing drill. The student leaders then explain the skills for the practice (dribbling, passing, shooting) and organize the students into groups. In the last half of the practice, students take part in a team-based scrimmage. Adapted basketball nets are used to accommodate all student ability levels.

Inclusive school-based sports encourages broader student engagement and exposure to team sport that otherwise may not have been available. The involvement of student leaders within the schools breaks down stereotypes and promotes acceptance, respect and inclusion of all students in the school community. The overall goals of this initiative include;

More students with disabilities are participating in physical activity;

More students with and without disabilities are playing sports together;

Students without disabilities hold more positive attitudes towards their peers with disabilities;

School communities of acceptance where students with disabilities feel welcome and are routinely included in and feel part of all school activities, opportunities and functions;

Perception of Special Olympics as a school and community partner that offers programming that benefits all students; and

Creating a new generation of youth leaders. Thank you to all students for taking part in this impressive event and for the leadership provided by our staff. For more information, please refer to the Special Olympics website at http://www.playunified.org/.

4 Skilled Trades Centre Coming to Cape Breton Highlands Education Centre/Academy and East Antigonish Education Centre/Academy

Minister Delorey made a follow-up announcement regarding this funding for skilled trades centres at East Antigonish Education Centre/Academy the afternoon of November 14, 2019. Pictured are Kevin Walker, Coordinator of Youth Pathways, SRCE; Richard Britten, Principal, East Antigonish Education Centre/Academy; Britney Knockwood, Student, EAEC/A; John Henry Poulette, Student, EAEC/A; Minister Randy Delorey; Tyler Ehler, Student, EAEC/A; Noah Levangie, Student, EAEC/A; Mandy DeGruchy, Student, EAEC/A; Karen MacDonald, A/Director of Operations, SRCE; Janice Gough, Director of Human Resources, SRCE (left to right).

The 2019 provincial school capital plan announced on Thursday, November 14, 2019, included funding for two new Skilled Trades Centres - one at East Antigonish Education Centre/Academy in Monastery and the other at Cape Breton Highlands Education Centre/Academy in Terre Noire. This is certainly exciting news for the Strait Regional Centre for Education and especially for the students and staff of these two school communities. These Centres mean enhanced opportunities for our Grades 10 to 12 students who will now be able to further explore their interests and the skilled trades as possible career options. In particular, the Centres will provide our students with hands-on learning experiences under the guidance of a Red Seal instructor.

There has been significant interest from students throughout the Strait Region to explore a career in the skilled trades. As a result of previous provincial funding, the Strait Regional Centre for Education has been able to establish three other Skilled Trades Centres - at Dalbrae Academy in Mabou, at Dr. John Hugh Gillis Regional High School in Antigonish; and at Richmond Education Centre/Academy in Louisdale. In addition, we have been able to offer the Skilled Trades 10 course to students at Fanning Education Centre/ Canso Academy and Chedabucto Education Centre/ Guysborough Academy; and as of this school year, this course is offered at Inverness Education Centre/Academy, SAERC, and St. Mary’s Education Centre/Academy. This also is certainly fantastic news for more of our students who will now have increased opportunities to develop skills in various trades related fields. The Strait Regional Centre for Education extends thanks to the Province of Nova Scotia, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and the many other partners for their collaborative efforts and commitment to supporting student learning and success through additional programs such as the Skilled Trades. SRCE regional and school-based staff are very much looking forward to bringing these two new Skilled Trades Centres to a reality to further support our students’ learning and success, and the additional career pathways that they will open for our students as they pursue possible career opportunities.

Families in the SRCE who are planning to register a child(ren) for the Pre-primary Program in September 2020 are invited to take part in a short parent survey. The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is expanding the Nova Scotia Before and After Program and would like to know how to best support your before and after program needs to help families access the Pre-primary Program. Please complete the survey by Friday, December 20, 2019. To access the parent survey, please access the following link: Parent Survey: Nova Scotia Before and After Program. For more information on the Nova Scotia Before and After Program, please visit https://www.ednet.ns.ca/bap.

Before and After Program Parent Survey for SRCE Future Pre-Primary Families

SRCE regional staff, school administrators and representatives from our School Advisory Councils attended a provincial conference meeting on Monday, November 4, 2019, organized by the Nova Scotia Education Common Services Bureau. I would like to thank all those who took the time to attend this day-long information session. The session was very well attended and is indicative of the great support SACs provide to our students and schools. The theme of this meeting was Raise the Bar, Close the Gap and the agenda focused on the following topics:

What’s New for SACs

Understanding Policy and the Policy Development Process

Inclusive Education and Culturally Responsive Pedagogy

Curriculum Development

Strong and Effective SACs: Taking a Restorative Approach

The Work of SACs – Student Success Planning

The Work of SACs – Using SAC Funds to Support Student Achievement and Well-Being

In particular, I would like to acknowledge the work and commitment of the members of our SACs who generously share their time and talents to support our students’ success.

School Advisory Council (SAC) Provincial Meeting 5

Staff Performance Appraisals 2019-2020

The Auditor General’s Report, which included a chapter on Regional School Board Governance and Oversight, was released on November 6, 2015. Recommendation 2.8 of the Auditor General’s Report stated that: The governing boards of Chignecto-Central, Halifax and Strait Regional School Boards should obtain and review information on whether teacher and principal evaluations are completed according to Board policy, including summary results; and whether staff development needs are met.

During the 2019-2020 school year, the following performance appraisals will take place in the Strait Regional Centre for Education:

School

# of Performance Evaluations

Ongoing

Antigonish Education Centre 13

Bayview Education Centre 9

Cape Breton Highlands Education

Centre/Academy

10

Chedabucto Education Centre/

Guysborough Academy

8

Dalbrae Academy 7

Dr. J.H. Gillis Regional High School 15

East Antigonish Education

Centre/Academy

10

East Richmond Education Centre 8

Fanning Education Centre/

Canso Academy

5

Felix Marchand Education Centre 4

H.M. MacDonald Elementary School 3

Inverness Education Centre/Academy 8

Pleasant Bay School n/a

Richmond Education Centre/Academy 10

St. Andrew Junior School 13

St. Andrews Consolidated School 7

St. Mary’s Education Centre/Academy 8

SAERC 9

Tamarac Education Centre 12

Whycocomagh Education Centre 6

In addition to the data related to teaching staff, currently there are seven (7) of our nineteen (19) school principals involved in the performance appraisal process for the 2019-2020 school year.

6 Information on Class and/or Bus Route Cancellations Due to Weather and/or Road Conditions

Who Do I Contact With Questions or Concerns?

1. Start with your child’s teacher.

2. Follow up with the school principal, if

required.

3. For general inquiries, please contact the

SRCE where we will be happy to connect

you with the right member of staff: 902-

625-2191; srce@srce.ca

4. Student discipline and/or behavior, please

contact Brian van den Heuvel at 902-625-

7065 or brian.vandenheuvel@srce.ca.

5. All other matters/media inquiries, please

contact Deanna Gillis at 902-625-7093 or

deanna.gillis@srce.ca.

It is hard to believe but winter weather has arrived. This is a good time for parents/guardians to review their backup plan with their children in the event that classes and/or bus routes are cancelled due to weather and/or road conditions. Our preference is always to have our students in school. We recognize that parents/guardians are concerned when their children miss class time, and we share this concern. That is why our decision to cancel classes is not made lightly and is made with the safety of students and staff as the first priority. The vast majority of our students are bused to school and our region covers a very large geographic area of 11,000 sq. km. Due to our large geographic region, it is very important that we gather information from many sources beginning very early in the morning, around 5:00 a.m., to enable us to make an informed decision and announce it prior to 6:30 a.m., to the degree possible, to help families plan accordingly. The Decision-Making Process

The Strait Regional Centre for Education follows a comprehensive decision-making process and detailed procedures in regards to class and bus service cancellations. Our decision-making process includes consultations with, and a review of information from, the following:

The SRCE Manager of Transportation and Director of Operations;

Staff who personally travel on the roads very early in the morning evaluating road and weather conditions;

Weather forecasting services including Environment Canada, WOOD Weather Information System, and The Weather Network;

Local region contacts (school bus drivers);

Neighbouring Regional Centres for Education;

Provincial highway cameras;

The Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal; and

RCMP, if required. There are six possible phases of cancellations: Phase I: Cancellation of a Bus Run or Runs Phase II: Cancellation of Bus Service on Unpaved Roads Phase III: Cancellation of Classes due to Inclement Weather Phase IV: Delayed Opening of Schools Phase V: Early Dismissal: Predicted and Deteriorating Weather/Road Conditions During the Day Phase VI: Partial or Complete System Shutdown/Schools and Buildings Closed For specific details on each phase, please refer to our brochure, Class Cancellations Due to Weather and/or Road Conditions: A Quick Reference Guide How to Stay Informed

Listen to local radio stations

Access the SRCE website at

https://srce.ca/content/cancellations-and-announcements

Follow SRCE on Twitter @SRCE_NS

Subscribe to receive class cancellation and/or bus route

notices via email and/or text at https://srce.ca/content/stay-

informed

Contact Information

Transportation Staff: 902-747-3645; 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Operations Centre Dispatch: 902-747-3642; 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Emergency Bussing Telephone Number: 902-747-3642; 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Merry Christmas and All the Best in 2020!

I would like to extend a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to students, parents/guardians, staff, families, school advisory councils, volunteers and community members. Best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season and thank you for all you do to support education in the Strait Region. Please also note that the last day of classes for the Christmas break is Friday, December 20, 2019. Classes resume on Monday, January 6, 2020. The Regional Office will also be closed during this same time period.