Consistency… for learning and for families

In order for the parent-student-teacher relationship to flourish, our schools must be beacons of consistency. School District 68 management has not made that a priority. Families live busy lives, and changes to schedules, buses, catchments year in year out break down the school's position in the community as a reliable second home for our children. Consistent school hours from year to year allow regional transit and after-school care agencies to best serve the families of SD68.

The most damaging scheduling impact on student learning comes from our district administration's failed execution of Professional Learning Communities (PLC). District leadership downloaded the cost of the PLC onto families by shortening direct instructional time for students in Nanaimo-Ladysmith. In practice, this lost classroom time has become the discretionary time of administrators. When my son enters grade 9 next year, he will have received 400 less hours of direct instruction than students in neighbouring districts. What could your child have learned in that time?

The not-so-obvious effect of this management boondoggle is the impact on marginalized kids and struggling learners. For many students in SD68, their school is a vital supportive environment in a world that can otherwise be challenging. Choosing to shut down after-school activities and homework clubs in order for managers to do in-service is not in the best interest of students and families. Let teachers teach.

As a trustee I will bring forward a motion before the end of the year directing the superintendent to restore direct instructional time to teachers and students. If collaboration is part of our plan for student learning, it must be teacher-led and not downloaded on families.