School District 53 hopes to address a number of goals in the next three years, as well as a number of concerns.
The District Achievement Plan outlines the following goals: to improve the health, social and emotional well-being of students; create a school environment where students and parents belong and feel connected; increase transition and completion rates for all pupils; maintain the focus on literacy and numeracy; and increase students’ contributions to local and global communities.
Core values identified for the district include community, integrity, respect, and curiosity. In 2013/2014, the district will be supporting a projected total of approximately 2,308 school aged pupils and 22 adult students. This is a decline of approximately 84 full-time equivalent students from the 2012/2013 school year.
The district supports approximately 133 English- as-a-second-language students, 334 students of aboriginal ancestry, and 292 pupils with special needs.
Early development indicators show that the district is becoming more vulnerable in terms of students’ physical health, social competence, emotional maturity and language and cognitive development. This is a “worrisome trend” for the board, but the district continues to address early learning needs through StrongStart centres and preschool opportunities.
The board hopes that future results will show a decrease in vulnerability due to early learning opportunities, but demographic changes due to economic challenges may impact these results.
District schools are reporting increasing numbers of students who are experiencing anxiety that is interfering with learning success. Student referrals to counselling and outside agencies are increasing. That’s why the district established the first goal of improving the emotional well-being of all pupils.
The district has taken a number of actions to address these vulnerabilities, such as the Roots of Empathy program. The district is working to create more personalized learning experiences for students in the classroom. In addition, it wants to improve and expand career preparation programs, including work experience.
