The Student Learning and Wellbeing committee met on the evening of Wednesday, May 4, 2022. Meetings are live streamed and can be watched on the District’s YouTube channel.  

The first agenda item before the committee covered the proposed school fees for the 2022-2023 school year, which under the School Act, are required to be shared with students and their families ahead of the upcoming school year. The report highlighted some changes reflecting increased costs of venues for camps and graduation related activities. All schools have been advised about the fees for the upcoming year. Following a presentation detailing the detailed scheduled for each school within the District, trustee committee members agreed to forward the fee schedule to the Board for consideration of publication during its regularly monthly meeting in May.  

Next, committee received an update about the Framework for Enhanced Student Learning, including a deep dive on enhanced services and the work of the District’s community schools team which supports the most vulnerable learners in the District. The committee was informed that a comprehensive consideration of multiple data sets used to determine programs and services allocation to schools. Details about the number of schools and students supported by a variety of programs and services was then detailed.  

Following, a presentation about the progress of the food framework ad hoc working group was provided. Work began in January 2022, and it has been meeting regularly. There are 19 representatives on the working group, including two trustees, staff and District stakeholder representation along with community organizations focused on food and nutrition. Discussions by the working group have focused on the importance of food gardens at schools, current school food programs and how to advance those programs, culinary arts programs at schools. A focus group was held with the Indigenous Education Department, and it will meet with the VDSC to gain additional insight into what’s important to students when it comes to food in schools. A 10-year holistic vision will be provided to the Board in June.  

The final item on the committee’s agenda was an update about equity infinitives across the District. An overview of work to fulfill a number Board motions was provided, including anti-racism and non-discrimination training, mandatory for all staff.  The committee was informed about additional ongoing work including:  

• Professional development opportunities for continuous learning about anti-racism and non-discrimination  

• Monthly voluntary drop-in sessions for anti-racism and non-discrimination leads, District hosted events such as a keynote session with Dr. Gholdy Muhammad, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion conference (student-led), Indigenous Focus Day, Black Excellence Day, monthly meetings with elementary and secondary school-based administrators, etc.)  

• Ongoing support of the SOGI District Resource Teacher and the Anti-Racism and Non-Discrimination District Resource Teacher. 

The framework to develop an anti-racism and non-discrimination strategic plan was also discussed. An advisory committee and working group have been working to determine goals and objectives for the strategic plan, which will be presented to the committee on June 8, and if approved to advance to the board, those goals will be discussed at the June 27, 2022, Board meeting for approval. Pending Board approval, the anti-racism and non-discrimination working group will develop objectives and strategies to implement the anti-racism and non-discrimination strategic plan goals in schools and at the District’s offices.  

Keep up to date with all of the District’s committee and Board meetings; see the calendar for meeting dates, agendas and livestream links. A full recording of the meeting can be found on the District’s YouTube channel.