The Board of Education for School District 73 held one of their regular meetings at Barriere Elementary School on Monday, Apr. 13.
After a welcome to the school by Principal Gordon Cumming, four of the students presented a demonstration on how they use flash cards to learn math and numeracy. The students wee very good and quick with their answers.
They then challenged the board members to give the answers and had many of the adults having to do some quick thinking to keep up with the kids.
Then chair Denise Harper called the meeting to order and the business of the board began.
During the chair’s report Harper stated that she was very happy with the Day of Sucwentwecw held in School District 73 on Apr. 7.
“The assemblies were very well done,” said the chair, “Students were very engaged in the conversation and listened to the presenters. Teachers also planned lessons around the presentation.”
Harper also noted she was especially pleased to have been a judge for the SD73 science fair. “It was splendid and a great pleasure for me to be involved. It was very well run and kudos to the committee and principals. The students were so engaged – so stoked. I just can’t say enough about them and their science projects.”
Many of the items on the meeting agenda were for in-camera discussion only.
However, the Provincial Exam Schedule Review was brought forward and all recommendations were approved. These included:
1. Grades 10, 11 and 12 students are released from school at the start of the Provincial Exam Week in order to prepare for exams.
2. All grades 8 and 9 students are in session Monday to Wednesday of the Provincial Exam Week to maximize instructional time.
3. Select students are in session on Thursday in order to complete work in classes as directed by their teachers.
4. Friday is designated a ‘turnaround day’ with no students in session so teachers can mark exams, write report cards, and prepare for second semester.
5. All schools are required to develop a bell schedule that more closely resembles the exam sessions to reduce noise level.