Kensington / Kinkora Family of Schools District Advisory Council
April 28th, 2022 - Microsoft Teams Meeting
Discussion
The Kensington/ Kinkora DAC worked together on a collaborative document to shape various recommendations and points that the council would like to bring forward to the Minister of Education and Lifelong Learning. The DAC is working to provide a written summary of recommendations in the following areas.
Student Well-Being Teams
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Relationship building is a cornerstone of the Student Well-Being Team's work and plays a substantial role in their success. In saying this, the DAC would like to see a more consistent presence in the junior and senior high schools across PEI. A suggestion could be to have a consistent schedule that rotates in schools every other week.
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The group expressed concerns about staff turnover on the Student Well-Being Teams in their region.
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The council shared that there is a considerable amount of red tape between the program and school administrators. If reduced, the teams will have better success when helping a student.
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The DAC would like to recommend that at the start of the school year, the Student Well-Being Team does an orientation meeting with the schools to ensure that students are aware of the services they provide.
Responses:
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The SWT has developed a schedule for delivering presentations to students in order to educate and serve as a preventative measure. This schedule will come into effect for the 2022-2023 school year.
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The SWT conducted a survey this past winter for parents of participants, participants and school staff to provide feedback on the SWT services and how they can better serve these populations. This data is being collated and will be acted upon in the coming year. This survey will also help the group allocate resources more effectively across populations that require additional support.
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The SWT intends to have their full staffing compliments introduced at the start of the school year to help students put a name to their face and build a connection/ relationship with them.
Dual School Zone
- The DAC would like to advocate for further transparency regarding the dual school zone in their region. Families moving into new school zones must be aware of their options when considering schools. Possible solutions for this could be re-evaluating web pages, transportation options, etc.
Response:
- The Junior Policy Analyst connected with the Public Schools Branch to echo the DACs concerns regarding the transparency of the dual school zone. It was shared that when inquiries are made with the PSB, all options for the region's dual school zone are shared. The ultimate decision is one that parents make. The PSB does invite further conversation with members of the DAC to discuss specifically where the committee feels transparency is lacking and to consider suggestions for improvement.
Elected School Board
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The group expressed their concerns about legislation regarding the proposed elected school board and the impact this could have on the smaller and rural schools on PEI. The DAC is very passionate about how each family of schools has a unique voice and deserves to have equal opportunity and the chance to set the school system up for future success.
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The group also shared concerns about the proposed voting process regarding the election of trustees.
Responses:
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The DELL and education authorities are currently working on the development of a policy that will support student engagement with the newly elected school board.
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The elected board of trustees will have eight elected members from across electoral zones of PEI.
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The DELL and the education authorities are working on advertising the school board election through social media, among other avenues. Candidate profiles will also be an option for candidates interested in sharing information about themselves with the voters.
Social Life for Students in a Pandemic
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The DAC acknowledges the challenges many senior high students have faced through the pandemic. The council would like to see the government continue to be flexible and supportive of events around graduation and end-of-school-year activities.
Return to School During a Pandemic
- The group would like to recognize the challenges faced at numerous levels in the school system and show appreciation for constant pivoting to provide students with the opportunity to continue to learn.
April 7th, 2022 - Microsoft Teams Meeting
Discussion
Student Well-Being Teams
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The DAC discussed pieces of the content from the Student Well-Being Team presentation that took place on January 20th, 2022. The group appreciated hearing updates and progress the program has made and also enjoyed the opportunity to provide feedback directly to the Student Well-Being Team.
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The group spoke about the effectiveness of the Student Well-Being Teams when they are stationed in the schools. This allows the students to connect with the staff and become more comfortable coming forward for help. The DAC would like to see a group that can provide services housed in Kinkora.
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Another piece of feedback discussed further was having the Student Well-Being Teams complete an introductory presentation to all of the students in the High Schools. This opens the personal connection between the Student Well-Being Teams and the students. When students are more aware of who is available to help, they are more likely to reach out for help.
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Finally, the DAC was pleased to hear the preventative measures to create specialized presentations accessible to students across PEI. This will allow the Student Well-Being Team to help with timely challenges the schools are facing.
Elected School Board
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The DAC would like to ensure equitable representation if an elected school board is implemented. It is important that rural and smaller schools have a voice in decision-making.
Dual School Zone
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The DAC would like to continue advocating for more transparency regarding the dual school zone. It is felt that families should be more informed about their school options when they move into the area.
The group suggests that online messaging and messaging that is forwarded from the school be revisited to ensure this transparency.
Students Returning to the Classroom
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Students of the council shed light on student life as PEI makes steps towards a new normal. Graduation and prom planning are underway, and there has been much support from the school level and from teachers.
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"Relay for Life" planning is underway at KISH, and there is a lot of excitement built up around this event and any others, as social activities have been few and far between during Covid-19.
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Parents, staff, and students are hopeful to make the best of the current situation for graduating students and are looking forward to returning to a much more normal school year next year.
January 20th, 2022 - Microsoft Teams Meeting
Guest: Elizabeth Kennedy (Student Well-Being Team Program Lead), Danielle Hennessy (Provincial Team Lead for Youth Services), Beth Reilly (Clinical Supervisor for Student Well-Being Team – West)
Discussion
Student Well-Being Team Presentation
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Elizabeth, Danielle, and Beth presented a slide deck that shared information about the Student Well-Being Team and facilitated a discussion to answer and discuss further topics relating to their work.
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Elizabeth shared the focus of the SWT is to provide equitable access to supports for students and that the SWT is located in the schools for that reason.
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The group discussed the referral process and how it can be done online by students, teachers or parents. It was included that most referrals come directly from the schools, and a large portion comes from the medical field. The SWT is currently seeing approximately 140 referrals a month.
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The Department of Education & Lifelong Learning, Department of Justice & Public Safety and Health PEI conduct a joint effort in delivering the SWT services and serve as experts in their respective areas. With this, the SWT comprises various personnel, including Nurses, Outreach Workers, Social Workers, and many others that can offer different perspectives from their field of work.
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Elizabeth shared that a large part of the SWT's work is delivering presentations to help educate students, which serve as preventative measures. An example shared was that if a school sees vaping issues at a grade 8 level, they could ensure that students are aware of the risks in earlier grades. This will help educate the students and deter them from harmful substances and activities.
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The SWT has been very adaptable in providing Zoom and other software services. It is important for students to be able to receive the services of the SWT at home and in school.
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The SWT is currently working on group intervention offerings, where students can come together for similar issues to meet with the SWT and other students struggling with similar issues.
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Elizabeth shared that the transitional grades are more common for referrals, meaning students going into Grade 7 and grade 10.
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The rollout of a Walk-In Clinic in each High School across PEI continues. There has been positive feedback from other regions, and the SWT is excited to continue with this expansion.
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The Student Reps from the DAC were able to provide feedback to the SWT. It was echoed that the students would like to see a physical office in Kinkora. A large piece for students is being able to see and build relationships with these supports, which is currently tough. A suggestion was for the SWT to provide a presentation at the start of the year to familiarize the students with who the supports are for their school. Finally, the Student Reps at KISH had administered a survey to their peers, and many students replied by saying they had little knowledge of the SWT. The SWT appreciated the feedback and will bring it back to the larger team to discuss.
Updates and Follow-Ups
Late French Immersion
- With the strong parent and teacher support, french offerings will look to continue for the next school year, but enrolment will need to increase to continue for years to come.
Community Feel in Smaller Schools
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Kinkora successfully hosted a spirit week before Christmas break, which was great and offered an opportunity for students within the school to connect.
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"12 Days of Kishmas" was successful in offering students from different grades the opportunity to communicate and participate in activities.
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The leadership class at KISH had been making trips to a senior home every Wednesday up until the break, and this was overall a positive experience for all parties involved.
Elected School Board & Education Act Changes
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The DAC would like to learn more in this space and ensure that a community voice is heard. The Kensington /Kinkora DAC would like to continue to advocate for an equal voice in educational matters and decision-making.
Other Topics
Dual School Zone Clarity
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The DAC would like to continue advocating for more transparency regarding the dual school zone. It is felt that families should be more informed about their school options when they move into the area.
Students Returning to In-Person Learning
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As the end of the school year approaches, the group voiced that high school seniors have been a group that has been affected greatly by the pandemic as, for many, it is the last chance to spend time with lifelong friends before going to different colleges and universities. How can the schools and the DAC help ensure the seniors can make the most out of the final months of high school?
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The DAC values the student voices on the council greatly and looks forward to working towards possible solutions for grad events that comply with the CPHO guidelines in place.
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The group discussed the impact uncertainty has on students' mental health and how it has been challenging for them to plan their future.
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The DAC discussed how at-home learning has been going and how they feel the teachers have done an excellent job keeping the students engaged. Students appreciate the teachers' flexibility to accommodate different learning styles.
November 9th, 2021 - Microsoft Teams Meeting
Guest: John Cummings, Executive Director of Educational Services
Discussion
Group Guidelines and Expectations
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The Junior Policy Analyst will prepare and send along the meeting agenda before each meeting.
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The group will contribute to the agenda by adding action items, progress on past work, and any new priorities they would like to discuss.
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The group would like to continue using Doodle Polls to decide when the best suited times are for the group to meet.
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It is understood that the meetings can take place virtually or in person, and if the meeting is to occur in person, proper vaccination protocols must be conducted.
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The group discussed having a meeting chair to ensure the agenda items are discussed and that everyone has a chance to share. Julie MacLeod has volunteered to take on this role and will arrange to have an individual to fill in if unavailable to chair.
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The group is welcome to meet on their own outside of regular meeting times without the Junior Policy Analyst and bring this information forward with the larger group in the next meeting.
District Advisory Council
Tyler Gallant, the Junior Policy Analyst for the Department of Education and Lifelong Learning, gave a presentation that offered information regarding the DACs and their role in the PEI education system.
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The mandate of the DACs is to help shape an education system that focuses on and meets learners' needs.
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The role of the DACs is to advise the Minister of Education on priorities for the district, to engage school communities in discussions, and foster collaboration among school councils, home and school associations, and the community.
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Responsibilities of the membership include reporting concerns to your local home and school to the DAC, providing leadership in identifying priorities to focus on, working collaboratively with members and reporting back to your local home and school the discussions and outcomes of the DAC meetings.
Topics of Discussion
Elected School Board
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Discussion about the Elected School Board consultations. Currently in review, and the group will revisit this topic at a later date when more information is available.
Late French Immersion
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Concern has been raised about the future of late french immersion being offered in the region, with the low enrolment in recent years.
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New teacher and parent involvement is promising in this area.
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What steps can be taken to help raise this concern?
Community Feel in Smaller Schools
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Students who attend smaller schools feel a divide with the separation of cohorts and different grades.
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Is there a way that students can have the opportunity to socialize in smaller schools with other grades and regain the feel of a community-based school?
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The group hopes that with CPHO guidelines easing in schools, this will aid with the divide they are currently experiencing.
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Currently, a leadership class is exploring visiting seniors' homes and other activities to get involved in the community.
Mental Health & Student Well-Being Teams
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There is currently a full complement of SWT in this region.
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A student perspective would be appreciated on the SWT. What experiences have they had with the resource, and how do others in the schools perceive the current service?
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How can the population be more aware and better informed about the current resources offered in the schools?
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The group would like to invite the students to share their experiences with the SWT. The group would also like to invite members of the SWT to answer questions and offer feedback.
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For more information on the SWT, please see the following two links.
Previous School Years