In September 2019, the Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools’ (NLPS) Board of Education (the “Board”) approved a motion to accept a new four-year strategic plan (the “Plan”) to run to September 2023. The Plan, produced over a year in consultation with our community, is based on four broad goals supported by a number of objectives embedded within those goals. NLPS Staff then used the Board’s goals and objectives to create the Operational Plan. The purpose of this document is to operationalize the Board’s plan by creating a number of “Action Themes” and “Action Plans” with measurable outcomes.
This year to better align with the British Columbia’s Ministry of Education Framework for Enhancing Student Learning mandate we have updated some of the language in the Operational Plan. For instance, “Action Themes” and “Action Plans” are now called “Strategies” and “Indicators of Success”, respectively. Moreover, we have reviewed our Indicators of Success to ensure that we can truly measure our progress and be accountability to the Board and each other for our results.
In addition to a change in the format of the Operational Plan, there are also major changes in our focus based on the needs of our students. For instance, in the Spring of 2020, only a few short months after adopting the Operational Plan, the COVID-19 pandemic hit NLPS, Canada and the world. While we have continued to strive towards the implementation of the Plan a lot of staff time and energy went into implementing crisis management measures to ensure a continuity of learning for our students and safe and healthy environment for all of our students and staff.
COVID-19 was not contemplated at the time of drafting the Operational Plan. However, it is clear that COVID-19 has had both immediate and long-term impacts on NLPS and its students which must be reflected in our planning. Many revisions included in the Operational Plan better aligns with student support success during and after the COVID-19 global pandemic. New priorities have emerged, others have become less important and some have been removed. For instance, we know that COVID-19 has disproportionately affected students from low socio-economic circumstances and whether students are learning via in-class instruction, online, or a hybrid model the home-school relationship has become increasingly important and we have highlighted the need to address learning loss and food security through this lens. In addition, greater urgency has been targeted at creating a trauma informed approach to education that we, in NLPS, call “compassionate schools”. A “compassionate schools” approach requires leaders to commit to ensuring a working and learning environment where physical and psychological safety is our top priority.
Supporting Students
Further, we also realized that certain aspects of the Operational Plan were already aligned to support students through this difficult time. For instance, we believe that our Syeyutsus Framework for community wellness during Covid-19 is an excellent approach for guiding staff and students to mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health. “In our experience, Indigenous cultures embody many of the concepts of compassionate systems leadership: seeing the interconnectedness of people, the earth, and the Great Spirit; honouring relationship and voice; and grounding everything in a sense of land and identity.” (source: https://www.compassionatesystemsleadership.net/)
Ultimately, our north star continues to the be supporting students through the Board’s broad goals and I am confident that our results show that we are moving forward to meet these goals and the changes ensure alignment for continued future success.
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Strategy
Build system capacity with respect to supportive post-pandemic instructional approaches
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Understand and address the learning needs for students in the graduation program as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Enhance system awareness of “Tiered Support” through the response to Intervention model.
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Advancing supports to classroom teachers through Learning Coordinators, K-12
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Advancing supports to teachers within Focus Schools through placement of Literacy Coordinators.
Indicators of Sucess
Strategy
Advancing supports to classroom teachers and School-Based Teams through Inclusion Support Coordinators, K-12.
Indicators of Sucess
Strategy
Advancing supports to teachers within Focus Schools through placement of Literacy Coordinators.
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Undertake an inquiry to review language/literacy instruction and intervention in early years (K-3) French Immersion settings
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Support Collective Teacher Efficacy
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Facilitate and support opportunities for school-based staff to collaborate.
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Review data review of Tier 2 and 3 reading assessments
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Perform focused work with Island Connect Education (ICE) staff to improve pedagogical alignment in course offerings with the curriculum
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Support and share effective numeracy teaching and assessment practices that align with the curriculum.
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Develop a local Scope and Sequence aligned with the Provincial Early Years’ Framework
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Expand childcare and before and after school care programs to be available at every elementary school in the district.
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Build leadership capacity for all Managers and Staff
Indicators of Success
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Strategy
Build system capacity with respect to supportive post-pandemic instructional approaches
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Creation and implementation of 3 yr Scope and Sequence for Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) and Racism Initiatives
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Increase community awareness of supports that are available to learners with social/emotional needs
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Develop a District wide response and support framework
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Provide Secondary Administrator and mentors with training
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Develop a data system that allows the district to track student progress
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Implementation of a Compassionate Learning Communities Framework
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Increase understanding of compassionate systems leadership
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Provide on-going communication and education with compassionate systems leaders
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Provide administrators and Counsellors with Crisis Response Training
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Ensure all Elementary Counsellors are trained in both EASE and ERASE protocols
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Implement the “Response to Vaping Strategy” across the district
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Complete and Implement the Board’s Long-Range Facilities Plan
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Implement the Access to Technology Program (school WI-FI infrastructure program)
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Use local and provincial funding for health and safety upgrades to address COVID-19
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Develop and orchestrate viable HR Systems, Processes and Guidelines
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Develop strategies for positions that present recruitment and retention challenges
Indicators of Success
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Strategy
Continue to apply for Ministry funding to support low carbon infrastructure updates
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Convert our bus fleet to electric
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Utilize low GHG technology when replacing infrastructure and equipment where feasible
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Establish a committee that has representation from trustees, staff, DPAC, students and the community
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Disseminating climate change and sustainability materials including Indigenous principles
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Using Teams, create a Learning Series available to NLPS staff, students and community partners with respect to climate change and sustainability
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Develop a food security strategy in consultation with community partners
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Continue to respond to food security challenges that escalated as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Require DAC and schools to develop innovative practices and report out on results annually
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Financially support school requested outdoor learning spaces
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Encourage schools to develop outdoor learning opportunities
Indicators of Success
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Strategy
Create a common understanding of the Syeyutsus framework throughout the system
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Environmental scan of understanding re: Syeyutsus Reconciliation will be conducted throughout the district
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Creation of information packages for departments and schools (eg print, banners, posters)
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Influencing local organizations and influencing other reconciliation activities
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Continue and grow First Nation and Indigenous relationships
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Supporting our most vulnerable students by developing a business case with partners for the Te’tuxwtun project.
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Support the transition of Tsawalk and Nisaika Kumtuks Programs from SD84 to SD68
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Increase Cultural awareness by identifying opportunities across the district
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Increase Cultural awareness by identifying experienced trainers to deliver training
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Purchasing and create resources to support Indigenous content
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Creating resources to support Hul’qumi’num language developent
Indicators of Success
Strategy
Explore the possibility of creating a Hul’qumi’num immersion school
Indicators of Success