Success for All: Operational Plan Update
Table of Contents
Background
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.
NLPS RESTART PLAN
COVID
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.
GOAL 1
Continuous improvement in Special Needs, Indigenous and overall student population on student achievement
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Strategy
Build system capacity with respect to supportive post-pandemic instructional approaches
Indicators of Success
- Implementation of the NLPS Reading Assessment as a formative data source to guide instruction will occur for every student in Grades 1 to 9 for September 2021.
- Monitoring and analyzing attendance and registration patterns during the Spring for September 2021 start-up to ensure schools are “flagging” students who may have missed significant amounts of instructional time during the pandemic.
Strategy
Understand and address the learning needs for students in the graduation program as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Indicators of Success
- Review of a student’s prior learning to assess and give credit for course specific competencies will occur during the Spring of 2021 for all students who are in a position to graduate.
- Identify and create a pathway to graduation for students who are at risk of not being on target for graduation through the Spring, and Fall of 2021.
Strategy
Enhance system awareness of “Tiered Support” through the response to Intervention model.
Indicators of Success
- Implementation of ‘Tiered Models of Support’ for Life Skills Programs by June 2021.
- Implementation of systematized Tiered reading interventions and assessment programs K-12 by January 2022
- Development of a refreshed Inclusive Education portal by June 2021. Completion of series for teachers and SSTs in French Immersion regarding effective models of support by June 2022
- Completion of focus group conversations regarding Secondary ELL support model by June 2022
Strategy
Advancing supports to classroom teachers through Learning Coordinators, K-12
Indicators of Success
- Increase percentage of students who report feeling success in reading, writing and numeracy, as per the annual Student Learning Survey.
- Increased percentage of students who achieved a BC Certificate of Graduation Dogwood Diploma within 5 and 6 years of starting Grade 8 on an annual basis.
Strategy
Advancing supports to teachers within Focus Schools through placement of Literacy Coordinators.
Indicators of Sucess
- Increase percentage of students who report feeling success in reading and writing, as per the annual Student Learning Survey.
- Increase percentage of students who are meeting or exceeding expectations as per the Focus Schools Annual Data Report from schools.
Strategy
Advancing supports to classroom teachers and School-Based Teams through Inclusion Support Coordinators, K-12.
Indicators of Sucess
- Annual analysis of survey feedback will reflect increased school team capacity and implementation of program recommendations
Strategy
Advancing supports to teachers within Focus Schools through placement of Literacy Coordinators.
Indicators of Success
- Data system is in place and utilized by June 2021.•100% of schools graphing data using E-assess and ERC (Elementary Report Card ) information to inform PLC discussions and decisions by November 2021.•Implementation of a needs-based tool for Inclusive Ed. staffing effective June 2021.
Strategy
Undertake an inquiry to review language/literacy instruction and intervention in early years (K-3) French Immersion settings
Indicators of Success
- Review and recommendations developed for effective approaches in early years language/literacy instruction and intervention for French Immersion by June 2021
Strategy
Support Collective Teacher Efficacy
Indicators of Success
- Implement effective Professional Learning Community processes in all schools by November 2021
Strategy
Facilitate and support opportunities for school-based staff to collaborate.
Indicators of Success
- Gather and review annual feedback regarding efficacy of collaborative opportunities. i.e.
– District Inclusion Gatherings
– NOIIE
– Focus School Gatherings
– Learning Leaders sessions
– Pro D
– Town Hall sessions
– Teams Talks, etc.
Strategy
Review data review of Tier 2 and 3 reading assessments
Indicators of Success
- Increase in the number of students who are within widely held expectations in reading K-7
Strategy
Perform focused work with Island Connect Education (ICE) staff to improve pedagogical alignment in course offerings with the curriculum
Indicators of Success
- 100% of courses K-12 will be reviewed and/or redesigned by June 2022.
Strategy
Support and share effective numeracy teaching and assessment practices that align with the curriculum.
Indicators of Success
- Increase the percentage of students who feel success in numeracy, as per the Student Learning Survey on an annual basis.
- Implementation of the intermediate numeracy assessment tool (INA) by June 2022.”
Strategy
Develop a local Scope and Sequence aligned with the Provincial Early Years’ Framework
Indicators of Success
- Creation of a scope & sequence for the implementation of the Early Years Framework by June 2021
Strategy
Expand childcare and before and after school care programs to be available at every elementary school in the district.
Indicators of Success
- Increase the number of childcare and before and after care spaces in the district by 3 sites per year.
Strategy
Build leadership capacity for all Managers and Staff
Indicators of Success
- The provision of a variety of robust and current professional development topics that provide people management and relations excellence across the leadership group.
GOAL 2
Safe, Caring and Healthy Learning and Working Environment that is inclusive of diversity of our entire learning community
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Strategy
Build system capacity with respect to supportive post-pandemic instructional approaches
Indicators of Success
- Communicate to families of students who transitioned from their neighbourhood school during the COVID-19 Pandemic, a clear process for accessing learning options for September 2021.
- Continue to track students who transitioned from their neighbourhood school to other learning options during the COVID-19 pandemic, and ensure that all students are accounted for during the Spring of 2021.
- Create and educate system leaders on a district-wide “”Post Pandemic Road Map”” for reengaging students and families with their neighbourhood school community, and to address learning needs by July 2021.
- Use and analyze data sources such as enrollment, attendance records, and Report Cards to continue to monitor student progress through the Fall of 2021.
Strategy
Creation and implementation of 3 yr Scope and Sequence for Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) and Racism Initiatives
Indicators of Success
- Safe Schools Committee to engage in conversation with community members regarding SOGI/Racism needs/concerns by June 2021.
- System-wide implementation of training and awareness-building initiatives by June 2022″
Strategy
Increase community awareness of supports that are available to learners with social/emotional needs
Indicators of Success
- Implementation of a parent resource area on the NLPS website with information regarding social/emotional supports by December 2021
Strategy
Develop a District wide response and support framework
Indicators of Success
- Enhance deeper relationships with representatives form Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) and Kw’umut Lelum.
- Framework and guiding documents for staff are completed by June 2022.
- All students in care assigned a mentor by October 2021.
Strategy
Provide Secondary Administrator and mentors with training
Indicators of Success
- Completion of capacity-building series for Secondary Administrators and mentors by June 2021
Strategy
Develop a data system that allows the district to track student progress
Indicators of Success
- Data system will be developed and functioning by June 2021
Strategy
Implementation of a Compassionate Learning Communities Framework
Indicators of Success
- All schools participate in a needs assessment regarding the three components of Compassionate Learning Communities (Trauma Informed Practice; Social-Emotional Learning and Mental Health Literacy)by January 2021.
- CYSFWs provide online Connect Parent Group training during the winter of 2021.
- Compassionate Learning Community resources provided to schools on an on-going basis.
Strategy
Increase understanding of compassionate systems leadership
Indicators of Success
- Provide in-service workshop for system leaders on an ongoing basis regarding Compassionate Learning Communities.
Strategy
Provide on-going communication and education with compassionate systems leaders
Indicators of Success
- Monthly mental wellness newsletter to be distributed to all school on an on-going basis.
Strategy
Provide administrators and Counsellors with Crisis Response Training
Indicators of Success
- All administrators trained in Violent Threat Assessment on a two-year cycle.
- One administrator trained in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention at each site on a two-year cycle.
Strategy
Ensure all Elementary Counsellors are trained in both EASE and ERASE protocols
Indicators of Success
- All Elementary Counsellors to receive EASE Training by June 2021.
- All newly hired Elementary Counsellors receive ERASE training
Strategy
Implement the “Response to Vaping Strategy” across the district
Indicators of Success
- All Secondary schools to receive school-wide presentations by June 2021.
- All CYFSWs have received in-service training by June 2021.
- Decrease the percentage of students who report vaping, as per the annual Student Learning Survey for January 2022.
Strategy
Complete and Implement the Board’s Long-Range Facilities Plan
Indicators of Success
- Ministry of Education approval of seismic upgrades on a yearly basis
Strategy
Implement the Access to Technology Program (school WI-FI infrastructure program)
Indicators of Success
- Upgrade 20% of schools each year until completion
Strategy
Use local and provincial funding for health and safety upgrades to address COVID-19
Indicators of Success
- All district facilities will have modern HVAC systems and the ability to support high efficiency filtration
Strategy
Develop and orchestrate viable HR Systems, Processes and Guidelines
Indicators of Success
- Respond and comply to legal, system, process and informational needs of all users of HR related matters.
- District risk is managed by compliance to legal and labour relations requirements.
Strategy
Develop strategies for positions that present recruitment and retention challenges
Indicators of Success
- Reduction in the number of unfilled vacancies and attrition for positions that are challenging to recruit
GOAL 3
To Be a leader in Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability
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Strategy
Continue to apply for Ministry funding to support low carbon infrastructure updates
Indicators of Success
- One or more successful major project approvals yearly from the Ministry
Strategy
Convert our bus fleet to electric
Indicators of Success
- Reduce the percentage of bussing in our fleet using diesel by 5% each year.
Strategy
Utilize low GHG technology when replacing infrastructure and equipment where feasible
Indicators of Success
- Reports from purchasing indicating low carbon equipment purchases by departments and schools
Strategy
Establish a committee that has representation from trustees, staff, DPAC, students and the community
Indicators of Success
- Creation of a scope & sequence for the implementation of the Early Years Framework by June 2021
Strategy
Disseminating climate change and sustainability materials including Indigenous principles
Indicators of Success
- Identify and distribute resources for use by staff and students by June 2021
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
- Large attendance in session
·Media attention of the Learning Series”
Strategy
Develop a food security strategy in consultation with community partners
Indicators of Success
- Establish key partnerships and operationalize working group structures by June 2021
- Identify district representatives of Farm to School Advisory Committee by June 2021
- Food Security strategy established by June 2021
Strategy
Continue to respond to food security challenges that escalated as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Indicators of Success
- Food Depot at Woodlands site operational and fully functioning by January 2021.
Strategy
Require DAC and schools to develop innovative practices and report out on results annually
Indicators of Success
- Infrastructure for sorting, composting, recycling, and collection of materials is in place at all NLPS sites by June 2021
Strategy
Financially support school requested outdoor learning spaces
Indicators of Success
- At least one outdoor learning space supported from the Annual Facilities Grant (AFG) on a yearly basis.
Strategy
Encourage schools to develop outdoor learning opportunities
Indicators of Success
- Create an inventory of school and community based outdoor learning opportunities to be shared with schools by June 2021
GOAL 4
Truth and Reconciliation
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Strategy
Create a common understanding of the Syeyutsus framework throughout the system
Indicators of Success
- A clear understanding of the Syeyutsus Framework will be evident within all schools and district worksites by June 2023.
Strategy
Environmental scan of understanding re: Syeyutsus Reconciliation will be conducted throughout the district
Indicators of Success
- An environmental scan report will be prepared and presented by June 2021
Strategy
Creation of information packages for departments and schools (eg print, banners, posters)
Indicators of Success
- Syeyutsus Reconciliation informaiton packages will be created and displayed in all schools and district work sites by June 2021
Strategy
Influencing local organizations and influencing other reconciliation activities
Indicators of Success
- Create a working list of external organizations with whom we have established working relationships will be complied and updated annually, with the intent of adding two new organizations each year.
Strategy
Continue and grow First Nation and Indigenous relationships
Indicators of Success
- Foster good working relationships with local First Nation and Indigenous partners as recognized by signing formalized agreements (LEA, MOU, Partnership/Collaboration Agreements) which are reviewed annually, to solidify our working relationship.
Strategy
Supporting our most vulnerable students by developing a business case with partners for the Te’tuxwtun project.
Indicators of Success
- A plan that includes the final determination of the intended programming for the site.
- Support by the Ministry of Education for the Te’tuxwtun project through the District’s Capital Plan”
Strategy
Support the transition of Tsawalk and Nisaika Kumtuks Programs from SD84 to SD68
Indicators of Success
- Facilitation of a smooth transition of students from Tswawalk and Nisaika Kumtuks Programs to SD68 is to occur for September 2021
Strategy
Increase Cultural awareness by identifying opportunities across the district
Indicators of Success
- Compile a data base of Indigenous cultural awareness opportunities and share with all schools by June 2021
Strategy
Increase Cultural awareness by identifying experienced trainers to deliver training
Indicators of Success
- Compile a data base of experienced Indigenous presenters who may share understandings of cultural awareness in schools by June 2021
Strategy
Purchasing and create resources to support Indigenous content
Indicators of Success
- Allocate budget to increase resources depicting Indigenous content that will be added to the district collection and available to all schools through 2022.
Strategy
Creating resources to support Hul’qumi’num language developent
Indicators of Success
- Allocate budget to increae resources that support Hul’q’umi’num language development to be added to the district collection that is available to all schools through 2022
Strategy
Explore the possibility of creating a Hul’qumi’num immersion school
Indicators of Success
- Create draft guidelines for use when considering Hul’q’umi’num Immersion School by June 2021